Letter from Wm. B. Stevens, dated 1862-09-29

Assistant Qr. Mr's. Office, 2d. Brigade, Smith's Div., Camp near Hagerstown, Md., Sept. 29th 1862.

My dear Mother:

Once more I am in the mode for writing home. It is more than a week since we have had any mail in Camp so I do not know whether I am indebted to thee or not. I have got one letter from Ann since I came into Camp. She was well then & was just at work, once more, at her books. I do not think Timothy has more reason to complain of my not writing, than I do of his, as I have written him twice since I heard from him & do not know what to think of him. As thee will see I am still in the Office of the Q.M. much to my own surprise. I went to the Co. intending & hoping to stay there, and did so part of two days when an Order from General Brooks came for me to report here for extra duty. I did not suppose, in the first place, that the Captain would want me & secondly, as he has two Clerks already I did not think the Genl. would approve of another. I did not wish to come but the Capt. Q.M. begged so hard and said he could get no one else who knew how to do it that Capt. Carpenter said I might come for a short time until his sons got the run of the business.

In fact [underline]they[/underline] have had as much chance to know the way as [underline]I[/underline] have & the reason may not be so apparent to all as it is to me, why they do not. The Capt. is very good to me now. One of his sons & I have a nice room at a short distance from Camp, where we are quiet and can attend closely to our business, without the interruptions we should meet with in Camp. This Brigade seems now to have some prospect of rest from marches at least as Gnl. Brooks is Military Gov. of this district & we are to stay here for the present & perhaps for the Winter. The location is very pleasant, the water good & the village one mile off. The Boys are in fine spirits at the prospect. Our Company has only 25 effective men now, but some recruits are soon expected to join us, here. I have not heard from Henry since I wrote thee before. Charley Templeton also, has not been heard from. Isaac is with his Company & seeming well. Elhavan Ormsbee is driving team; he has been lame some lately, but is better now. Five Sergeants of our Co. are away from duty now for sickness & other reasons. Maj. Foster is soon to be Lieutenant Colonel I suppose. I am glad he is so successful in the line of promotion. Give my love to all. How is Mary now?

Thy loving Son,

W. B. Stevens

To R. B. Stevens