Letter from Maj. Runnels.

[Houston] Tri-Weekly Telegraph
April 25, 1862
p. 3, c. 2-3

Camp of 2d Texas, Jackson Brigade,
Withers' Division, Army of the Mississippi,
Near Corinth, April 13th, 1862.

E. H. Cushing, Esq.

Dear Sir-
I know the people of Texas, and especially our whole-souled, patriotic women, wish their soldiers to be properly cared for. The only thing to prevent the accomplishment of their object is in not knowing how to expend the means so liberally prepared for us. My object in writing is to call your attention to our greatest necessities, and in telling our condition, you will readily perceive what they are. We are not in need of clothing nor provisions, but of medical and surgical attendance. I believe our State has made an appropriation for the establishment of Hospitals. Texas has three regiments in the army of the Mississippi: 2d and 9th Infantry, and Terry's regiment; but she has no Hospital in or near Corinth. Eight days ago the great battle of Shiloh was fought, in which Texas lost many brave and noble spirits. Some of our wounded have, as yet, not even had their wounds dressed. They are scattered all over the army, in the various hospitals. God knows what attention they have received. Many are in camp not only wounded, but sick, without medicine or medical attendance, in tents and on the wet ground, no place for a sick or wounded man. It has been raining almost constantly since our arrival. There are two surgeons attached to our regiment, but what can they do without medicine? We returned to camps Tuesday from the field of battle, nearly all worn out by fatigue, and on Wednesday night our brigade (Jackson's) was ordered to Monterey, on picket guard, and such of our men as was able to hobble went on duty, the head surgeon with them. I should have gone, but was on the sick report. I do not complain for myself, but speak for the brave men who are suffering from wounds received in defence of our common rights, and for whom my heart bleeds.

The wounded of Terry's regiment were sent to Vicksburg yesterday. I am not informed as to what has been done with the wounded of the 9th Texas, but presume they are all in no better condition than our own. When we arrived here our regiment was comparative healthy, and was given up to be the finest in the army. It numbered near 900. Now, however, I don't think we can count on 400 for duty, and the whole number does not much exceed 700.

Capt. Brooks was killed Sunday by skirmishers, before we had fired a gun. Capt. Smith was wounded late in the afternoon. Capt. Clarke L. Owens was wounded Monday morning, and Lieut. Feeny was killed about the same time. Brooks and Feeny both expected to be killed. They made their wills the night before we left camp. Singular presentiment, as both were brave men. We lost another brave and gallant officer, Lieut. Dan. Gallagher. We do not know whether he is dead or not. I am of the opinion he is a prisoner. Our brave Sergeant Major, Paul, was also killed on Monday morning. These are all the officers killed or wounded. You will have a list of the killed, wounded and missing furnished as soon as it can be ascertained.

Yours truly,
Hal G. Runnels.

P.S. I presume plenty of medicine can be had in Mexico. Let an agent be sent there to buy supplies for our army. It cannot be had here. I presume some of our army surgeons have supplied themselves from the Yankee camp, as I examined several surgeons' tents, and found that some one had been ahead of me at each place and left nothing but the common medicines. I could find no quinine, chloroform, morphine, or anything valuable. And from the confusion in which I found everything, I think the Yankees had taken nothing, but our men had taken all the valuable drugs.

H. G. R.

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