John A. Steinbeck to his wife [Almira], handwritten letter, 4pp, [213] 1861-12-29

Fernandina Dec. 29, 1861

My Dear Wife,

I send you one letter by mail but as it is rather uncertain when you will get it, & Mr. Carrova is here I take this opportunity to write again as I supoose that you fell rather anxious but do not forget that I feel just as deep anxiety concerning you & the boys. I am very well thank the Lord - we are now a little settled got rations & got cooking utensils, but soon perhaps we shall be moved again in tents together with the whole regiment.

We don't have to drill at all at least we have not yet only dressparade at 3 ½ oclock which does not take over ½ hour. But I tell you time passes slowly. To day I have been at the Methodist Church the only on open except the Catholic Church the Ministers all having left yet there were over 30 or 40 men in Church out of 5000 soldiers - which does not very well correspond with the piety of our soldiers as they are pictured out to us by accounts in the newspapers. It seem to be the outscourings & dregs of human beings all gathered together, of course there are exceptions I believe the "Blues" indeed rank No. 1 among the whole such Rowdeism I never saw in my life as here & if our enemies ar much worse I do not know where to put them. James Allen is discharged & will come home some time next weeek. I wish I could get mine too but we shall have to wait. I may be that we be send home but movements ar so slow that for my part I shall just take it as it comes & arm myself with patients. A few days ago it was told us that on the first of Jan we would be

we just finished our dinnerer we boiled a lot of beef bones with [snap peas?] & rice which was first rate. The Captain is going to Tallahassee to morrow to the State [illegible] - he says he is also going to bring shoes for the Companie which I most earnestly hope he will. In one week now a good many will be out - I am getting most terribly lazy can sleep like every thing went to bed (or to the counter) at 8 oclock & slept till 8 oclock this morning, what you say to that! We are about 1 1/2 mile from the lighthouse and about there one of the blockading vessels was in sight but more at one time there were three so we were told. Yesterday it was reported the Yankees had burnt a ship that was trying to run the blockade - but if it is true I do not know. The telegraph announces that war is broke out between England and the U.S. but for my part I don't believe it & there are a great many of my opinion. But still it may be - if so I do not belive that we shall get a fight here. Our life is so uniform here so little of interest happines that it is difficult to get such a large sheet full. An occassional fight gathers a multitude together But when that is over everyone disperses to his quarters. But I am told that Fernandina was a great place before the war - a whole block of the prettiest houses in town was burned down not long ago through the soldiers. In a corner there was a small shanty where two "cats" lived. They had a fireplace and chimney in the house but build a fire on a piece of iron laid on the floor some soldiers wanted to get in

& they would not let them in when they began to tear the roof of when the five broke out in the houses ajecent where in lefs the two houses nothing but a pile a smoking ashes. Water thy none & I don't believe any engines in tearing a livery station down & fences they kept the flames from spreading & also the wind changing the fire was subdued but I believe that if the Yankees should come the soldiers could burn every house in town.

Write to me as often as you conviently can. Thoughs I suppose it will be of some difficulty for you to write much when the town is so deserted. The most pleasent thing to think of is of a happy reunion. Though far of the time will pass. Every day will bring it nearer & soon it will be, I only wish I could send you some money by Mr. Allen but I think it is very doubtfull whether we shall bet by that time. I hope & trust that you are all well & that things will go easy & satisfactory with you. But be your man, depend upon yourself & you will get along. Don't worry to much about me I shall get along well enough. Do the folk come to see you some & do you go out? I hope you will. Thread is here a scarce as in St. A. A tailor a German told me that he should have working that he said who could make more now than ever on account of thread. Stiff shirts sold a few months ago a 37 cents now dollar is charged & none to be got. The tailor told me yesterday that he at one time had a whole lot a uniforms to make

but the soldiers kept his shop to filled up & made such a confusion that he told the Captain he had to give it up, they worried him to much. But the Captain would not give it up, but two men gard to his door to keep every one from going in without orders until he able to finish the clothes. The soldiers are the only reason that nothing is to be got here, there would be plenty perhaps a little high, but still it would be got. But now it cannot be got, neither for love nor money.

We shall have to go pretty soon on dress parade. I think much of of you & expect that will do the same but I can do no more that pray for you & commend you to the care of Him who guides & directs all things.

With much love to you & the children,

I remain affectionatly & faithfully your loving husband

J.A. Steinbeck

Address me Fernandina, Fla

Comp. B. 3d Regiment - Fla V.

John[upside down]