Civil War Letters of James Henry Lauriston Hull
Jackson Port
Jackson
County Arkansas
Dear Parents,
Again I intend trying to tell you a little of what is going on in camp
of the news, the health, etc.
The first
thing, in the first place, and firstly, I am thankful to a kind Heav-
enly Father that I am well, Uncle Tom, Cousin …, and most
of the others are well. Mr. William King is sick with the measles. He is so
badly scared that he don't know whether he is much sick or not. He says he
promised his folks the last thing before he left home that he would not go into
a hospital. He is in one now. It is a very good house. There are about 45 from our Confederate company
sick on the road between this place and Clarksville, Texas. Jim Rowe and
Bernard are sick with the measles. Billy Hill has had them and got well and
caught up. Jim Harrison is up again. Also Joe Bell. Joe is writing home, I
think.
Well, I suppose we leave this place Monday tomorrow, and go about 12 or
15 miles up the river where we can get a stop for shoeing our horses. We are
camped on White River opposite Jackson Port. Jackson is a very dull, common
little place, to be where it is and having the name it has. White River is a
beautiful stream, very large boats are running up and down it at all times.
We will not draw any money here I don’t suppose, simply because it is
not here for us. The boys, as I remarked in my last letter, were all
disappointed in making a draw, as they all drew only 40 dollars each, and for
that reason they could not pay off & have any money left. They all seem
willing to pay as soon as they draw enough to pay. What is Bob Henry’s acct? He
wants to pay me some. Do you want him to pay it up here, or down there through
… of them? What is S. C. Jackson’s acct?
He wants to pay me his. What is Alford Griffin’s acct? He wants to pay me some.
Also any of the other boys you may want to pay you up here. William Scott &
… or any others
We received a dispatch here that Price & Van Dorn had fought the Yankees at Boston Mountain
and was victorious, killing, wounding and taking prisoners, about 5000 & was in hot pursuit when last
heard from. I believe I told you all the news I know of, so I will stop. I have
no idea when we will get to fight any. There was a boat came up last night
bringing 200 troops. I don't know where from or where to. This is Uncle Tom's
and my cook day, so I must get dinner. I will wind up my dissertation and fold
up my paper after dinner.
Well, dinner is over. We had been bacon and flour bread and coffee with
sugar in it. I get to sweeten my own coffee, and don't you reckon it is my
notion? I just heard a man crying and coughing in Arp's company and went over
to see what was the matter. He was taken sick very suddenly with congestion of
the brain. Several have been taken the same way lately and some think it is
poison! I will write again soon. Write soon and often to your son,
J. H. L. Hull
Off to Little
Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas