Letter and Poem of Holman D. Donald,
Private in Company A, 5th Texas Cavalry

After the Battle of Val Verde, in New Mexico, one of the participants, Holman D. Donald, wrote a letter to a friend in his hometown, Columbus. The letter was printed as a small circular, almost certainly by the Colorado Citizen. Only one copy of the circular is known to exist. It is part of the collections of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, which is on deposit at the New York Historical Society, New York, New York. It is transcribed below.

In June 1957, Guy D. Donald, the son of Holman Donald, sent a transcription of a poem which his father had written and recorded in his diary in 1861, to Henry P. Meyer, then the mayor of Columbus (see Colorado County Citizen, June 27, 1957). The transcription found its way into the United Daughters of the Confederacy Museum in Columbus. The UDC subsequently donated it to the Archives of the Nesbitt Memorial Library. Two different versions of the poem are presented below, the first exactly as it appeared on the transcription owned by the library and the second with corrections made to spelling and punctuation.

Soloro [Socoro], 30 miles above Ft. Craigg

February 27, 1862

R. V. Cook—
     I write you a few lines while I am propped up on my couch in the Hospital. We fought a great battle on the 21st, in the valley of the Rio Grande, about six miles above Fort Craigg, not far from the town of Val Verde. It is called the “Battle of Val Verde.” The cannonading commenced about nine o’clock and continued till four o’clock, when a charge was ordered. Our Captain gallantly led the charge upon the enemy’s heaviest battery, and all of his boys—except two or three—as gallantly followed, and Victory soon was ours. The loss on our side was about forty killed and one hundred and forty wounded. The loss of our company—one killed and twenty-two wounded—as follows:
Killed—Jo E. Smith—was shot first in the thigh, but still fought on till a second ball struck him in the forehead, killing him instantly. He fell only a few feet from me.
Wounded—Lieut. D. A. Hubbard, in the head, mortally; Sargt. G. O. Sloneker, in the left foot, not serious; Corporal R. H. Carter, grape shot, left thigh, flesh wound; M. C. Knowlton, in the right side, dangerous; A. L. Baker, just below the right eye, not serious; T. E. Caldwell, in the right arm, flesh wound; S. Clapp, in both thighs, flesh wounds; John P. Campbell, on the rist, very slight; J. H. David, in the breast, mortally—died to day; H. D. Donald, in the right thigh, flesh wound; A. L. Grow, in the right thigh, flesh wound; T. B. Gillespie, in the right arm, flesh wound; John Q. Knowles, in the right arm, one bone broken; J. H. McLeary, in the calf of the leg, slight wound; J. D. Montgomery, just below the knee, flesh wound; M. Panky, in the right thigh, flesh wound; S. Putman, left arm broken, dangerous; W. S. Roberts, calf of the leg, slight wound; J. J. Stults, left arm broken, badly wounded; A. Shubert, just grazed his chin, very slight; Sam Henderson, face and neck burnt by the explosion of one of the enemy’s Caissons or Ammunition Carriages. He is still able to fill his place as Commissary Sargeant.
     Capt. Shropshire is now Major in the place of S. A. Lockridge, who was killed while leading the desperate charge which made victory ours. Thos. G. Wright is now our Captain.

February 28
     Lieut. Hubbard died last night. Oakes is our only Lieutenant, and will rank as first henceforward.
     Capt. Killough’s company in the battle lost two killed and one wounded, but I did not know any of them, and have forgotten their names. Capt. K. and Robt. Moore are in good health.
     The loss of the enemy is said to be near 400 killed, and [illegible] themselves do not know their number wounded. Many of them ran to the mountains, some of whom have been found, but numbers are still unheard of. We captured 6 pieces of artillery and some two or three hundred stand of arms, but did not get the Fort; so the enemy is now above and below us.
     Tell the ladies of Columbus that the Flag they gave us was the first Southern banner that waved over the enemy’s batteries in the great battle of Val Verde; that only two bullets pierced it, and its bearer, George H. Little, was unhurt; and that all the Columbus boys faced the music with nerve enough to strike terror to the foe, and made them exclaim, “In the name of God what are you made of, since cannon and grape shot do not stop you!” Those two or three who lay almost covered up behind a sand bank while we were in the charge, lived up near Frelsburg.

28th, 10 o’clock—S. Putman is dead. The rest of us are doing tolerably well.

