Letter, C.J. Webster to his Family

Letter, C.J. Webster to his Family

Object number1998.055.19.3

DateMarch 8, 1863

Mediumpaper and ink

Dimensions9 1/4 x 7 1/2 in. (23.5 x 19.1 cm)

Credit LineOld State House Museum collection

Terms

DescriptionLetter from C.J. Webster to his family and friends. Handwritten in pencil on lined paper.

The Webster family was from Elm Spring, Washington Co., Arkansas.

Little Rock
March 8th 1863
Dear Father, Mother, Sister, Bros., & Friends
I am pleased to meet with this opportunity of starting (?) your direction since I last saw you. I have seen some ups and downs since I left Elm Spring. But have no doubt fared better than if I had remained. It is true that I was in a delicate state of health (?) (?) Fayetteville on the 10 of January taking up my line of march for Little Rock. But by resting a week at Van Buren and being favored with transportation from Clarksville aided by gloves and pills(?), I landed safely at this point on the 30th of January. Was exchanged for 31st and returned to my company where I remained until Feb. 26th when ordered to Mag(?). By special order No. 55 from Lieut. General Holcombes. T.F. & L.S. & myself are all comfortably situated in the same shop at the arsenal where we are making artillary harnesses etc. We have two nice rooms, good water and the prettiest & (?) situation in Little Rock. I have seen (?) (?) & Jimmie(?) Simpson(?) several (?). They are well and fat as bears. Also P.W.H. Cunning & David (?) enjoys first rate health. David not so good. Flower [sic] is worth 75 cents per lb. Pork 50 to 75 cents, Beef 20 cents, corn meal $2.50 per (?), Butter $2.00 per lb, eggs $2 per dozen, turnips $2 per (?), Domestic $5 per hd and other things in (?). Tell cousin Mary Webster that her little sister died last spring of typhoid fever. I wrote to you by By Bell about 10 days since. We have heard that Dr. H.W. Glover & son are in the Federal Army. We hear from Washington County frequently but nothing direct from home, farther than that you are all alive. Give my best respects to (?) Simpson & (?) and thell them to write us a line occasionally. Tom's clothes have all got to [sic] small for him since he came to the Rock. Simp is also as fat as a bear. I am now forced to close in order to send it off.
All take good care of your selves.
General Hindman has obtained a transfer across the Mississippi. Frost takes his place for the time being but we expect to be under Old Jak(?) before this reaches you and you know he has never been so dark a place but what he could cut a hole through and let the light in. Write every opportunity (?) and perhaps we may receive a letter from some of you after a while.
My best wishes to you all
C.J. Webster

Status

Not on view

Collections