16th Dec 1861

My Dearest One

I am now at Mr. Frenches-- came up yesterday to purchase guns and leather to make Cartridge Boxes and Scabbards. I tried to get the major to let me come home while off this time, but he would not consent for me to be absent that long at this time but promised I should have leave to come home in 2 or 3 weeks. He says I am advancing my men so fast in descipline that it will not do to have them long (?? alone) while they are so much interested. My company hear the praise for morality and industry and so for their conduct has been such that I have reason to be proud of them. They are doing honor to themselves and the country they represent, and I hope they may continue to do so.

I have not been able to buy a yard of sheeting or shrinking at the pass, Beaumont or here. I have bought 2 bolts of Calico at 20cts a yard, 1 bolt of Texas ?_________ at 20cts a yard, 1 Pn Strips at 15cts per yard and you and Jane must divide it to suit yourselves. Fayette Sheffield paid four dollars toward what I bought and I have paid for the balance, so I will be entitled to 14 dollars worth at the prices above named and you to the balance. Wm. Phillips told me yesterday that Charles had started to Chapel Hill to go into camp and if so I shall not have the pleasure of seeing him again soon, if ever: a solemn thought.

I bought for S. J. Johnson at the pass and shipped to Beaumont-- 1 keg Tobacco costing 20.70- 3 Bushels Salt at 9.00- Sack to put salt in, and freight & storage at Beaumont 1.00 making in all 30.70 beside what he owed me before for 1/2 mutton 1.50- 3 1/4 Bushel meal 2.44- and three dollars that Franklin Walker let me have on him, making in the aggregate 37.64, which amount is to be credited on the note he holds against me. Johnson's salt & tobacco are marked S.J. and the salt for Bro. Faircloth is marked J.F. The other is for you and I would try to send Wm. & Reese some but it is higher here than it is up at the Sabine, and if they do not get there in time perhaps you can save them some, if you have any luck in collecting what I have loaned to cousin Lazerous & others. I also let Johnson have a half bushel of salt, which if he does not return he must pay 1.50 for making the amt to my credit 39.14. I bought 3 bushels salt for Bro. Faircloth at 9.00, sack- freight & storage .75 making 9.75 to be credited on the note he holds against me, besides the 15 dollars for the sheep I let Drake have. You will perhaps hear a thousand lies about our troubles and dangers at the Pass, but do not believe anything you hear without good reason. If anything of a serious nature takes place you will soon be informed of it.

I do not apprehend an attack on Galveston or Sabine Pass soon. Appearances seem that the Yankees intend attacking New Orleans, and if they do they will have their hands full without troubling Texas. I left my men all up yesterday though some of them were complaining. Health is generally good at the Pass.

The Butter & Eggs you sent me was quite a treat for which you will accept my gratitude and kiss all my precious children for me. Tell Mr. Reese that I ____ _______ some what oats I have, in the hammock field, on such part of the field as he does not wish to cultivate.

Believe me ever your
affectionate husband,

J.G.Collier

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(In possession of Mrs. Clyde William Yancey, Beaumont, Tx)