DeLand Letter 2 — Nov 13

No surviving manuscript image is available. This transcription is reproduced from the
published newspaper text.

Wen., Nov 13.

Last night about an hour after the above was finished we enjoyed a little of the 
"spice of war." The camp was suddenly alarmed by firing from the pickets, the long 
roll was sounded and the whole brigade was turned out to repel a night attack. The 
alarm was four times repeated, and the men as often called to arms.

The cavalry was quickly thrown out as scouts, and scouted the road for about five 
miles. Company C was the first company out, and notwithstanding the sickness, we 
rallied seventy men--we were detailed to patrol the mountain and for two hours 
marched up the hill, and then marched down again, finding no enemy and retiring 
after a fatiguing march to dreams of laurels and glories lost for the want of 
somebody to fight.

The whole regiment behaved with admirable coolness and quiet, and I verily believe 
would have made a stiff old fight. Of Company C, I am proud to say, they did nobly. 
Every man who was able to stand fell into the ranks and all obeyed orders like 
veterans. When detailed for scouting the mountain, they started off on double quick 
and every man followed the officers with the step and mien of determined men, most 
eager for the fray.

We returned at two o'clock and turned in in merry mood, and today the topic for jokes 
is the "last battle" of the Salt River brigade. The only accident recorded is the 
tearing of Lieut. Purdy's pants while spanning a ravine.

I will send you a full account of the next skirmish -- provided always, &c.

In haste,  
C.V.D.

— The Jackson American Citizen, Nov. 21, 1861
    

DeLand writes that only an hour after finishing his long November 12 letter, the camp was
thrown into alarm by shots from the pickets. The long roll sounded, and the entire brigade
formed to repel what they believed was a Confederate night attack. The alarm was repeated
four times.

Company C, despite widespread sickness, rallied seventy men and was the first company out.
They were ordered to patrol the mountain, marching up and down for two hours without finding
an enemy. DeLand praises their discipline and eagerness, noting that every man able to stand
fell into the ranks.

The only casualty of the night was Lieutenant Purdy’s pants, torn while crossing a ravine.
The next day, the men joked about the “last battle” of the Salt River Brigade.