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, Kickapoo, TX - 1864

Transcribed by J. Brinkoeter

Aug. 15th 1864 Dear Mollie, Mr. Miller did not start as he expected but will start soon - and I did not get well as expected, so my moves are very unsteady: sometimes my hand flies away from the line in spite of me. I acted very imprudently, ate too much good beef, and had no one to tell me so. My host being at home thought too delicate a thing. Then I attempted to assume my duties at the office. The walk up there 1/2 a mile was too much and in half an hour I had a chill then I concluded to walk home before ... so by the time I got home I had a "shaking ague." The fever rose about 11 o’clock and lasted till 3 in the morning. Then I took quinine till bedtime and again two doses in the morning, during which time I was sweating ... and continue to. With prudence & the permission of Divine Providence I will be well soon. I am about as well now as before this ... though somewhat weaker. So much for my health. I received a letter Sunday from ... and was glad to hear from them by letter and will answer today. Mollie don’t forget to send me recipe for making "quick custards." Also send my flute by Mr. Miller if it is convenient. I have not used my Flux-weed ... much more. Mrs. Harris wanted it for her family, black and white. The doctor had left one of his negroes and it cured her and several others. Then one of his daughters was sick and it permanently cured her. It has cured others in the neighborhood, and today as good a doctor as Anderson County can boast of called to learn this weed that he might gather it for his own family. Well Mollie, this is "2 days later" as the papers say. Another chill slipped upon me away in the evening when I was not expecting it, while I was writing to you. The chill was very light but I just thought the fever would put me in a blaze. The chill came about 2 o’clock p.m. ... I commenced taking quinine in big doses by dark ... all night, and all next day till 4 o’clock p.m. every two hours. Well this is the most sickly letter I ever want to write. I have nearly filled it tell of my health - but enough. I am inclined to think that if there is any virtue in active labor all such chaps as I will be healthy next year, for I have no idea that the War will end this year, and if it don’t, every man that can hold the weight of a musket will be certain to go to the field regardless of Depts of any kind. We have at last met with sad news. Mobile has fallen! Ft. Gaines was delivered to the enemy by the ... of a scoundrel, Col. Anderson. He should be burnt at the stake. Other War news unimportant. I suppose Father knows that J. E. Johnson has been relieved and ordered to Richmond & Hood is in his stead; also that General Walker commands the Dist. for New Mex. & Arizona. Magruder ... Arkansas & Missouri, Buckner ... The Crockett [?] paper comes again and I will save a copy. ... Who was elected in our county? J. H. L. Hull

Previous Letter: August 9, 1864; Kickapoo, Anderson Co., Texas (3)
Next Letter: November 29, 1864; Anderson Co., Texas
Letter Index: J. H. L. Hull Civil War Letter Collection