Bristoe Station Va.
March 26, 1864
Dear Father,
I received yours of the 23rd by mail yesterday. I wrote to you yesterday and spoke of having sent a letter by a friend—the one which you found in your key-box. I suppose the young man of whom I spoke did not see you in consequence of your being away from the hotel. He did not promise positively that he would hunt you up, but he may see you when he returns from his home in Reading, which will be in about three or four days from today. His father is a wealthy iron manufacturer and used to do business in Pittsburgh. He owns, or did own, iron works in England and France.
It is announced today that the 1st and 3rd Corps will be merged in the other three. [Major] Genl. [Gouverneur K.] Warren who formerly commanded the 2nd Corps is to command the 5th. This consolidation will oust many General and Staff Officers. Brigadiers will have to command Brigades instead of Divisions. I think it would be a good idea to either assign the host of General Officers who are not on duty to some command or else if they are incompetent, to muster them out of the service and save their salaries. I see that [Major] Genl. French who commanded the 3rd Corps has been ordered to Phila. Nobody knows to the contrary but that Genl. Meade will retain the command of the Army of the Potomac. It was rumored that he would be sent away. Grant is still out at the front with Meade. Yesterday the sick were sent off to Washington. They are beginning to “clear the decks for action”.
This month is much like it was three years ago—I mean two years ago. Yesterday it rained hard all afternoon and much of the night. The roads are doubtless bad where they are traveled much. The Venango boys are all as well as usual.
I have time sufficient to acknowledge the receipt of all letters from you. Thinking of nothing that would interest you I will close.
Affectionately your son
J. D. Chadwic
Next posting: March 31, 2014
Jonathan E. Helmreich
College Historian
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA 16335