October 10, 1862, Tri-Weekly Telegraph (Houston)
I have been appointed chief agent of the Army in Arkansas, to procure clothing, blankets, shoes, socks, and hats for our suffering soldiers. I appeal to the patriotic citizens of Southern Texas, particularly the ladies, for these articles. Your own husbands, fathers, brothers and sons are in this army. It is clothing for them I am after. There is not a family, much as they have given, but can spare a blanket, shirt, pants or coat. Even little girls can knit socks, and of these we want not less than fifty thousand pair.
While you are in your comfortable homes, many a soldier is lying on the ground without covering. While thousands of you are treading upon carpets, your brethren in the field are freezing, and the ladies of Little Rock have stripped their houses of carpets to make blankets for them. Will you be behind your sisters in Arkansas?
Our soldiers will winter in Missouri. How much they will suffer I know, for I was there last winter in the swamp with Gen. Jeff. Thompson. Our men are unused to such climate. Already are the cold blasts upon them. They must be supplied, and that soon.
All contributions will be gladly received, and everything paid for if desired. Mr. H. D. Taylor will act as agent at Houston, and agents will be appointed at Austin, San Antonio, Hallettsville, Huntsville and Jasper, as soon as I can visit them. Let contributions be forwarded at once.