ENPages That Need Review
Letter from Wm. B. Stevens, dated 1863-09-18
p.
Page 5
Thou asks me "how long I think Horace will stay". This is the first inkling I get of his intention to stay more than for a visit to Camp, so as I do not know his plans I am not prepared to say what I think. I was only waiting to be paid, before I sent for some things but if this gets thee before Horace comes away It is too good an opportunity to loose. If Thomas will get me as [underline]good[/underline] and [underline]strong[/underline] a Valise as he can [underline]find[/underline], of a size [underline]above[/underline] the [underline]medium[/underline], I will send him some money as soon as convenient. In it please send my dark blue Trousers and my Slippers; a half doz. [underline]good[/underline] Linen handkerchief with a dark Border and [underline]spotted[/underline] dark too: if Thee can find such ones: two prs. of [underline]white Knit Drawers[/underline] of the [underline]largest[/underline] size. I have Shirts enough and do not think if more [underline]necessaries[/underline].
Letter from Henry, dated 1863-09-19
p.
[left page]
ass't Surgeon and at once joined his Regiment. He died the 14th inst in N.Y. City of Typhoid fever. It is sad to see a young man cut down like this one at the very commencement of his career. But his labors as a Student are not wholly lost. All right culture in this world but fits us better for our duties in the next. Another young man, a Classmate was shot in an engagement with the rebels near Hagerstown July 6th. Capt. Woodward was a man of rare promise, a warm friend and a noble representative of manly qualities. His loss was a crushing blow to not only his family but his large circle of friends, many of whom mourned him as a brother.
I enclose in this $3.75 for Thomas. Please write soon. With Kind regards to all I remain
truly yours
Henry.
[right page]
U.S.A. General Hospital Burlington, Vermont Sept. 19th 1863.
My Kind Friend:
As I think a few moments of my leisure could not be employed to better advantage than in performing an epistolary duty to you, I hasten to deface this fair sheet by a few miserable scrawls of mine. I am quite well at present writing. I think I am steadily improving and I certainly feel much better for the last dose of home medicine. The few days of my short furlough were very pleasantly spent. I think I never enjoyed any visit more. I found my Father convalescent and able to ride about with me which was very convenient, as I had considerable visiting to do.
[in left margin:] I accidentally left my Greek Testament at your house. I wish you would send it me by mail.
p.
I saw your Sister & Husband. Was not able to make them a visit but happened to meet them at an Uncle's. They were well.
The most pleasant days have an end and so did my Furlough, at the expiration of which I reported back.
Since so pleasant a period Hospital life has been rather irksome but I have managed in one way and another to drive dull care away. I am studying [strikeout]and[/strikeout] reading & visiting beside writing now and then a letter. If I get sufficiently strong I think I shall return to College and try to graduate another year. I would like to do so much as this year will be a broken one at best.
I think now my stump will heal sometime. I have made the discovery that there is a fragment of bone to come out yet, which is the cause of all the mischief. It is quite a large fragment and is now loose
[page break]
but the Dr. thinks it ought not to be disturbed as it might injure some other parts. In due time it will come out and as the stump is healthy in other respects I am in hopes it will heal soon after the difficulty is removed.
I have just returned from the funeral services of President Pease. He died day before yesterday after a short illness. In him we have lost one our most useful men. The loss of such a man is a public calamity, but the ways of Providence are insenitible. The learned, the ignorant, the good & the bad are alike taken away. Each must go in his turn.
Wednesday I attended the funeral of one of my College friends, Dr. Chapin Asst. Surgeon of the 6th Vermont. He graduated two years ago, Commenced his medical studies at once and took his degree as M.D. last June. He was Commissioned as
Letter from Hiram Stevens, dated 1863-09-28
p.
East Farnham 28 of 9th mo 1863.
