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| COLLECTION INFORMATION | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
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Size: 2 boxes, 131 items (1 linear feet) Acquisition: Gift, 1989 Access: Open for research Processed by: Penny Clark, 1989 TIDES Link: Bone Family Papers |
Robert Donnell Bone (1832-1892) was born in Wilson County, Tennessee, and came to Nacogdoches County in 1841 with his mother and stepfather. He and his brothers and sister moved in with his older sister when she married John Winstead Paine in 1846. After a serious illness of pneumonia, R. D. Bone rode horseback to Tennessee and entered the University at Nashville Medical School (which later became Vanderbilt University) in 1854 and returned to Douglass, Texas, to practice medicine after graduating in 1858. That same year he married Griselda Minerva Burk (1841-1912) who was also from Tennessee and had moved to Nacogdoches County, Texas, with her family in 1848.
On November 25, 1861, Dr. Bone was appointed to serve as Assistant Surgeon of the 12th Texas Volunteer Infantry, Col. Overton Young's Regiment at Camp Hebert, Hempstead, Austin County, Texas. He felt it was his duty to serve the cause of the Confederacy and eagerly attended his post. As revealed in the following letters exchanged with his wife while on active duty in the Civil War, it soon became clear that he would have to contend with inadequate provisions, boring camp routine and confusing orders. "The Fever", dysentery, measles and exposure were Dr. Bone's patients' main medical problems; his regiment was not involved in any serious fighting.
When he resigned his commission on March 7, 1863, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, he went back to Douglass, Texas, to practice medicine. Dr. Bone also bought cotton and cattle and took them to New Orleans each fall to be sold. Minerva was Post Mistress in Douglass from 1866-1867. Only six of the Bone's 12 children reached adulthood, and two of their sons graduated from the University at Nashville Medical School exactly 50 years after Dr. Bone did. At least eight of his descendants have followed him in serving the medical profession.
(Aiken, Roy L. (Pete). "Bone Family." In Nacogdoches County Families, 172. Dallas, Tx.: Curtis Media Corporation, 1985. p 172)
Included in the collection of letters between Dr. Bone and Minerva are letters to the Bones from family and friends, report forms from the post office at Douglass, and two poems (probably written by Dr. Bone). Typescripts for most of the papers in the collection are in a booklet in Box 2. Several 19th century newspapers belonging to Dr. Bone are cataloged and shelved with the newspaper bundles.
[A-9]
BOX 1
Folder 1: One letter, one envelope. 2 items.
November 10, 1861, West Bank of Trinity River, Madison County, Texas, Dr. Bone to Minerva: traveling conditions and company spirits good, gives advice on raising their son and on stocking up. [image]
Folder 2: Two letters. 2 items.
November 16, 1861, Hemstead, Austin County, Texas, Dr. Bone to Minerva: amazement at vastness of prairies, traveling by rail, absence of males in towns, patriotic feelings of friendly hostesses, religious services, military funeral, scarcity of quinine. [image]
n.d., Short love note to Dr. Bones wife. [image]
Folder 3: One letter. 1 item.
November 24, 1861, Camp Sanford near Hemstead, Austin County, Texas, Dr. Bone to Minerva: his health, food, camp conditions, his appointment in the regiment. [image]
Folder 4: One letter, one envelope. 2 items.
November 27, 1861, Camp Sanford, Austin County, Texas. Dr. Bone to Minerva: his appointment and pay, advice on raising their son and on her own conduct, hospitality of a woman who took in sick soldiers. [image]
Folder 5: Three letters. 3 items.
December 3, 1861, Hemstead, Austin County, Texas,Dr. Bone to Minerva:learns of birth of his second son, many in the company have colds, scarcity of paper and envelopes. [image]
December 7,1861, Camp Hebert, Austin County, Texas,Dr. Bone to Minerva:Galveston vacated by General Hebert causing great excitement, requests a Bible and another suit of clothes and his case of instruments. [image]
December 12, 1861, Camp Hebert, Austin County, Texas, Dr. Bone to Minerva: advises to save nails, family matters, laundry arrangements. [image]
Folder 6: Two letters, one envelope. 3 items.
