May 23, 1862. Received a note & a piece of bear from Winston by Clark. W wrote that he was sick. Lewis came home with Henry to stay over night.
[Rebecca] May 23, 1862. A fine morng. but we are longing for rain – The corn suffering for it. Henry returns late in the day with L. Stephens and no fish. Winston sends a piece of a large bear killed by himself and one of his men.
[Winston Stephens to Octavia Stephens]
Horse Landing May 23, 1862
My Dear Tivie
Clark comes up & brings you a fine piece of bear that we have just killed. I shot him 8 times & Wm Stevens five, 7 of mine took effect & 3 of his. I suppose the bear will weigh four hundred clean - save the oil for cooking - let the negroes have what you cant consume by the time it will spoil. I dont think I can come up until after Monday as that is about the time the Yankees comes up. Send my pants that I left with you by Clark. I have been sick but feel well today - though my spleen is very large & gives me pain - I had mustard on it & feel better since. I think the excitement to day will cause me to miss my fever this PM - love to all & kiss to Rosa - Your aff husband
Winston Stephens
[Octavia Stephens to Winston Stephens]
May 23, 1862
My dear Winston
I was so glad to get your note this afternoon, but very sorry you are not well, why did you not come home and be nursed by me instead of staying there amongst all the noise & rowdism of camp? You might have staid until Sunday afternoon and then been in time for the Yankees if they intend coming Sunday, for I have almost counted the hours as they passed and would think at night, well one day nearer the time, so many more, and not the two days which I had counted as gone will be added on to the end of the time anticipated. Well cant be helped.
The bear must have been a noble fellow, for the piece you sent was nearly all fat, could get but little lean, but I fear your excitement did not help your fever much except to increase it.
Rosa & I spent yesterday with Tina, I went to help her make Clark some shirts, and we had a very pleasant and cosy time. Little Jane had fever & I left her there over night, & I thought this morning that she had mumps, but as it seems to move to her eye & head now, I think it only cold. Mose has had fever two nights, Sarah is out to day. I tried to get salts from Mr Smith but he had none. I got a bottle Peppermint & one of Carminative, if he should come to you for the money, can you not get salts or oil from your Dr or Palatka? I mixed my last dose of salts for Mose & it was thrown away by accident. Cant you get two or four good meal sacks from the commiccary for your drawers? For you can not stand the osnaburgs, it is so harsh. Well I think I have more than repaid you for your note, and perhaps all this will strain your eyes. If the Yankees come & you have an engagement with them do let us know the result as soon as it is over, for you have plenty of folks in the company you could well spare to come with the news, for you don’t know or think of our anxiety. Mother sends her love & says “we want to see you home again,” & thinks you might come up Saturday & stay until Sunday afternoon but I suppose you don’t feel able to take the trip unless someone else is coming. Tell Swep he must come up and see us. I guess you are now asleep on your pallet, and I must prepare to go to my bed. Mother is on her way now. I shall think of you when I eat the bear meat & hope you are able to enjoy some. Well good night, may angels give you sweeter dreams than I had last night, for I dreamed you were going off somewhere, which I hope will not come true. Rosa kissed me to night for you as usual, so just consider that kiss sent, and one from
Your affectionate Wife
You know who
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