Danville, Ill.
Apr. 22, 1865
Friend Tom,
Your last letter was rec'd about nine months ago and has been answered about as many times.
I do not believe there has been any changes in Old Danville since you left - without it is in the gals. We have a couple of new arrivals in our town - not very new either - but still the gossiping fraternity has not been stopped talking about them. These two new arrivals are rebs from Natches, rather pretty girls and rather smart. I had a notion to go in on my nerve but just as I got fairly started some little piece of humanity had to step in and knock my pins from under me.
I am still going to school and a dry old time Abe, Pete & I have of it. We are the only boys and Clara Carnahan is the only girl. By the by, Tom, do you still correspond with her? If not, who do you correspond with? I can not imagine you without Miss Prince. I think she will be married to Deacon Hanford before many months rolls over her head.
The boys have all soured on the girls, except Bud. He still holds his own. We hardly ever go with him any more. Once in a great while we have a party but it is a perfect bore so we make them as scarce as possible.
Judge Peters is coming out. He has bought that house of Jim Culbertsons. Paid eight thousand five hundred for it.
Oh, Tom, I forgot to tell you that Current is running those 2 refugees big - he is head over heels in love. Just like he is with every girl that speaks to him.
Write soon, Your friend
B.E. Bandy
Danville, Illinois
April 24, 1865
Mr. Thomas R. Brown, Mobile, Alabama
Dear Thomas,
It appears like an age since we have any letter from you. Certainly great events enough have taken place to fill an age. Since we have not had the pleasure of receiving a letter - yet we understand the circumstances under which you have been placed to excuse you.
At no period, hardly since you first went out, have we felt a deeper anxiety to know how you are. We have read all that has been published in regard to our Forces in their fighting & capturing Mobile and have rejoiced in the success. But the sadness comes over our feeling for fear some of our dear ones may have fallen in the conflict and shall continue to feel so until we receive letters which we are now looking for daily.
I cannot give you any idea of the intense sorrow that penetrated our community on the news of the President's death. Next Thursday the whole county is to have a convocation in town - to give some demonstration on His Funeral. I expect to go to Springfield to attend the Burial. Traitors must have no quarters after this.
I do not think of any local news to send you. All are well. I have not as yet engaged in any business yet. Write as often as you can.
Affectionately yours,
W.H. Brown
New Orleans, La.
May 7th, 1865
Friend Tom,
I suppose you have often thought I was not going to fulfil my promise to write as soon as I got back to the city. And to tell the truth I am quite ashamed for not doing so before. I have had so much work to do since I got back, now nearly two months, that I have not had hardly time to write to friends. I got back all O.K. The third day after leaving the regiment at Barrancas town, got a final settlement and spent the rags and now working for the necessary funds to take me to the North.
How are things working now days in the old 37th? I suppose you had a share of the late glory about Mobile, and elsewhere, but I did not see any thing spoken of you in the papers, only the list of wounded.
What do you think of the war by this time? Most ready to go home? That will be a gay day for you, veteran. That is, when you get there.
How is Ralph, the Adjutant's Clerk, and Daw, the bugler, and the boys of the company generally?
Found Mrs Hedges, she lives on CAMP St.. No. 332.
Oh: a lot of Lee's soldiers have got back and a gay set they are, too.
If you go home via N.O. just give a call. Respects to all. Write soon and tell J.R. Palmer Hdqrs., Dep't Gulf the news.
Head Quarters Post and
District of Mobile
June 30th, 1865
My dear Father and Mother,
Some nine or ten days have elapsed since my last letter was written home, but you will excuse me when I give my reason, I think. Shortly after writing my last, I was detailed in this office as clerk and have been so very busy ever since that really I haven't had time to write.
The Regiment went to Galveston some two or three days ago and I tried to go with them but Capt. Metmore, the Adjt. Genr'l., at these Hd. Qtrs., said that he couldn't spare and would not let me go. I can stay here all summer if I have a mind to, but don't know that I shall, although I am having an excellent good time and am improving in my penmanship. (Don't you think so?)
I pay a dollar a week with my rations and get real good boarding. And, besides if I stay here a month or so I can get a furlough for sixty days and maybe a discharge. But I can't stay unless I have money. Tomorrow I have 4 months pay due, but can't draw until I have six and then I will draw $170.00. $20.00 a month my monthly wages and $50.00 bounty. If you can spare me $40.00 or $50.00 until that time, I will send it to you, as soon as I can draw my pay.
