for Mrs J. T. Gwyn

                                                                               Camp Milton Fla. Mar 14^th 1864

 

Dear bld Wife

                                    Still no news from home. really I dont like it. Two weeks ago Saturday we left Savannah ostensibly to meet the Yankees—but really to change quarters to this desolate country. A few miles further on and the ultima Thule of the Confederacy will be reached. If our mails would only reach us we would be much better satisfied. hearing from home at least though not able to get there. We have changed our quarters from the left from where I wrote you last—are now on the extreme right. our camp however being the same name. our immediate commander is Brig Genl Finnegan. I have seen him but am not as yet sufficiently acquainted to form any opinion. Major Genl Anderson is in command of all the forces. Genl Beauregard is here, but is merely looking around—inspecting and arranging his plans for the future. The Governor of Florida has paid the troops a visit. We had a regular mass meeting—Goven Milton, Genl Beauregard and Anderson, besides several small fry held forth. Gov Milton spoke at length, referring to the Cause we uphold—our soldiers—complimenting Va & Ga troops as well as those from his own little though gallant state. Florida has sent to the field more troops than she has voters. Genl B. made very few remarks—suffering from effects of catarrh. Genl A declined / speaking—stating that three years ago he had given up forensic display and drawn his sword to decide—That until it could be sheathed in honor he would forgo the privelege of Public Speaking—&c Genl Finnegan—made a few remarks complimentary to his troops—and especially to those engaged in Battle of Ocean Ponds. I was especially pleased that he gave credit to all the Officers who were engaged and not in the least referred to himself—though an Irishman. Our boys are in excellent spirits—anxious for a fight—which they will hardly get as wherever we go—the Yanks are sure to leave—Aside from this very unusual meeting—nothing else has occurred to vary the monotony of a camp life. We are under marching orders—have cooked three days provision. Corn meal and pork or rather cob meal—They do not know how to grind or wont give us meal. They issue it coarser than what we call hominy—it would make fine food for hogs—It goes right tough—especially when it is cold and several days old—I only eat twice a day. our rations wont hold out to eat oftener. The others in my mess eat 3 times but I prefer eating twice as by so doing I do not suffer from being hungry—if I get a good break fast can do very well till night—whereas they look for something all the time, and eating up their rations before they can get more, go hungry. but while / I write about our meals I do not wish you to think we are suffering—we have no dainties nor abundance—are doing as well as soldiers can expect to do in the field—It is impossible to provide for an army in active service every thing as abundantly or in time . In garrison duty—where one is stationed for any length of time, one gathers comforts around him and lives very well—for a soldier. Capt. Shelton is due here this week and will I trust bring me a letter and news from home. He has had a gay and I hope a good time generally. I hope to go myself as soon as we get nearer to home, cannot think of coming now if I could as it would cost me at least 300$ to make the trip. which I have not and am not likely to get to spare. I hope to be with you any how next August so have patience yet a little longer and I will be with you. Have you written to your sister Martha—do write and invite her to see you—ask her if she has read my letter written from B[?] H[?]—I shall write to her again. Major F. is well and hearty, Allan is away, gone to Weldon NC after horses—and I expect farther. He is not in our mess now. We receive no papers here—you get news at home sooner than we do—Three Yanks / have been brought in to day—deserters—they give no news reliable—and are like our own men not well posted in regard to the movements intended by generals—This is the poorest part of Florida—imagine to yourself an immense plain covered with pine trees no undergrowth—nothing in view as far as the eye can reach but the pine bodys—tents here and there and smoke—smoke everywhere—They are lightwood or NC tar pines entirely different from ours—growning up straight without limbs to the top—which looks snarled and scrubby like a mountain pine—the pine leaves are some eight to 14 inches long and the Burs four times as large as ours—We get our water from wells—only 3 or four feet deep—water rising within two feet of the surface—The soil instead of being on top is some two feet below the surface of the land—A fine white sand covers the soil—Grass of a coarse variety and the Palmetto are the chief productions—Black squirrels, alligators, Rattlesnakes, Gofers and Pole Cats are among the choicest varmints of this delectable region—My heart gladdens that we are under marching orders and may go where a better time is coming—My love to all—a kiss for Grace & little ones

hoping you will write I am as ever

                                                            Your loving husband J

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