St. Augustine Florida Mar 18th

Dear Sister Sarah,

As I have a few spare moments before the boat leaves I will write you a few lines and let you know the whereabouts of this Boy. well Sarah I suppose you will want to know how we are getting along and how we [find?] things situated out here. Well I will say that we have got our [?] warrant and the Major does everything to make it as pleasant as possible for us and to use the boys fraise we have got a soft thing here. just imagine us living in a large house with folding doors and a nice grate for a fire with a niger to do all the work. I think taking everything into consideration I am perfectly satisfied. there is all the Oysters and fish we wish to eat - and all for the trouble of getting. Last evening I went just across the river and in les than half an hour I got over a barrel of fine Oysters. Why they are over a foot thick of solid Oysters. So you can imagine how long it would take to fill a barrel. then by going about a half a mile down the river we can get all the fish we want to pull out. We bought about 35 pounds of bass[?] for 25 cts so you can judge how plentiful they are. then there is plenty of game of all discriptions from quail to an Aligator so you see I can enjoy myself as there is plenty of chances for my favorite sports. we found seven instruments here but they are verry poor ones and the men did not know much about playing them but we make out and get along and I think in the course of a few weeks we will have a verry good Band. the major is verry fond of musick and I think we will have all the playing we want this summer. Henry came from Pickalata this afternoon. I have not seen him before. I think he is looking well. He is stopping with us in the Barracks. I mean the private house. I tell you it done me good to see the Boy. he will write to you tomorrow. We are having all the oranges we can eat but they are rather sour. All theboys are well that came out with me. They all like it but Jones and he is whineing around because he cannot see his other rib. well he will get braveley over it one of these days. The boys bother him almost to death. But I think he will be able to stand it. [unknown] Sarah tell Father to go to New York when he heres from M-----[?] see the instruments packed. Have ordered an Alto and there will be thirty dollars more to pay on it but both will belong to me. He can take the money out of what I have. I left $110 withhim and let him pay thirty more and get a receipt and I will make it right when I come home. I think I will sell my Barritone as one of the boys have offered to but me a verry good price for it. Em will bring over some things to be sent in the Box with the Instruments. Henry sends love to Father Mother Sisters and all freinds [?]...your affectionate Brother, J.W. North

P.S. write me a long letter and send a paper Standard (Bridgeport Evening Standard?)

Jacksonville, Florida June 26th 1865

Dear Sister Sarah,

As I have a few spare moments I will improve them by scratching a few lines to you. I thought when I left Augustine I would not have to write any more letters but we have been here three weeks and I dont think there is any prospects of getting away this week. When we left Augustine we had orders to report at Hilton Head as soon as possible. Orders from the War Department but the 'General' commanding this district sees fit to keep the Regiment here to work on the Rail Road. I suppose he thinks he out ranks Jeff Davis or any other man. Well one of these days we will make a start. All the one years men have got to stay but the Band Boys and we are to have a Furlough. I tell you there is nothing like being in the Band our Furlough have been made out and approved by this General and when we get to the Head they will have to be approved by General Gilmore and if he vetoes them we are gone up salt river but I dont think there will be any danger of that and if I get to the State I think there will be no doubt but we will get our discharge. And if I cannot get out of it any other way I will strike the[?] posish of a Hospital Beat. Not much. Sarah I enlisted for One Year and if I cannot get ot of it in an honorable way I will serve my time out and do my duty as a Snoger. Sarah you must excuse this scribbling for there is a lot of the boys around banging the table. Henry has got in from Tallahassa with his company and is in the Hospital but you need not feel alarmed at that. He has the shakes and the Doctor thought he has better go to the hospital as it was not so damp as it would be in camp. He does not have any duty to do and he says he will get fat if he stayes there. You know a person having Fever & Ague cannot have any other contagious disease and the ague is not at all dangerous. We are sleeping away our time as we do not have any duty of any account to do. In fact it is to Hot to stir. The thermometor stood at 146 the other day that you know is pretty well[?]. and you would just laugh to see us puffing our best but I can make pretty good time. We get a Thunder shower every afternoon but that dont make any diffirince with the weather. And in the night a person cannot sleep for the flees. Oh my you ought to get a few of them under your Shirt Ile bet you would jump. Ha Ha Ha. What a brat. Well Sarah talk about the Sunny South but I would not swap old Spring Gardens for the whole state of Florida. So you can see I have got a good opinion of the South. Well I will bring this to a focus as I am almost wasted and Keyes is after me to go down to the River to wash my shirt and drawers. I have got a bully lip for a wash tub. I have just heard that we will not leave this place until the 5th of July, and if that be the case we will not be in Conn. Untill the first of August. Henry sends his love to you -- he wrote to you the other day. All the Boys send regrds My love to Father & Mother Brothers and Sisters and Laday Sarah. From JW

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