1862 September 16 Frederick, Md.

Frederick Md
Sept 16th 1862

Dear Mother,
                      Here I am where I wintered all last winter a
part of the grand army under McClellan.  We have been
marching night & day to this point.  The troops have gone
on without any rest & the one days rest here for me is
really refreshing.  We have had a severe battle just beyond
here with tremendous loss on both sides. Gen Reno of ours
a most valuable & brave officer was shot & died & others.
The enemy was on the side of a mountain & our loss was
very heavy in charging up hill.  Your letter from D. [?]
though pleasant to show the friendship &c existing for me
I should never have presented for Pope was always a man
I had no confidence in or liking for.  He was the acme
of boastful ignorance.  He has a long & sad record to atone
for Sometime or other.  The Govt. is now too weak to
throw him over but has given him a new Command
to squander money & lives.  Your exertions about
the bond I am very thankful for.  It was

[page 2]
correct.  I am writing Mr W to day.  I have written
you once to F. Haven. When is L. Russell to be married
& cant it be prevented.  What is S. W. Hawes doing
& Dick. the people were overjoyed to see us & were
very affectionate in their reception.  I have no
time to write much & merely send this as the
mail is reopened to let you hear from me
With much love
                             Yrs
                                         Morton

Lt. Marcus Morton Hawes, 1836 - ?  2nd Massachusetts

Assistant Quartermaster to General George Henry Gordon

MSS 11372