p.

I really expected before thee went
away, thee would tell me about that
mysterious trip - We begin to have
Strawberries - Howard likes his school -
If it had not rained we intended to go
to Luther's to-day - They expect Josiah
home soon - Orville Short's
wife has gone to Mass. intending to work
in a factory - she has left her little boy at
Orlando's - Mary had the largest
school last first day evening that she has
had atall - & it was very interesting &
orderly - J.G. Putnam gets no
further intelligence respecting Isaac's
remains - I think they are giving up
the expectation of having them removed.

The daily papers give news of a little
advance of the army & that a final
struggle is only a work of time when
victory is surely to be ours - if this is so
how revolting is the thought of the awful
carnage that must attend it -

I have looked strong for a line from
thee every mail this week - I hope thee
does not think we have neglected thee, and in-
tend to pay us in kind - Mary joins me in
most affectionate remembrance - thy mother

R. B. Stevens

[page break]

East Montpelier
6th mo. 9th 1864

Mt dear Willie -

Thy last letter to us was
dated the 24th ult. Ann tells us she has one
of the 25th I was really grieved that thee looked
for a letter from us so long before thee got it -
it did not occur to us that we [underline]could[/underline] write
till we heard where thee was - I hope if
thy health is sufficient thee is now with
Capt. Galt. aunt P. said first day she had
heard thee had gone into the ranks - this
I can not believe, till thee tells us so -

We are sitll having a good deal of rainy
weather - yesterday was pleasant, though
not very bright till just before sunset -
Christopher & Mary were married at
home at 9 A.M. had a company of 50 in-
vited - very select - the bride said she should
not ask any one that she did not want -
so, of the families of the nearest relatives

[in left margin:]

Mary has written to thee twice & this is my second attempt -
The bridge by Norcrossed was again made passable on 2nd day last