19th Century Steinbeck Family Papers

March 10 2

from Major Samuel to Captain Philips ordering him to evactuate St. Augustine – burst the guns, dispose of the Confederat Property & C. & come imediatly with his company & also with the rest of the Artillerie to New Smyrna - immedeatly we got orders to march an embark at nine oclock p.m. – a detachment of of about thirty men were sent with the teams over land & the rest went with boats. Taking leave of a dear wife & two darting little boys one

4 March 12

Duponts landing – On Tuesday night we camped out in the open air in a short[?] launch[?] – Being very tired I slept very good & in the morning started again a foot to Lang’s landing a distance of about 30 miles from St. Augustine. The boats being light were taken round to the same point. Here we also found encamped the detachment under Lieut Drysdale who had come by land with the teams which now had to take the boats & transport them to Bulows Landing a distance of about 10 miles

M. 12 7

ready the bell missed [illegible] [ory?] ran after him a [giant?] whole and waited for him all night to come and take to his boat but he was to been for us - he got away. Mr. Lovany remains with us - That same day Wednesday a man arrived at the camp. At Lang’s landing where the Captain had stayed to wait for everything to be gone from St. Augustine when informed us that on the next day after we left St. A the Federals took possession of the city under a flag of truce and on condition that all private property should remain undisturbed.

8 March 12-13

he reported that the day after we left the blockading steamer was gone but very soon another one the Wabash arrived with a gun boat. About 5 o clock p.m. a boat arived on shore with 20 men & a flag of truce & the citizens gave up the City & c. We camped on Wednesday about 6 miles from Buhlows landing & on the next morning March 13 we went to Buhlows were we awaited the arrivel of all the rest of the Companie the boats &c.

March 13. Mr. Linany[?] was sent home this morning & also a portion

March 17, 18 to go to (Tennessee?) March 17 About now we got a word to get ready to start for (?) in boats. If a (detachment?) to with the way and over land - (Hawkinsville?) is about 25 miles (distant?) from (?) up the St. Johns River. We arrived there the next morning March 18 having landed on the banks of the Johns before Daybreak & rested a little while Here we intend to stay & make (to?) stand against the enemy who is thought to be coming up the river but in my opinion they will not, the river is very (narrow?) out more than (?)

March 17, 18 11

& to go to Tennessee.

March 17 about noon we got orders to get ready to start for Hawkinsville in boats & a detachment to with the wagons over land. Hawkinsville is about 25 miles distant from Volusia up the St. Johns River. We arived there the next morning March 18 having landed on the banks of the Johns before daybreak & rested a little while.

Here we intend to stay & make & stand against the enemy who is thought to be coming up the River but in my opinion they will not, the River is very narrow not more than [two yards ?] wide

12 March 19

& thickly wooded on both sides of the banks.

19. Our men were busy to day fixing up camps & making messes. Having brought our own cooking utensils the Captain permitted us to mess alone Mr. Sam Cook & myself Thursday, March 20 Was detailes with 6 others arriving whom one Sergent & our Second Lieutenant to coats[?] board the Steamer Gov. Milton formerly the George M. Bird to Enterprize to load her with arms & ammunition. Arived there about 4 oclock p.m. it rained nearly all day. Were quartered in a ten pin alley.

16 M. 25

with Enfield Rifles coffee cotton goods, shoes, blankets, [Rumkraks?] &c Tu. 25 The reports about Smyrna continue with but little variation. One wagon to day had some of of the muskets belonging to the federal soldiers aboard. The steamer started again to day to bring more good. A pair of English shoes – a knapsack & a mess tin were issued today to each man.

Kaptain Bird of the Beauregards at Symrna arived today evening, some of his men were engages in the fight. He says when the boats apeard

March 25 17

his men were perfectly uncontrollable. He reports about 35 killed & wounded. There is also a report about a fight at [Jacksonville?.] & the federal gunboat & the steamer [Darlington] which was taken by the Federals at [Fernandina?] went up [Toms? Creek to (Toms?) Lake to raise the (?) America & the Steamer (St. Marys) which were sunk there. That they were up in the lake & that (Captain Stephens?) had blockaded the creek by felling trees across it. Also a report reached us which was brought by some of our men who

18 March 26

had been sent to (Buhlow's?) to bring some things which were left there, that [St. Augustine, Florida|St. Augustine was occupied by about (600?) Federal (?) that a large canon was planted on the (brigade?) & and another one on the north gate. That butter was sold there at 5 cents per lbs. - & coffee at 10 C - & c - &c – Wednesday 26. Heard this morning from one of the soldiers who were stationed on St. Johns Bluff near [Jacksonville] & to who was present when the Federalists the possession of that place that at present