Watson Civil War Letters
transcribed by Marylee Watson Knight**Please note that these letters are typed exactly as they are written in the letters.**
Henry Watson and John Lindsey Watson
September 1861 - September 1864
Henry Watson and John Lindsey Watson were the first two children known to have been born to William and Nancy Barcenia (Lindsey) Watson who lived in the Holland Quarters Community of Panola County, on land granted to Nancy's mother Catherine Lindsey when she migrated to Texas in the spring of 1836. Neither Henry nor John married before they enlisted in the Confederate Army.
Henry (born ca 1839) enlisted as a Private in Company F, 10th Texas Calvary (Locke's Regiment) on September 25, 1861 in Quitman, TX. He served honorably and was discharged, but never returned home. As he had written letters home under the adverse conditions of war, it stands to reason that, if he had not died after mustering out of the army, he would certainly have written to his family in the years to follow. Many soldiers died of sickness or wounds as they tried to make their way back to their homes. Many were killed by highwaymen, looking to rob them of money or possessions.
John (born ca 1843) enlisted as a Private in Company A, 7th Texas Infantry on March 29, 1862 at Caldwell, Burleson County, TX. There are two versions of his death. Both versions say he died of smallpox. However, the prevailing one told by his nephew and nieces who lived in Panola County is that, when John became ill, the family arranged for him to come home to receive medical care. Despite the best efforts of his family, he died and is buried in Old Macedonia Cemetery. Since the Watson and Lindsey family graves were simply marked with wooden devices, long since destroyed by the elements, there is no proof of his burial there. The other version is that John died in camp at Little Rock, AR on January 17, 1863. To date no official record has been found to substantiate that version.
Henry and John both wrote frequent letters to their family back in Panola County, several of which are still in existence. The spelling of words in this transcription is exactly as it appears in the original letters. I've included a list of fellow soldiers they mentioned in their letters.
September 1861
Mr. Hood, Uncle Newell (James Newell Walton), Uncle Tom Benedick, Capt. Craig(NOTE: The following is the first preserved letter of those written home by Henry and John Lindsey Watson)
September 1861
Seven days a coming we found the cleanest people on the way that I ever saw. When we got up in the upper edge of Smith County we stopped and stayed two days and went a driving and killed two deer. Mr. Hood's horse died as we come up and he come with us to Uncle Newells and he taken Uncle Tom Benedicks horse and Hood and the balance of us boys obligated ourselves to pay him whatever was right for the horse. He was here a foot among strangers and that was all the chance for him to get a horse. He said he would write back to Panola and get him a horse to plow next spring. I and Uncle Newel told him if he could do that it would be allright we thought. He wrote an obligation and we all signed it with him and if he never returns and we do we will pay him for the horse. The first Camp we went to was near Quitman the name of the Camp was Camp Locke. We got there on Friday and left there on Monday to come to Goose Lake which is about thirty five miles. We got here on Tuesday night and I hope we will start to move from this camp on Saturday next. If you want to wright to me direct your letters in this way Henry Watson, Plano, Collin County Texas, Lockes Regiment in care of Capt. Craig. Direct your letters in this way and it makes no difference where we go it will come to me. Write to me as soon as you get this letter and perhaps it will come to me before we leave there. You must excuse my bad writing for I have writ on my nee. I have nothing more to writ. I forgot to tell you about our fair we have plenty of bacon, meal, beef, rice and peaches. We have no coffee but we have plenty of tea. I will quit. H. Watson
December 9, 1861
Ben McCullough, Col. Locke, Conrad Wall, James Wall, Guss CoatesDec the 9th 1861
Coffeeville
Upshur Co Texas
Dear Sister I write you a few lines to inform you that we are all well at present I have nothing of interest to write to you more than we are a going Masuaria this winter we received orders from Ben McCullough that we wood Remain in Texas untill next Spring but we no not where we will take Winter quarters at we will not no where we will go untill he comes back as apt as any way we will Come back home.
