I need help finding a great uncle whom I believe served (and died) with the 7th TX Infantry. I have not been able to find him on any roster. His name is John Montgomery. He was born abt 1844 in Upshur County, TX. That is where his family lived during the civil war. I base my asumption on information from a letter, which is said to be his last letter home. It was written on January 1, 1862 from Hopkinsville, KY. and starts out with: (John Hale is dead poor fellow). I think perhaps the battle he talks about in his letter is the Battle of Sacramento. I believe John was one of the many soldiers that died in Hopkinsville that winter and may be buried there but I need some confirmation. I have not been able to find him (or John Hale) on any roster. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

John Montgomery's letter home:

I hope you will not get tired reading my letters. No person will hardly ever write to me.
I do wish you would write oftener, don't wait for something of importance to write, you don't know how much good it does me to hear from home.
Ma I am yet, in this miserable hospital. As fast as I get over one thing something else pitches on me.
I have a fever ever night. I was very sick last night. I have pains in my legs and the worse sore throat you ever saw. I have almost anykind of divilment you can think of.
Ma some of our Cavelry under Col. Forest, went on a scouting expedition last week and found some of the yankees on Green River. We had 70 men they had 270. We killed 15 and took 13 prisoners. We lost 2 men. The prisoners are here in the hospital a bad looking set of men. They are shot all to pieces. One has the flesh peeled off the back of his head with a saber.
Ma this is new Years day, how I do wish I was at home today. If I knew I would be at home again, I would be satisfied but I have little hope.
Ma I sent Pa a paper sometime since and wrote a few lines, I told him that I had applied for a furlow, they won't give furlows under no circumstances, but they give discharges in cases where a person is not able to bear arms. Dr. Vernon and another doctor will examine me as soon as I get able to go to camps but I don't expect much favor from them. If they don't give me a furlow or a discharge, I am not going to go on duty and expose myself more than I can help. If I could have health I would always be ready and willing to do my part but I have as bad health as any can have. You would not know me I don't think I am not as strong as Billy. I don't think if he is well.
Mama I have fallen upon a new idea though it is thin. If I fail to get a discharge and my health does not improve I thought I would write to Pa and ask him to get some man to come and take my place. I know there is some around Gilmer idle. The pay of soldiers will be raised to $16 and I think the additional pay of 4 or 5 dollars would induce some one to come. I hate to mention this to Pa he is so much behind. We are allowed 42 dollars a year to cloth us. I have got $5.15 worth which leaves $36.85 they owe me. $25.00 for my gun, $10 for my blankets, $5 for my knife and $33 for my wages making in all $109.85 allowing a man $5 a month besides his wages would pay him about 22 months by this time he would be able to take my place. Our men get a plenty to eat flour, bacon, beef, rice, sugar, coffee and some times molasses. ma show this to Pa and tell him to write to me as soon a he considers the proposition that I have just made. Ma I feel so bad I will have to lie down, but let me mention Lucks Regiment. I suppose they have gone to Pittsburgh taken winter quarters and fortified that is a very important point I reckon they will be able to hold it. I hope none of them will get hurt. Write as soon as you get this give my respects to all. I want Pa to be certain to write. Kiss Ellen and Eugenia for me. Hit Levin and pull Billys nose tell Jim to be a good boy. Fairwell and belive me ever your affectionate son. John Montgomery

(This was his last letter home. He died of measles)