Camp 7th C.V. Fernandina, Fla.
Mon. P.M. March 23, 1863*

My dear friends,

The Boston is just now in from Jacksonville to which place she carried the 6th C.V. [6th
Connecticut Volunteers]. The Boston will leave for the Head in a little while- But I must
send you a line just to tell you that I am well, weighing about 175 pounds. We are
getting on very well, only one man of our regiment had died since we came here. I think
this to be a healthy locality- We have had very cool weather for a few days. Mother
speaks about our having garden vegetables- I ate lettuce and peas at St. Augustine. But
the season is a little earlier there then here. Some of you speak about our being so far
away- It is only about 90 miles from the Head. Capt. S. of the engineer corps went
there a few days ago in a small sail boat- Sometimes our gun boats take the outside
passage but it is a little dangerous for the transports. I saw Capt. Tracy a few minutes the
day he went to Jacksonville last Friday. I was very glad to get a sight] of him. He is
looking well and hearty. He is a generous noble hearted fellow. I would like to be nearer
to the 6th but I think we will see something of them. Two white regiments have now gone
to Jacksonville- the rebels will have a sweet time if they undertake to wipe out our
people there. The Charleston expedition seems to hang fire but I guess it will not be a
failure- wait patiently a little while longer. We have had no mail from home since the
5th, but one on the 1 1th I believe started for us several days since on the Neptune. We
begin to be fearful that she is lost. Write often.

Love to all
Yours
Valentine

You will see by the paper and address to "our friends at Home." Tell me what you think
of it?


*Note: The University of Florida has only a transcription of this letter. The transcription
is not ascribed.