Smith County, TX - Letter - M. A. Hill from W. W. Hill ***************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm 15 Nov 2000 Contributed to the East Texas Genealogical Society by Dr. Alma Moore Freeland Typed and Submitted by Joan Landrum - jlandrum@tvec.net ***************************************************************** Letter to Martha A. Hill from her brother W. W. Hill Camp in the field La. April the 22nd 1864 To Martha A. Hill My Dear and affectionate Sister. I have before me your kind letter of the 13th inst. which came to hand a day or two ago. It found me well and I rejoiced to hear that you were all in good health though sorry to hear that you were so troubled in mind. I hope you have reconsidered in this time. I wrote a letter during the fight. I also wrote another after the fight was over. I was sorry to hear that Father was so bothered with those colts but I hope he will find them. You stated that you have heard that we was on starvation. That was not the case. We have bin geting tolerable plenty of rations. We are at present about 50 miles North East of Shreveport quietly encamped. No prospect for a fight that I am aprised of. We herd very favorable from Price on yesterday. He has captured 200 wagons and teams all their artilery and a good many small arms, and kill a great many, mostly Negroes, and Steel is falling back. Banks is said to be at or near Alexandria. It is also stated that we have several Transports and one Gun Boat. This I don't state for a fact. I don't think from the present prospects that we will have much more fighting soon or at least I hope we will not. I will now give you the number of our boys killed wounded and missing. 500 killed, 1300 wounded, and 400 missing. The Federal boys was as follows according to our report. 1400 Killed, 800 wounded that we found on the field, and 5,000 prisoners. I recon that is a tolerable correct. statement. You have heard that we taken all their train but what was burnt to prevent our getting. Also all their Artilary and a great many small arms. I think there will be no danger of them getting to Texas this summer. I want you to write on the reception of this. Tell Father to write often. I am anxious to hear from you all. Cosin John and Bill is tolerable well. They send their kindest regards to Father and all the connections. Give me all the news when you write. Give my best regards to all the connections and friends and except the same your self. I remain as ever your affectionate brother W.W. Hill. -------------------------------------------------------------- Note from Joan Landrum - jlandrum@tvec.net William Hill and his father John Jacob Hill were both of old Knoxville, Cherokee Co., TX at the time of the writing of these letters. Martha Ann Hill Fitch to whom one of the letters was written was also of Cherokee Co. I believe that she and her husband later lived in Smith Co. His sister Elizabeth Hill, mentioned in the letter married Thomas Meador and they lived in Smith County. Their children were all born there. William Hill later made the disasterous move with the family to Dexter, Cooke Co. Texas where he remained after many members of his family had died on the trip, or soon afterward. A few moved back to Cherokee and Smith Counties. He died at the Masonic Home in Arlington, TX.