Calvin Shedd letter to wife, S. Augusta Shedd and children, October 10, 1862

              Saint Augustine Fla., Oct 10th '62

Dear Wife & Children

There is a Mail to leave tomorrow I will write you a word My health is improving & but one drawback. I was out on fatigue in the hot Sun two days & it affects my Head skin hot & Feverish & beside that I have a severe pain in my right Lung I think it is Pleurisy I have not drawn a long breath for 24 hours. I was put on Duty the first pop. Capt Cotton being alone Lieut Mason is Act. Ajutant, as Henderson is sick with Fever, Cotton is Officer of the Day consequently I am in commd of Co. & very busy. I think this a very healthy place & presume I shall be well in a few days, the sun makes me dizzy sometimes I can hardly see but as you are aware I never have the headache I feel very thankfull. There is not a thing in the uniform line that I can buy here but by borrowing & buying some I have managed to appear quite respectable