Let me tell you why I need so much. The mosquitos are most miserably bad and I haven't a sign of a mosquito bar to keep them off. And here I am a Sergt. (and you know that a Sargeant is expected to dress a little bit better than other soldiers.) And, in fact, I have got some pretty good clothes, but haven't got any money to keep them clean. Besides my board money runs out in seven or eight days and where the next comes from I don't know.
If you can spare it, why I should be ever so much obliged. But don't send any until you hear from me again, for I don't know as I will stay yet or not. I can if I want to and don't know but I will have to.
Direct letters to the regiment yet a while. Much love to all. Haven't heard from home for 2 or 3 weeks. Can be at home in side of 6 weeks if I stay here.
Very Affectionately
Your SonThos. R. Brown
Sergt. Co. K 37th Ill., Vols.
P.S. Brig. Gen'l I. Kilby Smith commands here
Tom
GENERAL BLACK RESIGNED AUG. 15, 1865. RECORDS INDICATE THAT TOM BROWN WAS NOT WITH THE REGIMENT WHEN IT LEFT FOR TEXAS. HE REMAINED IN MOBILE AND WENT HOME ON LEAVE IN AUGUST. HE RETURNED BY STEAMER DANIEL WEBSTER FOR CAIRO TO VICKSBURG, AND GALVESTON REJOINING THE REGIMENT AT COLUMBUS TEXAS.
TOM WAS ALWAYS IN TROUBLE TRYING TO KEEP ENOUGH MONEY TO AVOID BEING IN CONSTANT DEBT. HE WAS A SPEND THRIFT AND OFTEN BORROWED TO CARRY HIM OVER TO HIS NEXT PAY. OF COURSE THERE WAS NOT REGULAR PAY SCHEDULE AND THE SOLDIERS WENT MANY MONTHS AT A TIME WITHOUT ANY PAY ADVANCES.
Galveston, Texas
September 14th, 1865
Dear Father,
I arrived here his morning after a squally old trip across the Gulf. I promised that I would write at New Orleans but I only staid there a few hours and couldn't find any place to write while I was there. I have been very unfortunate, indeed, since leaving home. Let me tell you of my misfortunes. At Cairo a ten dollar bill blew out of my hand into the river from the boat. My bed quilt caught fire and burned up, besides coming very near setting the boat on fire. At New Orleans after I got on board of the Steam Ship my satchel was stolen. I was told that a man just went off of the boat with one like mine. I followed him up until he went into a house. I then watched the house until he came out. I then went up to him and says I, "You have got my valise. Give it up or I'll have you arrested." Says he, "You lie" and struck me on the back of the head which knocked me down. And when I got up no one was to be seen.
Besides my clothes, there was $13.00 in money, five of which Mother had put in my hold-all and eight Mr. Hessey gave me to give to Ed. I hope some day, and that very shortly too, to be so that when I travel I can travel like a man and not as a dog to be ordered around just as a set of dirty puppies choose to order me.
I met Milt Stewart here. He is well and hearty. The Regiment is at Columbus. I guess I will stay here with Milt until Monday, this being Saturday.
Write often and I'll do the same.
Ever Your Affectionate Son,
Tom B.
Much love to all.
Galveston, Texas
September 18th, 1865
Very dear sisters,
I expect that you are both together so I will consolidate my letters.
I am still at Galveston as you see by the heading. I have been here since Saturday last. There has been no boats leaving since then, but there will be one today, I guess. Milt Stewart is going up with me.
Well, for a history of my travels since leaving home. Had a very pleasant ride to Tolono in company with Geo. Abdill. Got supper. Met Wesley Shersy at the supper table, didn't know him, but he knew me. Went to bed early and got up at 4 o'clock A.M., Tuesday. Started south at 8 A.M.. Nothing of importance to Cairo. Was paying for something & then a ten dollar bill blew out of my hands and went into the river (a dead loss.) Started from Cairo at 12 P.M., Tuesday. Arrived at Memphis Thursday at 6 A.M. Went up into the city. Found Lank tonight and had a pleasant chat for two or three hours. Left Memphis at 3 P.M. and that night my bed quilt caught fire, burned up and came very near setting the boat on fire.
