In terms of the war, the winter months are spent rather quietly. Harsh weather allows but few troop movements. Generals spend their time training troops and planning strategies, while soldiers’ main concern is to stay warm and fed. Boredom is not uncommon in the camps, and many turn to recreation – cards and other games – to pass the days. Others find comfort in religion.
Life also slows down on the home front during the winter months. During this seasonal lull in battlefield and home front activity, long-time Kentucky Baptist layman and former state politician Leonard Stephens writes his brother William (now living in Missouri), providing a glimpse into the thoughts and concerns of an informed, home front resident of a neutral state.
Dear Brother William,
Yours of the 7th of December came safe to hand, & I now seat myself to write you & perhaps I should have delayed writing for a while yet, But for a matter that will be explained. Albert Stephens a few days ago sold his home here, & is going to start to Missouri as I understand on tomorrow. He says he will call at your house as he returns to Kentucky. This I understood a few days ago, that is that he was going right off to Mo, & I sent him word that I very much desired that he would call & see you and that I thought you would come to Ky with him, & on this evening he sent me word back that he would certainly call & now my Brother won’t you please come with Albert. I do hope you will as we all desire very much to see you. You could not as you know have any better company & I repeat we shall all be delighted to see you in our midst once more. There are but five of us left & we of course cannot be spared a great while longer so do let us be together once more in time. I do sincerely hope you will come with Albert. Since last I wrote to you I have had a sore attack of disease of the lungs. It has been now about six or seven weeks ago, & I have been confined to the house pretty much since, the disease being partially removed from the lungs seemed to change to a billious attack, & I suffered a good deal tho never was too low to walk. I am not yet entirely restored tho am now so much better that I feel as if I was almost well. Yet I am still troubled with cough & pain in my left side. We have had quite an afflicted time here. Malinda, Jane & Henry have all been sick. Malinda is about well but Jane and Henry have neither got about yet tho they are much better & I hope will soon be about again.
We had a burrying here on this day week ago. Old Aunt Ginny Bristow, Reuben’s mother died, & they decided to burry her here. The old lady was quite old, being about 86. She died with disease of the lungs. So far as I know my children & their families are well. I understood on yesterday that Brother Edmund was poorly, tho I hope not seriously ill. He is however more feeble than you ever saw him, and the indications are that he cannot be with us much longer. He as you know is now of advanced age, being nearly 86 years old. His birthday is I think the 27th of March. Our two sisters were here at Christmas and were well then. I think too the other friends are generally well. I sincerely hope you are in the enjoyment of good health.
We have had the deepest fall of snow I ever saw. It commenced snowing on Wednesday night the 14th instant & snowed on until Friday morning the 16th & then the snow was from 18 to 20 inches deep. The Cincinnati papers state it was from 27 to 30 inches deep. It was very much feared that it would go off with a rain and that in addition to high water it would do a great deal of damage in the way of washing, but it went off gradually & I believe did no damage except to young stock. Reuben Bristow has been very unlucky with his hogs. They took cholera & out of 120 good hogs has but few left and he thinks they will all die. I have not seen Albert Stephens since he sold his land, but I understand he expects to move back to Missouri. His trip there is to make arrangements for a home there & will move as soon as he returns to Ky. I should think he would probably be at your house in about two weeks or by the 12th or 15th of February.
I am writing this letter by candlelight in order to have it mailed tomorrow so that you may be sure to receive it before Albert gets to your house & that you may be ready to come on with him.
So far as politics are concerned, everything is entirely quiet here & our prayers are that things may remain so. I have not seen any of our East Bend friends since Christmas. Thomas Stephens, Brother Ben’s son, was here & then reported all well & now as it is getting late & knowing that Albert can tell you all the neighborhood news, & as I am making a bad hand of writing I will close this scroll with repeating again my earnest wish for you to come to Ky with Albert & we will then if spared talk of many things. Remember me affectionately to all your children & Grand children, also to Benjamin Stephens & family & all other friends.
Your Brother affectionately till death,
Leonard Stephens
Source: Leonard Stephens’ letters (link) and biography (link)
Special thanks to Jim Duvall of BaptistHistoryHomePage.Com for bringing Leonard Stephens to my attention.
