27 February 1864 Letter from
Captain Winston Stephens
Company B, 2nd Florida Cavalry


Winston Stephens
Winston Stephens (1856) in his Seminole War uniform
Photograph courtesy of P.K. Younge Library of Florida History,
Archivist Bruce S. Chappell
In 1861, Winston Stephens was a lieutenant of the St. John's Rangers under Captain Hopkins. By 1862, he assumed command and the company became "Captain Stephens' Independent Cavalry." In December 1862, by special order, it became Company B, 2nd Florida Cavalry.

On Picket Near camp Finegan
Feb 27th 1864
My darling wife

I know how anxious you are to hear from us and I write every spare time. You will see by this that we are gradually closing upon the Yanks and their brother negroe. We moved down from Baldwin yesterday..... I learn we are having large reinforcements and siege guns sent on to us and I would not be surprised at any time to be thrown in the midst of battle with all grandure and at the same time with all dangers. Oh how much I wish I could never see such a sight as I witnessed after the battle near Olustee Station, and then to think of the loved ones at home who have been left lonely in this life by the loss of a husband, Son or Father, or some young lady who love had been centered upon some dear one whose life is so suddenly cut off.

These reflections are not sweet and I'll not write of them. I think the Genl intends driving the enemy to their gun boats, and if he gets the force I learn is coming he will be able to do so. The sound drubbing we gave them before will prepare them to expect a second one when we meet. I don't suppose there has been a more decisive battle fought since the war commenced... they did not stop running until they reached Camp Finegan. If we had only pressed them after the fight, we could have captured the whole army. I hear that Genl Colquitt wanted to follow them but Genl Finegan's opposed. Col Hopkins told me that Genl Finegan ordered Gen Colquitt to fall back during the fight but Colquitt sent him word it was no time to fall back and told him to send him more men, which he did and we have one of the best victories recorded. I want Gen. Colquitt to have all the credit due him.

I like Genl Finegan more than I used to but I have not got the confidence I would like to have in my Commanding Officer. Our Genl seems to think that our men and horse can live on wind as [he] keeps us in the saddle all the time and we get but little to eat, the fact is if we had not got of the yankees waste we would have suffered very much. My horses are mere skeletons, they dont look like the same horses, it is nothing strange for them to go 24 and 36 hours without feed and then get a few ears of corn and go again.

I was sent up to Middleburg on the 25th with my company and staid one night...... I dont think from what I hear that the yanks have been above Palatka nor from Augustine farther than Dunns Creek. I think our old home has not been visited yet, and if we are successful they will not. Lots of the people through here have taken the oath [of allegiance to the Union]... I am well but as near worn out as any man you ever saw and so black that I am ashamed. I left Camp Cooper on the 6th and had on a dirty shirt and I have changed but once since that time. I have clean clothes in Lake City but they had as well not be for the good they do as I am kept so constantly going I can't get them and we are not still long enough to wash once...

I have had one letter from you in the same time. I hope my letters have better luck and reach you regular. I hope God in his goodness will soon deliver us from this awful condition. Give love to Mother and boys [Winston's in-laws] and kind remembrance to all friends ... give a kiss and love to dear Rosa [their daughter] and accept for yourself the love and devotion of a sincere and loving Husband. Direct to Camp Finegan care of Col. McCormick.

This letter from Winston Stephens is from pages 323-324 of Rose Cottage Chronicles: Civil War Letters of the Bryant-Stephens Families of North Florida edited by Arch Blakey, Ann Lainhart and Winston Bryant Stephens, Jr., published in 1998 [ISBN 0813015502].

11 February 1864 letter from Capt Winston Stephens
21 February 1864 letter from Capt Winston Stephens
15 March 1864 journal entry of Octavia Stephens

Other Letters from Olustee
Battle of Olustee home page
http://battleofolustee.org/