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Dear Wm.
I received thine dated the 9th & read with much interest & with many tears - I was thankful to get the news contained in Mary's & to learn that thy health has improved tho' thee did not tell me how sick thee was - I fear thee is not yet as well as thee was before I think it will be very unwise for thee to stay if thy health is failing, for thee knows like sis. M. it takes thee a long time to get up - - James writes that he is well & that every thing is jogging along nicely at Morrisville. P. K. Gleed & Ellen Fuller were married about the 10th They are at present going to live with Thomas's widow - P. has the care of the business -
Nancy Wing is failing rapidly - it is thought she will not live many days -
We went to the village last 5th day to hear them legislate & see the soldiers - gen. Butler was there - & spoke in the house & on the ground - - of course as I saw the tents & the cooking & heard profanity - &c &c my thoughts went out to my boy - oh it was a sad sad sight - But I will leave it & speak of the statue of [underline]Ethan[/underline] - I suppose thee has heard of it - it seems to me to be the most wonderful piece of human workmanship that it was ever my privilege to see -
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East Montpelier October 20th 1861
Dear Brother William
I received thy letter containing the twenty dollars the 16th of this month & will allow interest from that time.
We are all in usual health around here at present I believe and are getting along as well as could be expected seeing that so many have gone to the war. The Ladies in this town are trying to get a box of clothing (but principally stockings) for the soldiers which they think you need if there is any article of clothing that you do need [deleted]it[/deleted] more than stockings [it?]
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would be well to write as it is too far to send things that are not needed. We hear that the 2d & 3d Reg are pretty ragged I hope the fourth is better ared for. The 6th Reg. left thir camp at Montpelier yesterday you will probably see them. I believe there are none of our acquaintances but little Charley Templeton who belongs to the Rutland Co.
Jacob Putnam was at home last week he is at [deleted]ho[/deleted] west point now & had a furlough for five days looks tough and healthy he had not heard that any of the boys around here had gone to the war.
I do not think of much more to write about & I suppose that any thing that is going
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on around here will seem tame to you who are in the midst of so much excitement; this is the best that I can do for news. Melissa goes home today I expect so you will have to go to Plainfield to give her the military salute but it is but a little ways up there. I bought eight cows the other day of the Frank Sawyer that you will remember was in jail for poisoning his wife & you have probably heard that he was acquitted.
As I think of no more will close with good wishes for health and prosperity.
Thomas B. Stevens
