Letter from Wm. B. Stevens, dated 1862-01-28

Head Quarters 2nd Brigade Smith's Div Camp Griffin Va 1st Mo. 28th 1862

My Dear Mother,

Thy note from Ferrisburg came to hand in proper season though Henry had some fear in regard to giving it to me immediately as I had only been at work three or four days when he got it and he did not know what might be the effect on me. As I expected would be the case thee overstated my illness, and gave thyself too much trouble and uneasiness about it; there were only three or four days but I could be out of doors safely and in [underline]those[underline] I was very comfortable, and at present on the account of ill health, I should like to be there for a few days, and think I could get a Furlough for a short time, but seven days is the longest time allowed now & it would take two of those to go and come leaving only five to be there and the cost would about one month's pay, which would not pay very well.

I got the business letters all right, and have replied to them, and do not know what the effect will be or what will be my fate, but some extracts from the Discipline quoted by H. M. seem to decide the case plainly enough, if correctly quoted, as I presume they were, though I have no means of finding out, here; he referred me to the pages, so I suppose he thought I had the Book of D. with me in the Army; I have not so will trust to his word for it. I do not know but thee will be there when they get the letters; if thee is thee will learn the result I suppose. I thought some of sending thee a Duplicate but as all the business of this Office has to be done in Duplicate I do not wish to get into that way with my letters - I do not know whether I shall hear from them again or not, but shall probably hear the results of their deliberations [underline]sometime[underline]. I do not know as thee will like my change of employment, but do not think thee will regret it much when thee looks at all the circumstances of the case. I thought it my duty to leave the Hospital while I [underline]could[underline] do so in [underline]health[underline]. There are many others in the Regt. who can do more for the sick than I could even pretend to do.

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I have the benefit of out door air in large quantities, and have horseback riding most every day, which is one of the best exercises in the world, except riding on one of the [Gov?] Wagons, over such a road as H. B. Stowe describes in "Uncle Tom's Cabin." I can imagine how Senator Byrd rode that night, all but the [underline]woman[underline]. Many of the Officers have their wives here with them, but it is a sorry place for a woman, when it is as muddy as it is now, in Camp. Lieut. H. H. Hill has expected his father out here ere now but he does not come yet, and he has most given it up I guess. He says he hopes he will not come, while it is as muddy as it is now, for fear he shall swear about it before him. I got a letter from Ann, a short time since; she is well, and writes no news which I need repeat to thee. I am sorry to hear that Cousin R. is so feeble and hope she is better ere now. Her disease must be very painful. Is Rowland at home now? or has the Regt. of lame, [halt?] & blind been called for? I wrote to Jane before I got thy word for it that it would be carried safely, so it is as well though Mary writes that the conveyance goes, but does not vouch for its regularity. I hear you have Snow enough but hope no one has too much.

You do not write anything of Uncle T's folks so I suppose they are well as usual. Mary writes real good letters and so do you all, and I wish I could reply to them in a way so that you could send them oftener.

The writes that Orlana Staid with Thos. while thee was away. She works in very well once in a while. Give my love to Uncle and Aunt Orcutt, as well as to Uncle T.'s folks. When I get my extra Pay, I shall write Thos. though he has not answered my last to him; does he draw the seven [?] Mo. correctly? We get only one dollar in Specie this time from the Government & that only to make the change as the Treasury Notes are not less than 5's. Our Brigade is now supplied with tents which come to pieces, so that each man can carry his part on his Knapsack, in case of an advance, but they still retain their large ones to use in a permanent Camp - One or two men of our Co. are discharged and will start for home, now they have their pay; two have already gone. Please write soon and direct as before as, though I am a mile from the Co. I can ride over most every day, if I choose to.

Thine, As ever

W. B. Stevens.

For R. B. Stevens