This letter was written Dec 18, 1861, by Pvt william L. Gresham, Co. B., 12th Texas Infantry; Capt J. B. Lewelling and Capt B. C. Jones, commanding Officers. Also known as Young's Reg't., Texas Infantry, and the 8th Reg't., Texas Infantry.

Mrs Nancy Grisham, Camp Hebert Dec 18th, 1861

Dear Mother, I tak the presant opportunity to drop you a few lines in order to let you know I am well, an doing well, my health is better than it has bin sense last fall, the health of the company is not verry good. At present we have several caseses of Flux and all so chills & fever but none dangerous. I think we have fared verry well withe provisions. Some times we are scarce but have anoph at all times we have no coffe now plenty tea.

Lieutenant Murph has got back to camp, he is in bad health, he told me that Jim was a coming. I think is the best thing that he culd do it is a good chance for survice better than he can get most aney where else an then when our time is out if we have luck we can have anoph money to pay our debts and I am shure he can't make any thing at home now, and I think that you shuld give hime up freely; But Jourdan & Bob must stay untill we get back home an then if the Ware continues they can have a chance But I think that it will close by Spring. as for a fight down here there is no finding out about that untill it shuld happen. I shall start to Navasota next Saturaday on furlow to se my cousins. I shall spend Christmas with them.

Henry Baysinger and Sam (Deney) Peney is well & doing well. Lieut Murph told me that they had severall reports back ther on him it was one cause of his coming back to camp so soon. I can say to that he was sent back there to get men for this camp an if the reports be true that Jim told him thery are positive lies and are told just to injure him but they will fail in Camp for he stands as fare in camp as any Oficer that we have and a good deal farer than the one that told the lies, he is a public gentleman and wuld not have went home if the Capt had not insisted upon his doing so to have filed out our company. it wuld not surprise me if it did not create such a fealing in camp toward Grasen as to Court-Marshel him he has laid himself liable.

Tell Uncle Ad & Jourdan to right me yu must right soon dont wait for me Yours until Death

W Gresham
The Family Bible of Nancy L. Gresham says W. L. Gresham died June 23, 1863. His Confederate Army records say he was killed in June 1863.
1. Jim = James Henry Gresham (brother)
2. Bob = Robert E. Gresham (brother)
3. Jourdan=Jordan Richey (brother in-law)
4. Henry Baysinger & Sam Peney (Deney) (neighbors from Rusk Co.)
5. Lieutenant Murph= John Murph of Linn Flat Nacogdoches Co.
6. Uncle Ad= Adial S. Mickelborough of Rusk Co. (Brother to Nancy L. Gresham)
7. Grason= Jim Grayson of Nacogdoches Co., (suspected of being a Union sympathizer even though in C.S.A.)