ENPages
p.
Homeopathic Hospital, Mt. Pleasant Washington, D. C. July 8th 1862
Dear Mother;
Once more am I able to sit up at the stand and use the pen, so my first efforts are to be sent to thee, as I know thee will be patient enough to read the trembling scrawl, as perhaps some would not. I have been quite sick, but I think not dangerously so. There was most a week which was lost to me at the time, but now I can remember many incidents of it as Charlie mentions them. My being in this state was the reason you did not hear from me as I did not think of such things &
p.
Charlie, never having had much experience, hardly knew what to do. When I came to myself, I got him to write & as he seemed to prefer to write Mary, I thought it would make no difference. He got leave of the Surgeon of the Carver to be with me, & has been, day & night, most of the time; I am under very great obligations to him, for his care of me, ever since I came up the River; although I should have had good care here without him, still he has made it much more pleasant for me. The Surgeon who attends me seems to be a very fine man & I like him much; the first time he came (we had a differrent one for a few days at first)
[page break]
I was in one of my worst wandering modes & he watched with me most all night & would not let Charley, or Mrs. Paine relieve him. I was all over the country; in E Montpelier, Montpelier Brattleboro, New York & Washington, but brought up, every time, with the Surg. putting me back into [underline]bed[/underline]. I am now having a pretty fair appetite, with a clear head & am in hopes to gain more rapidly soon. There seems to have been much very desperate fighting before the Rebel Capital resulting, too, as I think in the [underline]defeat[/underline] of the [underline]Army[/underline] of the [underline]Potomac[/underline], though the papers try to smoooth it over as a [underline]victory[/underline]; McClellan is not [underline]strong enough[/underline] & the sooner the North become aware of the fact, the better for them.
p.
My last news from McAllaster was dated June 2d.; I do not see why he does not write, as he must have a plenty of time. I cannot see the object of Perley's sending for Citizens & paying them such wages; it seems to me it is wronging the Soldiers, who are doubtless equally as good nurses, [underline]some[/underline] of them, at least & who are now serving for $13.00 per. mo. & when detailed, as nurses, need receive only $20.00 " " while James writes that he offers $50.00 per. mo to those who have been staying at home & I almost think not [underline]enlisting[/underline] because they were [underline]afraid[/underline]. I do not like it if they want to go to Richmond, let them [underline]enlist[/underline], as they will [underline]need[/underline] to, by the time Vt. has raised 4 more Regts. How does Mower get along?
I am getting tired and must close. Please write soon & tell the news. Direct as before. Give my love to all How is Uncle Timothy now?
Very Truly
Thy loving Son
W. B. Stevens
To R. B. Stevens.
