Dr. Bronson's St. Augustine History II

06/24/2026

A New Hampshire soldier stationed in St. Augustine during the Civil War.
Calvin Shedd, a carpenter from New Hampshire, enlisted in the Seventh Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers and served the Union Army during the Civil War from 1862 - 1863. Shed wrote letters recording the debilitating physical hardships, the incredible tedium and the ever-present dangers of military life in Key West, Fort Jefferson and St. Augustine, Florida. (UM) This letter is from the early part of his time in St. Augustine.

A letter home -
St Augustine Fla Oct 1862 – Calvin Shedd writes home during his time in St. Augustine, excerpt of letter. (Union soldier Calvin Shedd, Co. A, Seventh New Hampshire Regiment)
Dear Girls old and young . . .

Oct. 13th There are several pretty places near or in fact in Town as one would wish to see with Orange Groves & shady Bowers that we read of at the North but never see. There is a Widow Anderson a N. H. Woman has a pretty place Geraniums & most every plant & Flower that take so much care grow the year round in her Garden & anywhere they take pains to have them. this must be a nice place for Northeners to live in Winter & it is strange to me that more do not, Especialy the rich anyone could make a Garden of Eden here at a quarter of the expanse that some spend north on an ordinary affair.

The 7th has placed the City on an island by cutting a ditch across the neck that connects it to the Main Land. There used to be an Earth Work across near the City with only a passage at the City-Gates the Posts of which are still standing with a wall on each side of them, they are about 15 ft high & finished quite handsomely, they are of Spanish make, of shell rock.

In the So. part of the city the Ruin of the old Governors House which is very interesting to visit but I am not write enough to give an interesting description of places or things. But the impression of these old Spanish Relics, & Ruins is of Dungeons Tyrants Revenge & all of the dark Deeds the Spaniards are noted for in History.

(Calvin Shedd papers University of Miami)

Image – Gov’t. House Library collection

06/23/2026

Union soldier Calvin Shedd, Co. A, Seventh New Hampshire Regiment – (portion of a letter) writes home during his time in St. Augustine.

Shedd described his horse and saddle. He must have been talking about a Florida Cracker Pony also known as a marshtackie. (Dr. B.)

Shedd wrote, “I am sore & lame [ ] today but I have got to get used to it. Think I shall like it when I can ride & not hurt me. We have Ponies about two thirds as large as common Horses. They step short & are very hard on the Back. They are tough & will go all day. do not eat much more than a mule. The Saddles are made of wood without covering, regular Cavalry, called the McClelland Saddle.” (end)

According to one online site about the Cracker Pony – “It was especially highly prized during the American Civil War thanks to their speed, endurance, agility and smooth paces.”
The Florida Cracker Horse was recognized as the state horse from 2008 to 2018.

Image – Florida Cracker Bone Mizel, post Civil War. This is a cracker pony. (FL Mem)
Image – McClelland saddle. (International Military Antiques)

Letter – Univ. of Miami – Calvin Shedd papers

06/22/2026

( In a short note, Shedd relates a humorous story about his friend Sam and a run in with the colonel about the quality of pork. He discusses more rumors and his usual money concerns. He also writes about “rebel Soldiers in middle Fla.” Dr. B. )

St. Augustine Feb 22nd 63
Dear Wife
I have Mailed a letter to you & one to each of the children today, if the steamer does not leave too suden I shall send this by this mail. the other day Co. C. was grumbling that the pork was not good & wanted someone to carry some of it to the Col no one seemed inclined to volunteer, and some one remarked that there was not a man in the Co. that dared to go, at that Sam said "I aint afraid to go" so he took a plate with several slices of pork & started. he went to the Col,s Quarters & told him he had brought some pork & wished him to examine it the Col took it and smelled it an cut a peice & ate it. then looked up at Sam & said "You God D___nd little Runt go to your quarters, the Pork is good, I had as lief eat it as not" Lt Williams or Ned will appreciate this bit of a story, the boys banter Sam & tell him the Col wants more meat well says Sam "He be d___nd if I carry him any more anyhow."

24th I have held off to the last minute in finishing this letter, the mail will go at 11,o,clock I have nothing in particular to write. my health I think is improving & I hope this will find you perfectly restored, we have all sorts of rumors, that Peace is declared, & that 75,000 of our Troops have laid down their arms & gone home, with others quite as absurd, two contrabands came in yesterday & report a "right smart Chance of rebel Soldiers in middle Fla." I wish they would come round these Diggins! I have just paid Mrs Riddell $10.00 for four weeks Board I am thinking she will get no more till pay day. I trust we shall get some pay in the course of three or four weeks, I have just been interrupted to drill the Co. & have forgotten what I was going to write. I have got to close immediately

I have had a ride twice on my Poney. I believe I feel better for it I think after she gets in a little better order I can let her enough to pay for keeping so it will not cost me much, I send you $10.00 two Greenbacks; with the 10 I sent the other day makes $150.00 in all I will close with love to you all as Ever
C Shedd

(The Calvin Shedd Papers – Letters of a New Hampshire Soldier – Univ. of Miami)
Image - NPR

06/21/2026

Have a great Father's Day . . . right after you crank up the grill !

