September 10, 1862. Got beef. No rain.

 

[Rebecca] September 10, 1862. Clear morng. – rather warm – Boys go fishing immediately after breakfast and get enough for dinner – Got a whole beef in the afternoon. Tivie & boys very busy with it until 8 o’clk. I read the papers most of the afternoon.

September 9, 1862. Tina spent the day with us. No rain.

 

[Rebecca] September 9, 1862. Mrs S- & children pass the day here – Quite warm -

 

[Octavia Stephens to Winston Stephens]  

                                                                                                Sept 9, 1862

My own husband

                I am again seated to write to you without hearing from you be Mr Smith, the gentleman has not yet arrived, but I hope he will not stay much longer for I want to hear from you, I looked some for a letter from you yesterday as I thought you knew of his going to Tallahassee & would not wait for him but write by the mail.

                Tina received a letter from Ma written by Mary of the 31st.  all were well excepting Rubannah.  Mary was to stay a week or ten days.  Ma wants Clark to give up Dunlawton fever & live with her.  Tina spent the day with us, she came over partly to cut Charlies's gums, as he has had fever & his gums had seemed much swollen for some time. Clark did not start for Hawkinsville to day, hogs still trouble him in his field, sometimes he declares it your hog then again the wild ones. Henry & Burrell are going to sit up and try & catch them, Clark sat up twice but they dodged him. I guess you think this great writing but I am writing with one hand & fanning with the other, for it is very “swultry” this evening.

                Rosa has not had fever since the day I wrote you, she had another tumble off of the steps this afternoon, she tried to throw the chicken off & she went rolling off too, right on top of a puppy, & cut her lip inside & skinned it outside.  The night that Rosa had fever I dreamed of your having a chill, I hope it was not true.  I wonder if you ever dream of your poor little wifey?  I dream of you every night & I think Rosa dreamed up & said in the same whining tone she used to when you went out "Ma Ma Pa Pas done."  Well I suppose Mr Hyas will have to leave his beloved to morrow, when will all this leaving wives stop?  I fear not until there are not many husbands to go.

                Mr Dean wishes to rent Grand Mother's house, Tina asked Mrs Dean what she felt like giving, she said two dollars a month with what they still have to do to the place to make it comfortable.  they want to go right into it, so dont forget to write about it as soon as you get this, now dont say you dont know about it, & leave it to Mother, for she says that Aunt Julia left it to you.

                Mother has just poked her head in the door, & says I must give lots of love to you & hopes you are enjoying these beautiful moonlight evenings.  I said yes in bed sound asleep, when I am walking up & down the path every evening enjoying the moonlight, I think of you asleep.  I believe you never had romance enough to enjoy the moon anyhow, perhaps your romance had worn out when I knew you.  Speaking of romance, the cotton has been picked over once & got 189 lbs.

                Mrs Dean charged a dollar for spinning and twisting my thread, but it was done very nicely, she charged by the time it took her.  I have one stocking nearly finished and have not knitted steadily on it.  I think I will have one if not two pair knit before you come home again, besides other work.  All are well here now.  Henry has a bad boil just below his waist on his back which annoys him very much, has nearly laid him up.  he shot at a turkey this morning but did not hit him quite hard enough, he has been nearly turkey crazy, but has bad luck.

                Well my dear this looks like a mean letter after the long ones I have been writing you but I guess it will do as I wrote only two days ago, which I suppose you'll get about the same time as this.  Good night & God bless & protect you.  With much love  I am

                                                                                                as ever your own

                                                                                                Tivie

September 8, 1862. Lewis came to study, Willie not well. No letters. No rain. The negroes began picking cotton.

 

[Rebecca] September 8, 1862. Another fine morng. George goes from the mail in the afternoon – Nothing recd. but 2 newspapers – No news from Tenn.

September 7, 1862. I wrote to Ma & Winston.

 

]Rebecca] September 7, 1862. A quiet lovely morng. – I finish and send off a letter to Davis. Read 2 sermans of Dr Huntington. In the afternoon read Sermons to the boys and take a short walk before tea. A beautiful night!

