Thurmond, Alfred S. (1816-1873?) to Mary A. Willis
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06626 Author/Creator: Thurmond, Alfred S. (1816-1873?) Place Written: Vera Cruz, Mexico Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 October 1843 Pagination: 2 p. : address ; 31 x 21.1 cm. Order a Copy
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.
Thurmond was a soldier, lawman, and legislator who arrived in Texas too late to participate in the Revolution. After his release from Perote Prison, where because of his knowledge of Spanish he was used as interpreter, he returned to Victoria, Texas. He served as town marshall, sheriff, and was later admitted to the bar and, after service in the Civil War, was elected to the Texas House of Representatives.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.