Robinson Family Papers

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Letter from Wm. B. Stevens, dated 1863-07-28

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Assistant Quarter Master's Office, Head Quarters 2d Div., 6th Corps.

Warrenton, Va, July 28th, 1863.

Dear Mother:

Once more rejoicing over a letter from thee, I wish: it was received last evening, and [?] a new Postmark for thee. I am very glad thee was enabled to attend those exercises and that they were so succesful and interesting. I have never feared they were to be [underline]otherwise[/underline] and till [underine]very[/underline] near the time I felt sure of being present to [underline]see.[/underline] The Maryland Campaign, however successful it may have been, has effectually prevented my coming home at present. I do not complain, for of how little value is my pleasure compared with with the great results which are almost daily being effected, in the Armys of the West, South, Southwest and (though you at the North, do not realize it, but consider that we are doing nothing because [underline]Lee[/underline] still lives.) The Army of the Potomac.

Last edit almost 2 years ago by MaryV
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I can conclude nearly what the clamor of the north is, now, in relation to [us?], but who, looking at it with candor could expect it otherwise. Lee has made one of the boldest moves on record (remember I say "one of the &c) and because he is not entirely annihilated, [underline]we[/underline] are blamed. Lee crossed into Md. from the Rappahannock, by the shortest and safest rout, to be found, procured there more and better supplies than he had enjoyed for nearly a year, got reinforcements for his army, in that Loyal (?) State in greater numbers than we have ever found for ours in any country: by the aid of these and the knowledge which he had of the country before, he was enabled to maintain as the Sporting world, would say, the "Inside Track" keeping South Mountain ever between his army and ours, chose his own ground, engaged us and, with all these circumstances in his favor was [underline]beaten[/underline], and driven from the state with greater [underline]loss than the Southern Army[/underline] has ever sustained, [underline]comparatively.[/underline]

Last edit about 3 years ago by catslover

Letter from Wm. B. Stevens, dated 1863-08-04

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Assistant Quarter Master's Office, Head Quarters 2d Div., 6th Corps.

August 4th, 1863.

Dear Mother:

How do you all do, in Vt. this very hot weather? [underline]Hot[/underline] is hardly the expression, for it here, [underline]Anywhere? every where: in[/underline] the tent or [underline]out:[/underline] in the [underline]shade[/underline], or in the [underline]sun: ho-o-o-t!![/underline]

As good[underline]luck or Meade[/underline], or [underline]Lee[/underline], or some other person in authority, will have it our Corps, so far as the Troops are concerned, is at rest now, but the men I [know?] of the G.M. Dept. must be as busy as ever, and now that we are fourteen ms. from our base of Supplies, Warrenton Junction "tis tuff".

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I have given up all hope of seeing many conscripts here for the present. The most I regret is, that I was not sent home for them, not that I would promise to do better than those who went, but I should not feel that hurry for them to get back, that I do now.

I have no news to write so had best close.

Please write often.

As ever

W. B. Stevens

To R. B. Stevens

Last edit about 3 years ago by catslover
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many of the men gave out before we came to a halt, here and all are well worn down. I am very well still, and further than the discomfort of the great heat, enjoy it well. We are six miles from Warrenton, near the bank of the Rappahannock, in some such a country as it is around Plainfield Springs, and we are near the famous "Sulphur Springs" of Va. which I intend to visit some day, if we stay here long enough. Inhabitants are very scattering here now and what there are here, and at Warrenton, too, are open Secessionists. I have not spoken with a single white who was an exception. The Negros, so far as they dare be are for the Union and droves of them

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come into camp every day & are forwarded to Alexandria and Washington. Three fourths of them will wish themselves back with "Ole Missus" within three weeks of getting to those places. Carrying off Negros will never close the war and from what I learned of them in Washington and from what I see of them in [underline]Slavery[/underline] I think they are better off for the present, in the [underline]latter[/underline]. I am not indeed ProSlavery and I am not Ultra Abolitionist, either, but until we can make them [underline]better off[/underline], by freeing them, instead of [underline]worse[/underline], as we have thus far done, we had best let them alone.

We do not get many papers now and I do not know what is going on, any where.

Last edit about 3 years ago by catslover
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Here then is a cause for clamor. "Lee has escaped" at least from Md. How [underline]far[/underline] he may succeed in going now, the future must show.

Is there reason to say of Meade, that he is inefficient, because Lee is not "bagged?" or to say Lee has done that which our Army would never dare to do? Let me look at this last clause! Three times within the last eight months our Army has, other things being equal, made more successful & less disastrous crossings into rebel territory and this, not by going to some distant and [underline]unguarded[/underlne] point, but directly in the face of the [Flower?] of the rebel Army, massed behind Fortifications and in entrenchments, almost impregnable. At each of these several times we have been compelled to retire but never with that disaster which [charachrizes?] Lee's return from Md. Now if reports are true, [underline]we[/underline] have obtained an advantage over him by gaining the shorter rout to his former & if I am not mistaken, his intended future base of operations on the river.

