Letter from a Ranger

Galveston Weekly News
July 8, 1863
p. 1, c. 7

The racy letter given below, will be read with interst by the many friends of the writer in Texas. He had won an enviable reputation as Commandant, with the rank of Major, and Professor in the Texas Military Institute. Promotion, even to the rank of Major was tendered him; but with a patriotism worthy of the hero he has proved himself, he has declined all preferment. With characteristic modesty, he avoids allusion to his own wounds, which have been very severe and repeated. But he is again in the saddle of a Terry Ranger. May he survive the conflict:--

CAMP NEAR FAIRFIELD, TENN.

DEAR COLONEL.-
Your letter of January 18th, was a welcome surprise. My old friends had become so scattered that I had given up all hopes of hearing from them again. It was with sincere pleasure that I read your communication. I can only thank you for your kind and disinterested endeavors in my behalf; but would rather that you would not renew them. I am content with my position as a private, which I have tried to so fill as to satisfy my own conscience. I have tried an experiment, and am satisfied with the result. Promotion has been more than once within my reach, but I have respectfully declined it. I am not insensible to the advantages of place, but private reasons prevent me from desiring it. I am an humble and undistinguished man, and as a soldier, I trust I have a full appreciation of the cause for which I battle and shed my blood. If I fail, it will be in a cause for which thousands of noble men have, without a regret, offered up their lives. I opine that the war will endure for years, and I am resolved to follow, "through chance and change, through good and evil," the banner of the Southern Cross-the blood red battle-flag of the sunny South.

Since I last saw you, I have participated in almost every scene incident to a life of military adventure —scout, skirmish, retreat and the midnight foray. I have been captor and captive, wounding and wounded, and many times have I been almost "mortally frightened." I wish I had kept notes, it would have afforded me much pleasure to contribute something for the pages of your volume. Events of thrilling interest to the historian, and romancer and humorist, mingle in the retrospect. To-night some stupendous joke may convulse the camps, to-morrow morning the jokes may be actors in thrilling tragedy. What wonder that soldiers become reckless or indifferent to all save what is going on around them? This wild life of a border ranger suits none better than myself. The continual excitement gives food for the restless activity of my nature. The languor with which a southern clime and quiet habits once invested my frame, has long since disappeared. It was the most fortunate thing for me that I did not enter the infantry service. Ranging life has been my physical salvation. I hope that I will survive to read the instructing volume you are preparing. It will afford me pleasure to furnish you with such appropriate incidents as may be in my power. I would that my pen were adequate to the description of some of the scenes of our late expedition to Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland-Wheeler's Forest's [Forrest's] and Wharton's combined assault-the storming of the yankee breastworks-driving them from their fortifications.-There was the most extraordinary achievment of cavalry that I know of anywhere. The scenery, the time; and all the circumstances of the flight, gave me an appreciation of ["Hohenlinden"] that I could never otherwise have obtained. Our cavalry generals are men remarkably fitted for their positions. The enthusiastic Wheeler, Chief of Cavalry —the prudent, yet fearlessWharton —the audacious Forrest, and that true "Knight, from plume to heel," Morgan the peerless, are champions that even our noble cause may be proud to own.

I sincerely regret to hear that so many of my old school-fellows have been disabled in the war, and deep is my sorrow for those who have fallen upon the battle-field of independence. If the old Institute is ever revived, (which I hope it will be) their names should still be called in the "roll," and the reply, always-Dead on the field of Honor. I met, at Corinth, one of your old cadets, who has become quite distinguished in the war. I mean Felix H. Robertson.-He is rapidly becoming the most skillful and celebrated artillerist in this department. His battery has played an important part in every field, from Shiloh to Murfreesboro. I rejoice in his success.

John Haynie, another cadet, had a narrow escape, a ball hit his forehead, but it was spent. He bears the scar. A ball struck me on the side of the head, and cut off enough of my auburn glory to furnish every sweetheart I have in Texas and Tennessee, with a lock. My space is about filled. Present my compliments to the ladies who were kind enough to remember me with interest. Assure Mrs. F. of my undiminished regard. I am truly gratified to learn that your own distinguished services to the country, have been appreciated.

Your friend,
WILLIAM THORNTON