Letter from WBS & Henry, dated 1862-04-05

Camp Winfield Scott Va 4th Mo. 5th 1862

Dear Mother,

We have been moving around so, from "Pillar to Post" since I wrote thee last that I fear I have fallen far short of doing as I ought in the way of letters, and I know I am short so far as those received are concerned, but I hope you at home will think as I do, that they are [underline]written[/underline] and [underline]sent[/underline], but miscarried.

For the last few days I have been quite unwell; confined to the bed, the three before today. I cannot make up my mind what is the matter, but have not seen fit to send for a Surgeon. To-day I am some better & have been out of doors considerably.

McAllaster has been here and done all for me that I required. He is well, and I hope to be soon. He has now gone out to look at the Rebel works across the Creek, for you will know ere this reaches you that they have gone from us again leaveing G. B. Mc. the winner of [underline]another almost Quaker Victory[/underline]. If we could only blot out the disaster of the 16th [ult?] we might well boast of a bloodless Victory. You have doubtless heard that Alonzo Willey was one of the first to fall on that day.

I do not know what the Vt. Troops are doing to-day, but as we hear no firing conclude they are inactive and rumor says the Enemy have retreated beyond Williamsburg.

I have not got time to write Ann yet. Is she still at home? The death of Betsey Patterson came very suddenly to us all. I hear there are many cases of the kind there. Do you make as much Sugar this year as you did last? I hear Lt. Putnam has gone home so you will get news of the boys from him. I must write no more, but think Mc. will write some when he comes back.

Give my love to all and write soon.

W. B. Stevens

Yorktown May 13th 1862

As I have had no chance to send this till to-day & have one now I will write a word more in relation to Willie. He was quite tired when we reached this place. He is now in the Hospital. We concluded he was too weak to catch up and go along with the Army. He is with Dr. Childe and the Vermont boys and is as well provided for as possible. The Dr. says he has a [slow?] fever. The Army is pressing on to Richmond & do not expect to overtake them till they reach that place. At some more convenient time I will write of the rebels fortifications in and around this place. Henry