August 1, 1862. In the afternoon Mother Rose & I rode over to the ruins of Mrs Lathams house to see Sophie & by Tina’s. Had a little rain.

[Rebecca] August 1, 1862. A pleasant morng – Last night Tivie recd. a letter from Winston who is still in Jacksonville. He reports encouraging news from Richmond. Morgan is said to be in Indianna. This afternoon Tivie & I ride to town and visit the ruins of Mrs L’s house – then go to the Office – Both places bring sad reflections.

August 2, 1862. Georgie spent the day at Tina’s & Willie came home with him, & brought me some potatoes. Rain.

[Rebecca] August 2, 1862. Warm morng – A shower about 10 o’clk A.M. George goes to town on an errand and dines at Mr S’s Henry hunting hogs with Burrel. Geo. returns about dark with an invitation for Tivie & I to spend tomorrow with Mrs Stephens.

August 3, 1862. Henry, Rosa & I spent the day at Tina’s as they had another fine turkey. I wrote to Winston.

[Rebecca] August 3, 1862. A fine morng – Tivie Rosa & Henry go to Mrs S’s about 9 o’clk. George & I remain at home. I finish a letter to J.M.F. and send it off after dinner. Read the rest of the day until near sunset when I take with George.

[Octavia Stephens to Winston Stephens]  

                                                                                                Welaka Aug 3, 1862

My very dear Husband

                I wrote you last week that I would not write to day, but as I was again pleasantly surprised by a letter from you, & as you want me to write by every chance I concluded to write if only a few lines though I feel now as though I had nothing to say.  What will you think when I tell you that I am again at Clark's I was sent for again last night to come over to day and help eat another turkey, and as Mother thought it would do me good to come I came.  I wished for you heartily when I was enjoying a piece of the fine gobler.  oh if you could only come home and stay.  I was so glad to get your loving letter the other night, I was just sitting down to supper table when I saw Mose coming grinning with a letter in his hand, I hardly dared think it was from you until I saw the hand writing.  I expected one by Mr Smith but not before, and as he had not come yet I think I may get another by him.

                Before I forget, Clark is very anxious to hear about his discharge, as you have not said a word about it since you returned from Tallahassee, he heard that he and the other men were to return to the company & serve their twelve months out, but we all came to the conclusion that if that was the case you would have at least sent a message to him through me.

                I think Mr Smith could not have told you anything for I guess he did not tell you that I had received your letters, & about Mrs Latham’s being at our house, for if he had I think you would have said something of it. I was glad you expressed a wish  to help her, for I felt that you would not censure me for the little I did. I guess from the length of time that Mr Smith stays away, he hates to come back to his lonely condition, I think you must have had enough of his poking if he has been  in your camp all this time. I know you must have thought strange of my not sending another letter by Mr Smith, besides that old one he had had a week, but I was not certain when they would start until in the afternoon Tuesday & they were to start at three the next morning, and Mrs L- Carrie & Tina &c were at our house, I would have written that night & sent it over, but we heard that the Hopkins negroes had refused to go so supposed they would not get off, so Mother dissuaded me from writing as there was a prospect of a storm that eve, when I wrote the one he carried they were to leave the next day, & I thought he must have sent it before he left. I was surprised when I heard they had gone, and blamed myself you don’t know how much for not sending another letter, I hope by this time (as hardly though) that you have received the one written last week. I think that you will be long enough for you, though there is never anything in my letters, and this time I can not write as I have nothing particular to say, & there is so much fuss I can not collect what thoughts I had & now Clark is baiting on Tina & I to finish our letters to close the mail & Tina is almost done. I do not know that you will get either this letter or the one I wrote last week as Clark does not know where to send it, he will send them to Jacksonville, he does not know whether or not there is a post office there, so when I write next Friday by Mr. Shook I will tell you of it again as I guess you will get that one before this.

                I believe all is going on as well as usual at home, Rosa is very well, but just as full of mischief as she can be, so may expect to hear me scold at her pretty well when you come, she is forever into mischief her tongue is going the whole time.  Sarah came up yesterday and cooked, her baby seems to be very good.  Mother was sick two days last week but seems well again, seems to me I am good for nothing, just a ride to town & back nearly laid me up, I could not sleep & was almost sick the next day, & yesterday came near trying the same trick as last Sunday, Mother & I were clearing out a beaureau, & I had to acknowledge the corn & lie down, I do wish I could get the buggy, but Bright is waiting for Long to turn the hub & I believe he dont intend turning it.  I am going to send for a beef next week.  Burrel has 18 shoats in the river field, he & Henry had a hunt for the others yesterday but could not find them.  I must close.  Do come as soon as you can, you dont know how much I want to see you.  Goodbye my dear, I shall write on Friday by Mr Shook.

                                                                                                Ever your loving

                                                                                                Wife Tivie