Dec. 1, 1861. I had a chill.

[Winston Stephens to Octavia Stephens]

                                                                                                Palatka Dec 1, 1861.

My Dear Wife

                After starting from home & getting nearly down to the clear water pond, I had to return to give up the corn house key, I delivered it to Jane as I saw no one mooving about in the yard.  The boys waited for me while returning.  When we got to the river we found that all the boys had crossed but those with me, & we had to wait some time for the flat, but eventually got over & arrived in this place about 5 P.M. all OK.  I did not stay in camp that night but slept at Lt Grays, but on next morning we call'd the Roll & found we had recruits enough to make 74 rank & file.  we have the men divided into Messes of eight men in each mess fixed off with camp equipage &c & they are all very well satisfied.  We hosifers have formed a Mess & Felix does the cooking & pays attention to our horses & we pay two dollars pr month for said services. I think we will agree as well as could be expected some things are not as I am accustomed to have them but I suppose I will soon be used to it.

                While I think of it, I forgot the Muster Roll, or they were left out of my trunk by some accident & I wish you would look them up & if Capt Hopkins comes up send the Rolls to him & if not be sure to send it down by Darlington.  The last time I saw it was when you asked to see it.  look in all the likely places and if you dont find it then hunt the unlikely as it is of great importance. 

                It is now about 4 PM & I will tell you how I have spent the day thus far.  At my usual time I got up and washed & dressed for breakfast which we had about 8 oclock, then Mr Connel came in & shaved me, after that I put on my sunday clothes & at l/2 past 10 oclock we formed the Company in lines & marched them to the Episcopal Church where half of the seats had been left for us, & there I listened to one of the best sermons preached by Mr Crane that I have hird for a long time.  then we returned to camp dismissed the Company & sat sometime with Mr Gowere & Capt Solee from Jacksonville, then walked up to Lt Petermans where we had an excellant dinner & now I have returned & am helping you to a dish of gossip or any thing you will have.

                We have not received any orders yet, & now Genl. or Capt Hopkins speaks of coming up home for a few days as he has had fever since his return to this place.  "Now see" he curses Welaka & says this is a healthy place but he runs from this to Welaka because he has fever here how convinent.

                We had glorious news from Pensacola!  On the 22nd of Nov Lincolns fleet of seven vessels commenced their fire on a steamer of the C.S. & Fort Pickens assisted them & the fire became general on our fortifications & Genl Bragg returned the fire slowly but with good effect & they fought through the 22nd & 23rd & the Federal fleet became so much disabled that they had to put out to sea & one of the vessels the Magara had to be towed out by a steamer & a breach was made in one of the bastions of Fort Pickens.  The report of Genl Bragg says they seem to have enough of it as two days have elapsed & no more appearance of an assault.  & Bragg says he can stand all they can send against him.  Our killed & wounded in the engagement is put down at 16 men mostly Georgians  Now this is a glorious victory but I look for another tryal with a larger force before long.

                The Yankees have taken possession of Tybee Island near Savannah & are fortifying it with the view of commanding the channel.  & the consequence thus far has been the stopping of the Savannah boats, but I think the Georgians will not allow them to fortify & I expect we will hear of lively times from there soon.

                Genl Lee commands in Fla & he has been to Fernandina & after a careful inspection of the premises he has instructed the Commander to hold it at all hazards & ordered considerable more work in the shape of fortifications erected.  I would not be surprised if this company is ordered some where near that we can assist if necessary, but this is only my supposition.  I will however keep you posted if possible & I dont want you to make yourself unnecessaryly uneasy about me if you fail to hear when you should.  I will write by every opportunity I see but it may be as before & then you know it is not my fault.

                I am in good health & the prospect is that we will remain so as the season is so far advanced.  The Company improves finely in drilling, we drill twice a day at 10 AM & 3 PM and it occupies with other duties nearly all the time.  Be careful with your meat this warm weather.   

                I send you a letter from Sister & I want you to see that Ben answers it or please do it if he does not & tell them about the box. Tell Mother I have the papers & I hope she will not be disappointed. Has S   ymmons arrived? If not & he wants the cart sent for his tools send it. Has the Sows pigs? Give me all the news. As it is nearly dark I will close & if I think of anything else I will add it in a PS. Give Mother & the boys love Ben & Clarks family Kiss Rosa and accept many from your aff husband

                                                                                                Winston Stephens

PS  Dr Mayo told me that one sour orange guce & a teaspoon of salt eaten three times a day before meals was a certain remedy for chill & fever.  try it if you have any more in your family. Darlington goes up tonight at 10 oclock & Genl Hopkins will go up on her & he will let you know if he returns before Wednesday.

                                                                                                Good Night & God bless you all

                                                                                                Winston

Dec. 2, 1861. Received a letter from Winston. Also a very insulting one with my ambrotype & letters from Carrie Latham.