The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-04-15

Eleven dollars a month will not paw my
little expenses, even IL we were to get i,
promptly each month. If get home
VIII have nothing, and. worst Of all. my
constitution broken down II our inde-
| pendence. acknowledged and declared, and
am permitted to return to loved ones. 4,
VIII be the happiest moment OF my life
put have no sure thing on returning
alive Summerville is no very bad place
which hope to see soon, and IL live "a
get back expect to make 1t my home the
balance of my days. Dock. see that the
children are kept in school and under good
| command. Children, be obedient to you
ma, and when 1 return will make each q
nice present. Mary, II your house needs
\ any repairs see to 1t before the winter
! sets in. Have William to arrange cribs
and fix your fences. I will depend on
them to do these little favors. Will send
+, Sl3, the first drawn since at Winchester.
Dock, you must write to me. Tell me all
the news. for l am so anxious to hear
friends. Devotedly yours. c. Toal
~
| Two Miles West OF Centervlle. October
H. 1Sel.-Dr. Stands My Dear Brother
Pardon me for writing again. wrote YOU
on The 18th instant also to Mary Rosana.
AT II O'Clock at night we were ordered TO
strike tents and retreat to this place. we
sent all heavy baggage to Manassas ten
days ago, also everything we can do with
out.
The Yankees are advancing rapidly: they
are within eight or ten miles of us now
a general battle is expected before twenty
Tour hours. We look hourly for an attack
Pickets are fighting now tho enemy is APP
preaching in three directions. The Yam
KEGS are from 10000 to 100000; they are
marching on us. as stated, in three drcc-
tions. The main fight will commence at
Centerville
Our forces hereabouts are nearly Il, 900
men This is according to the best in-
formation that I can get. But we do know
that the enemy outnumbers us greatly.
But we are determined to give them the
best we have. and IL we are whipped at
this place we will fall back to Bull Run
on the old battle-ground and try them
again. If we are whipped there we will
then fall back to Manassas and try them
again. Manassas is tolersbly well fortified
having some heavy cannon planted there.
If we are whipped there the thing is up,
as we have no rallying point this side of
Richmond. But as we do not know the
word whipped, therefore II we lose this
| battle we will lose the greater part of our
men. am ready and willing for the test
/ uo nave DSlpIe sAdltu 10 YOU. L oudll sell
my life as dear as possible. I am perfect
ly cool, calm and deliberate upon the sub
feet. | believe we are right and feel as
IL were fighting for home, wife and help
less children, parents relatives, friends,
and the prayers of all the good people of
the South and the cause that we are con-
tending for. If we are right, God will be
with u.s. and if should fall on the battle
fold l hope l may close my eyes to or on
world of sorrow, and be permitted to
enter into better one. Though unpre-
pared as l am, I have an abiding conf
dence in the saving power of the Saviour.
Dock, received your letter dated October
this evening. l was happy to hear from
you, Monday last l mailed a letter 10 you
and Mary containing $40 each. and will
enclose 500 more in this one, Hope a safe
delivery. This Is all that | have and /
want my family to have 1t. as | may get
killed in this battle. Now. Dock, you must
give my love and best wishes to all inquir-
ing friends, My dear brother, this may
be the last line that you may ever trace
from my hands. | ask of you to be char
table and kind to my helpless family. I
have full confidence of you doing all that
you can for them. As ever your brother.
G. Toal,