Yours in haste,
H. D. Donald

Compliments to the Ladies of Columbus, Texas

by Holman Donald

Ye Ladies of Columbus, Permit now for awhile,
A Colorado Soldier, in sort of rhyming style,
To speak a word in praising to those of whom its due,
And think me not a flattering if pain I give to you.
We're far from that at present, no faces fair can greet,
Thy rocks and hills surround us, and many hardships meet.
Which few of us are used to, and hard would be our lot,
If something did not cheer us, Oh, the brilliant thought.
That takes us back to loved ones, that we left behind,
And all their loving kindness, is brought before the mind.
When pens and ink are marshaled, and then the tidy sheet,
And underneath a shady tree, is found the missive sweet.
Manassa Camp now holds us, and will for a time,
But thanks to our Creator, it cannot hold the mind.
For while we toil and labor, and orders strict obey,
We can reflect but proudly, upon that Happy Day.
Which brought our roving footsteps, to Colorado's shore,
In which to have the Ladies, Was but to know them more.
And when our Country called us, to meet the raging foe,
And Captain Shropshires Company, were fixing up to go,
The Ladies of Columbus, put forth their hearts and hands,
And everything made quickly, which Company's life demands.
And too, were made so neatly, this far beyond comment,
And for renumation (sic), would not receive a cent.
But blessed us as they gave them, and wished us long to live,
And bid us all be valiant and always to believe.
That all their love and friendship to us was doubly true,
Since we defend our Country, and save our Sweethearts too.
That when our Flag was waving, to rally quick and strong,
Preserve it safe from danger, and keep it with us long.
And then the many keepsakes, and nice ones too, I've seen,
(By fortune good, I have one), and useful too it has been.
But most of which were given, by some sweet smiling face,
With kindest words appendant, the more than lovely grace.
And then when we were starting, what heart could be unmoved,
As on that Monday morning, Old Colorado proved.
Great men who were ready, to meet their Country's call,
To go where ere was needed, and with her, rise or fall.
And when we were paraded, before Friend "Zack's Hotel",
To see those pretty Ladies, and then those tears that fell.
And while to us presenting, that lovely banner bright,
Was everyone that witnessed a more imposing sight.
While then in double order, upon our steeds of war,
We sat erect in saddles, with guns all up with care.
We heard the speech by Harcourt, which was by no means dry,
Received the Flag by Carter, who gave them his reply.
While thick upon the porches, in front and in full view,
Were standing there, those Ladies who felt an interest, too.
Both here and there, a Sister, and there the lover pale,
That eyes to eyes were speaking, that tongues could not detail.
And tears were freely flowing, and bosoms deeply heaved,
Which told that hearts were panting, and some were almost cleaved.
But this was not from sadness that flows from hopeless grief,
To which there's almost nothing that e'er can give relief.
For from the feeble minded who'er often in a fright,
Of one of their dear kindred should chance to be from sight.
Tears, but the overflowing of those most noble souls,
Who love their homes and country while fare (sic) from Lincoln's fold.
Who PROUD that their defenders, whose names they love to call,
Are quick to obey their country—defend it as their all.
Those feelings were responded by every soldier true,
And scarce could one have spoken, until we marched out there.
Our Captain said the Ladies should have at least three cheers,
When all at once there bursted upon the listening ears.
A deafening shout, and followed by another louder still,
Again a third resounded throughout the neighboring hills.
Which gave new emotion to every listeng soul,
And each one caught the ardor as on the sound did roll.
'Tis true, these sweet endearments was hard to leave behind,
But when our country calls us, it is then indeed is time.
To go at once if able, with eager hearts and hand,
And proud we are to do as when for us such a stand.
Is taken by the Ladies—but soon I now must close,
But not until I've spoken in special terms of those.
Who came a few miles with us and with us chose to dine,
And cheer us with their presence until t'was marching time.
We gazed with admiration upon their faces sweet,
And wondered when if ever again we should them meet.
And as they were departing, we bade them all "Good-bye",
They told us to be "good boys", we told them "we would try",
And when they've gone, we blessed them and aften (sic) since that day,
We've blessed again those Ladies who came out part of the way.
But for the present, Ladies, we bid you all adieu,
And hope to be remembered by each and all of you.
And while we roam o'er mountains or tread the sandy plain,
Until the War is O'er, and all at home again.
With pleasure we'll remember and praise in every land,
The Ladies of Columbus, who lent a helping hand.
To Captain Shropshires Company, who left their pleasant homes,
On the Nineteenth of August, Eighteen Sixty-One.

