My Dear Father: (Nov 18, 1862)
I received a letter from you dated Oct 31st while on the march and this is the first opportunity that I have had to answer it.
I am sure if John Francis was to go to the President and apply for a commission he could get it. Two thirds of the appointments in the army are made in that way. Go first to the Secretary of War and get, if he could, his recommendation and then direct to the President and I am sure he could get it. If he tries it he had better
go to Lt. Col. Garesche of the Adjutant General’s department; He being from Delaware, I think, would interest himself in John’s case. He had better get a letter of recommendation from George P. Fisher. There are vacancies in almost every Regiment in the Army. In the 10th there are two.
General McClellan has been superseded and no officer or soldier, that I have seen, so far has any confidence in anybody else. It would not at all surprise me if we get whipped in the next fight. I believe they are trying to get Fremont to head the army again. If they do, I shall resign and go to South America and try something else; for I don’t like the idea of being killed under such man as Fremont.
I don’t feel like writing any more at present, so I’ll close.
Give my love to all. Your son, Will
I received a letter from you dated Oct 31st while on the march and this is the first opportunity that I have had to answer it.
I am sure if John Francis was to go to the President and apply for a commission he could get it. Two thirds of the appointments in the army are made in that way. Go first to the Secretary of War and get, if he could, his recommendation and then direct to the President and I am sure he could get it. If he tries it he had better
go to Lt. Col. Garesche of the Adjutant General’s department; He being from Delaware, I think, would interest himself in John’s case. He had better get a letter of recommendation from George P. Fisher. There are vacancies in almost every Regiment in the Army. In the 10th there are two.
General McClellan has been superseded and no officer or soldier, that I have seen, so far has any confidence in anybody else. It would not at all surprise me if we get whipped in the next fight. I believe they are trying to get Fremont to head the army again. If they do, I shall resign and go to South America and try something else; for I don’t like the idea of being killed under such man as Fremont.
I don’t feel like writing any more at present, so I’ll close.
Give my love to all. Your son, Will
From this letter you can see that the soldiers do't always have time for their own personal affairs and they don't always receive their letters/mail on time. They soldiers don't always have strong leaders to which they can rely on. This man Will, doesn't feel confident in his leader and feels as though that there is a highly likely chance that they will lose their battle and he doesn't feel that his leader is good. He doesn't want to get killed because of his General's error.