Nothing of importance occurred until I arrived at New Orleans, which was about noon of Monday, a week after leaving home. Monday evening I got on board the steamer "Daniel Webster", put my valise with the baggage in the baggage room. About 7 in the evening concluded that I would change my clothes when "lo and behold" I hadn't any valise, clothing or any thing else. I got on track of it, followed it up, but got nothing except a sore head. I happened to have on the shirt that you made for me so that I can get along until I get to the Regiment.
If I was the only loser I wouldn't mind it, but having letters and one thing or another for the boys it makes me feel bad.
After arriving here at Galveston I met Lieut. Morse of our Regiment. He is A.A.A. General on Gen. Gregory's staff and he wants me to stay with him, but I guess that I'll go on to the Regiment.
Now Sallie, I don't want you to answer this letter, but let Lue do it. And after she is done writing, if you feel able, why you may put in a few lines.
Please don't feel bad about my misfortunes for I expect to get out of the service soon and then I think that I will have a little bit better treatment than a soldier gets.
Give my love to Mother, Father, Auntie, kiss the little ones for me. Much love to yourseIves, Charlie, Nettie and all of the rest. Write soon.
Ever Your Affectionate Brother,
Tom Brown
P.S. Please tell Father to send my papers through as soon as possible. Direct to the Co. and Regt.
The Regiment is at Columbus Texas. The 12th Illinois Cavalry is at Hempstand, Texas
Tom
Columbus, Texas
September 26th, 1865
My dear Mother,
I arrived here some two or three days ago, but have had no good opportunity to write any sooner. Before I left Galveston, Ralph and Alex came up, and in company with them I came on here.
At Houston I saw John. He is looking quite well and wants to get out of the army. I guess that he will write home very shortly. At least he promised me that he would.
This is a very sickly place. Nearly one third of the Regiment are sick. Ralph is down with the "Break Bone Fever." Will Reed and Ed Hessey have the ague, none of them are any ways dangerous, however.
Tell Father to hurry up them papers, but as bad as I wanted out of the service while at home, I was perfectly contented to what I am now. I had the diarrhea pretty bad last night. There is no chance for the Regiment to get out this winter any how for they are furloughing one in every ten.
I hardly know what to think about the 12th Cavalrys getting out, there is no danger of John's enlisting in the regular army, He wants to get out too bad. Write to him often. Much love to all.
Affectionately your son,
T.R. Brown
Columbus, Texas
October 13th, 1865
Dear Folks at home,
There is nothing to write about at all, but having heard you say that a mere scrath of the pen was received with joy, I thought that I would drop you one or two lines.
I was up to Houston a few days on a visit to the 12th Cavalry - found John fat and hearty.
We are having very pleasant weather. Last night it rained some.
I haven't had a line from home as yet.
Love to all.
Ever Your Affectionate Son,
T.R. Brown
Sergt. - "K" Co. 37th Illinois
BY NOVEMBER 2ND TOM WAS BACK WITH COMPANY "K" AT HEMPSTEAD WHERE ABOUT ALL HE COULD THINK ABOUT WAS BEING MUSTERED OUT.
Hempstead, Texas
November 2nd, 1865
My dear Mother,
Yours of the 11th ultimo was just received with the one from Father dated the 7th ult. Was very glad to hear from home, it being the first since I left.
Father seems to be rather discouraged in regard to my proceedings, but let me assure both him and yourself, that I have reformed. Not as much as you could wish, I don't suppose, but enough to do me a great deal of good.
As far as being a spendthrift, I know that while at home I spent a great deal of money ($264.00) and ever since I have been in the army it has been the same way. But, Mother, I now begin to see the folly of spending so much. There is no use in it. I always argued that money was made merely for the enjoyment of life while on this earth. But, I see now that to get along a person must use economy and I believe that when I once set my mind on anything that I can accomplish it. I have fairly made up my mind to economize and economize I will.
I now have eight months pay due ($160.00) and $190.00 bounty, amounting in all to $350.00. I have some owing. Enough I think to come home clear of debt and then, Mother, I can and will do better. But I have said enough on this subject. Please send this to Father.
Yesterday I wrote to you. I hardly expect to get out of the service on that petition for I and every body else thinks that we will be mustered out inside of a month. I hope so for if I am mustered out I will get all of the bounty ($190.00), but if I am discharged I will only get the installment due ($50.00).
It is getting dark so I will close, Very much love to all.
Yours Affectionately,
Tom R. Brown
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