Tell Mrs Walls folks that Conrads well and his foot is nearly well and is still improveing he says he will not write untill we get whare we are a going Conrad and James sends there best Respects to you all Guss Coats is improving I have nothing more to write at present I will write again as soon as I get some news to write you must write to me as soon as we get statuns Give my best repects to all of the Neighbors So nothing more at present but remain Brother and friend untill Death
H. Watson
January 31, 1862
Gen Mcintosh, Gen McCullough, Augustus Coats, Jack Armstrong, Ham ArmstrongCamp McNight
Red River Co Texas
January 31st 1862
Dear Father and Mother
As I have the opportunity of sending you a few lines by hand I will do so Orders come to our Regiment on yesturday eavening from Gen Mcintosh to March fourth with him to Masouria we have been transfurd from Gen McCullough to Gen Mcintosh and McCollough has gone to Virginia to take Charge of the Cavalry thare and we will leave here next Thursday on our way to MasouriaI thought I would get a fur low and come home but I do not expect to come now untill my time is out I have not much of importance to write to you we are all well at present and all of us have enjoyed very good health since we have been here except Augustus Coats and he has the Chills every few days yet I no not where to write to for I no not where we will go to you must write to me as soon as possible if you can any opportunity to send me a letter by hand I want you to writ Jack and Ham Armstrong has gone home and they will come through Carthage as they are on there Return Back and you can send a letter by them if Cotton gets to be a pretty good price Send mine off and Sell it and if it dont keep it untill it does get to be a good price or keep it untill I come back I would like to see you all very mutch but I dont expect to see you all untill my time is out give my respects to all of the connection and Neighbors and I will close by Subscribing my name as your affectionate Child untill Death
Henry Watson
April 17, 1862
Jack Wall, Jack Jordan, Adda RoatyDesark Ark
April the 17th 1862
Dear Father & Mother
I take my pen in hand to write you a few lines to inform you that I am well at present and all of the rest of the Mess is well and have been well every since we got well of the Meesles we have all had them and got well of them Jack Wall has got the Mumps but have not hurt him we are now here in desArk Arkansas and we have to dismount here and go to Memphis and there we will take the Rail Road at Memphis and go to Corinth there will be the big Battle they have been fighting for Some time and we have wiped them every time yet our Regiment was very much opposed to dismounting untill we got here and the General Said that it was impossible for us to get forage for our Horses and we concluded rather than disband and go home that we would dismount and take it afoot we will not be considered as Infantry and we will receive the Same wages that we did when we was Cavalry they could not have forced us to dismount but I thought rather than be disbanded and have to go home at this Season of the year I would try it afoot although did not like to give up my horse mutch but our Country needs our assistance at the present and I expect to Serve my twelve months out Some way if I live if I cant get to Ride I will walk Our Horses will be sent Home there will be eight or ten men Detailed to take them home I dont no how long we will be dismounted perhaps we will be ordered to our Horses again in less than a month and we may go afoot untill our time is out I have nothing more at present to write to you I received your letters the one you Sent by Jack Jordan and the one you Sent by Adda Roaty which I was glad to Receive I was glad to here that you was all well I have written Several letters to you by male but I never have received ary one from you by Mail I want you to write to me as ofen as you can I do not no where to tell you to direct your letters too I will write to you as often as I can give my Respects to all of my Neighbors and friends you must excuse my bad writing for I have to write on my nee I remain your affectionate Son untill Death
Henry Watson
January 1, 1863
Guss WallJanuary the first 1863(NOTE: The signature portion of this letter also torn away, so it is uncertain whether the author was Henry or his brother John "Jack" Watson but is believed to have been written by Henry)
Camp near litle Rock Ark
Dear sister
I have taken my pensil in hand to Rite you a few lines to let you no that I am well there is a good Deal of sickness in hour co Guss Wall is in the horse pittle I have not seen him for several days since we moved from up the river to little Rock ....(Portion of letter torn away).... both come out to hour camp he says that guss is very sick with the fever we got orders to go to fort smith again the order is Counter manded I believe that we will stay here some where about little Rock this winter there is severil of hour Redgement that Deserted a few days back they are deserting in other Redgment every few days We are getting plenty to eat now such as we have beef and bred but we dont get enough salt to salt it we buy some pork pork is worth 15 cents a pound we have not had very much cold wether yet I got a fine comb that other day from little rock to send home I recken they are Scars I will have to bring my letter to a close I want you all to rite as often as possible
January 1863
James Forsyth, Mr. Bert, Mr. Hood, Lee Gary, William King, Conrad Wall, Jack Wall, Augustus Coats, James Herrin, Thomas SparkmanJacksonport
Jackson Co Arkansas
January 1863
