Edward H. Ross to Arch Houston - October 30, 1861

Dear Sir

I take this opportunyty of dropping you a fiew lines to let you know that
I had not forgot you and to redeem my promas
I am in tolorable health this morning
I have been very unwell for som time but am improving very fast
all the boyes that left with me are all well but Bob McCan
he got his leg hurt by a wagon in Lousana [Louisiana]
he can hop about on it and that is all he can do yet as to his health
it is good
we have all had bad colds from out expsure in Lousana
we had to march 150 miles a foot threw mud and water and rane
I would give you a complete histery of our travles but I say to you
never come hear to do your fighting
resons for this I will give hear after the fatigue and expposur
was bad a nuff our orders to go to Virgina [Virginia] was conter manded at New
Orleans and we were cent to Bowling green Kentucky at which place I
now am
we were cent hear in a hurry for the purpose and expectation of getting
in to a fight richt off
the wiman men nigers children and all cheered us with there presance
and with books case apples and every thing that tthey could give us
when we would stop and when travling they would throw them in to the cars
they would evan get to gether in large crowds on the side of the rode to
see Texasans and to cheer them on there way
they would evan wave there hankerchief so fure off at us that we could
hardely see them but when we saw them we let them now who we were by
our yells so we have been hear 10 dayes
there is a great excitement hear
times is tite hear
our pickets were attacked last night 4 killed 8 wonde
great excitement this morning a fight is expected soon
it is said that our pickets were fired apon by 800 likonits [Lincolnites] in 8 miles
of our camp
2 regements has marched by our this morning that was camped close
to us the objecp which I know not
everything is kept dark from the pryvet
it is said that the enemy is close by by and that a fight is inefitable
they that left this morning left with out there bagage napsac on there back
with a full band of music
Arch I havent been able hardely to lift apot of ove the fire for some
time and I thought I could hardly stand the thought of a battle but when
I saw them 2 thousand thousand men march out with there glittern
muskets and band music I felt like I could toat a cotton bale
my heart within throbed within with emotion and I felt that I was almost
a Samson
there is som 60 thousand Southern troops hear and at least that maney
on the other side
we are in and enemy contery
we are in camped 1 mile from town
if we have porticular buysness we can go to town if not we cant
the the town is garded all the rods is garded and every place so that
it is imposable almost for a Linkonit to get in or out
Kentuckians are doing but little in this afair
they all seem to bee standing still as if to see which way the scale
will turn
it is true there is several Kentuckany regements in the field
but as a state she is doing nothing in fact I think that the most of them
are Linkon [Lincoln] men but I guess the matter will soon speak for it self
from the best information that I can get the big fight will soon com
off hear that will tell the tail ether for weal or wo
we get the news hear in one day from Virginia and Masora
they are skirmish fighing every where
they have had a considerable fight in Virginia at Lessbirg
our loss did not exced 200 and there loss was 1600
I had forgot there was a little fight tuck place hear last week in
which 4 Linkonits was killed and 16 prisoners taken now los on our part
they are constantly bringing prissoners in to our camps
sitisons recruitting officers and scoutting parties that they ketch
since I commenced writing this letter I had to stop to drill so I poot
offf writing till night so tonight our scouts came in with 40 prisoners
supposed that it was some that was in the fight last night that I
have given you the account of
I have now more news that I can reclect
we are fairing like pot pigs
we have plenty to eat and good water to drink
we have sugur and coffee pickle pork fresh beef pickkle beef mosases
candes
we have not recovered our horses nor gunns
we expect to receive our horses day after tomore
I speak of my oun compeny
the most of the regement has alredy received there horses
there is some sicness in our regement
one pore felow clost to my tent of a nother compeny that was ding this
evening
want you to write to me as soon as you get these lines
give me all the news that you have
back your letter Bowling green Kentucky
Capt Kings Comptiny
Terreys Regement
Texas Rangers
give my love and respects to all who may inquire after me and if convenant
send this letter to my wife
I will write to you all long when I can
I will not write no more till I hear from you
I remain you friend untill death shall seperate us

E H Ross

Edward Hampton Ross Letters. Wharton County Historical Museum.