ENPages
p.
William Byrd Stevens East Montpelier Vermont (W.A.A.M.) (U.V.M.)
p.
Exhibition! I want to see you very much during vacation. Can you go to Stowe with me? I shall find it impossible to go to to Morrisville at the close of the term. I have not been to the Dr's yet, when I shall I don't know. I shall be very busy this Summer. I have some [loose] ends to bring up, but with my present health I can do considerable work. Dr. Foote is helping me as usual. If I can get money to take another course after this I think I shall feel [underline]well[/underline]. Please write me within a week and tell me where you will be the last of next week and whether you can come here at our exhibition. I [underline]must[/underline] see you during vacation or shortly after.
With kind regards to your people I remain
Your Friend
Henry.
P.S. You need not send my things at present, bring them if you come down.
[page break]
U.V.M. North Hall April 30, 1861.
My Dear Friend -
Your letter was received last night. I was not expecting it, but I have been looking for you instead for a few days. Yet for all this it was welcome but you would have been more so. The term is drawing to a close. Next Saturday sets us free for awhile. The Summer Term will commence the 16th May. At that time Sophomores will be expected to appear in public. The present excitement [deleted]will[/deleted] operates badly for our performance. Erhardt & Loomis have already left, and the rest are too excited to do justice to themselves. My piece is nearly completed. I am in hopes to do nearly as well as I could under more favorable circumstances. It is hard for us to study or do anything but
p.
I get excited. Patriotism is above par. The Stars and Stripes float over the old U.V.M. and many of the students will be ready to go when they think there is a call for them. I have not enlisted yet, and I hope it will not be necessary, but if it becomes so I shall go if I can get the consent of my creditors.
I wrote home to see if father and Uncle would let me go. Uncle wouldn't let me go because it would annul my life policy, and father said the greatest objection he had was that people might lose their money and their confidence in me. Further than that he didn't know why I shouldn't go as well as others. I do not wish to go unless it is necessary for it would be too great a sacrifice, but when my debt to my country becomes
[page break]
greater than those to my friends I hope I shall discharge the larger obligation first. Drew has left College and is Captain of a company forming in town. The College boys are all under drill. We can beat any company here in field evolutions. Our Drill master is an Englishman. He has seen ten years service, was in Crimea; and in the charge of the 600 at Balaklava. We like him very much. Those who stay here during vacation are going to march to Underhill and camp out a week. They will have a nice time, but I can't go with them. Next Friday or Saturday I shall go to [Uper Jay] to get some of my things. I shall return some time next week and go home. Can you come down here at our
