My dearest Rebecca,

  I am writing this journal so that you may have an account and know what has transpired during my service in the Southern army.  This by no means takes the place of being with you, but  helps make the time I am not with you better for me.  I think of you often, and look forward to when this is over with and I am home with you. Your affectionate husband,

           Keith

May 3

   I am camped tonight near a small community near Spring Garden, north of Deland.  I received word that a force of Union troops from the garrison at St. Augustine was marching toward the plantations located around Spring Garden.  My orders are to muster as many local troops as possible to oppose the enemy raiding party.  I have mustered some of my own command of the 4th Florida, and am expecting more troops to join us here.  This has been chosen as the assembling place because it is close to the road the Union troops have been reported to be using to march inland toward Spring Garden.  A small wooden building is situated near the road that has been a storage building for supplies from the local plantations to be sent to the Confederate armies.  We are camped in a most pleasant location with abundant woods and close to a lake, and we are enjoying the generosity of the local townspeople.  I am working to organize my forces in anticipation of the Union troops.  I miss you and will be thinking of you.

   May 4

   Around mid-morning the battalion was mustered in camp.  Our forces number some 50 infantry supported by one artillery piece.  I  set the troops to building breastworks in the woods near the road a short march from the camp.  In the early afternoon, our pickets reported the approach of the Union raiding party,  consisting of some 50 infantry and three cannon, and I sent a company of infantry to the breastworks.  Around 2:00 o'clock Union skirmishers  were seen advancing through the woods toward the works.  Our troops in the works commenced firing, pushing back the skirmishers as I brought up the main force of our troops.  The enemy soon advanced in force with his infantry and artillery.  I had my forces take up positions in the  breastworks as the Federals formed a line atop a slight rise.  Our efforts to push the Federals off the rise brought no success, and Union infantry began moving around our left flank.  I gave the order to withdraw to the encampment, and we fought our way off the field.  The Federals are encamped tonight in the works.

   We returned to camp in relatively good spirits despite the events of the day.  We have at least halted the Union advance, and I am expecting more troops to re-inforce us.  The day has been unseasonably warm, and many of the command have availed themselves of swimming in the cool waters of Lake Winona.  Some of these men enjoyed the company of their families who picnicked on the shore near the lake.  It was good to see the men together with loved ones, but also reminded me of how much I miss you and our son.  A local band has provided music for us, and a camp dance was held in a building near the lake.  As more troops reach the camp, I am intending to march on the enemy tomorrow and renew the contest.  Hopefully the victory will be secured by good fortune, Southern valor, and divine providence.

May 5

   As today is Sunday, the troops and some of their families enjoyed divine services by a local chaplain in a building near the camp this morning. Confederate pickets observing the Union camp reported the Federals also had their church gathering as well.  In some ways it is sad that we will soon be in battle again.

   More Confederates did re-inforce our ranks, and in the afternoon we marched toward the Union encampment with three companies of infantry and one cannon.  Our pickets reported that the Federals were in the works, with pickets posted some distance in front of the works.  One company drove in the enemy pickets, but the Federals advanced from the works and I sent in the infantry companies and the artillery.  The enemy withdrew to the works and opened with his artillery.  Two companies of infantry charged the works but were repulsed while the third company attacked the Union left.  The two companies on our left charged the Federal line again, and for a moment fighting swirled around the small wooden building on the field.  The Union right flank was soon turned by these troops.  With a cheer our infantry took the works and captured some of the enemy cannon.  The Federals retreated through the woods and our pursuit stopped.  Cavalry scouts have reported that the enemy has withdrawn to St. Augustine.

   I am marching toward Ocala tonight, and will  be encamped near our home soon.  I miss you and I know it hard that we are not together so soon following our wedding