Camp 32^d Mass Vols

Liberty Va Jan 3^d 1864

 

Dear Col.

                        I received your two letters and also the box of books which were very acceptable to the men I turned them over to Rhor who acts as librarian Will you present our thanks to Mr Bainard for his kindness in collecting them for us

 

We are now on the fence with regard to the question whether this Regt can reenlist as Veteran Vols. Have not been able to get a definite decision in the matter Col P has been to Washington for the last five days trying to make the War Dept come to some conclusion They are in a tight place and evidently wish to crawl out and will do so I think if they see a hole no matter how small it is One last quibble was that those four companies were not and could not be called "recruits"—but were complete organizations and therefore would not come under the Spec Order No 28 State of Mass. although the officers of those companies state that the men enlisted with the understanding that they would be discharged when the other companies time had expired They have made another change in orders since we first commenced in this business They make ¾ of a Regt to mean ¾ of all the men present "conscripts" and all so that a Regt from Mass. that has been unfortunate enough to get any of these conscripts is in most cases cut off from the benefits of the order while Regts from other States that did not / furnish any men under the draft can have full advantage of the order. If we get all the old men to reenlist we shall want 3 more to make ¾ of the whole Regt About that flag? When I returned I informed Col P. of your proposition to present the Reg't with a new flag but could get no satisfaction from him with regard to it and shortly after he inquired for one of the U.S. and we have it now in use. He's a d—m f—s

 

About that flying infantry! I hope it will succeed providing they will detail the 32^d to perform the duty as we should have about 6 months to drill and perfect ourselves in the new system, but I do not believe it would be worth much in Virginia because the same causes which operate to prevent a movement on account of trains would prevent the moving of wagons such as would be required for the purpose I think the 32^d would be the best Reg't to try the experiment. You know Gen Griffin threatened to provide us with a carriage for each man and give us silver spoons to eat with in addition and this would approximate to Gen G. ideas of what the men deserved

 

            Mrs Hope and Mrs Faxon are both here and it really seems quite civilized to see a Mass. woman about. they were rather astonished at the appearance of the country

 

You ask if Faxon bears his honors meekly? He trys to but the "old Faxon" sticks out occasionally; he tries to be dignified and his attempts are quite ludicrous he has left off some of his bad habits since he was married and talks Abolition / openly and a Monarchy slily. he tells me I am "too consistent" "that I never shall succeed unless I conceal my sentiments no matter what you think, you must always go with the popular side; you must use a little policy" I believe he has changed his sentiments with regard to women since he has become a married man he believes that there are such things as virtuous women in the world I amuse myself occasional with quoting some expressions I have heard from his lips in time passed with regard to them at which he looks very solemn and dignified.

 

I give you a short dialogue which came off in camp the other day

 

Dr Fletcher      "Dr Faxon how shall I report that man who died the other day of disease

                        did he die?

Dr. Faxon        Well—I think you had better put it down as chronic diar

Lt Col. S.         Don't you you think you had better put it down "Malpractice?

Dr Faxon with an overwhelming-annihilating-right-on-your-muscle sort-of-an-air

                        What are you willing to do to sustain your remark, Sir?

Lt Col S.          Fight! Sir!

                        (Exit Dr F looking like a man who had had his thunder stolen.)

 

I have about used up my paper and it's my last sheet; trouble in the Q.M Dpt as usual

 

If we dont come home we depend on seeing you in camp before the winter closes

 

Yours

Stephenson

 

[endorsement]

 

L^t Col Stephenson

            Jany. 3. 1864

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