Dec. 10, 1861 [no entry]

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

Dec 8, 1861. [no entry]

[Mary Ann Jane Gaines to Octavia Stephens]

                                                                                                Middleburg Dec 8th 1861

Dear Tivie

                I recd. your affectionate letter last mail and am truly glad to hear from you all again, I did think it strange that you had not written before but forgive you and hope you will in the future write often, I was sorry to hear that you have been having chills & fever hope you will not have a return of them.  I am glad that you have received the box of clothing as I thought the boys would be in need of these clothes.  Jimmie came down last Friday and has joined Capt Summerlin's company I wished him to stay at home but he says he does not want the finger of scorn pointed at him for not joining the army.  I have written for Dick to come down for me and I expect him next week.  I shall send for the boys Todie & Ben on the 18th and I wish them to meet the buggy at Palaka on that day.  You and Tina must send me all the garden seed you can spare & tell Todie bring all the peas he raised Tell Tina I should like very much to come to her in February but it will be impossible for me to do so as I expect when I get in Marion it will be some time before I can leave. All of us are quite well at present. Bertha is as fat as a little pig growing finely. kiss Rosa for her and for us all. All join me in love to you & family Clark & family Todie & Ben

                                                                                                Yours affectionately  

                                                                                                MAJ Gaines

Dec 7, 1861. In the afternoon Winston went to Clark’s. Toady came over with the buggy staying over tomorrow.

Dec 6, 1861.  Winston surprised us just as we were going to bed & just as I had received a bundle from him sent by Jacob.

[Winston Stephens to Octavia Stephens] 

                                                                                                Palatka Dec 5th 1861.

My Dear Wife

                I received yours by Capt Hopkins yesterday about 1 1/2 PM.  I was glad to hear from you, but sorry you have the fever & hope you are clear of it before this.  I send you 33 grains of Quinine which cost one dollar now & hard to get even at that price.  I want you to take enough to break the fever if you have it after you receive this.  I would come up to day to see you but last night just as I was about to open my mouth to ask my "Boss" if I could come he assigned me to some duty for to day & I then held my tongue, but perhaps if I were to come up to day I could not come Christmas & if you are not sick any more I had rather come then than now.  I send you some calico for four shirts but I dont want you to work on them until you are well as I have got more calico shirts already made since I came down here, I also send you half dollars worth of blk flax all that I can get in the place & I send the paper. I wish you would try to find out when the Sumpter is coming down & let me know how you are & dont hide your real feelings & if you are no better I will come up.  I am in fine health & we have comfortable quarters in houses, the only thing I miss is a fire place.  We have no tents yet from Government but Cpt Hopkins has five that he has promised the Company.  Bless my Dear Rosa for writing to her Pa Pa.  I am glad to see she is improving so fast & to hear she has so much good luck with her teeth.  I think if you continue to have fever you had better wean Rosa, but your Mother knows best.  If you can take it the Quinine will be more effective in solution. About killing the hogs, so as you wish but if the black on is not fat don’t kill him but the smaller ones. I am sorry Henry could not find the Mill man tell him I am much obliged to him for the trouble he took for me. I don’t know what to do about Simmons if Clark can find out where he is send to him if not too far. I am sorry on your account of the difficulty between you & Carrie, but hope to be the gainer by it, as I propose to come in for the ambrotype, send it by the first opportunity if you can give it to me.

                Henry & George can plant the old yard & garden if they wish & I will plant the rest. I give Burrel 1 peck of card & half bush potatoes & sarah twice & Tom & Rach the same. I am glad you spoke so short to Burrel & if they trouble me I will hire the whole of them out & you may tell him so. I have just finished breakfast & the boys are to be off soon & I presume as this is the third week you can put up with it. my fingers are quite cold, did Ben sell the peas? I will try to make some arrrangements for him to go if he wishes. Tell Clark his old boat is here but not worth much.   Love to all.  Kiss Rosa & accept as many as you wish from your old Man Winston.

Dec. 4, 1861. Ben Henry & George went to town in the afternoon & brought me a letter from Winston, send by Frank Sams. I sent a bag of peas & potatoes to Willie by the boat. Ben & I wrote to Ma.

[Winston Stephens to Octavia Stephens]

                                                                                                Camp Hopkins Dec 4th 1861

My dear Wife

                As the Duvall Steamer is going up the river to day I will write you a few lines & send you some of the Couviers as you are fond of them. You will perhaps see something in them that have hird or seen elsewhere. We learned this morning that Genl Trappier had arrived at Fernandina & had gone on to Tallahassee & as Capt Hopkins had written to Gov Milton I think it probable we will have some orders of some kind by Saturday.

                Frank Sams is the bearer of this, as he goes to Welaka to spend a short time. We are well & gitting good living so far.  Lt Gray is acting QuarterMaster & makes a good one.  I have no news of importance to communicate to you.  I hope you all are well & doing well.  We had a heavy rain night before last & last night it was cold to pay, but I sleep with Joseph Hopkins & by putting our blankets together we do finely.

                The steamer goes soon & I have to drill the Company so good by my Love.  I cant say when I will be with you love to all & kiss my Dear babe.  Your

                                                                                                Aff husband Winston Stephens

                I send you one lb of concentrated lie to make soap. By the rec’t you have good. good by & God bless you all.