18th Texas Infantry

Item CON-8649

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 2 pages, written in period ink.


Camp Rogers
August 15th 1862

My Dearest Anna,

Through the mercies of divine providence, I am permitted to say that I am in good health. I truly hope this may find yourself and dear little Maggie well. I have not been able to hear one word direct from you since I left home. I am very anxious to hear. I hope and trust you have escaped the measles or if not, that it has been light. I hope Brother William, Sister Lou, Cynthia and all are well. I have been looking for the Caption for several days. But not one word can I hear from him since Mr. Watts came up. I fear he has relapsed and that he is on the road sick. I do think he ought to have written. As I wrote by Old Man Williams that we should remain at Lewisville some time. I have not heard from Mr. Williams. We do not know whether our horses ever got back or not. Several persons came up from Cherokee since he started back and none of them met him, as they know of. It is very strange we can hear nothing of Captain Tom. The Colonel is getting very uneasy about him and says if those men who were furloughed as sick for 25 days, and application made for discharges, are not here or accounted for within 20 or 12 days, that they will be advertised as deserters. The discharges have not been acted upon and consequently none of them are discharged. I will here put in the names and you will please show this to Captain Tom. Or if he has left before you get it, let Brother William notify them immediately and inform them of the consequences if they do not come and join the regiment or notify the commander of the cause of delay immediately. The first four were: Asher Jackson, Henry Jackson, Jake Isaacs, and Jake Lewis. The last were: John Harwell, Ab. C. Ball and Richard Hudgins. All applied for discharges but from some unknown cause, none of them were discharged. At least the Colonel has not been notified of it.

I shall look with anxiety for news from you until I hear. I hope Brother Asbery, Sister R and my darling boy are well. We have a great deal of sickness in our regiment. It is thought sickness is abating some. About 50 have died, disease principally measles. Lieutenant Powderall and Rainwater of Captain Knox’s company did this week. Rainwater is the man that killed Finely several years ago. I very much fear Mr. Drewery McCaskill of our company will die. He is very low. Not much hope of his recovery. W. C. Adams is complaining a little this morning. But is up and about. Robert Wilson is at the hospital yet. But is in a manner well. We have only five men in camp unfit for duty. My Dearest Anna. Keep in good cheer. The time may not be for distant when we shall meet again. On, how I would like to see my dear little Maggie. We are doing well in the way of living. Sometimes rations a little short. I went out last Sabbath about 8 miles and got a good country dinner and saw three pretty black-eyed young ladies. Lieutenant McKnight and Mr. Monk was with me. The young ladies were very lively and the family very kind. I told them we were just out from camp hunting a good country dinner. One of the young ladies said she had just put on a big chicken and a peach pie. I asked her if she had any buttermilk. She said yes. And at the same time, said we must stay and dine with them. We accepted of course and spent the day pleasantly. They insisted on our coming out again. Who could refuse? You know Anna, I am bound to stop when I see black eyes. Lieutenant McKnight’s health is bad.

My love to all. Kiss for dear little Maggie and darling. Dear Anna accept the best love of your ever devoted,

Allen A. Cameron

P.S. I bought 20 yards of toile, which I will send home if a chance offers. If not, I will carry it.

A A C.

Direct to Lewisville, Lafayette County, Arkansas. In care of Captain T. R. Benner, Ochiltree’s Regiment.

It is thought we will go from here to Camden, Arkansas, 50 miles distant from here. However, we know but little about it and I will write to Brother William soon.