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

Dear Robin

     Just so far in my letter to you & here comes Miss Kate — Papa pa-pá, & must needs have a romp, there she is down from my chair again & creeping over the floor at a 2.40 pace, I find it sharp work to keep up with her movements — Well so far had I gotten when the little lady came along and fairly took possession of me and my desk — I can't say how long I shall now be able to write as the sight of the pen & paper seems to incite the little body to by to have them put away —
     Next week Katy will be a year old, how fast the time flies I hope before K is three years old to have started Westward Ho. A joyful meeting for you & for me my lad I hope is in prospect then — May it be that

in that good time acoming, you & I shall not find each other so very much changed by the years which have passed since we parted — older of course we shall both be you have matured into manhood & I am in the confines of middle age —
     I long very much for a good talk with you I want to let you know how earnestly our sympathies are with you in the various sad discouragements which have come to all friends of our cause in this sadly mismanaged war.
     Yet I do not doubt our ultimate triumph — It cannot but be that the days of such men as Cameron [i.e., Simon Cameron, Secretary of War, 1861-62] are politically over. It is to be regretted that Cameron could not have been hung as an encouragement to the rest of the thieving pack, but this sort of disease will work out, and now that people are paying taxes perhaps their administrators will find it needful to take greater care of the outgoes

The latest news we have is by telegram to 22d March & reports some success of Gen^l Grant's corps in cutting off Rebel communications on the Yazoo — I look most eagerly though for news from Gen^l Hunter's command. Public opinion seems to point to Charleston as the first point of attack — I suppose that when Savannah may be taken in hand the 48 will have a share of the work — Is the conscription law to be worked to fill up the old Regiments & so keep them up alive after their three years is up? This would seem to be the best plan as thus the change would be gradual otherwise there must be an entire recast of the army — Good bye for so long It is time for me to don my boating dress and be off — Today is my pulling day Very affectionately your brother

Ogden E. Edwards

Nellie sends most loving thoughts & wishes.