CAMDEN COUNTY, GA - MILITARY CIVIL WAR LETTERS Gen R.F. Floyd 1862 ***************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm *********************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Permission to post on-line given Tara D. Fields (http://www.camdencounty.org) by transcriber Jim Studnicki For much more information, history, photos see: (http://www.civilwarflorida.com/site/news/) Richard Ferdinand Floyd Colonel Floyd is buried in the old Hickory Grove Cemetery in Clay County, FL. Floyd was a friend of Florida Governor John Milton. He resigned his command just prior to Sharpsburg due to poor health. Florida State Archives, Series 32, John Milton Letterbooks Folder #4, p. 457 (photocopy)   Private Winchester, Va, Sept. 13th 1862. His Excellency Gov John Milton Tallahassee, Fla   My Dear Sir I trust you [re'd ?] my letter from Richmond about August 6th. Ever since I arrived in Virginia I have been declining in health. This continued, but I kept along at the head of my Regiment until so enfeebled, that by the time the Army had marched to the Rapid Ann River, I was completely prostrated, with a violent fever, delirium, & wasting diarrhea, all this in the wilderness, away from any dwelling. I was sent to a country house where I became very ill, & never expected to leave alive. The Doctors, during my stay there, gave me more physic than I have taken in all my life before, to my recollection, which only, in my opinion served to weaken me the more. As soon as I became convalescent, altho still excessively weak I mounted a horse & rode 98X miles to this place. [accompanying X in margin states "I had been sent clean back to Gordonsville"] The sun & fatigue threw me back very much, but an ardent desire to rejoin my Regt. urged me forward. I am mending slowly & I hope soon to regain my strength. I found here about 5 Regiments of our Troops, -- not organized Regiments, but sufficient men to constitute that number. They are now organized into Regiments & one will be commanded by me until I reach our Army & my own Regt. These Regiments are composed chiefly from Alabama, Georgia Florida, N Carolina & Virginia, & are stragglers who had been left sick at the various hospitals all along the route from Fla to Va, now recovered & following up to rejoin their respective Regiments in the main army. They filled up the roads in straggling parties, officers & men, and came independently until reaching this place, when they were formed into Regts, as above stated, it being deemed unsafe to travel further towards our army in a disorganized state, as the enemy's Cavalry are reported near here in large detachments. Besides, the enemy's occupation of Harpers Ferry (very near here) would render our stragglers liable to capture. Now with these 5 Regiments we can cut our way through Via Charlestown 22 miles from here, into Maryland where our Army is now. I leave here this afternoon for that destination, in the manner above mentioned. News from the Jackson wing of the Army [re'd ?] this morning, states that we took [Martinsburg ?] (2? 3?0 miles from here) from the enemy yesterday, and captured 1500 yankee prisoners. Also that Harpers Ferry . . . evacuated by the yankees, who it is believed, cannot escape; . . . troops have [xxx] hemmed in on all sides, The enemy's force at Harpers Ferry is variously estimated at 5 to 10 thousand. Indeed the enemy have been defeated on all sides & at all points by our gallant army, and even our privates took upon them with [contempt ?] & exult whenever a forward movement is ordered, "To whip the Yankees," is with them, a fixed and forgone fact, before entering into conflict. My Regiment has suffered vastly from sickness, both officers & men since entering Virginia, and several have died, among them 2 Lieutenants. I have with me several of my officers & men who had been left sick at the Hospitals, with whom I fell in on my route - they have [xxxxxxxx ]. This section of the State has been extensively laid waste by the retreating enemy, and it is very difficult to get anything to eat. We are in the midst of the mountainous districts, but excepting the clear cold waters I see but little in the country that I like. Ex Gov Lowe of Maryland, is here en route for Maryland to assume the duties of provisional Gov of that State. Our prospects are bright & glorious. It is impossible to state correctly the strength of our main army. Even in the midst of it neither myself or any one except the Generals in chief, could even guess its strength but that it is the largest & best equipped army we have ever had in the field, no one doubts. I saw Genl Jackson several times. He is a very plain man, but is a host [?] within himself. There are a great number of our officers here who had been by sickness and other causes separated from their Regiments, at various points, and who are now in their [xxxx effort ?] to rejoin them. I have no letter from my wife later than August 11th, I wrote her last from Richmond, but since my illness I would not write to her as I think it wrong under such circumstances to do so. As I fear my letters have failed to reach her, and she is doubtless anxious about me. Your Excellency will much oblige me, and her, by making known to her such parts of this letter as relate to my health & its improvement, and any other parts you may choose to make known to her. I expect to be with my Regt. by to-morrow evening, and [xxxx] that God will give me a full return to health, which is all I ask in the field - or at least the first blessing I ask. Mrs Floyd was desirous (as I found in her first [letter) ?] that our two daughters should return to her from Macon, I hope they have returned to her long ere this. Will you please present my kindest regards to my friend [xxx x.] Milton - also to Judge [Rut. ?] --ker and to Genl Finegan. I wrote to both of them since I reached Virginia. I was delighted & proud of