The following letter was written by Richard (“Dick”) Perry Elgin (1845-1882), the son of William Frederick Elgin, Sr. (1800-1880) and Minerva Ruffin Clifton (1808-1893) of Huntsville, Alabama. Richard was working at the Exchange Hotel in Montgomery when he enlisted as a private on 1 May 1864 with Shockley’s Independent Escort Company of cavalrymen. Near the end of the war or afterwards he drifted west to Wyoming Territory where he was the bookkeeper and paymaster for the “Goose Egg” Ranch. He and his crew were spending the night at Fort Fetterman after the Fall roundup when one of the cowboys named “Arkansas Red” Capps got drunk and spent all his pay. When Capps demanded more money from Dick and refused, Red shot and killed Dick with a .44-calibre pistol. Richard P. Elgin is listed as being buried at the Fort Fetterman Cemetery. 

Dick wrote the letter to Charles Eugene Cabaniss (1846-1907), the son of Huntsville lawyer, Septimus D. Cabaniss (1815-1889) and Virginia A. Shepherd (1824-1907). Charles attended the University of Virginia in 1866-67, then attended Sewanee University where he studied theology. He became a minster and served as a rector in several southern states.

Transcription

Montgomery
April 24th 1864

C. E. Cabaniss, Esq., Selma, Ala.
Esteemed friend,

I received your letter a day or two ago and now proceed to try and answer it.

I agree with you in wishing for our Old Schools days again for I have found out since I have been down here that a boy never knows how to appreciate his school until it is too late. But enough of that for as the Irishman says, “It brings soft water into every eye I have got in my head.”

When did you hear from home? I am very anxious to hear something myself for I have not received a letter from there in about six months. Don’t you think it is about time that letter ought to make its appearance? But I don’t look for letter from that part of the country now as I know it is almost an impossibility to get a letter through. Have you heard anything from Roy Wilson & the rest of the boys who remained behind? I would like very much to know what has become of them. You know Roy used to be nearly dead to go into army as well as myself & we intended to go together but he could not come out when I did and I expect if he clip the pickets he will cross the river & join some of those cavalry companies in North Alabama.

Crip, what do you think of joining now? There is a company of boys here in cavalry from the University of Alabama. They are all boys. I think if I could equip myself, I would join them but that is the trouble. I reckon I will be compelled to wait until a better opportunity offers.

No news at present. Cris Donegan & Sam Robinson left here this evening for your place. If you hear anything from _illie Chadwick, let me kow. I remain as ever, your friend, — Rich’d P. Elgin