WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1859
218
years 1856, 1857, 1858, and 1859, John Marshall was elected chairman of the State Democratic Convention (see Winkler (ed.), Platform,s of Political Pa1·ties in Texas, pp. 74, 77, 79-80). He was always ultra-southern in politics, and when the Civil War began, he declared that he wished to defend ,vith the sword that which he had always advocated with his pen; so, not waiting for preferment, he immediately enlisted in the Confederate army as a private. He had been a warm friend of Jefferson Davis during his life in Mississippi, so he went to Richmond to see Davis. He returned to Texas with the rank of lieutenant colonel, John B. Hood being colonel, of the 4th Texas Infantry. Hood was soon elevated to the rank of brigadier general, whereupon Marshall was ))'lade colonel of the 4th Texas infantry. For about a year he saw no active service, being kept employed with clerical details, but he went into action in the series of campaigns around Richmond, known as the Seven Days' fight, he was killed in his first engagement, June, 1862. John Marshall was a somewhat undersized man, being only 5 feet 7 inches tall. He was spare, had a fair complexion, aquiline features, and keen eyes. He was quick and energetic in motion, absolutely temperate in all his habits, and always dressed in black. Although he took a swim in the Colorado River every morning, summer and winter, he was not otherwise fond of sports, but directed all his energies to business. He was buried in the Confederate Cemetery at Richmond, Virginia. For more detailed sketch, see: John S. Ford, "Memoirs" (MS.), Vol. IV, 661; Frank Brown, "Annals of Travis County and of the City of Austin" (MS.), Chapter XXI, 37, and Chapter XXII, 22; State Gazette, May 27, also September 16,' 1854; South- western Historical Quarte1·ly, XX, 132-138 (written by his son-in-law, W. S. Oldham).
To MRs. HousToN 1
Washington, 20th Jany., 1859. My Dear. I do not know how long a letter, I will be able to write, but you know, not to write would be regarded by you as a matter of neglect, and if you are satisfied with my letters, it is such a moderate demand, that I ought not to begrudge the con- tribution. I am, as you know, always happy when I think you are so, . and particularly happy when I can be assured that I have con- tributed to your felicity. I am yet pining or sorrowing for our dear Andrew. I would be unhappy to see any one of our children unwell, but I have seen most of them indisposed but Andrew, and he is so active and full of life, that I cannot fancy how he will bear depression and live in any comfort without activity. I hope that you will have written to Thomas Palmer & Arm- strong to carry out your plan. I must write to day to them specifically. I was never so overwhelmed in my life with busi- ness. Oh, but I do long to throw off the harness and submit
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