1861 May 23 Eufala, Ala

[RD]
Dear Dent –
Your favor of the 15th Inst Came
to hand a few days since and Contents Notice –
On my return from Pensacola I enquired
both at Montgomery & Columbus for
Staff buttons and was told that not
a singe one Could be had in either place.
On last Saturday an advertisement appeared
in the “Columbus Sun” saying that [hole in paper at this point]
had Commenced the Manufacture of all
kinds of Mil.. buttons – On Sunday I wrote
to a Concern there to send me a set by
return Mail and not having received
any answer as yet I take it for
granted that the parties who propose
Manufacturing the buttons have not
Commenced yet – I will write again

this evening and as soon as I can
get the buttons will make your
Coat and send it down or rather
to your wife – Our Small and Sparse
-ly populated City was again thrown into

[page 2]
a voluminous blaze of excitement on last
evening by the announcement from Apalachicola
Fla by Telegraph that Lincolns forces
had threatened to enter and destroy it
unless they would give up a Schooner
which had been seized a few days previous
by the Citizens of Apalachicola which
it seems they did not intend to do without
a small bit of a fight – Consequently
sent a Telegram to this place for
fifty casks Bacon – fifty Bbls
flour – all the Meal and Corn that
We could spare – also a Company
of Volunteers Ammunition feild [field] pieces
&c – This Dispatch was received at
4 O’clock in the evening and at precisely
9 O’clock at Night the Steamer
Paivalla [?] left our wharf with
fifty Men & Muskets – two Cannons
and the required Amount of provisions
under Command of Capt H. C.
Hart – I suppose by to night there will
be from one to two thousand troops
concentrated there to receive the armies
of Mr Lincoln who are sent by
him to invade our Gulf Ports

[page 3]
I wrote that President Davis is still sending
Men and large Guns to Pensacola and
one would natureally Conclude that
a fight was inevitable at that point
very soon – but my impressions is
that some months will elaps[e] before
you have any fight – engagement from
the fact that I believe about half of
the men in Pickins will die out
this summer. Wishing you a
speedy and safe return -
I remain
Yours truly & Respectfully
W. H. Locke

MSS 13485