[Civil War]: [Texas]: Gallatin, Samuel:

[Autograph Letter Signed by a Confederate Soldier Stationed at Brownsville, an Outpost He Describes as "One of the Last Places in the World to Get News of Any Kind"].

Brownsville, TX: April 4, 1863. [2]pp. Old mailing folds, moderate foxing and toning. Overall about very good. Item #13099

An interesting letter from Samuel Gallatin, a Confederate soldier stationed in far south Texas during the middle of the Civil War. Gallatin writes that there is not much going on, but his categorization of Brownsville and his brief discussion of the value of money provide important details of a soldier's life on the Gulf of Mexico during the war. The text of his letter in full is as follows (with spelling corrected):

"It is with much pleasure that I seat myself to answer your kind letter which I received a few days ago. I was truly glad to hear that you all was well and doing well. Me and Milam are both well hoping when you receive this, it will find you all enjoying the same blessing. All the boys are well that bears your acquaintance. I have nothing to write that would interest you much. We are just laying around Camp not doing much of anything. There is no prospects of us having any fighting to do soon. The Yankee transport boats have all left the mouth of the Rio Grande. The weather is very warm and for that reason I think will be some healthier than it has been. We get plenty to eat and wear such as it is though we will not grumble.

Ed Pace received a letter from his father the other day. He stated that Albert was sick but was not dangerous. There is a great deal of talk about peace being made pretty soon in this country, but I expect that has got to be a by word with you all down there. We are in one of the last places in the world to get news of any kind and would be glad that you would write oftener and let us know what all is going on down there. Money is tolerably plenty in this country. Paper money is only worth twenty to thirty cents on the dollar. With silver or gold we can get things as cheap as we used to or near about it."

Price: $550