Dec 9, 1861. [no entry]

[Rebecca Bryant to Davis Bryant]  

                                                                                                Rose Cottage Decr, 9^th. /61

My dear Davis,

                We were surprised yesterday by the information that the Darlington had passed up the river before day light and is expected to return to-day. Henry has now gone over to town to ascertain if Mr Smith, who has been to Jacksonville, brought any letters for us, and if Capt B- intends to come down to-day. I commence my letter in reason that I may not be hurried after Henry’s return.

                I received your letter week on Thursday. The boys waited for the Darlington until nearly dark, and we heard her pass down the river just as they reached here. Capt Brock gave the letter to Mr Allen who brought it over the next afternoon. I thank you for the pains you took to send the small bills, as well as for all the interesting matter contained in your epistle.  I regret the discontinuance of the Savannah stmrs, more especially on account of the uncertainty of hearing directly from Willie.  I hope however he will be able occasionally to send me a sheet through you, by Darlington.  We hear that the Darlington however, is to run between Jacksonville and Brunswick, and that Capt B‑s  new stmr is to run up the river.  We learn from Winston that the Sumter is to run to Jacksonville and to come up the river every second week, running to Silver Spring alternately with Capt Gray's barge ‑ therefore you need not fear being detained here for want of an opportunity to go down.  I do not know on what days the new steamer is to arrive and depart from either place.

                Winston took us by surprise again, last Thursday night, arriving about nine o'clk, just as Tivie and I were preparing to retire.  Tivie had written him of her having chill & fever, and   as there were some men to be sent across the river with two horses, Winston asked permission to accompany them and remain a couple of days at home ‑ Yesterday he recd. a note from his Capt. saying that as he had recd. no orders from the Gov and the Commissary's stores were getting low, he had given furloughs to about 30 men and Winston could remain here until he heard from him again if he wished.  His negroes go back and forth frequently which gives us an opportunity of hearing from the camp.  Winston looks well and is in good spirits ‑ The company have the use of three houses in Palatka and the Officers have Felix to cook for them, so that they are very comfortably fixed there.  What a pity to disturb them!

                10 1/2 o'clk. A.M.  Henry has returned bringing me your note enclosed with Willie's of 4th & 5th ‑ I am powerful glad to hear from you both ‑ am particularly glad to learn Willie's health is so good – It is too bad he can’t get his pay and most provoking that that man lost my letter to him. The disunion of the mails is as disagreeable in its results as the disunion of the States ‑ Well, we must take it all as it comes. I had heard of the return of the vessel you wrote by to Father through Winston – He told me that one of the Lieutenants was in Jacksonville when it arrived. Winston has gone over to town, when he returns we will talk over the probability of his being here at Christmas and I will then put in a few lines for Willie – which you can read and which I trust will reach him. George wrote to Willie last week and the letter was sewed into one corner of the bag ‑ I requested Willie to save the bag and bring up a dollar's worth of Rice in it ‑ Tivie is particularly fond of it and has had none for 3 mos.  I have quite a list of things which I shd. like to have you bring if you can without too much trouble and expense ‑ I send it this week, so as to give you time to hunt up the articles ‑ All but the broom can be put in your trunk and the bag.  The shoes for Rosa you will probably find at Mr Bouse's if any where, he had them in August.  The calico or delaine is for her and small figures with bright colors wd. be preferable, but grave colors will do rather than none.  The unbleachd. shirting I bot. at Mr Bouse's when you were selling it at 16 cts.

                I must close this and hurry up a few lines to Willie ‑ Henry wd. have written to you this week, but for the change in the day of sending letters ‑ Much love to Mrs. Maxey, hope she is better ‑ Tell her Tivie is sorry she has no room or even part of one to offer her now.  We can pile you boys up any where.  By the way, don't forget to bring the comforter that is rolled inside my large mattress at Mr Bouses's store and your shawl and Willie's.  All send much love and none more than

                                                                                                Mother