Robinson Family Papers

"Camp Parole" Annapolis Md March 25th 1864

Dear Mother:

My Box has come safely, to-day, and I will send you a line in reply to it. The articles are [underline]everyone[/underline] in good condition and will prove very paletable & useful. I cannot see as there is even an egg broken; the Sugar is the delight of the Barracks & we have sweetened up, to our heart's content. I had eggs for dinner at 40 cents per doz.; shall not need to pay that any more. The dried apple is as nice as I ever saw, and I am satisfied the butter and cheese will prove the same. Tell Howard the dried beef is just what I wanted & was sorry, till I heard of its coming, that I had not sent for some, when I wrote. The drawers stockings & kerchiefs I think I recognize as those sent me at the Div. are they not? You all seem to delight to tantalize me with questions and urgings in relation to a furlough. If [underlin]any one[/underline] is anxious to have one

I think I am apt to be that one though you may wish to see me, home. I can anwer all the questions you have asked, or may be inclined to ask in future. Before those who who were paroled, Mar. 7th came here the Gov. of Vt had been here and obtained an order from the Sec. of War giving all Vt. soldiers there at "Camp Parole" furloughs for thirty days. This was about a month ago and only about one half of [underline]those[/underline] have got papers yet. I hoped, we were so few, (only five) that we would come under the same order, but for fear it would [underline]not[/underline] cover us, I communicated with the Gov. to know of a certain. I received his reply to-day saying we were [underline]not[/underline] included, but he would do all in his power to obtain leaves for us. If he does so, according to the way, with the others, I may possibly get one, sometime, in May. In the meantime do not tantalize me by urging me to do what I am making every effort to accomplish, with so slight encouragement. With love to all, I am

Thy loving Son

W. B. Stevens

Hesper 3rd mo 27th 1864.

My very dear Cousin

Thy long anxiously looked for letter came to hand a few days since, and I embrace the first opportunity to inform thee, that though eagerly received, some of its contents were read with deep emotions, [strikeout]a[/strikeout] akin to sorrow, and when I reflect on what thou must have endured for those long [weary?] months of suspense, how does all I ever suffered sink into insignificance! I had for months feared some calamity had befallen thee, or some one of those dear to thee, and thy heart was too sad & too much occupied with thy grief, to waste a thought on thy unworthy friend; I had thought and dreamed of thee so often, and spoken of writing again so many times, that my husband has enquired a number of times if I had "written to Rachel this week," I invariably told him I would wait one week more thinking surely the next mail would bring the desired [underline]boon[/underline].

It must require strong faith to expect ever to see a feeble frame immerge from that lothesome, pestilential prison. It causes a heart-sickness, when ever I think of those poor unfortunate men who are draging out a miserable existance there, while their companions are dying daily around them, it is great cause of thankfulness that thy dear Wm can say he has enough to eat, I rejoice to think he has fared better than [underline]very many[/underline], and if his health continues to improve, there seems a fair prospect of your being gladened by his presence at no very distant day.

though I still trouble for him as well as thee, thinking what he must [strikeout]still[/strikeout] yet endure, before that joyful day dawns.

We will try to hope, and trust it may be soon, and that not only he, but all who are confined in those horrid sotheern prisons, may be permited to return to their homes & friends. I have often thought if James was favored to keep out of them I would try to be thankful and not repine, though he has suffered a great deal, he was taken at Vicksburg with fever & ague, which was very severe on him, it continued for several weeks, when that was subdued the forepart of seventh month, a [underline]chronic[/underline], diarhea prevailed in camp, many thought it was occasioned by the water from a certain [underline]well[/underline], which they used. What ever the cause it seemed to cling to them like a pestilence, and carried of very many of their strongest healthiest men, James wrote from Port Hudson, whither they went from Vicksburg, that their "best men, who were always ready for duty, who carried the heaviest lods in their knapsacks lie buried, unshrouded, and uncoffined with nothing but their uniform to cover them, and not well white men enough in their company to dig their graves." he says, "For a long time I thought of little but whether I should live through it or not watching the dead and dying around me the while," at length they were removed to New Orleans where their situations on some accounts was much better, the air was pure and healthy not tainted with the pestilention vapor which surrounded them at Port Hudson, there too they could purchase at enormas prices, a few delicaces, of which they had been so long deprived and which seemed almost indispensible as they [?] eat the army rations to enable them to totter about, but here one of his most intimate friends Muhlon Everett gave up and

