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a happy new year with a much fairer prospect that our wishes would be fulfilled than we now have We little know how far the terrible rebellion which now shakes the land will be carried; and how near it may come to every home. I was very patient when Genl. Scott was forming and disciplining his army preparatory to a forward movement; but the country was impatient and fairly drove him onto the battlefield. Now Genl. McClellan with a much larger army, and with men much better drilled is not hurried at all. I have thought that he ought to make a forward movement and I still think so. We are not to starve them out so long as they have reasons for thinking that we are afraid to attack them. They can well delude themselves with the idea that we are cowards and that we soon shall say let them have their independence. We have a large army in the field but what has it done? Let the South see that we are determined to push this war with vigor until the stars and stripes flout over every state in America. Experience teaches me that our army cannot improve much more in drill & discipline. Life is dear but Liberty dearer. Men we must lose before