 

[Octavia Stephens to Winston Stephens]

                                                                                                Rose Cottage  Sept 7, 1862

My dear Husband

                I was agreeably surprised to hear from you so soon by Mr Hyas, but it was sad news indeed that you wrote me, so we will never see our poor "Toady" again in this world, and what a sudden death.  I can scarcely realize that it is so, he was a good boy.  I hope he has gone to a better world.  Poor Ma, I fear it will be very hard for her to bear, her health has been so feeble, & her constant anxiety about her sons that are in the service.  I am glad Mary was going to her so soon, and hope her being there with the little baby will serve to direct Ma's thoughts some that her grief may not take too great a hold on her.  I shall write Ma a few lines to day, although I do not feel competent to write such a one as I would like, but I feel as though I ought to send her my sympathy, I wrote to her last week.  Tina intended writing & will now of course do so, ‑ I will send mine with her's.  I suppose you have written to her.  I hope in your next letter you will tell me more particularly about the accident, who was with "Toady," how long ago it was, and what part of the body he was shot.  I suppose he was buried by his Father.  I hope Mary will make Ma a long visit, but I fear not as I suppose Jessup can not be away from home long, perhaps two weeks.

                Mother, Rosa & I spent yesterday at Tina's, they were all well there, Clark took a long hunt in the morning but saw nothing, he starts tomorrow I think to go to Hawkinsville after some syrup. I think only for his family, he has dug some of his ground nuts & says they are turning out very well, when I get yours & dry them, shall I just cover them up in a barrel in the smoke house? or must any thing particular be done to them.

                I have heard since Mr Smith left that he was going to Tallahassee, although he said he would be back Saturday night, so I don’t know when to look for him with a letter from you, I shall expect one a letter to morrow by mail.

                The corn is all gathered in and we have not near as much as we had last year, Burrel says he got 17 loads from the field here at the house, that you can judge how much the wagon holds, & not quite two from the "little field" & a small quantity of very small pumpkins & kushaws, some as large as your fist very few ripe.  we have three pumpkins cooking for our dinner to day, & fear that will not be enough, they are about the size of cocoanuts.  I think if we dont do better another year we had better give up.

                I am very anxious to hear what you have to say about the Simmons place. Tina said the other day that she would not be surprised if Clark would buy the land from you it you got the bargain. I hope you will & feel quite certain that you will, if you have not bought the spinning wheel & cards you had better wait for Simmons has both which Clark thinks is counted in with the house furniture. Mr S- said he would be ready he thought in a week & a half for him. shall I then send Tom for him? And is Clark to take charge?  I do wish you could be here & attend to it yourself. I must say I have not much confidence in Clarks ability, & I feel & have felt all along as though things would go wrong before the end. In mentioning our misfortunes in the crop I forgot the cotton, the catepillars are ruining it.  Burrel says they have stripped leaves & blooms, that it looks as though it had three frosts on it.

                Burrel suffered terribly with his tooth after you left, & went to Dr Currel to get it out, but as he had nothing but our old pullers could not get it out, but I have succeeded at last in stopping it, the Dr says we owe him four dollars.  I thought I would send it when any one from here was going that way.

                Rosa is not well to day.  she was so restless last night that she kept me awake a great part of the night & I think she was a little feverish when she got up, but seemed quite bright after breakfast, but wanted to "go bye" very early.

                Mother heard from Davis this week, he said he hoped to see you at Jacksonville before very long, he wrote us of Mrs Mitchels death, she died about the time appointed for her marriage with Dr Baldwin, perhaps you have heard of it.

                I shall write to you by Mr Hyas on Wednesday, but suppose you will get it as soon as this, when you were away before you said I must write every mail, & by every private opportunity and as that order has not been countermanded I still obey.

                I am anxious to hear how the affairs about the regiment come on, I am so much afraid you are going to get yourself into trouble. You were just a little ahead of Capt. Chambers in having Mr Gardner arrested, I heard.

                I hear that Mr Dean is to carry our mail the rest of the year, or a year, I am glad of that for we were fearing trouble about it.  Henry was talking strongly of taking it, was going to see Mr Smith about it, he says he wants to make some money.  I hear that the Milton is to run from here to Jacksonville & up Dunns Creek to carry supplies for Capt Chambers' company, & that they are getting the St Marys up to make a gunboat of her.  Are they fortifying the river below Jacksonville?  I hope there is no prospect of your being removed.  I would not be surprised to hear that you had changed camps with Capt Dunham.

                I guess I will stop now and write to our poor Ma.  I hope I shall have a letter from you before Mr Hyas goes back.

                                                                                                Ever affectionately

                                                                                                Yr Wife

P.S. Mother sends love & says if Mr Burritt has returned please see him and find out all you can from him. I suppose of course she means about Father. Good bye.

                                                                                                Your own Wife

 

 

[Willie Bryant to Rebecca Bryant]

                                                                                                Camp near Sparta, Tenn

                                                                                                Sunday p.m. Sept 7, 1862

My dear Mother,

                I wrote you a few days ago from Dunlap, since then we have come thro' the Sequatchie valley & crossed the Cumberland ridge. 

