General History of Indian Key Camp Bell Letters By Jerry Wilkinson Transcript from National Archives microfilm publication #1084, roll 9 Letters sent, registers of letters received, troops in Florida, and Headquarters, Department of Florida, 1850 - 1858. Microfilm copy at Islamorada Public Library.  - Letter 1 - (Frame 0664) Major F. N. Page Asst. Ajt. General Dept. of Fl° Indian Key Fla September 15`h 1857 Sir:          The yellow fever having broken out at Key West of a very malignant type, I have after consulting the medical officer at this post, deemed it prudent to remove the command to this place, we left Key West on the 12th inst. & arrived here on the 14th. As it was impossible to know how far the men may have been infected, I thought it unsafe & imprudent to take them to any military post. So far there is no appearance of the fever among the men & I trust I have not delayed the men too long. I trust the course I have pursued will meet the approbation of the Col. commanding the dept. as there was no time for consultation. I have employed a reliable citizen to take charge of the barracks at $75 a month & a ration & I have left the only man of my company not subject to yellow fever to assist him.          My own health is very much improved, having had a severe attack of those periodical chills & fevers, to which I have been subject since I was at Fort Myers & I find very great difficulty in writing this communication. Respectfully Your Obt. Svt. J. H. Winder Capt. 1 Artillery Cmd. Post - Letter 2 - (frame 0668) Maj. F. N. Page Asst. Ajt. General Dept. of Fl°. Indian Key October 3, 1857  Sir       In obedience to instructions I enclose certificates of disability in the case of Private Richard Clarke of Comp. G 1' Art. as the certificates referred to in paragraph 163 Gen. Regulations, are for discharge - And paragraph 165 forbidding the discharge of insane Soldiers, I presumed that certificates of disability did not apply to this case. - Respectfully, Your obt. svt. J. H. Winder Capt 1st Artillery Comd. Post - Letter 3 - (frame 0668) Indian Key October 23d 1857 Col:       Mr. Bethel desired me to write you & say that he had written to Blucher Bethel to see if he would  act as pilot into the lake and around that quarter, in answer, he said he could pilot them & would do so for $75 a month -       The fever still hangs on in Key West I think I shall go down in a few days. - Respectfully Your obt. svt.  J. H. Winder - Col Loomis Tampa Bay   ------------------------ The End

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