[HOUSTON]
TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH
1863
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, January 30, 1863, p. 1, c.
2
Rutersville Female College.—A Tableaux and Concert was given by the
young ladies of this Institution at the close of the Fall session, 23d inst.
It was held in the Baconion Hall of the Texas Military Institute.
One hundred and seventy-five dollars was received at the door. The money is to be sent by Lieut. Col. Ferrill, to the Rev.
Mr. Bunting, to be expended for the benefit of the Texas Rangers.
As the weather was unpropitious, at the request of the audience, the
scenes will be reproduced on the 28th inst.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, January 30, 1863, p. 1, c.
5
Houston, Jan. 29th, 1863.
Mr. Cushing:--The whole amount received at the Supper and Party on last
Friday evening, including money donations, was about $1,460, of which amount
nearly $240 was absorbed in expenses. The
music, rent of room, and expenses of lighting and arranging the Hall amounted to
$200. We enclose the receipt of Mr.
Longcope, to whom we have handed over the money to disburse for the objects
contemplated. We are under a great
many obligations to the gentlemen and ladies who so kindly assisted us, both
before and on the night of the party.
Very respectfully,
Mollie Wright,
Fannie Cruger.
Houston, January 27, 1863.
Received of Mrs. Molly Wright and Miss Fannie Cruger, committee, the sum
of twelve hundred and twenty-five dollars, which is to be applied to the benefit
of the wounded and sick soldiers in the Hospitals at Galveston and Houston.
Chas. S. Longcope, Receiver.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, January 30, 1863, p. 1, c.
5
For Sale.
15
bales
4 ¼ broad sheeting,
8
"
4-4 bleached sheeting,
2
"
5-4 bleached sheeting,
10
"
cotton checks,
8
"
hickory stripes,
8
"
cottonade, (extra heavy)
6
"
gray blankets,
1
"
linen drill,
3
"
linen dress goods,
250 dozen cotton handkerchiefs,
5 cases prints,
5 bales mosquito netting,
100 packs pins,
100 sacks coffee,
70 Mexican saddles, &c., &c.
T. H. McMahan & Gilbert.
January 23, 1863.
Next issue:
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, February 13, 1863, p. 2, c.
5
San Antonio, Jan. 29, 1863.
Editor Telegraph: . . . In the Telegraph of the 23d, we were surprised to
see it stated the Sibley Brigade "has not been paid by the Government, nor
has it received any comforts from the people."
Our society made the brigade 2000 pairs of drawers, 21 shirts, 51 pairs
of pants, 23 blankets, 93 bed sacks, 143 pillow sacks and four flags, before
their departure to New Mexico. After
the return of the brigade, $2000 worth of Material was purchased and made up in
this place for their benefit. Respectfully,
A. J. Maclin, Pres. S. A. S.
E. Sweet, Vice President.
M. A. Maverick, Treasurer.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, February 13, 1863, p. 2, c.
4
We are requested to say that the Ladies of Montgomery and its vicinity
will give an entertainment, consisting of Music, Tableaux and a Supper, the
nights of the 19th and 20th of February, for the benefit
of our brave defenders in Gen. Hood's Brigade.
Price of admission, $2, children half price.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, February 13, 1863, p. 2, c.
4
The Washington Festival.—Our amateurs are setting to work with
enthusiasm for the entertainment to take place at Perkins' Hall on the 23d
inst., for the benefit of Hood's Brigade, and every effort will be made to
render it the most complete and attractive affair of the season.
A new feature of the programme will be the introduction of acted charades
or petite dramas, so framed as to suggest a word or words, to be guessed
by the audience. They are
exceedingly funny in themselves and with the mirth created by the good or bad,
and the good or bad guessing of the hearer, and the good or bad acting of our
amateur will produce a scene of merry excitement fit to satisfy the most ardent
lover of Momus. Of the other
attractions we shall speak as the arrangements progress.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, February 16, 1863, p. 1, c. 4
A Battle Flag for Col. Reily's Regiment.
We are gratified to learn that a Battle Flag has been presented to this
brave and veteran regiment. They
have fairly won this honor from the lovely and appreciative women of Texas.
These tried troops will never desert or disgrace their colors.
Col. James Reily, 1st Regiment,
Sibley's Brigade, 4th Reg't, T. M. V.
Colonel—Hearing that your gallant Brigade has been ordered by the
Commanding General to have your Galveston honors embroidered upon your
standards, we could not resist the pleasure of preparing a flag, for the special
occasion and presentment to your regiment.
Your weather-beaten banner that has so often floated upon Arizona breezes
and beneath New Mexico skies, might with just propriety claim the inscription. But Houston feels that it is her privilege to present to you,
(you, who have so constantly and patriotically upheld her honor) and to your
brave officers and men, this flag, commencing as you did the new year with two
victories, whose deathless names shall soon entwine proudly and gracefully with
those of the glorious days of the Republic of Texas.
Our prayer is, that this banner may go before you as the pillar of fire
and the cloud did before the Israelites—leading you to fresh triumph over the
foe, and leading you all safely at last to the Promised Land of a peaceful,
united, independent, liberated Confederacy.
God bless and preserve you all.
Mrs. Jane M. Young,
Mrs. C. M. Allen,
Mrs. A. J. Burke.
Houston, February 7th, 1863.
--------
Headquarters, Sibley's Brigade,
}
Houston, Feb. 7th, 1863.
}
Mrs. Jane M. Young, Mrs. C. M. Allen and Mrs. A. J. Burke
and Associates:
The battle-flag made by you for my regiment (1st Reg. Sibley's
Brigade) has been received, and will be presented to my fellow soldiers, whom it
is intended to honor. I hail it as
the token of the confidence which some of the loveliest women of Texas
repose in the courage and patriotism of some of the bravest men of Texas.
Sustained by strong arms and fearless hearts, it marches to float in
triumph, over a new theatre of danger and of glory.
Upon its crimson field, your fair hands have embroidered the battles on
which these gallant troops have met and vanquished the abolition foe, and
with the blessing of God, when peace is restored, and our national independence
secured, we hope to return it to you, to inscribe on it the names of other
victories equally as gallant as those already achieved by their heroism.
The officers and men you thus compliment are proud of your confidence,
and on their behalf I promise you that the flag entrusted to their valor, will
never be lowered in defeat, until the last one of its guard shall have fallen
"With his feet to the foe
And his face to the sky."
With sentiments of highest respect.
James Reily
Col. 4th R. T. M. V. and Commanding Sibley's
brigade.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, February 16, 1863, p. 2, c.
1
There will be a Concert and a tableaux at Washington, Washington county,
on the 2d and 3d of March, for the benefit of Hood's Brigade.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, February 16, 1863, p. 2, c.
1
Among the features of the times, is the impulse given to domestic
industry and invention by the blockade. We
had the pleasure of examining a new invention last week, by Mr. Hogan—a peg
making machine. It is an ingenious
affair and is well worthy inspection by the curious.
It is in daily operation at the end of the bridge near the Central
Railroad depot.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, February 28, 1863, p. 2, c. 3
New Ulm.
[illegible] an otherwise unimportant village may [illegible] throw light
on subjects of conversation [illegible] me to talk of New Ulm—"Notorious
New Ulm"—a place of very little notice, situated in Austin county, near
the line of Colorado and Fayette counties; formerly a peaceable village,
[illegible] of late acquired an ill-renowned name, on account of the so-called
insurrectionary movement of the town and its vicinity.
We know that a rumor has spread throughout the [illegible] and probably
throughout the Confederacy that the citizens of foreign birth (and this class
forms at least one-half of the white population in Washington, Fayette, Colorado
and Austin counties) were not true to the Southern cause.
To annihilate this accusation, we will only point to the muster-rolls of
Waul's Legion, of Sibley's Brigade, of Elmore's, Allen's and other regiments on
this and the other side of the Mississippi, where the sons of our so-called
German neighbors, as volunteers, represent their fathers' names three and four
fold. When the conscription took
place, there was scarcely a single man to be found; and we suppose that men of
families who have no slaves to provide for a subsistence, had enough excuse to
tend their little farms until their country called for them.
Go through these counties, and you will find none but old men, women and
children at home, and the little fields, formerly so neatly cultivated, growing
up in weeds.
New Ulm, or at least that part of the population which is gifted with a
human heart, has reason to complain very much.
Some five or six citizens, all quiet, peaceable and industrious men, were
arrested by a military force—it was said by order of a higher officer.
The soldiers were conducted by personal enemies of those men, and when
they were made prisoners, torn away from their families at the midnight hour,
they were beaten and dragged out of their houses.
Their women and children were most horribly abused, so as to leave the
ladies, beaten black and blue and senseless, in a gorge of blood on the ground! A. D., 1863!
These people were not mistreated by the soldiers, no. The military men saw the outrages with disgust.
It was the personal enemies of these people, their immediate neighbors,
who are, we are sorry to say, natives, not of Texas, (Tex. don't produce such
stuff,) but of this continent. The
prisoners were conducted, or driven at the point of the bayonet, from one camp
to another, from one dungeon to another, and finally, after a week's
imprisonment, delivered up to the Provost Marshal of their respective counties,
then given up to the sheriff, who told them:
"Gentlemen, there are no charges against you; you may go home."
Aint it pretty?
We ask, in the name of humanity, why can't those men have a trial?
If these men are guilty of treason, we say hang them all in a row!
But if they show that they have been willfully and maliciously slandered,
which we believe is the case, then let the transgressors of the law and order
have their just punishment.
It is no small matter to be denounced as a traitor, without even the
chance of obtaining an inquest. Men
who have to leave to their children but little more than a name, it is a poor
inheritance to be called a traitor's son.
We see among those implicated none but honest men, who have resided in
Texas from 15 to 25 years, some men too who have taken up arms in defence of the
country, long before the day of annexation, [illegible] of these men, thus
maltreated, have their sons and relatives engaged in the cause of our country.
We say, for God's sake give them a trial, give them justice.
Bro. Dutch.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, February 28, 1863, p. 2, c.
4
Fresh Garden Seeds just received from
Matamoros.
James Burke.
February 28, 1863.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, February 28, 1863, p. 1, c.
4
Notice.—The thanks of the soldiers' wives and families of Brazoria
county are hereby tendered to J. Betts, of Brazos county, for his liberal
donation of fifteen hundred bushels of corn for their use, and we hope it may be
to him "As bread cast upon the waters to return to him after many
days," for to many, while their husbands are battling for their country,
this act of generosity will be a blessing."
Thos. Johnston,
Chief Justice, on behalf of the wives, &c.
Next issue:
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, March 20, 1863, p. 2, c. 1
To Our Customers.
Before the war we bought paper at $3 per ream.
The same paper is now held at $50 per ream.
We then paid 40 cents per thousand composition.
We now pay $1. We then had rapid mails to bring intelligence, at little or
no cost. We have had to establish
expresses of our own now, at a heavy cost.
Our expenses last week for expressing and telegraphing alone were $250.
Every other expense of publishing has gone up proportionately, and we
have the alternative before us of either failing in business, or raising our
prices of subscription. We have
chosen the latter. While, however,
a corresponding advance in the price of our paper, to cost of production, would
put it at $25 a year, we have determined to try to publish it at only double
former rates, at which all new subscriptions from this date will be entered.
As our subscribers have paid in advance, we shall continue their papers
at former rates until July 1st, at which time such as notify us to
discontinue their papers will have the balance due them refunded; otherwise
their names will be entered anew and credited with one half the time still due
them on the books. We know of no
other way to arrange the matter, which will be as fair and honest to all
concerned as this.
It is a matter of no little regret to us to be obliged to pursue this
course. We have felt a pride in
keeping at old prices, hoping to be able to continue thro' the war at those
rates. But it is evident to us that
this sort of pride goeth before destruction as well as any other. We yield to hard necessity.
We had hoped, also, before doing this, to resume our publication on white
paper, a considerable supply of which is on the way; but we must still ask
indulgence of our readers for a while longer.
We shall do our best to give them good measure for their money.
If any are not satisfied, we will cheerfully part with them; indeed, part
as friends, for we feel that we oblige our subscribers far more in publishing a
paper like the Telegraph than they do us in buying it.
Three compositors wanted at this office immediately.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, March 20, 1863, p. 2, c. 1
Among the articles which have been donated to the Fair for the 2d Texas
Regiment, we notice the following, all of which will be drawn by lottery,
Tuesday evening, the 24th inst., at Perkins' Hall:
2 fine family sewing machines; 1 superior four octave melodeon; 1
Colton's atlas, in two volumes; 1 magnificent guitar; 1 large large box
telescope, with 50 plates; 1 elegant white crape shawl; 2 acres of land
adjoining the city of Houston; 1 splendid gold watch and chain; 1 worked table
cover, the model ship "Harriet Lane," a fine oil painting, also a
pincushion made and donated by a Federal sailor, the whole amounting in value to
$3,500. The plan upon which this
lottery will be conducted will be novel and equitable, and we recommend it to
the attention of our readers. Remember
Perkins' Hall, Tuesday evening, March 24th.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, March 20, 1863, p. 2, c. 4
San Antonio, March 9th.
Editor Telegraph:--Dear Sir—Mrs. Captain R. King, of the Santa
Gertrudes, has enclosed $200 to the "Ladies' Southern Aid Society,"
San Antonio, to be disposed of in the most beneficial manner. As far as I can learn the troops in this State are well cared
for by their friends at home. I
think Bryan's Hospital that ministers to the wants of our sick and wounded
Texians far from home and friends, has the best right to it.
I also enclose $110 from Mr. Maverick's servants Betsy and Rosetta, for
the same hospital.
Their patriotism needs special notice.
After contributing largely from their own earnings, they gave two
suppers, which would have done credit to white people, and send the proceeds to
aid our Southern soldiers, and to show their detestation of the Yankees.
Our servant boy Joe, sends $23 for the same purpose, and thinks if he had
the time to go among his darkee friends, and the "gift of the gab" he
thinks he has, he could raise perhaps enough to crush out the whole Yankee
nation.
Respectfully,
A. J.
Maclin,
President S. A. S.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, March 20, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
School Books—I have on hand a good supply of the following School
Books: READERS—Eclectic, (McGuffey's);
National—(Parker and Watson's) No's 1 to 5 inclusive. GRAMMARS—Bailey's and Clark's.
ARITHMETICS—Smith's, Davies' Intellectual. ALGEBRAS—Davies'. SURVEYING—Davies'.
BOOK KEEPING, Smith and Martin's. BOTANIES,
Darby's and Lincoln's. Speech
Books, Dictionaries, Definers, etc.
March 19
James Burke.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, March 23, 1863, p. 1, c. 4
Editor Telegraph:--As I believe that there are many in the "Lone
Star State" who like to hear from the brigade, I will occupy a short space
in your columns with the account of what I saw in Richmond.
Among the first attractions in which Texas has an interest, stands most
prominently the Texas Hospital, a very large building capable of accommodating
300 patients very comfortably, and 350 if put to the push.
Dr. Lindly has the entire supervision, assisted by Dr. Dandridge, both
from Texas. Dr. Hughes is likewise
a sharer in the duties, though not as yet commissioned. Dr. Allen of Washington county, has been with the institution
since its establishment, but leaves for Texas in a few days.
All the offices of clerk, steward, matron, nurses, &c., are filled by
Texians; Mr. and Mrs. Fenell, of Houston, holding the positions of steward and
matron respectively, with great satisfaction to all concerned.
The sick are delighted with this successful hospital, and I am rejoiced
to see how completely all works for the general good—fulfilling to the letter
the description that I gave your readers, when to Richmond last, of what we
ought to have.
In this age of hero-glorifying, much encomium may be expected from the
author of this letter in relation to the surgeon in charge; but I know that such
would be distasteful to him, and I will say simply that he is as accomplished in
his profession as he is gentlemanly in his relations with the patients, and
before being assigned to our hospital was surgeon in charge of the Kent
Hospital, situated on Main street, which, under his administration, was
considered as among the best arranged establishments in the city—it has since
been closed.
I had occasion to notice that some letters lack the friendly interest
which was felt in the different regiments for those of the other regiments
comprising the brigade. There was
no jealousy; all had confidence in each other; and petty quarrels, frequently so
common among troops, do not occur. From
the Brigadier General commanding down to the private, we feel that we are all
friends, and that the 1st, 4th, and 5th Texas
Regiments have one aim, one home, one destiny.
Desiring to see how this idea was carried out in the hospital, where all
three regiments were thrown together, I was most gratified to learn from the
inmates that every favor was dealt out with an impartial hand; that all
shared alike in its privileges and its comforts; and I here, in a public way,
beg the friends of this brigade to be thankful for the many immunities we do
receive, and not let their gratitude be soured by any suspicion that one
regiment has precedence before another. . . .
Among the latest intelligence we have that the Federal (abolition)
officers, captured at Galveston, have the freedom of the city upon their
parole—this is doubtless correct, for Gen. Magruder is competent to decide in
such a case—but "that private hospitalities should be tendered to
them," seems so atrocious that one fairly doubts his senses.
These men in blue coats had enlisted to bring back our country to
abolition rule—had the first Manassas proved a success to them, our noble
President and his Cabinet would have swung for their alleged treason.
These blue coats came to Texas to overrun the country, to free the
negroes, to give them arms if they would use them, to confiscate all the
property of those who would not take the oath of allegiance to Mr. Lincoln's
despotism, talk of making the State of Texas a Territory—these men have
received "the hospitalities of private citizens."
Where are the noble Rogers, Upton, Terry, Lubbock, Ben McColloch [sic],
Albert S. Johnson [sic]? It may be
said they are not responsible, it is false, they are—they could resign their
commissions, "and have no lot nor part in this matter."
We are told by Divine authority to forgive our enemies, an injunction I
devoutly pray to acknowledge; but if we treat these murderers (for what else are
they, if you bear in mind the history of the war) as courteously as the law
directs, feed them and permit them the freedom of the town, are we not doing as
much, nay more than they deserve? Oh!
Houston, whose sons have spilt their blood so freely for your honor, let
not your sisters, Fredericksburg and Nashville, have cause to blush for your
want of sympathy in their distress. I
trust that my correspondent may be mistaken, and I am earnest in my hope that he
is. If he is correct, it must have been because but little
thought had been paid to the terrible struggle in which we are engaged, the
effects of which are everywhere visible in the mourning of the ladies, and the
sorrow stricken homes.
Yours, very respectfully,
Arthur H. Edey.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, March 23, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
Free Trade and Constitutional Rights
Free Trade has been a favorite theme of ours in past years. It might have been a prominent theme in the last two years,
in view of existing circumstances, but that we have been over-persuaded to be
quiet "for the good of the country"; although feeling all the time it
was very hard for the citizens to run the blockade of both Old Abe and of our
own defenders for such necessaries as they were obliged to have from foreign
countries. . . .
It may seem a little singular after what the government agents have said
about speculators trading with the enemy, but we have reason to believe that
contracts have been made in Richmond with agents of New York and Philadelphia
houses for the exchange in Matamoros of cotton for government supplies!
This may be something that ought not to be said, and if the legislature
was in session we should expect resolutions about it voted for by men who would
the next moment vote to buy 50,000 pairs of cotton cards with State cotton,
every one of which is made in Massachusetts, and the Southern demand for which
is making the cotton card business a little the most thriving now done in that
'cute State. The only difference between those made there now and
formerly, is that the latest made have no manufacturer's mark. . . .
Reader, the paper before you was bought of a citizen of Texas who
purchased it in Matamoros of a citizen of Mexico.
Where he got it we don't know, but we are morally certain that it came
first from New York, from the fact that it is a style of paper made nowhere
else. What do you say? Would read the brown paper during the war rather than use it?
But that was made in New York, too.
You wouldn't read any then? Pardon
us, but noses are too valuable to be cut off to spite not your own face but
somebody's else.
It is so with a vast variety of supplies.
It is a curious fact, to say the least of it, that some of the gunpowder
used in the battle of Galveston, to capture the 42d Massachusetts Regiment, was
manufactured in Boston last year, about the time that regiment enlisted, and
reached us in the course (we don't say due course) of trade!
It is likewise a curious possibility, that some of the shoes worn by our
men were made by these Massachusetts men long after the war began.
It is a curious fact, that some of the gold brought back into the State
by patriotic citizens in exchange for cotton, and which is too good to pay debts
with, bears the Philadelphia mint mark. Whether
it is dated since secession, we don't know; it is not unlikely. . . .
The sovereignty of these States lies not in cotton nor corn, nor the
President, nor the Legislature, nor in the creatures of these, the military, but
in the people; and the charter they have given to the Government is the
Constitution. Whoever walks over or
rides over, or in any way gets over, that commits an act, to say the least, of
disregard to the sovereignty; if he injured the interests of the people he
commits an act of hostility to the sovereignty; and if he does this maliciously
it is treason.
We accord to our civil authorities all the patriotism any man can
possess. We believe they have been
actuated only by the purest motives. To
the commanders of the army in Texas we attribute the same.
They are all noble and devoted lovers of their country.
But we suggest, in all respect and good feeling for them, whether it
would not be better to try the experiment of allowing the Constitution and laws
to measure the allegiance of citizenship, and especially whether it would not be
better to let trade with neutrals be at least as open as our enemy is willing.
We believe it would. We have
always believed so. We have not
obeyed our own judgment in looking quietly upon interference, and having tried,
to our own satisfaction, the ideas of those to whom we deferred, we beg
respectfully to bring our own forward now, and leave them to the good sense of
our readers, both sovereign and servant.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, March 23, 1863, p. 2, c. 3
We had the pleasure of a call, a day or two since, from Mrs. Lancaster,
editress of the Washington Ranger. Her
husband, Mr. Lancaster, and her sons having gone into the service for the war.
She is left at home with one son, a mere boy, by whose help she is
determined to keep her husband's paper afloat during the war.
Her energy is exceedingly commendable and should be sustained.
Besides she is foremost in getting up benefit concerts, fairs, etc., for
the hospital funds for Texas soldiers, and in this way accomplishes a vast deal
of good.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, March 23, 1863, p. 2, c. 3
Well done old Brazoria. In
answer to the call made upon the people of the State to raise a Hospital Fund
for Hood's Brigade, Brazoria has proved herself the banner county, having by
subscription and otherwise, sent to us for that purpose over SEVEN THOUSAND
DOLLARS. The sick and wounded of
that glorious body of men will not forget the liberality which Brazoria county
has exhibited, and the generous character of her people will be duly appreciated
by those who may be the beneficiaries of the fund now being raised.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, March 23, 1863, p. 1, c. 4
We call the attention to the following short address to the ladies of
Texas. How much our brave boys have
suffered in Arkansas, how many have died, and what numbers are now languishing
upon beds of sickness, need not be enumerated.
There are thousands who require the assistance which the ladies signing
the address propose to give, and we know that this call will be responded to in
the same liberal and generous spirit that has been shown hitherto by the women
of Texas. Let us see who will do
most:
To the Patriotic Ladies of Texas.
The undersigned having been creditably informed that our Texas troops in
Arkansas have suffered, and are now suffering from sickness and disease,
incident to an unhealthy country, and that hundreds (we may say thousands) have
died, mostly for want of necessaries and proper attention, respectfully
recommend to the ladies of this State the great necessity of giving
entertainments and taking up subscriptions for our suffering troops in Arkansas. For the purpose of assisting in this object of mercy, a grand
entertainment will be given at this place, on Friday and Saturday, the 24th
and 25th of April;--also, subscriptions will be received by either of
the undersigned.
It is to be hoped that our patriotic citizens who have been so liberal in
donating to the hospitals of our Texas soldiers in Virginia and Tennessee, will
be equally as liberal towards those in Arkansas, who have suffered more from
sickness than any of our troops in the Confederacy.
At Arkansas Post, one of the most sickly places West of the Mississippi
river, the deaths average from four to six per day, and the condition of the
hospital was such, that many of our brave volunteers preferred to linger and die
in their tents than be taken there. We
have more Texas soldiers in Arkansas than in any other State, and we regret to
say less has been done for them, notwithstanding death has thinned their ranks
by sickness and disease, more than among any of our troops in any other States.
Such being the facts, shall we turn a deaf ear to the cries of our
suffering fathers, husbands, sons and brothers?
For ourselves, and in the name of our young, noble and chivalric State,
we say—No Never!
Mrs. Eva Lancaster,
Mrs. Mary Lockett,
" Jas.
Heard,
" B. F.
Rucker,
" Burkhead,
" Cartmell,
Miss Myra Johnson,
Miss Bessie Spann,
Committee.
Washington, Texas, March 18, 1863.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, March 23, 1863, p. 2, c. 4
Bastrop, Texas, March 14th, 1863.
Editor Telegraph—Permit me, through your paper, in behalf of the Texian
soldiers in Arkansas, to most heartily thank the ladies of Bastrop for the sum
of $1,863.50, handed me by Mrs. H. Crochern, Mrs. E. J. Orgain and Mrs. C. K.
Hall, proceeds of concert and tableaux given by the ladies of Bastrop on the 23d
February for the benefit of the sick Texian soldiers in Arkansas; and to assure
them that they will ever be remembered and blessed by hundreds of the sick and
suffering Texians who will be made to shed tears of joy at the though of being
thus kindly remembered by the loved ones at home; and their names will be the
watchword of thousands of others who know that their comrades are thus kindly
cared for. This is but one of the
many timely favors we have received at their hands.
Twice since my company entered the service, has it been furnished with
uniform clothing, complete, by the patriotic ladies of old Bastrop, and there
are many others that have been kindly cared for by them.
Most nobly are the women of Texas bearing their portion of the burthen of
the war, and if we will only do our duty as well, we will yet be free.
Truly
yours,
H. S. Morgan,
Capt. Co. B, 18th Texas Cavalry.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, March 23, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
Just received and for sale by the undersigned the following goods:
1000 pair Cotton Cards; 5000 yards genuine French Calico; 1000 yards
genuine French bleached Domestic; 1000 Canton flannel; 2 bales Camblet Jeans;
Black sewing silk and a great many other goods too numerous to mention.
S. Sterne.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, March 23, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
Lost—On Saturday, March 21st, in Houston, a Morocco
Memorandum Book, containing about $78, Confederate notes, with a furlough,
signed Thos. Green, Colonel, commanding 5th Regiment, T. M. V., and
other papers. The book contained
notes taken throughout the New Mexico campaign, and of value to me.
The finder, if an honest man, will be suitably rewarded; if not, return
the book to my address, or to E. H. Cushing, Houston, and no questions will be
asked.
C. D. Bigler, Navasota.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, March 23, 1863, p. 4
Note: Map of
Vickburg area
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, March 30, 1863, p. 1, c. 3
Just received and for sale, by the undersigned, a splendid assortment of
English and French Dry Goods, viz:
30 bales English and French prints; 30 bales Imperials; 10 do cottonade;
8 do English cloth; 4 do handkerchiefs; 60 doz hoop skirts; 3 cases spools ball
thread; 50 bales Indian bagging; a large quantity of rope; 100 doz cotton
cards—No. 9 and 10. Also,
500 reams printing paper; 80 sacks Mexican flour, superior quality; 20
sacks coffee; 7000 lbs. gun power [sic].
Louis Pless.
Houston, March 25th, 1863.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, March 30, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
It is thought by some that goods are lower in this city than they have
been. We cannot see it in making
purchases. Some lots of inferior
unseasonable and damaged goods have been sold at a low figure, but damaged goods
are not the market by any means. There
is a good supply of merchandize in Houston now, some of it being old Galveston
stocks that have been boxed up ever since the war began till now, and other
having been brought from Mexico. Goods
may be lower than they have been, but we will guarantee that whoever buys them
will not do it because they are cheap, for the present at least.
And we can assure owners of goods at Matamoros that they can find no
better market in Texas to consign them to than Houston.
There is plenty of demand for all that will come and at tremendous
profits. When flax thread is $18
per lb., imperials $1.75@$2.00 per yard, printing paper $50 per ream, linseed
oil $20 per gallon, and alcohol $30, and everything else in proportion, there is
nothing to be lost in bringing them to this market.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, March 30, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
The two acres of land given by Mrs. Runnells to the Fair of the 2d Texas,
was drawn by master Theodore Dumble. It
brought $500 to the fund.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, March 30, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
Cooks, Washerwomen and Nurses wanted, for which a liberal price will be
paid at the General Hospital, Galveston.
W. E. Oakes, M. D., A. A. Surgeon.
march 30.
Next issue:
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, April 15, 1863, p. 1, c. 2
Found.—A gold Texas Star, which the owner can have by proving property,
paying charges. Apply to S. Blum.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, April 15, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
A large auction sale of negroes took place at Col. Sydnor's auction store
yesterday, consisting of sixty, mostly field negroes, men, women and children.