                Before I go further let me say that I have just learnd. that an oppt'y offers to send letters back to-night & I have but a short time before dark to write you in, & I wd. like also to write Davis & Miss Rebecca a few lines, therefore must be brief.

                Our march thus far has been a forced one, sometimes traveling 17 miles pr day, & of the most trying nature, owing to the nature of the country & the scarity of water; we are invariably aroused at 3 o,clk in the morng. to start, & keep going till after dark, & every 2d or 3d night are obliged to be up late cooking rations ahead; the regmt. rested 2 days at Dunlap, I wrote you, here we rest & to cook 3 days rations from 10 o,clk this a.m. till tomorrow a.m; It was the intention for our army to attack Buell at McMinnville, where he had fortified himself, & then to follow him in retreat to Nashville, but he evacuated McM before we could get there & retreated to Nashville & we are now informed that Nashville will soon be evacuated also, Therefore our army is now destined for Kentucky, & I think it is supposed that by a certain arrangement of the confederate forces that the Federals will be unable to concentrate theirs into a large army again; I am sorry for this change of plan for I dislike the longer march into Kentucky & wished very much to see Nashville; our point of destination is undoubtedly Louisville now.

                My sprained arm has proved to be of a more severe nature than I at first supposed & consequently more of a blessing for my knapsack is still carried; I cannot yet stretch out my arm, & until it is quite well I shall make it an excuse for not carrying my load; I am otherwise in good trim, accustomed to walking & my feet are now hardened; yesterday I was obliged to knock under for awhile, however, as I had become weakened from diarrhoea caused by drinking some cider & eating fruit, & from bad water & the scarity of it, I had some fever also, but stopped at a house till the cool of the evening, when the kind lady offered me some food & I eat some corn bread, milk & honey & came on to camp, then took some medicine & went to bed & this morng. woke up all right & marched 8 miles by 1/2 p 6 when I stopped at a house till 9 & got some breakfast.  The worst of our trip is over, we are now over the mountains, in a good country & where water is more plenty, & will not be so hurried.

                East Tenn is booked in my memory as the most abominable section of country I have known; The hardships we have endured passing thro' have increased my dislike, but the people are a lazy, ignorant, overreaching & cold hearted set; when they would sell us any thing it was at the most exorbitant prices, & old & young would combine to cheat us & take advantage of our situation, they wd. not only charge 10 & 15 c pr doz for peaches & apples rotting on the ground, & 50 c pr qt or 10 c for a little cupfull of cider, but actually wd. sit on the fence with little loaves of corn bread no bigger than "your" two fists to sell for 50 c & $1 each; my feet were horribly scalded by my wool socks, a very smiling & benign looking dame "to oblige me," let me have a pr of their cotton ones, of the cheapest sort & which I have sold many of at 10 c & a bit, for the moderate sum of one dollar, this is the 3d. day I have worn them & they are all holes already; I got a better to‑day from a fellow soldier for 50 c which I shall carry for a similar necessity.

                But thank Heaven we are now in a fine country & where the people are glad to welcome us, & kind, & if I would happen to become at all sick I would not hesitate to stop ‑

                This whole section of country is beautiful & grand, & very fertile, & tho' at a heavy cost I am glad that I have been able to see it –

                Well! I must wind up again for an indefinite time – Our letters have been forwd. & one from Miss R- at Aiken reached me 2 days ago. At intervals of 2 weeks, or more, write me, for the present at Chattanooga, directing 3d. Regt. Fla Vols., 1^st Brigde., 2d. Div. Bye the way! An officer in the Co (G) I was in was introduced to cousin Frankie in Savannah & told her of me; I think she was returning – I think of nothing of importance to add & will close this to write D-

                I hope & pray  that you are all well & may continue so ‑ I   am sure I feel a sense of gratitude for my being so blessed in health ‑ Oceans of love to you all, you know, from

                                                                                                Willie

September 5, 1862. Davis 23^rd birthday. W & Lewis over to study. No rain.

 

[Rebecca] September 5, 1862. A fine morng. – Employ myself in various ways in the morng. until time for the boy’s lessons – Write most of the afternoon – The eveg. most beautiful.

