Letter from Wm B. Stevens, dated 1861-10-20

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Our Co. seems to get along very well now though I think, by the talk of the Col. there will be some changes [underline]soon[/underline], among them: some of the leaders wished me to stay with them and take some of the spoils, but I did not wish to do so; do not let [underline][many?][/underline] of the neighbors know that I write this [underline]now[/underline], as I do not wish to have the name of prophesying. I must close now, as I must sleep while I [underline]can[/underline], and the boys seem to be very quiet. Do write as soon as thee gets this. Direct as before.

Love to all from thy loving son.

Wm.

T R. B. Stev--

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Hospital, 4th Regiment [V. V. M.?] Fairfax Co. Va. 10th Mo. 20th 1861

Dear Mother Stevens,

As I shall have a way to send this to the P.O. in the A.M. I will write thee a very few lines tonight. I have not received thy answer to my last from Camp A. and I do not know what it means I have not heard from home since we came from there I think. What is the matter? Are you all sick? You all seem to wish me to write every day, and do not write me at all it seems. I am every much better than when I wrote thee last so is Henry. All the boys from our way, but the Fifer are in comfortable circumstances, so far as I know; he wishes to, & I think [underline]will[/underline] be discharged; I do not think he has ever blown his fife in Va.

As thee will mistrust, by my date, I am, at last, [underline]promoted[/underline]; yes I have, at this time, the place I have been waiting for so long. The Dr. seemed to forget all about me, and I should not have gone [underline]up[/underline], when I [underline]did[/underline], had I not been talking with him at the time the Ward Master came for help. Dr. A. was going to send another man, but I called to his mind his [underline]promise[/underline] and he sent [underline]me[/underline]. We are about 1 1/2 mi. from Camp Griffin (the present camp of our Reg) in the house of a [Union?] man who was obliged to leave before we came and gave our Reg. leave to fit up the house for a Hospital. I came here the 18th then 12 patients were here, two of our Co, but none whom you knew; today we have discharged three and received two. There are a few cases of measles, and the rest result from colds and lying on the ground. There are three men beside myself here to see

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to them, and Surgeon A. is here every day; the conveniencies are very scanty, as [underline]yet[/underline], but are to be better soon, and I think I shall like very well, though I must be up some in the night. It is now time I was in bed (on the floor as the rest of the nurses are, but I can only be sure of [underline]now[/underline], for [underline]myself[/underline]. Smith's Division has orders to have two days rations ready for the men at all times, and to be ready to start at 15 minutes notice so we are not likely to be here long. Mc. was promoted the same day I was, so we must have been born under the same star I think; he is now a clerk, at Head [Quarters?]; has $0.25 cts. per day extra and does not have to work very hard. The particulars of his good fortunes are too much in detail for me to give to-night but when I can have more time I will [underline]relate[/underline].