The following letter was written by 1st Lieutenant, Robert Watkins Adams (1839-1886), Co. F, 5th Florida Infantry, who was taken a prisoner on July 3rd 1863 at Gettysburg. He was held at Johnson’s Island Prison until 10 February 1864 when he was transferred to Point Lookout, Maryland. He was sent to City Point for exchange in early March 1864.

Robert’s father, Nathaniel Alexander Adams (1797-1849) was a wealthy planter and slaveholder at Athens in Clarke county, Georgia, but died when Robert was about ten years old. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1859 and in 1860 was enumerated on the plantation of Francis Broward where he tutored the Broward children as well as other children in the neighborhood. He enlisted there on 14 March 1862 and mustered into the Frink Guards as a private. They became Co. F of the 5th Florida Regiment and he was promoted to 1st Sergeant on 2 May 1862. During the Antietam campaign, he became ill and was sent to a hospital at Frederick, Maryland, where he was left behind and taken prisoner. He was sent to Fort Delaware and exchanged in November 1862.

By the time of the Gettysburg campaign, Robert had been promoted to 1st Lieutenant and was in command of his company at Gettysburg where he was captured again on July 3rd 1863.

He married Sophia Broward in 1862 and had 5 children, Frank Adams, Nathaniel Adams, Robert Watkins Adams, Julia Adams and Minnie Adams. He was elected to the Florida Senate in 1870. By 1880, he was a merchant with his son Frank in a store at White Springs, Hamilton county, Florida.

Robert wrote the letter to Jane Eliza (Brown) Bestor (1820-1885), the wife of John Rollin Bestor, Sr. (1813-1867). This Baltimore couple had twin sons who served in the Maryland Guard that became Co. B, 21st Virginia Infantry. Eliza seems to have corresponded with numerous Confederate soldiers seeking information about her sons. The Bestor brothers’ letters have been transcribed and may be found at 1861-65: The Bestor Brothers of Baltimore.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Point Lookout, Maryland

February 15, 1864

Mrs. J. Eliza Bestor

My dear Madam,

Perhaps you may be surprised to see a letter addressed by me from this point instead of Johnson’s Island, but together with quite a number of other officers I arrived here at the Point a few days ago. I was very much disappointed in not hearing from you at Johnson’s Island more; but, I, immediately on the reception of your letter of Sept. 6th/63—which I received at the hands of Col. Pierson—wrote you a reply, returning you my kind acknowledgements for your kindness towards me. I have never been fortunate enough to hear from you since, but I trust that as the distance is but short from here to Baltimore, I may have the pleasure of hearing from you frequently.

I am well pleased with our situation here and our treatment so far. We are at present located in the Hospital and have very pleasant quarters. I suppose this is merely temporary and other quarters will be assigned us soon. The climate on the Point is so much pleasanter than the cold temperature of Johnson’s Island that every one is pleased with the change.

I hope, my Dear Madam, that you have had the blessings of good health since I heard from you last and that you have been gladdened by tidings of your sons in that interval. I trust they were well when heard from.

There are some few articles which I would task your kindness to procure and send me if you can conveniently do so, but not otherwise. I need a few articles of underclothing, such as shirts, drawers, & socks, a handkerchief, &c. Now, my dear madam, I would not have you send these articles if not perfectly convenient. I shall be glad to hear from you soon. With my best wishes for your happiness. Your sincere friend, — R. W. Adams

Direct to Lieut. R. W. Adams, Ward II, Point Lookout, Maryland