Franklin County: David Demus to Mary Jane Demus, February 24,
1864
Summary:
Demus describes a recent battle in Florida where a number of men in his regiment were killed,
including his brother-in-law, William Christy.
Mary Jane Demus
february the 24th 1864
florida Jacksonville
this Day I take my Pen in hand to inform you that i am Well at present and i hope When these few lines reach you they may find you in the same state of health i am sorry to relate the hard time that We had We have left morris island and we landed in the state of florida and We all have had a hard time since we landed we have been in a fight but thank god all our boys got out but William Christy he Was shot in the battle We saw him When he fell but i Can't tell Where he Was shot but We lost him in a good [unclear: Cos] he Was a brave boy he feared nothing We had a hard fight We lost a good many men out of our regiment but the [unclear: 8] pennsylvania regiment lost a great many men John C. Chambers Was kill and john Carl and a great many other of our men but i Can't tell how all in these letters but that Was all that i know from our place but the rebel Was too strong for us We had retreat about 48 mile we had to travel through Water and mud for about 4 miles boys all send send their love to you all give my love to uncle sol and aunt mary and to [unclear: Janey] gater and tell ginny that i have quit drinking Whiskey and quit swearing for the last two months and i just get along as well Without give my love to gorge Crist and Aunt reachl and tell him that his son Wiley Was in our Camp today and he is Well and hearty nothing more at present but still remain
your Dear husband
David Demus
to Mrs Mary Demus When you write Direct your letter to
Hilton Head South Carolina
Port Royal 54th Massachusettsvolunteers
but my Dear i hope that
you Answer this letter as soon as you Can but
the reasom that i did not write soner Was
because the i just got your Dear letter about 15 minutes
before We left the Camp and We are at Jacksonville
now We landed here last night and i just
sat
Down on the ground and wrote
these
few lines to let you know how We are i Was sorry that that i could not
write as soon as i got your letter for i Was so happy to hear from you and all the rest samuel and Jacob and Lou send their love to and all
the rest