06/20/2026

Missing Home and Cautioning Wife –

Union soldier Calvin Shedd, Co. A, Seventh New Hampshire Regiment – (portion of a letter) writes home during his time in St. Augustine in 1862)
Dec 5
Speaking of those very respectable men that have got the --x you ask if that is not good I don’t see it but you with the rest of the Grass Widows will if you don’t keep clear of them. Of course I don’t wish to insinuate that any of you have had anything to do with them; but if the War should last long , the Flesh being weak & frail. That may be a timely caution how you wade in or rather where for if it gets to going in a neighborhood there is no telling where it will stop so don’t put your fingers in a hole where there are Teeth for they may bite. I want you to write me which you would prefer, hadn’t you just as rather would get Drunk once in a while than to be caught in such a scrape as that, not that any one ought or need do either, but men & women may be led to do both. apparently without cause. But I am a believer in the Doctrine that there is a cause for everything Especially Wh---ng & Drinking. now don’t you honestly think I have kept pretty clear of the former & got most D--n-dly Bit by the latter. (I cry enough of that)

Mrs. Ps good wishes with yours that I might have a Merry Thanksgiving you have undoubtedly heard ere this were not fully realised. The fact is I don’t take much comfort in the Army & did not expect to, so I am not disapointed on that point. it is about 11 and I will go to bed. I have taken Pills & shall have to route out before morning probably.
C.S.

(The Calvin Shedd Papers – Letters of a New Hampshire Soldier – Univ. of Miami)
Painting – George Cochran Lambdin - 1866

06/19/2026

OPEN DAY - Saturday June 20 at 11 a.m., guided tours with volunteers or self-guided tours. Tours run on donations only. There is no need for a ticket.

06/18/2026

Calvin Shedd writes home during his time in St. Augustine. (Union soldier Calvin Shedd, Co. A, Seventh New Hampshire Regiment)

St. Augustine Thanksgiving Eve 1862
Dear Ones at Home
How many times I have thought of you today & wished I might be with you. The Day has been very pleasant but cool. I have had some roast Pork & Pudding but have eaten the least I ever did at Thanksgiving . . .
. . The Fleas plague me so that I take no comfort while writing. I should think my pants were alive with them by the feeling. This is a great place for Dogs it is Bow Wow all night long. all the sporting I have seen today was a C**k Fight which was no sport at all for me.

Portion of a letter.
(Calvin Shedd papers University of Miami)

Image – Reproduction of a plate picturing the knowledge on fleas in the year 1760/ Veterian Key

06/17/2026

THERE ARE SEATS LEFT. The date is June 24.

THERE ARE SEATS LEFT. Please share this post and encourage folks to attend.
In 2018 a film crew from Spain came to Florida to film the story of The Menorcans. The film, with English subtitles, will be shown on June 24 at the Waterworks. All funds raised by ticket sales will be used for the Journey to Freedom - Florida's Untold Menorcan Story, a commemoration being planned for March 2027.

Tickets are on sale now. Refreshments will be provided.

Follow this link for more information and to purchase your ticket.
https://theminorcanexperience.com/.../els-menorquins.../

06/16/2026

Dr. Bronson supports The Minorcan Experience and the New Smyrna Museum of History as they collaborate to tell the Minorcan Story. There is planning for the 250th commemoration of the walk from New Smyrna to St. Augustine in 1777. Follow their FB pages, New Smyrna web site and the new Minorcan Experience web site for more information.

https://theminorcanexperience.com/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079532517276

06/15/2026

(Union soldier Calvin Shedd, Co. A, Seventh New Hampshire
Regiment - writes home during his time in St. Augustine in 1862)
St Augustine. Dec 6th 1862
Dear Wife
I have nothing to write so you must not be vexed if I dont write anything, The Steamer did not go today as expected & I make it a point to write at the very latest moment. My health is fair but very uncertain I have got to a rather bad pass; my Bowells I think have not been well since my sickness at Beaufort, & am liable to be sick at any moment, which is a great discouragement, as it is one of the great points of advancement, to be always on Duty, but I hope for the best & do all the duty I am able. the Boys all tell me if they were in my place they would resign on acct of disability and go home, I cant bear the thoughts of that, for it is not my style;

Sam has been off Duty for some time has a scurvy Sore on his instep otherwise he is well he recd a letter from his folks the last Mail if they knew how much comfort it gave him they would write him oftener, he brought it to me to read to him, the poor Boy, felt much less lonely & depressed, the Army is the worst place in the world for the Blues.

I have just come from Dress Parade & I have nothing more to write than when I begun. Only that I wish you all every happiness that is consistent in this world the Mail leaves at 7 in the Morning & I must put this in tonight as I go to supper.

I will not send you any money this mail as I am doubtfull when we shall be pd again You mentioned that if we had been pd for only 4 months that I should rob myself. You were right for I have sent you more money now than I got for the 4 months we were pd for six months which was a Godsend to all concerned. it is getting dark & I must close without filing my sheet. the wind is blowing Fresh if the Mail does not leave on Acct of weather I will write again
Yours as Ever
C Shedd
P.S. if there is a prospect of your getting short before pay day let me know & I will do the best I can
C.S.
Private Mark

(Calvin Shedd papers – Univ. Of Miami)
Photograph – Civil War Era – Ft. Marion during Civil War Era