Dec. 3, 1861. Sent a letter to Winston by Gen. Hopkins. Henry went to town & carried an answer to Carries letter, her’s & her Mother’s Ambrotypes & her letters.

[Octavia Stephens to Winston Stephens]   

                                                                                                Tuesday Dec 3rd 1861.

My dear Husband

                Your nice long letter came safely to hand yesterday, I was glad to hear such a good account of yourself, I expected to hear that you were sick, as we have had such heavy dews & I thought of your sleeping out in the open air.  you say that you are all fixed off with camp equipage, do you mean tents too?  I hope so, I am glad to hear that you have so good a company.

                Gen Hopkins sent me word this morning that he would leave to day by two o'clock so I am hurrying up that I may send this in good time.  I sent him the Muster Roll by the bearer of his note, Henry was to carry it early this morning any how.  dear Pa Pa I am troubling Ma Ma.  Now dont say your daughter can not write, Mother has taken her off now, she has learned now that when we ask where's papa? she says "don."

                I have at last had my turn of chill & fever.  I had a decided one on Sunday, while you were writing to me I was wishing for you to bathe my poor old head & as Mother said to pet me, I had two chills or fevers before but so slight that I was not certain, thought it was a cold and Rheumatism, as it came on just before dark and my old bones & head acheed so until I went to bed, but Sunday dinner time told tales on me, Mother insisted upon my taking quinine on Rosa's account, and yesterday I missed, but to day I do not feel right & fear I will have it again, I have a cup of pepper tea by me, & I have a "stew" ready to take when I feel decided symptoms, Mother has only enough quinine for two pills, I was very obstinate about taking it at first but gave in upon Rosa's account, I think her other tooth nearly through, she looks very well now.  Joe has had two chills, I gave him a "stew" last night.  Sarah has been down a week or more.  Tom & Jane are well again.  Burrel has had a very bad cold but I believe is about well, they are now fussing over the potatoes again, we are loosing the whole very fast.

                Ben wrote a letter to Ma on Saturday & I began one to her yesterday, so she has decided to go to Marion, I am sorry, but thats all I can say.  I think Ben is anxious to go to see Ma Christmas although he has not told me so.  I fear you are going to get orders just before Christmas & cant come home, I have four eggs towards the egg nog but what will we flavor it with.  if we have some cold weather I want to kill some hogs (if you say so) the week before Christmas so that I can have the chitlains, souce, &c already when you all come.

                Henry returned the night about seven o’clock of the day you left, Mr Symmons had moved & Henry could not find him, poor fellow came home pretty hungry not having a mouthful to eat since breakfast, & so stiff that he laid down on the floor the rest of the evening, said her was tired of sitting up. I thought he would be very stiff the next day but have not heard anything of it since. The sows have not got pigs. Henry and George have gone to look for the rest of the sword belt we were all there the other day & cleared up a great deal but did not think of the belt until coming home. I am afraid we can find but a small portion of it, but will send that by Capt Hopkins,                                                                                                     we went to the Hopkins the other day, oh they were very attentive &c &c, but plague take their deceitfulness, they have I know, at last made a difficulty between Carrie & myself, yesterday I rec a very insulting note from Carrie with my ambrotype & letters, I answered it and sent hers.  I will tell you all about it when you come.  Last Thursday night Mrs Parker was quite sick & Bella & Carrie sat up with her, and Mrs Latham with Mrs Hopkins, until after one o'clock, and I know (almost) that the trouble was brewed then, when I go there again I think they'll know it, plague take the deceitfulness & gossiping of some women, I wish I could govern my own tongue better than I do, but I believe it is contagious.

                Henry & George want to plant a few things somewhere, where had they better? Burrel told them something about a placed at the old house where you said you were not going to plant please write about it that they may not take a wrong place, they have that place behind the lot fenced in, but want another place.

                Henry & George beat out nearly a half bushel of peas yesterday I am going to send them with some potatoes to Willie tomorrow. Do you give Burrel half bushel of corn & half bushel of potatoes? & Sarah double

                I blazed out at Burrel last Saturday about wishing the old beef gone.  I guess he thought I was "spunky" all of a sudden, but I did not care, I told him I was tired of hearing grumbling &c.

                Well I must stop.  All send love but none so much as your

                                                                                                Unaffectionate

                                                                                                Wife

                P.S. Did not hear from Willie or Davis this week, perhaps will on Wednesday. Please bring some writing paper when you come this is my last sheet, also some black flax thread, if you can.