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Asst. Quartermaster's Office 2nd Brigade, Smith's Division Camp Griffin Va..3rd.Mo. 11th..1862.
Dear Mother
Thy letter came safely to me a bout a week ago, and will try to answer it. The Army of the Potomac, is at last out of Camp Griffin. I had some Office work to do [last?] eve, and did not get to bed till half past ten, and at eleven, before I was asleep, the Order came for us to have every available team ready to start at four; this was the first we had heard of the Advance, though it was not unexpected to us.
McClellan was here to lead them in person, and they started at day light, in the rain, but did not know where they were to go. They went out nearly to Fairfax Courthouse, about twelve miles and stayed over night. There they heard that [McDoweel?] occupied Centreville, and today the news comes that Manassas is taken without the discharge of a gun; incredible as this seems it is probably true and if McClellan did not show his Prowess in the Field he has proved the wis= dom of his candor & moderation in the Council, and the ignorance of the people of the North, in blaming him for his inactivity.
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Does he not deserve more credit for this bloodless Victory, than if he had gone before conquered them with such an immense slaughter as there must have been if he had done so? I could not go along with them, as some one must stay to attend to the Stores and Equipage which we have on hand; the Quartermaster must go, so Imust stay; these have been the longest days of the year 62, to me, and if it wasn't entirely agaunst my principle to be so I should be homesick. I do not know how soon we shall go, or how much we shall carry when we do go, but do not think the Company Tents or much of the Baggage will go along, as it would only impede the march, and be of little use as they have enough canvass on their backs for shelter. Please write soon and direct as before. As ever [etc.?]
Thy son William
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Willie Stevens to Rachel Stevens
Asst. Quartermaster's Office 2nd Brigade, Smith's Division Camp Griffin, VA 3rd month, 11th 1862
Dear Mother,
Thy letter came safely to me about a week ago, and will try to answer it. The Army of the Potomac is at last out of Camp Griffin. I had some Office work to do First eve, and did not get to bed til half past ten, and at eleven, before I was asleep, the Order came for us, to have every available team ready to start at four; this was the first we had heard of Advance, though it was not unexpected to us.
McClellan was here to lead them in person, and they started at day light in the rain, but did not know where they were to go. There they heard McDowal occupied Centreville, and today the news comes that Manassas is taken without the discharge of a gun; incredible as this seems it is probably true and if McClellan did not show his Prowess in the Field he has proved the wisdom of his candor and moderation in the Council and the ignorance of the people of the North in blaming him for his inactivity. Does he not deserve more credit for this bloodless Victory, than if he had gone before conquered them with such an immense slaughter as there must have been if he had done so? I could not go along with them, as some must stay to attend to the Stores and Equipage which we have on hand; the Quartermaster must go, so I must stay; these have been the longest days of the year (?) to me, and if it wasn't entirely against my priciple to be so I should be homesick. I do not know how soon we shall go, or how much we will carry when we do go, but do not think the Company Tents or much of the Baggage will go along, as it would only impede the march, and be of little use as they have enough canvas on their backs for shelter. Pease write soon and direct as before.
As ever, Thy son William
