I hope this taking up of large transport vessels means something, and something prompt and thorough.
Thus far one is sick and sad, so little is done.
I had some hopes that your good father would be put at the head of the Commissary Department. I trust he will get promotion somewhat according to his deserts anyhow. Oh for faithful and honest officers and officials!...
TO GEORGE ENGELMANN.
Cambridge, January 15, 1862.
I do not like to write to you much about the war, and that is much reason why I have not sooner replied to yours of December 9.
My brother-in-law and his cousin are both officers in Burnside’s expedition, which we expect will do something.
Mrs. Gray and I send warmest New Year greetings to you and Mrs. E., and hope you may feel all right and country safe in 1863.
February 20.
Bravo for Illinois, to which victory at Fort Donelson is due, and bravo for Tennessee and Alabama full of Union men! Does not your old Union blood rise? Pray, now drop all your let-treason-alone, do-nothing-disorganizing notions, and go in for the country, the whole country, reinstate it first, and then we will all go in and make it what it should be. The ungenerous conduct of England shows what a condition we should be in as a fraction, and she playing off one portion against the other, and bullying both.