August 2, 1862, San Antonio Herald
It is astonishing how cheap dry goods and provisions are getting in this city. Flour is only 20 dollars per sack; corn meal only 2 1/2 dollars per bushel whilst sugar, molasses, salt and all other edibles are in proportion. Calico is only from 75 Cents to one dollar a yard, shoes from eight to ten dollars, and boots 20 dollars a pair, with everything necessary to the subsistence of a family at similar prices. How such cheap rates can be afforded is a mystery. These cheap prices afford the families of poor soldiers, who are fighting for the country, excellent facilities for sumptuous living; and the poor widow, with numerous little ones, dependent upon her daily labor for their bread, by earning two dollars per week with her needle, when she can find time from her domestic duties to devote her whole energies to sewing, will thus be enabled to make her household joyous with good living.
There is an abundance of provisions in the country, and there is but one reason why the prices of the present season should vary materially from those of former years. That reason must in some way be connected with Confederate money. If Confederate notes may not be depreciated, the same effect may be produced by tripling the prices.