San Antonio,
Aug.2 1862
My dear friend
Your esteemed favour of ____ date, acknowledging receipt of
the $550.00 came duly to hand & was glad to learn the money had gone safely
to hand. You must excuse my laziness for
not having noticed at an earlier period the receipt of your very welcomed
favour. The fact is, I was kept pretty
busily engaged during the month of July, electionessing, as I was a candidate
for the respectable & heretofore lucrative Office of District Clerk for
this County – and am happy to state, my efforts, united with those of nearly
all the good Secessionists of the County, were crowned with entire
success. Our entire ticket being elected
at the late August, electing notwithstanding the secret, though strong
opposition arrayed against it, by the old Union party, who dare not openly avow
such sentiments, but invariably put forth a ticket in every election in the County. You will have heard, ere this reaches you of
the fight St. McRea of Donahue’s Company, had with a party of 69 renegade
Germans and a few Americans, in the vicinity of Fort Clark. They left 33 dead on the field, asking no
quarters and receiving none. Therefore,
no prisoners were taken.
9/35
We captured 33 st___es small arms, 13 Six Shooters, 83 head
saddle horses & all their camp equipage & provisions – losing on our
side 2 killed on the field & 18 wounded, one of whom has since died of
wound. This party was en route to
the Rio Grande for the purpose of crossing into Mexico & there await the
advent of old Abe’s hurlings [hirelings?] into Texas. they were all well armed & fought with
the most stubborn desperation.
I have no local news of interest to communicate & as
regards war news, you get the same I do and almost as soon. The draught still prevails to an alarming
degree. Stock water is failing in many
portions of the State & in some given out entirely. Many Grist Mills have had to stop for the
want of water, to the great prejudice of the inhabitants generally.
Crops of all descriptions, especially in the grain growing
districts, have yielded about 1/3 of the usual amounts & as a consequence,
breadstuffs are very high & steadily advancing. Every thing to eat & __ __as, has
attained the most fabulous prices. Flour
18 to 20 cents pr lb. Corn & Meal
2.00 to 3$ pr Bu. Bro Sugar 25¢ pr. lb.
Coffee $1.25 pr. lb. Molasses $2.00 pr.
Gal. Soap, Saleratus, Candles etc none
to be had. Ten cent calies [?] @ $1.00
pr. Yd. Bro & Black Dimities -75¢ pr
Yd. Denims $1.50 pr. Yd. Whiskey $4.00 pr. Bottle, bad at that. Brandy all gone. Segars all gone. Tobacco, chewing, 3 to 4$ pr lb. Confederate money abundant &
Shinplasters, still more abundant, The Power
Mills near this City, have not done much as yet. They have a large supply of good material
expect to be able in a short time to turn off daily at least 1000 pounds, which
ought to kill a good many Yanks, expediciously &
[top right page]
energetically applied.
Nearly all the troops in Texas are on the move for Ark. & Miss. The reported capture of Baton Rouge by our
forces, needs confirmation, although it is believed in official circles in this
place. The War spirit still pervades nearly
all classes of our population & are resolved to fight it out with the d d
cut-Throat Hessians to the bitter end, even though everything should be
sacrificed in the resistance, as the hatred for the North is daily inter_______
, but at the same time, all would hail a proclamation of peace with joy &
shouts of gladness, if upon honorable & just bases. The Country West of us, has of late, been
troubled by predatory bands of Indians, killing and stealing. A suitable number of good men, are now in
position to put a check [?] to their wunderous [?] & t___ing
operations. You have never sent me any
Yankee papers, at least, if you have, they have never come to hand. I would esteem it a great favour to receive
one semi occasionally as I like to read their mordeful lust [‘mortiful’ or wonderful
list?] & see their views in regard to the War. On the
last page of hereof please fine a Memorandum of articles much needed by your
humble servant, & which he would like you to purchase for him & send by
Genl. Wm. B. Knox of this place, who has a train of Mule Wagons loaded with
cotton, no en route to Brownsville.
Genl. Knox will be in your City about the time this reaches you, whol I can
recommend to your consideration as a worthy & intelligent gentleman. If you can purchase the needed articles for
Confederate funds, please do so & forward Bill & the amt shall be
forthwith remitted
10/35
if not, please advise me as early as practicable, so that I
may make arrangements accordingly.
Stamps for answer enclosed. I would
not bother you with this trifling matter, could the articles be had here. Genl. Knox has promised to bring them in his
Wagons. Present my kind regards to
friend Howlett & say to him I have never heard from him in relation to my dem_t
from the Brownsville or Rio Grande Lodge & that I would be highly gratified
if he would be kind enough to attend to it for me.
With many wishes for your health & happiness
I am as ever, most truly ______ Nat Mitchell
Memoradum
1 Rs. Bleached Domestic For [?] Shirts
5 or 6 Yds. Linen for Bosoms. Not too fine
1 Doz prs Cotton ½ Hose
No 10 good quality
2 prs Merino Drawers,
Large Sizes
2 pairs Cassimere Pants.
33 In. Legs, 36 _o, Waist
1 ps. French Prints, Purple or Brown, small figures
1 Box Saleratus [precursor to baking soda]
3 Silk Neck ties.
Black
1 pr Calf Sleeves – No 7
1 Merino Under Shirt –
If the Pants are not the be had, please send 6 Yrds. Cassimere,
suitable for winter purpose [?]
Respectfully etc
Nat. Mitchell
No comments:
Post a Comment