Head-Quarters Dist of Fla.
Fourth Separate Brigade D.S.
Jacksonville Fla. June 25th/65
Dear Brother:
(Six paragraphs I am omitting here)
Some time since a negro boy came into Jacksonville and reported that he had driven a wagon into this state for Jeff Davis, and was accompanied by one or two other teams, and several officers, and were intending to escape to Cuba, but when they had got as far as Gainesville (FL) they were informed of the capture of Davis, which caused them to abandon the wagons, procure a parole and return to their homes. An officer with a guard was sent out and succeeded in capturing and bringing in one trunk and two chests containing Davis private effects, consisting of a large quantity of clothing, among which were eight dirty lined shirts, and some important papers containing the opinions of all his Cabinet (with one exception) on the armistice agreed upon between Generals Sherman and Johnston; also a device supposed to be a key to the C.S. cipher correspondence.
I send you a wax taper match and a piece of red tape from his private baggage. He had $20000 in rebel money which was also captured.
(one paragraph I am omitting here}
Affectionately
Your Brother
Justus
Included with the last letter:
Inventory of private property of Jefferson Davis, captured at Waldo Fla June 15, 1865
1st One Leather Trunk containing the following articles viz:
Three wollen coats, one linen duster, three pairs pants, three wollen vests, one wollen tippet, one small dressing case, two towels, one pistol (nine shooter), one case of ammunition, one pr wollen socks, one silk under shirt, two pr swollen drawers, one silk scarf, one pistol holster leather, two dressing robes, eight linen shirts (dirty).
2nd One box marked No 1 containing the following named articles, viz:
Fifteen pr socks, five under shirts, three pairs drawers, one double barreled revolver with molds ammunition, etc., quantity of smoking & plug tobacco, case ornaments of brass, brush, comb, and razor strop, one pr of boots, gaiters & slippers (worked), two tooth brushes, one pistol case furnished, one pr holsters with pistols enclosed, two packages metallic cartridges, two pr lace shoes, one pr boots, one pr gauntlets, two pr socks, one roll court plaster, one wollen shirt, one pr drawers, one package of important papers & one small bundle containing eye glassed, a plain ring, etc.
3rd One box marked No 2 containing the following articles, viz:
Private correspondence & miscellaneous papers, blank envelopes & note paper, $20,000 rebel money, six boxes cigars, portraits of Davis, wife, & Gen Lee, two photograph of a Maj. General, one portfolios.
Letters from each of his cabinet on the armistice between Sherman & Johnson.
A wheel within a box, with letters and a note of explanation, supposed to be a key to cipher writing of the C.S.A.
J.M.S.
A New Canaan Private in the Civil War, Letters of Justus M Silliman, 17th Connecticut Volunteers, PP 108-110