December 15, 1861, No place given, Dr. Bone to Minerva: heard a Presbyterian sermon, contrast of morals of soldiers, differences of army practice and common practice of medicine, advice on raising the children. [image]
December 19, 1861, Nacogdoches County, Texas, . Minerva to Dr. Bone: offers to send a mattress and towels, visits friends. health of the family, the children, moved in with her parents, news of their property. [image]
Folder 7: One letter. 1 item.
December 22, 1861, Camp Hebert, Dr. Bone to Minerva: his health, the health of acquaintances in his camp, health problems encountered--typhoid fever, sore legs, Catarrhal fever, colds--,assures her that in spite of what she hears they have plenty to eat and are well taken care of. [image]
Folder 8: One letter, one envelope. 2 items.
December 23, 1860, Nacogdoches County, State of Texas. Minerva to Dr. Bone: family health, provisions, boarding up their house. [image]
Folder 9: Two letters, one envelope. 3 items.
December 24, 1861, Camp Hebert, Austin County, Texas. Dr. Bone to Minerva: sent his horse home to be sold, requests mattress and quilt, financial matters, naming their new son, he's very busy with increasing numbers of sick soldiers. [image]
Folder 10: Two letters, one envelope. 3 items.
December 31, 1861, Nacogdoches County, State of Texas. Minerva to Dr. Bone: is sending supplies he requested, news of deaths of acquaintances involved in the war, provisions, health, financial matters, respects from friends. [image]
January 14, 1862, Camp Hebert. Dr. Bone to Minerva: he received the things she sent, is very busy with the sick soldiers because the Chief Surgeon has not arrived. [image]
Folder 11: One letter. 1 item.
January 19, 1862, Nacogdoches County, State of Texas. Minerva to Dr. Bone: her health, collecting provisions on his accounts. [image]
Folder 12: One letter. 1 item.
January 26, 1862, Camp Hebert. Dr. Bone to Minerva: he's busy shouldering the responsibilities of the Chief Surgeon in his absence and does not like it, lots of sickness in camp. [image]
Folder 13: One letter, one envelope. 2 items.
January 31, 1862, Camp Hebert. Dr. Bone to Minerva: he is well, requests more clothes, sends word to friends of their relatives' health. [image]
Folder 14: One letter, one envelope. 2 items.
February 2, 1862, Nacogdoches, State of Texas. Minerva to Dr. Bone: she and the children are well, she has a new wheel that she paid $5 for, financial matters. [image]
Folder 15: Two letters. 2 items.
February 21, 1862, Camp Hebert. Dr. Bone to Minerva: many sick in camp, saddened by the Confederate defeat at Roanoke Island but gladdened by another victory at Fort Donelson, everyone in camp admired the gray Jeans she made and want some, he is extremely busy with the sick soldiers. [image]
March 1st, 1862, Camp Hebert. Dr. Bone to Minerva: he is too busy with the sick to write, he is well, they may be sent to Kentucky or Tennessee, a friend in camp will deliver money to her, advice on raising their children. [image]
Folder 16: Two letters, one envelope. 3 items.
March 2, 1862, Nacogdoches County, State of Texas. Minerva to Dr. Bone: she's uneasy because she has not heard from him, every man has been called to the military - even her father, financial matters, good health of the family, her mother has a fine pair of cards costing only $31, her father will not have to go to war. [image]
Folder 17: One letter, one envelope. 2 items.
March 9, 1862, Nacogdoches County, State of Texas. Minerva to Dr. Bone: she received some things and money he sent, almost all the men in town are going to war, family business. [image]
Folder 18: Two letters, one envelope. 3 items.
March 11, 1862, Camp Hebert. Dr. Bone to Minerva: he is troubled by all the sickness and death in his camp, his camp hears bad news continuously from the war, they may go to eastern Texas to try to keep the Feds from entering through Arkansas. [image]
n.d. Dr. Bone to Minerva: requests yardage for Jeans to resell.