They were sold in lots or families, and brought $105,000, or about $1750
each. From a casual glance at the
catalogue, we should judge this would give an average of about $2250 for good
field hands, which may be regarded as about their price.
The negroes were a good lot, though there were many children among them.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, April 17, 1863, p. 1, c. 3
Editor Telegraph—Enclosed find $2700, net proceeds of dinner, fair,
concert and tableaux given by the ladies of LaGrange and Fayette county, for the
benefit of the Arizona Hospital, for Col. Hardeman's command:
[list]
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, April 20, 1863, p. 2, c. 4
How to Make Lard Candles.—To every eight pounds of lard add one ounce
of nitric acid; and the way of making is as follows:
Having carefully weighed your lard, place it over a slow fire, or at
least merely melt it; then add the acid, and mould the same as tallow, and you
have a clear beautiful candle. In
order to make them resemble sperm candles you have only to add a small portion
of white beeswax.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, April 24, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
We have received from T. W. Chappell, Esq., the sum of two thousand four
hundred and two dollars for the Terry Rangers, being the proceeds of a Fair
given by the young ladies of Chappell Hill and vicinity, on the night of the 4th
inst., and a donation of $25 from Mrs. Ann M. Affleck.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, April 29, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
Sale of Negroes.—Yesterday the sale of the negroes belonging to Gen. H.
P. Bee, took place at the auction rooms of Col. J. S. Sydnor, and the prices
ranged beyond those paid a week or two since.
The number sold yesterday was 31, and the amount of the sale was between
eighty-five and eighty-six thousand dollars.
Women from 18 to 20 years of age, sold
for $4000 and $4500. One
woman with two small children sold for $5,700.
Ordinary negro men brought over $4000.
The lot was not an extraordinarily good one, though very fair, but the
prices were unusually high.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, April 29, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
The ladies of Austin county—God bless them—raised, at a fair given at
Hempstead, for the benefit of Waller's Battalion, upwards of ten thousand
dollars. Get up another, Ladies
of Houston and Galveston, and see whether you can do any better. There are plenty who need all you will send them.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 1, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
Brooks', Coat's, Taylor's and Chadwicks' Thread by the case or dozen.
W. Clark.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 1, 1863, p. 1, c. 5
Concrete, DeWitt County,
}
March 30th, 1863.
}
Editor Telegraph:--It is indeed encouraging to see with what zeal the
ladies of our fair State do their part towards conquering a peace and
establishing Southern independence. It
has been my good fortune to have attended several entertainments gotten up by
ladies for the purpose of raising funds for our army hospitals. The necessity for such funds, no patriot denies.
But to the point. I had the pleasure, on the night of the 20th
inst., of attending a Concert, tableaux vivante, supper, &c., gotten
up by the ladies of Concrete and vicinity, which I am compelled to pronounce,
(with all due deference to the ladies of other places,) a little ahead of
anything of the kind I have yet witnessed.
The tableaux were quite original and arranged with a great deal of taste;
the music was splendid, and calculated to please all.
The supper would have pleased the most fastidious epicure.
Before adjourning to the supper room, two young ladies, at the suggestion
of a friend to the cause, passed through the audience and received
contributions, which amounted to $300. The
proceeds of the entertainment were $711. On
the night following, the entertainment was repeated, free of charge, for
the benefit of the darkies, who not only enjoyed themselves in such a manner as
to put all Yankeedom to the blush, but contributed $27.95, making in all the sum
of $1,038.95. A few days
afterwards, a patriotic citizen handed the committee the handsome sum of $1000.
I opine that the only objection that could have been raised, was the
admittance fee ($2) was too small, as either the Concert or Supper were each
independently worth more than the money.
Home Guard.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 1, 1863, p. 2, c. 1
We confess when we heard of the officers of the 42d Massachusetts being
taken to the penitentiary the other day, we thought it wrong, and a violation of
civilized warfare. But on reading
the above, and many like accounts we have received; on recurring to the fact
that more than three hundred of the Confederates taken at Arkansas Post have
since died through brutal treatment of their captors; that hundreds upon
hundreds, nay thousands upon thousands of our citizens are now languishing in
Northern prisons, the companions of felons; on remembering the fate of poor
Zarvona, now hopelessly insane through the torture to which Federal cruelty has
subjected him; on reflecting upon the fact that these officers came to our
shores, the companions of runaway slaves, and to put into execution the most
bloody and wicked decree that has cursed the name of humanity for ages; we say
on recalling these things to mind, our sympathy rapidly [illegible] out.
We have nothing whatever to say about it.
The writer of the above and his companions would exchange quarters with
them and profit by the exchange.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 1, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
The Almanac Extra says the Military Board have received a large lot of
cotton cards which are to be furnished to county courts at $10 per pair on
application, pro rata. Chief
Justices should lose no time in making the application.
The energy of the Military Board is the theme of much praise.
If they have committed errors and we know of none, it has not been for
the want of trying to do all that men could do for the good of the State.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 1, 1863, p. 2, c. 3
The following notice of "The Officer's Race" is from the
Shelbyville Banner of the 6th of April:
The great match race for $500—distance 800 yards—was run on Saturday
last at 11 o'clock A.M., as per programme, near Unionville, between Major Botts'
sorrel horse (entered by Gen. Wharton of the Texas Rangers,) and Col. Harrison's
mare. A beautiful stretch of
elastic dirt road in good order along the margin of the pike was the ground
selected. The weather was charming.
The horses were in good condition and seemed instinctively aware that
something was up and they had to come down to lively work.
The attendance was large and the vast gathering full of the keenest
excitement. Bets were freely
offered and as freely taken. The horse was decidedly the favorite, but the mare did not
lack for bold backers. Both animals
started at the signal, and the dash was done in spirited and gallant style, the
horse winning easily, however, and leading the mare to the judges' stand nearly,
if not quite, thirty yards in advance. Rather
a big beat. The shouts and yells of
the multitude, the smiling and elongated faces of the backers of the respective
entries, were curious to hear and behold. Fully
$25,000 changed hands on the race.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 1, 1863, p. 2, c. 4
Some ungallant scamp, in the Atlanta Intelligencer, gives his views as
follows in regard to women, or rather the style of women he does and don't
prefer:
Thin, spare made women, who look as though they lived on steel chips and
saw filings, whose salient points and bony angles, exhibit unapproachable
turrets and bastions, are seldom generous.
Selfishness and imperiousness characterize them.
They represent the nondescript animal termed malicious gossip, and rare
birds of raven wings and cypress shadows, they are.
Births and funerals are luxuries to them.
But commend me to a fat woman. Their
broad-faced, dimple cheeked, double chinned, waddling, ponderosity style, their
genial smiles and inimitable good humor gives constant promise of good cheer and
the welcome disposition to laugh, and especially to feed you well.
The lean, thin woman, of moral surface, makes a good, cool, summer wife.
My choice is the golden mean, embonpoint, dimpled cheeks, auburn hair,
luscious eyes, not a beauty; easy going, intelligent and one hundred and sixty
pounds weight.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 6, 1863, p. 2, c. 4
Galveston, May 4th, 1863.
. . . Col. Freemantle [sic] of the "Cold Stream
Guards," is here on a visit. The
military authorities have shown him much politeness and attention.
He speaks very encouragingly of the prospects of the South.
Amicus.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 6, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
Be in Time to Get Good and Reliable Seeds, just saved.
Purple Top and Flat Dutch Turnip, mixed; Carolina Collards; Brown
Mustard, etc. Turnips in packages
of about ½ gill each for $1, by mail free of postage; also, packages containing
6 times above amount for $5. Other
seeds are put up in proportion. Said
seeds are from fine productions and no mistake.
Address:
A. L. D. Moore, La Grange,
Texas.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 8, 1863, p. 2, c. 1
In distributing the cotton cards lately bought by the State, the Military
Board have fixed their prices at $10 per pair.
As they have enough to go very far towards supplying the demand, it is to
be presumed that the price of cotton cards will speedily come down to that
figure. This operation alone will
save the people hundreds of thousands of dollars.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 8, 1863, p. 2, c. 1
We paid over $2000 a day or two since for a lot of printing ink that
before the war would have cost $125.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 8, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
Hon. Erastus Reed, of Boerne, advertises in our paper pure Merino bucks
for sale. He has sent us some
samples of the wool of these sheep, and they are certainly as fine in quality as
any that goes to market. Three of
the samples before us measure respectively 24, 24 and 26 waves to the inch.
Wool growers may judge of the quality from this.
He informs us that his sheep shear this year from 6 to 11 lbs to the
fleece. He also informs us that his entire flock is pure merino, and
that his loss the past year has been but 2 per cent. There can be no doubt that wool growing is by far the most
profitable business ever pursued in this State.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 8, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
We are informed that Col. Pyron's regiment, which is now on the march to
the field to meet the enemy, are in need of haversacks.
This article is very necessary to a soldier in the field, and it being
such a cheap article, we think we have only to call the attention of our readers
to their want of them. Our citizens
have been very liberal to all our soldiers, and this noble regiment has been
always entirely overlooked, save by the ladies of Washington county.
Capt. Wm. Edwards, of the regiment, is detained on business in this city
for a short time, and will forward the articles direct to the men of the
regiment. Who will be first to
respond to the appeal? Here is a chance for our patriotic ladies to do good, and
gain honor by the outlay of a small capital.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 8, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
Waxahachie, Texas, April 30.—The Waxahachie powder mill blew up
yesterday. Mr. Rown, the
proprietor, and Mr. Phillips one of the hands, were both killed, and Mr. Nance
was badly bruised. There were about
2000 lbs. of powder in the mill at the time.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 8, 1863, p. 2, c. 3
The following is the form of affidavit requisite for procuring goods from
the Penitentiary under the law of the last Legislature:
THE STATE OF TEXAS,
} Before me the under-
COUNTY OF__________
} signed authority.
This day personally came Mrs. ______________, of the same county, who
made oath that the goods sought to be bought of the Texas Penitentiary are for
immediate use in her own family. Consisting
of _____ whites and _____ blacks, excluding male members in the army, and are
not for barter, sale, exchange or speculation, and that she is the wife of a
soldier in the Confederate States Army, and that this is her (first) or
(second) application.
_______________
I, __________ Chief Justice of ____________ certify that the above
application was subscribed and sworn to before me, and that the facts set forth
in the same are true. (Being
verified by the oath of one credible witness.)
In testimony of which, witness my hand and seal of the County
[Seal]
Court this _____ day _____ of _____,
1863.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 11, 1863, p. 1, c. 4
Galveston, May 8, 1863.
On Wednesday evening a military ball came off in Miss Cobbs' school room.
The attendance was large, considering the very short notice given.
As the entertainment was not exclusive in its character, officers and
privates mixed promiscuously together in the most harmonious manner, and spent a
pleasant evening. There was a
perfect galaxy of the fair sex present, enlivening the scene by their presence
and beauty. The price of admission
was ten dollars, the proceeds to be appropriated to the Fund of the Galveston
Hospital. . . .
Amicus.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 11, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
La Grange, Texas, May 4th, 1863.
Editor Telegraph:--Please inform me through the columns of your paper
whether a person can travel from here to Richmond, Va., without very much risk
of person or baggage, and if so, the best route to be taken.
Very respectfully yours,
Subscriber.
It depends on the person. If
a lady we should say no; if a good woodsman yes.
At present you go to Shreveport, and thence down Red River to some point
which you will learn at Shreveport, when you will wait for something to turn up;
when that happens, it may be in a day or two or a week, you will get across the
Mississippi some way, and then ladies can travel well enough to Richmond and
back again, though there is some risk of losing baggage any where, especially
when you change cars. The best way
is to take no baggage, then if you will have to walk forty miles, you will have
nothing but yourself to carry.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 13, 1863, p. 2, c. 1
We have received from three little girls—Misses Eva Hutchins, Belle
Smith, an Cora Gentry—the sum of four dollars and fifteen cents, the net
proceeds of a juvenile fair gotten up by them for the benefit of the soldiers.
We shall apply it where we think the donation will be most appreciated.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 13, 1863, p. 2, c. 4
The New Texas Primer.
The importance of supplying our schools with books suited to the genius
and institutions of our people has been long felt by the teachers of this State.
At this time, when from the change of our political relations, a change
is required in almost all our sources of supply, it is deemed peculiarly the
time to endeavor to replace the books of the North by those of home production,
and adapted to home society. It is
with this view that the undersigned has undertaken to publish a series of school
readers, &c., styled the New Texas Series, of which the New Texas Primer is
the first. This will be followed
soon by the Primary Reader, and that by the successive books of the Series as
rapidly as they can be passed through the press.
It will be the endeavor of the publisher, notwithstanding the heavy cost
of materials for printing, to place the price of these books so low as to put
them within the reach of all. Should
this effort meet with favor it may be extended through all the Departments of
Primary Instruction usually embraced in the common schools of Texas.
The publication of the successive books will be duly announced.
The preparation of these books is in the hands of experienced practical
teachers.
The first edition of 8000 copies of this Primer is for sale by James
Burke and Francis D. Allen, booksellers, Houston, at wholesale and retail.
E. H. Cushing, Publisher.
Houston, May 13th, 1863.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 15, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
20 Dozen Cotton Cards., No. 10, for sale by
Wm. Clark.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 13, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
The New Texas Primer—Price Thirty dollars per hundred.
Four dollars per dozen. Forty
cents single copy. Sent by mail
free of postage.
Jas. Burke.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 13, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
Piedmont Springs, six miles from Milligan, where daily coaches connect
with the Central railroad, are open for the season.
L. Cannon, Prof.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 20, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
Rev. Mr. Moeling has, since the battle of Galveston, devoted himself to
getting up a painting of the principal scene in the battle—the capture of the
Harriet Lane. The artist has taken
the moment when the Bayou City ran into the Lane, and our boarders rushed on
board and captured the vessel. The
painting gives one a good idea of the position of affairs at this juncture of
the battle. Mr. Moeling has his
picture on exhibition in the office lately occupied by Messrs. McKeen, upstairs
in Wilson's building. Admission, 50
cents.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 18, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
We acknowledge from Edmundson &
Culmell 185 yards mosquito netting, a donation for the hospital of
Sibley's Brigade. It was a timely
gift, as the hospital of these troops is now in a region perhaps worse infested
with mosquitos than any other in America.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 18, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
Fair at Anderson.—The ladies of Anderson and vicinity will give a
splendid supper in connection with a fair at the Female Academy in the town of
Anderson, on Friday 25th of June next, at 8 o'clock, P.M., for the
benefit of the indigent families of soldiers in the army.
A liberal patronage is earnestly desired and expected.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 18, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
Fair in Fort Bend County.—We are requested to say that the ladies of
Fort Bend county will hold a Fair for the soldiers' benefit, on the 2d day of
June, near Mr. Emmett Jones' place. Visitors
from a distance will be hospitably entertained in the neighborhood.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 18, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
We have received from the Ladies' Aid Society of Huntsville the sum of
three hundred and thirty dollars for Hood's Texas Brigade.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 18, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
Buckner's Hall.
For a short season, commencing Friday evening, May 22d, 1863. The Confederate Minstrels, late of Metropolitan Hall,
Richmond, Va., will give two of their chaste parlor entertainments at the above
place on Friday and Saturday evenings, May the 24th and 25th,
introducing new songs, dances, burlesques, duetts, farces, &c.
The celebrated negro delineators and Richmond's favorites, whose
performance in that city were witnessed by the Confederate cabinet and over
30,000 people. For further
particulars, see small bills.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 22, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
We are informed there is a party of deserters in the Big Thicket, who are
living in the woods and marauding. It
is reported that they are also freebooting on the highway.
It behooves the military to find out if it is so, and have these runaways
searched out.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 22, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
Agency Lone Star Soap and Candle Factory.—The undersigned has
constantly on hand at wholesale and retail, Fabj's Yellow and White Bar Soap,
Shaving and Toilet ditto; also, Lard Oil, Tallow Oil and Hard Pressed Candles.
John Collins, Agent.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 22, 1863, p. 2, c. 3
Mr. Cushing:--Please oblige the committee by publishing in your paper the
following receipts from the barbecue given at Courtney, for the benefit of
Green's Regiment, Sibley's Brigade.
Mrs. Dunham,
Mrs. Freon,
Mrs. West,
Mrs. Baldwin.
Receipts $1647.25; Proceeds of Tables, $1097.75.
$549.50 donated by the following named persons:
[list]
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 22, 1863, p. 2, c. 4
Galveston, May 11, 1863.
J. D. Oltorf, Esq., Marlin, Falls County—
Sir:--I hereby beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of $168, the proceeds
of a tableaux given by Mrs. White and her pupils, for the benefit of company K,
Cook's regiment of artillery. . . .
John Ward, 1st Lt., Co. K,
Cook's Regiment Heavy Artillery.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 25, 1863, p. 2, c. 1
Correction.—A few days since we noticed a fair to be held at Anderson.
It is to be a dinner instead of a fair, and will be given on the 5th
of June next.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 25, 1863, p. 2, c. 3
We have received from Col. G. R. Jefferson of Seguin, the sum of two
hundred and seventy two dollars, the proceeds of a concert given by the children
of Sequin, for the benefit of the sick and wounded of Sibley's Brigade.
Seguin, May 2, 1863.
Editor Telegraph:--Last evening I had the pleasure of attending a concert
given by the pupils of Mrs. Pauline Nelson's high school, at this place, for the
benefit of the sick and wounded of Sibley's Brigade.
The affair was quite a success, the young ladies, one and all, acquitting
themselves admirably. Many of the
pieces elicited enthusiastic bursts of applause from the audience.
The May pole was a magnificent thing of the kind, gotten up by Miss
Mattie Jefferson, to whose exertions much of the success of the evening is due.
The sum realized was two hundred and seventy-two dollars. If anything could nerve the arms of our soldiers to strike
heavier blows it is such efforts in their behalf as this by the children.
Bystander.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 25, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
Snuff and Cigar
Depot.
[Market street,
Galveston.]
S. Heidenheimer begs to inform the public generally that he is prepared
to furnish, in any quantity, a superior article of Scotch, Maccaboy, and other
snuffs, in bottles, bladders, and boxes, at $5 per pound.
He has also an extensive assortment of fine cigars; and all orders
accompanied with cash, will be promptly filled and forwarded.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 26, 1863, p. 1, c. 5
Copy: Resources
of our Southern Fields and Forests.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 26, 1863, p. 2, c. 4
Wheelock, May 15th, 1863.
Editor Telegraph—The Ladies of this place and vicinity gave a concert,
tableaux and supper on last evening for the purpose of raising a hospital fund
for the benefit of Carter's Regiment, now in Arkansas.
We have met with an opportunity of forwarding the proceeds to them by a
gentleman going directly to the regiment, which will save us troubling you to
have it sent.
The following is a list of subscribers with their several amounts.
Mrs. S. R. Smith, Pres.
Mrs. E. R. Bracken, Sec.
[list] Total amount $3,500.00
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 27, 1863, p. 1, c. 5
Alleyton, May 21, 1863.
Friend Cushing:--Were you ever in Alleyton, the terminus of the B. B. B.
& C. R. Railroad? Well if not
just come up some leisure day and get the bearing of the place.
And as many of your readers, perhaps, will not have the opportunity of
seeing and hearing for themselves, I will make a few notices for them to ponder
over.
The Population
Is very interesting, composed principally of Mexican teamsters, their
carts, teams, dogs and wives, cotton buyers, cotton sellers, merchants, pedlars,
speculators, foreigners and soldiers. At
this place may be found merchandise from Mexico on its way east, cotton,
molasses, sugar, &c., on its way west.
Stages and hack lines from here to all parts of Texas, west and north and
south, three times a week arriving the same.
This place in short, is the depot for all goods merchandise, &c.
Vast sums change hands here during the day; hundreds of wagons and carts
arrive and depart weekly.
Col. Brown's battalion, or a part of them, are now camped here.
And we can safely say that a more orderly set of men and officers are not
to be found in the south or anywhere else. . . .
Old Red.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 27, 1863, p. 2, c. 3
We acknowledge the receipt of $1000 from Mrs. Lula Sherrard from the
Ladies Aid Society of Richmond, for Capt. Cook's company Texas Rangers.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 27, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
Fort McKavett for Sale.—The well known military post Fort McKavett, is
now offered for sale. For
description of this estate, its abundant springs and creeks, its magnificent
lake, its irrigated garden, its many varieties of timber, its boundless range
and its costly and substantial buildings, with a plan of the same, apply in male
or in person to
J.
D. Robinson,
Fredericksburg, Gillespie county, Texas.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 28, 1863, p. 2, c. 1
The Flag and Sea.—Col. Wilcox while here gave us a correct drawing of
the new Confederate flag, and a description of the seal. The flag is white, with a red union, having a St. Andrew's
cross of blue, on each bar of which are three white stars, with a large one at
the crossing. To make a flag, say a
yard and a quarter by three yards; take the usual size of the Beauregard battle
flag, seven eights by one and one quarter of red.
On each side of this place a strip of blue, say 4 [?] inches wide,
running from each corner, diagonally across.
This makes the cross, and on this put the stars.
Now make a white flag, three yards by one and one quarter leaving space
to put in the Union, and you have it.
The seal is an equestrian figure of Washington enclosed in a wreath of
cotton, corn, tobacco, rice and wheat, with the motto Deo Vindice, (God
the vindicator.) the idea of the Cavalier and the Puritan are both discarded;
the Puritan whose idea of liberty was the privilege of persecuting others, and
the Cavalier whose violence and licentiousness were equally disgusting with the
cant of the Puritan.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 28, 1863, p. 2, c. 1
We were pleased to learn that the Sabbath carousals of the negros [sic],
their occupation of public hacks, and their unlicensed freedom, generally, in
this city, was no little interrupted by the efficient police, under the orders
of their chief last Sunday. The
"gemmen and ladies ob color" were politely invited around to the
calaboose, in several instances.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 28, 1863, p. 2, c. 1
The theatre-going part of the community will be glad to learn that the
"Southern Dramatic Society" of Houston are about securing the services
of a talented leading actress for the summer season.
For their enterprise and talent this association deserves, as they are
receiving, a liberal support. Within
a short time they will be able to produce something "novel, new and
interesting." The bill for
this evening is Woman her love and trials, and songs by the original Confederate
Minstrels.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 28, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
Col. Jack Wilcox.
We were gratified yesterday by receiving a long visit from the talented
representative in Congress of the San Antonio District, who gave us a great deal
of valuable information, and buoyed us up with his testimony of the unwavering
confidence in our cause, exhibited by the people all over the Confederacy.
After hearing his description of our hospitals, and being cheered with
the information that the sick and wounded of our army were cared for as men
should be, we felt a desire to repel the wholesale slanders, which are so
frequently written in relation to the people at home.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been sent to the army by the
liberality and patriotism of our men and women and instead of the sick soldier
and dying volunteer being neglected and forgotten, we are told that their
quarters are made comfortable, and their hospitals "kept like a
parlor." Who does it?
The women of our State have toiled in the good cause, and the men have
given them glorious encouragement by their never failing liberality—Soldiers'
wives and families too, are better cared for in Texas than in any other State,
and we hope to hear of no more sweeping denunciations of those who are not on
the field of battle. Col. Wilcox
gives a glowing description of Lee's army—no profanity, no bickering among
officers, no backbiting or jealousy, but a harmony and unity wonderful to
behold. Each private bears himself
as if were a hero, and they go to the battlefield certain of being
victorious. There is no such army
in the world.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 28, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
Kellum's Springs, nine and one half miles north of Anderson, are open for
the season.
C. K. Evans, Proprietor,
May 27th, 1863.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, May 29, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
For Sale in Confederate Money.—One half interest in a Foundry, situated
in Hempstead. This foundry is
complete and has every requisite for carrying on the
Foundry business.
It has a splendid 18 horse power Engine.
Flue Boiler, 3 Iron Lathes, 1 Wood Lathe, 1 Iron Planer, 1 Bolt and Tap
Cutter, Patterns, Tools, &c. &c. There
is attached a Grist Mill, which does a large quantity of grinding with the same
power that runs the other machinery.
There is also coal enough to keep the foundry casting steady for two
years.
The remaining partner is a good business man.
Apply to
W. O. G. Wilson, Hempstead.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, June 2, 1863, p. 1, c. 5
Gen. Hospital, Galveston, May 27, 1863.
Mr. E. H. Cushing:--I acknowledge the receipt of $153.25, the proceeds of
a Fair given by the girls and boys at Harrisburg, for the benefit of this
Hospital. Received it through the
hands of Mrs. McLemore, the Treasurer. . . .
W. E. Oakes,
Surgeon Gen. Hospital.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, June 2, 1863, p. 2, c. 3
Bovine Bend, Austin County, May 25, 1863
Editor Telegraph:--Enclosed please find three hundred and twenty-six
dollars, the proceeds of a supper and tableaux, given by Mrs. Halsey and her
pupils, on the evening of the 22nd of May, at the Halsey Academy, for
the benefit of the sick soldiers of the General hospital at Galveston.
Mrs. Halsey and the young ladies of her school and vicinity, are entitled
to much praise for the liberality and zeal manifested in behalf of our sick
soldiers, battling for the honor and independence of the Confederacy. . .
Wm. Guyler.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, June 6, 1863, p. 2, c. 4
We have received from the scholars of Mount Hope School, Gonzales county,
fifteen pairs of socks, four pairs of gloves, and one neck comforter for the
soldiers, to be appropriated where most needed.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, June 6, 1863, p. 1, c. 4
Texana, June 1st, 1863.
Mr. Editor:--Please notice in your paper that a Concert and Tableaux will
be given in Texana, by the ladies of Jackson county.
The proceeds of which to be given to Captain J. T. Brackenridge's
Company, Duff's Regiment. The
people generally are solicited to be present, and contribute to the gratuity.
Respectfully,
James W. Allen.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, June 8, 1863, p. 2, c. 4
A Seamstress Wanted—With or without a sewing machine. Apply at this office.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, June 9, 1863, p. 2, c. 4
The following we take from the Shreveport News.
A gentleman at our elbow, says he has seen samples of cloth made by this
process, and they were very fine:
A New Idea—Cotton Cards.—We are informed that there is a farmer in
Washington county, who spins his cotton filling without the aid of cards.—The
process is simple. He goes to the
ginhouse or lint room, puts the light flakes of cotton ginned into a basket, not
packed, carries it to the spinning wheel, and the thread is made with rapidity.
With a little practice, more thread can be made in a day than with the
aid of cotton cards. If kerseys are desired to be made put cow hair into the gin
with the seed cotton, and it will be thrown into the lint room nicely mixed.
The same process as above, will give him the filling he desires.
Will our farmers practice upon the important idea thrown
out!—Milledgeville Recorder.
The expense of trying the above idea will not be much and in these days,
with cotton cards at present prices, it might prove of great convenience.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, June 11, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
Notice.—The Proprietors of the Hotels in Houston hereby give notice,
that they had hoped to avoid any increase on the present rates of board; but
owing to the constant increase in the price of all the leading articles of
consumption, they are compelled to advance their rates.
From and after the 15th inst., the price of Board will be
seven dollars per day.
M. F. Thompson, Rusk House,
H. Marple, Capitol Hotel.
J. A. Campbell, Fannin House
Houston, June 10th, 1863.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, June 12, 1863, p. 2, c. 1
Home Industry.—We were shown to-day a sample of powder, manufactured at
the mills of the "Texas Powder Company;" also, some fine English
powder, now for sale here, and of the two we would pronounce the homemade the
best.
This establishment has cost about $60,000, and with an outlay of some
$4,000 or $5,000 more, 15,000 of powder, can be turned out monthly.
The Confederate Government contracted with the company for 200,000
pounds, and a short time since the Frontier Regiment was furnished with 1,000
pounds.
As it is enough to know we are blessed with so useful and successful an
establishment, we will refrain from giving its locality.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, June 15, 1863, p. 1, c. 4
Anderson, Texas, June 7th, 1863.
Editor Houston Telegraph:
This leaves me in Grimes county, in which I have perambulated
considerably since my recent exodus from your city.
[Illegible] now and better days—in times of peace.
Anderson, before the war, was a gay and business place—could boast of
as many young ladies and gentlemen as any place of its size, and the stores and
place generally had a business and lively aspect. But its young and old men heard the shrill whistle of war,
closed their shops, and are now, (those who have survived thus far) on the
fields of battle, leaving the young and old ladies to take care of themselves,
and we are glad to say that soldiers' families in this county are well attended
to and provided for.
A magnificent Fair and Dinner came off here Friday for that object, the
proceeds of and donations to which amounted to $3,175!
which is a good illustration of the generous spirits left at home, and
demonstrates the fact that soldiers' families will be well attended to,
especially when we take into consideration that a county tax has been levied
exclusively for this object, and that the State has made an appropriation for
this purpose. No aid has been drawn
from the State, though generously tendered, in the shape of cotton cards,
ammunition, donations, etc. Grimes
is living independently, is doing well, and we only hope that other counties are
doing their duty, in this particular, as well as Grimes.
