Letter from John F. Leigh to John Moore, October 30, 1863

Letter from John F. Leigh to John Moore, October 30, 1863

Leigh informs his father-in-law about how he and his family have fared. Includes comments about his "negroes" and plans to hire them out.

John F. Leigh

Records of Ante-Bellum Southern Plantations, Series I, Part 6, Reel 18, Frames 198-199

Image scanned from 35mm microfilm published by UPA. Published here by W. Caleb McDaniel.

October 30, 1863

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Fannin House, Houston Texas

Judge Moore

My Dear Sir---Through an accidental meeting with Wm Weeks I have just found your whereabouts and hasten to write you a few hurried lines. We did not know where to address you and besides we were both very sick and unable to write for a long time.

Our negroes are now all well but have had much sickness, every one from the youngest to the oldest have been quite ill with what I presume might be called the acclimating fever of refugees to this country. We have not disposed of any of them permanently, as yet, but am now expecting to make arrangements to locate them, where and at which prices to be hereafter determined.

My wife has been quite ill but I am proud to inform you she is now in magnificent health, although not quite as [flashy?] as when you last saw her. My own health is much recuperated, but I have been afflicted for more than twelve months with disease, which from an aversion to complaining I believe I never communicated to you. Texas is a hard road to travel and we as well as our negroes would gladly retrace our steps to Louisiana if it were prudent to do so. It is only today that General Magruder received dispatches from our state via Niblets Bluff & Beaumont stating that Federal forces were at Vermillion 20,000 strong destined for Texas which dispatch and telegram I read myself in General Magruders office this morning. The General & Staff are in fine spirits and think if Texas via Niblets Bluff is the destination of said troops, that they will have a hard road to travel. Believes he can place an army at said point in less than forty eight hours adequate for the emergency, routing, driving them back with incalculable loss and utter demoralization &c.

We are here on business for a few days only, expect to leave Monday but until permanently located all letters will be forwarded to me directed to Houston. I will write you as soon as we locate the negroes which surely must be accomplished soon but until then write me at Houston. I have made arrangements to have my letters forwarded. We hope you are well and expect to see you as soon as we provide for the hands.

[Yours Truly &c.] John F. Leigh

Manuscript