Roger Q. Mills letter, March 24, 1861

Roger Quarles Mills

Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division

Old Texas State Capitol

Old Texas State Capitol, Austin

Site of the Secession Convention

Austin History Center, Austin TX

Location: Pearce Museum at Navarro College (Corsicana, Tex)
Background: Roger Q. Mills (1832-1911), was a lawyer in Corsicana, Tex., and a member of the Texas House of Representatives (1859-1860). He enlisted (1861) in the Confederate Army and served throughout the Civil War, attaining the rank of colonel of the 10th Texas Infantry Regiment.
Contents: Letter from Roger Q. Mills to his wife describing the debates at the Texas Secession Convention.
“The convention yesterday finally ratified the permanent constitution of the Confederate States and is today in full fellowship. We of the legislature will have to remain long enough to pass a bill to raise some money and to district the state for congress. We are entitled to six members of congress. One of which I am going, with your consent, try to be."; He also noted that:
"Jack Hamilton and old Sam made bitter speeches against the convention and took strong free soil grounds."; Read the Texas Ordinance of Secession; (See the NUCMC catalog record)