Esteemed friends & Cousins
A very exceptable letter from aunt Rachel by the way of M. B. [Jewell?} is now before me, it appears that you have heard of the decease of our daughter Sarah, R. - also of the illness of the other Children, and we acknowlege with thankfulness the sympathy expressed on our behalf. Realising as no doubt you do the fatality of the disorder (diphtheria) your minds are some what prepaired to learn that our other two daughters are also no more with us. The place which once knew them know nows them no more for ever. Sarah died fith day evening at 11 oclock 20 of 8 mo. the funeral seventh day at 1, oclock P.m. Paulina died the [underline]next[/underline] [strikeout]fifth[/strikeout] [underline]day[/underline], the 28th between 3 & 4 oclock P.m. & [strikeout]buried[/strikeout] the funeral at 11 on first day, Malene died on fifth day the 3rd of 9 mo between 3 & 4 oclock Pm, funeral on seventh day at 11, A.m
Thus have we drank at the cup of affliction and can say,
Their are sad partings On this Earthly shoar But thanks to the father They'l all soon be o're
We have had the Cympathy & kind attention of our friends & neighbours for which we feel truly thankful. Rachel has bourn it beyond the most sanguine exspectation of her friends, I trust we
p.
have sought for & recived a portion of that power which alone can support the afflicted mind, I cannot write much at this time. You can immain our feelings & our lonely hours better then I can discribe them this evening.
We should be glad to see any of you here that should think enough of us to come, And will not Aunt Mary call here on her way home. Oh how I want to see her.
In love to all I remain your friend & Cousin
Hiram Stevens
PS
Rachel & I attended yr meeting & caried Malene with us. We had a pleasant journey & a good meeting saw Jonathan Hill & wife they were well When we rturned we found our aged parents & little ons all well & they rem-ained so two days, we felt thankful they were not taken while we were gone.
WE have ever felt glad that we took her with us as she never had been before.
Our friends are in usual health.
Kezia, Rachel, & myself have had a tuch of the diptheria which easely yielded to application, some other cases & a few deaths in the viciinity
H S
Letter from Wm. B. Stevens, dated 1863-10-03
p.
[left page]
even labor to save those lives, they are so unwilling to destroy, and will do no duty whatever. This only leaves the Officer to prefer charges and let them have a trial by a General Court Martial, & the only verdict such a Court can render will be death. In this case, after what has occurred, I [fear?] that the [underline]meeting[/underline], which advised to cease doing duty in the Hospital, where their [underline]own feelings allowed[/underline] them to do it, and where they could have really done good, instead of evil, will be, in part, responsible, for their blood, if it is shed, which I hope will not happen; if they thus suffer, another than I must judge their advisers, & [underline]no, all[/underline],
[right page]
Assistant Quarter Master's Office, Head Quarters 2d Div., 6th Corps,
October 3d 1863.
My dear Mother:
Thy kind letler, by Horace, is to be seen to yet, and, I hope to do it to-night. How are you all, at home? Every-thing you sent came safely and is nice. The Cheese is a first rate one and the other things, are such as I should have got, for myself, had I the opportunity. I wanted a regular Valise instead of a Satchel but it is as well, I guess, so as it concerns me mostly and I am suited, it is well. The Drawers are as good for me hear as dearer ones
p.
The Stockings feel delightfully warm & nice - "Thank ye for't all" Aside from creature comforts too how nice it seems to have Horace so near me, and I anticipate much pleasant intercourse with him, ere he gets tired of the Army. He came to see [underline]me[/underline] on Friday - no - Thursday took dinner &c and to-day I have called on him. He is hardly innitiated, yet, as Boss, of a [Garry?], of Twentyfour "Darkies" which he is placed in charge of, for the present. Obadiah has met with a sad mishap, having had his hand crushed between two cars. It is very painful and may prove a lasting injury to his hand.
[page break]
Captain Pitkin looks rather thin and pale but is improving. It looks natural to get his hand over [more?] on the papers. John Clark is with him at present, and is to remain, I hear. We came near moving on Thursday evening, having orders to go to Cattlets Station, but ere we started the order was countermanded & the Third Division went instead of ours. I had a short talk with L. Macomber, who is a draftee member of my company. He with Peter Dakin who is also in the Fourth, refuse to do duty. Were allowed to work in the Hospital, and did so for a few days, till the meeting wrote their objections, and now they will
p.
I thought I would write only one sheet but have not quite done yet. Isaac is well and seems to enjoy himself nicely. Jacob was at Culpeper to see Horace a day before H. came. I have not seen J. since we left Berlin, I believe Abram is not far away, but I do not know where, at present.
Some of the boys saw [Chas.?] Persons at Alexandria & report him in fine health and spirits. Please do write me very often. I have received no pay, for the last five months as the Brig. was paid, while away. Love to all, as ever.
Once more Farewell
W. B. Stevens
To B. R. Stevens
