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Baldwin, E. Fla.
February 28, [1865]

Miss Bardin

My dear Mattie, I seat myself at my writeing desk this morning to write you a few words which I hope will be received by you. These will inform you that a few words has been [received] from you, dated Feb 19th. Mattie, I have no news of interest to write you at this time, only the yanks or deserters killed Wood Ellis of Co. F, 2d Fla Cav, one of our best soldiers, last Sunday morning at Hoar's place, 8 miles this side of Jacksonville. They shot nine balls through him, he turned his horse and rode about three hundred yards before he fell. A scout left here yesterday evening. I do not know where bound to, but I think to the front to kill and capture the enemy's picketts, to retaliate for Ellis. I think in too or three days you will hear of something being done. They will have satisfaction some way or other. It will be the cause of many pickets
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being killed on both sides. I hope these may reach you in good health and fine spirit. These leave me in better health than when you heard from me last. I have missed my chills about a week, if I have them any more I am coming to you to cure me.

I want to see you very much, but I don't know when I shall have the pleasure of it, but the very first opportunity that presents itself I am comeing, and you may look for me then. I must close as it is now time for the train. I am, dear Mattie,

Your affectionate and Devoted Albert.

Of if there were one gentle eye
To weep when I might grieve;
One bosom to receive the sigh
Which sorrow oft will heave.
One heart the ways of life to cheer
Though rugged they might be,
No language could express how dear
That heart would be to me.

A.S.C.

[Poem adapted from a play by Alfred Bunn entitled The Bohemian Girl.]

*Transcribed with original spellings and punctuations.