April 8, 1863, Arkansas True Democrat (Little Rock)
Warren, Texas, March 23d, 1863.
Mr. Editor:
Having seen several pieces in your paper in regard to the war, our facilities for sustenance and defence, I take the liberty of requesting you to insert my opinion, if it is only the opinion of a native Texan girl. I live about a mile from the Indian Nation, on the west side of Red river, where I have the opportunity of seeing persons, not only from the Nation, but from every portion of Texas. And I am sure at this time, there is more unanimity of feeling respecting the war than ever before in Texas and the Nation. Last year there were some in Texas who were desirous of a reconstruction of the old connection. My parents were from the North–but now all, all are for prosecuting the war with vigor. The people here are far more able to bear the burden of the war now than at any time prior to this. Cotton cards have been procured, the loom and wheel have been brought into use, and nearly every family makes cloth enough for its own use, and some to spare. My mother, whose family is small, has had upwards of two hundred yards of cloth woven within the last six months. As to clothes, there will be no more trouble. The ladies are quite independent. As to the wheat crop, there never has been perhaps a more flattering prospect in Texas. More land has been planted in grain, and every appearance indicates a larger yield.
Great preparation is making for a large maize or corn crop. It is true we all deplore the war; we are sorry it had to come; but it was a disease in the body politic which had to run its course. It has come and we trust it is in last stages. The fever is subsiding, and ere long we think the trumpet of peace will be sounded from the Great Lakes to the Rio Grande; from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
It is strange, that our brethren of the North should have conceived an idea so erroneous as that of subjugating so many millions of their own race, armed in the holy cause of the Bible and the constitution. In the North we have friends, friends of right, and to them we look for a speedy terminus of this, the most atrocious war of modern times. But if the fanatics are bent upon piratical destruction let them come, we will welcome them to bloody graves. We would rather that our homes be burnt, our stock and grain be stolen, our brothers and lovers press the gory sod of a patriot’s grave, than live as conquered slaves.
Katrina.