Letters From The Past More Civil War Letters   Original letters in possession of Elizabeth Draper; contributed by Elizabeth Draper and Rhoda Smith Davis, Sweetwater, Texas; copies in Sims Library, Waxahachie, Texas. Brigadier Gen. McCulloch to his mother, F. F. McCulloch Winter 1861 "I am sending James back to you, Mother. He has not asked to come, I am sending him because a Mother is not required to send all her sons to war. He is to stay there with you, with his wife and children, and may not go anywhere else, but remain to care for you and his family. Believe me, I well know your feelings on this matter, and nobody ever had such a mother as you, and that if nothing else would make a man never falter in his duty to his country. But I do think James health would enable him to take the weather well here in the winter. Your Affectionale Son /s/ Benjamin McCulloch [Ben died 7 April 1862 at the Battle of Pea Ridge. He had three other brothers (besides James) who fought for the CSA]. hemstred Texas [Hempstead] Oct 1861 Der papa and muther.....I would like to her from home plese right to me I haven't much nuse to right. I am getting very wel I have seen the Seem Char in full speed it was loded with soldier. Its nerly time for drill I havent time hardley to right. The afternoon we sour ou armes Tuesday wel be mustered in confederate Service I don knot [know] how long we wil remane here I wil tri to pan [plan] a visit in the sring [spring] Sum think we will be discharged be for next August My deare sister pleas riat to me God bless u al right to hempsted /s/ Dellett B. Richardson Camp Hempstead Oct 28th 1861 W. B. Richardson Dear Pa & Mother I embrace the present opportunity of writing you all letter to let you know that I am still in the land of the living. Dellett and I enjoy very good health, we were mustered into Confederate service for 12 months from the present time, we are to be stationed at Magnolia Point 20 miles from Galveston we will take up the line of march in a few days I have had the pleasure of seeing the coast Write to me at Magnolia Point in care of Capt. Veal 12th Texas Cavalry write something about my stock & unsettled business, tell Addie she must write as I have written 2 letters to night I will come to a close. Affectionately John I. Richardson Camp Bayou Des Arcs January 9th 1862 Mr. W. B. Richardson Dear Pa Dellett and myself are well and getting along very well. We have a good deal of war news which I suppose you have, Uncle started home yesterday John Wright also Wright may not get off. If you have a chance I wish you to send me a saddle, the same kind of Wilkins Oldham's his was made at Austin and cost $60.....I don't want the Bill Boren saddle if you can do better....my old saddle is entirely worn out. If you can send it write to me and let me know May coat I wish cut by the following fashion, to vis The skirt to extend half way between the hip and the knee, double breasted Stand up collar, to rise on higher than to permit the chin to turn freely over it. Two rows of buttons on front, 4 inches apart at the top and 2 in at bottom. An ornament of gold braid extending around the seam of the cuff and up the outside of the arm the bend of the elbow, to be of one braid one horizontal him 1/2 in in width to be placed upon the collar You had better get some coat as a pattern. Dellett don't want any coat, but a pr of pants. I wish my pants made 1 inch longer in waist than those you sent me. My coat must be collar and coffs covered with yellow buff If you cant get the trimmings Expect I can....but if the making prevents the children from going to school you need not make them. I will have a coat completed by next Saturday which will cost me something over $100.00, I think the war will end by spring. I am certain we will not go home untill the war ends. Yours.....John I. Richardson.   Copyright © 2000-2016, Ellis County TXGenWeb. All Rights Reserved. This page was last modified: Thursday, 01-Jul-2021 13:29:40 MDT