George W. Quimby to Parents
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I have a few moments to night which I will spend in writing to you. I received your letter concerning the coat two days ago and shall get it soon through the Sutter I think, tho. now we are some ways from Washington, and may be further in a few days.
We are expecting to commence a campaign under another and untried leader in a day or two, perhaps we may start tomorrow tho. we do not generally know anything of the moves till a few hours before we are to march.
Gen. McClellan reviewed our
division for the last time Nov 10th and it was
one of the saddest hours I ahve seen in this war. for then we knew for a certainty
that a Leader whom we all trusted and loved was removed from us. Twas then that we
knew that an influence woeful for the interests of the country had gained the
ascendancy in Washington.
I believe that it was the darkest day we have seen when McClellan was suspended for
it is a dangerous thing to take from the Army one whom they love and worship almost,
just because he cannot be driven or moved against the decisions of his own judgment.
I never saw him looking as finely as when he passed by us with uncovered head -
looking
as though he would fix the expression of each countenance in his
heart. Well today the 15th we have not moved and the talk is we shall move tomorrow.
We must do something soon if at all. Until McClellan was suspended we marched 5 days
at the rate of about 15 miles then stopped for half a day and continued for two days
longer to march - when he was suspended and since then we have marched only 6 or 7
miles and have stopped here since the afternoon of the 9th - precious time for the
Rebels - but I hope for the best. We have had pleasant weather for the last few days,
but before that we had had some very cold weather. It snowed on the 8th and was very
cold and boisterous - giving us quite a fortaste of winter and we must have rainy and
cold weather
attended with mud which will stop further operations for this
fall. I have received no letters in response to the overcoat the last today dated
Nov. 4th. I was glad to hear that you were all well and especially that mother's
health is good - for I shall now think that there is some prospect of my seeing you
all again in health for if we ever get into winter quarters I shall come home some
way. We start tomorrow morning at 7 o'clock.
Write as often as possible -
Your affectionate sonG. W. Quimby