Tyler CO. TX - Collier Letter - 16 Dec 1861

Submitted by Barbara Yancey Dore  rootslady@msn.com

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                          Collier Family Letter 
                                16 Dec 1861
                                      
                                                            16th Dec 1861
                                                                         
   My Dearest One
   
   I am now at Mr. Frenches-- came up yesterday to purchase guns and
   leather to make Cartridge Boxes and Scabbards. I tried to get the
   major to let me come home while off this time, but he would not
   consent for me to be absent that long at this time but promised I
   should have leave to come home in 2 or 3 weeks. He says I am advancing
   my men so fast in descipline that it will not do to have them long (??
   alone) while they are so much interested. My company hear the praise
   for morality and industry and so for their conduct has been such that
   I have reason to be proud of them. They are doing honor to themselves
   and the country they represent, and I hope they may continue to do so.
   
   I have not been able to buy a yard of sheeting or shrinking at the
   pass, Beaumont or here. I have bought 2 bolts of Calico at 20cts a
   yard, 1 bolt of Texas ?_________ at 20cts a yard, 1 Pn Strips at 15cts
   per yard and you and Jane must divide it to suit yourselves. Fayette
   Sheffield paid four dollars toward what I bought and I have paid for
   the balance, so I will be entitled to 14 dollars worth at the prices
   above named and you to the balance. Wm. Phillips told me yesterday
   that Charles had started to Chapel Hill to go into camp and if so I
   shall not have the pleasure of seeing him again soon, if ever: a
   solemn thought.
   
   I bought for S. J. Johnson at the pass and shipped to Beaumont-- 1 keg
   Tobacco costing 20.70- 3 Bushels Salt at 9.00- Sack to put salt in,
   and freight & storage at Beaumont 1.00 making in all 30.70 beside what
   he owed me before for 1/2 mutton 1.50- 3 1/4 Bushel meal 2.44- and
   three dollars that Franklin Walker let me have on him, making in the
   aggregate 37.64, which amount is to be credited on the note he holds
   against me. Johnson's salt & tobacco are marked S.J. and the salt for
   Bro. Faircloth is marked J.F. The other is for you and I would try to
   send Wm. & Reese some but it is higher here than it is up at the
   Sabine, and if they do not get there in time perhaps you can save them
   some, if you have any luck in collecting what I have loaned to cousin
   Lazerous & others. I also let Johnson have a half bushel of salt,
   which if he does not return he must pay 1.50 for making the amt to my
   credit 39.14. I bought 3 bushels salt for Bro. Faircloth at 9.00,
   sack- freight & storage .75 making 9.75 to be credited on the note he
   holds against me, besides the 15 dollars for the sheep I let Drake
   have. You will perhaps hear a thousand lies about our troubles and
   dangers at the Pass, but do not believe anything you hear without good
   reason. If anything of a serious nature takes place you will soon be
   informed of it.
   
   I do not apprehend an attack on Galveston or Sabine Pass soon.
   Appearances seem that the Yankees intend attacking New Orleans, and if
   they do they will have their hands full without troubling Texas. I
   left my men all up yesterday though some of them were complaining.
   Health is generally good at the Pass.
   
   The Butter & Eggs you sent me was quite a treat for which you will
   accept my gratitude and kiss all my precious children for me. Tell Mr.
   Reese that I ____ _______ some what oats I have, in the hammock field,
   on such part of the field as he does not wish to cultivate.
   
                                                     Believe me ever your
                                                    affectionate husband,
                                                                         
                                                              J.G.Collier
                                                                         
                       ******************************
                                      
   (In possession of Mrs. Clyde William Yancey, Beaumont, Tx)