1862 December 7 near Aquia Creek

[letter of Captain Henry S. Spaulding of the 38th New Jersey continues]

                              Dec 7th morning,
What I do for my country I do from
the motives I explained in a former letter
But I confess I cannot have much hope
of my country.  We have an immense
army on paper, but when all that have been
killed & wounded, & have died from disease,
are deducted
^the army will be materially lessened.
Still however it is large, & if properly managed
might yet conquer some kind of peace.
But Oh! the Union. Where is it?
It is just reported here that Fremont has
relieved Burnside.  If so, you know my feelings
& opinions, & that is enough until we know it is so.
 In coming from Camp Cumberland we were
marched 12 or 15 miles out of our way & came
64 or 65 miles to gain 40.  You may be assured

[Captain Spaulding ends abruptly here and will resume on the 10th]

MSS 38-156