Thursday, November 3, 2016

1862 0802 Letter to Charles Stillman from Nat Mitchell

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.

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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 &

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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

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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 

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