Charlotte, Feb. 16, 1861 [Note: the correct year is 1862]
Dr. Dr. 
	I am glad you had it in your bones
(and hope no course feeling will possess theirs 
during the war) to write me, and that the
feeling worked off in the manner it did.
As the best assurance of an agreeable cor-
espondence is a speedy reply, and as
I feel it in my heart (my bones not being
very reliable & sound character) to do so,
 I will send you a few words of greeting, tho’
from my location I cannot free up a letter
write a narration of all those trifling home
incidents that make letters interesting to the 
absent   I have no idea I shall hear from
Orville as often as I should if I was a thous-
sand miles from there.    But I will endeavor
to keep myself in rapport (as the Spiritists say)
with you even if I have not the every=day
material of home=life to draw upon.
	Your letter made me wish to be with
the Reg’t but I never had a chance to go

having only been asked if I would accept 
a place, if it was offered.   The offer never
came; and now, if I go into the service, I shall
have to “[sine?] the Home Guards,” and protect the
“vidders.” I suppose I have just about physical
ability enough for this, as it will not require
long tramps, or that a fellow should be up
[illegible letter] nights.   As I have commenced doing
those things whereunto the people sent me
over a year ago the acceptance of a place
in the Reg’t now would be out of the question,
even if I was wanted, which is slightly
problematical
	I am getting the hang of the clerk’s 
office somewhat.   I find it is by far the
most different position in the county, as the 
duties are not only clerical but semi-Judi-
=cial. For instance, as Register in Chancery
thre are duties to be performed at all times,
as much during the interim of sessions, as 
during them. Almost everything, except
the signing of the final decree is done
by the Register.   The Judge is supposed
to be here at all times (except Sundays)
and orders are entered, “At a session

of said court” etc “present Hon. B. F. Graves,
Circuit Judge” when the Judge is perhaps
holding court in Kalamazoo, or absent
on a visit to New England. Verily there 
are legal fictions in the practices. From
this you must see that I have something
to do to post myself up with my duties.
To one who has learned the ropes it is mere
routine; but to one, at present, it is a study,
as I shall not be satisfied to have it said
that any predecessor in the office made
a better clerk
	The war seems to hasten faster than
it did, everywhere except along the Po=
=tomac.   There the folds of the anaconda have
not begun to tighten.  Well, little Mc is a good
holiday general, and his easy, clever dispo=
=sition is just suited to the place. Maybe great
things will be done in his name yet; little
things certainly have been done, as, for
instance, his order prohibiting the Hutchinsons
to sing [Whittiers?] song to the soldiers, as though
the word Freedom should not be uttered in the
hearing of American soldiers.  I have no patience
with these politics=generals who are afraid
lest the war should [crossed out word] loosen the
hold of the slavecrat upon his victim
	By the way, doesn’t it make your blood
dance quicker when you read that Fremont
has triumphed – that his vindication is Complete –
that the garrulous old lion, Thomas, is proved
mistaken – and that Fremont is to have a Com=
=mand. Have you read “Fremont Hundred
		commenced
Days in Missouri” ^ in the Jan. [No.?] of the At=
lantic, and written by a member of his staff,
Maj. Dorsheimer.     It is interesting, and that 
part relating to the change of the Body guard, in
the Feb. [No.?] is thrilling.   Major D. was the
judge=advocate of a court of inquiry into the
affair, and hence is a competent judge. Fre=
=mont represents [an?] idea, and is a noble, chiv=
=alrous, patriotic man, than whom there is 
none that can carry the hearts of soldiers 
on he. I fear that Cameron was a treacher=
ous friend, and I have more hope now 
that justice will be done, than if he had
remained Sec’y
	Write me as often as you can. When you get into Dixie
I want to hear from you, as you have eyes and can see. I will
“submit to the infliction” with pleasure, and repay in kind
as well as I can
	Remember me to Hunter. He looks better to me as a medical 
student than as a divinity student.
	Wife sends good words to you, which I haven’t room to write, 
and joins one in returning a heart, “God bless you and yours” here
and hereafter             Your friend    Ed W. Barber