Submitted by: Sherry Zorzi

I have only a typed transcription of this letter. I do not know who has the original letter, nor who did the transcription.

W. Moss is William Oliver Moss. Emma is his sister-in-law, Emma Margaret Sale Moss, wife of his brother, James Lundy Moss.

William Oliver Moss lived in Linden, Cass County, Texas and served in the Star Rifles (Company D) of the 1st Texas Volunteer Infantry
Regiment, Texas Battalion. Company D was mustered in at New Orleans, Louisiana on June 6, 1861. This unit fought in many of the major battles of the war. William Moss was wounded at Chickamauga September 19, 1863 and died from his wounds.

James enlisted in Company A, 28th Louisiana Infantry (Gray's) about one year after this letter was written. He was mustered in at Monroe, La., May 8, 1862. James and Emma lived in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, at this time. After the war, they removed to Linden, Texas (Cass County) where James died February 14, 1869. Emma returned to Claiborne Parish, lived with her brother S. A. Sale in Haynesville, and taught school for a number of years. She is buried in Old Town Cemetery, Haynesville, La.

Camp Pulaski was established early in June 1861 near Amite in the parish of St. Helena, now in the Parish of Tangipahoa, Louisiana. On June 10, 1861 according to the "New Orleans Commercial Bulletin" two Texas companies, the Marshall Guards and the Star Rifles went to Camp Pulaski to await orders, exactly as William's letter to Emma indicates.

"Brother Hal" is William's and James' brother, Captain Henry Epps Moss of Cass County. He was elected Lt. May 15, 1862 and elected Captain November 8, 1862. He commanded the company at Chickamauga, where his brother was wounded. He was discharged on disability July 25, 1864.

"Nat" is possibly William's cousin Nathaniel Sledge, son of his mother's sister, Rebecca Lundy and Mims Sledge. Nathaniel Sledge died April 14, 1864 at the Battle of Pleasant Hill. I believe Nat was also a resident of Cass County.

"N.O." is New Orleans, Louisiana.

Dr. A.G. Clopton is Captain Albert Gallatin Clopton. He was later promoted to Major and served as a regimental commander of the 1st Texas Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

W. M. Hewitt is First Lieutenant. He was later promoted Captain and commanded the company at Eltham's Landing (May 7, 1862).

Second Lieutenant William W. Henderson was assigned to recruiting service in Texas in February 1862, along with Henry Epps Moss. They both returned quickly to the front lines.

If you have any corrections or additions to this information, if you have any additional information about any of the people mentioned here,
or if you know who has the original letter or who did the transcription, please contact Sherry Zorzi

------------------------

Camp Pulaski near Amite City, June 12/61

Sister Emma -

You will not be surprised when you learn Brother Hal and myself are on our way to the seat of war. We left home the 27th of May and
landed in N.O. the 3 inst., and were mustered into the Confederate Service the 6th and ordered to Richmond, Va. To join the Texas Batallion fourwith, but on account of transportation we have to remain here until next Tuesday morning. Our company is known as the Star Riflemen. It has 125 men, commanded by Dr. A. G. Clopton, W. M. Hewitt Ft. Lt., W. W. Henderson is second Lt. and C. R. Curtright is third Lt. Our company is made of the bone and sinew of ___________. It also has the wealth and talent. We are encamped 68 mi N. of N.O. There are 1000 troups here and before tomorrow night, there will be 2500 more at camp. 10 miles above us there are about 10,000 troups. When we left home, we had a fine corn crop. We planted the most of our crop in corn in consequence of the troubles of our country, not knowing when we would be called off.

The relations were all well when we left Texas. I will write again, when we reach our destination and after every battle if I survive them
and I think I will. I wish I could see our sis this morning.

your Little bud, W. Moss

P.S. I am beginning to realize a soldier's life, we live on milk, pork and sea crackers. Lt. R. B. Curtright gave 50 cents for a pone of corn
bread about as much as we could eat yesterday, I think it ate better than anything I ever ate.

W. Moss

P.S. the second. Tell Brother Jim from all I can learn, the Moss family will be represented in war by Brother Hal, Nat and myself. The
sacrifice of our property our life and our sacred honor for our Country if it is necessary and if we had a wife and children to fight for, what
would we do.

W. M.