Last edit about 3 years ago by catslover
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and [getting?] between the two portions of his Army. I hope this is true, but do not fully believe it, if it is, the final result of his raid will and to the glory of this army and conplete his discomfiture. "Vicksburg is taken" and for this Grant is lauded with Laurels, and [underline]justly[/underline] too. Meade has weakened the enemy [underlin]more[/underline]in killed, wounded, and prisoners than has Grant, but the enemys [underline]remnant[/underline] has escaped, apparently, perhaps [unline]really[/underline], still the army of the Potomac is not a cipher. I had heard some particulars of the draft but felt anxious to know how some of the victims would treat it. At firs I did not think Thomas would come, but when I thought of certain arrangements which [underline]could have been made[/underline] I am [underline]sure[/underline], I decided that he would be surely here, and had my plans made for him, to have a good and easy place with me in the Q. M. D. I must say I am disappointed. The worst feature of the draft to me is the allowing a commutation fee. The substitute system has less objections and should be availed if by all who do not choose to come. Those who pay the 300 dollars are saved from other trouble at present, and fur-

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nish the Government with funds, which will be useful, but three hundred thousand men, placed in the field immdediately would do more to bring the war to a close, than 300 times 300 000 [underline]dollars[/underline], twice total. Then if one half of the original conscripts pay their commutation another call for 150000 must be made, immediately and the same ones who have once been called upon will be considered as though they had [underline]not[/underliine]. I never have urged enlistments, since I "came out", but if I even now at home and [underline]well[/underline], I should dislike to have my name recorded as one who had bought his freedom from a [underline]just and[/underline] honorable [underline][s?][/underline] with money. My health is very good still. We came here on the 25th inst., from White Plains after being on the road all night, with out sleep, or rest, of any kind except to feed the Animals. Thus night we were quiet but the next I was out again with the train, at the railroad awaiting supplies, which did not arrive till yester A.M. at 7. Last night again [underline]six[/underline] feet by [underline]two[/underline] of Sacred (?) Soil came under the influence of morpheus' charms as shown by prostrate [Stevens?]

Last edit 9 months ago by MaryV
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With thee I wonder at my [?]. My health was never better as I know of. My wrist has at least healed and is as well as I expect it ever to be.

Yesterday after procuring near nine tons of grain for the Animals, I lay down on the floor of a wagon to have a little rest &. had just begun to drowse when awakened by one of my friends (of whon I trust I have [underline]many[/underline] in Va.) who was formerly with Capt. Pitkn in the [2nd?] Regt. but is now Qr. Mr. of a Brigade of Artillery in the Cavalry Corps. who came to tell me that at his [Park?] about one mile from here, he had a Valise for me; which he had brought from Warrenton junction, where Capt [P. P. P.?] is located. I went with him for it expecting to find it valueless but was surprised to find everything in good order and uninjured. I have written a great deal more than I intended as thee will perceive from my commencing on a half sheet. Please excuse it. Give my love to all.

Write soon as convenient.

Congratulate Ann for me, warmly.

As always, lovingly,

W. B. Stevens Q. M. S.

To R. B. Stevens

Last edit about 3 years ago by catslover

Letter from Wm. B. Stevens, dated 1863-08-14

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Assistant Quarter Master's Office, Head Quarters 2d Div., 6th Corps.

August 14th 1863.

My dear Mother:

Thine of the 9th inst. was received this evening and tho. it is Late thee will excuse me if I answer it this evening, I know. That I am glad to hear from home, I need not write. Last night just as I was closing up business for the night, David Fuller and Geo. Harvey came in to spend the evening, and staid over night with me. I had quite a good visit with them. [Pecley?] is at Warrenton Junction now, some twelve miles from here. David apologized for opening my package and throwing out some things which were spoiled and would have spoilt the rest, so I forgave him. Kind wasn't I?

S. Wakefield has gone home

Last edit about 3 years ago by catslover
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They said nothing of his being at home, and I did not ask them. Feel I know when he was to go I could have seen him.

Owing to circumstances which thee will know of ere thee gets this I do not think the had best send any things by {Ofc?] though there are some which I would like to have but expect to have a chance to get them. I am Somewhat surprised that you are not through haying yet, though as the crop is, here it may not be over ripe there. We are so far from the Depot that we cut what hay the Animals require instead of hauling it so far. It takes some eight tons, for the Div. daily now, and so you see we do "right smart" of Haying.

I am glad to hear so good reports of the Garden and should enjoy it much if I were there, but when we wish for vegetables here we have only to make a Raid outside the Picquet Line, when, as the inhabitants are

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all "Seceshers", we do not Spare their things - and [underline]things[/underline] and things. &c. Popular sentiment in the region at and around Warrenton is very differrent now from it, at the time we came here, and now even "Yankeys" are not unwelcome in some residences where they would have met the "Cold Shoulder" before.

I am sorry to hear that some of the [?] soldiers of the "Gallant 2d Vt Brigade" have [underline]no[/underline] more respect for themselves and others than to reel in the streets of Montpelier, for, whether they did it [underline]before[/underline] they came out here, or [underline]not[/underline], such scenes will give color to the theory that Army life is [underline]degrading[/underline], and when such a one is seen, all "would have known he was a Soldier by his [underline]actions[/underline]" and thus the acts of those from being more conspicuous, will give a [underline]character[/underline] to [underline]all[/underline], who had been in the Army. We [underline]are[/underline] all bad enough, but we shall not be properly judged for this reason.

Last edit about 3 years ago by catslover
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Burnham's Raid must have seemed rediculous and it seems to me I should have [underline]"Kicked him out/underline]. Was he not worth the trouble or had you no champion there? At Three this morning The Vt. Brigade was awakened by orders to go to Alexandria starting at daylight. As this was the first we heard of it it took us by surprise, somewhat. The Regiment went but I with many other detached men were not told to join ours so I am still here. I do not know their destination except by rumor but shall most likely have orders to go to them soon. I think they are to go North but do not know. If we go to [?] [Y.?] as some say we are to do thee must take that time to come to Yearly Meeting, if it will do as well.

It is Late and I have a hard days work to do tomorrow, so I will close.

Please write soon and often.

Give my love to all.

[underline]Truly[/underline], with Love

Thy son

W. B. Stevens

To R. B. Stevens

Last edit about 3 years ago by catslover
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