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East Montpelier 3rd of 4th mo. 1864
My dear William
I had the pleasure of reading four letters from thy hand last week - one to Mary, one to Thomas & 2 to myself it is indeed a great blessing to us - though some of the statements are calculated to awaken the keenest feelings - I forbear comment can only say it is a wonder of wonders that thee is still in the land of the living. Spared, I believe, for some noble purpose & may the forming hand of the great Artificer, so fashion & mould thy future course that his good pleasure may not be thwarted - Hast thou been able to keep a bible through all this struggle? I might have sent thee one in the box - If we had had faith that it would have gone so directly we should have put in cooked victuals & several other articles - but I was afraid that they would spoil & also injure the other things - I was not at all satisfied with the sugar, but it was the best we had - & if it tasted good I am very glad - No letters came to us of thine except one that Lt. Hatch sent us, enclosed in this from me & as it contains some items of news that may interest thee I enclose it though it does not seem worth it - The water has stopped today & Thomas has been at work at it & does not yet find the trouble - Charley is not very well but has gone after Dorcas Bliss to work for us - I told Jane I did not feel able to do what I knew she needed - My health has rather failed since thee went away - yet I do not remember as I have kept the bed any whole day -
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Warrenton Va
Assistant Quartermaster's Office, Head Quarters 2d Div., 6th Corps.
Oct. 22 1863.
[Mrs?] Stevens
Last Sunday your son William went out with Capt Galt and was captured by [?] also Capt Galt and with out doubt they are both in Richmond now. I write this that you may know where he is. The enclosed letter I opened I find your name, but return it to you without being read. We learn that they passed through here a few days ago and were well
Very truly Your Obt Servant
Geo. H. Hatch Lt & [?] [formerly?] [Ells?] Hatch Montpelier Vt
