One of Thomas W. Stephenson's letters to his wife, Elizabeth

Letter written by Thomas W. Stephenson to his wife, Elizabeth

Camp Near Catletts Station [Virginia] May 4-9, 1864 [Estimated]

I have a few minutes _____________ and I will write a few lines to you we march three days and we arrived here last evening just before sun set I did not see any sign of ___________ only the (garrison? gardens?) around the houses and they were verry unwilling _______________ _______ the _______ and we traveled forty miles is it supposed that we will go to the front shortly we are in Burnsides division and I do not know when we will get orders to march it is tiresome work to march I feel some stiff yet from marching I want to _______ ____________________ it would be better to __________ one that for the rebs to get it we camped where another regiment left and I got anothers over coat and a blanket so I have got two blankets and one over coat _____ for my other one have you got the money I sent you ______ and the box I expressed to Glencoe have you got it yet _____ verry near all of our company is sick from marching out I thank my maker that I am well today. I have quit cooking for the company men I am cooking for the captain and two ______ I am released from doing enny duty as guarding or drilling _____________ I can get plenty to eat for a few day it was a little scarce for I could not carry enough with me for three days rations witch we all had to take when we started out but I try to get the best for my self I have a better chance than them boys their is no hills here like thair when we got up a hill here it is level on top their is no big hollow to cross I seen some big mountains at a distance I have not seen a rebbel yet and I do not care if dont see any ___________________ we will guard it I say for sure I will write and tell _____ to _____ not write I will get some body to write for me you shall hear from me sick or well let me be where I will_______ non of the officers has spoke a cross word to me yet ______ they _______ or the officers would not let me cook for them (their is better cook ______ but they picked ______ ______ I have run out of paper so good buy

Thomas W Stephenson

Write son and put your letter in this invelop and it will find me the wether is warm in day time and cold enough at night to frize us

A special thanks to Martha Williams for contributing this information. Thomas W. Stephenson was her great great grandfather.