 

[Rebecca Bryant to Davis Bryant]

                                                                                                Rose Cottage Sept 5, 1862

My dear Davis

                This is your birthday, and I will commence a letter to you and finish it on Sunday morning.  We are now having most delightful weather, after much that has been disagreeable and I hope you are enjoying the change.  I think you have had a regular north‑easter, from the course of the weather here.  Your most welcome & interesting letter of the 26th and one to George, came through, for a wonder in five days & reached us on Monday P.M.  How nice it wd. be if they wd. always come so promptly.  George was very much pleased with his, and this together with Willies commendation of one Henry wrote to him seemed to inspire H‑ with an idea of writing to you ‑ He thought he shd. have a letter ready to go with mine on Sunday, but has found several little jobs that claim his attention before Sunday and thinks he will defer it until I write again.  I suppose you have recd. the letter sent by Winston to J'ville.  I mentioned writing to Miss Beckie, and Winston promised to call and let her know that she could write to me by Mr Smith who was to go down a few days after, but Winston writes that Mrs Foster had gone to Aiken for her health, having had several hemorrhages - no doubt this is the reason you have not heard from them.  I am very sorry to know that Mrs F- is so decidedly an invalid and fear now she may decline rapidly.  Winston forwarded my letter and I hope for a reply if they remain long at Aiken.  I received a letter from Aunt Julia before we heard from Winston, in which she gave an account of a trip half way to Savannah and mentioned meeting Mrs F- & Rebecca in the cars and having an hour's conversation with them!  She did not say where they were going, but that they wd. make every effort to see Willie at some point - and therefore I supposed they had suddenly decided to go North.  Aunt J- writes that they talked of us all and each individually and with so much interest that it "stirred them to tears which could not be repressed." She says they parted “with regret, like old and dear friends,” to her they seemed to be nearly connected with us – you remember she saw Mrs F- at our house, but Miss Beckie was absent at that time. When she returned she found Parris on the cars, going home for a furlough and he went to pass two days with her. She says nothing of his going to Virginia, so I infer that was a false rumor we heard, of his Regt. being ordered there. Some weeks before, Aunt J- had occasion to pass ten days in Sav. and the vicinity. She went by request of the Association to which she belongs, to visit the Hospitals, a friend of hers Mrs Reed (formerly Miss Alston) went with her and they carried a petition to Gen Mercer, in behalf of some of the Georgia companies who have suffered terribly from sickness. He recd. them cordially and complied so far as the removal of the troops the next day, to a healthier locality. She says she did not wish to court attention and declined many kind invitations, but was pleased by the proprietor of the Pulaski receiving her on the footing of a guest, and the omnibus driver refusing to take fare – She had a carriage placed at her disposal that she might visit different points without expense and she passes over the R. Road free – Mr Patten a commission merchant of Sav is the Agent for the Association and she passed the evegs. and nights with his family in Whitesville a few miles from the city. She went to Parris’ camp and dined with him & his Col – her friend Mrs R- going with her – As she was going on the cars to Sav she met Mrs Latham & Carrie! They told her of their house being burnt and their visit here, but as Aunt J- couldn’t devote much time to them in the city, did not hear all Mrs L- wanted to tell her – They took tea together at the Pulaski and Parris was introduced – He was quite pleased with C- so much for Aunt Js journey – She had recd. my two letters and says I was much more forbearing than she dared to hope, she feared my love for her would not, could not, survive the test – yet looking back she sees no other way she would have done in justice to others, she sent much love to you with all rest.

                Some days after I wrote you I recd. a letter from Willie and as he was going to write you the same day, I presume you are acquainted with all his movements – The Regt had been assigned to the division under Brig. Gen. Saml Jones – and they were being kept in readiness to march at the shortest notice. Expected to have a march of 150 miles, to give up their tents &c – yet he was anxious to be on the move. His letter was dated the 15^th ult. Winston writes that he saw a letter from him dated the 19^th and the Regt was to march the next day – but he doesn’t say to what point – Willie thought when he wrote me they wd. be marched to Nashville. Sixteen days have elapsed since they began their toilsome march – how much they must have had to endure in that time, even without a battle! He said he shd. not be able to write me so regularly hereafter, therefore I do not expect a letter on Monday, but I shd. think we must hear something definite from our troops and Buel’s army by that time.  You know Dick Stephens & James Gaines are both in Tenn. at Knoxville where Winston last heard from them.  Poor Mrs Gaines has been terribly tried and must now be in deep affliction.  Her son Lewis was going down to Winston's camp to stay a month, as substitute for Swepston ‑ he stopped at his sister Mary's for a couple of days, went out hunting, his gun caught in a tree and as he attempted to save it from falling, it fired and shot him!  He only exclaimed O! Lord! and expired.  This happened a few days before Winston stopped there on his way to his camp.  Mrs G‑ has now four sons in the service.  It is not long since she heard a report of James' death, which she believed for two days, as it came by a private letter from the Regt he is in ‑ she then recd. letters proving it false.  I think I shall not have much space to fill on Sunday if I write any more now ‑ Tivie sends much love and hopes this is the last birth‑day you will ever pass in camp ‑ and I heartily respond to that sentiment.  We are to pass tomorrow with Mrs Stephens.  I have begun teaching her two boys, three days in the week ‑ they come in the morng. and study with Henry & George two hrs. in the am & one P.M.  I proposed it partly for their sake and partly for my own, as I require something to divert my thoughts from the gloomy channel into which they constantly flow, despite of all my efforts, when my mind is not occupied entirely and it is all I can do to be useful here now to any one ‑ Henry looks very thin and sometimes pale, but I think it is caused by his rapid growth principally.  He has a good appetite and is sufficiently active for the season ‑ I think the cool weather will increase his flesh. 