Shropshire

Compliments to the Ladies of Columbus, Texas

by Holman Donald

Ye Ladies of Columbus, permit now for awhile,
A Colorado soldier, in sort of rhyming style,
To speak a word in praising to those of whom it's due,
And think me not a flatterer if pain I give to you.
We're far from that at present, no faces fair can greet,
Thy rocks and hills surround us, and many hardships meet,
Which few of us are used to, and hard would be our lot,
If something did not cheer us, oh, the brilliant thought
That takes us back to loved ones that we left behind,
And all their loving kindness, is brought before the mind
When pens and ink are marshaled, and then the tidy sheet,
And underneath a shady tree is found the missive sweet.
Manassa Camp now holds us, and will for a time,
But thanks to our Creator, it cannot hold the mind.
For while we toil and labor, and orders strict obey,
We can reflect but proudly, upon that Happy Day
Which brought our roving footsteps, to Colorado's shore,
In which to have the Ladies, was but to know them more.
And when our Country called us, to meet the raging foe,
And Captain Shropshire's company, were fixing up to go,
The Ladies of Columbus, put forth their hearts and hands,
And everything made quickly, which company's life demands.
And too, were made so neatly, this far beyond comment,
And for remuneration, would not receive a cent,
But blessed us as they gave them, and wished us long to live,
And bid us all be valiant and always to believe
That all their love and friendship to us was doubly true,
Since we defend our country, and save our sweethearts too;
That when our flag was waving, to rally quick and strong,
Preserve it safe from danger, and keep it with us long.
And then the many keepsakes, and nice ones too, I've seen,
(By fortune good, I have one, and useful too it has been)
But most of which were given, by some sweet smiling face,
With kindest words appendant, the more than lovely grace.
And then when we were starting, what heart could be unmoved,
As on that Monday morning, old Colorado proved.
Great men who were ready, to meet their country's call,
To go where e'er was needed, and with her rise or fall.
And when we were paraded, before friend "Zack's Hotel,"
To see those pretty Ladies, and then those tears that fell.
And while to us presenting, that lovely banner bright,
Was everyone that witnessed a more imposing sight.
While then in double order, upon our steeds of war,
We sat erect in saddles, with guns all up with care.
We heard the speech by Harcourt, which was by no means dry;
Received the flag by Carter, who gave them his reply,
While thick upon the porches, in front and in full view,
Were standing there, those Ladies who felt an interest, too.
Both here and there, a sister, and there the lover pale,
That eyes to eyes were speaking, that tongues could not detail.
And tears were freely flowing, and bosoms deeply heaved,
Which told that hearts were panting, and some were almost cleaved.
But this was not from sadness that flows from hopeless grief,
To which there's almost nothing that e'er can give relief.
For from the feeble minded who'er often in a fright,
Of one of their dear kindred should chance to be from sight,
Tears, but the overflowing of those most noble souls,
Who love their homes and country while far from Lincoln's fold.
Who PROUD that their defenders, whose names they love to call,
Are quick to obey their country—defend it as their all.
Those feelings were responded by every soldier true,
And scarce could one have spoken, until we marched out there.
Our captain said the Ladies should have at least three cheers,
When all at once there bursted upon the listening ears
A deafening shout, and followed by another louder still,
Again a third resounded throughout the neighboring hills,
Which gave new emotion to every listening soul,
And each one caught the ardor as on the sound did roll.
'Tis true, these sweet endearments were hard to leave behind,
But when our country calls us, it then indeed is time
To go at once if able, with eager hearts and hand.
And proud we are to do as when for us such a stand
Is taken by the Ladies. But soon I now must close.
But not until I've spoken in special terms of those
Who came a few miles with us and with us chose to dine
And cheer us with their presence until 'twas marching time.
We gazed with admiration upon their faces sweet,
And wondered when if ever again we should them meet.
And as they were departing, we bade them all "good-bye."
They told us to be "good boys." We told them "we would try."
And when they'd gone, we blessed them, and often since that day,
We've blessed again those Ladies who came out part of the way.
But for the present, Ladies, we bid you all adieu,
And hope to be remembered by each and all of you.
And while we roam o'er mountains or tread the sandy plain,
Until the war is o'er, and all at home again,
With pleasure we'll remember and praise in every land,
The Ladies of Columbus, who lent a helping hand
To Captain Shropshire's company, who left their pleasant homes,
On the nineteenth of August, eighteen sixty-one.

Shropshire