James M. Reding letter

Collection

Identifier: MS 0107

Staff Only

Finding aid note: Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.

Scope and Contents

A letter written during the Civil War in December 1863 by James M. Reding, a Confederate soldier, to his sister concerning recent action near his army camp, including capture of a Union boat in Matagorda Bay, Texas, and the arrival of a Confederate boat loaded with arms; he also advises against his brother Bob’s enlistment in the army before reaching eighteen years of age.

Dates

Creation: 1863

Creator

Reding, James M. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.

Restrictions on Access

This material is open for research.

Restrictions on Use

Permission to publish from the James Reding Letter must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.

Biographical Note

Nothing is known of James M. Reding, a Confederate soldier during the United States Civil War (1861-1865), other than a few brief references in his letter. The address he gives at the end of his letter indicates that he was attached to Company I [or J] in Terrill’s Regiment, South Carolina, stationed at that time in Brazoria, Texas. In addition to a sister (to whom the letter is written), he mentions a brother, whom he advises to stay at home to help their mother rather than enlisting in the army before turning eighteen years of age.