Lieut Robert S. Edwards
48th Regiment
New York State Volunteers

Dear Robin

     I have your good long letter from Fortress Monroe and also a half sheet addressed to Annie from Hilton Head S. C.
     I had looked so eagerly for news — It was a great pleasure to see your "hand of write" again albeit you were writing under difficulties — I hope you will keep up the habit of writing as frequently as you can, every detail of your new experience interests us and I can already see how your work has its effect in maturing your character and in developing a greater thoughtfulness —
     The cause is a noble one and our citizen soldiery owe it to themselves and the country to be worthy of it — It is not given to every one to be a hero, yet self sacrificing courage is the essence of heroism and that every soldier may attain to.
     I am glad to see that you take so much interest in your men, you have certainly a wide field for your exertions — Our country's greatest danger after the war is over will arise from the demoralizing effects of camp life upon so large a number of our citizens and too much can hardly be done to keep the soldiery fit for citizenship — By the action of the Sanitary Committee I trust we may be spared a repetition of the Crimean errors

Just now we are not a little anxious as to the prospect of a war with England growing out of Captain Wilkes [i.e., Capt. Charles Wilkes, U.S.S. San Jacinto] seisure of Mason & Slidell [i.e., Confederate diplomats James M. Mason and John Slidell] — I am perfectly astonished at the manner in which the news has been received in America — Having steadily refused to acknowledge the Southerns as anything but rebels and after having found so much fault with the English because they called them belligerents it comes with an ill grace from M^r Lincoln's cabinet to turn sharp around and claim to take these men from the shelter of the British flag on the ground that they are the messengers of a belligerent — As rebels we clearly could have no right to touch them The English are very much aroused and I fear our government are giving England a chance to step in & break the blockade & help the Southerners. I know this is desired by many Englishmen even at the risk of a war with the North.
     However it is not of any use to borrow trouble and I will hope for the best. I see that Annie was pleasantly settled at Andover and I trust her winter there may prove both profitable and pleasant.
     Nellie & I jog on in the old track. In that good time a coming I 'spose we shall be thinking of turning our faces homeward but not yet a while — God bless you dear Rob and keep you —

lovingly Yours
Ogden E. Edwards