Wichita Falls Family has Civil War Letter Telling of Ancestor's Death

"Interesting heirlooms were received here this week by Mr. J. B. Smith, father-in-law of R. W. Morgan, former police chief here, in the form of a furlough given his father by General Bragg during the civil war. He also has in his possession, a letter telling of his father's death during the war and describing his burial at Bardstown, Kentucky.

"His father, Captain E. W. Smith of company C, 37th Mississippi infantry was campaigning in Kentucky in 1862 when he was taken seriously ill. He started to the hospital with his nephew. On their way they met a Mr. William Johnson, who proved to be a lodge brother of Captain Smith's and he took him home with him. It was in his home that he died.

"The following letter was written Captain Smith's people by Mr. Johnson at the close of the war, when mail service between Kentucky and the more southern states was renewed:

Bardstown, Ky., Aug 21, 1865
Dear Madam;

Your husband, Captain Elijah W. Smith, died at my home on the 11th day of October, 1862. He was captain of company C, 37th Reg't, Mississippi infantry. He was decently interred in the town cemetery and his grave marked. If it should be the wish of the family to remove him at any time, there will be no difficulty in finding it.

He left some little things at my house, viz., sword, pistol, watch, some gold, I believe about $50, some southern money (not confederate) pencil and his clothing. His money and pencil is deposited with E. B. Smith, one of our merchants. His clothing, pistol and sword are at my house. At any time that these articles can be sent to you let me know how I am to send them and I will attend to it.

He is buried with the other confederates but his coffin is black and is lined while the others are red and not lined.

Yours respectfully, Wm. Johnson"