We attended the Fair and Dinner, saw a good many soldiers' wives, and a
good many who were nobody's wives—pretty young ladies.
We saw a good many we knew, but a great many more we did not know.
Folks have grown out of countenance since I lived here, and I found
myself principally among strangers instead of acquaintances.
The Fair was good, but the Dinner we liked better.
The fair sex were the prettiest articles at the Fair, but such articles
were not for sale, so we took what was to be had—dinner—which was good
enough for a Prince.
A better prospect for good crops throughout this county never was known,
but an almost immediate rain is dependent upon their salvation. Corn can be had, plentifully, at $1@$1.25; bacon 50 cts; lard
75 cts@$1; flour none.
V.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, June 15, 1863, p. 2, c. 4
5650 French corsets, wholesale and retail at Darling & Merriman's.
Ladies Dress Goods.—Organdies and Jaconet Lawns, a large assortment,
just received. Wm. Clark.
Fresh Garden Seeds.—A large stock of assorted Garden Seeds, put up by
John Vanderbilt, New York.
James Burke,
Houston, Texas.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, June 17, 1863, p. 1, c. 3
The Chattanooga Rebel says a lady correspondent writes from McMinnville
of the gallant conduct of our friend, Lieutenant Saml. S. Ashe, of the Texas
Rangers, (from Harris county) who was just getting well of a spell of the fever,
when the Yankees visited that place.
"Learning that they were coming, he mounted his horse and rode out
to see if the report was true. He
met the Yankees two miles from town, and fired on them.
Three other soldiers joined him, and the four kept the whole Yankee force
in check for two hours until Mrs. Morgan and Mrs. McCann had time to make good
their escape."
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, June 18, 1863, p. 2, c. 3
The Juvenile Concert.—An entertainment is to be given on Friday evening
next, by the young misses and masters of Houston and Galveston, the proceeds of
which are to be appropriated to the "Ladies' Rangers."
The programme is one that ought, apart from the real object of the
concert, to draw a full house; and we are satisfied that it, together with the
fact that this concert has been gotten up to assist in arming and equipping John
R. Baylor's Rangers, will fill Perkins' Hall.
All the pieces to be sung are national, and we notice among the young
lady performers, some who, notwithstanding their juvenility, have quite carried
us away with the sweetness of their voices, and their just appreciation of
music. We hope there will be a full,
overflowing demonstration, and by demonstration, we mean a LARGE ATTENDANCE.
The older feminines and masculines have not failed to draw crowded houses
during the winter and spring. do
let us hop the young folks, who have stepped into the service in the heat
of the day, will be properly appreciated and abundantly rewarded.
Let the concert be a decided success.
Other places have given liberally towards this object, let Houston out do
them all.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, June 22, 1863, p. 1, c. 3
The following letter shows what sort of stuff some of our boys are made
of. Good for the little patriot.
His example is worthy of imitation by children of larger growth:
Iron Stone House, Two Miles Above Sutherland
}
Springs, Wilson County, Texas,
}
June 9th, 1863.
}
General Baylor: I am not
quite thirteen years old, so I cannot join your company to "still hunt
Yankees," though I have a very good young horse, suitable for the service,
which I wish to present to you, or through you to some true Southern soldier in
your command. I feel very unwilling
to part with my favorite, except to assist in driving the hated Yankees from our
land. Can I aid a mite in doing
this, I will be repaid a thousand times for a horse, that has been my pride and
pleasure a long while. Please call
the horse "Gus." Send
here to my father's place for him, when he is wanted.
Augustus Weyman Houston.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, June 24, 1863, p. 1, c. 3
Col. Sydnor will sell to-day, at his auction, an elegant silk bed-quilt,
for the benefit of Baylor's Ladies' Rangers.
It was sent up by Mrs. Dermot, of Harrisburg, for this purpose.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, June 24, 1863, p. 2, c. 3
Adventures of a Young Lady in the Army.
For the Mississippian.]
Among the registered enemies of the United States government, who have
been recently sent across the lines, from New Orleans, there is now, in this
city, a lady whose adventures place her in the ranks of the Mollie Pitchers of
the present revolution.
At the breaking out of the war, Mrs. Laura J. Williams, (the lady of whom
we allude,) was a resident of Arkansas. Like
most of the women of the South, her whole soul was enlisted for the struggle for
independence. Her husband was a
Northern man by birth and education, and a strong Union man.—After Arkansas
seceded from the Union, he went to Connecticut, he said, to see his relations
and settle upon some business. Mrs.
Williams suspected his purpose, and finally she received information that he had
joined the Yankee army. Possessing
little of the characteristic weakness of the sex, either in body or mind, Mrs.
W. vowed to offer her life upon the altar of her country.
Disgusting herself in a Confederate uniform, and adopting the name of
"Henry Benford," she proceeded to Texas, where she raised and equipped
an independent company, and went to Virginia with it as first Lieutenant.
She was in the battle of Leesburg and several skirmishes; but, finally
her sex having been discovered by the surgeon of the regiment—the 5th
Texas Volunteers, to which the company had been attached—she returned to her
home in Arkansas. After remaining
there a short time she proceeded to Corinth, and was in the battle of Shiloh,
where she displayed great coolness and courage.
She saw her father on the field, but, of course, he did not recognize
her, and she did not make herself known to him. In the second day's fighting she was wounded in the head and
was ordered to the rear. She wrote
to her father, and then came off down to Grenada where she waited for some time,
but never saw or heard from him.
She then visited New Orleans, was taken sick, and while sick, the city
was captured. On recovery, she
retired to the coast, where she employed herself in carrying communications,
assisting parties to run the blockade with drugs and clothes and uniforms.
She was informed on by a negro and arrested and brought before Gen.
Butler. she made her appearance
before Gen. B. in a Southern homespun dress.
She refused to take the oath, told him she gloried in being a rebel—had
fought side by side with Southern men for Southern rights, and if she
ever lived to see "Dixie" she would do it again.
Butler denounced her as the most incorrigible she-rebel he had ever met
with. By order of the Beast, she
was laced in confinement, where she remained three months.
Some time after her release, she was arrested again for carrying on
"contraband correspondence," and kept in a dungeon fourteen days on
bread and water, at the expiration of which time she was placed in the State
prison as a dangerous enemy. Her
husband, it so happened, was a Lieutenant in the 13th Connecticut
Regiment, and on duty as Provost Guard in the city.
He accidentally found her out and asked if she wanted to see him.
She sent him word she never wanted to see him so long as he wore the
Yankee uniform. But he forced
himself upon her, tried to persuade her to take the oath, get a release, when he
said he would resign and take her to his relation in Connecticut.
She indignantly spurned his proposition, and he left her to her fate.
When General Banks assumed command, he released a great many prisoners,
but kept her in confinement until the 7th of May last, when she was sent across the lines to
Meadesville with the registered enemies.
An article was recently published in the New York World in relation to th
epart Mrs. Williams has played in this war, but the above is, we are assured, a
true account of her remarkable career. We
understand she has attached herself to the medical staff of a brigade now in
this city, and will render all the assistance in her power to our wounded in the
approaching struggle for possession of the great Valley of the Mississippi.
Jackson, Miss., June 6, 1863.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, June 29, 1863, p. 2, c. 4
Just Received.—1,500 yards Plaid Osnaburgs; 600 lbs. Linen Thread; 6000
yards Calico; 2000 gross Bone Buttons; 30 dozen gents L. B. Shirts; black and
figured Lawns; opera and white Flannels; 260 packages Pins; 30 dozen gents Soft
Hats; Organdies, Jackonets, Cross Barred Muslins, &c., &c., at
Wm. Clark's.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, July 2, 1863, p. 2, c. 3
The ladies say that the hoop skirts made by Miss Lizzie Theron are the
best in the market. It will be seen
that Miss T. has changed her name and place of business, by her advertisement in
today's paper, which see.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, July 2, 1863, p. 1, c. 3
Copperas Mine.—Messrs. Clement, Alexander and Dodson, are working a
copperas mine, five miles west of Larissa, in Cherokee county.
The deposit is said to be large. We
have a small jar, containing a specimen of the copperas they are turning out,
and which is pronounced by competent judges to be a good article.
Persons interested will do well to call and look at it.
They are selling this copperas at two dollars per pound.—Marshall
Republican.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, July 2, 1863, p. 2, c. 6
Mrs. Charles Gay (formerly Miss Lizzie Theron from Houston) has removed
her Hoop Manufactory to Galveston. Old
skirt hoops bought or made. Orders
sent by the "Southwestern Express," or by any other convenience,
promptly attended to. Address
direct; having no agent.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, July 3, 1863, p. 2, c. 6
The undersigned has on hand, Blue Irish Linens, Fine French Jaconets,
Black Alpaca, Scotch Gingham, Flannels, Calicos, Alabama Kerseys, Cottonade,
Ladies' and Gents' Hose, Under and Over-Shirts, Boots and Shoes, &c.,
&c.
The above goods will be sold at reduced prices by
J. S. Sandfelder,
at H. Fox' Shoe Store.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, July 4, 1863, p. 1, c. 5
Chappell Hill, J[illegible] 1, '63.
Editor Telegraph:--I send you herewith a list of the casualties in my
regiment, in the affair at Millican's Bend.
Less than three hundred of my regiment were in the engagement, so it will
be perceived that my loss was more than one-third of the command.
I think it not improper to give a short account of the part my regiment
took in the engagement as a matter of special interest to the friends of the
slain and wounded.
The enemy were strongly posted in a trench on the top of a levee 10 feet
high, there being a strong bois d'arc hedge, 50 feet in advance of the levee,
impassable, except through a few narrow openings. This hedge was wanting from my
centre towards the right, fortunately permitting us to charge with unbroken
lines this part of the enemy's works. We
advanced rapidly in line of battle across the open field for half a mile,
intersected by two of these hedges, and when at fifty yards distant from the
enemy, received their fire, and immediately charged, without firing, with
bayonets fixed, and at a run. I
precipitated my regiment thus upon the enemy, supposing they would not cross
bayonets with us, but to this I was mistaken.
Our charge was as against a stone wall; the enemy stood firm; bayonets
were crossed and muskets clubbed, and for about two minutes there was a close
struggle, the lines face to face, and not six feet distant, when my men passed
over the trench and penetrated to the center of the enemy's camp, when they were
recalled and reformed under cover of the levee.
In this struggle on the levee my loss occurred, and nearly the entire
force of the enemy in my part remaining in the trench killed, a large portion of
them with the bayonet. It is the
united testimony of my officers and men that not a score of them escaped—they
literally filled the trenches in some places to its top.
It was at this point the severest struggle of the day occurred, as will
be shown by the casualties: Fiz
Hugh, on my left, whose loss in proportion was as great, losing most of his men
in passing the hedge.
My regiment took chief part in two other charges on different parts of
the works farther to the left, which I do not describe, as but feeble resistance
was offered.
The action was commenced at daylight, and was over in twenty minutes, we
continuing to hold the enemy's works until 9 or 10 o'clock without molestation,
they having fled to the woods up the river or down to the water's edge, under
cover of their gunboats. I say,
without molestation, although during the entire time the gunboats were throwing
at us shot and shell, without any damage however.
After removing our wounded, we slowly and leisurely retired.
The enemy had not less than 4000 men present, while our brigade numbered
about 1200 on the field, of whom about 900 were actually engaged.
The Yankees had manned the works with negroes chiefly, keeping their own
precious carcasses out of harm's way. In
my own immediate part, not more than one in ten were white.
My officers and men fought as though each one felt the battle to be all
his own, many of them receiving severe bayonet wounds in the contest on the
levee.
In this engagement the loss of the B rigade was as follows in killed and
wounded, viz." Flournoy 7;
Waterhouse, 19; Allen, 98; Fitzhugh, 64:—Total, 188.
Of the enemy's loss I cannot speak from personal observation, except to
say that in my own immediate front there were certainly not less than 300
negroes and whites in the trench, and on the slope of the hill, and all dead.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. T. P. Allen, Col., 17th Tex. Inf.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, July 13, 1863, p. 2, c. 3
Letter about New Orleans
We have been permitted to publish the following letter to a lady of this
city from her sister, who, it will be perceived, had for a long time been a
resident of New Orleans. In a
portion of it which we do not publish, the writer gives a lamentable description
of how the Negroes treated their masters and mistresses, and with what audacity
they accosted the white people after they had obtained their “free papers.”
When shall we have an opportunity to retaliate?
And if it ever comes, will we remember how our women and children have
been made to suffer?
Mobile, May 30th, 1863.
My Dearest Sister:--I don’t know that you will be surprised at
the date of this letter, as you have no doubt heard of Banks’ order, banishing
all registered enemies from New Orleans, driving us all from our homes. But we
suffered enough whilst there, to be glad (as we were) to leave their hated
dominions. Negroes reign in New
Orleans, and we dare not insult them, or we are arrested and imprisoned. Ladies—the first in the place—were thrown into horrid
lock-ups, where thieves and robbers were, for singing “Bonnie Blue Flag,”
and kept all night. The private
schools were searched, and the teachers fined, for the children’s having
little flags in their books. But I
cannot tell you half, and you must wait till we meet, if we ever do, to tell you
all. I will give you a copy of my
order, left at my house, or given to me at our door, one for Mrs. B. A. T., and
another for my husband. Here’s
the copy:
Office Provost Marshal, Parish of Orleans,}
New Orleans, May 9th, 1863.
}
Mrs. B. A. T_______: In
accordance with General Orders No. 35, Headquarters Department of the Gulf, you,
being a registered enemy of the United States, are hereby notified that you must
leave this Parish for the so-called Confederacy before the 15th inst.
Transportation will be furnished you to Madisonville, or some other point
between that and Mississippi City, on any day between the 10th and 15th
inst., inclusive. You will be
allowed to carry the following provisions, clothing, etc., viz.:
The equivalent of ten days’ rations in food; such wearing apparel as
you have in actual use; and the necessary bed and bedding required for personal
use.
By command of
Brig. Gen. Bowen,
Provost
Marshal General Department of the Gulf.
C. W. Killborn, Provost Marshal,
New Orleans, La.
Well, we chartered a schooner for Pascagoula. Yankee officer came to our
house the night before, and examined our baggage.
We gave him Champagne, and made him good-humored. One of our party understood the method of getting around the
Yanks, so he managed to bring all of our wardrobe. I brought my two trunks, and Mr. T. his.
But, before I was packed, a detective was sent to the house, and
questioned my house girl, who was a good rebel and a good creature.
He inquired if I was having any thing moved out of my house—any
valuables or furniture. She told
him “No; the house was just as she found it”; and gave him some impudence.
You know we were not allowed to even give any of our own property away,
nor sell, nor transfer it. But
“leave a woman to her wits.” Without
Mr. John’s knowledge, I moved some things.
Spies infested us, so that we could not take a bundle out of the
house; but if you had lived as long under them as I have, you would know many
ways to outwit a Yankee.
I left enough, goodness knows, for the thieves—all my handsome
furniture. I walked out of my house
like a culprit driven out, and before I left, the same detestable Yank brought
me another order, saying he was sent to secure the keys of the place, and take
possession, and before I got to the schooner, a sentinel stood before my door.
So that was the last of sweet home, that used to be.
Before I get back, if ever, all my furniture will be gone.
All my books, every keepsake, and everything but my clothes, are left
behind. I have hid some valuables,
but they may be taken, I can’t tell. But,
after that pang of giving up home, both John and I felt better, and when we got
on our little schooner, with the faithful little band, we were quite happy—we
left all sorrow behind. Farewell to
the hated despotism! No more fear
of being dragged to prison, and put in confinement, and insulted by Negroes, and
worried out of your life. Ho!
For the sweet, sweet land of Dixie!
I left my home without a tear. We
came off without a servant. (I just
this moment stopped to see Yankee prisoners, brought in from Raymond, and I can
tell you, I clapped my hands for joy, as I know how they treated our poor
boys who were prisoners. They
brought prisoners to new Orleans, and would not let their own mothers,
sister, nor relations see them, nor relieve them, and made them drink stagnant
water till they were sick.) But to
return to my subject. We had a
jolly time on the boat—all exiles. We drew out our lunch, and made our own
coffee—did our own cooking. Everything
went off well till a rain came up, and, on a schooner, there is no place but the
deck, so we were all soaking wet. It
rained all night, and here were our party with umbrellas hoisted all night.
We were four days on the Lake. We
passed Ft. Pike—had our boat boarded, and her papers examined, and then
suffered to pass on. Our hearts
grew light after passing Yankee lines. We
were once more free. After getting
out of hearing from the Fort, we all hurrahed for the Confederacy, then
for Davis, &c., &c., and then, with hearts full, we all sang the
“Bonnie Blue Flag,” and none but those who have been held down as we had
been, could enjoy the signing of that song. Some of the ladies, who had different colored pillow cases
for the purpose, went down and made a large flag, the first we had seen of any
size, since the Yankees occupied our city, and such a shouting you never heard
when that flag was unfurled on deck.
Well, when we got to Pascagoula, the grey uniforms made their
appearance, and we shouted and sang again and again, and then a Confederate
officer boarded us. We greeted him
warmly, as he did us.
I can tell you we were all just like we were tight. The first little boat that went ashore I went on it, and sat
under our flag, and such shouting as greeted us! And we sang all the way the Bonnie Blue Flag.
Well, we stopped at the large hotel, which had been occupied by
soldiers. We took rooms, and
continued to cook our own provisions, as there were none to be had there.
On the lake shore every thing is scarce; indeed nothing to be had but
fish, oysters and corn meal, at seven dollars and a half per bushel.
Transportation was then sent from Mobile to bring us over, so our party
commenced dividing, ad we have at last reached this place.
Here it is ten dollars a day for board, and everything high in
proportion. I suppose upwards of
5000 people have left New Orleans. The hotels are all full, and private houses of course.
We have many friends indeed. I
imagine I am in New Orleans in olden times.
*I furnished my own.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, July 15, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
To the Ladies of Texas.
Our present national struggles call every intent power into action.
No depth is left unsearched, no light left unexplored, no means left
unemployed, from which we promise ourselves the least benefit.
Only a few can estimate how much you further our cause by your kind and
energetic exertions in behalf of our soldiers' well being and success.
Little may you think how much good your soldiers' Aid and Relief
Societies accomplish. Even
admitting that, in some instances, the proceeds of your laudable exertions were
misused, the mere knowledge of these exertions accomplish incalculable good.
Being intimately acquainted with the many wants of our soldiers, and
being intimately apprised of your zealousness to relieve them, we are now
endeavoring to organize a "Confederate States Soldiers' Tract
Society." The object of this
society is to publish tracts and purchase Testaments and distribute the same
among the boys.
This undertaking is heartily recommended by Lieut. Gen. E. Kirby Smith,
and we would solicit your lively co-operation in the praise-worthy work.
The Bibles and Testaments which our friends took with them are nearly all
lost or torn, and I think that it behooves us, as christian people to supply
them anew.
The "Confederate States Soldiers' Tract Society" is composed of
all those ladies and gentlemen who pecuniarily enhance its interests.
The funds that may be contributed by you will be received and receipted
for in the papers by the editors of the Telegraph and News.
The Publishing Committee is composed of men of God, who will
conscientiously appropriate such contributions for the described purpose.
The ladies of several communities have already promised to give a Fair or
Concert for the benefit of this society.
Let us hear from you, for we need your assistance.
Respectfully,
J. B. A. Ahrens,
Chaplain C. S. A.
Houston, July 14th, 1863.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, July 15, 1863, p. 2, c. 6
We have just received by way of Matamoros, a large lot of guaranteed
fresh garden seeds. Country dealers
and gardeners will please call at
J. & S. Rosenfield's.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, July 17, 1863, p. 2, c. 6
Texas Washing Bluing.—Always on hand at Otto's Taylor
[sic] Shop.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, July 21, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
We had the satisfaction yesterday of meeting Capt. Cundiff, formerly
editor of the Nacogdoches Chronicle. He
was so fortunate as to make his escape from Arkansas Post in the capture of that
place, and made his way home, and at once undertook to raise a company for the
Arizona Brigade. H was so far
successful as to be ready to join Terrell's regiment, in which he now is with a
company of eight as good men as are in the service. When we last heard from him before, he was a private in the
ranks. He is now Captain, and we
hope ere long to have the pleasure of meeting him as Colonel, at least.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, July 24, 1863, p. 1, c. 2
Soldiers' Home at Brenham.
Brenham, Texas, July 16, 1863.
Editor Telegraph:--The County Court of Washington County, aided by
contributions from the citizens of the county, and by funds raised by a
"Misses' Fair," recently held in this place, have established here a
Soldiers' Home, for the benefit of all sick and wounded soldiers, returning from
or to their commands, and all other soldiers who may be in need of assistance,
where they can have board, lodging, medical and surgical attention free of
charge. It is placed under care of
a lady resident in the house, who will see to it that her table, beds, &c.,
shall be comfortable, and is under the superintendence and direction of an
experienced and skillful physician.
Will not all the papers and conductors on railroads, give publicity to
this, that such as need care and attention traveling this way may know where
they will obtain it, rendered most cheerfully and heartily.
J. B.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, July 24, 1863, p. 1, c. 2
Receipt for Ink.—Put a good handful of maple bark and pine tops to one
pint and a half of water, let it simmer down to a third of the quantity. Add one table spoonful of sugar, two of vinegar; and one
teaspoonful of copperas. Let it
stand twelve hours, and then strain.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, July 24, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
Field Hospital, Orange, Tex., July 16.
Editor Telegraph:--I desire through your columns to publicly tender to
the citizens of Orange, the most grateful thanks of the sick and wounded
soldiers of this Hospital, for the untiring kindness shown them during their
illness.
The ladies of Orange, especially, will never be forgotten, as long as the
heart of a single one of the two hundred soldiers, here received and treated,
continues to beat.
Their kindness in visiting this hospital, their readiness to render any
service that could well be rendered by ladies, and their untiring exertions to
benefit us, will ever make Orange a green spot in our memory.
Like ministering angels, with good deeds and cheering words, they came,
and all through those long hours [illegible] basins of water and towels,
[illegible] temples, cooling their [illegible] light fans creating a breeze
[illegible] to cool their fevered brow, [illegible] pouring into their sinking
[illegible] of assurance that they would soon be well.
Under these auspices, I have often seen the sunken eye brighten, and the
hitherto ghastly face, of those who had been left by the fever so prostrated
that they were too despondent to take hold of life, wreathe with smiles, while
Hope stood forth pictured in bold relief—and those patients in a few days were
well.
Those kind Samaritans came not for empty show, with disdainful looks and
hands raised in holy horror at the sight of those "poor dreadful and
dirty creatures," but they came at the suggestion of their own kind
hearts, remembering that friends, howsoever wealthy, nice and polished at home,
were, if sick abroad in many of our hospitals, in equally as deplorable a
condition as these; and their silent prayer was, that as they did unto these
patriots who were cast among them, so might those among whom their friends were
cast, do unto their fathers, husbands, sons and brothers.
My own thanks to them I would most sincerely return.
I know not how I should ever have done justice to those sick men without
their assistance.
May God bless them and theirs.
Wm. Madison, Surg. in Chg.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, July 28 1863, p. 2, c. 6
Headquarters Dept. Trans-Miss.,}
Shreveport, La., July 11th, 1863.}
General Order No. 28.
Mr. T. G. Clemson having arrived in this Department under instruction
from Richmond, placing him in charge of the Nitre & Mining Bureau and Iron
interests west of the Mississippi, all officers connected therewith in the
Department of Trans Mississippi will forthwith report by letter to him at these
Headquarters, their names and rank, where stationed, the authority under which
they are acting and the nature of their duties.
By command of
Lieut. Gen. E. Kirby Smith,
S. S. Anderson, Ass't. Adj't. Gen'l.
July 28.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, July 30, 1863, p. 1, c. 3
Dayton, Polk County, July 4th, 1863.
Editor Telegraph:--The ladies of the quiet and unpretending precinct of
Dayton, Polk county, got up a Barbecue on the 4th inst., for the
purpose of raising a sum of money to be donated to the company of Capt. John S.
Cleaveland, (which volunteered mostly from this county two years since,) as a
testimony of our kind remembrance of that gallant little band, which, with their
gallant leader, have, as a part of the immortal 5th Texas, shared all
the privations, dangers and hardships of that noble old regiment in the Virginia
campaign. The meeting was addressed
in an effective manner by Dr. P. W. Kittrell, in behalf of the objects of our
meeting. A sympathetic cord was
touched in the hearts of all, old and young; even the small children rushed
forward, anxious to contribute their little offerings, one little girl, five
years old, giving $25. All
responded nobly, though few in number. You
will please publish the following as the result:
[list]
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, August 5, 1863, p. 2, c. 7
Rags! Rags! Rags!
Five cents per pound will be paid for cotton or linen rags, delivered to
the undersigned in Austin, or to Dr. Theo. Kosster in New Braunfels.
These rags are wanted to make paper with, and as this is a new enterprize
in Texas, it is to be hoped every family will provide themselves with a rag bag.
Agents to collect rags will be appointed in each county, of which due
notice will be given.
Texas papers generally are requested to copy, and those who make a
charge, will publish three times and send bill to
D. Richardson.
Austin, March 31, 1863.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, August 7, 1863, p. 2, c. 1
We regret to say that there is no way now of sending letters across the
Mississippi.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, August 10, 1863, p. 2, c. 6
Barbecue and Fair
Will be given in the town of Navasota on [illegible] day, 18th
inst. Concert and Tableaux
completed in the evening.
This has been gotten up by the ladies for a noble purpose, and we hope
you will add a few appropriate words to this notice.
The funds will be used to establish a Soldier's Home at this place.
J. M. Mitchell.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, August 15, 1863, p. 1, c. 5
Piedmont Springs,
}
Grimes County, July 12, 1863.}
Editor Telegraph:--After perambulating over the country considerably, the
present finds me at the above specified place, surrounded by every comfort and
ease, beauty and grandeur, susceptible to such a place. By beauty I mean the elite of the feminines who decorate the
"grandeur" with which they are surrounded, a great many of whom are
from Houston. This is a pretty
place, and a great many are here. The
building is capacious—can accommodate two hundred persons at once.
Mr. Cannon has been at an enormous expense, the building, premises, and
all costing him about one hundred thousand dollars.
Capt. Turner has sent for DeBray's brass band, which is soon expected,
which will have the effect of enlivening the already weary crowd, and infuse
into them such soul stirring sensations that they will whirl round much faster
in giddy dance.
Gen. Magruder has been quite sick, but is fast improving. He is very comfortably situated, having his tents stretched
near for his attendants, himself occupying an outbuilding as his headquarters.
He has a little printing office near, which prints his orders, etc., and
we believe the General is put to but little if any more inconvenience than at
Houston.
People up this direction—and we believe it is becoming general—are
becoming incredulous, as much so as the news dispatches are notorious for lying.
Rumors are so prevalent and conflicting that scarcely anything can be
believed.—Some are foolish enough to censure the Telegraph with being the
propagator and disseminator of falsehoods.
We tell them they are, decidedly incorrect in their opinions, the news
dispatches being published verbatim as they are received by Pony
Express—nothing of the kind being manufactured to suit the times or the
people. They forget that we are
principally at the mercy of the enemy for news on the other side of the
Mississippi. . . .
We were present at the drafting of militia at Anderson, which was entered
into cordially by all, and passed off quietly.
There were seventy-four subject to draft, and forty-one exempts.
But seventeen were drafted in each beat.
All go into camp on the 22d at Patterson Lake, and will report as cavalry
men. We hear a company of Home Guards are enrolling themselves in
conformity with the appeal of General Magruder.—This is a meritorious and
patriotic move, and should also be adopted by every other county in the State,
so that when the vandals do appear, as is generally apprehended they will this
fall—we will be found ready "to welcome them with bloody hands to
hospitable graves." . .
.
V.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, August 20, 1863, p. 2, c. 3
We have been shown a most magnificent stand of colors made for the 3d
Texas Infantry, by Mrs. Phelps of New Orleans, now in Havana, and by her sent to
be presented to the regiment here. It
consists of a regimental flag and a battle flag, all of heavy silk, with bullion
stars, and heavy bullion cords and tassels.
We doubt of there is another so costly and elegant a stand of colors
belonging to any regiment n the service. We
doubt not the regiment will be as proud of it, as it is beautiful, and rejoice
to know that the exiles of New Orleans, now in Havana, are not unmindful of the
soldiers battling for the recovery of their homes. Mrs. Phelps was formerly of Brazoria county, in this State.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, August 20, 1863, p. 3. c. 5
We are requested to give notice that the Ladies at Piedmont Springs will
give a Tableau and Concert on Friday evening next; 21st instant, for
the benefit of the Ladies' Rangers, (Baylor's).
