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

My dear Rob.

     Last mail brought me your letter of 22d March — With you I am growing more hopeful of our eventual success — I think Admiral Porter's position below Vicksburgh will give us virtually the command of the Mississippi — It is now of but little matter whether we take Vicksburgh or not, of course we must beat the rebel troops in the field and whether this is done at Vicksburgh or at a point more favorable to us seems to me to depend upon the generalship of our leaders —
     I feel, perhaps wrongly, that if Farragut had commanded the fleet at the Charleston attack the result would have been different
     You & I do not agree in our estimate of McClellan — Time will show more clearly who is right — I look upon him as a very hardly used man, who has borne unmerited obloquy with wonderful reticence — His time to speak out will come — Mac was removed for not fighting. Burnside fought at Fredricksburgh

and gave way to Hooker who has not fought at all — So far as we yet know; nothing but disaster has followed interference with MacClellan — I do not think him a great military genius but so far as yet shown he has proved himself our best man.
     I have not seen the pamphlet you refer to "How a free people conduct a great war" though I have seen references to & extracts from it
     We are pretty well settled down since the earthquake — The loss to us will be less than I at first expected I hope $25,000 will cover it — Fortunately the fine weather after the shock gave us time to get most of the produce under cover without rain damage — We are loading four large American ships and one Englishman & I am as busy as I can well be — Nothing Notwithstanding our losses by the earthquake the P & S a/c would show a gain since the 1 of Jan^y so I may as well be patient and work on —
     Your account of your Theatre was very entertaining I am sure you must find it a great resource amid the ennui of garrison life — I do not quite understand why an old regiment like

yours should be kept in a fort to do garrison duty while green troops are sent to the field —
     The expected Scotch nurse has arrived & seems to be a very nice party. Poor Katy finds life's troubles already upon her what with getting her double teeth & being weaned, and being taken from her mother's room to the nursery she finds has about as much as she can bear
     I have been obliged to give up my room to Ned and M^r Huntington [i.e., William D. Huntington, clerk at Peele, Hubbell, & Co.] — The latter is half brother by the mother's side to our M^r Tucker & has come out as junior to our office — Ned is to be promoted to assistant book keeper Huntington taking part of Ned's work —
     I do not think we shall have a war with England just yet, but it may break out any day, and will I fear do so within a few years — Don't give up the army therefore unless for good cause If the Democrats get into power again I may be able to help you, through some of my New York friends, to get into the regular army — In case your regiment were called into active service I think I should not have much difficulty — As your regiment as yet

has hardly been under fire it would not be so easy to do anything
     I think my dear fellow that you need not be in a hurry to get knocked about for by all signs a war with England is a mere question of time — You speak of exchanging into a regiment at the north if you leave the 48 why not try the darkies? However you can judge much better than I of the advantages any particular course may offer.
     I have hardly read anything lately, since the earthquake I have been so much exposed to the sun & glare that my eyes are weaknd & I cannot use them so much as hitherto —
     We had such kind letters last mail from friends in China rejoicing over our safety From M^r Sage, M^rs Hunter and others. Sages letter was like one from a brother. Sage & Geo. Peirce seem like relations — George got the news from outsiders first & could hardly eat or sleep till he got my letter assuring him of our safety. With a deal of love from Nellie, Katy, & myself ever affectionately

Yours
Ogden E. Edwards

Dear Annie

a deal of love & thanks for your letter of April —