Sun morng. ‑ We passed a pleasant day with Mrs Stephens yesterday ‑ It is four weeks since I have been there, or any where off this place, and the change and ride were enlivening.  Mr S‑ heard from Capt Canova just from Jackvlle that Gen Jackson had been again victorious in an engagement with Pope ‑ had taken 400 prisoners and got Pope's uniform!  But unfortunately he was not in it.

                Mr Smith is expected up from Jckville in a few days.  Mr Stephens is P.M. during his absense.  Mr Dean has agreed to carry the mail to the end of the year, and I am relieved on that point – Willie writes that their “postman” makes new arrangement for recg. their letters whenever they move and he hopes to get all due him after a while. He says they now have their letters forwarded free and yet he stamps his, how is that? I asked Mr S-s about and he said there was a law, so Mr Smith said, that soldiers shd send letter for half postage. Why do you not avail yourself of it, if it is so? Tivie recd. a letter from Loulie Tydings last Monday ‑ they are living in a place belonging to one of his uncles (Dr Adams' brother) where they are making salt.  Mr Tydings superintending the negroes for him.  The place is called Sopchoppy and is some distance from Tallahassee.  Lou expresses great anxiety to hear about you & Willie and indeed all of us, and we were rejoiced to hear from her.  She says they are cut off the world and fears she will not be able to hear from us ‑ Tivie wrote to her immediately.

                We look with renewed impatience for tomorrows mail, hoping for favorable news from Tenn. and from Virginia.  It seems to be the general belief that if we do not gain our Independence in the next two months, the War will be indefinitely prolonged; perhaps for the whole of Lincoln's term of office.  Do you see any newspapers?  Some of the N. Western states are greatly opposed to the emancipation act ‑ and deserters say there is much division in the Federal army.  All this is in our favor.  Don't fail to let me know as soon as you hear anything of Willie's movements, as news will probably reach you earlier than it will me.  You see I do not know when to stop, after I begin writing to you, it is as pleasant to imagine that I am talking with you ‑ but alas! I do not hear your replies.  How do you pass your Sundays?  Have you any chaplain or clergyman near you?

                If I do not hear through Winston this week that he has seen Mr Burritt and questioned him about your Father or that you have been in Jackvlle and talked with him, I shall write to Mrs B‑ and ask her to tell me what she knows.  The boys send much love ‑ Henry says he will write soon ‑ Ten thousand kisses and blessings for you, my dear boy, from

                                                                                                Mother

 

September 6, 1862. Mother Rosa & I spent the day with Tina. Rain.

 

[Rebecca] September 6, 1862. A lovely morng. – Tivie, Rosa & self pass the day with Mrs Stephens. The afternoon showery, which prevents our returning until nearly dark. Eveg. clear.

 

September 3, 1862. Lewis & W- came over to study. Rain.

 

[Rebecca] September 3, 1862. A warm morng. shower in the P.M. A very quiet day – Geo still poulticing his foot. Henry makes shelves for Tivie.

 

September 4, 1862. Rain prevented our going to Tina’s.

 

[Rebecca] September 4, 1862. A cloudy, drizzly morng. Split palmetto for H’s hat, all the morng. – Sew after dinner.

 

[Winston Stephens to Octavia Stephens]

                                                                                                Camp Stephens Sept 4, 1862

My Dear Wife

                I seat myself this P.M. that I may write you a more deliberate letter than the hasty sheet sent you before.  I find it impossible to write without interuption as I have ben interupted already.

