Letter from Wm B. Stevens, dated 1861-10-02

There are many false alarms out here and we do not get [underline]correct[/underline] news of affairs here sooner than you do in Vt. Our Camps, the 2nd, 3d, 4th & 5th Vt. Reg'ts are about 75 [?] across The Potomac, on land which was cleared by the 2nd & 3d when they first came here; it is very rough & stumpy, but we find [room?] for our tents, and [underline]wood[/underline] is plenty; our [underline]rations[/underline] are small yet, and [underline]few of them[/underline], but, enough to keep us alive, and will be better soon, we hope. I cut up 100 lbs. of beef yesterday most of it in shape for [underline]frying[/underline]; our meat is [underline]good[/underline], and if we could get it [underline]oftener[/underline] we should be all right; many of the men complain of being starved, but all can have enough to eat, if they are [underline]prudent[/underline]; give them bread enough, in the morning for three meals, and they will eat all they [underline]can[/underline] for [underline]breatkfast[/underline], and throw the rest away. Those who starve on underline]such[/underline] fare, [underline]ought to[/underline]. Not many of our boys are sick now, and what are so are improving. I think I have not seen a sick day since I left home

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Mc. A. was very sick a few days at Brattleboro but is well now. We find many friends in the other Regiments, and all are surprised to see us here. Blanchard

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said he thought we had a strange choice of Officers and we hear many such remarks.

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Camp Advance across Chain Bridge Fairfax County, Va. 10th 2nd (1861)

Dear Mother,

I have neglected writing thee, not from desire, but from [underline]necessity[/underline] we have been so busy since we started from Vt. that I have hardly got time to [underline]rest[/underline], to say nothing about writing. I am [underline]cook[/underline] to-day and boss has excused me long enough to write a letter home. As thee will [underline]see[/underline], I have nothing to write with but a pencil & that is a [underline]poor[/underline] one, but it is my [underline]best[/underline]. Sixth day at M. we had orders to strike our tents and be ready to start for C. Bridge at a moments notice. It was [underline]some[/underline] rainy, but soldiers

must not mind [underine]storms[/underline] & we struck tents and put on our blankets to keep the rain off till we started, after shivering around till dark we were told, from the Col. that we were not to go till the next day & might [underline]pitch[/underline] again. Seventh day we got on the road, about noon for a march of [9?] miles, for a wonder, there were teams enough for our knapsacks so we had only rations, water, ammunition, guns &c. to carry with us. We marched through the Capital but could not leave the [underline]ranks[/underline], so did not see much of it. We were only 1/2 mile from the Capital in our old camp but hardly any of us could get passes, so my knowledge of the Seat of Government is no better than when I left Vt. We got into the Old Dominion at about

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4 o'clock P.M; the 3d Reg. was encamped on the ground we were to occupy, and could not move that night, so we had to do as best we could. Capt. Blanchard asked [underline]me[/underline] to stay with[underline]him[/underline], but I thought I would stay with the Company, and take my fare with the [underline]rest[/underline]; [McA?] & I got under some bushes and got fairly askeep, when we were called out (about mid night) to take cartridges and caps in our [boxes?] and be ready to start into action before morning, as the pickets had been [driven?] in, and the 2nd and 3d Regts. were [underline]already[/underline] out. We got out [18?] cartridges, each, and went to [underline]bed[/underline] again, and slept till morning wthout [allarm?]. There was some skirmishing done in the night among our troops, but not many of the enemy were seen.

10-2-1861

[Mc?] & I are as well suited as any in the Company, I think, or at least we complain as little as any of the boys. We do not drill much now, as we have no good place for it here. We shall be likely to move from here in a few days and most likely shall go on towards Manassas. Our forces are and now some four or five [ms.?] that way now. They have possession of Halls Church and Munsons Hill now. in some houses they found on the road they found quantities of provisions [?prepared] for use and looking nicely, but on being tested, were found to be poisoned; the houses were burn= ed after taking such things as they chose to take. Some of our boys were on the outside pickets last night but none of the Rebels were seen by them. One or two were seen the night before last, but

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I have not got a letter since I came from [Plainfield?]

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were not taken; three prisoners were brought in, a few days ago but I do not know what was done with them, most likely they were taken to Washigton for safe keeping. Captain Foster was unwell when we got here but is better now. The right wing of our Reg. is in a [Host?] near hear and the left is near by it so we are together. My turn to go out as a picket hasn't come yet, and I do not know how soon it [underline]may[/underline]; I am ready to go, at any time but many of the boys are [underline]anxious[/underline] to go so I do not try hard to go. I must close soon and go to help prepare for supper. Give my love to all the famly Thos. Charly, Jane and the hired man Horace, Mary, Howard & Melissa, & all others whom the may see

In haste thy son

W. B. Stevens