[page break]

soon died in the hospital, the stroke was severely felt by Wm H. Johnson and James at least, as they all went from Hesper, were firm friends, and congenial in their views and tastes, the two that were left were walking skeletons, so unable to be about at all were not confined to their cots much but the least exertion over comes them. James once got a furlough to come home, with many others, but the [underline]head[/underline] surgeon came 'round in the night, so drunk that he was not fit to judge in any case, he called the men out of their beds, and many who were in reality not able to do so managed to make their appearance in the hope of having their furlough confirmed, but to their utter astonishment he threw out about three hundred, of whom James was one. So he has not been home, and we have no reason to expect him untill the end of this awful strife if he should live to see that time. he once wrote, "Ever since we went to Vicksburg my life has been one continual struggle, - not for health but for existance. - On the 23rd of 10th mo. their Regiment went on board ship for Texas, he being a little better for a few days accompanied them, but Wm H. Johnson was left sick in the hospital, with the expectation of coming home as soon as able, it was no doubt a very trying parting to them both but J. was cheered with the hope that this "sea voyage," would be beneficial to his health, and Wm with that of soon meeting his devoted young wife, and many dear friends, but alas poor boy, he never left the hospital he died on the 19th of 11th mo. - Very sad news indeed to his friends here who had been expecting his arrival, his father and mother are both feeble, she is one of the most sensitive persons I have ever met with, [when?] devoted to

[in top margin:]

Thou wilt not wonder that I often feel very lonely.

[body of letter:]

to her family, an elder in society. We feared it would shorten her day - they had lost two sons before within a few years, had only one left and two daughters - I didnot hear of it in a month after we did. I'm writing the day the news reached them he said it was [underline]very sad awful news to him[/underline], but then he thought of Mary, how could she be consoled would it not almost kill her; but he says - "I know she has a firm trust in Providence which will not forsake her in this her great trial."

He with many others suffered verily from seasickness, but they landed safe after a long boisterous [passad?] of about two weeks.

They are encamped at Brownsville, on the Rio Grand opposite Matamoras, the Rebels destroyed everything before they left, and it appears to be a barren, unhealthy, inhospitable clime, [Jas?] thinks a northern man can not live there through the summer their rations have been short all the while, and such as he was unable to eat for along time, but his health is much better he attributes it to being able to purchase of the settlers a part of his food, he paid 50 cts. for two thirds of a pound of butter which did more toward curing him than all the medicine he had taken, though it was such as he would not have eaten at [underline]home[/underline], eggs are 12 1/2 cts a piece. It is no wonder it has taken all his wages to furnish him with a few necessaries for mind and body, as he could dispense with one about as well as the other, he has been sadly put to it for reading matter, he carried a small pocket bible with him, which was all he took from home, depending on purchasing.

He is still a clerk in the Adjutants Office, for which I am thankful as it excuses him from more unpleasent duties, though it procures him no better pay, he has never recieved more than 13 dollars per month. It is said he might have the [Adjutery?] only the laws do not allow a man to step from a private right in to the [underline]Adjutants shoes[/underline]. - The time is approaching for the long dreaded draft to take place, there has been none in this state yet, but the call for [underline]more men[/underline], keeps coming and no doubt the draft will reach us at last, not our family in [?], that is already reduced too small to furnish another subject for this [underline]terrible war[/underline]. We frequently read accounts of [parents?] having 8 or 10 and not long since of eleven in the army. Well we have parted with all we have and none can do more. I hope it will not take another of thy boys. I don't know but this sword that has been suspended so long over the heads of those liable to the draft may have had the effect to make them more thoughtful

[in left margin:]

My dear R. don't conclude that I for a moment have felt that we were entitled to more considerations and sympathy than others, far from it. In the situation thou hast [fronted?] with more, but

A letter from Mary A. Peckham, a sort time since informs us her health is about the same, never very good, it appears she continues to be from home a good deal on a religious account, her father, and mother are both quite [feeble?].

Brother B. writes he has been confined to the house several weeks this winter, and Marian was unable to walk at all she having little or no use of her left side. Robert B. their second son was drafted in ninth month and another young friend of that meeting, brother said if they had been plain consistent friends and were consciencious about bearing [underline]arms[/underline] he should have recommended their giving themselves up to the authorities to do as they saw fit with them but as that was not the case, he advised them to pay their $300, and remain at home which they did, though they were inclined to take the field. A new son in law was also drafted but he got cleared for some trifling affair about one foot, he was not a member.

I am truly glad to hear such favorable accounts of thy children, hope they will long live to be a comfort to thine [underline]dear mother[/underline], and thou wilt never fear after reading this letter my thinking thee foolish for telling any thing of thy children. I feel a deep interest in them all wish I could know more particulars concerning them & their mother. But have had many misgivings as to much of what I have written paying the [? ], N. who sits by and sees how much paper I have covered says I shall weary thou but when I get to writing so many things come to my mind to say that I hardly know where to stop and have not the faculty to select, and condense the most important, so thou wilt please excuse me and consider me as ever thy affectionate cousin Sarah

[page break]

28th When I stoped at the bottom of the other page, I did not expect to write any more at this time but as this is still on hand, and I thought of several things I had intended to say, have ventured to soil this and run the risk, of hearing Dr Botley, (our P.M.) say, "another [underline]stamp[/underline please."

