(Transcription from personal files of
Frank B. Chilton at the Texas State Archives)
Houston, Texas, March 9th, 1905
Gov. S. W. T. Lanham,
Austin, Texas.
Dear Sir: --
We hand you herewith a document that should produce within every breast a
feeling of reverence and pride, and particularly should it strike a tender chord
in the bosom of every Texan, and make proud the man who presides over the
destinies of our Great State as its worthy Governor.
About forty four years ago there went from Texas to Virginia several
splendid companies of brave men, all of whom were willing to give their lives
for a cause they deemed just and right, and which none of those who were left to
witness its failure have ever been willing to acknowledge was wrong. Now after
forty years have elapsed since that struggle ended so disastrously for the South
we among the few survivors of Co. H, 4th Texas Regiment, Hoods Texas Brigade,
Army of Northern Virginia, place in your hands a copy of the original roll of
said company together with a history of said company and the fate of each member
as near as it is possible to give. This roll was copied from the original roll
by Thos. Seargent of Co. H and notes as to the fate of each man added thereto by
him as occasion offered. Said Thos. Seargent survived the war and died at
Galveston with yellow fever in 1867. Said roll was among his effects and was
sent to the Adjutant Generals Department, State of Texas, by his brother Jas. B.
Seargent who was also a member of Co. H. Said roll has been carefully inspected
by a committee selected by Capt. J. T. Hunter, surviving Captain of Co. H., and
said committee, composed of H. T. Sapp and F. B. Chilton (two of the original
members of said company) have made the roll as perfect and complete as possible.
It is likely no such evidence of patriotism, bravery, devotion to duty, and
terrible mortality on the battle field was ever left of record for rising
generations to possess.
Company H left Texas for Virginia in 1861 with one hundred and five (105)
men; during the war there was added to original company thirty eight (38)
recruits and two (2) substitutes making a total membership of 145 members. Out
of that number 67 lost their lives and 48 were wounded -- many of them dying
from their wounds. Both substitutes were killed. Thus it will be seen that
nearly every member of the Company was either killed or wounded -- and some were
wounded many times. There were but few discharges or transfers, and hardly a
known, real desertion. The few classed as deserters joined other branches of the
service. Co. H surrendered at Appomattox with 11 men -- rank and file.
Your Excellency is most respectfully asked by the few survivors of this grand
old Texas Company to receive this roll with its accompanying testimonials in the
name of the State we all so much loved and we further ask that you append
thereto your order to the Adjutant General of Texas -- under the great seal of
the State -- that he place the said roll of Co. H, 4th Texas Infantry, Hoods
Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia, on file in his office there to be kept as a
sacred trust through all future generations.
With much respect,
we have the honor to be
Your obedient Svts.,
J. T. Hunter, Capt Co H, 4th Texas Regt.
H. T. Sapp, 1st Sgt. Co H, 4th
Texas Regt.
F. B. Chilton, Private Co H, 4th Texas Regt.
All of Hoods Texas Brigade,
Army of Northern Virginia.
Source: Texas State Archives and Library
Transcribed by: David Golimowski