Camp near Lewinsville, Va.
My dear Sister:
I have not written you since the receipt of your letter containing a copy of your letter to Howard. I was busy on a long court martial at the time which occupied me several days. Since then we have been in great trouble. Col. Biddle left us very suddenly. Our Major (Stone] is absent sick-Col. Kane has been unwell and employed upon a general court martial; all of which circumstances have combined to render the labors of company commanders much more confining than usual. We feel Biddle's loss more than I can tell you. If he has "made an ass of himself" (as Bayard writes) politically, he is nevertheless a thorough soldier and officer and a man very much endeared to us all personally. I was greatly astonished to read his letter; it is so unlike him. No election has been ordered yet although his resignation has been officially accepted. The men, as well as the officers, have a voice and I greatly fear that Kane will not be elected. He has not the hold upon the men that I supposed. Besides other influences are at work which, under the miserable system of electing officers, will have the effect to take away many votes from him. We will have the matter decided soon I suppose. Tomorrow we are going to change the position of our camp and build log huts. It is beginning to get rather cool in our canvass houses.... I had some photographs taken the other day in Washington which I will send you tomorrow. I will close this now that it may get off today. With much love to all.
Your affectionate brother,
C. F. Taylor