Today in History:

319 Series I Volume LIII- Serial 111 - Supplements

Page 319 Chapter LXV. CORRESPONDENCE, eTC.- CONFEDERATE.

to any person through whom it may have gotten to the enemy; that all orders issued by our commanding officers relative to the killing of cattle and seizure of provisions will be cheerfully obeyed; that we agree to bring all property seized on our raids and expeditions to such place as our commanding officers may direct for the common benefit of all concerned, and in case of a division the captain shall make such distribution as to him seems most just; that we agree to make known any meeting or traitorous proceedings or any violation of any orders of the superior officers, to our captain as soon as possible; that we agree to punish by death, or such other punishment as a court-martial may inflict, any person who may desert or entice others to do so, or shall treat with contempt his officer or weaken his authority in any way, or shall plunder or abuse any person known to be friendly to us.

William W. Strickland, C. K. Martin, N. D. Poppell, William S. Stanaland, James M. Strickland, G. G. Sheffield, Ison Sheffield, J. W. Wallace, R. S. Stanaland, J. B. Brannon, W. A. Brannon, B. A. Driggers, C. E. Tullington, M. J. Snipes, F. Johnson, J. Snipes, J. Ayres, W. Martin, J. Martin, J. Sapp, D. Sapp, D. Harding, W. Fulford, J. Fulford, F. Groomes, J. Johnson, A. Kirkland, b. Poppell, E. Bishop, J. Bishop, L. Whitehurst, J. Popell, A. Starling, P. Snipes, P. Poppell.

[Sub-inclosure No. 2.]

MARCH 27, 1864.

[Lieutenant Colonel H. D. CAPERS:]

MY DEAR SIR: I got your letter that you left with Mr. Johnson the 26th. I am anxious to hear from you, and you from me, for I cannot control my men since they saw you fire our house. I cannot control them any longer. I ain't accountable for what they do now. As for myself, I will do anything that any half white men ever done, only to go into the Confederate war any more, though when I was in it I done my duty, I reckon. Ask Colonel Smith if I was not as good a soldier as long as he was captain, and would have been yet if Mr. Smith had of staid captain, but now I have went on the other side and tried what we call United States of Taylor, but I find it is like the Confederate men - more wind than work. As for myself, I ain't a going in for any order, only to stay with Mr. Johnson and help him tend to his stock, and I will help him to pen on drive cattle for you, but my oath will not permit me to fight any more. If you will send and get me an exemption and my men that have taken the oath to stay in Taylor and raise stock for you they will do so, but they will go into war if you had as many again men and dogs, for our title is Florida Royals, and if we can't get a furlough from Mr. Jeff. Davis during the war you will find our title right for a while; so I remain a flea until I get a furlough from headquarters, and when you put your thumb on me and then raise it up I will be gone. I give you my respects for the good attention you paid to my wife, for it was not her notion for me to do so as I was doing. Just set me and my men free from the war and we will try with leave to get corn till we can make. If not, you can go to moving the steers out of the adjoining three counties. So here is my love for the good attentions for my wife and child. If the war lasts long enough and you will raise him to be a soldier he will show spunk of his daddy.

So I remain,

W. W. STRICKLAND,

Florida Royals.


Page 319 Chapter LXV. CORRESPONDENCE, eTC.- CONFEDERATE.