Frank Shannon Letter - October 9, 1862

Yorktown, Texas
Oct. 9th, 1862

Dear Parents and Emma,

Your kind letter of the 12th Sept. came to hand a day or so ago, was glad to learn that you were all in good health, this leaves all well except Mr. Weddington, he is very much afflicted with some skin disease, or from the effects of poison. It looks like it will kill him at times, he has had some three or four doctors to treat him, but the disease has baffled them all. I have no news of interest to write more than you glean from the papers. It is rumored that France has recognized us as a nation, but I don't believ it yet. I am sorry to learn that Confed Money is at so low an ebb in your country. I think that it will go up soon. You say wheat or flour can be bought for coffee, soda, calico, tobacco, and such articles. There is no coffee in this country at this time for sale and no soda. Tobacco is worth $6 per plug, and leaf tobacco $7 per pound. Calico from four to six dollars per yard $5 shoes 20 to 30 dollars. I will try and sell some cotton and corn and go to Brownsville ang get some articles to exchange for flour. And it will take me some time to get ready to go up to your house if I have to go to Brownsville first. I was across the San Antonio River on Monday. Coffee was selling in Helena at $6 per pound. I went after my ambulance. I have got it at home, but have some repairing to do it before it will do to start a trip with. I have no had any letter from the boys [Alexander M. Shannon and William Henry Shannon] since I last wrote to you. There is an Army surgeon in Yorktown examining invalid conscripts. I will have to go and see him today and get a certificate of inability or disability or be put in the Army, don't know whether will get one or not, as they are putting everyone in that can walk—Nothin exempts a man from military duty in this country but death, and then the fact has to be established that the man has been dead at least three days. Write often. Is John Latta on the Confederate side of Fed—the reason I ask is that I learned that Wm. Latta was with the Feds and piloting them through the country.

My Love to all Yours Ever
Frank

Tell Emma that she must consider that I write to her every time I write to you for I consider her included, and don't think it necessary to write to her separately.

If I can meet with a wagon going into you country, I will send the leather.