SAM HOUSTON AND WILLIAMSON SIMPSON OLDHAM
CONTRIBUTED BY
E. W. WINKLER
In the gubernatorial campaign of 1857, Hardin R. Runnels, the
nominee of the Democratic party, was opposed by Sam Houston,
who ran as an independent. Williamson S. Oldham, one of the
proprietors of the Texas
State
Gazette,
the principal Democratic
paper in the State, joined actively in the campaign that resulted
in the election of Runnels. On several occasions he met Houston
in joint debate; the discussions were not particularly con-
ducive to friendship, however much they increased the respect of
the participants for one another's ability. During the early days
of the Secession Convention, Houston became reconciled to Old-
ham,
1 and their mutual respect ripened into friendship as is at-
tested by the letters printed below. The originals of these letters
are in possession of W. S. Oldham, of Austin, Texas, son of
Williamson S. Oldham; they were copied by the undersigned.
Excepting one sentence, the letters are in the handwriting of an
amanuensis, but are signed by Sam Houston.
In a volume, entitled Five
Years
in
Texas,
by Thomas North,
the writer describes a review of Colonel Moore's regiment by Gen-
eral Houston as witnessed by himself.
2 This anecdote is repeated
by General Houston's latest biographer.
3 Who originated it is
doubtful; it is attributed to Tom Ochiltree. North's claims as an
eyewitness appear to be an unwarranted assumption.
During the first year of the war Colonel Moore had organized
a splendid regiment of eleven hundred young men, volunteers
mostly from Galveston,
4 finely equipped, of which Sam Houston,
Jr., was a member. ... It was as fine a regiment as went
to the war from any section of the country. The Colonel was
justly proud of them, and fond of exhibiting their superior drill
and "dress" to the public, and particularly to old military men.
.
. . Before leaving the island for the seat of war the Colonel
invited General Houston to review his regiment. Now Judge
Campbell, of one of the judicial districts of Texas, and William-
son S. Oldham, member of the Confederate Congress, had been
the old General's bitter enemies during the canvass on secession.
They had followed him night and day through the State. On
the day set for him to review and put the regiment through some
military evolutions, the General was on hand at the hour and
place. This called out a large concourse of people to witness the
performance. . . . All eyes were now upon him, some of
them dimmed with tears, and many a throat of soldier and spec-
tator was choking down feeling unutterable--the writer with the
rest. Not a word had yet passed the General's lips, but now the
Colonel passed him his own sword and told him to proceed. Then
came
"Shoulder arms."
"Eight about face." The regiment now facing the rear, the
General cried out in stentorian tones of sarcasm: "Do you see
anything of Judge Campbell or Williamson S. Oldham there?"
"No," was the emphatic reply. "Well," said the General, "they
are not found at the front, nor even at the rear."
"Right about; front face."
"Eyes right. Do you see anything of Judge Campbell's son
here?" "No, he has gone to Paris to school," responded the
regiment.
"Eyes left. Do you see anything of young Sam Houston here?"
"Yes," was the thrilling response.
"Eyes front. Do you see anything of old Sam Houston here?"
By this time the climax of excitement was reached, and regiment
and citizens together responded, in thunder tones, "Yes!" and
then united in a triple round of three times three and a tiger for
the old hero. Thereupon he returned the Colonel his sword, with
the remark, "There, Colonel, that will do, I leave you to manage
the rest of the maneuvering," and retired from dress parade.
That the incident set forth above is imaginary appears also
from the following brief extract from the history of the Second
Texas Infantry:
During the first four months, the regiment was quartered in
cotton compresses and warehouses in the city of Galveston, and
six hours every day, except Sunday, were spent in the most ar-
duous drilling.
In December, 1861, the regiment was moved from Galveston
to quarters near Houston. . . . While at this place the ven-
erable and majestic form of General Sam Houston was frequently
to be seen moving among the men. He had a kind and encourag-
ing word for every one, and claimed to be a private in Company C,
commanded by his friend Dr. Ashbel Smith.
At last orders came for the regiment to report to General Van
Dorn in Arkansas. The day before its departure the ladies pre-
sented the regiment with a beautiful silk battle-flag, which was
received with the usual flow of oratory. At the same time General
Houston addressed the regiment in a fatherly talk. . . .
On March 12, 1862, the regiment went by rail to Beau-
mont. . . .
5
E. W. Winkler.
Independence April 5th 1862.
My dear Sir, In hopes that my letter may reach you, before you
leave Richmond, I take pleasure in addressing you, as a Senator
from Texas. I have not, as yet, written to any other Senator, or
Member.
