1861 May 18 Fort Palmetto

My Dear Wife
The family letter is at hand
and its contents have afforded me the usual
interest derived from the reading of all your
letters. There is nothing of very special interest
to communicate, only to confirm the intimation
given in my last letter. I am highly gratified to
state that we will be removed to our homes
in ten days or two weeks. This is I believe positive
as the information came through Col Rion. Our
being sent home does not discharge us from
our obligation for the time for which we volunteered
but we are to hold ourselves in readiness, so
that the Regiment can be concentrated at any
point within thirty six hours. I have satisfied myself
that the Governor can order us anywhere he chooses
within the limits of the Southern Confederacy. The boys
are somewhat anxious (a number of them) to go into
the confederate service, and there may be a change
when we reach home as the company are not
willing to be commanded any longer by our
present Captain. He has conducted himself so
badly, that nothing he can do now will restore his
lost favour. As I have before said to you Camp
[The above page has been scribbled on with a pencil.]

life will show the flaws in our character, and although
I know Wash Ladd of old, yet I see him in Camp
in full character. Nothing is done right according
to his judgement I could go on and repeat
many such characters yet I will withhold a
further repetition. I am pleased to know that the
articles suit you. The table cover cost $3. You
would imagine that any kind of goods might be
had here, but goods are very scarce, and I looked
through several stores before I found the dress, and
even though I bought it yet I was not fully
satisfied. When I come home I will remember
Nannie. Joe made me feel quite proud when
he said that he had seen her, and how pretty she
had grown.
I forget the price of Lawn, yet I do not
suppose they will charge you more than it is worth.
Probably you had better keep the [-] until I come
home, and also defer buying the lawn. I have
not seen the ladies yet, and may not see them
until we pass through the city on our way home. We
still have some sickness in Camp. I believe I never
told you of our having two cases of Typhoid fever [-]
not in our company. We have had more or less diarrhea
since we have been here, owing to the miserable bad water.
As I propose to write a line or two to “Nolty Beeny” 1
and 2 I must close with much love from your
affectionate husband
J.M. Phinney

Confederate officer from Winnsboro, S. C., in the Boyce Guards Militia and the 6th Infantry Regiment. He participated in the Seven Days’ Battles in Virginia and was killed in action at Fair Oaks in 1862
MSS 12661