Dear Father & Mother
I received your letters that you and Catherine wrote I take my seat to write you a few lines to inform you that I am enjoying tolerable good health at present I have not been well for the last three weeks I have had the Meesles but I have got well I had a very tight time of it I taken them a day or too after we left little Rock and it was four days before I new what was the matter with me I rode four days before the Meesles broke out on me and then I had to ride two days after they broke out on me before I got to Jackson port and it had like to have killed me there was no boddy that wanted to take a person in there house with the Meesles after we got here there was eight of our Company that had them and we had to go to the hospittal and I and James Forsyth Stayed in thare Sixteen days that we never Saw out Side of the House Mr Bert was left behind with a young Man that belonged to our Company that was Sick and the young Man Died and Mr Bert come on to the regiment he overtaken us at Jacksonport and he did use to live here and as Soon as he got to the Regiment and found that we was in the Hospittal he got permition to come to town where we was at and he come to me and asked me if I had not rather go to a private house and I told him yes I would go anywhere to get out of that place and he went and got a buggy and taken I and James Forsyth to a house about two miles from town and we have been a mending ever since to day is Seven days we have been here and we are a going to Camp to morrow we have been well enough for two or three days to go to Camp but I thought it best to stay here untill we got Stout the folks we are a Staying with is the cleverest People that I every saw It Seems like they cant do enought for us if it had not been for the Ladies we would have died while we were in the Hospittal they would come every day and bring Some thing to eat if it had not been for them we would have Starved we had nothing to eat but some soup made out of Strong dried beef and a little coffee and bread which was not fit for a Sick person to eat there is two things I can give Arkansas praise for and that is the Ladies and the Water there is the kindest Ladies and the best Water that I ever saw in Arkansas Mr Hood had the Meesles at the same time I did and they did not hurt him a bit he didn't lay up but two days with them when me and Hood taken them there was not ary one of our Mess in Camp we all had them and have got well they have about all got in Camps but me at one time there was about half of the Regiment down with the Meesles the Regiment was ordered to Salem the other day and there was only about five hundred that was able to go and they went and left the sick and them that had been Sick here the report said that thare was fifteen hundred of the yankies close by thare and they had not force enough to whip them as soon as they hered that our men is coming they will run I wish I had have been well enough to have went with them Price and McCullough had a big fight with the yankies about five thousand men and McCullough was killed and so was Gen Mcintosh Price was Slightly wounded but we gained the victory I have told all the war news that I no I believe we have lost four men out of our Company but you do not no but two of them Lee Gary and William King that lived in Shelby Co tell Mrs Wall that I have not Saw Conrad and Jack for nearly a month they taken the Meesles while we was at little Rock and we left them thare but I herd from them a few days a go and they was about well and I guess they have come on to Camps I have not herd from Camp in Several days there was a man told me that he saw Augustus Coats in town the other day and I guess they come with him James Herrin and Thomas Sparkman has come in to Camps but have not Saw them yet when the Regiment comes back I expect we will be Stationed here at this place for Some time if you write to me direct your letters to Jackson port Jackson port is headquarters of this division I believe I have written all the news or at least all that I no I want to see you all very mutch give me respects to all of my connections and friends you must excuse my bad writing for I am rather weak yet and my hand is not Studdy I hardly no whether you can read it or not and also excuse the mistakes that is in this letter you must write to me every opportunity I never was as glad to get a letter in my life as I was to get them letters from you and Catherine I was weak and low in Spirit and it revived me up the most in the world I bring my letter to close by Subscribing my name yours as ever
Henry Watson
January 22, 1863
A.D. Corbey, T. Habin, S.T. Hillard, S.H.T. Melton, Sanford Yates, James Harcythe, James Lout, Lt. S.J. Walker, J.H. Bell, Thomas Sparkman, Col. CraigCamp near
Shelbyville Tennessee
Jan the 22nd 1863
Dear Father & Mother
