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Galveston Texas Feb’y 26th 1862
To Mr. W.B. Waller:
Dear Benj -
Yours of the 15th Oct. is before me. I had just finished a letter to you when I received yours; but had not mailed it, so I will write to you again. I cannot express to you on paper, the gratification that the reception of your letter gave me. News had just reached me of the success of the Yankees in Missouri, Tennessee and Alabama and their probable descent for some hundred miles into the interior of Ark. And I became very impatient to leave here and fly to the rescue of my adopted state. I see no good reason in staying here, guarding a seafort town against an expected attack when localities far more valuable, and much more liable to invasion by reason of their propinquity to Yankeedom, are in immediate need of our assistance. In other words, it is deeply impressed upon my mind that I ought to be in the state of my adoption, where I may have an opportunity to aid in defending my home, my children, my all, from the wicked depredations of the milanthropic fanatics of the North. I am now trying to get a transfer from the army here to that of Price in Ark. From present prospects, I do not think I shall succeed, but at any rate I shall bid farewell to Texas, as soon as my time is out, which will be the 1st of May next. But I shall not enlist in the army again until I return home. I must see you and Alice again before I attempt to do anything.
I am glad to hear that you are getting on so well with your studies. I have a great anxiety that you should make a good scholar, and any advice of your advancement pleases me greatly. I am much pleased too with your letter. It contains much information and is well written. You are certainly improving greatly in your style and diction, and will soon make a good writer if you persevere. You cannot write too much. You should write a composition on some subject every day. I am much pleased to learn that you are a member of the Debating Society. Such inhibitions are indispensable to a thorough development of the mind, and they at the same time engender a spirit of reading which will be found beneficial through life. When you have learned to express yourself well in public, you need not fear to enter a private circle. The man that can stand in the ____ and command the attention and admiration of his audience, has wealth, fame, and popularity under his immediate control. But, my son, you cannot expect to accomplish this without much reading and deep and constant meditation. Read much and think deeply upon what you read. Reading without reflection, is like the bubble that floats upon the ocean – it soon passes away, never to return. I am sorry to hear of the death of S. Weaver. What was the matter with him? Was he at home, or in the army? And W. Manning – you write me he is very ill. I would like to know his malady, and also whether he has enlisted in defense of his county. I do not understand you in relation to your Uncle Ike. You speak as though Falcon was a station for solders. Do you mean to say that Arkansas is a military station and that the whole state is under arms? If such be the case I would like to be there. I must be there to join in the general warfare. I presume he and your Uncle Harrison is in the field at least lying upon their arms, and ready to go forth when there is a call made for married men. Tell them to write to me. I would be glad to hear from them. I presume you are a tolerably fair Arithmetician now. As soon as you are far enough advanced in the numbers, I wish you to take up Book-keeping in connection with them. Crittenden System is the best. We have no news of importance here. Peace and quite prevails. Occasionally there are five or six war steamers at the blockade, but we view them with cold indifference. We are ready to receive them and give them particular thunder when they feel disposed to attack us. We are all anxious for a fight. I have a knife about 22 inches long which I wish to try on a Yankee’s neck. What has become of your Cousin Mary? Why does she not write to me? She was always very punctual in her correspondence before she took to herself a – half – has the cares of married life and the affairs of here household so intruded upon her spare moments that she has no time to write to her friends? Tell her I will write to her again soon, and if she has no opportunity to read it, keep it until I return and I will read it for her – And your Aunt Tas – has she too ceased to put her thoughts on paper and make use of the means that Cousin Sam has afforded to talk with her friends at a distance? Ah, yes I remember now, she has a sweet little babe to elicit her attentions and she of course is excusable. I am sorry to hear that your Grandma is so unwell. I hope she will soon be well again, and be able to write to me. Tell her to make you a good Democrat, a Yankee hater, and to send you to the War as soon as you are large enough to go. Is your Aunt Burt married yet? If not, tell her never to unite her destiny with one who will not take up arms in defense of his country.
I am in the enjoyment of excellent health at this time. I weigh 142lbs, which is ten more than I have ever weighed before. I have not performed any military duty since the 6th of January, though. I mess with my Company and have all things ready to join them in a fight. I am Book-keeper in the Quartermasters Department, and this extra duty exempts me from ordinary drill. As I have said before, I shall be at home as soon as my time is out here. I have many offers of profit to remain here but I prefer Arks. The Quartermaster, who is a large merchant here, wishes to engage my services at the expiration of the term, and my Capt insists that I shall go home with him, and take charge of a school in his vicinity. All the young men in camp tell me they will come to my school if I will teach in Texas. Present me kindly your Grandma, Uncles, and aunts, and cousins. Give my respects also to Mr. Marshall. Write to me as often as you can.
Your Father,
A.C. Waller
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