Fort Brown Dec 1^st 1862

 

My Dear Sister

                        As Mr Johnson is going to start for Lavaca tomorrow I thought it was too good an opportunity for sending a letter to let it pass with out availing myself of it although it has only been a little more than a week since I last wrote. The following monday morning after last writing to you I was taken into the Quartermaster's office where I have been ever since. I am in Holt's place who was accting Q.M. Sergt, and will keep if nothing happens to prevent untill his return.

 

I am very well satisfied with the place although I am generally kept pretty busy all day, but that is far prefferable to laying in camp doing nothing all the time, and then I will have a chance to improve my hand writing and also to read and study at night as I have a little room to myself John Davis is rooming with me now however, but as we are both inclined to keep still we are not much bother to one another in the reading and studying line. Our Company has again been mooved out in the brush on account / of the impossibility of getting corn for our horses and I have heard some talk that we were to be moved entirely off of the river, but I do not credit it. Ed was in town this evening and looked quite fat and hearty. The company is only about seven miles distant and there are some of them in most every day. I was over in Matamoros a little while yesterday morning and went in to the Catholic church while service was going on. They every thing on a large scale of nonsense and ridiculoseness over in that church. The old priest cutting up his shines and pranks puts me more in mind of some fool or idiot than any thing else. They have no seats and all are obliged to kneel or stand. The rich ladies have cushons to kneel on while the poor ones have to kneel on the floor. I have seen Mr Warner out here he told me that he intended remaining in this place and starting a store, and also invited me to come up and see them when they had commenced houskeeping. I think I will do so, as I would like very much to have the opportunity of visiting a nice family occasionally, to keep me from forgetting my manners if nothing else. I have received two letters from Phe since receiving yours which were written after the shelling of Lavaca. I am very glad you have Travis home once more. I wish it was so that / he could stay at home and all of the rest of us. It must have given Frank a good deal of pleasure on meeting Travis. by the by I have written to Frank since receiving your letter telling me how and where to address him but whether he will ever receive it or not is more than I can say I hope so however. Well dear sister Good Bye much love to all, and accept a great deal for yourself, and also give my kindest regards to Travis if he is yet with you. Kiss all of the little ones for me. I remain as ever your loving brother

W. H. Beaumont

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