1862 August 2 Camp near Washington Va.

Camp near Washington Va
August 2 1862

Dear Mother,

Upon returning from Washington I found two letters
from you.  I have not had time to answer them. We are
set down in a hut unsheltered field & no relief save brushing
off the bugs & flies which are very thick here.  We are
now under the Great Pope & we have already made up our
minds he is more than 1/2 humbug.  the orders are now very
stringent & neither officer or man can get away at all so
you must postpone your idea of seeing me at B. for some
time.  I am glad our Govt. has at last realized the size of
the job they have undertaken.  Drafting has been ordered &
trust it will be carried out.  I should like no better
work than to have a force & enforce the law in Mass.  Do
you know I am almost ashamed of the old Bay State,--of
the Governor who makes "nigger" his aim, & Abolition his
rule who will Commission no officers who are not endorsed
by Phillips & Co & who will agree in the strongest terms to
emancipate, steal, run off  & generally catch, all negroes--
(this is true the Govr. refusing one of our best Officers who
desired promotion & had the recommendation of 3 Generals
on that account) and of the people & the State that they
will stay under such rule & such a man, for the State
has no official & but little general reputation Save through
the Governor.  This is the time of strong deeds & sudden
action & the people must not yield to hobbies, or be governed
by one who does.  I wish from the bottom of my heart

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that we could adopt the "One man" power.  I do not believe
in the "peoples rule".  The workings of this war is enough
to convince me, had I no other reason.  By the way our
friend Capt. Underwood has got a position as Lt. Col. in one
of the new Regts. the 33rd the Col is Maggi who you re-
member kept a gymnasium in N.B. & created  considerable
scandal there with Mrs Charles Howland I think.  Underwood
made a mistake, there are too many contingencies in these new
formations both of association & success.  The rank is
tempting, but he sacrificed a great deal.  What is Uncle
Same doing now & where is Dick.  If woolard has any idea
of enlisting or fear of drafting I can give him a situation at
35 or 40 dollars a month with a horse to ride & his food
& I will put him ahead as fast as I can.  I am hiring drivers
for my wagons at 25 dollars & Wagon Masters 35 to 90 per Mo
food included. I will hire as many drivers as I can
get two or three Wagon masters.  If any one wants to
come I will give him papers by which he can get
transportation & a pass here.  You say nothing about
the house is it sold & where are you staying?  Give
my thanks to Lizzie for her letter She can have my
stock which is all I know of that I have to give.  I
have no news & nothing to write.  Much love
                                                                     Morton

Morton Hawes, Quartermaster, 2nd  Massachusetts Volunteers

MSS 11372