Autograph letter signed by the Colonel of 19th Texas Infantry to his wife, on the movements of his regiment, the poor morale of his men and the execution of deserters.
"In camp 20 Mil NW from Alexandria" [LA]: 11 September 1863. 4 pp. (240 x 187 mm). Condition: light toning to professionally restored creases, light foxing. He writes, in part: "…We have moved from the camp from which I wrote you last and have camped near the road leading to Texas. The movement of the enemy in this direction induced our last move though they have gone back in the direction of the Mississippi River. The fort at Harrisonburg was evacuated by our troops and most pieces saved. A portion of our Div. had some scurmishing [sic] with the enemy pickets but nothing to amount to anything. Taylor's army is ordered up to a camp near us. One brigade of Cavalry (Col. Major's) crossed the river at Alexandria enrout[e] for Trinity, though I doubt if they find an enemy… Their [sic] has been some dissatisfaction and demoralization among the troops here and some few cowardly traitors have deserted their collars [sic] and skulked from the army in the face of the enemy when a fight was expected … I think it will go no farther as some of them have been caught, tried & are sentenced to be shot before the command on the 25th inst. I am of the opinion that examples will have a better effect than any other means that can be applied … The army I think is anxious to meet the enemy and if it should be our fortune to do so, will meet them as freemen should an invading army, who pollute our soil with their pernicious tread…" Waterhouse, a Tennessee native who settled in Texas following the Mexican War, raised the 19th Texas Infantry at the onset of the Civil War. As the regiment's colonel, he saw action in the Vicksburg campaign leading his men at Milliken's Bend and later at Mansfield and Pleasant Bend. Waterhouse letters with content are scarce.
Autograph letter signed by the Colonel of 19th Texas Infantry to his wife, on the movements of his regiment, the poor morale of his men and the execution of deserters.
"In camp 20 Mil NW from Alexandria" [LA]: 11 September 1863. 4 pp. (240 x 187 mm). Condition: light toning to professionally restored creases, light foxing. He writes, in part: "…We have moved from the camp from which I wrote you last and have camped near the road leading to Texas. The movement of the enemy in this direction induced our last move though they have gone back in the direction of the Mississippi River. The fort at Harrisonburg was evacuated by our troops and most pieces saved. A portion of our Div. had some scurmishing [sic] with the enemy pickets but nothing to amount to anything. Taylor's army is ordered up to a camp near us. One brigade of Cavalry (Col. Major's) crossed the river at Alexandria enrout[e] for Trinity, though I doubt if they find an enemy… Their [sic] has been some dissatisfaction and demoralization among the troops here and some few cowardly traitors have deserted their collars [sic] and skulked from the army in the face of the enemy when a fight was expected … I think it will go no farther as some of them have been caught, tried & are sentenced to be shot before the command on the 25th inst. I am of the opinion that examples will have a better effect than any other means that can be applied … The army I think is anxious to meet the enemy and if it should be our fortune to do so, will meet them as freemen should an invading army, who pollute our soil with their pernicious tread…" Waterhouse, a Tennessee native who settled in Texas following the Mexican War, raised the 19th Texas Infantry at the onset of the Civil War. As the regiment's colonel, he saw action in the Vicksburg campaign leading his men at Milliken's Bend and later at Mansfield and Pleasant Bend. Waterhouse letters with content are scarce.
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