1865-11-01_Letter-A_Alvord_to_MyDear

[in print] War Department, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, [in pen] Tallahassee Fl, Washington, Nov 1^st, [in print] 1865.

My Dear, From the rocking steamer we came over a rattling rail road to this place last evening— stopping at Fernandina and Jacksonville. Tell the boys—Sammy & Johnny—we had bags full of oranges at Jack—One man said he said he would give me a barrel full to take home, but I could not carry them round so far. I filled both my coat pockets boys didnt I? ^And^ on the rail road I munched & sucked till they were all gone. I saw a little fawn that is a young deer. He put his nose in my hands he was so tame. Wouuld you like to have me buy one? They are very plenty in Florida. We travelled all night—sleeping as well as we could on the bottom of a box car. I went out at one of the stopping places & pulled up an armful of dog fennel (so called) for a bed, but it was

a very poor bed. In the morning we had the train stop at a private house for breakfast. a little cabin I sat by the fire of cobs & kept the pigs & chickens a-way while the woman cooked. I will not tell you what, But she had no dishes after it was cooked. We eat— General & all—out of the [spider?] & drank coffee ^from^ a large jar which once had medicine in it. But we were very hungry, & so eat with a relish. You better all be thankful there at home.

Here, the City Hotel—gives us quite good fare & we are having meetings with the colored people visiting schools—& this evening Gen'l Howard has made an address to State Convention which is now in session. A Band has since been serenading us—& just now two drunken officers have come into our room professing to be old friends of the General—So you see we have all sorts of times. In the morning we are to have a Boat from General [Poster?], who commands in this

department—to take us to Mobile and New Orleans. We have, you see, to stop at so many places that it is not quite certain that I shall be at home by the 15^th. but will try.

Have you money enough? & are you all well? At Savannah I found Lewis gone He had sailed the Saturday before my arrival I was disappointed in not seeing him.

This town is on a high hill—high for the south, & would look very pleasant only like all other places in the south is in a dilapidated condition. The people treat us well enough.

Shall hope to have two or three letters from you at N. O. But you need not write to me there after the 10^th (is dated 10^th) of this month. I will tell you where to write me after reaching that city.

Very tired and affectionately J. W. A.

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