Mickler26nm ( .pdf )

Mickler26nm ( .doc )

Mickler26nm_pdf.txt

Mickler26nm_Page_1.txt

Broward's Neck, Florida
May 5th 1864

My Darling Wife

I received a precious letter from you today dated the 30th April. I rejoice Darling to hear
that you all are well. I am anxious to see you all but it is impossible for some time to
come. As long as the Yankees remain in Jacksonville I expect I shall remain here. I
wrote to you Darling from Camp Fenigan [Finegan] last Monday. I hope you have
received it. I saw Ma there. She was to go to Jacksonville with flag of truce the day I left.
Three times she attempted to go in and each time failed. I hope she was successful the
fourth time. The first time while flag truce was communicating Col. McCormick [Colonel
A. H. McCormick] dashed in on another road and ran in their pickett [sic] capturing two
or three. McCormick not knowing about flagg [sic] of truce. The next day they carried
the prisoner in with flag of truce to apologize [sic] and the Yankees fired upon them,
they would not received [sic] the flag. The third day our flag succeeded] in
communicating- delivered up the prisoners and apologized for what McCormick did
two days before. The fourth day they were to receive Ma, that was Darling the day I left.
I hope she was successful. Few vessels and Steamers passes [sic] here now Darling and
those that do neither carry or bring troops. The Yankees have got Jacksonville garrisoned
with three or four thousand troops, principally Negroes, and two or three Gun Boats. If it
was not for the latter our troops would soon run the Negroes out of there. It is my
opinion they will remain until next full moon and then leave, I hope so Darling. The
punishment Charley Johnson received for sending his horse home was to stand on a
barrel or box before the whole Batallion [sic] so many hours each day for two successive
day[s]. I know it must to have been mortifying to him. My horse Darling looks worse
now than I ever saw him. It distresses me to see him so poor in flesh. He has the Colts
distemper probably that's the cause. I hope he will get over it soon, I hate to ride a poor
horse. When there is no wind here Darling Mosquitoes and Sandflyes [sic] are awfull
[sic] in these hammocks and Swamps. I prefer here to camp Darling on account of being
my own master. I can go make a fire or sleep where I please, all that is denied to me in
Camp. One of my scouts killed a fine deer yesterday. I wished you had some of it home
Darling. We sometimes get fish but not often. A Gun Boat is anchored at all times off
Napoleon Broward's place and her Barges patrol [sic] the river all night. I have not heard
from your Grandmother Darling in fact I see but few people besides my scouts. I hope
Darling this fall will end this war. I believe it will. The North will be convinced] by that
time that it will be impossible to subjugate the South and will let us alone. Remember me
to all Darling. I am so anxious to see my little pet in the yard playing with the little
negroes. I know she trys [sic] to follow them about. Kiss her for me Darling. Good bye
again.

Your Husband
Jacob E. Mickler


Transcribed by Nicole J. Milano, University of Florida, 2009

PAGE 1

Broward’s Neck, Florida May 5th 1864 My Darling Wife I received a precious letter from you today dated the 30th April. I rejoice Darling to hear that you all are well. I am anxious to see you all but it is impossible for some time to come. As long as the Yankees remain in J acksonville I expect I shall remain here. I wrote to you Darling from Camp Feniga n [Finegan] last Monday. I hope you have received it. I saw Ma there. She was to go to Jacksonville with flag of truce the day I left. Three times she attempted to go in and each time failed. I hope she was successful the fourth time. The first time while flag tr uce was communicating Co l. McCormick [Colonel A. H. McCormick] dashed in on anot her road and ran in their pickett [ sic ] capturing two or three. McCormick not knowing about flagg [ sic ] of truce. The next day they carried the prisoner in with flag of truce to appologize [ sic ] and the Yankees fired upon them, they would not received [ sic ] the flag. The third day our flag succeed[ed] in communicating— delivered up the prisoners and appologized for what McCormick did two days before. The fourth day they were to receive Ma, that was Darling the day I left. I hope she was successful. Few vessels and Steamers passes [ sic ] here now Darling and those that do neither carry or bring troops. The Yankees have got Jacksonville garrisoned with three or four thousand tr oops, principally Negroes, and tw o or three Gun Boats. If it was not for the latter our troops would soon r un the Negroes out of there. It is my opinion they will remain until next full moon and then leave, I hope so Darling. The punishment Charley Johnson received for se nding his horse home was to stand on a barrel or box before the whole Batallion [ sic ] so many hours each day for two successive day[s]. I know it must to have been mortifyi ng to him. My horse Darling looks worse now than I ever saw him. It distresses me to see him so poor in flesh. He has the Colts distemper probably that’s the cause. I hope he will get over it soon, I hate to ride a poor horse. When there is no wind here Darling Mosquitoes and Sandflyes [ sic ] are awfull [ sic ] in these hammocks and Swamps. I prefer here to camp Darling on account of being my own master. I can go make a fire or sleep where I please, all that is denied to me in Camp. One of my scouts killed a fine deer yesterday. I wished you had some of it home Darling. We sometimes get fish but not often. A Gun Boat is anchored at all times off Napoleon Broward’s place and her Barges patroll [ sic ] the river all night. I have not heard from your Grandmother Darling in fact I se e but few people besides my scouts. I hope Darling this fall will end this war. I believe it will. The North will be convince[d] by that time that it will be impossible to subjugate th e South and will let us alone. Remember me to all Darling. I am so anxious to see my little pet in the yard pl aying with the little negroes. I know she trys [ sic ] to follow them about. Kiss her for me Darling. Good bye again. Your Husband Jacob E. Mickler Transcribed by Nicole J. Milano, University of Florida, 2009