Oct 30, 1861.  Winston  left on the boat for Palatka with Gen Hopkins & others to have their company mustered into service.

[Willie Bryant to Davis Bryant]

                                                                                                Rebel Hall

                                                                                                Wed’y night. Oct 30/61

Dear Davis,

                I’m here & somewhat broken-in already. We got off at 10, & at just 1, had rowed to Y. Bluff, waited there ‘till 6, and rowed to Mayport by a little past 8, & then footed it to camp by ½ p 9, making a devilish good trip & after quite a pleasant one, “so to speak”; We were all 4 good hands, & tho’ we did not sail a nick put the Dixie “right thro” to my notion.

                I find the camp generally, about as I left it, the same old complaint about grit & the same chances for dirty work, & to-night, the same chances for sleep among the musquitoes; (amen!)

                The boys all greet me cordially & none I care for seem to think I have been shirking duty.

                I can tell you in candor, that on rt’g here after such a long stay in town the camp presents but very little that is particularly inviting or lovely, & as for the feed, & the dirty smutty work going on, I’ll swear it ain’t cunning. Falany goes to town with a subscription list & intends trying to hire some negroes to do this heavy work here, ask him about it; the work is powerful dirty & goes on slowly. “In Pare thesis”; I have just written Hickman at Fernandina that if he can do anything for either of us, &c, that it will be appreciated, & gave the letter open to Capt. S. to read, & deliver at Fernda. to-morow; Hickman will be here soon now & I can then know. You will see by my a/c of trip down that I spent 5 hours at Y. Bluff; almost the whole of that time was spent in the house in enjoyment; thro’ kind arrangements I was able to take both dinner & supper with them, which was cunning, sure; Miss Aggie & I made much music of course, & the widow & I had one of our good chats; they are expecting you along with yr flute all the time, & had been told you would be down with me; Young Tombs has got well enough to leave but his pleasant little wife is still there. I thought of you all last eveg. as being at the “Source” & having a good time, & wished myself “mixed-in”, tho’ I hardly think it was as “big a thing” as the “blow out” of the previous night; I enjoyed that certain; if Maggie should happen to know how much give me the wink will you; Denny will “blurt it out” sure, I suppose.

                Chauncey & Louis did not get here till noon yesterday, tho’ they did not have a very hard time, lying by at Joyners, Freemans, & Y. Bluff. Charlie & crew made good time & arrived here Sunday just ahead of a good N Easter.

                “Grub” being out yesterday, Allen, Doggett, Richard, & Stuart, refused to do work, but Capt. made one of his Patriotic speeches to them last night & this a.m. they turned to again. I hope some of the fellows will come by return of St. Marys. I shall wait to hear from Mother & write by mail Sunday.

                I pd no attention to the article put in our boat as we left but concluded as all my articles were together all had been put in, but find I left 2 wood chairs, & Doc’s chair, & my box; the chairs may remain for awhile but the box I wish for St. Marys & also wish you to send in it, 1 pkge large, & 1 of my small Envelopes, & 3 com. White cups & Saucers to be got from B&c, & chgd to Charlies; I also send Chauncey’s trunk keys, & if you can, please send his Musq. Net. If you get Ivy please get gall Syrup & have  chgd to Doc, at Hartridges & send also; again, please get gall Fluid Ivy from B&c’s & keep for me, it has a little sealing wax on the mouth. Also please Flagg 10c for me.

                                                                                                [Willie]