Lieut Rob^t S. Edwards
48th Reg^t N. Y. S. Volunteers

My dear Rob.

     By the last mail I recieved through Annie your letter to her of the 17 & 27 May — I am glad you thought you would get a step — As you say it is not much, but still it is a step and worth having — I can most heartily sympathise in your vexation at having been sent to Pulaski — Perhaps you may have been relieved by the 1st S C Volunteers if the darkies would fight at all I should think they would do so behind stone walls & I suppose there is not much danger of an attack upon Pulaski — It has occurred to me that

these black regiments are likely to be retained in the service of the U.S. and that if you want to follow the military line of life you could probably attain your object by accepting a command in one of these contraband corps — I suppose you would in such case get another step and take a company — However this is all guess work on my part. We have news from Richmond just after the battle of Fair oaks — I suppose the next mail may bring news of another battle there. From Charleston we have telegraphic rumors of a severe battle, result unknown —

The good cause goes bravely on may you dear boy be spared to us — Oh for that good time a coming when I can see you again — My little Kate with her pretty baby ways often brings you up to me as you were those many years ago when I used to lay you in my bed in the little room off the nursery and encourage you to kick & crow.
Kate is already a great plaything and the tiny hands grasp my fingers quite eagerly as I sing or whistle to her
     Yes, I did mean that Annie should read my letters to you I cannot by every mail write to each of you & the letter addressed to me is for both
     Via Pekin we have a rumor that the Russian ambassador

had received advices from his Gov^t of an out break in Prussia and that the Royal family had fled to Saxony & to England If this be true there will be an end of all talk about intervention in America and L. Napoleon will probably want to get out of the Mexican trouble as quietly as he can —
     Take a deal of love dear Rob. from Nellie Kate & me — I hope next mail to get a letter from you. What a jolly time you will have with Annie if you get your furlough — I don't see tho' how you can get it if you are the only subaltern in the company —

Affectionately yours
Ogden E Edwards