Calvin Shedd letter to wife, S. Augusta Shedd, January 31, 1863

              St. Augustine Jan 31st 1863 

Dearest Ones 

Hurrah for brighter days the Steamer Boston arrived last Eve with a Mail of six letters from you, the rest I care nothing about it has been 3 weeks since I have heard from you, & if you knew the pain & pleasure I experienced from the first to the last, in this, that they informed me of the sickness of all that I love, and that you were all better & out of danger, you would know that I feel pretty good that is I feel to thank God that he has spared you all so far also your Uncle Dud, Hurrah 3 times the boat brought orders to send all persons that had Husbands Brothers or Sons in the Rebel employ, to be put on Board of the Steamer Boston to go to H. Head with the view to put them within the Rebel lines Men Women & Children Glory Hunkerism is played out in this Department I hope; the Women have been awfull bitter on us & I dont pity them, but; as I think of my own darling girls back home I pity the children that are obliged to suffer for the political sins of their Parents. this Order will take most of the Whites in the place, & joy go with them they are a D__d pack of Secesh

now Ole Gal dont work too hard I want you