Benjamin F. Burke to Peter Burke (his brother) - September 1861

Peter:
Them three hogs of mine I want you to let Uncle Stanley have one of them if they get fat this winter. And sell the other two, and the ballance save to buy cattle with if you see an opportunity. I want you to see to selling my corn. I want Uncle Stanley to have ten barrels, and the ballance sell as soon as you can at one dollar and a half per bushel-don't take no less, unless you find out that corn will not sell for that much, and if corn falles sell it at whatever it is selling at, and be sure and sell it before the weevil gets into it too bad. I want all the money that you can rake up for what I have got to sell here for you to lay out for cattle-and cattle that will increase. Papa will be owing me some money for the ballance of my cotton and I want you and him to put it out to the best advantage in stock cattle.

I want you to try and find that little red steer of mine and bring him into ranks. I have some fodder left-you may have it to feed your horses or do as you please with it. I believe I have got one calf out that is not branded-if I have you must attend to it. I don't believe I have got anything more to tell you of but what you are acquainted with.

I would like to see you and Bill before I start but I cannot wait untill you can return. If I have good luck you will hear from me pretty soon after I arrive at my journey's end.

Benjamine F. Burke

P.S.

I sold that fodder to Dial this morning. I tell so you will not be surprised. I want you to collect that money that Spence owes me which is $8.75. I will now bid you farewell.

B. F. B.

Heard, Jessie Burke, ed. Terry Ranger Writes Home: Letters of Pvt. Benjamin F. Burke Written While in Terry's Texas Rangers 1861-1864. No Place, No Publisher, 1965. (Available in the University of Houston Library.)