Letter from Wm B. Stevens, dated 1862-02-12

Camp Griffin Va. 2nd mo. 12th 1862

Dear Mother.

Thy last good letter came duly to hand and I was very glad to hear from thee, though I did not expect one from thee at Ferrisburg, and I had not heard from home for a long time. Thee stayed longer there than I supposed thee could be spared from home, though [Orlana?] is very trusty and thee could depend on her I suppose. Cousin Rachel has, at last ended her suffering career, and it must be a blessing to her, if she was as well prepared as she seemed to be; I was a great pleasure to thee to be with her, & still a [underline]painful[/underline] pleasure. I got Mary's last to-night; her letters are well as all my home ones, do me much good.

She asks if we are planking the road to Manassas as you had heard we were doing so; I can only say that the Soldiers are not doing it, but the weather is fast doing it for us, and before many days the roads will be so that we can go there, if it does not storm, and then the fate of the War will be decided I think.

The news is very cheering lately from most all part of the Country, tho' you will get the details of the Engagements sooner from the papers than from my letters. The news of the Burnside Expedition has just come into Camp and is Enthusiastically cheered by all; it is not all credited yet but all hope for the best; if it is true, it is the greatest event of the war, so far and a very few more such will end it I am in hopes. Some little things are being done by this Division; for instance, last Sixth day, a part of the 2nd Regt. went out on a Skirmishing Expedition, and took Thirteen Rebel Soldiers, Prisoners, with one Baggage Wagon and Four Horses; this is the most and the best of any thing we have done in a long time; the men were very poorly clothed but well armed; They fired on our men, but without much effect, and now have gone to the Capital to pay the penalty, of so doing. The Horses taken show the signs of hard fare, too, and the Wagon is not much like the Vt. ones, and the only thing, that looked good was the Driver's dog, and he is a fine one; one of our mess bought that.

they "draw in their [hornes?]". The Negros took advantage of this to "Advance" by day to a position between the day & night lines, so when Secesh went back they were safely outside, and came gladly to our Line; they were a joyful set of people; their masters have deserted them, and by this move they have become their own owners. I have not sent any money home since We were paid last for good and sufficient reasons but will risk twenty dollars with this letter and send the rest next time. I do not know as Thos. wishes it but guess he can find use for it. I must close this soon.

Please give my love to all my friends as though I mentioned them.

Farewell

Thy Son William