This letter was written by William Crutcher (1814-1876), a commercial merchant operating out of Vicksburg under the name “Crutcher & Co.” at the time the Civil War began. William and his wife, Emma Cora Pike (1819-1863) were married in 1835 at Nashville and by the Civil War, the couple had seven living children—some of who are mentioned in this letter; Mary Elizabeth Crutcher (1841-1873), the wife of Robert Jefferson Miller (1838-1874); Sarah (“Sallie”) Dumimon Crutcher (1854-1879); and Annie Charlotte Crutcher (1856-1949). William’s first wife died in February 1863 and he had not yet married his second wife which explains why he does not mention his wife—only “his children” or “his family.”

William lost one son early in the Confederate Service. George Charles Crutcher (1843-1861) died of disease at Manassas while a private in Co. A, 21st Mississippi Infantry.

William wrote this letter to his eldest son, William Oscar Crutcher (1838-1866) who raised his own company of men in 1861 known as the “King Cotton Guards” which eventually became identified as Co. E, 48th Mississippi Infantry. Capt. Crutcher survived the war but died shortly afterward.

From this letter we learn that William took his family from Vicksburg to San Antonio, Texas, for their safety and in hopes of finding gainful employment until the war ended.

[Note: This letter is from the personal collection of Greg Herr and was transcribed and published on Spared & Shared by express consent.]

Transcription

San Antonio
June 26, 1864
Sunday afternoon

My son,

Since I last wrote you, Mary received your letter of the 22nd May by Lieut. Elliott from which I learn that you were well and judge from the tone that you are pretty well satisfied with your command and situation though at the same time you do not speak very favorably of your discipline or order of your men. Now, my son, I have been greatly uneasy and solicitous about this very matter on your account for I have had much fear that you might not find such company as I would like for you to mix and mingle with for rest assured the greatest anxiety I have is about your morals and religious life, for if we are ever so successful in this war and gain our independence on the most favorable terms, if our young men on whom will depend the management both moral and political should become corrupt in morals and religion and have not a proper sense of duty to God and their country, we have not then even gained anything.

And allow me my dear boy again to admonish you to let not the influence of wicked and vicious men sway you in the least but cleave to that which is virtuous, truthful, and moral in all its tendencies. May God keep you is my prayer.

I notice that you request Mary to send you a comb which I will request her to do by first safe opportunity and will request Willie and Mary to live on or do business with. I have made up my mind to return on the other side of the Mississippi river as I have no way to make a support for my family and I go back with the hope that I may be able to invest what Confederate money I have in tobacco that I can bring over this side so I can get some coin, or if this cannot be done, I must invest in something and leave it as I cannot stay over there while my children are on this side and I must therefore come back. But I shall not get back under 5 to 8 months, or sometime next winter.

I expect to leave for Shreveport on next Wednesday and from thence to Alabama. Mr. [Robert Jefferson] Miller wishes and I expect will go with me but he has been waiting for a furlough from Maj. Giddings ¹ which has not yet reached him and he is at a loss to know how to act but as he is very anxious to go with me, I think he will go and trust to be talked up. I shall have a very hot and long ride, I know, but a sense of duty to my children impels me onward.

My son, write me and the family here can read it and forward it which I hope I may receive and I enjoin upon you to write to some of the family often and keep them well advised of your situation and whereabouts.

Willie will leave this week for Loredo although I fear he is hardly able to go and I wish very much that while he is in such feeble health that I could remain with him so as to take the drudgery off of him as it is important in order to support the family to keep his wagons running. Annie wishes me to say to you that little Willie was baptized today in the church by Mr. Thompson and she sends love to you. Sallie wishes to know of you if you have a Bible with you. Write to her upon this subject and encourage her in the deep solicitude and anxiety she has for you. She certainly is a very affectionate sister and daughter and nothing she could not do or sacrifice that she would not do for her Father, brothers or sisters. And too, my son, you are blessed in a dear sister (Mary) for her heart is deeply and warmly engaged for you but really we all are for our soldier boy now fighting for our defense and protection.

You have our prayers that you may be a good and honored soldier and that God may protect you and bear you safely through and soon be able to return to the bosom of your family.

I know but little that is going on about this city and therefore has no news. The news from the other side of the [Mississippi] river is still good although General Lee has fallen back to Richmond or where the Battle of the Seven Pines were fought, but all are hopeful. It is said that Johnston has whipped Sherman but the particulars we have not gotten. All join in much love. Affectionately your Father, — William Crutcher

My kind regards to John, Alex, and Mr. J. Little and Nash when you see him. Yours, — W. C.

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¹ I believe this was George Henry Giddings (1823-1902), who was the brother of Charles Wesley Giddings, my g-g-grandfather’s brother-in-law.