Wednesday night Apr. 24, 1861

Beloved Wife

I am now in Hunt County, Texas about 9 miles from Greenville; about 50 or 60 miles from Sister Martha's. We will get there Friday night. We have been ever since Sunday coming from Jefferson. I bought a pony about five miles from Jefferson. I gave 33 dollars for horse, bridle & saddle. It is the sngest(?) indian pony you ever saw. 

Tell Eddie & Lu that Pa has bought them a little horse. He is very gentle and I may bring him home with me. Erasmus has not got him any horse yet. We put baggage on pony and ride him about. I suppose we will not buy another till we get to Real's and perhaps not then. We could have got some ponies cheap near Jefferson but was rather choicey and now horses seem harder to get in this country. We have been travelling two days in the prairies. They are pretty though they have fallen far short of my expectations in point of beauty. We see vast herds of sheep & cattle feeding on the prairies. Some places seem very fertile though I have not found any places that I could think of locating at. We have gone through the counties of Cass Hopkins Titus and are now in Hunt. I cannot tell you now all about the country as the room is full and the family wants to retire. I hope to find some place that I take better. We are informed that tomorrow we will see a better country. If we had not seen the sed hur(?) lands we would have been better pleased. Lands are cheap enough for any use but they don't strike me.

I will have time when I get to Martha's to write you the particulars. Erasmus and I are both enjoying fine health. Erasmus still talks of joining the Texan Ranger.

We are so (far) from any where that we get no war news. The people are now just learning that fort sumpter has been taken. 

I don't know whether this letter will get to you soon. I hope you are well. I often think of you and the children but can do no more than look at your likeness. I want you to keep writing to me at Alton till I inform you otherwise. But must stop as I (am) imposing upon the family. May the Lord bless you and the children is the sincere wish of

Your devoted

Husband


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Transcription used with permission of Charles Massey.

Archivists:
Transcription by Charles Massey.
Image by G. Anne Sloan