Washington     Va April 16 1864

Camp Grant

 

Dear Mother

I received your letter night before last I was very glad to hear from you I got a paper day before that It is curious how I get papers you send me before I get your letters you send them both about the same time the last letter I got from you was mailed the 12^th and I got it the 14 I think that is getting a letter from you pretty quick some of the men get a letter the same or written yesterday got it to day our regiment moved day before yesterday about 1½ mile / from where we was It is near Washington then where we was I think it is a better campping ground then where we was you aught to see the forts that are arround Washington they is 4 right close to ours they are on verry high hills It rains hear to day It rains most all of the time hear It seems you have had some snow since I left home It is a curious thing about Davids going away I dont see what should make him run off was he owing a good deal what does Unkle William say about it Is he to home now have you been down to see Mr Sylvester yet If he should die what do you suppose he would with / his property rather bad for Marry Hamant to have Lewus wife sick ant William Reynolds hant got hear yet do you suppose that William has anything to do with Mary I dont hardly think he does has Mr Hamant hired man yet George Rice is with Mr Forbes this year ant he how does William fishman make it go a butchering does he make it go pretty well have they started out the factory yet they is 450 men camped along aside of ours and they is 20 diferent regiments from diferent states in amongst them they is a great many troops going out to the front every day that is out where the big army of / the potomac is mother they is regiments in some of the forts that have ben out most 3 years never have ben in a fight the 14 Mass never has been in a fight they have good barracks to stay in out hear they is a nigger regiment in barracks and a great many white troops have to stay in tents I think they use the niggers pretty well to what they do the white troops Grandmother is pretty smart ant she I hope she I send my best love to her has Mr Forbes got any one room besides Harriet room since Austin went off I should think he would want some one If he hant got any one If you see Jane Livermore you tell her to write me a good long letter perhaps she wont write me now that she is a going with Harker I send my best love to you and Harriet I want you to be sure and write me both of you my health is good I dont have the shakes at all I must be a drawing to a clos this from your only son S H Stevens

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