Joshua H. Davis, the writer of the letter given below, was born in Poplar Town, Worcester County, Maryland, March 5, 1792. He was the son of John and Mary (Hodge) Davis. In 1812 he emigrated to Kentucky, and in the fall of 1836 he came to Texas; where, however, he did not finally establish his residence till 1845. He died February 26, 1862.
The facts of this sketch have been furnished by Major Davis's daughter, Miss Texas J. Davis, of Cuero, Texas, in whose possession is the original of the letter.
Camp Bowie May 31 1837 My Dear
I have written you a number of Letters with much pleasure and satisfaction. Hoping at the same time to have the same sentiment reciprocated. But how it is I do not know. The Truth is I have received only one Letter—That from Willis dated the 9th of March. We have a mail once every week from the City of Houston to the Camp. With what anxiety I watch the opening of every mail can be easier guessed than described. However great my anxiety I receive no Letters—I am in hopes you are not so unfortunate in the reception of mine—
In the Last I wrote I think I spoke of the murder of Col Teal—Since that time to the present The Army has been quiet—Feeding on Bull beef for so Long a time the Animal will occasionally rise and Bellow out—The officers have then to do their duty and Bring the soldiers back to their duty and all is over.
The Secretary of War is now in Camp. He intends to Furlough all Except One Regiment and 4 companies of the Regulars—Subject to being called in Camp when it may be thought necessary—
No Enemy is expected in Texas this summer—I have some notion to request the Secretary to give me a Furlow with time enough to go home and return—But I am told by my friends it will be unnecessary—As the officers of our Regiment are situ[a]ted to remain in the Army. Take care of the Public property and discipline the Troops etc—And I may add eat Bull Beef.—Oh what fun we do have eating Beef Boiled—Stewed—Baked and Roasted—Notwithstanding the fare we are fat raged and saucy—and feel as if we could whip our weight in Wild Cats And five times our weight in Mexicans.
We will move our camp Shortly 15 or 20 miles west of this— Where we will remain 2 or 3 months. I am informed the water is good and the site fine and healthy—I have not seen any more of the Country than when I last wrote having been confined entirely to duty in camp But expect shortly to have it in my power to Travel about more.
Congress is still in Session but what they are doing I know not—We Seldom receive any newspaper from Houston City—But are afraid the Land office under the old Law will not be opened—Consequently no Land can be taken up by Emigrant setlers. But they can purchase the best and Pretiest land in the world from old Setlers and titles good, very Low indeed. I would advise persons who have any notion of Living in the most Lovely country in the world to come see and buy Land—What I am going to do I can not with any certainty say. But I do expect to put up a Small House or Shantee on No 90 on Broadway Street in the Town of . If I can make things work right—Since I have been writing this I have been informed that the senate of Texas did not confirm the appointment of the Secretary at War consequently his Power in the Army ceases. But the Furlowing will progress as that was made when he was in power—He was rejected on constitutional objections—Col Wiggenton is the oldest officer in the Field. Consequently He is at this time Commander of the Texian Armies—So we go There is many ups and downs in this life I am in hopes the ups will hereafter have the Ascendant—With Sentiments of much respect and esteem I conclude by signing etc yours affectionately
J H Davis Direct your Letters [to] me at the Head Quarters of the Texian Army Care of Toby &Brothers New O[r]leams Jones is afflicted with the Hyppo. badly. 83
How to cite:
"A LETTER FROM THE ARMY OF THE EARLY REPUBLIC ", Volume 010, Number 4, Southwestern Historical Quarterly Online, Page 347 - 348. http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/publications/journals/shq/online/v010/n4/article_6.html
[Accessed Tue Dec 2 17:48:30 CST 2008]