                Your long, interesting & affectionate letter found me in good health free almost from any symtom of cold & you may rest assured that if I die of cold it will be one that is to come.  My Command is not so well, Swep is sick the Dr is sick & about 9 or ten others, some have been threatened rather seriously though to day they are all on the mend.  The Dr has no medicine for the sick & that is one reason why we suffer as we do. I cant tell you what all. The Dr has no medicine for the sick & that is one reason why we suffer as much as we do. I will send as I have sent today by Mr Smith to Lake City & cant tell what will be his success. I have purchased the cotton cards.  No knitting needles to be had of the size.  Tell Mother I could not get the cloth any where on the road & some of the women had been offered one dollar pr yard.  Pay her the dollar Dean paid me for her & tell her that alumn is worth $5 per pound & Coperas $1.25 pr pound, so she can see how much she lost in her last sale. I have written Clark about Simmons & it will depend upon circumstances if he trades, but if he does not you can buy any thing you want that he has at a fair price. I cannot afford to make the trade on account of his kitchen furniture which is perhaps worth five dollars. I cannot find any shoes for Rosa. I am ordered up to Tallahassee as a witness in the case of Maj Barnwell & will try to think of them & the needles then. I start next Tuesday. Mr Gardners trial will come off on the 15^th which will give me the opportunity of being there.

                I have just ben called as a Courier stands with orders near my tent.  The orders are that I hold myself with 25 men in readiness to march on saturday morning, with three days cooked provisions for myself & men, I dont know where we are going & therefore cant inform you but suppose it is to scout the coast so  as to allow Capt Dunham [to] see the Country ‑ I will write you if any thing turns up worth hearing.

                I called yesterday on Mr Burrett & was invited to dine with him but had to decline as I had just dined at camp.  I went with him into his dining room & had quite a long chat with him & his better half.  Mrs Burrett inquired very particularly about Mother & yourself & I told her that Mother had written to Miss R. Foster & about her request hoping to draw her out.  but she did not know any thing more of Col. Bryant than we had already heard & Mr Burrett did not learn any thing of him on his last visit to Richmond, but saw Mrs Sanderson there, she told him that the Gov of Florida a Mr Smith & Judge Fraser had gone to St Augustine. You know Fraser or Mother does as he lived in Jacksonville. One thing I learned of Mr. Burrett & that was that Gardner had given him a power to draw money from the Federals for the rosin taken at Pilatka which testimony will be valuable. Gardner has been Paroled to wind up his business & get his evidence.

                I got a letter from Mr Greely stating he had purchased the uniform & had got me a cheap one what do you think of that?  We had a report in circulation that we were to be sent out of the State in a short time but its all false I think nothing confirming the report I heard before I left that Officers had been appointed & it is not believed it will be but that we will have an election for our field Officers. I will finish this tomorrow.

Sept 5th 4 PM.  My Dear I have just sat down to finish this.  We had more glorious news to day by the Cars.  Kirby Smith has defeated Genl Nelson of the Federals at Cumberland Gap capturing his whole force 10,000 men, our loss was not as heavy as could have been expected, but in the last days fight between McC & Pope with Genl Lee our loss was heavy & a dispatch was received to prepare for 8,000 wounded.  You will see by the despatch that they had three days fight.  It is thought that by this time that Buell has surrendered or defeated.   The 7th Fla was in the fight at the gap ‑ God is surely with us as we are all the time victorious & our cause is prospering. Whit Smith is just from Richmond before he left & they were stil coming in. I send by Mr Smith 12 yard of cloth for you & 12 for Tina. I don’t know when Mr Smith will come as I hear he has gone up to Tallahassee. The other articles cannot be purchased. When you hear from this part of the world again you will hear that the St Johns River has been blocked on the Yankees as my scout is in connection with that object.  I cant give you the particulars as I am sworn to secrecy, but dont be uneasy as I will take care of myself & you shall hear as soon as I return. I am not so anxious to make the trade with Simmons as when I was up there & have written to Clark to be careful & not buy unless the stock is good. you can give the cards to Mr Basford. I send Mother some thread wove if you wish & manage every thing to your liking & I will not complain. I have written to Clark about the Mill to try & get him to take hold & finish it. Do as you wish about the Dean house all I care for is the pea house & take care of the nails to have them for the Mill. Good bye lots of Love to all & many kisses to Rosa & love to you

                                                                                                Yours aff

                                                                                                Winston Stephens

 

September 5, 1862. Davis 23^rd birthday. W & Lewis over to study. No rain.

