Oct 29, 1861. In the afternoon Winston went to town & brought home his pony.

[Rebecca Bryant to Davis Bryant]     

                                                                                                Rose Cottage Oct 29, 1861

My dear Davis,

                I am here safe and sound – Our trip up the river afforded no incident worthy of note, we arrived at Palatka just at nine o’clk. Silas came for our baggage immediately and we were all in our berths before ten o’clk. We arrived at Welaka earlier than usual and as Tivie did not receive my letter last week, she was not expecting me.  Capt Brock blows no whistle now when he comes, and there was no one from this place for the mail ‑ Gen Hopkins and Mr Smith were the only persons to be seen on the wharf – Mr S- looked miserably – has had chills & fevers for a long time –Gen H- insisted on our going to his house to breakfast, he knew Winston would come over for letters and we had not been there long before Henry spied him coming up the road and hailed him ‑ He was surprised but very glad to see us ‑ we did not get through breakfast until 9 o'clk, then I borrowed a side‑saddle and rode over the mule that Winston came on, George walking by me, and sent Tom with the waggon to bring over the "plunder."  I found Tivie well and cheerful, notwithstanding she has five sick negroes to attend to, and those five include the best in the place ‑ Burrel, Rachel, Sarah the cook, the little girl that waits about the house and the youngest boy, Jess.  She does not appear to feel as sadly about Winston's going as I thought she would ‑ I know however she always conceals her feelings ‑ but she does not dread the future as I do ‑ She is young and hopeful yet, I can no longer build castles.  Gen H‑ asked me if Willie was going to join his company and be his Sergeant ‑ I told him W‑ said it was impossible ‑ He said he did not know who he should get that was competent to keep the accounts ‑ I asked what he thought of you taking it ‑ he said he should like it very much and went on to say everything he could think of in favor of it.  Winston went to town this afternoon and talked with him about it ‑ he thinks that you would do well to go ‑ He says the pay is about 44 dolls. per month, beside the money for clothing which is the same as in other companies ‑ that the writing and figuring you would be required to do would not occupy half your time ‑ You would not be required to do guard duty ‑ Winston says they are all ignorant of the cavalry drill but Gen Commander has promised to spend two weeks with them after they are mustered in and drill the company.  He says you had better get a good horse even if you have to pay two hundred dollars because he will sell for as much when you leave the service ‑ They have bought many of the horses on 12 months time and think you can.  They expect the mustering officer to be at Palatka next Monday and if you decide to take this situation you must come up on the St. Johns and muster in with them, you can then return to Jacksonville for a few days, probably a week & make your arrangements to leave.  If you have not applied for the other office you spoke of, and you cannot get anything to do in Jacksonville I suppose this is the next best thing ‑ It is hard for me to be reconciled to having both Willie and yourself in the service and both so far from me and from each other, but since I can not change circumstances, I must learn to submit and not add to your discomfort by complaining.

                Mr Burritt told me on Sunday that he had spoken to you about writing to your Father by the vessel that is going to Nassau ‑ I hope you or Willie will write ‑ I shall write a few lines in the morning and enclose with this, hoping the vessel will not leave before it reaches you ‑ If there is no opportunity to send it before you leave please destroy it. If you decide to leave Jacksonville please send me the list of articles left with Mrs Maxey and also those left with Mr Bouse – I did not intend to leave the table mats, but as I did, they had better be put on the list. If you come up to Palatka I would like to have you bring ½ doz of our small knives (leaving Mrs Maxey 5) and the new carving knife, leaving her the old one is she wants it, also a tin pan which is in the barrel send to Mr Bouse’s. Winston expects to come home after the company is mustered in and can bring them. I should like some larger envelopes than the white ones I brought.

                Give my love to Mrs Maxey and tell her I was very sorry to learn from Josephas that Mr Sanchez was no better, write me if she has heard any thing definite about her sister, coming to her. How are the Reeds? Give my love to them and to Mrs Foster and Beck – Remember me to Mrs Hewitt when you see her. I wish I knew if Willie went to Fort Steele to‑day ‑ Oh me! it is a long time to Christmas ‑ Every one has been in bed nearly two hours and I must follow their lead ‑ Good night may Heaven bless you and my dear Willie whereever you go.

                                                                                                Mother

Wednesday morng. Winston says Mr Gardner is going down on the Darlington to-day on route for Savannah – if he is not on the Darlington tomorrow you may be sure he will be on the St. Mary’s when she comes down the river. He told Winston he would give a draft of a house in Savannah for the amount due you, if her does, Winston will enclosed it to you and send by Capt. Brock, if not you can see Gardner and ascertain what he intends to do – Winston thinks he intends to pay but like many others is tied up now – He told W- that he had $25,000 owing to him in N. Carolina. He has purchased a vessel to send his turpentine and rosin to Havanna, if he can run the blockade. Wednesday 10 AM. Never mind the envelopes I have given Winston money to buy them at Palatka – You can read my letter to your Father if you wish.