Calvin Shedd letter to wife, S. Augusta Shedd and children, January 25, 1863

              St. Augustine Jan 25th 1863 

Dear Wife & Children 

It is a very foggy misty morning we have just come form Inspection the wet stood in drops on my sword; the muskets rusted in the short time going from the Ft to the parade; there is conciderable wind but it does not lift the fogg, we rather expected a steamer this morning but it will not come in till the weather clears if it is not for a month, that is one of the inconveniences of having a Bar ar the entrance of a harbor; My health is not good, although I am on Duty; my liver is getting in bad condition, or rather it has been so for a long time, & gets no better very fast.

I left the "Magnolia House" this morning for Mr Riddells, the one that is a prisoner, "now dont be jealous for she is no such woman, besides Ev Miner boards & Len takes dinner there so I presume they will keep things straight"; I expect House & Lane will go there next week I dont [     ] on that very much however, what I am trying to find is a place that the cooking will be some like home, or in northern style; I have to eat what I can get I think that is one reason why my health is no better. I wish you was here to cook for me, "I suppose that is selfish"