An important and deeply personal two-page manuscript letter written from Galveston, Texas, dated January 22, 1865, containing extensive commentary on deteriorating weather conditions, shortages, transportation concerns, illness, and maritime service opportunities connected with the Confederate Gulf coast. Penned in brown ink on laid paper, the letter discusses receipt of packages and correspondence before turning to increasingly serious matters affecting life in Galveston. The writer describes severe rains damaging crops and flowers, fears of being “cut off,” and the necessity of securing provisions. Of particular historical interest is the lengthy discussion regarding a man named “Max,” whose health is described as gravely impaired by recurrent fever, with recommendations that he transfer to the “Marine Department” and serve aboard government vessels in hopes that sea air may restore his health. The correspondence vividly captures wartime anxieties and isolation in coastal Texas, including references to: • disrupted communications and transport, • provisioning concerns, • Confederate governmental shipping, • fever and disease in Galveston, • and the uncertainty of military affairs. One passage notes: “The rumor here is that the Yankee fleet has left this place…” The letter offers an evocative firsthand glimpse into civilian and military-adjacent life on the Texas coast during the Civil War period, especially the hardships posed by illness, climate, and instability in the Gulf region. Condition is fair to good, with fold wear, edge losses, areas of paper separation, toning, and a small hole affecting several words but not materially impairing readability. A compelling and historically rich Confederate Texas manuscript.
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Galveston Jan. 22nd, 1865 We received your letter and papers yesterday, also a box by Express, with articles you mentioned, you received the keg with sacks and flowers, did you receive a bundle with empty sacks? it was sent also Friday last. We have a great change in the weather from mild Spring day to a real old fashioned cold Northern with rain, it seems the late rains have done a good deal of harm on this Island as vegetables are looking badly, like they were rotting in the ground; also the flowers, our beautiful Resedas, is drooping, we send you the only good ones we had in the garden, our place is too low and wants badly to be filled up; but we can not do anything now, as the Yankees with their fleet are expected daily, I think you better send down some (?) in case we may be cut off, Mr. Frederick told me that he has also provided means here for his family in case of an accident, as he will stay in Houston and his family will stay here. It would be also advisable to send down plenty provisions so that we dont starve in case we are cutt off; the rumor here is that the Yankee fleet has left for this place last Wednesday he was telegraphed here yesterday by General Smith to General Hawes, we have to await results, and in the meantime hope for the best. Julius has not arrived yet. ________________________________________ I wish he had safely gone and arrived in Mexico. Max's health is very much impaired it seems to me that there is very little hope for his recovery here; several have given him the advice to try to be transferred to the Marine Department and as the Government has now ships going, to try to get a situation on one of those boats. Mr. House in Houston can inform you how this is to be arranged as he has found situations for several young men who were similarly afflicted, and once upon the sea there is no doubt that he will recover his health quickly. His disease is now to much accumulation of bile which if not worked off in time throws him into a hot fever; he has had two such attacks in one week and of course prostrates him very much; all the care about his diet, about the exposure of weather etc is of no avail, the fever returns in spite of every thing, so I see no other chance than to try to get him away. I have of course no opportunity to see anyone about such affairs as I dont mingle with the military world and don’t know any one, besides I am kept home constantly, as Max is mostly all his time confined to his room and bed. Miriam would like to take exercise horseback riding as we don’t use our horse at all now, but she has no saddle, could you get her one? as you said to me it was not paid for or try to get her one, she is at school until three in the afternoon and of course requires some violent exercise, as she grows …