I once more take my pen in hand to inform you that I am well at present and the health of the company is tolerable good at present we had a little fight near Murfrusboro tenn on the 31st day of dec on the 30th it commenced about 10 oclock in the morning and the pickets fought untill night we lay there behind a fence in the distance of about three hundred yards of the yankies untill morning About daylight next morning we was ordered to advance on them and we got over the fence and marched slowly along for about one hundred and fifty yards and the yanks begun to fire on us they were lying down when they began to fire on us we was ordered to charge them and when we received the orders the boys raised the yell and started and when we got within about one hundred yards of them they ris a running about the time they started to run the minnie balls came apearently thick as ever I saw hail fall in my life but we soon routed them and drove them back about two miles and they took another stand and they fought us there the balance of the day our Brigade and one of the Arkansas Brigades charged some of their Artillery and did not succeed in taking it and they was so strongly fortified that we had to give back we whiped the worst kind they reinforced Gen Bragg was obliged to retreat back to Shelbyville our loss was considerable in the recent battle the loss of our Redigment was one hundred and ninteen killed wounded and missing there was three killed and four wounded and two missing in our Company AD Corbey T Habin and ST Hillard was killed SHT Melton Sanford Yates Jas Focythe Jas Sout was wounded Leiut SJ Walker and JH Bell was missing but we have heard of Lieut Walker he was taken prisnor and taken to Nashville and him and all of the officers were taken to Illinors there to be imprisoned untill exchanged There was one Lieut got away from Nashville that was taken prisnor in the fight and he states that the feds only taken about seven hundred prisnors and about forty officers taken and I suppose that there will be no more exchanging as far as I have heard from the Battle killed wounded and taken prisnor our loss is about one tenth of what there is in our army patrolled seven thousand Prisnor besides the officers which was five Brigadier Gens and one Map Gen We killed two Brigadier Gens and one Map General I have told you all that I know about the battle I came through the fight safe and sound without a scratch of a ball Thomas Sparkman is about to get a discharge as he has had small pox but he is well now but he never will have the use of his hand any more that was shot the Small pox is a getting very numerous in our hospittals but our Regidment has very near all been vaxinated I have been vaxinated in both arms and it taken very well the next time you write to me I want you to write to me number of the Regidment the letter of the Company also the Brigade that Jack is in I want to write to him but I do not no whar to write to I received the letter this morning from you and Catherine that you sent by Lieut Williams which gave me much pleasure for I never wanted to hear from home so bad in my life Col Craig is a going to start home in a few days he was slightly wounded in the arm and he will get a furlow I want to see you all very mutch but I do not see mutch probably of ever getting to come home untill the war ends there is some talk of us being transferred across the Miss River but I think there is not much to that bit in the news I will send one hundred dollars by Col Craig and I also have a fine five shooter I will send by him if you need the money I send home use it and if not lay it out so that it will be of some advantage to me provided I ever get home pay my debts out of it I will bring my letter to a close for I have not room to write any more direct your letters to Shelbyville Tenn Ector Brigade Company H Tenth Texas Cavalry
Henry Watson
December 8, 1863
Conrad Wall, Jack Wall, Thomas Turman, Bellson Smith, E.R. Smith, Newt FiteCamp near
Brandon Miss
Dec the 8th 1863
Dear Sister Catherine
I received your kind letter dated Nov 20th I was glad to hear that you all well but the Sad news of Brother Jacks Death grieved me very much the thought of loosing So kind and affectionate Friend as he was grieves my heart but I hope he is better off he is out of the troubles and hard Ships of this troubled World and I hope he is gone to a better one
We built houses at Meridian Miss for winter qua and about we get them finished our houses we received orders to come to Brandon but I do not no what the move was for we understood that the yankies were a crossing Big Black River in a large force I guess we will go back to our houses as Soon as we drive the yanks back across the Big Blck
I do not no any War news as we understood that Gen Bragg got a whipping a few days ago in Tenn I have not heard anything from Conrad and Jack Wall for Some time I am looking for a letter from them every day the last time I heard from them they were both a getting well tell Mrs Wall and Amanda that Conrad and Jack is a getting well ....(a full line of writing scratched out).... that this is a going home is a going to Start the man in a few minutes and hardly have time to write this letter His name is thomas Turman he lives in wood County you can write to me by Lieut Gresham of our Co he Started to home the Same morning we got here and I did not have time to write by him he lives near the camp ground over the River he will be at Carthage before he Starts back tell Bellson Smith that I got a letter from ER Smith a few days ago he wrote that he is well he is at Marietta GA at the hospital he has been there for Some time he went there Sick by is well at present Bell wanted to no what Brigade and Division he belong to I wrote to him yesterday I wrote him all of the news and also to write what Brigade & Division he belong to
I am glad to hear that the folks is all a getting Religion I am in hopes they will hold out faithful I would like very mutch to See you all but I see no probability of getting to come Soon they will not grant any more Furlows in our Co unless Newt Fite comes back and we dont expect him back any more I want you all to write as often as you can I have written all of the news I no give my love and Respects to Ma and Pa and all of the children and also give my Respects to all enquiring friends