The subject on which I address you, I doubt not you will prop-
erly appreciate. My son Sam Houston volunteered for during the
war, in Capt. Ashbel Smith's Company, in the regiment com-
manded by Col. Moore. He was absent at the time from home
on business, when the company was partly raised, and organized.
The offices were all filled, and no reorganization took place after
the company was, completed. Sam is 18 years of age, 6 feet high,
and rather a well-made and good looking boy.
He was two sessions at Col. Allen's Military school at Bastrop,
and previous to that, he had been at Baylor University. He is a
very good scholar, his habits are good, and he is ardently devoted,
to the cause in which he is engaged, as well as to the life of a
soldier.
He was offered a situation of Brevet Lieut., if he would consent
to be transferred, and be stationed in Galveston, but he preferred
the glory of an active, and immediate campaign. If you can pro-
cure him a Lieutenantcy, or any promotion that you may think
proper, you will confer upon me an enduring obligation, and I
trust, and believe, he will never disgrace his patron.
I will be
happy to hear from you in reply to this. I doubt not, but what
all the Representatives from this State, will cheerfully cooperate
with you, in obtaining the situation desired for my son.
I will not close this communication, without assuring you, that
I was gratified at your election to the senate, and so far as I
understand, your senatorial action, I entirely approve it. Your
advocacy of free trade, I regard not only as a statesman like
measure, but indispensable to the wants, and condition of the
Country, and I most heartily wish you success. It has been a
subject of wonderment to me that it was not proclaimed, at the
inauguration, of the Provisional Government of the Confederacy.
I am at this place on business, having recovered from my long
indisposition. So far as I can hear amongst the people, you will
be sustained in the course which you have taken. You have my
sincere wishes, for your success, and happiness.
Sam Houston
My amanuensis made a mistake and signed my name.
Sam Houston
I could have procured any number of recommendations in favor
of my son, had I thought it would be deemed necessary. But
Col Wm. P. Rogers assured me it was only necessary to address
you myself.
Huntsville, Feb. 24th 1863.
Hon. William S. Oldham.
Dear Sir, During the recess in the last session of congress, I
wrote you a letter, but presume it never reached you. My object
in writing to you was to congratulate you upon your course in the
senate. Your advocacy of the measure of receiving foreign goods
duty free, I regard as a piece of pure statesmanship; and had that
measure been adopted at the commencement of the provisional
government our situation would have been infinitely better than it
now is. It would have been offering an equivalent to those who
might risk running the blockade. It was a wise measure and
ought now to be adopted. I can perceive nothing but good result-
ing from the measure, and certainly no harm.
In addition to this, your opposition to the conscript Law, on the
ground that Congress had not the power to pass it, argued on your
part, that stirling honesty of purpose which distinguishes the
statesman from the demagogue and time server. I presume your
opposition was not very agreeable to the Administration.
Sincerely do I hope that you may long continue to represent
Texas in the Senate.
There is a young gentleman of this neighborhood, now a nurse
in one of the hospitals in Richmond, whose name is James Harri-
son. He was wounded in his left hand in a night march, when
he fell, and endeavoring to recover himself, his hand accidentally
was on the muzzle of the gun, when it went off accidentally wound-
ing him. It is the desire of his friends that he should obtain a
discharge. It is understood, that he could obtain one if he could
hire a substitute. If he is rendered unfit for service, it is but fair
that he should receive his discharge. He has a servant there with
him. Since he left home one of his negroes has killed another
and run away. His mules on his plantation took a distemper and
are nearly all dead. Mr. Harrison is a young gentleman who
graduated at Austin College. He is of most respectable connexions.
His uncle is a representative from Cherokee county in the Legis-
lature; his brother-in-law Mr. Rhodes, sends him a certificate of
deposit with Smith, Walker, & Co, of this place for $1,500. They
are perfectly responsible gentlemen, and if needful may I ask you
to have the kindness to aid him in negotiating the certificate. I
will also write to Hon. P. W. Grey in relation to Mr. Harrison.
If it is convenient for you to send me some sketches of the
debates in Congress and any other news, I would be much obliged
to you.
Sam Houston
FOOTNOTES:
XXXVIII, 876.
... pp. 95-98.
How to cite:
E. W. Winkler, "Sam Houston and Williamson Simpson Oldham", Volume 20, Number 2, Southwestern Historical Quarterly Online, http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/publications/journals/shq/online/v020/n2/contrib_DIVL2271.html
[Accessed Thu Nov 5 4:09:55 CST 2009]
