1862 January 20 Alexandria, Va.

Dear Sam[uel] Ritter]

Yours of the 4th inst. as Louis
has no doubt informed you came to hand
in due time. I had almost given you up
as dead-when lo behold one bright day your
autograph greets my astonished vision, and
informs me that you are still on this terestial[sic]
globe of ours.

I sit down at this late hour so as to keep my
promise to you pr. Louis that I would write
soon--

I note your remarks about Genl. McLellan
and the "On to Richmonders" & fully agree
with you that McLellan knows his own
business best & will not move till he sees
proper--let some of those who cry so much
for an advance, enlist, shoulder a knap-
sack &c &c wade through the mud which
at this season of the year is thick here-- thick
did I say no I mean thin--& travel day
after day with a wet bed at night, & eve
will see wether there cries will not grow
fainter & fainter--it is a very nice thing

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for those who remain at home & have all the
modern conveniences, to cry advance, advance
it don't cost them any trouble & why should
they not be heard.

I had my opinion about the settlement
of the Trent affair, which was never to lower
the American Flag to any foreign power
to hold out to the last; if it cost the last drop
of blood in the country, they tell me I'm
crazy on this subject--but I'm down on
any degration[sic] of the glorious old stars
& stripes & will soldier for life before I see
them sullied--if it should ever happen
that the Rebels should gain the day, then
give me the Red,White & Blue for a winding
sheet & I'm contended[sic]--whatever may
have been my opinion about the Trent affair
I as a true soldier obey the orders of the Presi-
dent of the United States & submit--
Our friend the Paymaster visited us on Sat.
& consequently we have a large number
of drunken & disorderly cases--we've had our
hands full all day--& between chocking &
punching unruly characters, we shall soon
consider ourselves fit Candidates for a Prize
-fight--more than half our troubles are caused
by want of a Captain--we have a nonentity

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who draws pay as such & also figures as one
in parades, which seems to be about the
extent of his authority, if we don't soon take
the field or have a change in the management
I shall probably be in the regular army
before long--as I am making application
now for a commission--does Mr. Corson
know any iff influential parties, who might
help a fellow? I'm confident of passing
an examination & if I could only get the
proper parties interested--I have no fear of the
result--let me know soon & I'll write to Corson
We have dull times of an evening--the only place
of amusement, being in operation by a 25th rube
Negro Troupe--they have a grand Ball to night
which in crinoline shape is only attend[ed] by
professional ladies(?), consequently I'm "non est"
There's noting new down yare and I
reckon I'll close--I want to write another
letter to-night and as it's getting on to mid-
night I'd better get at it--
Give my respects to all inquiring friends
& report me safe & sound
Yours Truly
Geo. E. Wagner

George E. Wagner, 1842-1904, served with the 88th Pennsylvania Infantry and later as an officer in the 8th and 9th United States Colored Troops.

MSS 11174