James Henry Lauriston ("Lar") Hull

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

Civil War Letter Collection, Unknown Location - early 1862

Transcribed by J. Brinkoeter

We had a false alarm night before last, about 3 o’clock a.m. One of the guard fired off a gun that roused the Company. The Regimental bugler sounded the alarm. The Company buglers answered. Every Company was up and 6 companies in line in 5 minutes. Saddled up & ready for action, having on guns and all the fighting utensils. We took up the line of march to meet the enemy, went about 1/2 a mile, but the enemy faced about and fled, as it was cool we didn’t pursue. We fell back to camps, formed in battle array and fired off our guns. Broke ranks & went about breakfast. Thus ended the first fight Col. Locke’s Regiment has ever been in. This battle came ... 17th, being 6th month from the time of our entrance into service. Well I believe that’s about all I’ve got to say this time & I don’t know when I may ever say anything again as I expect to leave my ... I do want you to write to me. Do write often. You surely can’t form an idea how anxious I do get to hear from home, even if I only hear that "All is well." ... Armstrong has the swelling rheumatism, Hugh McCann has the measles. We will have to leave him. We will leave Bernard Rowe and Jim Rowe also. There is one Mr. Vansickle that is going to Henderson, it may be best to send the money by him. I will see uncle Tom about it. I will not seal this till morning then I may tell you about it. For the present, goodbye. Well, I have seen Uncle Tom and conversed with him about this matter. Uncle Tom is rather unwell this morning. I don’t feel well myself. Uncle Tom took 20 dollars of the money. I have 35 dollars. I sent you every cent I had before & Uncle Tom suggested the idea that we might get sick up here, and it costs a fellow like thunder to stay anywhere but in the hospital, and that is a very sickening place to even a well man. So, I suppose he will keep 20 dollars & I will keep 15 dollars. This man Vansickle is going to leave. I must close. Uncle Tom sends his love to you all, also Joe. Give all the folks my love and best respects. Write soon. Write often. My best respects to Mr. Scates ... to his school. My warmest love to all the family. I do not doubt but that you are constant in prayers, praying for the absent as well as those present. We need all your prayers while exposed to all the vices of camp life. May we meet in Heaven. Your affectionate son, J. H. L. Hull

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Letter Index: J. H. L. Hull Civil War Letter Collection