Thurmond, Alfred Sturgis, 1816-1873 to Mary A. Willis

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GLC#
GLC06626
Type
Letters
Date
1843/10/18
Author/Creator
Thurmond, Alfred Sturgis, 1816-1873
Title
to Mary A. Willis
Place Written
Vera Cruz, Mexico
Pagination
2 p. : address ; Height: 31 cm, Width: 21.1 cm
Primary time period
National Expansion and Reform, 1815-1860
Sub-Era
Age of Jackson

Writing from inside the walls of the "Castle of Perote" (Perote Prison), Thurman informs Willis that her husband, O.R. Willis, has died. Praises her deceased husband as a "Patriot and a Gentleman," telling her that he "was highly esteemed" and his "Death was much Lamented by this crowd." Indicates that he and others in the prison are in good health but have no idea when they will be released. Dejected, he comments twice on how his family has forsaken him by not responding to his letters. Comments that he still has affection for them and asks her to communicate his love to his friends and relatives. Thurman had joined the mounted Texas Rangers to free San Antonio in 1842, after which he continued on an expedition to plunder Mexican towns. With other volunteers who refused to disband, he participated in the attack on Mier Mexico under the command of William S. Fisher, after which the force was captured and imprisoned at Perote Castle. He was released in 1844.

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