James Henry Lauriston ("Lar") Hull

4th Sergeant, Company F., 10th Texas Cavalry, Confederate States Army
Enlisted October 31, 1861 and Surrendered May 26, 1865

Civil War Letter Collection, Jackson Port, AR - 1862

Transcribed by J. Brinkoeter

Jackson Port Jackson County Arkansas Dear Parents, Again I intend trying to tell you a little of what is going on in camp of the news, the health, etc. The first thing, in the first place, and firstly, I am thankful to a kind Heavenly Father that I am well, Uncle Tom, Cousin ..., and most of the others are well. Mr. William King is sick with the measles. He is so badly scared that he don't know whether he is much sick or not. He says he promised his folks the last thing before he left home that he would not go into a hospital. He is in one now. It is a very good house. There are about 45 from our Confederate company sick on the road between this place and Clarksville, Texas. Jim Rowe and Bernard are sick with the measles. Billy Hill has had them and got well and caught up. Jim Harrison is up again. Also Joe Bell. Joe is writing home, I think. Well, I suppose we leave this place Monday tomorrow, and go about 12 or 15 miles up the river where we can get a stop for shoeing our horses. We are camped on White River opposite Jackson Port. Jackson is a very dull, common little place, to be where it is and having the name it has. White River is a beautiful stream, very large boats are running up and down it at all times. We will not draw any money here I don’t suppose, simply because it is not here for us. The boys, as I remarked in my last letter, were all disappointed in making a draw, as they all drew only 40 dollars each, and for that reason they could not pay off & have any money left. They all seem willing to pay as soon as they draw enough to pay. What is Bob Henry’s acct? He wants to pay me some. Do you want him to pay it up here, or down there through ... of them? What is S. C. Jackson’s acct? He wants to pay me his. What is Alford Griffin’s acct? He wants to pay me some. Also any of the other boys you may want to pay you up here. William Scott & ... or any others We received a dispatch here that Price & Van Dorn had fought the Yankees at Boston Mountain and was victorious, killing, wounding and taking prisoners, about 5000 & was in hot pursuit when last heard from. I believe I told you all the news I know of, so I will stop. I have no idea when we will get to fight any. There was a boat came up last night bringing 200 troops. I don't know where from or where to. This is Uncle Tom's and my cook day, so I must get dinner. I will wind up my dissertation and fold up my paper after dinner. Well, dinner is over. We had been bacon and flour bread and coffee with sugar in it. I get to sweeten my own coffee, and don't you reckon it is my notion? I just heard a man crying and coughing in Arp's company and went over to see what was the matter. He was taken sick very suddenly with congestion of the brain. Several have been taken the same way lately and some think it is poison! I will write again soon. Write soon and often to your son. J. H. L. Hull Off to Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas

Previous Letter: Apr?/May? 1862; Unknown location (letter fragment)
Next Letter: August 2, 1863; Office of Post Quarter Master, Alexandria, Rapides Parish, Louisiana
Letter Index: J. H. L. Hull Civil War Letter Collection