Pretty soon, in the year A. D. 1861, companies began to organize to repair to the seat of war, who, as a general thing, were in a great hurry, and a little jealous of the Virginia troops for fear they would whip the fight and get the glory before they, the Texas troops, could get there.

This year, my brother Hezakia, myself, and Dock, the servant, made a crop, and perhaps my Father helped some, though he was not a farmer, did not like the business; he was a mechanic, and did not work regularly on the farm. I do not remember distinctly now. It makes me sad, as I pen these lines, as I can still draw the view -- our then standing crop, and remember many of the pleasant hours of enjoyment that we had -- trouble being a comparative stranger, as no grown member of the family then had died; but since then, death has taken from our embrace Father, Mother and brother, older than myself, of whom I will give a full account in the proper place.

In September, A. D. 1861, I think it was, my brother Hezekiah and five other young men from our neighborhood, sent their names to the tenth Texas Cavalry Regiment, of which Col. Lock was the commander. Aled Arp, as he is generally called, was the Captain of the Company. They hoped to remain in the State service, as the Regiment was made up for that purpose, but after remaining in the state a month, the Regiment was reorganized for Confederate service, disbanded, returned home for a short time, then rendezvoused at Coffeeville, Texas.

My brother did not seem to enjoy his stay at home; the bitter thought of having to return outweighed the pleasure of home. He was not the cheerful, light hearted boy he had ever been, consequently destroying the happiness with me that I had ever enjoyed in his association, which had been from my earliest recollection, with never more than a week at a time of separation up to the time he enlisted in the army September 1861. Although I did not enjoy his company as I had, I did not wish for the time to come for his departure. The time, however, soon rolled up, and he and the five others, to wit, T. M. Jones, A. and Hugh Gilliland, Marshall and Green Edwards.

They fitted up a two horse wagon to carry their baggage (six soldiers in the outbreak of the war, had enough to lead a span of horses), and I went to drive the team for them. My Father accompanied me, to see Col. Lock and his regiment. We arrived at the command, after a long day's drive. The soldiers were very cheerful and hopeful for our now, lost cause. My brother also, was more cheerful than when at home. His comrades all seemed extremely glad to meet him, which gave my Father and me great satisfaction. We remained three days, saw the Regiment drill -- a great sight for me. It seemed to me that there were so many, that when they got to the seat of the war, and were thrown into balance, they would be of sufficient weight to crush all opposers. Then we bade adieu to relatives and friends, as we thought in all probability forever, but in a short time the command moved near Pittsburg, from which camp my brother visited us several times. The Regiment was then ordered to Red River