This will be a pleasant opportunity for those who desire a few days'
recreation by a visit to the Springs.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, August 21, 1863, p. 2, c. 4
The Poor of Houston.
Editor Telegraph:--From personal observation, I am prepared to say that
there is no small amount of personal suffering among the poor of this city, and
especially among families who have no representatives in the army, and
therefore, have no claims upon the authorities providing for such. Many are poor widows who have none to represent them in the
army. They are willing to work but
can get nothing to do. Shall such
be left to suffer for the common necessaries of life in a city abounding with
wealth?
Howard.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, August 22, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
The Mutual Aid Association.
The Houston Mutual Aid Association has been organized, and is now ready
to go to work. The amount of stock
taken is already over $50,000.
On Wednesday evening the organization was perfected by the adoption of
by-laws, and election of officers. B.
A. Shepherd was made President, M. Miller, Treasurer, and Messrs. M. A. Levy, T.
M. Bagby, A. J. Burke, A. M. Gentry, and George Ball, Directors.
The Directors are required to buy all necessary and staple articles of
consumption, and sell the same, first to needy families of soldiers—to such
poor families as may be on the books of the county courts of Harris and
Galveston counties, and to stockholders in proportion to the extent of their
families. No profit beyond cost and
expenses is to be made on any of the goods.
The spirit with which this enterprise has been established, augurs well
for its success. It has now cash
enough on hand to supply good stocks of staple articles, though a larger capital
would enable the Association to supply all articles of necessity as well as
those regarded as staples. If there
is enough now to furnish corn, flour, sugar, bacon and salt, double the amount
will give us cheap cloth, cheap butter, cheap lard, and other secondary
articles.
We now ask people in the interior, who are willing to supply this
Association at a low rate, to make it known.
There is no speculation in it. Its
first object is to supply the wants of the wives and children of those who are
fighting the country's battles. If
there was ever a reason why flour, and corn and meat should be sold cheap, this
is one, and this Association is the place where it should be sold so.
We also suggest to people of the interior counties to form similar
associations, and let there be through them a system of mutual exchanges.
They can be made of the greatest advantage to the people.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, August 22, 1863, p. 2, c. 6
Wanted—For the Hospital—all kinds of old linen and cotton domestic,
for dressing wounds, blisters, &c. Also,
old vials. Any one forwarding
contributions of this kind, will confer a favor which will be thankfully
appreciated.
W. P. Riddell, Post Surgeon.
In charge of General Hospital, Houston.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, August 26, 1863, p. 1, c. 4
For the Telegraph.
To the Youth of Texas between Ten and Eighteen.
Boys:--You occupy a most important position. Did you ever reflect upon it? Just top and think a minute. From your ranks must be selected, a few years hence, those upon whose shoulders the government of the Confederacy must rest. Are you trying to prepare yourselves for such responsibilities by storing your minds with useful knowledge?
Don't, my young friend, waste your invaluable time in gazing at soldiers
or reading war news. Prepare
yourself, by a diligent use of your time, to act well your part when you shall
arrive at maturity. That will be an
important period in your country's history.
Think of these things.
Boys' Friend.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, August 26, 1863, p. 2, c. 1
Ladies' Fashions.
We are indebted to a friend for the privilege of looking over the July
numbers of Godey's Lady's Book, Peterson's Magazine and Le Bon Ton.
These magazines do not appear to be at all different from what they were
three years ago. You may read Godey
from end to end, and not know there is any war in the country.
Hardly an allusion to it occurs.
Of course the ladies will want to know what the fashions are in vogue.
We will touch them very briefly. Riding
Habit close fitting, moderately long skirt, at most one under skirt,
generally none, with pantaloons color of habit.
Hats vary from forty varieties of the low crowned rolling brim (Garribaldi
[sic]) to as many varieties of high-crowned, steeple, stove pipe, etc., etc.
Bonnets do not, to our eye, vary in shape from those worn by the
ladies here. We presume the Yankees
and French must have stolen the fashion. It
was adopted here because of its convenience in patching up of bonnets and making
new ones of them. Head Dress—The
coiffure Alexandra is much in vogue—hair cut short in front, curled in a
frizzled roll over the forehead and down the sides.
The rest of the hair parted down the center, and tied on each side behind
the ear, and then arranged in as many curls as possible.
Single roses and leaves are dotted here and there in the curls in front.
It is very pretty. Dresses. White grenadine with fluted silk sea-green flounce on edge of
skirt. The Walewski has three bands
of silk or ribbon sewed on in pointeau herring bone. The lower band extends from edge of the skirt to the top of
hem, the under part of the hem being cut out between the points.
the Senorita has three ruffles headed by thick ruchings of silk and
caught up in festoons by black lace rosettes.
Hair Powder is revived, both white, violet, blue and green.
Southern ladies will, we trust, omit this last freak in following the
fashions.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, August 28, 1863, p. 2, c. 3
Piedmont Springs, August 24, 1863.
Editor Telegraph—This place was enlivened on Friday night last, by an
entertainment given by the ladies and gentlemen sojourning here, for the benefit
of Baylor's Ladies' Rangers. The
entertainment consisted of tableaux, songs, selections and recitations, all of
which passed off in a manner highly creditable to the parties engaged.
After the tableaux was completed, there was a raffle for a finely worked
table cover, a gift from Mrs. Hunter, of Fort Bend county, to the Rangers.
Six hundred and fifty dollars were realized from the raffle, and four
hundred dollars from the exhibition.
The ladies propose to give another entertainment of a similar character,
on Friday night, September 4, when they hope to meet many of the citizens of
Houston and this vicinity. The
proceeds will be contributed to the fund now being raised in the Confederacy, to
erect a monument to the memory of General Jackson.
Visitor.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, August 29, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
For the Telegraph.
To the Girls of Texas between Ten and Sixteen.
I have recently spoken a few words to the BOYS of Texas, will you now
allow me to say something to you, my young friends?
If the government of our Southern Confederacy is soon to rest upon the
shoulders of those who are now boys, you, my young misses, are to be their
companions—to share their responsibilities.
Are you preparing yourselves, by storing your minds with useful
knowledge for the important positions you are soon to occupy as the wives
and mothers of our young Confederacy?
You are to act your part in the great drama of life at an important
period in the history of your country, and now is the time to prepare
yourselves for your future position. If
the boys will persist in wasting their time in gazing upon soldiers and military
parades, don't you do so! Attend
diligently to your studies at school. Read
useful books. Eschew novels and all
light trash. Endeavor to acquire
solid and useful knowledge, and thus fit yourselves for positions of usefulness
and honor.
Think of these things!
Girls' Friend.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, August 29, 1863, p. 2, c. 3
The Louisiana Jayhawkers.
Camp Stonewall Jackson, near Washington, La.
}
August 17th, 1863.
}
Editor Telegraph.—As you are aware, our army has long since
"changed its base" and fallen back west of the Atchafalaya, and south
of Red River. A small
"squad," who generally go along with Gen. Tom Green on his excursions
around, stopped here awaiting orders, (principally from Banks) where we have
been permitted for two or three weeks to enjoy rest for man and beast, the first
for many days—but the outrageous acts of the conscripts, deserters and free
negroes who inhabit the country west of this, came to the knowledge of the
"powers that be" and our rest was broken.
There has long been quite a number of the aforesaid class, who have taken
to the woods and bottoms and evaded the enrolling officers, and declared it to
be their intention not to fight for either Federal or Confederate Governments,
but at the time the Federal army occupied "these parts," I have been
credibly informed that the leading members of this clan formed an alliance with
the "rail splitters" minions, and after giving all information
required, obtained permission to remain here and plunder good citizens and
murder alike citizen and soldier. They
are said to be 300 or 400 strong, and commanded by one Carrier.
They are principally armed with double barreled shot guns.
They having recently killed some good citizens, and 4 or 5 C. S.
soldiers, it was determined, if possible, to bring some at lest, of the
offenders to justice. Accordingly,
on the night of the 8th inst., a detachment of Co. B, Lieut. Coleman
commanding, and of Co. C, Capt. Clough commanding, all of the 5th T.
M. V., were ordered to report to Capt. West, (I think of Gen. Taylor's Staff) at
Washington. At Opelousas we were
joined by ten more belonging to Co. E, 4th T. M. V., and after dark,
while on the march, by the Home Guard, 20 strong, making in all about 75 men.
We proceeded about 10 miles to the westward—to a neighborhood composed
principally of these fellows (Jayhawkers) and situated along bayou Mallet.
We then divided into two or three parties and the performance commenced.
Each party had so many, and certain houses to surround and search.
The parties were to move cautiously and as noiselessly as possible until
near the house. Then rush up,
dismount and surround the "castle," guard every door and window, while
a "storming" party entered each house, demanded lights and searched
every nook and corner. Thus we hunt
conscripts, visiting a man's home at the hour of midnight, and in some
instances, we took them away. The
women in some cases appeared, much grieved, and cried and begged at an awful
rate, when their husbands, fathers and brothers were being taken away, but as
they all cried and talked in French (!) and as we could not "Parley
Francais," their wails amounted to nothing at all.
We captured 10 or a dozen during the night.
Some of them were deserters from the army, while others were liable to
conscription and accused of being connected with the clan known as Jayhawkers.
All of them were sent to Opelousas for imprisonment and trial.
On the morning of the 9th, and our command having had nothing
to eat since noon of the 8th, divided into small parties and sent to
the houses in the neighborhood for breakfast, and while this state of affairs
was existing, a party of 40 or 50 mounted Jayhawkers surprised a party of about
25 of our command, who believed they were some of our own command returning, and
consequently they were permitted to move up in rear and on both flanks within
shot gun range and fire, before it was discovered who they were.
Being desirous of concentrating our different parties and as they were in
the edge of the woods, rendering it impossible to learn their numbers, the order
was given to fall back into the prairie. Our
boys formed and dashed through their lines, the Jayhawkers firing rapidly. Roy Blondelle and Chas. Elkin, of Co. B, T. M. V., were
wounded. Roy has since died—also
Pearson, of Co. C. had a mule shot under him.
The scoundrels never followed, having a great terror for the prairies and
cavalry. There was a speedy
concentration of our little party from breakfast, and so we remained
concentrated during the day. For
this impudence the remainder of the 5th T. M. V., Lt. Col. McPhail
commanding, and 2d Louisiana Cavalry, Maj. Thompson commanding, were sent to our
aid, with orders to scour the woods and country for miles around, and to shoot
every man connected with the clan. We
remained for that purpose until the night of the 15th, we returned.
We scoured the woods and country for miles, forming in line of battle and
marching abreast, across bodies of timber and the swamps—driving for them as
if for deer, and on the evening of the 10th inst., while moving in
this manner, we surprised them in their camp and fired into them.
Most of them fled, while two or three stood up, fired, and badly wounded
James C. Francis of Co. G, 5th T. M. V., (since died,) and John
Watson, a member of 5th Texas Infantry.
Three of them captured on the spot, and another in the same neighborhood,
were shot per order the next day. The
family of one of them came to take leave of him a few minutes before he was led
out to be shot, and it was truly an unpleasant scene.
Methinks I can hear that woman and her children's cries to this moment.
However, they had already killed two of the most gallant soldiers of our
regiment, and were found in arms resisting the laws of their country and as such
should have died. Col. McPhail, on
leaving, issued a proclamation promising pardon to all who may in future return
to their due allegiance, but death to all who may be caught in these disloyal
practices—whether plundering, or murdering, or caught in arms and skulking in
the woods from justice. I have written this for the purpose of informing the
citizens of Texas, who may intend traveling from Niblett's Bluff to the
eastward, of the state of affairs existing in that portion of the State, and to
ask them to remember that the late punishment inflicted on some of the
conscripts renders it very unsafe for small parties to travel alone.
Respectfully,
W. R. H.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, September 4, 1863, p. 2, c. 1
Color Presentation.
On Wednesday evening there was quite a display in our city, caused by the
presentation of a beautiful stand of colors to the 3d Texas Regiment.
This regiment has been until recently stationed at Brownsville.
Some months since, the citizens of that place, desirous of giving the
regiment a testimonial of their appreciation of the good behavior and gallantry
of the regiment, determined to present them a flag.
Quite a number of the citizens claimed the privilege of contributing.
They made up a purse and sent it to Havana.
On inquiry it was found there was no means of having the flag made there.
Some patriotic ladies of New Orleans, who were then in exile, driven from
their homes by Brute Butler, came forward and offered their services, claiming
the privilege of making not only a regimental, but a battle flag also, and
sending them to the soldiers. The
result was the beautiful flags we mentioned the other day, which were publicly
presented to the regiment on Wednesday morning.
At 4 P.M., the regiment, dressed in complete uniform, marched up Main
street from their camp across the bayou, to the Academy square, where they
underwent inspection and review. This
over, they were marched into the Academy yard, and formed in front of the
academy by their commander, Lt. Col. E. F. Gray.
Quite an array of officers, including the Commanding General and his
Staff were upon the balcony of the Academy, also many ladies and citizens, while
a large crowd were assembled outside to witness the ceremony.
The flags were brought forward and presented, with an appropriate address
by Mr. Mott, of New Orleans, in the name of the fair ladies who sent them.
Mr. Mott gave a history of the flags as we have given it above, and, in
the name of the ladies, called on the men to see that no stain of disgrace ever
befel the work of their hands.
Capt. H. B. Andrews, in behalf of the Regiment, received the colors, and,
while paying an eloquent tribute to the ladies who sent them, promised that they
would be borne to victory or death. The
brief oration of Capt. A. was full of enthusiasm, and was received with loud
applause.
The colors were then handed to Col. Gray, who committed them to the Color
Guard, with an admonition to bear them in the battle's front, and relinquish
them only with their lives. The
colors were received by the regiment with loud cheers.
Gen. Magruder was then called upon, and came forward, addressing the
regiment in a patriotic and telling speech.
He warned them to beware of demagogues.
He told them what the war was for, and what they could only expect if
conquered. He appropriately alluded
to the recent difficulties in the regiment, and to the orders that had been made
separating them; and wound up by announcing a change of orders, and that they
should march together a band of brothers to the northern frontier, where they
would meet the enemy, and prove their devotion to their country in the battle
field. His remarks were received
with hearty cheers; and at the close Col. Gray called for three cheers for Gen.
Magruder, which were given with a will that showed no trace remaining of the ill
feeling that had been heretofore thought to exist.
Gen. Luckett then added a few words to his old regiment, and the ceremony
was closed. Altogether it was a
fine display and calculated to have the best effect both on soldiers and people.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, September 5, 1863, p. 1, c. 2
Letter from Natchez.
The following private letter from Natchez, has been kindly furnished us
for publication. It gives a very
lively idea of the condition of things in a captured city.
Natchez, July 19th, 1863.
May has requested me to write you a few lines this evening, as we cannot
tell whether we shall again be permitted to write you; even this we have to slip
through the lines. We are all
prisoners; cannot go out of Natchez without a pass, and that pass given on
certain conditions. Natchez is now
garrisoned by at least 6,000 or 7,000 Yankees, part of Grant's force.
They have turned loose the negroes here and have taken all the arms from
the citizens. Not one gun is left
them. If you do not give up the
arms, they come and search your house, and have just issued an order compelling
every person who possesses over a hogshead of sugar to give it up immediately.
They say that in a few days every one will have to take the oath, those
who do not to leave the lines with fifty dollars.
This is all they are allowed, either the money itself or that amount of
clothing.
Eight of the yankee pickets were killed last night, and that goes to show
that some of our forces are near. Report
says it is Loring and Logan. However
the Yankees are beginning to look scared. They
have dug trenches across every street and blocked the streets up with wagons,
cotton bales, hogsheads and barrels of dirt and sand, pieces of iron and
whatever they can get. No carriages
can pass through the streets now.
The obstructions in some places are quite insurmountable, while in others
they can be easily leaped by a horse, for I know I have had horses jump higher
with me than some of the barrels are. I
could lead our men in so they would not have many of them to pass over, for some
of the streets are not yet finished.
Since writing the above, more troops have been landed here. Six thousand passed right by our door a few minutes ago.
We have the full benefit of them for they are passing continually.
The Yankees complain greatly of the manner the ladies treat them. They say when they pass a lady she will not even look at
them. They pull down their veils,
draw their dresses up and pass them with scorn.
They say they can stand it in the men and boys, but cannot bear it in the
ladies. They say they expected to
visit and be sociable with the ladies, but not one is allowed to enter the
ladies' houses for the purpose of visiting.
So now they have got to walking with and visiting the negro women.
The ladies will not notice them. The
officers seem to be perfect gentlemen, and are as polite and kind as can be, but
I cannot say much for the privates. It
is they who are enticing the negroes off. The
officers say they are tired and wish the negroes would stay at home.
They had three shot yesterday, and some more are to be shot to-morrow for
stealing. The negro men they have
taken they have penned up in a pen, and it is perfectly awful the fix they are
in. It is right below Henry Forbes'
store, and they are not allowed to leave it for any thing.
The stench is horrible. Some
of the negroes are half naked, poorly fed, and some sick with scarlet fever.
One of Ma's negroes is gone, the others are making preparations to go.
I suppose they will all be gone to-morrow.
They stand up and tell you they are as free and as good as you.
Gen. Ransom says the negroes think they are free when they get with him,
but says they are much mistaken—that he is going to put them on plantations
and that they had better stay where they are.
He tells them this when they go to him, but the privates tell them to do
otherwise, and induce them to leave their masters.
I went to church this morning. It
is the first time I have been outside the house since the Yankees came.
They had armed men, one on each side of the church gate.
I do not know what it was for. There
were a good many in church, but had no guns and behaved very well considering
they were Yankees. They took S. H.
prisoner. He had just come home on
a furlough, and got here the very day the Yankees did, so they arrested him.
Another acquaintance of mine was home on a furlough, and he tried to get
out of town, but finding he could not, concealed himself in his house and staid
there two or three days waiting an opportunity to get out, but his negroes all
left him and went with the Yankees, and one of the house servants gold the
Yankees that he was concealed there, and they sent his own negro men (six or
eight) and two Yankees to take him; so as they started up stairs, his brother
came, and standing at the head of the steps with a pistol, told them to come on,
but the first step they made he would fire, so they left the house, but they
finally got this gentleman. They
got him last night, so he told me this morning, and now he will have to go to
Vicksburg, there paroled.
The Yankees think they will have a fight here, and say they will fight
right in the town. Some one asked
one of them if they would not give them time to get the women and children out,
and he said no; that they had given them time to get out before they came down
from Vicksburg.
The Yankees admit that Grant was badly whipped by Johnston at Jackson.
Some one asked where Grant was. One
of the Yanks spoke up and said, "Well, the papers all said he was on Big
Black, but the last I heard of him he was going, double-quick, towards the
river."
Eustace was talking to one of the officers the other day, and in the
conversation questioned him about the family and finds Eus had a single sister;
told him he must come round and see her, and Eustace replied, "My sister
would not spit on you." The
officer said nothing, but looked at him awhile, then walked off.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, September 8, 1863, p. 1, c.
3
Gonzales, Aug. 18, 1863.
Editor Telegraph:--Through your valuable paper we have been furnished
many receipts particularly useful to the country at this time, and I would beg
now, if you have it in your power, to give us a receipt for dying red,
with any of the productions of the country.
Winter is rapidly approaching and of course we lady spinners and weavers
want to make the best show we can of our domestic labors, and to that end it is
necessary to know how to dye red, with something beside cochineal and
madder—neither of which you know can be obtained, under the present condition
of blockade and warfare. If you
have in your bundle of "information for the people," such a receipt, I
beg you will give it to us.
An Enquirer.
Will somebody answer?—Ed. Tel.]
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, September 9, 1863, p. 2, c.
2
A Texas soldier writes us from Shreveport that the ladies there have
provided a soldier's home for all passing soldiers.
He says he received kind attention, and better far than was furnished at
the hotels, and he urges the ladies of Texas to follow the example of those of
Shreveport. It is an example well
worthy to be followed.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, September 12, 1863, p. 2,
c. 1
[prisoners from Sabine Pass]
We called to see the Federal prisoners yesterday.
They were almost to a man foreigners, except the officers.
The men made the usual professions of being tired of the war.
We don't doubt their fatigue has greatly increased within a day or two. We hope if ever they get out of Texas they will be satisfied
to keep out the balance of their lives.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, September 12, 1863, p. 2,
c. 5
One hundred and ninety-one Federal prisoners arrived on the train last
(Thursday) night from Beaumont, captured at Sabine Pass on the gunboats Clifton
and Sachem.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, September 18, 1863, p. 2,
c. 1
Somebody will, we presume, volunteer to embroider the word
"Sabine" and the wreath for each of the men engaged in the battle of
Sabine. We believe it will be the
proudest badge worn after this war is over.
Let the ladies get the badges ready.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, September 24, 1863, p. 1,
c. 1
To Dye Red.—Take equal measures of the juice of polk [sic] berries and
strong vinegar. Dip your hanks in
alumn [sic] water and boil in this mixture, in a brass kettle, until you have
the desired shade.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, September 25, 1863, p. 1,
c. 5
Confederate Shoe Factory.—Wanted immediately to work in the Government
Shoe Factory. Persons exempt from
military duty, those not understanding the business can easily be taught it. The demand for shoes for our army now in the field is great,
and it is not desired to fill the shops with soldiers who are needed to fight.
Those wishing employment will call at the clothing department, Captain
Mills, A. Q. M., opposite Postoffice. Planters
or others having negroes capable of making shoes will send them forward
immediately to assist in filling our orders to shoe the soldiers now in the
field.
C. L. McCarty, Lieut., C. S. P. A.
Superintending Shoe Department.
Approved, W. J. Mills, Captain, A. Q. M. C. S. A.
Houston, Texas, Sept. 23, 1863.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, September 25, 1863, p. 2,
c. 2
Wanted for the Hospital Department.—500 pounds of Beeswax. Address, stating prices,
Howard Smith,
Medical Purveyor Dep't Trans-Miss. Houston, Texas.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, September 29, 1863, p. 1,
c. 4
We visited the government shoe shop yesterday and were much pleased with
the admirable arrangements for the manufacture of shoes for the army.
Capt. Elsbury the superintendent is entitled to much credit for the
success he has brought this establishment.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, September 29, 1863, p. 2,
c. 2
We learn from a private letter from San Antonio, that the Texas Paper
Manufacturing Company, which was incorporated by an act of the last Legislature,
opened their subscription books in the town of New Braunfels, on last Saturday
week, and that the whole of the stock was taken up, when the company proceeded
to organize by electing Sam. Mather, Esq., (late of Williamson county)
President, a dn Dr. Theo. Koester, Secretary.
The Company have already purchased a mil on the Comal Spring, and are
making the necessary alterations to adapt it for proper machinery, an order for
which has been sent on to Europe, and the manufactory will go into operation
just as soon as it can be got out. As
we have every assurance now that this enterprise will be carried out, we hope
every body will do what they can to aid it, by saving all their rags, for which
a liberal price will be paid.
Any letters addressed to the Secretary at New Braunfels will receive
prompt attention.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, September 30, 1863, p. 1, c. 4
Cotton Wool Cards for Socks.
Office
of Clothing Bureau, Mil. Dist. Texas,
}
Houston, Sept. 29, 1863.
Any person delivering twenty-five pairs of home made socks, strong and
well made, to Captain W. J. Mills, A. Q. M., in charge of the clothing
department at Houston, will receive one pair of cotton or wool cards, at their
option.
E. C. Wharton,
Major and Chief of Bureau.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, September 30, 1863, p. 2,
c. 1
We had the pleasure of meeting Capt. Ashby, of the Rangers, yesterday.
He brought through about 700 letters from Bragg's army, most of which he
mailed at this place. Among his letters, we have to thank him for one from our
special correspondent in the Rangers, R. F. B., whose letters are always so
welcome to our readers.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 1, 1863, p. 1, c. 3
An Appeal to the People of Texas.
Men of Texas, awake! arise!
The enemy is about to march into your country, bearing aloft the
"blood red torch of Mars." Rush
to the defense of all that is near and dear to you on earth, or ignobly perish
as slaves. It is useless to say the enemy cannot enter into the mountain
fastnesses, or spread over the broad prairies of Texas.
What is to prevent him unless you meet him at the threshold and drive him
back? The men of Texas have won a
proud name on every battlefield, from the Potomac to the Rio Grande.
Come forward now, you that are on Texas soil, and keep it secured from
the tread of the invader.
The hour has come, meet the enemy, you must, it is for you to decide now,
men of Texas! whether you will meet
him as man to man on the battle field, or whether you will skulk before him like
a dog from your own doorstep.
Women of Texas! 'tis the faint voice of a weary woman from the fairest
portion of Louisiana, that warns you. I
have seen the hour when I was glad to take my little children, in the dead hour
of night, and steel out of the back door of my own home, and creep like a
hounded negro, through the swamps to a place of safety.
If your husbands and your brothers do not defend you at the frontier,
women of Texas! your homes will be
desolated also.
Expect no mercy at the hands of the enemy.
The history of this war has shown that they have none. In rare instances one may meet a man in the Yankee army who
is not lost to every sense of decency or honor, but an experience of many months
did not show me one, no not one, from Butler down to the lowest man in the
ranks.
Planters of Texas! give of
your means a portion, to secure the remainder.
If the enemy come upon your plantations, they will take your mules, your
wagons, and your negroes, to haul off your corn, your wheat, and your cotton.
Give freely now, while the day of salvation is at hand, or Texas will be
like Louisiana a desolate country.
A Refugee.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 1, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
The amateur concert for the Davis Guards will take place early next week,
should the weather not continue unfavorable.
Our amateurs recognizing at once the peculiar claims of this brave little
band upon not only the city, but our beleaguered State, are determined with one
accord, to make this the most attractive and finished entertainment possible.
No compliment was ever better deserved or more bravely won.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 1, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
See advertisement of Capt. E. C. Wharton, who proposes to furnish cotton
or wool cards at 25 pairs of socks per pair.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 1, 1863, p. 2, c. 1
Now is the time for all to "pitch in" and sow plants, and
cultivate every and all kinds of vegetables.
We have just been favored with the first general, thorough and plentiful
rain of the season. It has come
rather late, but yet there are many vegetables which may yet be
produced.—Turnips may be sown. Every
effort should be made to produce an abundant crop of this popular and useful
esculent. One planter is cultivating fifty acres, with a view of having
a plentiful supply for his family and servants, and a large surplus to give away
to soldiers' families and the poor of our vicinity. Cabbage should be sown plentifully; also onions, radishes,
lettuce, collards, cress, cauliflower, celery, &c.
Let not soldiers' families depend altogether upon what is being
gratuitously done for them, but let them all go to work to produce for the
future.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 2, 1863, p. 1, c. 3
I have always thanked God, says an old philosopher, that I was not born a
woman, deeming her the bestower, rather than the enjoyer of happiness—the
flower-crowned sacrifice offered up to the human lord of creation.
Learning is not offensive in a woman if she duly preserves a gentle and
thorough feminine disposition. Some
one has very significantly said that it does not matter how blue the stockings
are if only the petticoat is long enough to cover them.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 2, 1863, p. 1, c. 4
Candle Wick—The highest market price paid for candle wick and fine spun
cotton.
Frank Farj, Houston, Texas.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 3, 1863, p. 1, c. 1
Shreveport, September 29th, 1863.
I have written nothing for the last two days for the simple reason that
there has nothing come to the headquarters worth communicating.
To give you every new phase which madam rumor chooses to dress up the
different versions of her sensation offspring, would, I am sure, neither be
edifying to your many readers, nor gratifying to yourself.
Depend upon it, you shall have everything that turns up here of a
reliable character, as soon as the express can take it to you.
The only good news that I have, is that the heavens have at last been
propitious, and the clouds for the last twelve hours have been pouring down upon
us the fruitful showers.
Shreveport is a considerable place.
On account of the names of its streets—Texas, Milam, Travis, etc.—and
the crowds of Texians who throng its streets, it is difficult for a Texian to
realize that he is not on Texian soil. And
then her whole-souled women, and lovely girls—what shall we say of them?
We know not where to begin. The
former are true types of our revolutionary mothers, and the latter are the
worthy daughters of such mothers. I
would state that the ladies here gave a concert the other night for the benefit
of the "Soldier's Home," and took in over $1500.
It was an elegant [illegible], so modest, so unpretending, yet so
graceful and chaste.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 3, 1863, p. 1, c. 2
Editor Telegraph—Seeing no one has yet responded to the call made in
your paper to the merchants of Houston for aid to the soldiers' families, I,
though among the smallest and poorest of the tribe, have concluded to make a
tender of my mite. I will give on
application, to any needy soldiers' families, school books to the amount of one
hundred dollars; garden seeds to the amount of one hundred dollars.
