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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC06626 |
| From Archive Folder | Documents Relating to 1843 |
| Title | Alfred Thurmond to Mary A. Willis regarding the death of her husband whilst in prison |
| Date | 18 October 1843 |
| Author | Thurmond, Alfred S. (1816-cd. 1873) |
| Recipient | Willis, Mary A. |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | 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. |
| Subjects | Prison Camp Latin and South America Global History and Civics Foreign Affairs Prisoner of War Death Military History Women's History Soldier's Letter Texas American West Guerrilla Warfare |
| People | Thurmond, Alfred Sturgis (1816-cd. 1873) Willis, Mary A. (fl. 1843) Willis, O.R. (fl. 1823-1843) |
| Place written | Vera Cruz, Mexico |
| Theme | Children & Family; Foreign Affairs; Women in American History; Health & Medicine |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Additional Information | 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 marshal, sheriff, and was later admitted to the bar and, after service in the Civil War, was elected to the Texas House of Representatives. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |