Once again in your absence I must be satisfied to take pen and try to write to you of these times.  Yet no pen can describe the sudden and violent series of woes which have been entailed on our southern home.  The days grow longer in your absence and I harden to this enterprise.

First I must relate to you some news of which I am proud.  Yesterday I was promoted to Corporal.  I now will receive $13.00 per month of which I will send to you all that I can.  I hope it will help you with the care of the house and the children.  I am still quite a way off from your whimsical expectations and assurances of my becoming a General but I will not disappoint you by failing to endeavor to that end.

Somehow myself and Trooper Shade Hancock became separated from our company in the last engagement.  There was no battle, we had no chance to fight.  The company was surrounded and all had to flee in different directions.  Heavy losses were taken.  We inflicted none on the Federals of which I am aware.  I fear all have been captured, killed, or wounded but do not know that to be true.   Today is my brother William's birthday, mine approaches.  I do not know where he is and hope he fares better than I.

We  have searched for friendly faces but to no avail.  I am weary and do not feel well.  We have decided to fall in with the first Confederates we find.  I hope they will have enough food for ourselves and our mounts as we have found little to eat and the horses show signs of neglect.

Praise God we have found our Southern brothers.  We rode into a picket line quite by accident.  After identifying ourselves we were welcomed and fed well.  As I am sure you remember, today is my birthday and a better gift I have never received.  I have seen some familiar faces in this encampment.  The most notable being General Hardy who has set up his large headquarters tent within.  I am proud to serve with him again.  I passed close to his tent and saw that the commanders were planning something.  Present were Gen. Jesse, Gen. Goodrich, Maj. Lodge, Col. Bowman and Lt. Col. Moore.  I could not see the others.  Their talking was in hushed voices.  I feel certain that a great battle lies ahead.  Major Riker and his medical staff are preparing for the wounded.  This confirms my suspicion.  They are sure to be busy soon.  As we continued through camp I noticed, among others, the 7th Florida Companies E, B, K, and F along with the 8th. Florida Co. C and Co. B and 5th Florida in the 1st Battalion.  The 58th North Carolina was camped to their left.  The state of Alabama was well represented by the Alabama Volunteer Battalion.  The 37th Co. H the 15th and the 64th from Alabama had marched hard but were ready for the task at hand.

We had a few moments after securing our place in camp, and I took notice of the beauty of this land.  Still not feeling well or hungry, instead of taking the evening meal, I chose to leave the men behind and ride around the area.  The fresh air away from the camp did me good.  As I rode, I thought of you and remembered how we used to ride for entertainment on your Father's farm when we courted.  Deep in remembrances of you, I felt entirely safe although I knew what would soon come.  I continued East descending a small hill.  The land dropped off to a lower area, when appeared before me a gap opening to yet lower decents.  Through this continued a small road that led me close by the winding banks of a large rapid river.  This river which I believe to be called the St. Johns does at length turn to the Northwest and glide off through the dark swamps and forests that are common in this place called Horse Landing.  I watered my horse through an open spot in the cattails.  It reminded me of the place in the river at home where I was dipped for baptism.  The Union army continues its aggression in our direction and this fine landscape will smell of smoke and death soon.

Some sutlers have set up their tents to peddle wares and sustenance to us.  Their lost faith in the Confederate Currency and at it's depreciated rate, their prices are fearfully high.  I have paid $1.25 for lard, $6.60 for bacon, tea is $7.00 per pound and sugar $1.25 per pound.  Our Sergeant was boasting of having paid only $4.00 for some snap beans and $12.00 for a peck of green peas.  I need some new boots and I saw a fine pair for sale.  They had hardly been used but the sutler wanted $50.00 for them.  I would pay ten times ten the price for some good southern bourbon but alas all we have here is what is called bark juice, tar water or corn squeezes.  This vile drink will surely make you sick instantly upon its ingestion or most assuredly on the morning after.  Thankfully, it is illegal to possess such as that or many a man would die without ever setting foot on the battlefield.

    My horse is rowdy and hard to manage.  He may feel through senses unknown to man what the day holds.  Rain threatens and the morning breeze blows cool.  Hancock and myself have been assigned to the General's staff as couriers and to help protect our commanders should the tide turn against us.  Our company reports to Lt. Col. Mike Moore.

The Federals approached in large numbers.  I have heard that among others, the states of Ohio, New York and Maine were present.   The Confederate infantry and artillery assembled and skirmishers were sent out.  Our cavalry, the 1st Florida Co. A, began to patrol the flanks looking for the union forces who we knew were close.  The enemy was found East of camp by the river and shortly a great battle ensued.  I reported to Col. Bowman.  His men took losses but were able to hold the road to the river.  The battle grew larger and we were forced to fall back.  The Florida 7th and others rushed to support and replace us.  When they were in position, we were sent behind a church to secure the North flank.  I could no longer see the battle at the river but the artillery fire was continuous and the yells of the troops were heard well.  The 10th Tennessee dismounted cavalry fell in with the 64th Georgia Co. D and gave support to the right flank artillery.  The Union forces represented by Ohio, Maine, and New York among others, pushed us back.  We lost sight of them for a moment but they did appear on our front.  We rallied at a church and fought on holy ground. Had our Lord God seen this, surely we all would have been consumed in his fiery wrath.  The woods around the church and the church itself changed hands several times but in the end we held our ground.  The battle drew to a close and I am still not sure of the outcome. I am, however small it was, proud to have done my part.