Folder 19: One letter, one envelope. 2 items.
March 16, 1862, Nacogdoches County, State of Texas. Minerva to Dr. Bone: friends and relatives are going off to war, the children are fine, she's afraid all the men (even her father) will be called to war because she fears the worst is not there yet, she's heard that the Northerners have taken Memphis, Tennessee, some Negroes were hung at Carthage because they were about to kill their white families. [image]
Folder 20: Two letters. 2 items.
March 17, 1862, Camp Hebert. Dr. Bone to Minerva: his camp is excited at the news that they will be discharged and sent home to stand the draft, he's not pleased to enlist for war nor does he want to be subject to a draft, he will keep his same position if he continues in the regiment which is what he wants, he's busy and well. [image]
March 23, 1862, Nacogdoches County, State of Texas. Minerva to Dr. Bone: she thinks it unfair for him to have to enlist or be drafted, she's worried about rumors that the Negroes will rise against the whites if any more men leave for war. [image]
Folder 21: One letter. 1 item.
March 30, 1862, Camp Hebert. Dr. Bone to Minerva: health of the regiment is better, all sorts of rumors are circulating as to where they will be sent, he has not been and does not know when he will be paid, the Chief Surgeon has left because he is disliked, cautions her to be brave as the dark hours of history approach. [image]
Folder 22: One letter, one envelope. 2 items.
April 6, 1862, Nacogdoches County, State of Texas. Minerva to Dr. Bone: she is disgusted by some of the women in the community who want all the men to go to war, they discuss their burial place. [image]
Folder 23: Two letters, one envelope. 3 items.
April 13, 1862, Camp Young. Dr. Bone to Minerva: his regiment is breaking up and some are going home to wait for the draft and others are enlisting, he does not know what to do. [image]
April 13, 1862, Nacogdoches County, State of Texas. Minerva to Dr. Bone: their oldest child is very ill with a fever and nausea. [image]
Folder 24: One letter, one envelope. 2 items.
May 1862, Hemstead, Texas. Dr. Bone to Minerva: he is in distress at the thought that she could be taken from him as his oldest son has been in death, he cannot sleep because of the mosquitoes and fleas. [image]
Folder 25: Two letters. 2 items
June 8, 1862, Camp Young. Dr. Bone to Minerva: he has been ordered to Tyler which pleases him, many men are sick at his camp, hospital provisions are scarce, many men in the hospital in town are dying from neglect, soldiers are demoralized and wickedness abounds. [image]
June 15, 1862, Camp Young. Dr. Bone to Minerva: he is preparing to move to Tyler and will stop by home on his way, not much sickness in camp except for measles and mumps. [image]
Folder 26: Two letters, one envelope. 3 items.
June 16, 1862, Near Douglass, Nacogdoches County, Texas. Minerva to Dr. Bone: news of friends and relatives. [image]
June 20, 1862, Camp Young. Dr. Bone to Minerva: he requests lightweight summer clothes, will be home on his way to Tyler, advises his brother to enlist and he will try to get him into his regiment. [image]
Folder 27: Two letters. 2 items.
July 27, 1862, Near Douglass, Nacogdoches County, Texas. Minerva to Dr. Bone: news of deaths of friends, she and the child are well. [image]
August 3, 1862, Near Douglass, Texas. Minerva to Dr. Bone: news of family and friends. [image]
Folder 28: One letter, original and photocopy. 2 items.
August 24, 1862, Camp near Washington, Arkansas. Dr. Bone to Minerva: he is tired from his long march from Tyler, health is good since leaving, requests a pair of shoes and more clothes and a small mattress and gloves, they are headed for Little Rock. [image]
Folder 29: Two letters. 2 items.
