[Willie Bryant to Davis Bryant]  

                                                                                                Ft. Steele  Oct 1, 1861

Dear Davis

                Yr's with one inclosed from Beck, sent by Falany was recd. yesterday, & I assure you "did me good & helped me too."  I looked for our boat most longingly all day Sunday, to hear from home, & was just blue & sick enough to be impatient & troubled by the delay, & finally when the StmBoat arrived yesterday p.m. & I could find no letter, nor tidings of the Dixie,  I was almost desperate; late p.m. "Hospital nurse Falany"s came down to camp & informed me he had a letter for me but had left it at Mayport; I was "desperater," but sent a negro for it & at dark was gratified by recv'g it.  The first subject on my mind worthy of mention is the fact of being a convalescent & in a fair way of recovering & I might say soon & beyond doubt; I have had but little fever since Henry left, & Quinine &c has now entirely broken it & I will soon report for duty, tho' I am yet "powerful weak" & good for nothing; it has been a very long time since I have been so "used up."

                The St. Johns was obliged to go back to Yellow Bluff yesterday, & several urged me to take advantage of the opportunity my sickness gave, & go up there to be nursed & to recuperate, the idea was tempting, certain, but my concience wouldn't permit me to "sojer" so much, & amid many indearing epithets I backed out; yr letter soon proved to me the truth of my favorite old maxim, "Honesty is the best policy - sometimes."

                I infer from Yr letter that George is on his way down in the Dixie, or started in her – for as she has not yet arrived I suppose the Capt. has not been quartering on plantations thro’ all this storm, but went back to J- & I am glad he is coming, for tho’ he will not have the playmates that Henry had the trip will do him good & he & I can manage to find some amusement for him; I want to know the extent of his “furlough” so that I may be governed by it, for as long as he improves & is satisfied here I wish him to remain.

                The St. Johns will not be able to go out to-day, but the wind is changing I think, & to-morrow will be better; when I hope the Dixie will be able to “fly” down; It is too bad that the whole Co. is a loser by this delay, - & many more such that must occur, - for if the next squad could go they wd. Not lose much time in running to town before this wind, & it adds to the interminable long time between furloughs.

                                                                                                                Tuesday 4 o clk Pm

                                                                                                                Oct 1/61

                Chauncey has just got here they have had the “devils” own time; arrived at Y. Bluff yesterday P.M. staid till this m. & left George to come by stmr to-morrow; he is all right, & Mrs Joint & the two children there are happy to have him with them.

                Hollis, the ungrateful, & impolite chowder-head, went off without letting me know he was going, an opportunity luckily turns up to send by Lieut. Butter in a minute.

                                                                                                                Adieu! Love to You all

                                                                                                                Willie

Oct 2, 1861. Winston went to town in the afternoon.