Hidalgo County, Texas Feb. 23, 1862

My Dear wife after my sincere love to you and the dear children. My love I am well and I hope this may find you all well and not on sufferance. My Dear Yourn and Georges letters came to hand and found me well yours of the 18 Dec and Georges of the 21st.

My Dear I had started a letter to you before yours come to hand. I have been waiting to hear from you my Dear I have wrote every month to you and it seems they don't get there if they do someone takes them out. I dont direct none to Daleys Mills.

My Dear it is now 11 months since we saw each other and seems to me it is 11 years. My dear you and the children is always on my mind. My love I am trying to provide something for you and the dear children if it ever gets so you can come to enjoy it. I am planting of corn in they richest land I ever saw in my life. I shall commence tomorrow morning to plant. My Dear I have worked very hard. I have clear 8 acres and fenced it and now am ready to plant and if nothing happens. I will raise 500 bushels. As soon as I plant I shall commence to build a house. My Dear I see hard times. I have to mend my own cloths and wash them as I can. Lizer nor Georges wife don't do my things for me. My Dear don't let this grieve you for I will soon be able to live independently to them. My Dear I have been hard run for clothes. I have made out with as little as I could. The only thing of your make is my drawers. I am a trying to get a start in this world. My Dear I have got friends that will stand by me in a time of need. My Dear if only I had you all with me I could do so much better. No one to sympathize with work--work all day by myself-- tired-- no one to feel for me-- lie down on a hard bed--no one to talk to. It sometimes seems to me I shall burst but still brave up and say blessed is he that holds out.I intend with the help of God you and the children won't suffer. Dear I hope and trust of God a raise again in this world. Mr Dear it is out of my power to do any thing for you at this time. I hain't got money at this time to do you any good. My Dear I think I will be able to raise some money soon. I have been appointed Deputy Marshall of they Confederate Court and there is a great deal to do. The court sets the first Monday in March. My Dear you must keep in as good heart as you can and tell the dear children to be good children for they are always on Paws mind. Betsey I feel satisfied John will do all he can for you. Tell George and Arthur to listen to their Uncle John for he will give them good advice. George my son it give me great satisfaction to get a letter from you and to hear you was trying to do they best you could. My son stay with your mother and the children is my prayer. It gives me grief to think my letters don't get to you. My loves write to me often. It is always on my mind to think the situation my family is in--in want of food and clothing and schooling. My dear wife I know you can use your wheel and cards and I know you are industrious to do it. Tell John to do the best he can for you all and I will reward him for doing so. Mary my dear daughter try to learn your brothers and sisters their books. Betsey, Weeks owes $27.50. If he hain't paid it try and get that. Colonel Baker justly owes $64. You write to him about it. Maybe he maybe able to pay you something. My dears Lord knows when we will see one another but I intend to try to make something. I have 5 choice cows and calves, and one of the finest yoke of oxen in Texas, a fine saddle horse, my double barrel gun and watch and a fine six shooter and booey knife worth $65 and don't drink , work hard I am commence butchering in May. My dears If I keep my health I will soon have something again for you all. I will close bycalling all your names. Betsey My Dear wife, George my son, Mary my daughter, Gussey, Mitey, Maney, Lilley, Budey my sweete babe. May God protect and be with you all is my prayer. Ten thousand kisses to you all. So write all the time and all you can hear.

Direct your letters

to Brownsville

Cameron County to the care of

Charles Stillman

JJ

Transcribed by Suzanne Milstead Rigby, owner of original letter. Her great, great grandfather.

(Placed ib family file by Judith Richbourg Jolly, Nettles, descendent, with permission from Suzanne Milstead Rigby - July 12, 2002. West Florida Regional Library, Pensacola Florida)