Louis James M. Boyd
This selection is from a collection of letters written by Louis James M. Boyd to his wife, "Jannie," from April 23, 1862 to August 1871. The couple met in Cedar Key, Florida and later moved to Baltimore, Maryland. Boyd served as a 3rd Assistant Engineer aboard the U.S. Gunboat "Albatross" during the Civil War. This letter describes the destruction of the rebel salt pans along the Florida coast.
Editor’s note: In cases where LJM Boyd’s spelling deviates from standard spelling, his original spelling has been left in place with the standard spelling in parenthesis.
U.S. Steamer Albatross St. Andrews Bay
November 29th 1862
My Dear Beloved Wife
It has bean (been) now two months and a half, since I have received a word from you – I must truly say, that I have not had anything in my life, to worry me as much as that has, during the time I have been waiting I cannot find words to Express my feelings, I never thought that I Should be Separated from you, that long without either Seeing or hearing, from you my Dearest Jannie, I always had the name when I was at home of being very impation (impatient), but Since I have bean (been) in the Navy I have learnt to be very pation (patient) and to wait the course of everything but this affair has nearly worn them out, I think if you were placed in my Situation you would Say the Same that I do, I can do nothing but hope and pray that you are all well and wait the comming (coming) of a letter from
