This letter was written by Allen A. Cameron (1819-1865), a native of North Carolina. In 1850, he was a merchant in Rusk, Texas. He enlisted on April 7, 1862, in Co. C of the 18th Texas Infantry, and was chosen a first lieutenant. He resigned October 3, 1863, due to ill health. The regiment was formed in the summer of 1862 and included men from Rusk, Jefferson, Sulphur Springs and Jacksonville. It was assigned to O. Young’s, Waul brigade, Trans-Mississippi Department. It lost 10 killed, 40 wounded and four missing at Bayou Bourdeau. It was in the Red River campaign and fought at Jenkins’ Ferry, Ark. It moved to Hempstead, Texas and disbanded in May 1865, having spent the entire war in the trans-Mississippi theatre.

Allen was married twice; first to Susan A. Wade in 1849, and second to Anna M. Moore in 1861; his children were Allen Wade Cameron (1851-1890) and Laura Catherine Cameron (1862-1939).

The Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at Little Rocks holds a small collection that consists of a diary and two letters written by Allen A. Cameron while he served with the 18th Texas Infantry. See Allen A. Cameron Collection (BC.MSS.11.82)

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Camp Hope near Austin, [Lonoke county] Arkansas ¹
September 6th 1862

My dearest Anna,

This morning give me leisure to drop you a line, from which you will learn that I am well. The health of our company is tolerably good & of the regiment much improved since we got through with the measles. Capt. Tom [Thomas Reuben Bonner] has not come up yet. The captain & John arrived the day before we left Camp Rogers. We trailed two days and the captain took fever again. I prevailed upon him to stop. I went out & found a widow who agreed to take care of him. I heard from him 6 or 8 days after. He was mending & intended staying until he was thoroughly well. I am now looking for him up every day. I hope and trust this may find yourself, my sweet little Maggie, [ ] Wm. & family all well.

Your letter per capt. & [ ] to Lewsville came safe to hand, but I was sadly disappointed at Little Rick. Not a letter did I find then from anyone. I expected letters from home and from Miss. both. We passed through Camden on the Ouachita river. It is rather a pretty place, but looks quite dilapidated. Also Princeton. It is vacated almost. The Ladies (God bless them) at each place waved their handkerchiefs & cried aloud their cheers for Texas. The shout that went up from our Boys made the welkin ring for it alarmed the children so that we could hear them screaming for sometime after we passed.

We also marched through Little Rock in order. There we were greeted with the same smiles & cheers by the Ladies. Col. [William Beck] Ochiltree rode along [on] his stately steed and said he was proud of his regiment and well he may be for it is given up to be the finest looking one that has ever passed through Little Rock.

The latter place is a beautiful one, on the south bank of the Arkansas river. The river is very low, but it is a beautiful stream, about three hundred yards wide. Two days after leaving the river we arrived at this place. There are about 15 regiments encamped round about in the space of 4 or 5 miles. We were in great dread that we would be under Col. [Horace] Randal [28th Texas Cavalry] but fortunately Ex. Gov. Ed[wards] Clark is our Senior Brigadier General who will govern us until Gen. Henry [Eustace] McCollough comes on and takes charge which will be in a few days. There was great rejoicing when we found that we had to report to Gen. Clark instead of Randal.

I found many acquaintances here. The Holberts, Thomasons, Henrys, Hicks, & one Bonner—Uncle Henry Bonner’s son. It almost appears like home, if I could see my dear Anna, darling boy, and sweet little babe.

We will probably remain here three or four weeks and then perhaps go to Helena. The Federals (we learn) are concentrating a large force there. I expect we will have some hard fighting down there. We are now [with]in 75 or 80 miles of them.

My dear, should I fall in this struggle, remember me to my darling boy & sweet little daughter. Tell them I fell in defending your rights & privileges which I think is the greatest legacy could be left you and them. I cannot be cheated out of but few days. And if I can strike one blow to the advancement of our cause, I will have done something. I have faith to believe that an all-wise Providence will provide for and protect you through this unfriendly world. We must put our trust in Him who governs all things.

My dear, you speak of making me some winter clothing. It will be very acceptable, but I fear you will be very much troubled to make it having neither cords nor wool. But you can do this—you may find some jeans [?] to sell in the country. Mr. Clift & Robert Wilson say their people make jeans to sell. You can buy it. You can also get Wm. to assist you for I know he can find some if there is any in the country. Just drop him a note to you 7 yards of good jeans or 3 or 4 yards as he can find it. A coat and pants will be enough. Have them lined if you can. Make the coat large. The Colonel promises to send for the clothing if enough can be procured to induce such a trip. A course shirt or two would also be acceptable. There are no goods up in this country. I shall look anxiously for letters. I wrote to sister Rebecca yesterday or day before. Continue to write to Little Rock, Arkansas.

I was sorry to hear of Dr. Taylor’s death. Cal. But I was truly glad to hear from sister Margant to know that Herman was still safe and all was well. I will write every opportunity. I wrote to brother Wm. last week. Hope he got it. Paper is an object up here. I wrote you to get some paper out of my old blank books for Mr. Murphis. I wrote to Mr. Robert Martin to cut it out and send it down to you. Tell brother Wm. if he gets out and can’t do any better, to go up and get what he wants out of my old store books at Mr. Martin’s. They are upstairs on the desk. My paper admonished me to close. Remember mr kindly to Mother when you see her. Also [ ] John & family, Dr. & Sis Jinnis, Bro. Wm., sister. Cynthia’s little son, Rev. Asbey, Sister R. [ ] darling boy. Hub, Lettie, Bill, George, and families. And accept (my dear) for yourself & dear little Maggie the kindest love of your ever devoted, — Allen

I very much fear I shall not soon. I was glad to hear from Sister Margant. I wrote to her to write meat Little Rock. They got it long since, I guess. I wrote to Dr. Wightman a few days ago. Wrote to brother Wm. by Mr. Hornes. Will write to sister Rebecca soon. I hope my darling boy has recovered & keeps well. Wm. Adams is in good health now. We have fine water and plenty of beef & bread & peaches a plenty. We make a peach pie any time. The people of Arkansas are very kind to us. Fruit is very abundant here. Apples are not ripe yet. Peaches are small owing to the dry season.

My paper admonishes me to close. My love to all. Kiss my dear little Maggie for papa and accept for yourself the best love of your ever devoted — Allen

September 7, 1862

My dear Anna, I am well this morning. I send your letter by express. Please write immediately and send it up to W. P. Brittain. Letters left with him in 6 or 8 days after the express gets there will be brought back but it. I received yours of the 27th July to Little Rock this morning. Was glad to get it though it was old. Love to all. Kiss Maggie and Allie for Pa. Yours as ever, — Allen

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¹ Camp Hope was located near Austin in Lonoke county, some 30 miles northwest of Little Rock. The camp name was changed to Camp Nelson in the fall of 1862 after Br. Gen. Allison Nelson died there in October 1862. In the fall of 1862, measles, typhoid and mumps killed roughly 1500 soldiers, leading to mass graves across the area.