1861 May 2 Fort Palmetto

6th S.C. Infantry
                     Fort Palmetto
                                                           May 2, 1861
     My Dear Wife
                             As I wrote you last night
Wm. Creight will leave for home to-morrow, and
this letter and the clothes you will receive as soon
as he reaches home.  You will see that my “nose”
apparel is about to be dismantled.  I expect to
be the bearer of dispatches to the city to-morrow
morning, and I will probably purchase
a piece of Lawn which if you receive you
will know how to dispose of at an early
date.  I hope to visit home in about two
weeks, but my duties are such that I
cannot now say positively.  Having again
this morning been dispatched on detached
service to Fort Pickens I breakfasted
aboard the Steamer Seabrook, having
Cod Fish Balls, sausage and other varieties
From a letter of Genl Beauregard to Col
Rion I learned that the prospect for
being removed up the country is quite
uncertain.  We do hope earnestly that wars
and rumors of wars will be silenced
and every thing settled satisfactorily.  Col
Rion dined with us to-day, and returns
to his Post this afternoon.  I feel badly
that Wm is going home and I cannot

accompany him.  I am so anxious to again
get home and see the loved ones.  It seems
an age since we bid them adieu, and often
have I been homesick since our parting.  The
trial was a sore one, and at almost every
point my feelings were touched by witnessing the
same ordeal that I had so recently passed
through myself.  Hoping that you will write me
at least twice a week or more, and
that we may soon be in the enjoyment of our
homes with all their pleasures and joys I
                        am
                             Your very affectionate Husband
                                                    J.M. Phinney

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12661