Camp 32^d M.V. near

Falmouth Va. Feb 15/63

 

Dear Col.

                        Yours of the 9^th is received and I thank you for your congratulations and your present. I have not yet received my commission but Col Prescott who arrived last evening informs me that the appointment is sure. I'll believe it when I get the document. I have been disappointed before in that quarter and have lost my faith in the officials at the State House. It has been very dull here especially since Cobb left. Most of the Regiment are absent on fatigue duty and we have only 80 men in camp. Dana is absent and with him his fighting tendencies which kept up an excitement for a time. I suppose Cobb will tell you that when I got back I found the camp and Regt in a damnable condition. I have worked hard with the men I had left to get things in condition and have about finished my labours as far as the camp is concerned. Last week the Div was inspected; our Regt by Col Johnson of the 25^th N.Y. I was / detailed to inspect the 16^th Mich. Bumpus & Cunningham being absent Capt Bowers on a Court Martial the command devolved on "Your Uncle Dudley". Most of the men were sick or on other duty excepting 30 who had been on guard in Q.M Dept at Div HdQ for three days and who got into camp about 10 minutes before the inspection. The Inspection Officer among other things was required to ascertain whether the officers were posted in Tactics. He confined his questions to "Uncle Dudley" who could not describe the movement of "Double Cel at half distance" and his knowledge of the Regiment, its condition &c was just about as definite. To cap the climax the damn fool did not offer the Inspector any whiskey and the consequence was a report to the effect from Corps Hd Quarters. "The Inspection report of the 32^d Mass Vols is disgraceful, the Commanding Officer deserves censure if he has been in command of the Reg't a month". Could you have imagined that the 32^d could have got so far down the hill in 6 weeks. I swear it is not my fault. Gen Griffin I believe for the first time does me justice and takes the blame entirely off of my shoulders; acknowledges I have made great improvements in the last ten days. He says that the Col of / a Regt can demoralize his command in a month and put the blame where it belongs on Col. P. It is strange how soon the want of system and energy is felt in such a command as this. I have reced what was due from Dr Adams and have expended about $140 for the Regt as follows

 

tobacco for the men some liquor and condensed milk for Officers soft bread & medicines for the Hospitals a chest of tools &c for general use and hope this expenditure will meet your approbation

 

Shepard has not paid me but will probably today. Give my love to Cobb and believe

 

Yours Truly

L Stephenson Jr.

 

[endorsement]

 

L^t Col Stephenson

Feby. 15 1863

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