When I checked to be sure of the writer of "25th" I looked closer and found it is the "26th." It is on a fold of the letter. The letter was written on Feb 6th, 1900 by I. G. DuPre (or possibly J. G.). I will see if I can associate Austin with the 26th as you suggested.

You are probably correct about J. H. Hudson as Mr. DuPre mentions Hudson in his letter: "I have seen Col. Hudson many times since, he has spent days in my house when he presided as Judge on this circuit. He is a noble man."

The family story about Austin is that he did lie about his age to go with them. He was wounded sometime during the war in the leg. The wound bothered him the rest of his life.

Thanks for your help.

Joan