 

[Rebecca] September 5, 1862. A fine morng. – Employ myself in various ways in the morng. until time for the boy’s lessons – Write most of the afternoon – The eveg. most beautiful.

 

[Rebecca Bryant to Davis Bryant]

                                                                                                Rose Cottage Sept 5, 1862

My dear Davis

                This is your birthday, and I will commence a letter to you and finish it on Sunday morning.  We are now having most delightful weather, after much that has been disagreeable and I hope you are enjoying the change.  I think you have had a regular north‑easter, from the course of the weather here.  Your most welcome & interesting letter of the 26th and one to George, came through, for a wonder in five days & reached us on Monday P.M.  How nice it wd. be if they wd. always come so promptly.  George was very much pleased with his, and this together with Willies commendation of one Henry wrote to him seemed to inspire H‑ with an idea of writing to you ‑ He thought he shd. have a letter ready to go with mine on Sunday, but has found several little jobs that claim his attention before Sunday and thinks he will defer it until I write again.  I suppose you have recd. the letter sent by Winston to J'ville.  I mentioned writing to Miss Beckie, and Winston promised to call and let her know that she could write to me by Mr Smith who was to go down a few days after, but Winston writes that Mrs Foster had gone to Aiken for her health, having had several hemorrhages - no doubt this is the reason you have not heard from them.  I am very sorry to know that Mrs F- is so decidedly an invalid and fear now she may decline rapidly.  Winston forwarded my letter and I hope for a reply if they remain long at Aiken.  I received a letter from Aunt Julia before we heard from Winston, in which she gave an account of a trip half way to Savannah and mentioned meeting Mrs F- & Rebecca in the cars and having an hour's conversation with them!  She did not say where they were going, but that they wd. make every effort to see Willie at some point - and therefore I supposed they had suddenly decided to go North.  Aunt J- writes that they talked of us all and each individually and with so much interest that it "stirred them to tears which could not be repressed." She says they parted “with regret, like old and dear friends,” to her they seemed to be nearly connected with us – you remember she saw Mrs F- at our house, but Miss Beckie was absent at that time. When she returned she found Parris on the cars, going home for a furlough and he went to pass two days with her. She says nothing of his going to Virginia, so I infer that was a false rumor we heard, of his Regt. being ordered there. Some weeks before, Aunt J- had occasion to pass ten days in Sav. and the vicinity. She went by request of the Association to which she belongs, to visit the Hospitals, a friend of hers Mrs Reed (formerly Miss Alston) went with her and they carried a petition to Gen Mercer, in behalf of some of the Georgia companies who have suffered terribly from sickness. He recd. them cordially and complied so far as the removal of the troops the next day, to a healthier locality. She says she did not wish to court attention and declined many kind invitations, but was pleased by the proprietor of the Pulaski receiving her on the footing of a guest, and the omnibus driver refusing to take fare – She had a carriage placed at her disposal that she might visit different points without expense and she passes over the R. Road free – Mr Patten a commission merchant of Sav is the Agent for the Association and she passed the evegs. and nights with his family in Whitesville a few miles from the city. She went to Parris’ camp and dined with him & his Col – her friend Mrs R- going with her – As she was going on the cars to Sav she met Mrs Latham & Carrie! They told her of their house being burnt and their visit here, but as Aunt J- couldn’t devote much time to them in the city, did not hear all Mrs L- wanted to tell her – They took tea together at the Pulaski and Parris was introduced – He was quite pleased with C- so much for Aunt Js journey – She had recd. my two letters and says I was much more forbearing than she dared to hope, she feared my love for her would not, could not, survive the test – yet looking back she sees no other way she would have done in justice to others, she sent much love to you with all rest.

