Camp Texas Near Little Rock

June 5^th 1862

 

My Dear Wife

                        We got here yesterday evening safe and sound. We have lost some five or six men on the road but our command is now in very fine health. Some of the Regiments here have 7/8ths of their men sick all of them are suffering heavily but ours. We take care of ours and by discipline & strictness prevent them from exposure and dissipation and see that they take good care of their health. Gen Hindman was very glad to see us and intimated to us that he would give us some hard fighting shortly. We are concentrating a very considerable Texas Army have sufficient to overwhelm all the forces in Arkansas under Curtis We are daily cutting off his supplies with our Cavalry and cutting off his foraging parties. You may expect to hear shortly of stiring times from this direction

 

The Arkansas / people are not turning out as they ought to do with the enemy in their midst, to tell you the truth they are a long ways behind in civilization any how and then I am satisfied that there is a pretty strong element here that dont care how the thing goes off if they have a preference at all it is with the yankees there are thousands of them at home who are going to stay there unless forced away which I hope they may be soon. I see many Missourians here from all parts of the state and from what I can gather from them Missouri will raise an overwhelming army to join us as soon as we can get there and drive away the home guards (yankees) so they can get to us. I am very much pleased with the Missourians Officers and men they have the right sort of pluck. As soon as everything gets settled say a week I will write again and more fully We are all / healthy and happy you must not let those lies started on me by old Hunter & others at Palestine affect you. You may rest assured that I am not unpopular with the regiment but the Cavalry with the exception of some few bad boys that I have punished they all like me very much they tried very hard to get up a muss against me but they were soon silenced by the other men. I could now beat any man except Cal Nelson for the Colonelcy. I find since I have gotten out here that I have but two pairs of drawers and they are both old ones of Nats & dont fit me how did that happen? I miss them very much. One pair I cant wear at all, and this leaves me but one pair! Can you contrive any way to send me a pair or two. I have those two sheets you put up for me for which I find I have no earthly use and I intend / to have them cut up and made into drawers. What do you think of it? If this war last twelve months longer and I get through safe you may look for me barefooted boneheaded and in my shirttail for there is nothing to be had in this country. I am sorry to inform you that I have lost the ring you gave me before we were married. I have never been as much troubled about any loss I ever experienced. You must get me another just like it—plain ring to take its place The first time I can get anything I intend to send you a nice present also Nannie and Conie. God bless my sweet little babies. I intend to send my watch to you and I want you to wear it every day while I am absent and every time your eye falls on it think of your dear husband whose heart is with you always. Whenever you write write to Little Rock and back the letters to Col Nelson's Reg. Tex. Vol. Inf. tell Annie to write you all could write a great deal that would interest me I know nothing that would interest you beyond my own person. I will write you again next Sunday Write to me every Sunday

 

Kiss my sweet babies for me and a kiss to Annie Frank & Helen. My love to Pa Howdy's to all the darkies Ben sends a warriors love to his tender bride He is still breathing vengeance against the yankees. My love to my sweet wife &

                                                                       

Goodbye        

Your aff husband

R T Mill

SOURCES