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Camp Griffin Va. 3d. Mo. 1st 1862/
My dear Mother
Thy last good letter was received, the evening of the Twenty Seventh and would have been answered sooner, but we then supposed the "Army of the Potomac" was on the eve of a [underline]"Grand Advance"[/underline] and business was so brisk, I had not the time to spare; and then too, I thought it would be fine to write thee from Manassas, or [underline]perhaps Richmond[/underline], but that hope is now absent, & Camp Griffin Va is still the stand by.
We have been under marching Orders, some three days now, with three day's Rations cooked, but I think they will be eaten here if at all, as things are getting more and more quiet all the time. The Troops are most of them, badly disappointed, though there is a certain class who rejoice, very much over the delay; I refer to those who had rather rust out, here, than to run any risk in an Engagement. I am in a place where I must stay behind, in case of an advance, to look after the Qr. Ms's. Stores &c. so I did not indulge in any fears for my [underline]own[/underline] safety, but there were times when I was sorry I could not be in the ranks and go with the rest, whether into action, or not. You have heard, before now, I suppose, the particulars of the matter, so I do not need to write them. We are liable to be ordered to march, at any moment, now, and then the Slaughter will be very dreadful, but to quote from Jef's. Inaugural "No one can doubt a favorable result, in the end"
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[upside down:]
P.S. Thee was right in taking any of my clothes that [James?] was in need of and they may as well wear out as to rot out, so use them when ever they are wanted
[right side up:]
I did not know, till last evening, Lieutenant Hill had gone home. I would have supposed he would let me know of his going, but it is as well, I guess; I have lived twenty four years without [underline]much[/underline] of his help, and I do not fear for myself now on his account.
We have had a great deal of wind for the last three days, and the Tents have gone in all directions, and only those which were remarkably well protected, stood the best. Last night was almost a constant gale & quite cold too, so it was very hard for those who were on Picquet, or home Guard; I found it tedious enough in my Tent by the fire.
First day 3d. Mo. 2d. The weather is more moderate this morning and is comfortable; I am feeliing very well; so are all the E. M. boys, so far as I know; Obe was most sick yesterday, but I have not seen him this morning. We have more cheering news from up the River, and it seems that unless we move soon, this part of the Army never will [underline]advance[/underline], at [underline]all[/underline]; it is the general opinion here that we shall move in a few days. I thought when I got thy last full envelope, that I had got a good long letter, but when I found a whole sheet [underine]empty[/underline] I was sadly disappointed; do not send any more blanks to me, as I have enough of [underline]those[/underline]. This is the last of my [Tranked?] envelopes so I wil make the most of it by sending it full, and write Mary a line or two; do not send me any more Stamps, for I can get them just as well & as cheaply here. Give my love to all the folk. Does thee make cheese yet? As ever - &c.
W. B. Stevens