James Burke.
Houston, October 1, 1863.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 3, 1863, p. 1, c. 2
Bonham, September 28, 1863.
Editor Telegraph-- . . . The Hospital in charge of Dr. J. R. McKee,
Surgeon of the Post, is in fine and excellent condition, and the sick are
becoming convalescent almost daily. Only
one death has taken place since establishing the hospital in Bonham.
I must not be unmindful of the untiring energy of H. Nathan, the Hospital
Steward and General Superintendent. He
is ever ready to administer to the wants of the poor sick soldier and the
cleanliness displayed would do justice to a much larger city than Bonham.
The number of soldiers now in hospital are 24, and 11 out of that number
are fit for duty.. . .
More anon,
Grey Rover.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 6, 1863, p. 1, c. 3
Wearing Rings.—When a lady is not engaged, she wears the ring on her
first finger—if engaged, on her second—if married, on her third—and if she
intends to remain unmarried she wears the ring on her fourth finger.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 6, 1863, p. 2, c. 4
Editor Telegraph:--A soldier's wife wishes to know what Capt. Wharton
will take for the socks after they are knit, and what he thinks the cards will
be worth after carding wool enough for twenty-five pair of socks. The ladies of the south, very few of them, know how to spin
or knit, and by the time a soldier's wife cooks, washes, irons and patches for
five or six children, how many pairs of socks could she make this winter?
Her husband is serving his country at eleven dollars per month, and she
must decline taking the order. Socks
in our little town sell for five dollars per pair.
She thinks if this war, the most inhuman of all wars, lasts much longer,
and our currency is not restored to its original basis, we will all have to
exclaim, Father of mercy! deliver
us from our friends.
Respectfully,
Soldier's Mother.
October 1st, 1863.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 7, 1863, p. 2, c. 3
The Quid Nunc says there is a company of over one hundred deserters
encamped near the line of Houston and Trinity counties, at a place called
Nogallis Prairie. A squad of
citizens had gone down at last accounts under flag of truce to endeavor to
persuade them to return to duty.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 10, 1863, p. 2, c. 1
Socks for Soldiers.
Near Chappell Hill, Oct. 7, 1863.
Editor Telegraph—I see in a late number of your paper, the offer of a
pair of cards by E. C. Wharton, to any person delivering twenty-five pairs of
home made socks, strong and well made, to Capt. W. J. Mills, at Houston.
Does Maj. Wharton know the cost of those socks to a poor woman, (the rich
don't make socks to sell here,) she must have a wheel and cards to prepare the
yarn, she must also have seven pounds of cotton, and work twenty-five days, and
unless well skilled in carding, the cards will be injured, then she must knit
fifty days to make the socks. This
is no fancy sketch, I refer to any woman that can make a good pair of socks.
The price of boarding here, is forty dollars per month, consequently
after working three months, she will find herself in debt for cotton and board
one hundred and twenty-five dollars, and have a pair of cards that can be
purchased in Brownsville, by the box, at one dollar and fifty cents per pair, in
specie. If she takes the government
price for socks, she can earn one day's boarding with five days work.
I know knitting is called holiday work, but let a woman earn a pair of
Maj. Wharton's cards in three months, and she will find it harder than sewing.
The government cannot purchase socks at their price, and I ask every
woman to have a few pair of socks ready for the call that must soon be made for
the soldiers.
B.
It is but justice to Maj. Wharton to say that his offer is the best,
under the regulations, that he is permitted mo make.
The cotton cards cost his bureau $25 per pair. The board of prices has fixed the price of socks at $1 per
pair.
But the soldiers must be supplied, and while knitting cannot be a
remunerating business, the women of the South, those who can afford to and are
willing to do so, must do the work partly as a gratuity.
For those who cannot afford it, but are still willing to knit, let public
subscriptions be taken up and the socks purchased at a fair and remunerating
price. They can then be exchanged
if desired with Capt. Wharton for cotton cards, which may be given to those
unable to purchase them.
We must not stop now to count any cost that aids the soldiers in the
field. We must hesitate at no labor, no trouble, no outlay to secure them in all
the comforts they can have while in their laborious and dangerous line of duty.
Good socks, though a small thing, are second to nothing in importance for
the preservation of health. These
are at this moment 100,000 pairs wanted in this department.
There are in Texas no less than 100,000 white women between 10 and 60
years of age. If every one
furnishes one pair of socks, the soldiers will be supplied.
If all furnish two pair they will be abundantly supply.
If all the negro women who can knit, were, in addition, to furnish their
quota, we never should hear again a complaint on this score.
Now who will set to work to see that every neighborhood furnishes its
quota? Those who cannot knit can
pay those who can and cannot afford to give.
The people of the Confederacy, men, women, children and slaves should all
regard themselves as belonging to the army.
The soldiers fight the battles of the country. Let the great army of the reserve, now not less than five
millions strong, see to it that the army in the field is supplied with all it
needs and our cause is bound to go most triumphantly forward.
We want not only a long pull and a strong pull but a pull ALL together
by the whole people of the Confederacy. Socks
are but one item. Other wants will
present themselves when this is supplied.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 10, 1863, p. 2, c.
1
The musical entertainment given by our citizens under the direction of
Captain Charles Otis on Tuesday evening last, for the benefit of the noble Davis
Guards, who have done so much thus far to save our fair State from invasion,
proved a perfect success. The Hall
was crowded, and seldom have we seen so many pretty ladies in a crowd. The performance was good, and where all done so well, we
dislike to draw distinctions. But
those of our readers who were present will acknowledge the entertainment a great
improvement on any heretofore given. Captain
Otis, and Mr. Benchley, the popular conductor of the Central Railroad, have
often ere this taken much pains in getting up these charitable objects, and many
a sick soldier abroad have thanked them for their noble efforts in the good
cause. We learn that a large amount
of money was raised, and the gallant fellows will rejoice to hear that the fair
daughters of our city always appreciate brave men.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 10, 1863, p. 1, c.
1
The best prairie matches we have seen are made by Samuel Dean of this
city. They are equal to Greek fire
in their combustion, and not to be affected by damp weather. He also makes ordinary matches by the quantity.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 14, 1863, p. 2, c.
2
Alexandria, October 8th, 1863.
Four hundred and seventy-four Yankee prisoners left here this morning on
foot for Shreveport. The nights are
now very cool, and the prisoners have no blankets.
Of course they will be obliged to shiver it out until they reach their
place of destination. As the road
is a long one, especially if they are obliged to go to Hempstead, Texas, they
will have plenty of time to ask themselves what they are here for, and no doubt
they will frequently wish they had stayed at home, where they belong. . . .
One of the Yankee prisoners who left here yesterday for Shreveport, slid
out of the ranks unnoticed and swam the river.
Last night a planter missed two negroes, and this morning put two dogs on
their trail. In half an hour they
treed something, which proved to be the runaway Yankee! He is now in safe quarters. . . .
H. P.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 15, 1863, p. 1, c.
5
From the Huntsville Item.
. . . We are stationed at Fort Hebert, our battalion under
command of Maj. Barnes, who is winning golden opinions from the men and
officers, all around.—Gen. Sayles commands the post; though, when we left, the
17th battalion was the chief force on the ground, making its duties
exceedingly heavy. We hope
reinforcements will get in, in a day or two, as there is a good deal of
sickness, which must be increased without some relief.
There is great need of bacon—the present rations comprising only beef,
meal, flour, salt, sugar, molasses, peas, and vinegar.
Of course there is no danger of starving on such diet, but it will make
"sick" come, unless bacon and potatoes are thrown in for a change. . .
There are something over 400 Yankee prisoners at the Post, and it seems to us
the best thing Gen. Magruder could do would be to parole them till exchanged;
they would then have to feed themselves, and we don't think they are overkeen
for service at present, nor likely to risk death by breaking their parole.
This however is the General's business, not ours; we merely make the
suggestion. . . .
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 17, 1863, p. 2, c. 3
To the Women of Texas.
I come, my country-women, with no siren song or fairy tale to beguile
your hours of idleness, with no strains of eloquence to excite your admiration,
or arouse for awhile delusive dreams of glory; but I come to speak of the stern
realities of war which are upon us, and the relation we sustain to its progress
and ultimate results. Wives,
mothers, daughters, sisters, the destiny of a nation is upon you, and the
closing scene of the momentous drama through which we are passing will reflect
the impress your conduct and sentiments are making upon it.
History may not bear testimony to most individual deeds of moral heroism,
but every sacrifice made for patriotism, every sentiment that tends to foster a
noble devotion to our cause, every rebuke given to the ignominious slave of self
and mammon, will add a stone to that temple of liberty which will eventually
rear its beautiful form above the storms which a ruthless and unscrupulous foe
is waging against us.
That we will conquer, that we will finally overcome our enemies is
inevitable. Liberty is written on
every hearthstone, the booming of our guns, as they send forth the missiles of
death through the ranks of our enemy, thunder liberty; the morning and evening
breeze as it fans the brow of the wearied warrior and desolate widow, whispers
liberty; but slothfulness and inactivity on your part may add years to the
struggle in which we are engaged to obtain it.
Would that every woman throughout the Confederacy would feel that with
her rested the final result of this unholy strife; then would the gay, the
thoughtless, the maid and the matron direct all the energies of their ardent
nature to secure that blessing without which all others are valueless, priceless
liberty. Let the votaries of
pleasure and fashion come away from the dance and the banquet; let the wives and
daughters of inglorious ease forget for a time the elegances of the toilet, and
the enervating luxuries of pampered pride, and come with their wealth, come with
what ever is dear in life or sacred association, and lay it on the altar of
their country, and feel that the offering is trifling if the great end for
which so many brave men have perished can thereby be secured.
This may seem a hard thing to do, but better this than the yoke of the
despot. If by indifference and
inactivity the enemy should finally triumph, and the dark, dark night of
oppression should settle upon us, then with remorse will we mourn our folly; but
it will be too late to repent; when the chains of the tyrant are about us,
regrets will be useless, and resistance vain.
Let all arouse themselves. Let
those who have been folding their hands in fancied security that all would be
well without their co-operation, shake off their slothfulness, and each and
every one, by self-sacrificing devotion to our cause, evince to the world that
we are unconquerable, and, come what may, we will be free. If adversity should every where attend our arms, let us teach
our fathers, husbands, brothers and lovers, to disdain to purchase safely by
submission, but undismayed to hold on their glorious way until the last foe is
disarmed, or the last arm is palsied that can be raised to strike for freedom.
Let our soldiers feel, from a noble generosity to them and their loved
ones at home, that they have our sympathy and our prayers; let their families
feel the comforting influence of our liberality; divide with them our last
measure of meal. We are bestowing
no charity when we do so, but discharging a sacred obligation to those who on
distant fields are protecting our all from desolation.
When we are measuring the products of our looms, to make comfortable
those around our fireside, we must not forget the far-off sentinel who is
keeping his watch through the dreary hours of a cheerless night, guarding our
honor, defending our liberty and our altars.
There is another duty we owe our country and posterity.
Some among us—to their eternal disgrace be it said—are seeking by
various pretexts to shun the responsibilities of the war, and avoid the perils
of the soldiers' life. Against all such, let woman cry, Shame, shame!
and tell her recreant husband and lover, she had rather die the widow, or
unwedded betrothed, of a brave man, than live to share the obloquy of a traitor
or a coward. Some retired
physicians have recently resumed their profession, and are attending with
religious care to the planting or other interests, and refusing, as I have known
in some instances, to visit the sick families of soldiers in the service.
some, whose physical appearance would authorize the opinion that they
could disarm a giant foe, have suddenly become long-faced, dejected invalids,
from the remembrance of some infirmity from which they have years ago recovered.
Our conscripting officers and examining physicians are partly
to blame for permitting this, but there is a remedy for the evil in most cases.
Men are seldom so lost to every sense of honor as to disregard the frowns
of patriotic indignation, or the dishonoring epithet of tory or traitor, but let
every woman teach such that their conduct is equivalent to treachery and
rebellion, and that they are their country's curse, their children's shame,
outcasts of virtue, peace and fame.
Last, but paramount to all others at this crisis, is the obligations we
are under to aid in sustaining our currency and save ourselves the infamy of
repudiation. The depreciation of
Confederate money arose from no original confidence in the government to make it
good, but it has sprung from that unbridled spirit of speculation which rides
triumphant in the face of every rebuke that outraged justice can cast upon it. All that could be said and written to execrate the foul
degraded monster has been said and written.
The only thing that can be done is for the strong arm of the lawmaking
power to take hold of it and lay burthens on each transgressor more grievous
than Egyptian bondage, which would be a righteous retribution for their
dishonoring course. Those who for
anything save the necessities of life pay the fabulous prices now demanded are in
one sense as treacherous to our government as the speculator.
Let every woman who has the opportunity supply by her own skill and
industry the essentials of her wardrobe, and wear with Spartan pride the fabrics
created by her own hands. Let her
urge the planters to sell the products of their farms only for remunerative
prices to individuals or associations who need them, but not to the speculator
at any price. I know this war is
bringing upon us a grievous tax, but our resources are inexhaustible, and for
the consideration of an honorable peace every man and woman ought cheerfully to
bear the burden of taxation rather than leave for their children the disgraceful
inheritance of repudiation. The
financial department of our government has probably not been managed with the
greatest ability, but now is not the time to make complaints.
Doubtless the assembled wisdom of our Congress this coming session will
place our money on a basis that cannot be shaken by domestic treason or reckless
speculation. In the meantime let us urge upon our fathers, husbands and
brothers to sustain our government in every extremity with their last dollar,
and teach them to feel individually that their honor is as much pledged to
redeem our currency as if their names were affixed to every note and bond that
has been issued.
The day may not be far distant when the sun of peace may arise and spread
its glorious beams athwart the thick clouds and darkness that is about us, but
whether it be near or remote, let every one resolve that where freedom and God
may lead they will follow, and if perish they must, they will perish rather than
crouch to the despot's sword, or leave to history the story that we lived and
died the slaves of a merciless conqueror.
Ceceola.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 17, 1863, p. 2, c.
3
Headquarters Bates' Regiment,
}
Velasco, Texas, Oct. 13, 1863.
}
Editor Telegraph:--Deprived as we in the army are of the associations and
pursuits of civil life, we have organized in our regiment a Library Association,
and are seeking to meet one of the wants of our condition by obtaining a supply
of good books.
Our plan is to establish a circulating library, and as we are cut off
from the usual sources of supply, we appeal to our friends for contributions of
books.
The people have freely given money to the soldiers to procure their
physical comfort, but the want which we seek to meet, has regard to higher and
more important interests. Thousands
of the youth of our country are now forming their characters amid the licentious
and corrupting tendencies of camp-life. It
is our desire to counteract these influences by the aid of good books, which, by
giving employment to minds which must be active, shall not only restrain from
the vice and dissipation so fearfully prevalent, but aid in acquiring the mental
training and knowledge necessary to act their parts as good citizens when the
independence of our country shall call them from the army to take their position
in society.
The worthiness of our object is so apparent, and its claims to the
sympathy and aid of the public so numerous and weighty, that we feel a simple
presentation of the case is the only appeal we need to make.
Any good books will be thankfully received.
One or two from each family within reach would soon give us the number
desired. Persons living in the same
neighborhood might unite and make up a package and forward.
From Houston, Liberty, Brenham, Chappell Hill, Millican, Alleyton, and
other points, there is a direct communication by railroad and steamboat to this
place. The books can thus be sent
speedily, and with but little if any cost.
Friends of the soldiers! while
patriotically contributing to the bodily wants of your fellow citizens in the
field, don't forget the higher claims which our Association in their behalf
prefers. Think of the noble end in
view, and invest at lest one good book in the enterprise.
All books should be sent to Velasco, to
Capt. W. S. Herndon, Librarian.
Oscar M. Addison, Secretary of Library Association, Bates' Regiment.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 19, 1863, p. 1, c.
2
The undersigned take pleasure to inform the friends and public generally,
that they have now opened a Hebrew-English-German School, near A. J. Raphael's
dwelling house.—The strictest attention will be paid to the moral and
religious training of the scholars. Hours
of instruction from 8 ½ to 3 o'clock daily.
Z. Emmish, Superintendent.
G. Duvernoy, Assistant Teacher.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 19, 1863, p. 1, c.
4
Tyler, Texas, Oct. 7th, 1863.
The following articles will be purchased at the C. S. Laboratory, Tyler,
Texas, and liberal prices given:
Capsicum
(Red Pepper)
Pods.
Cornus Florida
(Dogwood)
Bark.
Euphorbia Ipecacuauha
(Ipecahuanha Spurge)
Herb.
Eupatonium Perfolliafim
(Boneset)
"
Popaver
(Poppy)
Heads.
Podophyllum Peltatum
(May Apple)
Root.
Polygaba Senaga
(Senaka
Snake Root)
"
Pinnus Virginiaus
(Wild Cherry)
Bark.
Quercus Alba
(White Oak)
"
Rubus Villosus
(Blackberry)
Root.
Rubus Trivialis
(Dewberry)
"
Salix Alba
(White Willow)
Bark.
Cephalanthus Occidentalis
(Button Willow)
Bark
of the Root.
Salvia
(Sage)
Leaves.
Elmus
(Elm Slippery)
Bark.
Palma Christi
(Castor Oil)
Beans.
Luiapis
(Mustard)
Seed.
Rosa
(Rose)
Leaves.
Honey, Wax, Tallow, Lard and Clean Bottles.
The articles are to be dried. Of
the Bark, the inner portion is that required.
W. R. Johnson,"
Surg. P. A. C. S.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 19, 1863, p. 2, c.
2
Wanted by the Hospital Department, for making Litters for the wounded.
Heavy hoop iron, from 1-16 to 1-8 inch thick, from 1 ¼ to 3 inches wide.
Address,
Surgeon Howard Smith, C. S. H.
Med. Purveyor, Dep. Trans. Miss.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 20, 1863, p. 2, c.
5
The Editor of the State Gazette lately made a trip from Austin to
Alleyton. From his graphic
description of the trip we copy the following:
Our
trip down was as agreeable as such trips usually are, with a stage full
ofpassengers. The roads were in
tolerable order, and the teams in fine condition, but the rate of speed at which
they travel, makes it very tedious and fatiguing.
The stage leaves here at 11 A.M., reaches LaGrange about daylight, and
Alleyton about 3 P.M. the next day, the distance being about 100 miles.
There is no stopping place for dinner between LaGrange and Alleyton, and
the showing at the latter place is a very poor one.
On our arrival there we were told we would have to wait till supper time,
at which there was considerable of a scramble for a seat, as the house was
crammed with passengers going to and fro, and the accommodations looked anything
but cheering. But for an old
German, who very kindly invited us to partake of some home-made wine, and also
handed us some good smoking tobacco, we should have fared very badly, as we
could find nothing in the town that could be had for love or money.
Being
the principal thoroughfare from Houston to the West, the place was crammed with
wagons and other vehicles, and the roads leading from there were literally
blocked up with teams. Sitting at
the door of the hotel, it was quite interesting to watch the numerous arrivals
and departures, and the busy scenes going on all around us.
Ox-teams, driven by hardy looking, muscular men, that ought to be in the
army, and in some instances by boys apparently not more than twelve years of
age, with now and then a straw negro, all cursing the poor brutes that are
staggering under their loads; Mexican carts in charge of swarthy greasers, clad
in buckskin, with their gaudy colored blankets, shouting in their mongrel
Spanish, to their half starved oxen; Government ambulances dashing past, filled
with soldiers; Artillery men riding back and forward, with their strings of
horses to water, and stages crowded with passengers arriving and departing,
together with the Railroad cars, which came in every evening, made up such a
Babel as have never witnessed before in Texas.
Everybody seems to be in a hurry and all appear anxious to get away as
soon as possible, as it would cost a man a small fortune to live there a week.
There could not have been less than 200 persons, who took supper at the
hotel the evening we were there, and such a motley crowd we never remember
having sat down with before. Officers
in gay uniforms; clerks in broadcloth, bedizened with jewelry; planters in
homespun, wagoners in their dirty shirt sleeves, and deserters with balls and
chains around their legs, might all be seen at the same table, contesting for
the possession of such edibles as were placed before them.
It
was a sight worthy the study of a painter, and we thought if Hogarth had been
there, he might have added one more relic that would have embellished his
illustrious memory. After supper,
we found the landlord standing at the door, something like a check-taker at a
theatre. As we were going to leave
again the same evening, we paid our bill, $3 for supper—soldiers, we were
told, were only charged $2.
We found this charge only in keeping with others.
The distance is but three miles from Columbus, and a hack, running to and
fro, charges $4 each way. The
Houston papers are sold at 50 cents a copy, and a negro won't look
at your trunk or carpet-bag for less than a dollar.
In fact, we, in this region, are in a blissful state of ignorance about
the outside world, in the way of charges, and a man only needs to take a short
trip from home, east or west, to be satisfied on this point. . . .
We
came up with a stage full of sick soldiers, and we noticed at Lagrange no charge
was made for their meals, the ladies of that county having made provision for
all who might be traveling through here. We
hope this will become general throughout the country, as we often meet with poor
fellows, who have been battling for their country since the war commenced,
wending their way homewards, broken down in constitution, and without a dollar
in their pockets. Who would have
the heart to refuse a shelter to these brave defenders of our homes, or take
their last dollar for their night's board and lodging? . . .
Alexandria, October 16, 1863.
. . . The exodus from Louisiana to Texas is now immense.
All are leaving who can get away. Many
planters are going with their negroes and leaving their families behind to the
tender mercies of the enemy. Others
are removing everything they can transport.
All the great thoroughfares leading to the Lone Star State are thronged,
hundreds passing any given point daily. How
they are to subsist when they get there is a question they are not prepared to
answer, but flatter themselves that any change of locality will be for the
better. If the portion of the State
lying this side of the river is overrun by the enemy, the majority of the
inhabitants will fly to Texas.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 22, 1863, p. 1, c.
2
We (Sioux) visited Hempstead a few days ago, and found the town in the
same condition of all our cities during war times.
Nine-tenths of the male population are in the army, but there are lots of
pretty girls to be seen everywhere. We
here met with parson J. Lancaster, editor of the Texas Ranger, wearing the rank
of Captain of the C. S. A. He is
enrolling officer for Washington county, and has the reputation of being a first
rate hand in drumming up recruits. We congratulate our contemporary on his appointment.
We visited Camp Groce, where the Federal prisoners of war are kept.
The camp is under command of Lt. Col. John Sales, of Washington county,
and everything looks neat and clean about the premises.
We found but little sickness among the prisoners, and all look well and
hearty. Some of the Yankee officers informed us that they were
getting fat on corn dodgers. Commander
Crocker and those captured at Sabine Pass are separated from those captured in
former engagements. We trust that
as soon as the present intentions are known that would justify us in an exchange
of prisoners, that it will be made, for we have some very valuable officers in
the hands of the enemy, and the cost of keeping and guarding these men will be
dispensed with.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 22, 1863, p. 1, c. 3
Potato Flies Used for Blistering Ointment.
Richmond, Sept. 19, 1863.
To the Editor of the Sentinel:
Dear Sir:--On a professional visit, a few days since, to the house of a
friend in Chesterfield, he complained that his potatoes were much scourged by an
insect fly, which he said existed in such numbers as seriously to damage his
crop in the present dry season. suspecting
at once that they were the true blistering fly, "Cantharis
vesicatoria" of our country, which are fond of feeding on potato vines, I
desired him to catch some for me. He
soon returned from the potato field with two or three dozen enclosed in a paper,
which I brought home, had them toasted dry and powdered, and then mixed with
cerate in the same proportions as are used in making the ordinary blistering
ointment of the shops. On the next
day I used this blistering ointment on a young man, a patient, with gratifying
effect. It drew very fine blisters,
exactly analogous in every respect with those produced by the ordinary Spanish
fly plaster, and in every way just as useful to the patient.
He said it drew quicker and was rather more burning, doubtless owing to
the freshness of the flies. Blistering
ointment will often fail when old. As
now is the time to catch these flies, it is wise for every housekeeper to gather
a quart or two for the use of his own family, to save himself the present
exorbitant cost of blistering ointment. If caught in sufficient quantities, they would be of great
service to our military hospitals, and would save a heavy charge to the medical
department of the army. Besides,
the value would be quite remunerating, and children may be useful in catching
them. They are about the size of a
common lightning bug, and somewhat like them; having larger bodies, with a
narrower waist, and alternate stripes of yellow and green down their backs.
This fly, in the books, is called, "Cantharis vittata."
It is the true blistering fly, indigenous to our country.
When caught and put into open muslin bags they may be killed by steaming
them over boiling vinegar, and then dried in the sun and kept for use.
When made into ointment, the powdered flies may be mixed with about two
or three parts their weight of a cerate made of equal parts of rosin, yellow
wax, and lard. It will keep a long
time.
Respectfully yours,
W. A. Patterson, M. D.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 22, 1863, p. 2, c.
3
The further arrivals of State Troops make a most soldierly and gallant
appearance. The battalion recently
arrived from Tyler and Waco are unsurpassed in their physical appearance as well
as their equipments by any that we have yet seen.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 22, 1863, p. 2, c.
5
The Item says that Austin College, at Huntsville, is quite flourishing,
having now over one hundred pupils.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 28, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
Wanted.
All ladies in Houston and surrounding counties who have cloth on hand,
which they can spare, are requested to donate it to the ladies of Crockett for
the purpose of making petticoats for the Minute Men of this county, who have
"backed out" of the service. We
think the petticoat more suitable for them in these times. And by thus clothing them, we can save our county the shame
and reproach which will be cast upon it, and ourselves the mortification of
meeting minute men who make great war speeches, but who, on the approach of
danger, hoist the white feather and retire from the field. Those clothed with the petticoat, as all are aware, are
allowed full license of the tongue, but are not held responsible for what they
may say or do.
Owing to the scarcity of cloth in the county, we will require the
merchants to furnish themselves.
Grand-ma Mattock.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, October 31, 1863, p. 2, c.
2
We publish to-day from the Houston Telegraph some important disclosures
as to the existence of domestic traitors among us, brought to light by Gen.
Magruder. Three of these traitors,
Dr. Peebles, a wealthy planter on the Brazos, D. B. Baldwin, a prominent lawyer
of Houston, and a German, by the name of Zinke, formerly from Victoria, where he
published a newspaper, have been some days here, on their way to banishment in
Mexico—Gen. Magruder having ordered that they should be put across the Rio
Grande at Eagle Pass. We take
occasion to earnestly protest against these and all other traitors being left on
our defenceless border to plot their treason against us. Let them either be hung, (as they deserve,) or be put at work
on our fortifications on the coast, under close guard.—S. A. Herald.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 2, 1863, p. 2, c.
3
The State Military Board have just received for distribution 30,000 pairs
of cotton cards, of European manufacture. They
were purchased and imported by, we believe Ball, Hutchings, & Co., at
present of this city, and are sold by the State Board to the counties at $10 per
pair, in currency. The Chief
Justice of each county will be notified of the share coming to his county, on
which, by sending the money to Austin, he will secure the cards.
The Board certainly deserve great credit for this work.
The saving they will make to the people will be largely over a million of
dollars, to say nothing of facilities for making clothing, etc.
All letters ordering these cards should be addressed to P. DeCordova,
Esq., Secretary of the Military Board.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 2, 1863, p. 2, c.
5
Nacogdoches, Texas, Oct. 22, 1863.
Editor Telegraph—A difference of opinion exists amongst officers who
should be well informed with regard to one point in military tactics—it is
this: Suppose the company marching
by the right flank, and the instructor wishing it to march to the front without
halting, what is the proper command? Some
drill officers give the command "By the left flank—march!" and
proceed to march their companies to the front, whilst others halt their company;
bring it to a front, and then command: Forward—March!
Please submit this question to your best informed authorities, and give
us the result of their decision in your next.
Second Sergeant,
10th Battalion, Texas State Troops.
[The military genius of the editor goes more to the planning of campaigns
and movements of large armies, than to the minutia of squad drill.
At a rough hazzard however, he would say that the drill officer who is
obliged to halt his men to change them from a flank to a front movement, should
himself halt till he learns his business. For
further particulars, see Hardee. We
would send our copy, but it has been loaned out these two years.—Ed.
Telegraph.]
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 3, 1863, p. 1, c.
1
Sabine Pass, Nov. 1st, 1863.
Ed. Telegraph--. . . Urged upon some of the ladies of Houston the
propriety of making and presenting the Davis Guards with a flag of the new
pattern, to be hoisted over Fort Griffin, as they have nothing but a Lone Star
flag, which is good enough for anybody to fight under, but not quite so
appropriate as a Confederate flag. During
the late battle they were forced to borrow a small flag from Capt. Daly or fight
without one.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 3, 1863, p. 1, c.
