[Autograph Letter, Signed, by Arkansas Resident William Damrell, Describing Life in Van Buren, Arkansas, the Author's Desire to Enlist in the Army, and His Recent Experiences with Native Americans in Texas]

Van Buren, Ar: December 7, 1846. Very good.. [3]pp., on a single bifolium, totaling about 750 words, addressed on the verso of second leaf. Original mailing folds, minor wear and soiling. An interesting manuscript letter written by William Damrell of Van Buren, Arkansas, to a cousin in New Hampshire, describing his listless life in Arkansas, his recent travels to New Orleans and St. Louis, his desire to join the army to fight in the Mexican-American War, and recent encounters with Native Americans in Texas, among other experiences. Damrell characterizes life in Van Buren as "dull," and relates both town gossip and the constant news from the war with (truncated) Mexico and the stream of westward emigration. The letter reads, in part: "I have no doubt you imagine (from my long silence) that I had gone to the War in Mexico, and a very just conclusion you would have arrived at, had I been at V.B. at the time. But I happened to be in New Orleans at the time the requisition was made upon our State for troops, and I did not return until my Company left for the seat of War. Perhaps it is better as it is though. We have information here that there will be another call made upon the Western States. If so, Arkansas will have to furnish her quota. I then have not a doubt but I shall go, for if there is a life above all others that I admire, it is a Military one.... Our Town still continues dull as usual at this time of year. Emigration still continues to flow on through our Town to the Promised Land, 'Texas.' We have occasionally an Indian murder or two, and they furnish the chief topics of conversation. I have just returned from a long journey in Texas, and among the wild Indians, where I witnessed many strange and curious things. I think if I had leisure, I could write a very interesting book upon the manners and customs of the Indians. Some of their amusements are very interesting -- such as their 'Ball Plays.' At some future time I will give you a sketch of them. I have not time to dwell upon them now." He also pines to be back among his family in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Despite his discontent and his desire for a nomadic military life, Damrell would settle in Van Buren and start a family; he died suddenly aboard a steamboat in 1857, aged just 39 years, leaving behind a wife and three small children. (Inventory #: 4741)