1861 May 4 Fort Palmetto

       Fort Palmetto
                                 Saturday Night             May 4, 1861
     My Dear Wife
                           Your very welcome and interesting letter
was received to-day, and I very much regret to read
of the children and yourself being unwell, but hope
it is nothing serious.  We are very much displeased
with our location and are anxious to be removed
from this point, to a healthy location where plenty
of good water can be had.  We have the most
miserable water I every drank and every one in
camp is more or less affected.  The news came to us
to-night that we would be removed to some point
up the country.  I will not be too sanguine as the
matter may result differently.  I expect however to visit
home to latter part of next week or the first of
week after.  You need not look for me until you see
or hear from me again.  What in the world has put
Shannon and Kittie in the notion of boarding, and
as you remark who pays Emma’s board.  I was
under the impression that Knight and her were
about to marry.  You may send the box and be
sure and put plenty of butter in it.  I expect
I will bring the covering up with me.  Do write me
and let me know what kind of a dress you bought
from Kitchen’s and let me know what kind of

a hat you would [fragment torn out] to have for Anna.  I forgot to send
the lawn by [fragment torn out] Creight.  I send the clothes and the
Boquet by him.  I wish you could have seen it when
fresh.  It was varnished but did retain its colors.
On Friday when William was leaving for home I felt
quite homesick and would have given much to have
been able to go with him.  I was sorry not to be able
to send something up by him.  I will bring something
up when I come home.  I have not yet seen any of
of [sic] our lady friends.
                               It is now after eleven and I must
close.  Give much love to all and accept a very large share
From your affectionate husband
                                                   J.M. Phinney
                       Write me soon.
                                       
James M. Phinney,  6th South Carolina Infantry


MSS 12661