1
Card of Thanks.—The undersigned takes this method of
returning thanks on the part of himself and company, to the ladies of Richmond
and vicinity, and also of Alleyton, for their great kindness in making up a
large lot of clothing, in a very short space of time. And to the citizens of Alleyton, through Col. Webb, and of
Fort Bend county, through Dr. Leigh, for placing at his disposal the means of
purchasing it. I am also indebted
to E. H. Cushing, Esq., of the Telegraph, for giving much publicity to my
business in the State, collecting clothing for Flournoy's Regiment.
M. Quin,
Capt. Co. H, 16th, T. V. I.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 3, 1863, p. 2, c.
1
From the Tyler Reporter, Oct. 22d.
Fire.—On last Wednesday night, about twelve o'clock, a fire broke out
in the "Old Federal Court House" in this place, which entirely
destroyed that building. It was
occupied above at the time by some soldiers as a bed room, and below, we
understand, by some negroes and through the carelessness of the latter the fire
is supposed to have originated. The
stable attached to the "Holman House" was also destroyed, but the
stock and property in it were saved. The
"Holman House" itself was in much danger, and would certainly have
been burned but for the extraordinary stillness of the night and the efforts of
citizens and soldiers present at the time.
The soldiers in the court house were compelled to jump from the second
windows, the fire having reached the stairway before they awoke. Most all of them were more or less injured by the fall, but
no lives were lost. Nearly all
their baggage, clothing, &c., was burned.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 5, 1863, p. 1, c.
1
Soldiers' Circulating Library.—We appeal to the citizens of Houston and
surrounding country, for contributions of books, of a religious and moral
character, for the soldiers stationed in and around Galveston. Friends! while
the soldiers have left their homes, and formed a barrier between you and the
enemy, we desire that the weary hours of camp may be employed in reading a good
book. We have established a
circulating library; and, as books are not to be purchased, we must rely upon
the generous donations of friends at home.
Let each family in this part of the State contribute the books they can
spare, insert their names in them, and thus show their appreciation of our brave
soldiers. German literature is also
desired. We need pocket Bibles and
Testaments. Many of the soldiers
are without them and cannot get them. Pastors
of churches, please solicit contributions from the pulpit.
An immediate response is desired. Send
books Care Mr. James Burke Houston, or to myself, Galveston.
L. H. Baldwin, Post Chaplain, Galveston.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 5, 1863, p. 1, c.
4
Hempstead, Austin county, Oct. 24th, 1863.
At a meeting of the citizens held in this place to-day, Hon. E. Waller,
Sen., was called to the Chair, and N. W. Bush, member elect to the Legislature
for this County, was elected Secretary. The
Chairman explained the object of the meeting in a few appropriate remarks, and
extracts from the speech made by Maj. Gen. J. B. Magruder, at Camp Lubbock,
published in the Telegraph, were read. Rev.
James W. Shipman was then called for and responded in an eloquent and patriotic
speech; and, on motion, a committee, consisting N. W. Bush, J. W. Shipman, T. W.
Groce, F. J. Cooke and Reuben Loggins, was appointed to embody in writing the
sentiments of the meeting, and on motion, the Chairman was added to the
Committee, who, after a short recess, reported as follows:
Resolved, That Maj. Gen. J. B. Magruder, in his action with regard to the
arrest of traitors among us, has met the wants and wishes of the people of
Texas, and was fully and unequivocally endorsed by this meeting.
Resolved, That we have reason to be thankful to the Great Disposer of
human events, that his Military Department has at its head a man who feared no
responsibility when the interests of the country are jeapardised [sic], and who,
coming among us with a bright escutchen [sic], has added, and is adding, to an
already illustrious name by his action in the responsibilities and emergencies
that surrounded him.
Resolved, That Maj. Gen. J. B. Magruder has elicited the confidence and
admiration of the people of Texas by his acts in the council, as well as in the
field, and that in assuming military authority where civil law was powerless to
arrest the evil, he has demonstrated his capacity to act in emergencies as well
as in the usual duties of a military leader, and has thereby enlarged the
confidence we already reposed in him.
Resolved, That we will organize ourselves into a company and report to
him for duty at once, under his last call for exempts, dated October 17th;
and that we will give every aid and information in our power towards the further
arrest of traitors among us; and to this we pledge all we hold dear on earth.
The resolutions were unanimously adopted by a crowded house.
The main object of the meeting being thus disposed of, a citizen rose and
asked leave to offer the following resolution, which was granted:
Resolved, That the Provost Marshal and Enrolling Officer of this county,
in the discharge of delicate and responsible duties, have been faithful,
vigilant and true; and that while they have performed their duties to the
Government, they have comported themselves with comity, consideration and regard
towards the people.
This resolution was unanimously adopted; and, on motion, the Houston
Telegraph, Galveston News and Bellville Countryman were requested to publish
these resolutions.
Whereupon the meeting adjourned sine die.
E. Waller, Sen., Chairman.
N. W. Bush, Secretary.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 5, 1863, p. 2, c.
1
We have had the pleasure of meeting Capt. G. W. Chilton, just up from the
Rio Grande with 4,000 and odd Enfield rifles, all of which have safely arrived
at this place. they are a timely
addition to our means of defence.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 7, 1863, p. 1, c. 5
Message of Governor Lubbock.
. . . In March last, Maj. Gen. Magruder requested of me the
use of the Penitentiary as a place of confinement for the prisoners of war in
this District. I acceded to his
request, conditioned that such use would not impair the material interests of
the Institution. I wrote to this
effect to the Superintendent, and authorized him to receive the prisoners, if he
was satisfied the material interests of the Institution would not suffer.
The prisoners were received sometime in the latter end of April or
beginning of May. Subsequently
doubts arose in my mind as to the propriety of the step, solely, however, upon
the ground of risk to the Establishment, and not as to the propriety of its use
as a place of confinement for prisoners, the enemy having frequently
incarcerated our soldiers in such places. I
thereupon addressed Brigadier General Scurry, requesting their withdrawal, which
was done. In the month of October I received two communications from
Maj. Gen. Magruder; again, urgently requesting its use for the safe keeping of
Federal prisoners of war taken at Sabine Pass; many very important reasons were
adduced by him in support of the measure, but none sufficient in my judgment, to
overcome my previous objections, and which I yet entertain, viz:
the risk of destruction to the sole manufactory of cloth west of the
Mississippi river, of incalculable importance, therefore, to the armies of the
Trans-Mississippi Department. I
declined his request. I
respectfully ask the Legislature to take into consideration the propriety of
using the penitentiary for such purpose. . . .
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 9, 1863, p. 2, c. 4
Philips' Regiment.
Capt. A. W. Noble, of Philips' Regiment, has arrived in Houston, with a
detail of six men, to procure clothing for that regiment. . . . Capt. Noble will
remain in Houston, while the above-named men will proceed to the counties where
the regiment was made up, and endeavor to procure the clothing required.
This regiment has been in constant service now for many months, and for
the last two months it has been on outpost duty, hovering about the advancing
foe, and without a change of clothing all the time.
As may be supposed, the brave boys are in rags.
Very many of the regiment are from Arizona and California. They have no friends here to depend on for clothing.
The generosity of the people must supply the want.
Already, we believe, has Maj. Durant asked for this aid.
We trust his call and that of Capt. Noble will be met as Texians alone
know how to meet the calls of this kind.
What is wanted is underclothing, socks, blankets, coats, etc. All donations sent to this office for the purpose will be
acknowledged in the Telegraph, and we hope to be able to acknowledge a fully
supply in a few days. those having
friends in the regiment will forward packages to Capt. Noble at this place, at
once, in order that they may go to the needy boys on the first wagon that
leaves.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 7, 1863, p. 2, c.
4
Milk is now sold at $1 per quart in Houston.
A friend and neighbor of ours sells the milk of two cows daily at 75
cents per quart. He has six fine
negroes hired out, the cost of whom originally was over $7,000 in gold.
His two cows cost him $50. These
cows now net him more than the six negroes!
The negroes bringing him in $255 per month, and the cows about $280.
Make your own comments.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 10, 1863, p. 1, c.
5
The officers of Ector's brigade gave a "pic-nic" near Meridian,
on Friday last, which was one of the pleasantest little affairs we have recently
attended. The day was very
propitious, the various meteorological premonitions of falling weather having
been dispelled early in the morning, leaving a clear and lovely sky, with here
and there a pure white cloud, slumbering "like Eden isles on the upper
deep."—A large arbor had been constructed at the place selected for the
day's festivities, where seats for the ladies and others had been arranged, and
in front of which, ample preparations were made for the devotees of Terpsichore.
The attendance of fair ladies and brave men was good, and everything
passed off quietly, pleasantly and agreeably to all.
About noon, the votaries of the dance commenced their favorite exercise
to the discourse of good and enlivening music, and concluded until dinner was
announced, when all repaired to a table loaded with good things, to which ample
justice was done by all. The dance
was revived after dinner, and kept up till the shades of evening stole in on the
happy party. When the company
dispersed, each one was pleased with the day's proceedings.—Mississippian,
Oct. 20th.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 10, 1863, p. 1, c.
5
The Texas cavalry, (Rangers), at Rome, Ga., played a mad prank the other
day. They disguised themselves as
Yankees, made a dash upon the Georgia militia and captured their battery.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 10, 1863, p. 2, c.
1
Walker County, Texas, Oct. 27, 1863.
Ed. Telegraph—Notwithstanding the great hue and cry that has prevailed
in relation to the "condition of soldiers' families," I do candidly
believe that the majority of them in this portion of the State, at all events,
are bountifully supplied with all the necessaries, and to a great extent, with
all the luxuries of life at present obtainable in the markets of the country.
Several families of soldiers, in this county, within the writer's ken,
live better, are better clad, and live in greater idleness than when their
"heads" were at home.
Yet there are some overlooked "exceptions to these rules."
Now and then a family is seen living principally on bread, clad in rags,
and poorly housed. In this latter
category is the family, I am informed of one Moses, in the North-Eastern part of
our county. The number of their
beat the writer don't remember, but be it where it may, they should be looked
to, and their wants immediately relieved. Moses,
I am told, has been two years in the army, and if he is as meek as his great
Israelitish namesake his passions would, no doubt, be somewhat ruffled at
learning the destitute condition of his wife and children.
Respectfully,
Friend to the Poor.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 10, 1863, p. 2, c.
3
The [Henderson TX] Times mentions ladies dressed in homespun.
That's good. We should be glad to see enough of it in market to enable
ladies to discard all foreign made flummery.
An honest woman dressed in good honest homespun would indeed be a prize.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 12, 1863, p. 1, c.
1
General Hospital, P. A. C. S.,
}
Houston, Texas, Nov. 12, 1863. }
Persons applying for medicines, on prescriptions of an army surgeon, must
supply vials. I desire to purchase
old vials, old linen and cotton rags—which are greatly needed in the Hospital.
W. P. Riddell,
Post Surgeon in charge of Hospital.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 12, 1863, p. 1, c.
?
Headquarters, Dist. of Texas, New}
Mexico and Arizona,
}
Houston, Nov. 8, 1863.
}
General Orders No. 94.
I. The limited stock of
clothing, camp and garrison equipage on hand at any one time requires that only
the absolute necessities of the troops be supplied.
To accomplish this, immediately on the reception of this order, the
companies will be inspected critically by their commanders, superintended by the
Regimental, Battalion, or Post Commander, as the case may require, and both
officers shall forward at once, to Capt. E. C. Wharton, A. Q. M., Chief of
Bureau of Clothing and Equippage, Houston, a statement, certified on honor,
showing at inspection:
1st. The number
of men actually present.
2d. The quantity and
character of Clothing in possession of the men, under the headings of "Hats
or Caps," "Coats or Jackets," "Trowsers, Shirts, Drawers,
Socks, Shoes, Blankets, Great or Overcoats."
3d. The quantity and
character of Camp and Garrison Equippage in charge of the Company or its
Commander.
4th. The quantity
and character of Clothing and Equippage absolutely requisite to enable the men
to take the field.
Any inaccurate statement will subject the Inspecting Officers to prompt
punishment.
At the same time, Sub-District, Post, Regimental or Battalion
Quartermasters will furnish Capt. E. C. Wharton, A. Q. M., with a certified
Return of Clothing and Equippage in their charge, showing whether for issue or
for transportation; and the Returns will be made to Capt. Wharton, monthly.
The troops enlisted for the war will be the first supplied by Captain
Wharton, and the Clothing and Equippage Quartermasters under his control, as
Chief of the Clothing and Equippage Bureau.
Of these troops, those ordered for active service will have the
preference.
Sales of clothing to officers will be confined strictly to absolute
necessities for their own personal use, and must not interfere with the
paramount duty of clothing the troops.
The funds received by Post, Regimental and Battalion Quartermasters, for
sales of clothing to officers, will be turned over by them to Captain Wharton,
A. Q. M., Houston; Capt. McKinney, A. Q. M., Tyler, or to Capt. Prescott, A. Q.
M., San Antonio.
II. General Orders No. 193,
Nov. 2d, 1863, from these Headquarters, are so far modified as to allow
Commanding officers, in case of absolute necessity, to permit their
Quartermasters, and Commissaries of Subsistence to leave their posts or commands
on public business.
III. Officers are hereby
positively prohibited from detaining a messenger beyond the schedule time, of
the Pony Express, on any route in this District.
This order is positive, and a strict compliance will be required.
By command of
Maj. Gen. J. B. Magruder.
E. P. Turner, A. A. G.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 12, 1863, p. 2, c. 1
Iron.
Cut off from all extraneous resources, it is important that the
Trans-Mississippi Department should become self-sustaining.
To effect that result it is necessary that the mineral wealth of Texas
should be developed, for we cannot gain our independence or defend it after it
is conquered without Iron, which is an article of prime necessity, and the basis
of all civilization. . . At the last session of Congress the Iron Service so
called, was created, with an appropriation to secure the production of pig
metal. An agent of that service was
sent to this State. He has made a
thorough exploration of the "iron belt," and knows its capabilities.
He is now, we understand, in Austin, or on his way thither, and we trust the
Legislature will take such action as may secure for the benefit of the people,
as well as the Government, the erection of iron works in all parts of the iron
region.
It would be far better if these works should be carried on by private
enterprise, encouraged by legislation. Such
is the case with those east of the Mississippi.
The necessities of the people will shortly call loudly for these works.
We are now short of pots, kettles and all the implements of domestic use
or husbandry. Unless we endeavor to
supply ourselves in this way, we shall always be dependent on those who are or
may be our enemies. We commend the
subject to the attention of the people and the Legislature.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 12, 1863, p. 2, c. 4
Fourth Texas Infantry at Chattanooga.
Shreveport, La., Nov. 4, 1863.
Mr. Editor—I enclose you an extract from a private letter of my
brother, John C. West, company E, private in 4th regiment Texas
Infantry, Hood's old brigade. It
may be of interest to the friends of that regiment.
It is dated October 14th, 1863 in line of battle near
Chattanooga.
J. C. S. West.
Extract.
I overtook the old brigade on the morning of the 18th
September at the Burnt Bridge just at the dawn of day, and found all astir and
making ready to move. I had no time
to rest, but marched off immediately, passing Ringgold at about eight or nine
o'clock in the morning. Here we
first heard of Yanks ahead, and putting out flankers, moved forward cautiously
and slowly. At about 12 o'clock,
while passing through quite a narrow defile, we heard considerably firing in
front; we were here ordered to load and await orders.
While here I saw citizens, men, women and children, hurrying to the rear.
I saw one poor creature overloaded with coverlids, tin pans, cups,
&c., with a child on each side and two or three bawling behind.
She fell down three times, but still scrambled on for life, while the
sputtering fire of the muskets in the surrounding hills was sounding in her
ears. As I saw her agony I could
but recall the words of Holy Writ: "Woe
until those who are with child, and who give suck in these days." . . .
J. C. West.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 14, 1863, p. 1, c. 1
A Card.
The undersigned would announce to the Christian public, that they have
already printed and put into circulation over 150,000 pages of tracts for our
soldiers of the Trans-Mississippi Department, a full supply of which can now be
had at James Burke's book store at $10 per hundred tracts, of four pages each.
All Chaplains are invited to send their orders, and the tracts will be
supplied "gratis" to them.
Whoever purchases 1000 tracts at $100, and whoever will send us $100
donation, will each thereby enable us to print 1000 tracts in addition to our
present supply. We most earnestly
entreat the friends of this enterprise to send us funds without delay.
A. J. Burke, Treasurer,
Jas. Burke, Depository.
Rev. Mr. Ahrens is our Agent to collect funds and distribute the tracts.
J. R. Hutchinson,
J. E. Carnes,
T. Castleton,
A. Brown.
Houston, Nov. 13, 1863.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 14, 1863, p. 1, c.
4
Bonham, Nov. 4th, 1863.
Editor Telegraph:-- . . . The developments of treasonable correspondence,
as made by Gen. Magruder, did not surprise me at all when I heard the names of
some of the parties. So far as I
know them, they have long been mean, corrupt men.
Why their names were not given publicly to hissing and scorn, I do not
know. But it does seem, that if the
country, and especially those who read little and are most liable to be led
astray, were made to see that the leaders in all such treason were notoriously
bad men on general principles, it would prevent others being misled by them.
For instance, one of the correspondents referred to, who lived in Houston
and was arrested—was long known in Little rock as a tricky, swindling lawyer,
with no talent but for petty frauds. Some
years ago, and not long after his removal to Indianola, Texas, he overreached a
simple-hearted brother of his, who had charge of the Hospital, and induced him
to rob a dead man, who had died there under his charge, of a cash draft on a
Baltimore Quartermaster, for nine hundred dollars. The attempt to collect it led to a complete detection.
The duped brother soon after died of a broken heart, while the scoundrel
who had induced the heinous crime and was to reap a part of the fruit, went
unwhipt of justice. Scorned in the village, he soon after removed to Houston.
What has been his course since, I do not know; but with this knowledge of
his antecedents, with the additional fact that he was originally a New Yorker,
and always regarded by many as an abolitionist, it was not surprising to my mind
that he was detected plotting the ruin of the country of his adoption.
The facts referred to as having occurred at Indianola, can be vouched
for by Hon. J. Beaumont, then and now Chief Justice of the county, and Wm. P.
Mitby, then County Clerk, and now
of Hallettsville. Instead of being
a convict in the Penitentiary atoning for his crime, he was allowed to go at
large; and now, when caught in the blackest crime known to the public law of all
governments, instead of being hung, he is (as we learn) being sent out of the
country, where he may revenge himself more effectively with such black-hearted
knaves as Hamilton, Haynes, Davis, Stansel and others, whose sole incentive to
treason is the hope of plundering wealth from the people who scout and loathe
them as the basest of the base. This
man's name is DAVID J. BALDWIN. The
proof against him was the dying declaration of his brother.
Then why conceal his name and these facts, and allow him to go North, to
be lionized as a martyr, when, if his true character were known, he would be
despised by thousands even in that corrupt land.
Another case. One Thomas
Fulgum and others have been arrested in Coryell county, having in their
possession an abundance of Indian arrows, mockasins [sic] and other Indian
disguises, by the aid of which they had been playing Indian on the frontier,
stealing, shooting stock, &c. They
were in communication with men who had deserted and concealed themselves in the
woods. One Augustus Fore was
associated with the same gang of deserters, though probably not one himself.
Now look at their character. Fulgrum
is an old offender. . . .
B.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 14, 1863, p. 2, c.
1
The members of the Second Texas Regiment, recently exchanged, are rapidly
concentrating at Camp Lubbock near this city.
They have been furnished with new and improved Enfield rifles. Our readers will remember their old regimental flag was lost
at Vicksburg, after they had nobly carried, and defended it on many a hard
fought battle field, they are now without a stand of colors, and we would
suggest that our citizens again present them with them.
We will guarantee they will defend it wherever they are ordered.
Let some one set the ball in motion, and any amount of money necessary
for this object can be raised in a short time.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 14, 1863, p. 2, c.
1
Much has been said by our Texas soldier in Louisiana against the Cagins
[sic] of that State. It is probable
that many of our readers may be ignorant of the character of these Cagins.
From a citizen of that State we learn they are an extremely ignorant
class of population, inhabiting the rural districts, who have descended from the
criminals transported by the French in the last century to this region.
They are viscous by nature, and little better by education, looked upon
with distrust by the people, and the antipathies between them and our troops are
hardly less than that between them and the whites of that State. They are said in fact to be about on a level with the negro
in intelligence, and two degrees below him in viciousness.
Just previous to the war, the Governor of Louisiana made a raid upon them
for some sort of scoundrelism or other, and scattered them far and wide, some
even having found a refuge in the pine forests and cypress swamps on the Sabine.
These Cagins, on the
breaking out of the present war regarded it as in some way connected with that
raid, and they look upon the United States troops as coming to revenge them of
the injuries they suffered from the Louisiana State authorities.
These Cagins being free, are all subjects to conscription, and the result
of attemptying to conscript them has been to fill that country with outlaws,
whose jayhawking is a terror to the people. When put in the ranks they are worse
than useless, pursuing that dogged and stubborn disposition characteristic of
all criminals under civilized restraint. Many
have been shot for desertion, and our opinion is the army would be better for
driving every man of them into the enemy's lines.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 14, 1863, p. 2, c.
3
Sewing machine needles for Singer's, Weed's, Bramen's, J X L, and
Economist. Orders from the country
promptly attended to. Apply to
J. C. Wilson, Sword Factory.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 16, 1863, p. 2, c.
1
[Article on Cajuns]
The above article, written on the statements given us by gentlemen of the
highest character from Louisiana, was published in our last. It coincides altogther with the accounts we had before
received from our own troops in that State.
From an examination of Guyarris History of Louisiana, we are inclined to
think the statements are too sweeping. The
term "Cagin" is a corruption of "Acadian," and from the
Acadian exiles many of the best as well as of the worst of the population of
Louisiana have sprung. It is
unfortunate that they should all be included under one name, and we are given to
understand they are not, the term "Cagin" being applied only to those
semi-civilized outcasts who have made all the trouble in that State.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 16, 1863, p. 2, c.
1
We notice the rather tough sentence by a recent court-martial here on a
soldier for stealing, viz: To wear
a "barrel shirt," one hour each day for ten consecutive days, the
barrel to be marked front and rear "Thief" in large letters.
The parade ground to be up and down Market street from the Market House
to Tremont street, to be attended by a proper guard, with a drum and fife, to
the tune of "Yankee doodle."
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 17, 1863, p. 1, c.
3
Editor Telegraph—Among the many modes by which our citizens have sought
to alleviate the condition of their defenders, there is one which I have heard
never publicly suggested, but which seems to me of paramount importance.
This is the institution in the city of a Soldier's Home—a place where
the soldier in transit can procure a night's lodging and breakfast, without
expending a whole month's pay, as is now nearly the case.
Every soldier passing through the city by railroad, is compelled to spend
the night and part of the next day here. That
he should do so without cost, seems to me so apparent that I shall make no
further comment. We have in the
city at the moment an army of amateur musical talent never before known in the
State. To say nothing of our own
citizens, there are many most accomplished musicians who, driven from their
homes by the fortunes of war, have sought a refuge among us. Could they be induced to join our resident talent in a
concert, an entertainment of surpassing excellence would be the result.
I therefore beg to propose through your columns, that an effort be made
to concentrate the entire talent of the city in a concert, the proceeds of which
may form the nucleus of a fund for the Soldier's Home.
I am aware that several of our most favorite stagers are in affliction,
but trust there will be no indelicacy in urging them to forget for the time
their private griefs, and join heart and hand in the holy purpose of providing
for the weary soldier a piece of repose.—Should the project be successful,
contributions would rapidly flow in, while by the judicious disbursement of even
a small sum, immediate good might be accomplished.
Forgive me if I trespass upon your space, but this is a subject on which
I feel deeply, and which I think of too much importance to be lightly passed
over.
Very truly, yours,
Chas. O. Otis.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 17, 1863, p. 2, c.
2
Having occasion to buy a pair of shoes a day or two since, we stepped in,
by force of habit, to the place where Massey used to keep his boot shop, and
found a very obliging shopkeeper who fitted us out for $50 with a fine pair of
stout calf skins, better than we saw sold a month ago for $60. This is one place at least where the fall of Brownsville has
not changed prices. The shopman is
an Israelite too. Those farmers who
have doubled the price of their pork are respectfully invited to compare their
conduct with his.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 17, 1863, p. 2, c.
2
A friend writes us that our ragged and barefooted boys came out of the
battle of Bayou Borbeux well clothed and shod, loaded down with oil cloths,
blankets and India rubbers. Glad to hear of it.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 16, 1863,
supplement, p. 1, c. 1
Headquarters, 20th T. D. C.,
}
Boggy Depot, C. N., Oct. 15, 1863. }
Mr. Editor—Below you will find a list of names of lady refugees that
have just come through the enemy's lines from Missouri, passing this place
yesterday morning en route for Texas; the majority of whom are married ladies,
and their husbands are all in the service of their country, some of them with
Maj. Gen. Price, and some with Col. Quantrell:
Mrs. Sarah Ann Noland and child, husband in Gen. Price's army; Mrs.
Mattie J. Yagee, wife of Capt. Yagee, with Col. Quantrell; Mrs. Nannie Muir and
two children, husband with gen. Price, Mrs. Mary Walton and two children, one of
which died the day before they reached this post, and was buried here by the
rebels; her husband is also with Gen. Price; Mrs. Rebecca Flannery with seven
children; Mrs. Laura Flannery and child, husband in Col. Quantrell's command;
Mrs. Henrietta Muir, husband murdered by the Yankees on the 18th of
January last; Mrs. Ida Irvin and child, husband with Col. Quantrell; Mrs. Jane
Flannery, husband with Colonel Quantrell's command; Mrs. Sarah Wells and six
children, husband in Gen. Price's army; Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson, a widow lady,
and whose only son is with Col. Quantrell; and Miss Maggie Johnson, her
daughter. And last, but not least,
Miss Mattie Baker, who has no relatives living.
The ladies have all made their way from within the lines of the Yankees,
driving their own teams without any male person to assist them in making the
long and tedious trip.
Before leaving their houses in Missouri, they provided themselves with
good horses, to haul their wagons, which contained what little of their effects
the Yankees permitted them, in their great mercy to bring along with them.
But before they had proceeded far on their journey, Lincoln's hireling
soldiery robbed them of the last horse they had, leaving their wagons standing
in the road, in a country where they were entirely unknown, and not a friend
near, in whom they could apply for aid. They
were not only deprived of their property, but were insulted by almost every
indignity that a band of lawless men and unbridled soldiery could offer.
After several days canvassing on foot, the ladies succeeded at the most
enormous rates in securing a sufficient number of oxen to move forward toward
their destination.
On they came, trudging their lonely way, caring for, and watching their
teams at night, and gathering and hitching them up in the morning. Insult heaped upon insult were offered them as they passed
along; and they were repeatedly informed by the Yankees that the Confederates
would not show them any respect whatever, that Quantrell and his men were all
considered as a band of robbers and outlaws by the rebels themselves.
It was enough to make any patriot's heart burn with rage and indignation,
to set and hear them recite their wrongs and sufferings for the past two years,
which are almost numberless, and unprecedented in the annals of history.
Many of them have not seen their husbands for over two years and don't
know whether they are living or have been numbered with the pale nations of the
dead. Often have these ladies
prepared the hasty meal for the guerrilla and carried it to him while he was hid
in the bushes awaiting to avenge the wrongs done him by the vilest foe that ever
invaded the homes of a gallant people.
Notwithstanding the sufferings and trials through which these ladies have
passed, their patriotism is ardent and even more determined than before.
They declare that they never wish to see their husbands and brothers
leave the field until the last armed foe has been vanquished, and that if it
come to the worst that THEY would shoulder the musket and breast the
storm of battle, and fall a sacrifice upon the altar of their country's freedom.
They expressed a decidedly favorable opinion of the rebels they met here,
stating that the generous conduct of the soldiers was greatly in contrast with
that of the insolent wretches who are bowing at the feet of Father Abraham; and
that they felt once more that they were with their brothers, and that they could
breathe free again.
Both citizens and soldiers at this place vied with each other in giving
them every assistance in their power to alleviate as much as possible their
distress, and to show them every courtesy due them from a gallant and brave
people, battling for freedom's cause.
In addition to the many trials they encountered on their journey, none
seemed more heart-rendering than that of the death of Mrs. Mary Walton's child,
before mentioned. It was a
beautiful angel-like cherub. Well
do I remember its calm and placid countenance, as I saw it while it was being
transferred from the rude coffin, made by the ladies themselves while passing
through the Indian country, to the more finished and neat one prepared for it by
the rebels. How sad and solemn the
reflection that while its remains were being conveyed to its last resting place,
witnessed by its mother, the father was far away, battling for his liberty,
unconscious of the fate of his jewel. The
burial was attended and executed by the soldiers of the 20th Texas,
who all joined the mother in weeping for her child, obeying the holy injunction
which says "Weep with those that weep."
