Word came today that the Volunteers are now regular army with the
Confederate States of America.  We are Company G of the Fourth 
Texas. General John B. Hood is the Brigade commander, so we are 
called Hood's Brigade.  We have been ordered to the Sabine Pass 
area near Anahuac, Texas to build forts guarding the mouth of the 
Sabine River and garrison there.  

I don't know what to do.  I've got a new baby and a young wife.  
How are they going to make it on their own?  I don't want to leave 
my family.  Maybe I should take them and head for Mexico, or the I
ndian Territory until this thing is over.  I really can't do that, 
however.  The Captian and the men are dependin on me, me bein the 
fourth sergeant and such.  One of the reasons I got the job is 
because I can read, write, and cypher.  Most of the men ain't able 
to, and will depend on me an the others who can to write for them.  
In addition, the company records have to be kept, inventories done, 
etc.  Much as I'd like to take Elizabeth and little Sid away from the 
war, I recon they're safe here. There's good folks who will take care 
of them and the deacons at the Church volunteered to help with the 
farmin, they bein too old to go and fight.  Capt. Prusser said he'll 
pay off the farm note, and I can repay him when this thing is over.  
That's mighty generous or him.  None of us expect the yankees will be 
able to hold out long anyway.  A couple of good whuppins, and they'll 
run fer Momma and let us be, more than like.

It's excitin once you think about it.  Ain't never fit a war.  Grandpaw
fought in the 1812 war.  When he talked about it, he told of the good 
men he knew, and the glory of the battles.  If I gotta go, I hope we 
don't spend all of our time waitin on the banks of the Sabine shootin 
at boats as they go by!  I hope we'll see some real fightin before this 
thing is over.