I wish I had time to write Several Letters to my friends but Mr Turman is a going to start in a few mins and I have to close my letter I hope you will excuse all my mistakes also my bad writing and Spelling So nothing more at present I remain yours as ever untill Death
H. Watson
Henry Watson
August 9, 1864
Winslow Corley, W.H. Daniels, Thomas Hodges, Monroe Fite, Banks, J.J. LangleyCamp in the field
near Atlanta Ga
August 9th 1864
Dear Father & Mother
as I have an opportunity of writing you a few lines I will do so Mr Benjamin Birdwell is a going to Start home day after to Morrow and I will write by him well I have no good news to write to you we have had a hard time for a bout Sixty Sevn days we have been in line of Battle and aScrummish Fighting with the yanks every day and night during this time
we left the Miss Department about the Sixteenth of April to Reinforce Gen Johnstons Army and we have been Seeing hard times every since that time the Yanks have been driving us back every Since we got to the Army untill we fell back here to Atlanta we have been here in the Breast wroks about two weeks but I do not no how long it be before they will flank us and force us to fall back from here if we fall back from this place I do not no where we will make the next stand at
we have been very lucky Since we have been in this Campaign our Brigade has not been ary Genrl engagement Since we have been on this Campaign although we have lost a great many men killed and wounded out of our Company Winslow Corley and WH Daniels was killed and Thos Hodges wounded in the head Monroe Fite was wounded in the elbow his arm will be always stiff Eli Banks was wounded in the Ancle and JJ Langley was slightly wounded in the hip I have been fortunate enought not to get touched with a ball so far I have been Sick a good portion of the time Since we have been on this Campiagn I was sick at the Hospittal at Greensboro Ga about twenty five days and I come back and stayed in camps about two weeks and I tukened the fever and went to the Division hospittal and I got back in camp yesterday evening I am in tolerable good health at this time I have got clear of the fever but I am weak yet I would be glad to see this Campaign end but there is no telling when it will end if we could be Successful here and at Verginnia in driving them back I think there would be Some prospects of the War ending but they are pressing us on every point at this time with the Bum Shells and Minnie Balls are constantly flying over us but the Boys are a getting Worty ust to them but once and a while one gets hit
well I have writen all of the news that I no I wish I could get to come home and see you all but I see no prospect of getting to come home soon this leaves me well and I hope it will find you enjoying the same blessing I have Received three letters from you and Catherine Since I have written home you must excuse my bad writen and Spelling until Death
Henry Watson
September 23, 1864
Capt. Booty, Jack Wall, J.T. Herrin, Monroe Fite, Eli Banks, Thomas Hodges, Green HodgesCamp near
Palmetto Georgia
in the line of Battle
Sept the 23rd 1864
Dear Father & Mother
as I have an opportunity of sending a letter across the River I will write you a few lines once more to let you know how I am getting along I am in tolerable good health at the present time I was Sick when Capt Booty Started home and I did not get to write by him I have not been well Since we have been on this Campaign untill now but I think I am getting in prety good health again
the Rest of the Co is well Jack Wall is in better health than I ever saw him JT Herrin is out on a Scouting experdition in the rear of the yankies I herd from him about a week ago he was in fine health at that time Monroe Fite is Still at the Hospital I herd from him a few days ago his arm is still very bad and I Suppose he his Sent up for a furlow and I Guess he will get it I have no news to write about War Officers this Campaign has been a long and worrisom one to us it will Soon he four months Since we commenced this Campaign and there is not telling where we are a going to Stop at the yanks has So mutch larger force than we have they can flank us out of all most any place but the troops of the Department is still in as good Spirits as ever it appear like nothing wont dis harten them there is a great many thinks that peace will be made by Christmas but I do not see any more prospect of Peace now than there was when the War first commenced I wish it would end for I am getting very tired of this war our three years is out and I see no more prospect of getting to come home now than I did when our twelve months was out I am going to hold on untill this Campaign is over and if I live I am a going to try very hard for a Furlow
Some thinks that as soon as this Campiagn is over what is left of our little Brigade will all be furlowed
Our Brigade has Suffered Severally on this Campaign not to have been in ary general engagements we have done all of our fightingon picketts we have had two killed dead and five wounded in our Company and there is two of them that was wounded that is Suposed to be Dead for we have not herd from them since they was wounded it is Eli Banks and Thomas Hodges this is very badly writen I could not get any pen and ink to write with and I had to write with and old pencil and it is a going to bother you to read it the next time I write I hope I can get some paper and ink so nothing more a present but remaining your Son as ever untill Death
Henry Watson
PS you wrote me to find out where Green Hodges was but I have not seen his company since I will go see his regidment the first opportunity and try and find out whether he is there or not