Not a dry cheek was there.
The patriotism, forbearance and long suffering of these ladies should be
a lesson to the ladies of Texas who, as yet, have felt none of the hardships and
privations of this war, especially those who are continually writing to their
husbands and brothers in the army, making out their cases as dark as possible,
thereby discouraging their friends, and inducing them to desert their country's
flag.
Ladies of Texas, my word for it, if you will write to your relatives and
friends in the army, that you are ready and willing to do and suffer everything
that is necessary for the sake of liberty, and for them to remain at their posts
until they can come home honorably, desertions in our army will soon be a thing
of the past. Let no Texas mother
dishonor herself by offering any inducement to husband or son to leave their
comrades in the face of the enemy, and go home without the consent of his
commander. With a just cause and a
God of Justice with us, we have but to discharge our duty, and success is beyond
the possibility of a doubt.
What an example for all young ladies is found in the patriotic course of
Miss Maggie Johnson and Miss Mattie Baker, both beautiful lovely and graceful. Yours
truly,
J. W. Johnson.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 23, 1863, p. 2, c. 1
The Blockade Trade.
Our foreign trade has now become reduced to the precarious tenure of
running the blockade. The trade
must necessarily be quite small, and is alike for the interest of the Government
and the people to make the most possible of it in the way of supplying the
necessities of life. To this end,
if it were possible, the traffic should be limited to such food and clothing, as
well as munitions of war, as the army and people need most. . . Still it will be
far from supplying as many of the wants of the country as the Rio Grande trade
did, and it becomes our people to make the most ample provisions for themselves
without the hope of foreign goods. Let
homespun be the clothing of the people. Let
the ladies appear in domestic checks, and the men in domestic jeans.
It may be expensive at first, but in time we shall all be better clothed,
and far wealthier in our independence than when dependent on Yankeeland and
England for our clothing.
At the best the blockade trade will not supply one-tenth of the wants
that are inclined to depend upon it. We
hope it will be made as useful to the country as possible, and that for the rest
of the country may use every expedient possible to dispense with the goods it
brings.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 23, 1863, p. 2. c.
3
Lt.
Col. James W. Barnes, who has had charge of the Yankee prisoners of
war at Camp Groce, has won golden opinions from our authorities, as well as from
his prisoners. He is a humane and
vigilant officer, and has a noble body of men under his command.
We hope to see this worthy officer obtain his commission as Brig. Gen. in
a short time.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 24, 1863, p. 2, c.
2
The Yankee prisoners captured at Sabine Pass on the gunboats Clifton and
Sachem were paroled on Saturday last, and will be transported to Shreveport en
route for New Orleans. The officers
will be sent to Shreveport and there will await their exchange. Capt. Harrison and the surviving officers of the Harriet Lane
have been exchanged, and left on the stage Saturday morning for New Orleans.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 25, 1863, p. 2, c. 1
The Iron Opportunity.
We should be glad to hear of capital being embarked in iron works in the
State. There is a belt of iron ore
covering not less than two or three thousand square miles of territory in this
State, of great richness, and capable of supplying the Confederacy with iron.
the iron is also of a quality unsurpassed by any in Europe or America.
The supply is inexhaustible. It
is within easy reach of navigation now, and the belt has no less than three live
railroads pointing towards it. The
capital is in the country; all that is wanted is the disposition.
Such works being established now, would secure a start before the end of
the war which would make them permanent mines of wealth to the owners.
There is, and always will be, plenty of demand for iron in Texas.
It is a shame that the pots and kettles and iron rods that are used in
Anderson, Cherokee, Smith, Upshur, Rusk, etc., should all be imported from the
North and England, when the very ground of these counties is filled with pots
and kettles and iron rods in the crude state.
All that is wanted is a little enterprise rightly-directed. Have our people got it?
Let us at least hope so, and urge them to display it.
We have heard of the golden opportunity.
This is the iron opportunity of incalculable value to whoever improves
it.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 24, 1863, p. 2, c.
1
Just before the war a cotton factory was almost established in Houston,
on a capital of $40,000. By some
means it fell through. Its failure
was a great misfortune to the State, and quite a misfortune to the stockholders.
Such a factory now would be worth untold wealth to its owners and to the
people.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 25, 1863, p. 1, c. 4
Frontier News.
Weatherford, Texas, Nov. 9th, 1863.
Editor Telegraph:--
War is a moving machine—
Successes and reverses alternately,
Orders and countermands eternally,
Arrests and releases infernally,
Is the way of the War King.
I did not remain in camps but a short time, until I was ordered back to
Texas, and in Parker, Johnson, and adjoining counties, was assigned the
laborious duty of seeking those persons that had deserted their colors and were
hiding in the brush. My duty was to
get access to them if possible and by pacific terms to get them to return to
their true allegiance to their country. My
success was very gratifying, sending a number to their respective commands.
Recently Col. John R. Baylor was sent here with orders eminating [sic]
from Maj. Gen. Magruder, to gather all deserters and stragglers and organize
them for frontier protection. They
are flocking to him from every direction, and ere long the Colonel will swell
his command to thousands.
The Indians have been very troublesome on the frontier.
They have depredated as low down as Johnson county.
They killed Mr. Green near the Comanche Peak.
They have stolen horses on Bear and Long Creeks, carrying off two
children, a little girl and a boy, of Mr. Wilson's; were followed and recaptured
in the mountain fastnesses by the bold and gallant Erath county boys, and
returned to their grieving parents. They
also killed Frank Brown's wife, and wounded two of his daughters, one being
matured to womanhood. She has since
died. Near by, and by the same
devils, were killed and scalped, two of Parson Hamilton's sons.
The parents grieve their loss. Last
week, Nan Tuckett, a very efficient frontiersman, was attacked by twelve
Indians. He fought them with
desperation, killing two dead and wounding two more.
He shot eight shots at the rascals, and, from the want of loaded pieces,
was overpowered, and shot a deadly shot by the enemy's piercing arrow.
The frantic people mourn his loss. This
fight took place within three hundred yards of his house, and his family dare
not assist him.
More recently the family of Mr. Porter, of Montague county, has been
barbarously massacred and burned up in their house.
A little girl scarcely ten was shot through the neck with an arrow, she
fell by the side of her dead mother, pretendingly dead, and lay there until a
little brother, who hid himself under the house, come to her relief and carried
her out of the house just as the roof was falling in.
The frontier will have better protection now, than it had before, or
since the war.
There are a set of soft-shells in those counties that are eternally
harping us the downfall of Vicksburgh and our reveres generally.
It is believed here that such people are disloyal, and are looked upon as
suspicious characters. All such
croakers should either be sent out of the country, hung, or else place them in
the manufacturing department at Huntsville.
There has been a vast amount of grain destroyed here lately, and it is
believed to be done by incendiaries of the above class.
John Hayley had a crib containing 700 bushels of corn burned.
Hamp Patillo lost by fire 1000 bushels of wheat and barley, John Sparks
had a mill consumed by the same destroying element, with all the grain and flour
therein contained. Old Jack Cole
had his residence destroyed in the same manner, depriving the women and children
of beds and clothing.—Some suspicious characters have been arrested, one
placed in the Buchanan jail, whilst others are to be tried in Weatherford, but
there are so many to be tried in Weatherford, but there are so many legal
gentlemen of the same stamp that I have no faith in their being convicted.
Col. John R. Baylor and his Lady Rangers are here, ready for duty.
An express has just come from Bonham, asking Col. Baylor to accept the
command of the entire retinue of deserters and stragglers, which will be a
considerable force. I hope that he will agree to lead them, for in my opinion he
can instill into them new life, and an energy that will enable them to do good
work and retrieve their lost characters. Six
companies have recently come out of the brush in Collin and adjoining counties
by the kind and pacific policy used by Gen. McCulloch.
The course that Gen. McCulloch has pursued since his arrival at Bonham
has won him the good will of the entire frontier.
May he long live to assist us in our struggles, and may a kind Providence
nerve our arms to soon strike the blow that will cause the enemy to sue for
peace and establish to us our liberties and an independent Republic.
More anon.
Gray Rover.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 26, 1863, p. 1, c.
5
The Tyler Reporter has received a sample of pure alum, manufactured in
Grayson county by F. L. Yoakum & Co. Alum
abounds in various parts of the State.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 27, 1863, p. 1, c. 4
Circular.
Houston,
Nov. 24th, 1863.
To the Citizens of Texas:
Sometime early in October last I
had arrested several parties suspected of treasonable designs against the
Confederate Government. Suspicion
was particularly directed towards those persons by the appearance of a circular,
the character of which accorded with sentiments known to have been expressed by
them. Upon a diligent search being
made, a large number of letters were found in the handwriting of one of the
arrested parties, and a few in the handwriting of another directed to his
friends at the North. From these
letters I obtained the most positive evidence of a determination upon the part
of these men and others, to organize for the purpose of aiding the enemy, and
ovethrowing the Government of the Confederate States. I did not hesitate a
moment in acting as I believed then, and still believe, was in strict accordance
with my duty--and I cheerfully assumed the responsibility of placing these
traitors in confinement.
Shortly after the arrest of
Baldwin, Peebles and Zinke, I addressed the troops at Camp Lubbock, and in the
course of my remarks alluded to the fact of those arrests being made, and also
gave some of the reasons which influenced me in having these men taken into
custody. I believe all who were
present admitted the wisdom of my action; such at least, I have been led to
believe was the universal sentiment expressed.
Since that time other arrests have been made, from the fact that names
were mentioned in the correspondence of these arrested parties, as friends
in a political point of view, and I was determined if a dangerous organization
had been effected against the Confederate and State Governments, that I would
secure if possible the leaders in it. All
the parties thus arrested, save in the cases of Baldwin, Peebles and Zinke were
examined and discharged, not because there were no grounds for suspicion, but
because there was not sufficient evidence against them to warrant me in keeping
them in confinement.
Some of these men, perhaps, were
entirely innocent of any intention to participate in the contemplated treason of
those now in custody, but there were strong grounds in favor of the opinion that
all whom I caused to be arrested, were sympathisers with, and aiders and
abettors of Baldwin and his associates.
I do not desire to assume
authority that does not properly and legitimately attach to my position as
Commanding General of this District. I
have no intention to usurp power, and disregard the restraints thrown around me
by the civil law of the land. I
desire, as all good citizens should, to obey the law, and resist oppression.
But there are times and circumstances when a military commander must act
upon the moment, when to delay would not only be dangerous, but might be fatal,
and at such times and under such circumstances, I shall never shrink from the
responsibility of acting.
I have caused to be sent to the
Governor of the State a synopsis of the testimony against the men now in
custody, together with other documents, showing the fact of an organization of a
most dangerous character, and have asked that these papers be laid before the
Legislature now in session, that some sufficiently stringent law may be passed,
by which the military authorities may be relieved from the necessity of
arresting and confining men who should be dealt with by the civil tribunals. I
hope the Legislature will take such action as will secure the speedy punishment
of all men intending treason, when the intention can be proved.
If such a law be passed, the evil may be eradicated.
For the information of the
citizens in and out of the army, I give the following statement of the evidence
I have obtained from the papers of those whom I still hold in custody, which
taken in connection with that made public by me in my address at camp Lubbock to
the soldiers, will give a correct idea of what these men are, and the reasons
for my having placed them in confinement, and away from any intercourse with the
citizens of the State.
J. Bankhead Magruder,
Maj.
Gen'l Commanding District of Texas, New
Mexico and Arizona.
Statement.
Upon having the office of D. J.
Baldwin searched, a large number of the circulars entitled "Common
Sense" were found concealed among his books and papers, and covered up by
old documents. Upon his person was
found a communication in his own handwriting purporting to have been written at
Dallas, and directed to one of the papers in the State.
The "Common Sense" circular was dated at Dallas.
All the letters obtained disclose these facts, viz:
From the beginning of the war between the Confederate and United States
until the moment of the arrest of these parties, they have been uncompromising
adherents to the Government of the United States, regarding the act of secession
as treason, and those engaged in or advocating the war on our part as traitors.
In the earliest letters of Peebles
in my possession, which were written in the beginning of 1862, to prove the
folly and madness of the Confederate States in continuing the war, and the
absolute certainty of the ultimate triumph and success of the Federal armies,
there is not, perhaps, a single letter in the whole correspondence which is not
filled with abuse and ridicule of our Government and its officers. There is
breathed a spirit of hatred for those occupying civil positions under it, and
contempt for the army and its General.
The most terrible denunciations
are hurled against the prominent men of the nation, and there is no act civil or
military of any officer in the Confederate States, that is not in the opinion of
these men, characterized by imbecility, or a want of integrity.
All the Generals of the Federal army are great men, and accomplished
officers, and all the leaders of the Confederate forces are pigmies in
comparison. The President of the
United States is spoken of with respect, while the Executive of our own
Government is never alluded to in more respectful terms than J. Davis, Esq.
The uncivilized warfare to which our enemies have resorted is defended,
while our Government is abused for the manner in which the Federal prisoners are treated in their
imprisonment. The monster Butler is
eulogised as wise and discreet, and his infamous order No. 28, is pronounced
proper and well timed; and in view of the benefits derived from military
Governors in other Southern States, a Governorship of that character for Texas
is looked forward to, with satisfaction and delight. Federal victories are discussed with pleasure, while
victories on our part, are always doubted, or when established facts, regarded
as discouraging.
In one of the letters of Peebles,
dated October 2d, 1862, he says: "I
see even the Richmond papers, with hot mush in their mouths as yet, are
discussing the propriety of the advantage of invading any of the enemy's
country. They tremble for
fear some unlooked for disaster befalls our armies when thus out of their
latitude. But as the cause
is so just in the sight of God, they cannot entertain any abiding fear as
to the result. May be after a while
though, Stonewall and Lee, and Hill and Longstreet, et. id. sm[?] have
gone into hell, where they are looked for, sooner or later, they may begin to
doubt, as well as tremble, and to fear as well as despair.
These are my sentiments, at all events."
In another letter, of October 5th,
1862, Peebles says to Baldwin, "Your good old fashioned letter, of
the 3d inst., came to hand last night. It
evidenced, I think, a great improvement in your feelings.
So much so, indeed, that you indulge to great advantage your wonted forte
for ridicule and irony. I was much
entertained by your account of the "Galveston Invincibles" on their march through
Houston to Sabine Pass. I had not
heard of that "brave band" before.
They must have been entirely out of their element on Galveston Island,
where there was no fighting to do. But
how is it now? The telegram we read
last night, set me to thinking, and I am not through my cogitations yet--and
about now I am thinking that if said telegram was true, the
Federals are in Galveston at this time, unless Elmore's regiment reached
Virginia Point in time to prevent their "star spangled banner'd entry,
which I cannot conclude he did. I
have not thought the citizens would seriously oppose them.
In a letter of July 22d, 1863 from
the same party, this paragraph occurs: "Oh
how I hope it may be true that McClellan is to be recalled to the command of the
Federal army. Certainly he has more
ability than all the rest, take him all in all, and except with the extreme abolitionists,
he has the confidence of the American people.
Doctor Shelpy spoke ill of him to us, but, as I then thought, very
unjustly--and simply because he refused to act prematurely in regard to
the Emancipation project. This is
now an accomplished thing and of course he (McClellan) can no longer hesitate,
if he ever did, about its practicability. I
am equally anxious to know that Gen. Butler has been appointed Secretary of War.
Something is due him for his great service at New Orleans, and we cannot
question his ability or patriotism. Then
there will be some 'quaking in boots' sure enough.
The author of the celebrated 'Proclamation' last January, in his regard,
and of the money offers for his head, there and elsewhere (S.C.) will feel very comfortable, of course.
Should this be so, I would venture a small bet, that one J. Davis, Esq.,
never sails from an American port till his account with said hoped for Secretary
is settled. Oh!
you may well say, 'things is working.'"
On the 2nd of August, 1863,
Peebles writes to Baldwin thus: "God
is great, and he has appointed good men to lead his armies--has given them
banners of righteousness and weapons of truth.--Who cannot see what must be the
result?' That item in regard to
North Carolina is given without much "flourish of trumpets" on our
part. Yet if true, how it must sink
the hearts of all the sensible and reflecting men in the Confederacy.
That State never was fairly opposed to the Union, and a large
portion of the very best of it has not to this day been forced to "bow the
knee to Baal."
In a letter of September 11th,
1863, Peebles alludes to "common sense," and says, "Yesterday I
got 'common sense,' and upon re-perusal of it, like it even better than I did at
first. Its brevity is its greatest
fault, which I think will be confessed by all its readers.
Still it could not well have been longer.
I will not circulate the copies generally until they shall have had time
to arrive by mail from Dallas. I
think the publication at this time very opportune.
When we were not in obvious difficulty, the people would not consider;
but now, in our utmost need, I think they will ponder over the many plain and
simple truths it ventilates. 'The
whole need not a physician, but, only those that are sick.'"
In another letter, Peebles alludes
to Baldwin being the author of "Common Sense," and compliments him
upon the style and on the 17th of September he thus writes:
"I have folded, enveloped and directed a number of copies of the
'Document.' I have lately heard
from the wheat region, where wheat sells only for specie or its equivalent.
The holders are said to be 'rotten to the core,' and their sound
neighbors are reported to be doing their best to induce their ruin by
impressments, robberies and burnings. These
strong measures may have the effect of reviving the patriotism of the wheat
raiser, on the principle of counter-irritants in medicine.""
In the same letter he says to
Baldwin, relative to what has been done towards the cause:
"You have done nothing--not a thing.
I have sent upon compulsion niggers to work upon the enemy's
fortifications, but I did not let them stay a day longer than I could help, and
I did it, too, even then, under loud-mouthed protest.
I have also given to hospitals, which you have probably done, too, but
that was for the sake of humanity. These
are all the faults that can be alleged against me."
About the 1st of June, 1863,
Peebles wrote that a certain day was his time for receiving overland news from
Tennessee and Virginia; and in a letter dated October 2d, 1863, he says:
"The news I gave you from Arkansas has not got about yet, but
it will in a few days, I believe. That
'Grenada news' was a long time coming through the papers."
The last letter written by Peebles
before his arrest, dated October 8th, 1863, contains this paragraph:
"Hood has lost a leg--pity! wooden
ones will be dear after this war. I
have read the Lincoln letter. It
has the flesh marks of old Abe's composition--terseness, and peculiarity of
style clearness, candor, heart and humor. I
think it a very good letter, well adapted to the occasion and not such a
miserable botch of bad grammar as High Private asserts it to be.
Besides these quotations from the
correspondence of Dr. Peebles, the following items noted down at the time of the
examination of the papers, will serve for further information.
On the 3d of June, 1862, he ridicules Governor Lubbock, and hopes the
Territorial Governor and his council will be of a different stripe.
On the 8th of the same month, he warns Baldwin that he is watched, and
proposes to him to decamp, if it becomes necessary, he having two good mules for
that purpose. On July 1st, 1862, he
speculates on the success of Jack Hamilton in Texas and on the 8th day of the
same month, speaks confidently of there being something in the movement of Col.
Hamilton. On the 11th of July same
year, he says it is in no spirit of animosity to the South that he hails with
delight Federal victories; they are for her benefit; and in a letter of the 13th
he declares, that when liberty is offered to negroes, he could not expect them
to sink themselves to elevate him.
On the 26th of July, 1862, he states that the Union feeling in Austin is
strong, and alludes to certain parties rising some day.
In a letter dated September 9th, 1862, he hopes the Federal Government
will hasten its enrollment of 600,000 men so as to end the war; and on the 20th
of the same month he says the Federals will make the Confederacy howl before the
13th of January, 1863. On the 5th
of October, 1862, he ridicules the troops that have gone to Galveston, and
speaks of the Federals going into the Brazos and seizing what they might
want, particularly if our folks put on any airs. In a letter dated 30th of the same month, he declares the
speech of Jack Hamilton in New Orleans, expresses the sentiments of both himself
and Baldwin. In a letter of
February 10th, 1863, he speaks of the deplorable condition of Federal prisoners
in Houston. On the 15th he is
hopeful of the ditch and dredge boat at Vicksburg.
On the 26th of April, 1863, he thinks the Confederacy on its last legs,
and on the 28th, thinks the people of Houston must make up their minds to the
rule of Governor Banks. In May
27th, he speaks of sending letters to Matamoros and as the bearer would not be
afraid of taking some risk, he and Baldwin could write what they pleased.
On the 19th of July, he alludes to a friend bringing "inside"
news. On the 2d of August 1863
speaks of "our friends" in person, and on the 9th alludes to
information derived from "our people" several days in advance of the
published news. On the 18th of the
same month, speaks of a spontaneous pouring in from all parts of the State,
certain kind of documents, as a part of a plan to get up a Convention.
On the 20th of September, 1863, speaks of Baldwin having had a good look
at the fortifications at Galveston.
A diary containing the current
events of the war was found in Baldwin's handwriting, with copious Union
comments upon battles, leaders, prospects, &c. Among the letters found written by Baldwin to his friends at
the North, there was two to his brother and one to a cousin, from which the
following extracts are made. To his
cousin, in New Jersey, he says on the 1st of October, 1863, "I write you
this that you may know what I in common with all of our way of thinking have
suffered and gone through in this terrible war," and after documenting the
hardships, and adds "The standard of general intelligence is such, that
little can be hoped for from anything but an overpowering Federal army.
The country must be overrun. Our
newspapers, edited by Northern men renegade to their education and the land of their birth,
still tell the people that the Confederacy is in a better condition than it ever
was before," &c. He says
the reason why the people give credence to such statements, is owing to the fact
that the citizens of the Confederacy "are not so intelligent as those of
the North in matters of history and geography; in fact they know little or nothing of
either." Again, "Their
present ignorance leaves them below the stand-point of reason and argument,
drawn from the history of other people."
In another part of this letter he says, "I hope none of our blood
will hold back in this war. Let
them all stand up to the Government and help to put down this infernal crew of secessionists, these rattlesnakes and
cotton mouths, with whom you can no more be at peace than you could with a
shovel of live coals in your bosom. Tell
them if they don't root up and destroy secession, that secession will root up
and destroy them. The nigger is the
very core of this rebellion, and it can no more be put down without the
destruction of chattel slavery than you could abolish hell and leave the devil
in the full plentitude of his power. Slavery, chattel slavery, slavery upheld by law and
recognized as a right, must be destroyed, or it will destroy all freedom in the
land of the free and the home of the brave." This is a very lengthy letter and is filled with such
sentiments.
In a letter to James M. Baldwin,
of New York, dated 7th of October, 1863, this same party writes:
"If I was to plan a campaign against Texas, I would land at the
mouth of the Brazos river," &c., &c., and then goes on to detail a
plan of attack by which Texas would be swept from one end to the other.
In another letter to this same brother, Baldwin in giving a description
of the society in Texas, says: "Good
men, true hearted men, have had their minds so wrought on, that they entertain
sentiments and perform acts, at which sanity shudders, and humanity turns pale.
Wells to be poisoned, suppers to be given with assassins lying in wait, to stab the victims when well
engaged in enjoying the hospitable board." He says even the ladies advocate such things in our midst.
He calls our Government "THE HELL BORN CONFEDERACY," and hopes
he may be instrumental in assisting "Uncle Sam," to regain the
"stolen stars." The correspondence of Peebles, the letters of Baldwin, together with his diary, would fill a
large volume, and what is here given to the public taken from these documents,
is a fair specimen of the whole.
The evidences against Zinke are
obtained from citizens. He was
constantly in Baldwin's office, and just before the publication of "Common
Sense" he was often seen in close conversation with its author.
He has been looked upon for a long time as an enemy to the Confederacy,
and the fact is established that it was upon his press the "Common
Sense" circular was printed. He
has been regarded in the community as a dangerous and designing man in a political point of view
before and since the war.
The public have sufficient before
them to determine what grounds there were for having these characters placed in
such a position as to be harmless.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 27, 1863, p. 2, c.
1
If there was a lingering doubt as to the propriety of the action of Gen.
Magruder in ordering the arrest of Messrs. Baldwin, Peebles and Zinke, some
weeks ago, the publication we make to-day will be apt to remove it from any but
disloyal minds. The extracts in the
statement accompanying Gen. Magruder's address to the citizens of Texas show the
most extraordinary hostility to the Confederacy and its institutions.
If no open treason had been committed where it could be discovered, the
spirit of treason breathes in every line of these extracts.
That the men entertaining and expressing such sentiments should be
suffered to go at large in our country is not for a moment to be thought of.
They might have been suffered in times of peace. But we re at war now, and what then might have done us no
harm, now becomes dangerous and ruinous. We
ask every Texian to read this address and statement, and let public expression
be given to public sentiments on the subject.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 27, 1863, p. 2, c.
1
We had the pleasure of a call yesterday from Mrs. Lancaster, of the
Ranger, and her accomplished little daughter, whose performance at the Soldiers'
Home Concert gained so much applause. Mrs.
L. is untiring in her efforts for the soldiers.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 27, 1863, p. 2, c. 4
Card of Thanks.
Office of Bureau of Clothing & Equipage,}
Military Dist., Texas, N. M. &
Arizona, }
Houston, November 25, 1863.
}
The warm thanks of the soldiers in the field are due, and gratefully
tendered, for the prompt and liberal manner in which the families of Houston
responded to my recent call for donations of cooking utensils.
A pressing want of which, at the moment, could not be supplied by
purchase or manufacture, was thus met, in a manner characteristic of our warm
hearted and patriotic women.
Payment was offered in each case, but was invariably refused—even the
household servants participating in the general wish to assist the "boys in
the field."
E. C. Wharton,
Capt. & A. Q. M.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 28, 1863, p. 2, c.
3
The Star State Minstrels have met with much encouragement from our
citizens. They continue to draw
crowded house nightly, and give entire satisfaction to all.
Their burlesques on some of our most popular dramas never fail to satisfy
the public. The best of order is
preserved, and we are glad to say that the performers are patriotic.
They are always the first in any charitable movement for the public good.
They will burlesque the drama of Lucretia Borgia this evening in three
acts. All the scenery and costumes
of the play will be produced, and all who attend will enjoy a rich treat.
We advise every body to go early if they would secure their seats.
Evans, Mitchell and the accomplished actress Mrs. Addie Mason will be
there.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 3, 1863, p. 2, c.
1
Our people now will have to learn the lesson we have persisted in urging
upon them ever since the war began—that of self-dependence.
The Rio Grande trade is now cut off.
No more supplies can be drawn from that source.
The blockade runners also, we regret to learn, have been of late so
unfortunate that most of them have broke and retired from the business.
We presume the last bale of calico and domestic has arrived that will be
in for some time. Now should the
people betake themselves to their spinning wheels and looms.
Let the ladies set the example and make domestic made goods fashionable.
Let us all practice economy and prove that we are independent of the
world practically, if we would deserve to be so politically.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 3, 1863, p. 2, c.
4
Fort Point, Nov. 27th, 1863.
Editor Telegraph:--Can't some of our good friends send us some tobacco?
Our money has been out for a long time; we don't draw any these times.
A few twists of homespun would be a Christmas present that would raise
the sunshine in our faces. We
intend to "hang up our stockings."
if they can't send tobacco, please send us the seed, and we will commence
preparing the ground; for we mean to defend this place till h-ll freezes over,
and then fight the Yankees on the ice.
Private Co. A, Cook's Reg't,
Galveston Island.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 3, 1863, p. 2, c. 4
Camp Groce.
Ed. Telegraph—The "Soldiers' Christian Association" feel
grateful to you for the publication of their card.
The Association numbers eighty members.
Some of them, however, have left this post for other portions of the
command.
It affords us much pleasure to know that officers and men alike are held
in high esteem by the "officials" at Houston.
The object of this Association is to furnish reading matter for the
command and for other commands, as far as we can.
To do this, we earnestly solicit the aid of all friends of the soldier.
The mind must have food. If
intellectual and moral reading is not furnished, other habits will be formed
which will, by no means, be profitable to the men of the country.
There is but little or no difficulty in commanding moral men. The immoral and vicious are hard to command.
There is one other view of the subject.
It is to be hoped that the bloody strife now existing will, at no distant
day, close. When it does, it id
desirable that the hundreds of thousands of men in the field should return to
the common walks of society, moral and not vicious men.
In behalf of the soldier, we ask all persons having a spare Bible,
Testament, or any other book pamphlet or tract, to forward it to our care,
Hempstead, Texas. Will the News
please copy.
