1862 July 15 Warrenton, Va.

                 Warrenton, Va.
                     July 15
                        1862

My Dear Mother
  I have a few moments
this rainy afternoon to write you
I have been to Washington for a day
on business & during my absence
the brigade has moved & the rain
has swollen the streams so as to
cut off all communication & I
am shut up in a little dirty
Hotel to wish & wait.  We are have
here a very large force but not
enough.  It is a discouraging
reflection the stupid sleepy in-
activity of the North.  The So.
have more men in the field
than we--they are better dis-
posed & handled their resources
are sufficient & we must
wake up. We are fighting a

[page 2]
powerful foe  Skillfully managed
& handled in his own home
They are desperate & have used
their power to the utmost We
are doing perhaps enough to rub
through but this is not at all
certain.  Here comes in politics
it will never do to draft till the
people(?) call for it--that would be
impolitic  Lincoln must manage
the war for the Abolition element
is opposed to McClellan.  No
nothing will be put before the
people as it is exactly, for that
would injure the political status
The army is large & powerful it
will not stand everything divided
repulsed &c. & I  hope this inactivity
will last long enough for the
army to rise in its might-- to appoint
a military dictator & put down
this rebellion through one head

[page 3]
& one mind.  I would enforce this
upon Lincoln Stanton & Co by the
bayonets.  No war ever was conducted
by so many aspirants never in
the history of the world was there
divided counsels but bro't ruin
& never was there so large a war
& seemingly calling for a more
powerful overulling of the Civil
& political status. The South has
adopted a more enlightened plan
aside from a more military one
They have given all their power
& all their strength to one leader
& he in consultation with his
Military leaders is Conducting the
war.  but it is no use to
think at all we know now the
War will be a long one but we
hope & trust that some mighty
power will guide us through
& that Providence will shine

[page 4]
upon us even in reverses.  I am
very well in body.  You have
not written me how the sale
of the House has progressed or what
you have done with the furniture.
When is Emily M going to be married.
Has Mary Ann Black been married
Why dont her beau come out I
should like a draft to bring out
just such men who have not
patriotism enough to volunteer.
I think it very strange they dont
write me [at?] Andover.  I have
written two long letters to them &
have heard nothing except 2 or 3 lines
about the deed.  I am using a
poor quill as you may imagine
Give much love to Lizzie & friends
Write soon to
                      Morton
Wen does Lizzie Russell marry?

Lt. Marcus Morton Hawes,  2nd Massacusetts Infantry


MSS 11372