Houston Texas Co. Mo

                                                                                                  March 30^th 1862

 

My Dear Father

            Your letter of 16^thish  was brought me from Rolla last night by Sergt Major Ward. and although of not very recent date was interesting.

 

            I wrote Ellen from this place about a week ago, at which time we were enroute to join Genl. Curtis in Arkansas. much pleased at the prospect, but when on our way some 10 miles west of this place a messenger came in hot pursuit with an order for us to scout through Howell Co towards Arkansas line nearly due South.  I was not in very good humor that we changed our course. but it was ours to obey, and off we went, through the most redeemer forsaken country it has even been my lot to behold, in pursuit of the ignisfatuus like Guerrilla bands marauding around. The second day we arrived in West Plains a Village formerly of some pretentions but at this time almost wholly deserted, 6 stone rooms once filled. were hurriedly vacated at our approach and nothing was in them save a few articles to cumbersome to be taken away.

 

 The Court House was strewn with papers once considered valuable. Wagon loads of Statutes Public Documents Reports tc tc were keeping the Papers Co. I had the curiosity to pick up a few letters found lying around loose among them were some business Firms Lawyers tc in Boston, Buffalo, Chicago and other places to the County Recorder relating to lands the parties had bought or traded for on Speculation which were decidedly funny to one who has seen the said lands.  Most of the land in Howell Co has been sold under the graduation law at 12 ½ cts per acre to speculators living afar off. as no one living near would be fool enough to receive it as a gift.  The fact is all the land save that in the narrow valleys, which have been occupied for years, is entirely worthless it being so covered with rock, lightish sandstone, as to look at a distance as though a light snow had fallen and nothing under heavens can grow on save a few Vitch Vine and scrub oak which cannot be got at on account of the impassable hills.  Our scout was almost fruitless as the rebel bands would scatter at our approach. we captured six men one a rebel Capt. who had a Commission from General Vrico he was a most villainous scoundrel and the most determined rebel I have ever seen. The more I see the more I am satisfied this is to be a protracted war the fighting perhaps may in the main be over soon but large armies will be required to hold the inhabitants in subjection.  The Union residents wont do it. they are persistent in remaining neutral, of one thing I am satisfied it would be much better for the cause at this time if the abolitionists in Congress would cease to aggitate the Slavery Question.  The impression prevails generally in the rebellion states that the object of this war is to Free the Slaves and in order to restore civil authority and concilliate the people their minds have to _____ of this idea.  I have considerable intercourse with these people and they all tell me that could they be satisfied that the policy of the government is not to interfere, they would be perfectly satisfied to support the government heartily, but it is in doubt even yet as the course of the government in this particular and so they hesitate.  Should Slavery be abolished by Military or other decree the Southern people would have to be annihilated before they would submit and there could be no conciliation between the two Sections of the Country during the present Generation at least and immense armies would have to be supported.

 

            The Weather is warm and pleasant and a fine time for scouting. I feel much better when out than when confined in doors and I hope to confirm a vigorous health if I pass safely through this war, and I am desirous of being out as much as possible.

 

            We start on a scout tomorrow through and South of Sharmon Co after which we again return to Salem to recruit ourselves and horses then the Major says he shall go and join Curtis again.

 

            I have never recd the Firkin although I have written to every Railroad Freight office in St Louis. I can hear nothing from it.  I guess it has gone up as the saying is,     I will write to you again on our arrival at Salem.

 

            Our fare is rather hard but I am strong and healthy and can stand scouting as well as any of the Boys.- I rode a strange horse the last trip which trotted awful hard.  My horse had the Lung fever but is now all right again.  I dont like to tell you that I rode him from Salem to Rolla 25 mile in a little more than two hours, making the last 13 miles in just one hour.  The Major and I went alone his horse was pretty much used up.

 

            Our teams were stopped by 25 men the next day but the escort defeated and drove them off.                                      Love to all as ever

                                                                        Your Son

SOURCES