Yes, friends and others already here have done a great deal, [?] for the relief of the suffering freed men. I too have considered it particularly the business of friends to contribute largely as they themselves have been prospered. Russel Tabor has been the most liberal of any one I have known of, he got up a subscription paper headed it with $100. dollars and presented it at one of their little meetings and got $[240.00?].

At our Mo. Meeting for the meeting house thou understands they raised $200. it was all sent together to an agent I think at York Town, Virginia. Thou wilt at once percieve that there is a disproportion, as this is a large mo. meeting, and several individuals in Hesper who are each as wealthy as R. Tabor, and the whole mo. meeting subscribed only twice as much as Russel, but it seems very hard for some to loosen their purse strings. The [underline]will[/underline] does not always accompany the [Power?]; - it always has been so I believe and probably always will.

What a treasure thou hast in thy precious daughters! I do not covet [underline]them[/underline], as that would be [underline]very wrong[/underline], but I can in some measure appreciate what [underline]they[/underline] must be to [underline]thee[/underline]. I often feel very lonely, though we have many kind friends.

It must be a great comfort to have thy sister where thou can visit her occasionally, and Paulina for a neighbor - some one asked me a short time since if her son was married.

My husband desires his kind rememberance, as also all of thy friends about him, and in this I [?] all thy are [quarterne)?] I seldom see any of them without beeing asked when I heard from Rachel Stevens, some of them seem to expect to hear from her when ever they see me, and I am always glad to be able to give them some late news but alas; I have not for a long time untill now, - Mary Harkness I seldom see, her health is poor and she is able get out but little, she seems like a quiet patient little women with enough to combat with for a stronger constitution they have one some as has James H. in the army up north.

Thou doubtless hear of their daughter Betsy's marriage and seperation from her husband, he obtained a divorce from her last summer. I have never heard that any one blamed him, even her friends thought it belonged to her, she has been living at her father's, — last week they were married again, I can not help thinking he is running something of a risk, but I do [crave?] that they may live happily, that she will try to do her duty, and in some measure compensate for the suffering she has caused by her folly. — Now not withstanding I have written so much since I mentioned it, yet that poor boy, in the Libby Prison has scarcely been out of my mind, (though I have given no indications of its having wandered very far,) and my eyes often over flow in thinking of him, and his a anxious mother, but as not a sparrow is suffered to fall with out the notice of "Him who rules the waves." let us my dear — endeavour to trust Him, in all, and resign all into His hands, being fully assured He doeth all things well, — and will if rightly sought unto, bring us through, and over all, He suffers to overtake us. — but as werks are to accompany faith I often see cause to fear for myself when I reflect on my many short comings, and innumerable weaknesses, and lack of a right engagement to persevere on toward that desired Haven of rest & peace when I sometimes hope to meet my beloved [underline]Rachel[/underline].

[Note in margin] My eyes are pretty well now, I hope thine are if not do not try then with this illegible writing, much of it is [?] I am aware to the hand that wieldes the pen, though a part may be credited to the pen and paper. I shall anxious wait to hear from thee again, and even tenfull sheets would not even [?] [Mr S.?]

[left page]

please xcuse this & write [strikeout]soon[/strikeout] all about the farm & stock. with much love from thy son

James Stevens

[right page]

Danver City, Col. [Tern?] 4 m 3 1864

Dear Mother

It has come my time again to write to thee. we just got in today from down the river & a pritty cold [trip?] we had of it to. I begin to think that we shal have to go east to get warm weather this year. one night last week we lost 15 mules & 7 of them wer found with the Indians 40 miles belo camp. we suppose that they drove them off

we expect to start for fort union new mexico in a few days if they can get men. there are so many going to the new mine that men are pretty scarce. they are paying $[30?] a month & the men say that they wont go unless they get $35 or $40 & they will have to pay it or elce not have drivers. our health is quite good now. Timothy has had a sore throte & I have ben a little unwell but not much. I should like to have some of your new sugar & fresh milk & butter. I have not

[page break]

tasted a mite of butter that was fit to eat since I left home. I hope that Charley has given up going to the war. if he has not tel him he had better stay at home. if he goes a soldiering he will see harder times than he ever thought of or at [heas?] I have seen more rough times than I [strikeout] would if I had stade in vermont all of my life but still I do not complane for it was my choice to come & now I cannot tell when I shall be back. we expect to lode up tomorrow

[envelope]

W B Stevens East Montpelier Vermont