Letter from Wm. B. Stevens, dated 1863-08-14

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[outside of envelope] R. B. Stevens E. Montpelier Vermont.

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Assistant Quarter Master's Office, Head Quarters 2d Div., 6th Corps.

August 14th 1863.

My dear Mother:

Thine of the 9th inst. was received this evening and tho. it is Late thee will excuse me if I answer it this evening, I know. That I am glad to hear from home, I need not write. Last night just as I was closing up business for the night, David Fuller and Geo. Harvey came in to spend the evening, and staid over night with me. I had quite a good visit with them. [Pecley?] is at Warrenton Junction now, some twelve miles from here. David apologized for opening my package and throwing out some things which were spoiled and would have spoilt the rest, so I forgave him. Kind wasn't I?

S. Wakefield has gone home

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They said nothing of his being at home, and I did not ask them. Feel I know when he was to go I could have seen him.

Owing to circumstances which thee will know of ere thee gets this I do not think the had best send any things by {Ofc?] though there are some which I would like to have but expect to have a chance to get them. I am Somewhat surprised that you are not through haying yet, though as the crop is, here it may not be over ripe there. We are so far from the Depot that we cut what hay the Animals require instead of hauling it so far. It takes some eight tons, for the Div. daily now, and so you see we do "right smart" of Haying.

I am glad to hear so good reports of the Garden and should enjoy it much if I were there, but when we wish for vegetables here we have only to make a Raid outside the Picquet Line, when, as the inhabitants are

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all "Seceshers", we do not Spare their things - and [underline]things[/underline] and things. &c. Popular sentiment in the region at and around Warrenton is very differrent now from it, at the time we came here, and now even "Yankeys" are not unwelcome in some residences where they would have met the "Cold Shoulder" before.

I am sorry to hear that some of the [?] soldiers of the "Gallant 2d Vt Brigade" have [underline]no[/underline] more respect for themselves and others than to reel in the streets of Montpelier, for, whether they did it [underline]before[/underline] they came out here, or [underline]not[/underline], such scenes will give color to the theory that Army life is [underline]degrading[/underline], and when such a one is seen, all "would have known he was a Soldier by his [underline]actions[/underline]" and thus the acts of those from being more conspicuous, will give a [underline]character[/underline] to [underline]all[/underline], who had been in the Army. We [underline]are[/underline] all bad enough, but we shall not be properly judged for this reason.

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Burnham's Raid must have seemed rediculous and it seems to me I should have [underline]"Kicked him out/underline]. Was he not worth the trouble or had you no champion there? At Three this morning The Vt. Brigade was awakened by orders to go to Alexandria starting at daylight. As this was the first we heard of it it took us by surprise, somewhat. The Regiment went but I with many other detached men were not told to join ours so I am still here. I do not know their destination except by rumor but shall most likely have orders to go to them soon. I think they are to go North but do not know. If we go to [?] [Y.?] as some say we are to do thee must take that time to come to Yearly Meeting, if it will do as well.

It is Late and I have a hard days work to do tomorrow, so I will close.

Please write soon and often.

Give my love to all.

[underline]Truly[/underline], with Love

Thy son

W. B. Stevens

To R. B. Stevens

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