your Proclamation to the people of Fla. It has been greatly admired & lauded everywhere here, With every hope of your welfare. I have the honor to remain, Your Excellency's Obt Servt & friend Most Truly R F Floyd P.S. I could give you various accredited rumors here to day (among them that Washington City was being evacuated by [Genel Mc]) ?] but will await more reliable intelligence. R. F. F. ================= Permission to post on-line given Tara D. Fields (http://www.camdencounty.org) by transcriber Jim Studnicki (http://www.floridabrigade.org) Florida State Archives, Series 32, John Milton Letterbooks Folder #4, p. 461 (photocopy)   Private Private, Near Shepardstown Septr 22 1862 Governor Milton My Dear Sir I wrote you lately from Winchester, informing you of my wretched health. It has become worse, and has reduced me to a mere skeleton and to excessive weakness. The Doctors say my disease (diarrhea & fevers) is becoming chronic, and that I cannot remain here, and live. I have therefore after maturely considering the poor prospect of my amendment in health here, concluded to resign my commission instead of asking the long leave which is regarded as a message for my return to Florida. You cannot imagine how unhappy the necessity of this course makes me. I came here with high hopes, but sickness – after prostration - have denied me even the faint hope of even being in a physical condition to fill the place assigned to me here. The Climate, the water, everything here have proved that I cannot live in this State & xxx xxxx xx xxxxx duties required. [next line completely cut off by edge of photocopy] Regt the next day. The next day, was [its ?] xx . . . The day of [xxxxing ?] I rode 25 miles xx xx back to xx . . . Army, but it nearly killed me - the effort. I crossed the . . . into Maryland, and soon after was directed in [her course ?] towards the Army by the distant booming of Cannon. This was on the 17th. a ride of 5 miles further brought me to the battle field. The battle was raging for nearly 5 miles. I marched x the centre, dismounted and tottered along towards the fight, but every inquiry for the Florida 8th made by me from officers riding to & from the field, was answered by "I know not [one ?] man can unless by accident find his Brigade in the field." of course I was in no condition to take command for I had to stop panting from weakness, and sit down at every hundred yards. Still I went on to see all of the battle I could; and I saw enough to make my heart ache for our poor fellows, for every instant of time they were passing me supported, or on litters, all covered with wounds. Finally I met several of our poor fellows, coming [out, off ?] wounded, some mortally; and asking them for our Regt. They piteously replied "They are all killed, wounded or dispersed. The 8th Florida Regiment went that morning into the action with but 120 men and was commanded by Capt. Waller (who was killed) all the rest of this (late) fine Regt. were scattered among the Hospitals sick, for 150 miles, There was no field officer present, nor the Adjutant, Simmons, He and Lieut. Col. Pons, had been left sick in the Road, There were only three Captains on the field, One Company ([Biles, Boles, Bebes ?]) was not represented at all, not one there all sick, one other Company (late Capt. Simmon's he having resigned) only mustered 3 men on the field. DeCells (1st Sergt) commanded the other 2 - and DeCells was killed. This remnant of the 8th Regt (120 men who went into battle) was in the thickest of the fight And were almost annihilated, The 5th Regt. also suffered terribly. I saw Col. Haightly [sic] as he came out with his thigh broken. I expected any moment to be shot without having a post to [resume ?] By this time both Regts (5th & 8th) had been cut up and scattered here & there in small squads. The next day it was difficult to find any men at all of these Regts except the wounded who were brought off. All our dead remain there unburied. I went to our Hospital (the open field) and remained all [night ?] [next few lines illegible] letter. I write in bed & with poor materials but I wish you to know my condition & my [metrics ?] and therefore write to you the best way that I can. I know not when I may be in Florida, but can, when I do come, give you particulars. I have the honor to be your Excellency's friend & Obt Svt R F Floyd I must say to your Excellency that what I write about the battle is not intended for publication. The day after the grand Battle (which was obstinately contested by the enemy as well as our side, there was only skirmishing. The next day following our army recrossed the potomac. It is reported here to day that Jackson made dreadful slaughter among the Yankees as they attempted to cross the River, yesterday morning. Will you please do me the favour to write to Mrs Floyd (at Lake City) And give her what relates to my health and intentions. R F Floyd ======================== Permission to post on-line given Tara D. Fields (http://www.camdencounty.org) by transcriber Jim Studnicki (http://www.floridabrigade.org)   Executive Department Oct 5th 1862 Mrs. M [A, P ?] Floyd. Dear Madame. The enclosed letter from Gen Floyd was re'c on yesterday. I send it to you supposing, you would prefer to read the entire letter, than extracts from it, Having read, be pleased to return it. It was not intended for publication, and to publish it at this time might have an unhappy effect. Are your daughters with you, or in Macon? If any disaster shall happen to our forces on the St. John's had you not better come with your family to Tallahassee? I shall be pleased to hear from you at any time, that I can [xxxx] for you any service, & your daughter Mrs [Drysdale ?] with you? I [xxx] Capt Drysdale [re entered ?] in service? Be pleased to present my respects to your family. I have the honor to be, Madam Most Respectfully, Your friend & Ob St John Milton