Civil War Letters
     of
Dr. Thomas B. Grayson to his wife Caroline McArthur Grayson

During the war, Carrie lived with her sister, Mary McArthur Bonner, and brother-
in-law, William Bonner, Jr., in Freestone Co., TX. Some of the letters mentioned 
slaves who were with the army.

Big John – 20 April 1864, Houston, Texas – Mr. B’s (William Bonner, Jr.) big John 
is in camp with us today. I think he has dodged his overseer.

Reuben – 4 May 1864, Galveston Texas – There are a great many of the Freestone 
negroes at work here. They annoy me very much about getting them off home. Reuben 
has been quite sick with pneumonia. I took him in the quarters with me and shall 
keep him till he gets well.

Beebe – 4 May 1864, Galveston, Texas – Mr. Robinson’s (James Bonner Robinson) 
man, Beebe, has been also right sick with flux – I also took charge of him. I do 
not know that his master will ever thank me for it. I shall do every thing I can 
for the “up country” negroes “thanks or no thanks.”

Wat – 29 May 1864, Galveston, Texas – You can say to Mr. B. (William Bonner, Jr.) 
I cannot do anything now toward the regular discharge of his negro, as he is not 
in the City. The Military authorities have seized Irvin B’s (Irvin Hale Bonner) 
boy Wat. He was one of the (Bonner) negroes who first ran away from here.

Riney – 29 May 1864, Galveston, Texas – Tell Riney [that] Reuben is doing finely 
and I understand is so well appreciated here that he has secured a French Negress 
for a wife. Whether or not he is yet blessed with a “petit polles vous francois” 
heir I do not know. I do not think he cares much about going home.

Alfred & John – 23 Oct 1864, Fort Randall, Texas – If you think it will be of 
any advantage why don’t you have a loom made? Get the lumber at Bonner’s Mill 
and Father’s (Squire Grant Grayson) Alfred or John can put it together.