Robert Edward Hill to Mary Scott Hill - March 25, 1863

Hd Qtrs Tex Rangers Camp
March the 25th 1863

My Dear Sister

I have just gotten permission to come into camp this morning and embrace the opportunity to write you a few lines. Our Command is out on the front doing Picket & Scouting duty and none are allowed to leave except the sick Our Boys are all well Cap. Brother Tom Frank & Jim Mcguire all well Cousin George Mcgehee is not very well nor very sick complaining with very slight fever still he is out on the front with the command I have heard from Brother John—Griffin made his escape from the Yanks in Illinois They were taking them on north to Camp Douglas where they will remain untill they are exchanged I do not know the reason why they are not immediately exchanged as I know that we have more than they have Brother John was suffering from Diarrhea P.J. Watkins was quite sick some places they were treated very well and others as bad as they well could be All quit here the two armies laying still looking each other in the face like two mad dogs before they begin to fight When they will go at it again is more than I can tell Our Regt is ordered out tomorrow to try and get into their rear and I think we will succeed.

We have had some beautiful spring like weather for a week but this morning a real Texas Norther coming up suddenly and beginning to snow in good fashion I rode 8 miles and got quite cold but now this evening it is very pleasant compared to this morning Sun shining out bright I hop it will continue and that we will not have any more cold weather as Our boys have to stay out all the time without tents or anything except there blankets.

Col. Ferrill lost the letters that was sent by him at Houston his saddle bags having been taken through mistake some of the letters are beginning to come to hand but none for any of us yet, I do wish you would write oftener, than you do. this makes the third letter this month for me & I am sure that you & Uncle Tom & Cousin Nish Sister Mat. & others might wright oftener if only to all well and what you were doing No news from Cousin Bob, how does Uncle Wiley take Cousin Bob being a prisoner, I fear that it will go right hard with Uncle.

It is impossible to tell now how things are going to be if the People of the North stand the Conscript Act and make Old Abe A Dictator I fear that we will be in the field another two years though I am informed that the K. G. C.s a secret order are determined to resist the draft if they do it will cause a muss I hope they will Griffin says that he made himself known to about 600 who had met, as an escaped prisoner and that they gave him every assistance and aided him through. I do hope before the next 6 months to see Outbreaks and riots over all the North

Pray for us and also for an Early Peace and may the lord bless and keep you all safe from harm and continue his blessing and protection to us is my dayly Prayer Give my love to all enquiring friends and tell all the negroes howdy I have not time to write any more