April 22, 1863, Galveston Weekly News
The Almanac Extra contains a letter from Gen. H. E. McCulloch, dated Camp Wright, Arkansas, March 6th, stating that as Congress commuted soldiers’ rations in Hospital at one dollar a day, the means from this source will be more than sufficient to support the hospitals of that State, and he presumes the same is the case in other States. He therefore says their friends in Texas may now turn their attention to the wants of the soldiers’ families, many of whom have been left dependent. He says:
Let these, and the widows and orphans of those who have already fallen in your defence, have ALL that you can POSSIBLY spare them; and, in performing this noble service, remember that you not only dry up the tears and soothe the distress of the suffering at home, but you encourage and warm up the heart of the patriot soldier, battling for our cause in camp. When he knows that his loved ones behind him are not permitted to suffer by his absence, he is better prepared to give his mind and heart, and, if needs be, his life to the defence of his country.