April 24, 1863: BLAKY MASON TO FRIEND

April 24, 1863: BLAKY MASON TO FRIEND

Barracks -- Maintenance and repair

Catholic Church -- Church bells

Charleston (S.C.) -- Troop movements

Fort Marion (Saint Augustine, Fla.) -- Coquina

Fort Marion (Saint Augustine, Fla.) -- Soldiers -- Billeting

United States. Army. New Hampshire Infantry Regiment, 7th (1861-1865)

Minorcans

Union soldier of the 7th New Hampshire Volunteers, Blaky Mason's 1863; 3 page "Report on St. Augustine," sent in a letter to "Friend Frank." Initial detail is on St. Augustine's favorable climate, and several companies of the 7th New Hampshire Regiment moving to Charleston, South Carolina. Mason writes on improvements to the St. Francis Barracks and cramped quarters at Fort Marion (Castillo de San Marcos), explaining, it's "full of rats and there is no end to the flees." On St. Augustine, Mason writes, "The city itself is a curious looking old dilapidated thing," before remarking on the state of its houses. The "Oldest House" is mentioned, as its woodwork is being stripped away by souvenir-seekers. Additionally, Mason writes of sending coquina home to his wife, more detail on the fort, the sea wall and the health of his regiment. Of particular note, is a section on the Minorcan, Spanish, and Northern populations, where Mason uses the nickname, "Sugar Cane and Mullet."

Mason, Blaky

MC19 . Box 1 . Folder 17

1863-04-24

St. Augustine Historical Society

IsReferencedBy The Awakening of St. Augustine: The Anderson Family and the Oldest City: 1821-1924

Original / 8" x 9.5"

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Saint Augustine [7014435]