Perhaps to relieve the stress of this day's battle or over a jubilance of having survived another, some men made merry with song and music Saturday night.  I was surprised to see some women from the town of Palatka come to camp and dance possibly the last dance with some of the men.  I did not attend.  Without you, it is a fruitless endeavor of which I have no desire to partake.

It is well that I chose to stay behind.  When  almost all were gone, our pickets sent out an alarm.  I grabbed the closest Enfield rifle and answered the call.  It was a very dark night, a brisk cold wind blew.   We formed up and stepped out into the night searching for movement.  Although I am cavalry, the infantry of the 37th and 64th Alabama were glad to have any help they could find.  There was no way to ascertain the exact location of anyone, friendly or enemy, in the darkness.  We formed up and fired at what was thought to be the Union positions.  I am quite sure that at least once we were fired upon by our own troops.  Fortunately this insane endeavor lasted but an hour or so.  Those infantry men have a tough time of it.

This morning dawned warmer than I had thought that it would be.  It is Sunday a day of rest but there will be no rest today.  Everyone in camp feels there will be another battle.  That would account for the large member of worshippers at the reverend's church services this morning.

We were told to assemble and prepare to take the field.  I again rode with the Colonel.  We left camp and marched into the woods.  It was soon apparent that we were to take a breastworks to the East of our present location.  The battle started near to 1pm.  Our artillery was represented by The Milton Light and Grayson Artillery.  They, with others, opened up in the center of the field.  The 37th Ala Infantry supported them in their advance across the field.  Maj. Ragland's cavalry, the Florida 2nd, hit their South flank.  The 1st Florida cavalry helped the 2nd for a time then charged the Union's North flank.  We were also on the North side in front of the works.  We advanced quickly and made it to the first fence but took heavy losses and had to fall back.  The men on the South side of the field advanced repeatedly and fell back as often.  It seemed for a time that we were taking heavy losses with little affect to the Union position.  Reinforcements were brought up and the artillery doubled their efforts.  From astride my horse I could see the Federals weaken in their front line.  The bullets flew thick and most seemed to be aimed in the direction of the officer with whom I rode.  I thought that this was not such a good duty after all.  The push forward was continued in earnest.  We advanced into the works and within moments the Union position was overran.  I had quite a view of the whole battle and stood awestruck when our men went over the wall.  It was a beautiful and horrid sight at once. The pleasure of a decisive victory for many was tainted by the deaths of others in its achievement.

Do you remember young John from the woodlot east of town?  We bid him farewell nigh to a year ago during my furlough in Richmond.  Although he wished to be placed in an artillery company, fate sent him to serve with the 37th Alabama Co. I.  Under the command of  Sgt. T. Maynard.  John and I talked and he asked me of battle, and I related to him as well as is humanly possible the sights and sounds.  Upon his departure he confided to me his misgivings and his reluctance to leave for battle.  He was unsure if he would be able to acquit himself in a way that would bring credit, but neither he nor I could see any course of escape that would not be shameful.  Further, he had been visited by recurring dreams of horrible death in many forms.  One of which he was certain would someday claim him.  I reminded him that duty and honor demanded brave action in the defense of our homeland.  It grieves me tremendously to inform you that John has been slain.  I, only, feel responsible for his death for it was I who encouraged his participation and pressed him to display undaunted courage in the pursuit of war.  I have seen this with my own eyes.

Following the battle myself and others set out upon the field.  We searched for wounded and made them as comfortable as possible until proper medical attention could be given them.  Such carnage seems humanly impossible but did occur.  The ground was awash with blood and we could see where blood had flown deep onto the sod from many dead soldiers.  The marks of bloody hands were upon the trunks of trees.  There at the base of a southern oak whose trunk had been lain open with shot and canister from the Union artillery lay poor John.  I have confirmation from Sgt. Maynard that he died bravely.  If his father should happen by, tell him that he was given as good a Christian burial as we were able.  His grave has been marked.  We will retrieve his body upon the conclusion of this dreadful event and bear him home.  Oh, how I wish this cruel business could be completed quickly.  When will this war end?  I fear another Christmas will find us all in camp at some unknown location.  Oh!  That peace may soon be restored to our young and dearly beloved country and that North and South may meet again in happiness.

This you must know, that despite my long absence, such is the light in which I view the happy relation existing between us, that I will never conceal a single thought from you.  Let such fears not trouble you.  I am coming home one way or another, and I do not know how things may stand between us now.  I first thought to tell in this letter what I have done and seen so that you might judge me before I return.  But I decided it would need a page as broad as the sky to write that tale, and I have not the energy.

Do you recall the night of my departure almost two years ago when I took you in my lap in the kitchen by the hearth and you told me you would forever like to sit and rest your head on my shoulder?  Now it is with bitter surety in my heart that if you knew what I have seen and done, it would make you fear to do such again.

With this letter I send my fondest affections, your husband