Nov. 19, 1861. Bens 16^th birthday. Burrel went to town for some things & brought a bundle & letters from Willie & Davis. In the afternoon Winston went to town.

[Rebecca Bryant to Davis Bryant]

                                                                                                Welaka, Rose Cottage Nov 19, 1861

My dear Davis,

                I cannot express my disappointment at not hearing from you or Willie by yesterday's mail. I have not recd. a line from you since Monday following my arrival here. I acknowledged the receipt of that and the knives by return mail. Last week I accounted for my receiving no letters by the non-arrival of the Darlington, but supposed she would bring me two this week. I should fear you were sick, had not Gen Hopkins told Winston he saw you in Jacksonville last week, on Tuesday I believe, and you were well and said that Willie was.  I have a faint hope that a letter may come down the river when the Darlington returns tomorrow.

                You may suppose that Tivie and I passed an anxious week. On Monday (of last week) we supposed the Darlington was aground this side of Palatka, as the fog was very dense until past the usual time of her arrival. One Tuesday afternoon we sent again to town and learned that as nothing had been hears of her, Mr Smith had gone to Palatka in a row-boat. On Wednesday eveg. after ten, Ben Gaines George and blk boys went to town again, returned at 10 ½ o’clk without letters but with the exciting intelligence that the Lincoln fleet had taken Port Royal and Beaufort and were, at the latest accounts commencing an attack on Savannah! That Gen. Hopkins’ company were going to Jacksonville to be mustered in there. We heard no contradiction of all this until Saturday eveg. when Winston arrived about 7 o’clk. He had been nearly all day getting from Palatka and crossing men and horses over this side from Hamlin’s old  store.  Winston expects to remain at home until a week from tomorrow (Wednesday) as they now await the Governor's orders.  They mustered in with 58 men and were complimented by the mustering officer as being as orderly and good looking a set of men, for their numbers, as he had mustered in since he had been performing that duty.  Winston seems to be very well satisfied with them as a company.

                Henry has had a trip of nine days to Smyrna since I wrote last. It had been arranged before Winston left that Burrel & Ben Gaines should accompany Clark Stephens his boys and Lewis Gaines and Mr Tyner down to the sea-coast to get mullet, carrying barrels and salt, to bring home a large quantity. Ben was taken with chills & Fever a few days before they were to start and had to give up the trip. It was necessary that some one shd. go in he place to manage the boat while Burrel fished – Tivie did not want to take Sam out of the field as all hands had lost so much time by sickness and Henry was crazy to go of course. They returned last Saturday noon, rather disappointed in their trup, bringing, instead of three barrels of fish for each family as they expected, only about thirty fish and a bushel of racoon oysters for our share.  The sand flies were so troublesome from sunset to day light that it was impossible to sleep ‑ they worked their way through the blankets.  Henry looked rough and tough notwithstanding, and his tongue seemed to be hung in the middle all the next day.

                Tuesday P.M. Hurrah, Hurrah!!  Just as I laid down my pen to go to dinner table the boys came running in with a large bundle and a letter; "from whom," I asked eagerly before I could see the handwriting, and was answered by both at once, "from Davis."  I assure you my heart leaped for joy as I pulled the treble communication from its envelope, and devoured its contents, before my dinner. It appears that when Henry went to the store yesterday morng. Mr Smith had gone to breakfast, he left a letter which came from Col Hemming somewhere within Henry’s reach but the bundle was laid away carefully for another opportunity, not noticing the letter I suppose. To-day Winston sent Burrel to town for his trunk and roll of bagging that he expected and Mr Smith produced the bundle. I am delighted to hear of your visit to the Bar, it must have been such a pleasure to Willie as well as yourself.  I was thankful too that you have obtained so good a situation in Jacksonville ‑ and I am also pleased to learn that letters have gone to your Father, with a prospect of hearing from him.  O, that he might be able to leave his business and come back in the vessel for a visit, if only a short one.  I feel very sure that our letters will reach him and will be a great source of gratification to him.

                How very kind and considerate Aunt Julia is! I should write her by this mail, but have a letter commenced to Aunt Mary Ann which I want to finish not having noticed hers recd. last July, and must reply to Col. Hemming in the morning. If you have not already acknowledged the receipt of the bundle, please write a few lines and say I will write next week, that I am very grateful for her attention and so is Tivie. Col Hemming wrote to inquire if he could rent a comfortable house for his children in this place, he wishes to send them farther from the enemy than Jacksonville, prefers this place to Palatka – There is no way but to turn Dr Currell out of Grandmother’s house into the house Capps occupied – Winston hesitates about doing that as there is no chimney to the kitchen – his negroes have occupied one of the rooms there, his overseer has been sleeping in the Axes house and he has negroes in every other house on the place except Uncle George’s – Tom John’s family are in one of those and two negroes of Gen Hopkins’ in the other – Winston has gone to town this afternoon, I shall leave the decision to him as he has the renting of Grandmother’s house.

                I believe this is the last month of grace for the taxes here – and as Mr Mizell has not written you I think, will ascertain from Winston what he knows about it and add before I close.

                I cannot write to Willie this week for reasons above mentioned, so if you have a chance send him this or an epitome of it. Remember me most affectionately to the Reeds & Fosters and congratulate Mrs Maxey most heartily as having her son and his family restored to her – Tell her that Tivie and I have been talking of her anxiety continually since we heard of the taking of Port Royal.

                With much love to Willie and yourself, I remain

                                                                                                Most affectionately

                                                                                                Mother

                After reading my note to Col H – please seal and deliver.