William Nicholson to his Aunt - April 3, 1863

W. Nicholson, Company D,
Terry's Texas Rangers.

Mrs. Henry Crocheron
Bastrop,
Bastrop Co.,
Texas.

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Dear Aunt—

My last letter was written while we were at Fairfield or War Trace—since then I have scarcely had an opportunity to write or anything of interest to write about. Everything is at a standstill at this time. * * * I saw in the "Texas Almanac" Extra 27th Feb. that Mr. Barnett's smokehouse was burned with 15,000 lbs. government meat in it. I suppose you are having fine weather in Texas now. The weather here is disagreeable and unpleasant and rather cold, although vegetation has put forth. On the morning of the 1st April we had ice. I hope the cold weather will soon end.

We are having a few skirmishes with the enemy in this part of the country. Dick Burger was wounded in the thigh a few days ago in a fight in Eaglesville. He is recovering but it will be some time before he will be fit for duty, as it is a very painful but not dangerous wound. We outnumbered the enemy considerably in that skirmish, as our regiment and the 11th Texas were out on the scout. Our Regt. was in front and we met the enemy several miles this side of Eaglesville and immediately charged them and run them several miles back upon their reserve. Several of the enemy were killed and wounded and five were captured. We had only two wounded that I heard of. The enemy's force consisted of only 145 picked men and picked horses. They were mounted infantry from three different regiments. They had bayonets but no six shooters, which disappointed the boys very much. One of the Yanks horses was killed and the Yank took the cornfield afoot. Sam Piper of our company dismounted and gave him chase and caught him after snapping his pistol several times whilch failed to fire. Sam said he had a great notion to kill him when he found he had no pistol, as he wished to get that more than he did the Yank.

We went out yesterday on another expedition—left Camp at daylight. We went to a house that was very near the enemy's pickets to move the family and bring away the meat, meal, salt, &c. We had to fight with their skirmishers for some time. The family hurried off and had to leave a great many things. All their furniture, a fine piano and a buggy and many other things which they could not get away. I expect the house was burned last night by the Yankees. They came there to plunder as soon as we left. * * *

We will leave here in a few days and go to Lebanon. The citizens there want our regiment there very much and promised to let us have several thousand bushels of corn. I think the move will be appreciated by the members of the regiment as well as by the citizens if not more so for nothing delights the Rangers more than to hear of their being ordered to Lebanon.

There is some talk of Gen. Wharton being promoted to Maj. Gen. If so, Harrison will be Brig. Gen. and Ferrill Col. They are all three now acting in the capacity above mentioned. Gen. Wharton is liked very much as a commander. He has elegant saddle which creates considerable sensation in this country. It is indeed a beautiful saddle.

Mr. Cotton of Company G went with two other men who belong to infantry and who were near Triune into a Yankey camp and brought out three fine mules. They could find no horses. It was a very bold adventure.

I believe the boys are all well and in fine spirits. My health is still good and I hope all at home are the same.

Give my love to all, while I remain

Your affectionate Nephew,
W. Nicholson.

(Clipping from newspaper)
Fine Saddle. We were shown on Saturday last, by Mr. Terry, the saddle of Gen. Wharton, which is the most magnificent article of teh kind we have ever seen. Its mountings are all of heavy solid silver, with stirrups heavily plated with the same mental, and the quilting of gold and silver threads. The bridle is also heavily adorned with silver, and on the point of the holsters are two solid gold balls an inch in diameter. The outfit cost, in the city of Mexico, $1000 in specie.

Jones, Margaret Belle, ed. Bastrop; a compilation of material relating to the history of the town of Bastrop, with letters written by Terry Rangers. Bastrop: NP. 1936.

 

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