Port Sullivan

Texas

April 28^th/61

 

Dear Father

            Yours of the 8^th inst. was received to day. I have heretofore answered every letter that I have received from home. Your not receiving them must be owing to mail irregularities

 

            War has commenced! Abe Lincoln has thrown the first stone! The South will fight to the last. The result will be a long and bloody war.

 

            Under the circumstances, I may practice my profession here for years, and my patients not being able to sell their cotton can not pay me for / years—Hence what is the use of my peddling pills?

 

            I think I shall go into the Army of the South. I have already received the appointment of Surgeon to a company of "Texas Rangers". I have accepted it. What else can I do? War is now the only business. You know I received my earliest education in the U.S. Army. My ambition is strong, and my courage will carry me through. In these civil wars men are frequently cast to the surface who otherwise would never have been heard from. All my life I have been an adventurer and have nothing but my life to lose. Should / this trouble be settled in a few months I can then return to my Southern home, with the full confidence of all Southern men.

 

            Times here are as usual—money is tight,—but credit is good. How long the latter may last God alone knows.

 

            Our planters intend to plough up their cotton and plant corn. Our soldiers can live untill Abe Lincolns bullets kill them.

 

            Do not think from this that I am becoming astranged from my family and friends of the north. Remember here I have the road open to wealth, fame / and honor. There I had nothing but starvation before me.

 

            I am engaged to be married to a warm hearted, accomplished and influential Southern lady. I think she will wait for my return

 

            Love to Mother. with her I hope the "first ball will kill Abe Lincoln". However there is no hopes of that.

 

Love to Zada her affecionate letter of the 8^th inst was rec^d to day, and will soon be answered.

 

            I heard nothing from Edwin.

 

Love to Becca. Tell her that that D^r Wilson has written me a satisfactory letter.

 

Love to Vira. Her letter will be answered soon.

 

Love to Sam & King /

 

—Continued—

Tell them that this war will break up all my prospects of having them with me for the present. Write soon, and accept the love of             

 

Affectionately

W^m /

 

P. S. Our company will march next Monday week. If I can I will keep you posted.

W^m—

SOURCES