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Rosborough Family Letter Archive with Texas and Frontier Content....
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Description
Rosborough Family Letter Archive with Texas and Frontier Content. Comprising fourteen letters totaling fifty pages, dated 1850-1883, documenting the experiences of the Rosborough family across the Antebellum period, the Civil War, and Reconstruction-era Texas. Each letter has been fully transcribed, and a Microsoft Word file containing the complete transcriptions will be provided to the buyer.Eleven of the letters (including two Civil War-date letters) were written by David Decatur Rosborough, a South Carolina-born farmer, rancher, Confederate officer, and later Texas legislator who immigrated to Texas in 1854. His letters trace the realities of frontier settlement, the secession crisis, Confederate military service, and postwar political life in Texas. Two additional letters were written by David's brother Joseph Brown Rosborough, a lawyer and western pioneer who went to California during the Gold Rush, later operating a refinery in San Francisco and recounting extensive travel across the West in the early 1880s. The archive also includes a letter from Rane McMillen, the Rosboroughs' nephew, offering a vivid outsider's perspective on Texas life in 1882, where he recounts visiting the state's largest cities and watching cowboys drive vast herds. Together, the correspondence provides a multi-generational, first-person account of Southern political ideology, war service, and western expansion.
One of the earliest letters by David Rosborough, dated February 3, 1861, was written from Bell County, Texas, just days after the Texas legislature passed its Ordinance of Secession. An outspoken supporter of secession, Rosborough reflects the prevailing sentiment among many Texans while criticizing Governor Sam Houston's reluctance to accept the decision:
"I heard on yesterday that our Legislature that is now in session has passed the Secession ordinance. I don't know that my information is fully reliable, but I think if they have not done it, they will pass it soon, and I will heartily endorse it. I do not think as a great many in the Slave states do, that S.C. acted too hastily in the matter, & have all the while been in favor of Texas getting out of the Union as hastily as possible. but she has been kept back by our Governor, refusing to do his part in the promises...I will add that when I read an ac. of S.C. blood being shed in the way of coercion, I will want to come to their assistance, and if I can get my wife to come to the conclusion that she had rather be the widow of a brave man than the wife of a coward, I may come, if my services is not needed in the same way at home, for my arm is strong, and I am willing to fight in defense of the rights of the South."
In a subsequent letter dated October 20, 1861, Rosborough explains that he attempted to enlist immediately at the outbreak of war but was persuaded by his family to remain home, allowing his eighteen-year-old son to join the army in his place:
"I enlisted in a Company that was made up in the county for the Confederate service... In the latter part of June, at the close of the session of the Bosqueville School, Cyrus came home & wanted my place, as but one of us could leave home long at time. After hearing his arguments why it was best for him to go & me to remain at home, I agreed to leave to the vote of the Family, and he beat me. In fact, got a unanimous vote, so I backed down & let him go...Very nearly all the young men are gone from here & a goodly number that have families..."
David himself finally entered Confederate service in 1862, enlisting in the Seventeenth Texas Infantry. In his second war-date letter, written January 25, 1864, near Simmesport, Louisiana, he provides a concise account of his military experience, including participation in the Battle of Milliken's Bend:
"The Feds have not made any headway in invading Texas yet, though they have been making demonstrations on the coast for some time. Almost everyone able to bear arms are in the army in Texas. We are determined to give them a rough road to Travel in Texas. I am in the 17th Regmt. Texas V. Infantry, Scurry's Brigade, Walker's Division...Our Brigade has not been in but one hard Battle. That was at Milliken's Bend. I assisted in commanding the advance guard. In this, was not touched or hurt. We are having rather an idle time now, occasionally going into the river, firing on the enemy's transports."
Following the end of the war, Rosborough returned to Bell County, where he emerged as a leading local figure. In 1872, he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives, serving from 1873 to 1876. Writing from Austin on March 22, 1874, he shares an optimistic view of Texas's economic and social future:
"I think the future prospects of Texas are bright. We have as rich, productive soil as can be found anywhere, easily cultivated, produces Cotton & wheat finely, large portion of the state. The Negro population quite small, but little in the way in my county. Very hard to hire one except about a Town, & but few that is of any account when hired. Consequently, those that are able do their own work. Me & mine are quite independent of them. Land is advancing in price here, and the country is settling rapidly."
After his second term in the House, David returned home to Bell County to work the homestead with his family. In six subsequent letters dated 1878-1882, he discusses daily life in postwar Texas, including farming, education, business ventures, and the rapid development of the region during the Gilded Age.
David's nephew, Rane McMillen, visited Texas in 1882, travelling across the state and staying with his uncle briefly. In a lengthy letter home dated May 7, 1882, he gives a rich account of his time there:
"I know I could tell you lots of funny and interesting things that I have witnessed in the Grand old state of Texas, and Grand it is from my point of view. I am becoming more and more attached and confirmed that it is the place for me. The people are good, kind, and social, and as a class they are ahead of any country for culture and enterprise...Some of the prettiest towns I ever saw were Cleburne, Dallas, Corsicana, & Waco Tex. Austin is said to be a perfect model of a place. I have not seen it yet...
I know you would be amazed could you see the immense herds of Cattle that daily pass through this place. Some days three & four herds pass, each having from 2 to 4 thousand head in it...We get to see the Cowboy in his native element, and so far, I have found them a clever set of fellows, all the rough and some uneducated, but the majority have an average education. Learning & education is far ahead in this country of the old states.
I have been to one Ball since I have been here, the C.O.O.F., and was happily surprised at the get up & demeanor of all present, and not a breath present, as far as I knew, smelt of liquor, which is more than we could ever say about the S.C. Balls, or Ga. either. I enjoyed myself as I usually do, danced all night, till broad day light, & went home at four in the morning."
The final two letters are from David's brother, Joseph B. Rosborough. A Gold Rush transplant to the West, Joseph writes to their sister from his law office in Salt Lake City on October 20, 1882, discussing a refinery he invested in while in San Francisco. He describes the business and their processes in detail:
"While in San Francisco last winter, I took $16,700 stock in a corporation there, & then organized with a capital of $500,000 to operate in Smelting, refining, & manufacturing Lead...I think the enterprise will pay well...Ours is the only refinery in the Territory, & besides smelting 100 to 110 tons of ore per day, the establishment buys base bullion from other smelters, refines the same, & sells the products without having any returns yet from manufacturing pure lead (we have so far sold it all)."
He writes again on May 15, 1883, this time from Parsons Kansas. In the letter, he reflects on the dramatic changes he observed in Texas since his earlier departure and then describes the hardships and dangers of travel on the frontier in the early 1880s:
"In 1870, I left Texas all outdoors, and found it all fixed up in 1883. The country looked beautiful in the spring dress... I have also had a good visit of the Indian Territory, so much courted by settlers...But I find this a horrible road of delays...At 5 P.M. last evening, met a smash up, the passenger train colliding with a freight train on the south bank of Canadian River, derailing and crushing engines, tenders, & some cars. Being in the smoking room of the Sleeper, which was the rear car, I was only jolted up but not hurt...Kansas City, it appears, was swept by a tornado on the 13th inst. As in many instances of my life on trail, it is better to hear of danger ahead or behind, then to be in the midst of them."
Includes twelve original transmittal covers.
Condition: Generally very good, with expected toning, mailing folds, and minor wear. Some letters written in pencil but remain very legible. Occasional separations, staining, and minor loss present, generally not affecting legibility.
Auction Info
2026 February 26 Historical Manuscripts & Texana Signature® Auction #6328 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
February, 2026
26th
Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 3
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
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