Calvin Shedd letter to wife, S. Augusta Shedd and children March 24, 1862

              Fort Jefferson, Fla., March 24 1862

Dear Wife & Children,

I have a chance to send this by Lieut. House waiter Billy Smith who goes to Lebanon Capt. George has resigned starts for Key West today, Lieut House is in command of C. and as big a Lunk Head on military as George was the best part of the co think it is a poor swap Now dont be frightened our Men are Dying at the rate of one a day of small Pox L.L. Page of my squad is dead of it & his Brother Coporal Page is very sick

I have been expecting to have it for a few days I am just able to sit up & write the Surgeon has just left me he says I shall not have it; and I shall be out in a few days; this is the first time I have been on sick List since I enlisted. We have had no Mail for two or three weeks and I long to hear how you are getting on write often no matter if a No. of Letters come by the same Mail.