Collier Family Letter
13 Dec 1861

Sabine Pass Texas 13th Decr at night
{Believe 1861..BYD}

Dear Elizabeth,

Our officers & recruits reached here yesterday evening, making our company now, number 87; the largest company at the place except one. I had sent up some salt for J. Faircloth, Seaborn J. Johnson and a small sack for you, and intended going up to Beaumont to meet the boys and send the salt up by the waggons that brought them down, but the engines got out of order and the cars could not go up, and I suppose the salt is still a Beaumont, but the boys tell me that Perryman will send down his waggon again soon and I will give {?}Henry instructions to send it by Perrymans waggon. You had better send Perryman word to bring it up for you, if you have the chance. I have {?}____ home on the ridge here entirely and rented it out, but I would still be glad to see you here if Charles or any one else comes down that you can come with. I do not know however, when the cars will be moving again, and you might have to wait several days at Beaumont for a boat, unless the cars get to running, or you can come prepared to come all the way by team, which you might do unless it should rain. The road is now tolerably day and a Buggy can't come down very well.

Do as you please about letting Catherine work with Reese. I had as soon she would work alone, or I may send Cicero up before crop time is over or even begins, though he is making us a pretty fair cook and I may keep him all the while I remain here.

Reese & William both want me to send them salt, but it is worth 6 cents a pound here and I do not know that I can get it with out the money. I have already taken up what my corn brought me with what I was due Alexander before, and I have not sold a potatoe and it looks like i shall not, and they are rotting and the rats are destroying them very bad. I expect to go up to Frenches day after tomorrow to get some {?} guns and if I can get off for 5 days shall come on home, and shall have the pleasure of staying with you & the children one day more.

Your affectionate Husband
J. G. Collier

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(above letter in possession of Barbara Yancey Dore, Nederland, Tx)