September 2, 1862, Arkadelphia. Dr. Bone to Minerva: his regiment is hearing encouraging news from the seat of war that the Confederates are winning battles and capturing prisoners and forts, their military post is self-sufficient--little Negro boys make cartridges and boxes, the new Conscript Law will enable her father to stay in Texas and fight only for home protection if needed, everyone has a good appetite and plenty of food. [image]
September 3, 1862, Somewhere in Arkansas. Dr. Bone to Minerva: his regiment was awakened at 2 a.m. to march to an unknown place for an unknown reason, they marched in rain towards Des Arc and camped at Hickory Plains, their baggage wagons did not arrive so they had no dry clothes or tents or food, they hear that the enemy is within 25 miles but he thinks this is incorrect because his troops (numbering 15 - 20 thousand) have not been supplied with cartridges, their wagons arrived finally. [image]
Folder 30: Three letters. 3 items.
September 7, 1862, Nacogdoches County, State of Texas. Minerva to Dr. Bone: she is sending clothes he requested but not shoes. [image]
September 13, 1862, Near Austin, Arkansas, Camp Holmes. Dr. Bone to Minerva: his regiment is entering the war zone, he is resigned to ignore rumors and to let time reveal their movements, one of the regiments that he sees is not doing well because of lack of organization and leadership (Taylor), he is disgusted with those "patriots" who have "bursted their boilers" in the days of Secession and who now just want to go home, he has money now and will send some to her, food and clothing are terribly expensive. [image]
September 21, 1862, Near Douglass, Nacogdoches County, Texas. Minerva to Dr. Bone: she has heard rumors that he will be court martialed for not discharging until he gets to Little Rock and that he will be hung for giving strychnine to a man. [image]
Folder 31: Two letters, two envelopes. 4 items.
October 8, 1862, Camp near Des Arc, Arkansas. Dr. Bone to Minerva: he's enjoying the excitement of being close to the fighting and is studying the effects of the excitement of others in the regiment. [image]
October 14, 1862, Near Hickory Plains, Ark. Dr. Bone to Minerva: he's not sure why they are moving in a circle unless it's to confuse the enemy, there are heavy rains and the men and horses are sick and weary. [image]
Folder 32: One letter, one envelope. 2 items.
October 24, 1862, Camp Holmes. Dr. Bone to Minerva: many men are sick and he is very busy, no prospects of fighting this winter, it's snowing. [image]
Folder 33: One letter. 1 item.
November 15, 1862, Near Douglass. Minerva to Dr. Bone: she's concerned that he has not received her letters. [image]
Folder 34: One letter. 1 item.
November 26, 1862, No place given. Dr. Bone to Minerva: they are making preparations for a permanent camp, his horse will not eat, food is getting scarce. [image]
Folder 35: One letter. 1 item.
December 14, 1862, Near Little Rock, Ark. Dr. Bone to Minerva: he's sending his horse home with a friend and also $325, will not get to come home until spring, was not appointed surgeon to his dismay. [image]
Folder 36: One letter. 1 item.
December 19, 1862, Camp near Little Rock. Dr. Bone to Minerva: they are still in camp "doing nothing as fast as ever" and he does not know what their future is, he has bought a good mule to ride, he thinks he may get to come home since a new surgeon has been appointed. [image]
BOX 2
Folder 1: Two letters, two envelopes. 4 items.
January 8, 1863, Nacogdoches County, Texas. Minerva to Dr. Bone: she received the money and the horse, provisions are low, the draft is coming soon and she is afraid her father will be called, she has heard of a battle at Galveston in which their side took 800 prisoners and some of the stores. [image]
January 17, 1863, Nacogdoches County, Texas. Minerva to Dr. Bone: her father was not called to war, some others were not called because they had Negroes, corn and pork are scarce. [image]
Folder 2: One letter, one envelope. 2 items.
January 21, 1862, Pine Bluff, Ark. Dr. Bone to Minerva: his company has traveled through rain and sleet and snow to fight the Feds but have missed them, much suffering from exposure, hears rumors that soldiers in a Confederate camp have been taken prisoner and that Little Rock will soon be in the hands of the Yankees. [image]
Folder 3: One letter, one envelope. 2 items.
February 6, 1863, Camp near Pine Bluff. Dr. Bone to Minerva: he has plenty of money but provisions are scarce and camp is dull, he will attend a shooting of four soldiers (3 deserters and 1 who shot an officer). [image]
Folder 4: One letter, one envelope. 2 items.