                Some days after I wrote you I recd. a letter from Willie and as he was going to write you the same day, I presume you are acquainted with all his movements – The Regt had been assigned to the division under Brig. Gen. Saml Jones – and they were being kept in readiness to march at the shortest notice. Expected to have a march of 150 miles, to give up their tents &c – yet he was anxious to be on the move. His letter was dated the 15^th ult. Winston writes that he saw a letter from him dated the 19^th and the Regt was to march the next day – but he doesn’t say to what point – Willie thought when he wrote me they wd. be marched to Nashville. Sixteen days have elapsed since they began their toilsome march – how much they must have had to endure in that time, even without a battle! He said he shd. not be able to write me so regularly hereafter, therefore I do not expect a letter on Monday, but I shd. think we must hear something definite from our troops and Buel’s army by that time.  You know Dick Stephens & James Gaines are both in Tenn. at Knoxville where Winston last heard from them.  Poor Mrs Gaines has been terribly tried and must now be in deep affliction.  Her son Lewis was going down to Winston's camp to stay a month, as substitute for Swepston ‑ he stopped at his sister Mary's for a couple of days, went out hunting, his gun caught in a tree and as he attempted to save it from falling, it fired and shot him!  He only exclaimed O! Lord! and expired.  This happened a few days before Winston stopped there on his way to his camp.  Mrs G‑ has now four sons in the service.  It is not long since she heard a report of James' death, which she believed for two days, as it came by a private letter from the Regt he is in ‑ she then recd. letters proving it false.  I think I shall not have much space to fill on Sunday if I write any more now ‑ Tivie sends much love and hopes this is the last birth‑day you will ever pass in camp ‑ and I heartily respond to that sentiment.  We are to pass tomorrow with Mrs Stephens.  I have begun teaching her two boys, three days in the week ‑ they come in the morng. and study with Henry & George two hrs. in the am & one P.M.  I proposed it partly for their sake and partly for my own, as I require something to divert my thoughts from the gloomy channel into which they constantly flow, despite of all my efforts, when my mind is not occupied entirely and it is all I can do to be useful here now to any one ‑ Henry looks very thin and sometimes pale, but I think it is caused by his rapid growth principally.  He has a good appetite and is sufficiently active for the season ‑ I think the cool weather will increase his flesh. 

Sun morng. ‑ We passed a pleasant day with Mrs Stephens yesterday ‑ It is four weeks since I have been there, or any where off this place, and the change and ride were enlivening.  Mr S‑ heard from Capt Canova just from Jackvlle that Gen Jackson had been again victorious in an engagement with Pope ‑ had taken 400 prisoners and got Pope's uniform!  But unfortunately he was not in it.

                Mr Smith is expected up from Jckville in a few days.  Mr Stephens is P.M. during his absense.  Mr Dean has agreed to carry the mail to the end of the year, and I am relieved on that point – Willie writes that their “postman” makes new arrangement for recg. their letters whenever they move and he hopes to get all due him after a while. He says they now have their letters forwarded free and yet he stamps his, how is that? I asked Mr S-s about and he said there was a law, so Mr Smith said, that soldiers shd send letter for half postage. Why do you not avail yourself of it, if it is so? Tivie recd. a letter from Loulie Tydings last Monday ‑ they are living in a place belonging to one of his uncles (Dr Adams' brother) where they are making salt.  Mr Tydings superintending the negroes for him.  The place is called Sopchoppy and is some distance from Tallahassee.  Lou expresses great anxiety to hear about you & Willie and indeed all of us, and we were rejoiced to hear from her.  She says they are cut off the world and fears she will not be able to hear from us ‑ Tivie wrote to her immediately.

                We look with renewed impatience for tomorrows mail, hoping for favorable news from Tenn. and from Virginia.  It seems to be the general belief that if we do not gain our Independence in the next two months, the War will be indefinitely prolonged; perhaps for the whole of Lincoln's term of office.  Do you see any newspapers?  Some of the N. Western states are greatly opposed to the emancipation act ‑ and deserters say there is much division in the Federal army.  All this is in our favor.  Don't fail to let me know as soon as you hear anything of Willie's movements, as news will probably reach you earlier than it will me.  You see I do not know when to stop, after I begin writing to you, it is as pleasant to imagine that I am talking with you ‑ but alas! I do not hear your replies.  How do you pass your Sundays?  Have you any chaplain or clergyman near you?

                If I do not hear through Winston this week that he has seen Mr Burritt and questioned him about your Father or that you have been in Jackvlle and talked with him, I shall write to Mrs B‑ and ask her to tell me what she knows.  The boys send much love ‑ Henry says he will write soon ‑ Ten thousand kisses and blessings for you, my dear boy, from

                                                                                                Mother

September 1, 1862.  Received a letter from Winston by Mr Hyas telling of the death of "Toady" by an accident with his gun while hunting.  In the afternoon I went to Tina's & got the mail, Willie & Lewis began studying with our boys to day.

 

[Rebecca] September, 1, 1862. A fine morng. Mrs Stephens’ boys begin to study under my direction. Tivie receives a letter from Winston telling her of the sudden death of Lewis Gaines by the accidental discharge of his gun! I receive a cheerful letter from Davis.

 

September 2, 1862. Nothing particular.

 

[Rebecca] September 2, 1862. A warm day – heavy shower in the P.M. George has been lame several days – poultice to-day for a stone bruise. Henry goes to town for some articles in the Office.