Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Harvard Memorial Biographies

[244] camping out in the middle of Brighton road when it is hottest and dustiest. I am well and jolly, except when I think of you all; and then the thought that I am trying to do my duty is consolation ample.

A few days later, under date of

Arlington Heights, August 28.

Our men are just getting a notion of loading and firing. We have had rumors of the defeat of Pope, Sigel, &c., but nothing authentic. We can tell literally nothing here about the movements of the armies. Regiments come and go: their tents whiten the hillside one day, and are gone the next. . . . .I hope that the Thirty-fifth will soon prove itself an excellent regiment.

In a letter to his sister, dated Arlington Heights, September 2d, he writes:—--

I shall ever love you as I have done, not in very demonstrative mode, perchance, but yet better than you think; and, while I live you know that you have somebody to depend on, to help and assist you. I hope, God willing, after this accursed Rebellion is put down, to return to old Massachusetts; and, a better and more energetic man, to make my way, so that I can aid in other ways than mere words. . . . I have had the appointment of Major to the regiment. . . . . Pray, who, if any one, made representations to the Governor? If you know, please let me know. The promotion is rapid enough to satisfy the most exacting; and I shall try to fill the post thoroughly, and hope to.

Shortly afterwards, his regiment, with others, moved, in support of McClellan, towards Harper's Ferry as far as Brookville, when the Major was sent back to Washington on detached service, while his regiment was hurried into action, and took part in two severe battles when it had been raised barely five weeks and could not execute a single battalion manoeuvre. On the first report of the likelihood of an encounter, he hastened to the front.

Washington, September 18.

I sent the detachment off Tuesday evening to rejoin the regiment, and must follow just as soon as I can. . . . . My regiment is perhaps seventy miles distant,—a long way in this bebothered State. The great thing which I regret in staying here in Washington on regimental business is, that my regiment may have been