St. Simons Island
Nov. 18th 1861.
My own precious Wife,
I received your very welcomed letter on yesterday and hasten to reply. It seems from the tone of your letters that you are very much alarmed not only for the safety of the country but for your boy. Now darling, fear is incompatible with faith, and unless you have faith, implicit faith in God, you never have your wishes granted. Now as for me I think if the enemy should come, and we do our duty, that Heaven will be on our side; and cause victory to perch upon our banner. So far as I am concerned I hope this place will not be evacuated. Gen. Mercer has furnished us with six more guns, for our battery and is going to give us 2000 men. I think with that force we can at least give the Yankees a pretty good fright. You say it is reported that Gen. Mercer wants us removed to Bruns. and Col. Styles won't do it. Thatreport is not so. In fact it is just the reverse of that Col. S. wanted us at B. and Gen. M. would not give his consent. He (the Gen.) told Styles to move all the Regiment to Brunswick except ours and Capt. Dent's [1] companies and Styles told him if the whole Reg. could not defend this Island it was folly to suppose that our two companies could! And that if our companies had to remain here to be cut to pieces he would resign and come and stay with us and share our fate. Gen. Mercer is as near an old woman as ever man gets to be. He goes by the name of the Gofer [2], by the boys, called so on account of his slowness. All the troops except two companies have been removed from Jekyl, and if Col. S. had listened to the advice of the Gen. we would have been in the same fix. Witter's box and my bundle arrived safely. Witter is quite well and sends love to all. I made a requisition on the Government for $180 and sent it on by Edmond Atkinson, he will be in Waynesville (and I believe he is going home on Friday). If you see him please get the money from him, and pay Lilly for John's hire. Nate and Carley will pay me. Tell Ned Atkinson he can keep enough money back to pay for my sword and the other little things he bought for me. If however you should not meet him I will send her the money as directed. You have no idea my dear precious wife how much I do want to see you and my precious little 'baby,' now the excitement is over, and there is no probability of a fight soon, my heart turns once more to my precious loved ones at home. Oh! that this unholy war would only stop, and let me return again to the bosom of my fond and lovely wife. I don't think I will ever leave you again when I get out of service this time. I don't know what I am to do when our little baby is born unless I resign, for I do not expect the Col. will give me so long a leave, and if he does not I am certain to resign. Capt. Atkinson left for Marietta [3] on yesterday. He stayed until all the fuss was over and then he and E. Atkinson left. Edmond is only going to Savannah. I have gotten entirely over my cold. Well precious wife, I could write you a great deal more but have not the time. Goodbye dearest sweet wife take good care of your dear self and don't get at all frightened at the Yankees. There is no danger of their coming. May Heaven's sweetest blessings be with you in the prayer of your own husband
Nate Brown
[1] Capt Dent's - Dent, George C. Captain Aug. 14, 1861. Company A, 26th Regiment, Georgia Volunteer Infantry CSA, Glynn Guards', Retired May 12, 1862. Captain of C. D. 1st Battn Ga Sharpshooters in 1862
[2] gofer - this label may refer to the Gopher tortoise, a species common in coastal Georgia, and obviously a very slow animal. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gopher_tortoise
[3] Marietta - town just north of Atlanta. Loulie's family had a house there. 'Construction of the state-owned Western and Atlantic Railroad (W&A) hastened the development of the pioneer community. In 1845 the W&A initiated regular runs from Marthasville (later renamed Atlanta) to Marietta. Within five years the rail line was completed to Chattanooga, Tennessee. More than a thousand feet above sea level, Marietta was one of the highest points of elevation along the W&A. Because of its relatively mild climate and an abundance of natural spring water, the town became a favorite destination for aristocratic visitors from the Georgia and South Carolina coast, who flocked there during summer months to escape the stifling heat and malarial climate of the lowlands. In time some became permanent residents.'
http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/counties-cities-neighborhoods/marietta
Map Source: J.H. Colton Map of Georgia, 1855
http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/histcountymaps/cobb1855map.htm