Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey
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I received a splendid letter from you to-day, sent the 10th, I heard to day that
our letters fr the army are retained a week or more at Old Point., this explains
why you do not get my letters sooner. Am very sorry to hear your Father gets no
better. I wish I could come home a month or two this hot weather. It was
exceedingly warm for several days after the Fourth, but for two or three days it
has been delightful. The men are getting rested & growing better, the sick
list decreasing gradually. Major Seaver has tendered his resignation. I doubt if
it is accepted. Major Proctor has resigned. Capt Atherton has not returned yet.
I am getting about well again. Dont have much to do now. I reckon you would not
be here if you could endure the hardships. I would not have you here one week to
save the Union, scarcely. Any woman must unsex herself that follows the Army a
day. You have no idea of the corruption of an army. I shall be very glad to get
home & have the war over, it might have been ere this but for the follies of
a few politicians. Yet I scarcely know what I shall do when I get home. I shall
have no money & no business & unfit for immediate business. I do not
much expect to go to Vt. again. They have filled up with lawyers in Springfield,
& it is not the place for me any way. I think I shall go to N. York. But it
will take time to start any where. I dont know how long I may stay in the
service eve if the war con- tinues. Unless I get a regiment now that more troops
are called for I shall resign. Nor am I
going to beg for one at all
either. These offices are generally disposed of by a set of politicians who have
no regard for rights or duty to men or the service. I know that with my
experience I can do better for a reg’t in one month than a new man can in three,
& I am the ranking Lt. Col, now in the division, & I can get the first
recommendation from every General in the Division & every Field Officer in
the Brigade, & if under such circumstances I dont get a reg’t I shall leave
the service. I am here to serve the Country, & not a set of politicians
& when I find that our leading men have decended to be nothing but
politicians at such times as these then I am ready to see the end of the war
whether successful to us or not. If the nation is but rotten mass, it is not
worth fighting for. How do you manage to get along in Boston amid all your old
beaux? Shall I find you as faithful & true as ever? Oh my angel what should
I do without you! What if you should forget some of yr promises to me! Do you
remember & keep them all! Do you remember all my lectures to you about
familiarity, &c. &c. You must & have no doubt but you do. I never
think about you but as the fond faithful wife I would have you be. The Majors
poor wife is unfortunate but it may turn out well. I hope so. Who takes charge
of the paper now yr Father is away sick? I have not rec’d one lately. Is Alfred
at home? Remember me to my friends in Boston. I hope Chester do’t fool with Miss
Warren now does he? She has treated him too slightingly to be noticed by him
longer. Write often & remember yr fond husband.
W.G. Veazey