PAGE 1

Camp 3rd Regt. Fla Vol. [3rd Regiment Florida Volunteers] Near Chattanooga Tennessee August 8th 1862 My Darling Wife I wrote to you about four or five days a go. I would have writte n to you sooner Darling but expecting my resignation to be accepted ev ery day, I concluded not to write but to get my discharge and supprise [ sic ] you all. I will get my discha rge Darling without a doubt this time. I sent in my resignation a few da ys ago again Darling with a Certificate of Disability from the Doctor. It will be excepted [ sic ] without a doubt. All I have to do is to have patience and wait a week or two untill [ sic ] I hear from Richmondand then My Darling we will meet to part no more on this earth that is for so long a time. I was in hopes My Darling that I would be relieved from Duty immediately by Genl. Bragg [General Braxton Bragg]But find I have to wait untill I hear from Richmond. You say the truth my Darling when you say I resign fo r your sake. Yes Darling every day makes me more miserable to be seperated [ sic ] from such a treasure as you are my own Sweet Wife. We will meet Darling before long and then Oh what a meeting it will be. I return[ed] to camp a few days ago and Col. Dilworth [Colonel William S. Dilworth] has not said any thing to me about going up the M ountains without orders. On my return he came to see me and enquired particularly abou t my health and said he regret[ted] I was a going to leave the Regiment. I told him I did not regret it. My health Darling has not been good since I have left Mobile I took a severe cold on the Steamer which has an[n]oyed me much of late I am not confin ed to my bed Darling but I do not do any duty and am waiting patiently to h ear from Richmond. If our Re giment is ordered away I do not intend to accompany it— but will remain here untill I hear from Richmond— and Darling if I do not hear soon I entend [intend] to come to you without a discharge and Let them break me of my commission if they choose. Lt. [Lieutenant] Haddock of my company is gone to Florida on a furlough. I have sent by him to you Darling sixty dollars. That is I loan him the above amount and he will leave it with Mr. Jessee McLaran at Welborn [Wellborn] for you before he leaves Florida—He has thirty days leave of absence. Oh Darling how anxi ous I am to see you, you can only imagine by your feelings. I know treasure you all are a nxious to see me. There is no War news here— troops are arriving and sent forward i mmediately every day and still our Regiment remains here. We have a great many sick a nd several deaths since we have been here. Kiss your Father, Mother, Ruffee, Freddie a nd the boys for me. Remember me Dolly to all enquiring friends. Write to me here my Sweet Wife and let me know what you want and also if your Mother or Father needs a ny thingthat I can pur chase on the way. Good bye my Darling for a short time I hope. Your Affectionate Husband Jacob E. Mickler Transcribed by Nicole J. Milano, University of Florida, 2009