31 July 1862. Smith, Ashbel to unknown recipient
Date
2013-02-19
Authors
Smith, Ashbel, 1805-1886.
Journal Title
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Volume Title
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Abstract
Letter to friend of upcoming visit to Houston.
Description
In Camp near Tupelo, 2d Texas Infantry,xxx Brigade, July 31, 1862
My dear Friend,I sent you a message by Major Jones that I would write you a long letter- as I cannot write a long one I have concluded to employ a few minutes given me before the starting of a messenger for Texas to dispatch you a short letter. I am less solicitous now to write as I trust xxx long to be in Houston:- I am not going to resign- I am not going to be transferred- I am not going to ask or leave of absence- Now, as you have more cleverness of mind than falls to the share of most mortals, I leave to you to conjecture the manner of my coming. I shall be there in person- I am over anxious to see a dear dear friend of yours who lives on Main Street. Whenever we write to a friend we always try and find some little courtesy for him or his to do for us- so you may tell her if you please that I am shortly coming. It is a secret too, for I desire it not to be mentioned to anyone else. The Second Texas is the bully regiment of this army- it is acknowledged to have no rival, or rather no equal. It was terrible torn to pieces at Shiloh......recently uniformed anew;...stately tramp and arms glittering in the sun as they move to the stirring music of our new band, xxx a display full of glory. It is often said that it is better to be a Captain in the Second Texas than to command many of the other regiments. For myself individually everything is most prosperous. –I cannot tell you of some things for fear of laying myself open to a charge of vanity. I retain my place as......with sincere esteem and warm friendship.
Yours, Ashbel Smith
Keywords
Tupelo (Miss.), Houston (Tex.), United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.