A. J. McGown,
Cor. Sec. and Treas. Soldiers' Ch. Ass.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 5, 1863, p. 2, c. 1
S. S.
The people here and elsewhere have noticed the appearance of the above
cabalistic letters, and have had to question the meaning of them.
We betray no confidence in stating that they are the initials of the Sons
of the South, a purely patriotic organization of men who are thus banded
together for the purpose of aiding the present struggle for liberty, in
preserving the constitution of the Confederate States from violation, and in
perpetuating our present form of government.
Another object is to dispense charity to the widows and orphans of
officers and soldiers, to supply the wants of wounded and distressed officers
and soldiers, and their families. These
objects are sought through an organization that brings all its members into the
close relation of a common brotherhood.
Where the organization originated we are unable to say.
We only know that it is co-extensive with the Confederacy, and pervades
all our armies. We have been
witness to a vast amount of good it has accomplished.
It has nothing political in its scope or field of operation, unless a
most entire devotion to the cause of the Confederacy may be deemed political.
To them who regard that as partizanship, the S. S. will not present many
attractions.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 5, 1863, p. 2, c.
3
Waco, Nov. 27th, 1863.
Ed. Telegraph—The young ladies of Waco gave an entertainment,
consisting of music, plays, &c., on the night of the 31st Oct.
last, for the benefit of the "Soldier's Home," at Waco.
to furnish food, lodging, and medical attendance if necessary, to
soldiers on furlough, wounded or otherwise regularly absent from their commands.
The funds have been turned over to the committee in charge, and the
"Home" is in a flourishing condition, and has already been of service
to the soldiers. The proceeds of
sales of tickets were $462.50, and at the close a subscription was taken up with
the following result:
[list]
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 8, 1863, p. 1, c.
2
We regret to note the suspension of the Crocket Quid Nunc for want of
paper. The editor thanks us for
lending him some paper. We are only
sorry that it was out of our power to lend him more.
We have now over eighty reams loaned out to our brethren of the press,
and the prospect is we shall ourself run out before we are able to return it.
The State Gazette, a paper inclined to criticise the military for doing
things not provided in the law, admits on seeing the statement recently
published with Gen. Magruder's circular, that it contains sufficient evidence to
satisfy any who might have formerly entertained a doubt as to the necessity of
the arrests made by him of disloyalists.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 8, 1863, p. 1, c. 2
The Legislature.
Austin, Dec. 2, 1863.
A bill appropriating two hundred thousand dollars for the manufacture of
spinning jennies, has passed both houses. . .
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 8, 1863, p. 1, c.
2
Received, Velasco, Texas, November 22d, 1863, of Captain S. L. Ballowe,
the sum of one hundred and twenty-three dollars, being the proceeds of a
"Negro Ball," given at Brazoria, for the benefit of Brown's Battalion.
R. R. Brown,
Col. Com'dg
Reg't.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 8, 1863, p. 1, c.
1
For Sale—(Whole Sale.)—A small invoice consisting of perfumery,
plumes, young ladies' opera chenille caps, laces, linen shirts, fine Italian
straw hats for Misses, veils, fans, combs, tooth brushes, hair braids, sewing
silk, buttons, &c., &c. Apply
to
P. Reynaud,
At McIlheny, Willis & Brother.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 8, 1863, p. 1, c.
3
Alexandria, Nov. 29.
. . . A lot of Mexican blankets arrived here, which were
placed in the Quartermaster's Department. Forthwith
several picayune officers, who happened to be lying here on furlough or for
other reasons, and several detailed men in the different departments here, all
of whom sleep in good comfortable quarters, go tout their
"requisitions" and drew these blankets, while the poor blanketless
soldier, who is compelled to sleep in the open air, with the thermometer down to
within 20 degrees of zero, as it was last night, could not draw one!
A captain told me yesterday that he applied for some of these blankets
for his men, who have none, or shoes for their feet, and he was told that there
was none to spare!
To use a mild expression, I consider this a damnable outrage. And, yet, you will hear these very men, who have robbed the
exposed soldier of these blankets say, "We are bound to succeed in this
contest, because God is on our side."
If we ever do succeed it will be in spite of innumerable acts of
injustice, such as every generous heart turns from in disgust.
If the Great God had had the issuing of requisitions, a few suffering
soldiers, at least, would have been cared for.
My soul is sick of such acts of injustice, for they have long been
familiar to my eyes, not only here but elsewhere.
H. P.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 8, 1863, p. 2, c.
5
Camp Lubbock, Dec. 3, 1863
Editor Telegraph:--A great deal has been said lately in different papers
about treason and treasonable acts. If
you will permit me a small space in your interesting paper, I will call your
attention to a certain public annoyance, which in its consequences is fully as
bad as treason. I refer to the
continued squibs thrown by various publications against foreigners—Germans or
"Dutch" in particular. Direct
blows would not be so painful as the covered attacks upon the good faith and
loyalty of the mass of German Texans, indicating an existing prejudice against
them. Look at the repeated
"slurs" of papers, published no one knows by whom nor where but
certainly by men who claim exemption from the army as printers.
Look at such publication as the "Tracts for the people No. 2,"
where cowardice is charged upon "Dutch" generally, and published in
Houston by a man whose son was the first man in Texas who took the oath of
allegiance to old Abe. The feeling
it caused among the troops at Camp Lubbock came near finishing the book store.
I write this since they have left.
Brave soldiers that will march to meet wounds and death, are stung almost
to madness by these continuous fly stings.
It is not only the most vulgar who use offensive epithets, but even a
former Governor in his state paper, where every word ought to have a defined
meaning, used expressions such as the "hired Dutch and Hessians."
Why use expressions that define nothing, but must be offensive to a large
portion of our fellow citizens? It
was by this sort of publications, that the youth of the North were gradually
imbued with hate to the South and Southern institutions.
These teachings are the cause of raids as the one recently made by a set
of young villains, calling themselves "Randolph's Cadets," amongst the
women and children of Industry, Austin county, where the mothers, wives and
sisters of soldiers who fought through the desperate campaign of Mississippi,
were insulted and beaten by a gang of boys, who pretend to be organized for home
protection! (?) Let them beware of a contact with Waul's Legion!
Think of the number of German-Texians in our army; according to the
voting population, fifty per cent. more than American born.
Why raise ill-feeling for no good? I
am proud of being a Texian, but claiming to be an American generally is very
little credit in my eyes. In Europe
every Indian, Negro, yankee claims to be an American!
It should be the duty of every intelligent man and good citizen to
suppress publications, emanating from whom they may, causing ill-feeling amongst
different classes of our people. Those
causing ill-feeling are the worst traitors to the country, they could not do
more harm in the ranks of the enemy.
Yours respectfully,
H. Wickeland.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 9, 1863, p. 2, c.
1
The State Gazette anticipates furnishing the State of Texas with paper,
when the mill being established by its enterprising editor and his associates is
set agoing. We hope to hear of its
successful establishment, and wish the editor to take our order for the first
one hundred reams.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 9, 1863, p. 2, c.
2
An organized gang of deserters were lately attacked in Angelina county,
when a battle ensued, in which several persons were killed on both sides, among
them the sheriff of that county.
The Tyler Reporter mentions the departure of the Federal prisoners
(non-commissioned officers and privates) for exchange.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 9, 1863, p. 2, c.
2
Fulcrod and Randall's Battalion of Cadets, is now nearly full. Young men who wish to join it should lose no time in
reporting to Lt. Col. Fulcrod, at General Bee's Headquarters, or Major Randall
at Hempstead. They will have active
service and gallant leaders, and the satisfaction of knowing that they are doing
their country as much service, as the noble men who have gone before them.
Capt. Williams is assigned to duty as Quartermaster, and is now in
Houston getting supplies for the battalion.
All who have been sworn into the battalion are requested to report at
once to Headquarters.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 9, 1863, p. 2, c.
2
We paid last week $2500 for printing paper, which in "old"
times we would not have given $75 for. We
gave $75 per ream for French letter paper, which we have often refused to
purchase at $1.25. A keg of ink
which formerly cost $25, cannot be had for less than $150.
If, therefore, such a step is contemplated, we take the liberty of
suggesting that the most feasible plan would be to give out the work by contract
to the lowest bidder.—Shreveport News.
Prices are cheaper in Shreveport than here.
Printing paper cannot be had in Texas for less than 25 per cent. above
these rates, and, as for ink, we have not for a long time paid less than $5 per
lb. for ink that before the war cost 18 cents.
A keg that cost us $18 before the war is now worth $500.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 9, 1863, p. 2, c.
2
We learn that there are 145 students at Waco University. The boys are drilled in military tactics one hour each day.
The Institution is the most flourishing in the State.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 9, 1863, p. 2, c.
1
Lieut. Col. Barnes, who has been in command of Camp Groce for some time,
called on us on Monday, as he was on his way to the front.
He says the Federal prisoners have all been sent off for exchange.
They appear to have been entirely satisfied with their treatment, and to
have a much better idea of the rebels than they had before they came here.
They were provided with such clothing as they needed, and sent forward to
be paroled. The officers, we
presume, remain at Tyler, or at some other point.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 10, 1863, p. 1, c. 4
News from Arkansas and Missouri.
Clarksville, Tex., Nov. 12, 1863.
Editor Telegraph:--I having just returned from the Ark River, have
concluded to drop you a few lines which may be interesting both to yourself and
readers of your inestimable paper; as I am aware that you have but little
information of what is going on in the north-west.
Gen. Shelby has just come out of Missouri, having been up there on a
raid. He says, in going up he met
with no resistance. Though he had but twelve hundred men, (detachments from
Marmaduke’s Cavalry,) he captured every town that lay upon his route from the
Arkansas line to Booneville on the Missouri river, which place he entered
without resistance, as the Feds who were holding post there, on hearing of his
approach, fled across the river. He
then proceeded from there up the river to Arrow Rock, and from thence to
Marshall, county seat of saline county, where he fought a most desperate battle,
being entirely surrounded by ten times his own numbers.
Shelby divided his men into two divisions, taking command of one himself,
and Hunter the other, and cut their way out. The fight lasted several hours.
The enemy is said to have lost in killed as many as Shelby had men.
Our loss is small. From Marshall Shelby started for Arkansas, and by the most
desperate fighting only did they succeed in getting south of the Arkansas river.
His men look hearty. All
came out completely rigged in Federal uniform, and armed to the teeth, and
superbly mounted.
There are said to be from eight to ten thousand guerrillas along the line
of Arkansas and Missouri who intend to come south to winter.
The most conspicuous among them is the young dare-devil guerrilla
chieftain, Will Campbell, of Texas. He
has but a small company of men, not over forty, but they are true and brave, all
Missourians, the heroes of Grand Gulf, Port Hudson and Vicksburg.
Fore dare-devil bravery, fox-like cunning, or unerring strategy, he
cannot be excelled by Nora McCarty, Quantrell or John Morgan.
Since he has been in Missouri, he has been a source of the greatest
annoyance to the Federals, fighting them upon every occasion, frequently drawing
them into ambuscade, and slaughtering them buy the wholesale.
Upon several occasions, he has attacked large encampments by night,
causing great panic among them and killing a great many.
I will give a description of him as I got it from one who is acquainted
with him. He is about 21 years of age, about 5 feet 7 inches high, of slender
form, as straight as an arrow, and active as a panther; his long dark brown hair
hangs in wild curls about his shoulders; his complexion is fair; his eyes are of
a dark hazel color, wild and restless and piercing as the point of a dagger; he
wears a suit of plain gray cloth, with a scarlet silk sash around his waist, a
six-shooter on his right side, and a sabre on his left; he wears a pair of
cavalry boots that come above the knee, and large Texas spurs; his hat is black,
low-crowned and broad-rimmed, one side fastened up with a silver star, which
holds a long black plume. His men
are armed with two revolvers and a double-barreled shot gun each, and mounted on
fleet horses. Campbell has already
gained a great reputation, and, if the war continues another year, his
reputation as a partisan chieftain will outshine the reputation of those
illustrious heroes of the old revolution, Marion and Sumter.
The Federals along the Arkansas river are holding several posts, and are
treating Southern citizens most inhumanly.
At Fort smith they have about 3000 men, one-third of whom are Negroes.
They also hold post at Ozark and Dardanelle.
The troops holding the latter place are those who have deserted our army,
and are commanded by the notorious Bill Hevinton, better known as Wild Bill. When I was on the Arkansas river, Steele’s Division was at
Scullyville, Choctaw Nation, fifteen miles from Fort Smith, and it was thought
they intended to attack it, but since I have not back to Clarksville I have
heard that Steele had got back to his command from Shreveport with six pieces of
artillery, and instead of attacking Fort Smith, had fallen back to Doakville, C.
N. Quantrell and his men have
already come out from Missouri, and are at Bonham. Quantrell has turned over to
the Confederacy all but eighty of his men. Those he turned over are very much down on him for it, and
swear they will go back to Missouri in the spring, and guerrilla fight the Feds.
Clarksville has been made a military post.
Martial law reigns over the city. One
company of militia is to be kept quartered here.
I must close. I will write
more another time.
J.
J. W.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 10, 1863, p. 2, c.
1
We are requested to say that the cotton cards for Harris county have
arrived. There are 720 pair, and
are to be disposed of to soldier's families, and the destitute of the county at
$10.50 per pair. All who are
entitled to them are requested to come forward at once to either one of the
Commissioners and make their application, that it may be known whether there
will be any left for wale to those who are not entitled to them under the above
classes of population. Soldier's
families and the destitute have preference under the instructions from the
Military Board.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 14, 1863, p. 2, c.
1
A case of some interest was tried before the District Court in this city
last Saturday. Two Yankee prisoners
of war escaped from the guard house here, stole a couple of horses, and
endeavored to make their way to Mexico. They
were arrested in San Antonio and sent back.
They were here handed over to the civil authorities on charge of theft.
After full consideration, the jury, under the idea that the horses were
stolen for the purpose of facilitating their escape, found them not guilty. They regarded their offence as not against the civil law, but
the military, and that as members of the enemy's army they were, so far as the
law is concerned, doing their best to obey the laws of their country in escaping
from confinement here. The
questions are interesting and worthy of discussion.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 15, 1863, p. 2, c.
4
Headquarters District, Texas,
New }
Mexico and Arizona, Hawkins’ Farm,}
On Caney River, Dec. 10, 1863.
}
To the Ladies of Texas:
The Commanding General announces to you that (20,000) twenty thousand
haversacks are required in the army. These
are sachels about 14 inches wide and 12 deep, with a flap from the top buttoned
on the outside of the sachel, and slung by a belt over the shoulder, passing
under the arm.
They are absolutely necessary to the efficiency of the soldier in the
field, and cannot be made by the Quartermaster Department, for want of material.
The best material is strong, unbleached cotton, but as it is also scarce
in private families, they may be made of carpeting, curtain calico of double
thickness, table covers, cotton or woolen, or any strong material whatever; and
the belt passing over the shoulder and under the arm can be made of the same
material, doubled and hemmed, or of buckskin or leather.
The noble example which you have set of undying patriotism and the most
unselfish devotion, inspires the Commanding General with a hope that he does not
call upon you in vain, when he asks you, as he does now, to furnish with the
least possible delay, each, as many haversacks or sachels of this description as
you can make, or induce your friends to make.
They should be sewed in the strongest manner, and made of the strongest
material which can be procured. Should
any of the ladies desire them to go to particular regiments in which they have
friends, by fixing the name of the regiment to the articles, they will be
assorted by the Q. M., and forwarded according to address.
Every lady in Texas is requested to forward as many as she can make to
the Quartermaster nearest her residence, and all Quartermasters East of the
Colorado are directed to send them, as soon as a sufficient number has been
received, to Capt. Wharton, at Houston, and those West of the Colorado, to Capt.
Prescott, Q. M. at San Antonio.
Quartermasters of regiments, battalions and detached companies, are
hereby directed to make requisitions at once. Those East of the Colorado on
Capt. Wharton, and those West on Captain Prescott, for haversacks, in accordance
with the number of men present with their corps.
J. Bankhead Magruder,
Major General Commanding
Dist. Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 16, 1863, p. 2, c.
4
Bastrop Military Institute.—The next semi-annual session of this
Institute, will begin on the 25th of January, 1864.
Charge for board and tuition, for session of five months, four hundred
dollars in Confederate money.
Robert D. Allen, Superintendent.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 19, 1863, p. 2, c.
5
Died, Oct. 7th, 1863, Stephen L. Jarmon, of company F, Terry's
Texas Rangers, of a wound received during the battle at Farmington. Deceased was the son of Stephen Jarmon, Esq., of Fayette
county, and a brother of Captain W. R. Jarmon, of the Terry Rangers.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 21, 1863, p. 1, c.
5
Camp Groce, Dec. 17th, 1863.
Special Order, No. ___.
All men who have enlisted in Fulcrod's and Randle's Battalion, under
Captains Williamson, Randle, Coffield, or any of their recruiting officers, are
hereby ordered to report at Camp Groce, near Hempstead, and be ready to march by
the 1st day of January. Positively
those who fail to comply with this order, will be published and treated as
deserters.
J. A. Randle, Major
Com'g Det. Magruder Drag'ns.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 25, 1863, p. 2, c.
3
To-day being Christmas we will issue no paper to-morrow. We have heretofore been in the habit of observing no
holidays, but for various reasons, chief of which is that we are short of
printing paper, we make a breach of our habit this time.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 28, 1863, p. 1, c.
2
Houston, December 5th, 1863.
Colonel Buchel—We send you a flag, not dedicated as is the old world's
wont, under the august domes of religious worship, amid wreathing incense and
chaunted prayer—but by the quiet hearthside, in the hushed sanctuary of home,
as we stitched on the star an cross, have we prayed to the God of battles to
bless and consecrate it to victory and renown.
Borne by Texians, Texians who entered this war in the morning light of
the Alamo, Goliad and San Jacinto, yet whose mighty deeds have carried them
onward and upward blazing to the zenith, until the world looks with awe and
wonder at the sublime splendor of their fame—borne by such men it can never
know disgrace. Your countrywomen
have perfect confidence in you, knowing full well that whatever men have dared
or done, you will do. We shall
watch you with interest, and pray for your safety, however never forgetting that
he only lives who conquers, that earth has no graves for victors.
Who would dare say that Fannin, Travis and Bonham are dead; they live
forever, and march with every vidette, and have planted the cross and stars over
blood-bought batteries from the flowing plains of Valverde to the rugged heights
of Gettysburg, from Gaines Mills to the dashing stream of proud Chickamauga.
Wherever the sons of the Lone Star strike, the hailed hands of the old
warriors of the Republic are seen. Therefore,
should you fail in freedoms cause, and be even denied the sculptured pile that
peaceful days give to the true and brave, be assured that the hearts of the
women of your State shall be the urns to enspire and enshrine you.
We will remember your deeds and tell to the children at our knees, how
battling for our rights, you fought and fell, and teaching them thus, will raise
them to avenge you.—May the great God, whose cross you bear upon your banners,
be your shield and mighty deliverer both from the seen and unseen dangers of the
battle-field of armies and the battle-field of life.
Respectfully, Jane M. Young.
Headquarters
1st Regiment Texas Cavalry, }
Camp
Gulf Prairie, Texas, Dec. 19th, 1863. }
Madam—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the beautiful
standard made for my regiment by the Ladies of Houston, as well as your
patriotic letter in regard to it. It
is more highly prized by us from the circumstances of its
"consecration," than if dedicated with all "the pomp of grandeur
of olden times." I offer the thanks of my regiment and myself to you and your
fair associates for the beautiful gift, and pledge myself that whenever
"the reddening storm of battles pours" along the plains of Texas, the
1st Texas Cavalry will rally around that standard, which shall be
borne triumphantly aloft, and only be trailed in the dust when the hearts of its
defenders are stilled in death. I
am madam,
Very respectfully, your ob't serv't
A. Buchel,
Col. 1st Texas Cavalry.
Mrs. Jane M. Young, Houston, Texas.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 28, 1863, p. 1. c.
4; repeated December 29, 1863, p. 1, c. 3
Polk [sic] Weed.—Among the most valuable shrubs, as well as among the
most common in the Confederate States, is the poke weed.
It grows in every State and is readily found in nearly every locality.
From Dr. Porcher’s “Resources of the Southern Fields and Forests”
we condense some of the uses of this plant:
One drachm of the powdered root or leaves mixed with an ounce of lard,
makes a good ointment for diseases of the scalp, as pseritinea capitis, etc. A
strong decoction of the roots applied to sores of secondary syphilis, heals them
up. The root powdered and infused
in brandy, is good for rheumatism. The
same infused in wine, an ounce in a pint, makes a slow but kind emetic.
The dose is two tablespoonsfull. The
tincture of the ripe berries is a remedy in chronic and syphilitic rheumatism.
The decoction is useful in scrofula.
A desert spoonful given repeatedly of whiskey in which the berries have
been laced, is one of the most efficient remedies in rheumatism.
The root applied externally cures mange in dogs.
An excellent crimson dye may be made as follows, to two gallons of
the juice of poke-berries when they are quite ripe, ad half a gallon of strong
vinegar, to dye one pound of wool. The
wool must be washed very clean with hard soap.
When wrung dry put it in the mixture and simmer in a copper vessel one
hour. Take out the wool and let it
drip awhile and spread it in the sun. The
vessel must be free from grease of any kind.
To dye solferino, a lady friend tells us take the juice of pokeberries
and copperas, shade to your liking. The
juice with alum to fix the color makes a fine red ink.
WAX MYTLE.—The Wax Myrtle, like the poke weed, grows everywhere.
It is equally useful. The
root is a powerful astringent, and a decoction is employed in diarrhoea,
dysentery, hemorrhage and as a gargle in sore throat.
The wax (made from the boiling berries) make a very good candle.
To Make Soap.—Lixiviate 3 ½ bushels common wood ashes with half
a bushel unslaked lime in a cask capable of holding 60 gallons, for 48 hours,
then draw off the lye, which will float an egg. Put from six to eight gallons into a copper kettle capable of
containing 25 gallons. To this add
4 lbs. Myrtle Wax, boil for six hours, for the first three hours pour in
occasionally a supply of strong lye, the whole frequently well stirred with a
ladle.—After six hours boiling, throw in two quarts of common large grain
salt, leave this to simmer an hour more over a slow fire. Place the liquid in tubs to cool for 24 hours.
Wipe the soap clean and you will have nearly 50 lbs. Good solid soap.
After extracting the wax the water used makes, with copperas, a brown
dye, or by repeatedly boiling in the same water it makes a blue without a
mordant.
GARDEN PURSLANE.—The medical qualities o this weed are that it is
antiscorbutic, diuretic, anthelmatic. It
will coagulate milk. Its chief
value in domestic economy is as a dye. Boil
a bushel of it in an iron kettle until it is soft. Strain off the liquor. Boil
a pound of logwood also in iron for two hours.
Strain off the liquor and mix with the purslane liquor, then dissolve
half a pound of alum in soft water sufficient to cover 3 lbs. Of yarn, put in a
brass kettle and simmer the yarn in it three hours, then wring and put the yarn
in the dye. Simmer this three hours
with frequent stirring. This is a
very fine blue.
PEACH TREES.—Besides the fruit of this tree it has several qualities
that render it valuable. Peach leaf
tea is an excellent purge. Dose for a child a teaspoonful every half hour till
it operates. The gum of the peach
dissolved in water is an excellent substitute for gum-arabic.
Peach leaves put in layers of cotton and boiling water poured over will
dye yellow. The cotton or thread
should first be boiled in a solution of alum.
Peach leaf tea is also an excellent palliative in whooping cough.
[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, December 31, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
From Bonham.
Indian Raid.
Bonham, Dec. 27, 1863.
Editor Telegraph:--I have just returned from the scene of the late Indian
raid in Cook county, having left here as a volunteer with Lt. Col. Showalter’s
command immediately on the receipt of the first intelligence. Though we made a forced march of seventy miles, the savages
had hastily retired, pursued by those who were much nearer the scene.
With twenty-four hours’ advance, it was useless for us to follow them
further. I remained in the vicinity
long enough to get the facts as they transpired, and now give them to you as
facts.
On Sunday forenoon, Dec. 20th, the Indians first appeared in
Spanish Fort bend of the river, about thirty miles north-west of Gainesville.
There they stole eight head of horses.
In the afternoon they appeared in Illinois Bend, some miles below.
This is a camp for one of Col. James Rowland’s companies, but the
company was absent on a scout.
Three families resided there, named Anderson, Hatfield and Willett.
They killed Mrs. Anderson and five children, aged as follows:
David, 16; Thomas, 14; Willie, 12; Susan, 10, and Sarah Ann, 3.
Mr. J. R. Anderson, the husband escaped. Another son, six years old, was slightly speared in five
places, and designedly spared. He
then traveled along 12 miles, crossed Red River twice, and reached a house. He
is safe. Mr. Wesley Willett and one
daughter were killed.—Mrs. Willett and another daughter escaped. Mr. G. L. Hatfield, his wife and four children escaped.
The houses of these parties, after being plundered, were burned.
Crossing the river twice, the Indians next appeared on next day, the 21st,
on Fish Creek, which runs into Red River in Cook, west of north from
Gainesville. Here they speared Miss
Gown in several places, but the appearance of white men caused them to leave
her. She will recover.
On Fisk [sic?] Creek they first plundered and then burned the houses of
Messrs. Potter, McNab, Elmore and Dawson, their families having all escaped.
Turning the ridge to the north, they next appeared on the prairie on Dry
Elm, a small branch of the Elm fork of Trinity, on which Gainesville stands.
There they came upon Mr. White, his stepson, young Patton, and Mr. Jones,
the latter of whom escaped. White
was killed and Patton supposed to be mortally wounded.
He was still living, however, when I left.
He belonged to Capt. Wood’s company, Fitzhugh’s regiment, was
severely wounded at Millican’s Bend on the 7th of June and has been
home on sick furlough.
In the same vicinity Serg’t Adams (of Patton’s company,) with about
thirty-five men, including ten from Rowland’s company, met the Indians and
skirmished with them for several hours. He
lost Corporal John A. Schriner and Marcellus West killed and Robet Gist and
Pollard wounded. He evidently
inflicted considerable damage on the enemy, the extent not being known.
A little later in the day Capt. S. P. C. Patton, with eight men, united
with Capt. Mosby and seven citizens, and had little skirmishes with the savages,
killing one Indian and losing Joel Sprouse killed.
The Indians numbered from 200 to 250, and while the main body moved, as I
have described, small parties were scouring the prairie collecting horses, in
which they were very successful, carrying off in all over a hundred head.
The family of a widow Shannon left her house in a two-horse wagon to seek
safety at Bonnet’s, 2 ½ miles distant. The
party consisted of herself, six grand children and a son, just grown. The latter had a gun, and a boy eight years old drove.
For two miles the Indians followed, yelling and firing at them.
The coolness of young Shannon in reserving his fire and presenting his
gun, kept them off, though himself and the brave little driver were both wounded
twice, and the wagon body received many arrows.
They also chased a young Mrs. Shannon two miles, but she outran them and
reached Bonner’s.
On seeing the Indians advancing upon his house from a distance in the
prairie, Mr. Wiley Jones caused his daughters to dress in his clothes, and then,
with sticks in their hands, paraded them in the yard.
This kept the cowardly enemy off. In
fact, from first to last they showed all the cowardice of the wild tribes, and
only dared to fight when they had every advantage.
At every house burnt by them, they left hanging conspicuously a blanket
branded U. S. During the night of
the 21st, they made a hasty retreat, leaving about 50 Indian saddles,
numerous blankets, buffalo robes and a good deal of the booty they had taken
from houses.
In the meantime, near a thousand men had reached Gainesville, and made
pursuit, as soon as their trail could be found next morning. Citizens turned out by thousands. The result is unknown.
Judging by their usual celerity in flight, I have but little idea of
their being overtaken.
Col. James Burleson was on business with Gen. McCulloch.
When this news reached him, the old veteran spared neither himself nor
horse till he was on the ground doing his duty. Major Diamond, with a portion of his battalion, Capts. Patson
and Mosby (the latter of whom belongs to Fitzhugh’s regiment) and hundreds of
citizens, all showed energy and true grit in the emergency.
Lt. Col. Showalter, with Capts. Wm. S. Rather, Wilson and Carpenter, rode
day and night for 26 hours, all eager for a tilt with the barbarians, but their
precipitate flight disappointed all.
I omit many interesting incidents of individual escapes as they would
lengthen this note too much [We don’t think so.—ED. TEL.]
It is due to Capt. Wm. C. Twitty, Quartermaster at Gainesville, to say
that he performed important services in the absence of Col. Burleson, in sending
expresses, etc.
It is now proposed to have the frontier settlers for up at intervals of
10, 15, and 20 miles along the whole line.
It is the true policy, and will save the frontier, but of this more
hereafter.
Yours, &c., B.