February 6, 1863, Nacogdoches County. Minerva to Dr. Bone: the horse he sent home is getting well. [image]
Folder 5: One letter, one envelope. 2 items.
February 10, 1863, Camp near Pine Bluff. Dr. Bone to Minerva: he had a good meal (hog jaw, peas, butter and buttermilk) when he went out of camp to see a sick soldier, sold his mule, has $525 in his pocket and will send some money home. [image]
Folder 6: One letter, one envelope. 2 items.
February 22, 1863, No place given. Dr. Bone to Minerva: he requests new socks and more letters from home. [image]
Folder 7: One letter, one envelope. 2 items.
February 22, 1863, No place given. Letter from Dr. Bone to J. W. Burk. [image]
Folder 8: Original and photocopy. 2 items.
January 9, 1862, Nacogdoches County. Letter to Dr. Bone from Levicey Hill. [image]
Folder 9: Three letters, one envelope, 5 items.
January 1, 1857, Waco, Texas. R. M. Billingsley to Dr. Bone. [image]
August 11, 1858, Alto, Texas. Jas. G. McKnight to Friend Bob. [image]
February 3, 1862, at home. Asenath M. Paine to Dear Brother. Typescript. [image]
August 5, 1866, M. L. Burl to G. M. Bone. [image]
Folder 10: 2 items.
November 20, 1872, Nacogdoches Co., Texas. Levicey Hill to the Bones. [image]
August 29, 1873, Rusk, Cherokee County, Texas. Levicey Hill to the Bones. [image]
Folder 11: Letters to Dr. Bone from his half sister. 2 items.
December 29, 1861, Near Douglass. Hellena Jones to Dr. Bone. [image]
September 21, 1873, Rusk. H. M. Jones to Dr. Bone. [image]
Folder 12: 6 items.
April 18, 1862, A. A. Hill to Dr. Bone; news about his sick son Watson. [image]
September 8, 1862, Levicey Hill to Dr. Bone;wanting information about some family members. [image]
October 9, 1862, Nacogdoches County, Texas. Levicey Hill to Dr. Bone; news about family and neighbors and feelings about how long the war will last. [image]
October 12, 1862, Nacogdoches County, Texas. J. W. Wade to Dr. Bone; family news. [image]
December 19, 1862, Camp near Little Rock, Arkansas; commendation issued to Dr. Bone by Col. Young's Regiment on the occasion of his resigning. [image]
September 2, 1862, Newsclipping from Arkadelphia Journal Telegram announcing capture of Springfield, Mo. and General Buell. [image]
Folder 13: Poems 2 items.
"Where I am the halls are gilded," probably written by Dr. Bone while in medical school with a letter on the back about Nashville. [image]
"The Capture of 17 of Co. H 4th Cav.," probably written by Dr. Bone after the war. [image]
Folder 14: Two letters, one ticket, one envelope. 4 items.
May 30, [1886], Douglass, Texas. Letter from Eva Wade to Herschell Bone; family matters. [image]
Dec. 31, 1887, Douglass, Texas. Letter to friends of Dr. Bone from a friend of the family telling them to inform Dr. Bone of his brother's death. [image]
Democratic Party ticket, ca. 1884, with account notes penciled on back.
Folder 15: Two letters, two envelopes, one clipping. 5 items.
July 23, 1877, Douglas, Texas: letter to Minerva from her mother, Annie Burke, discussing family health and a desire to see her. Enclosed is a newsclipping of Annie Burke's obituary.
August 4, 1900, Nacogdoches, Texas; letter to Minerva from H. T. Burk telling her of her brother's death. [image]
Folder 16: Items from the Douglass post office during the time that Minerva was post mistress. Receipts, reports, letters, envelopes; July 1, 1866 to Feb. 29, 1868. 18 items.
Folder 17: Booklet of typed transcripts entitled: "Civil War Letters of Dr. Robert Donnell Bone and Griselda Burk Bone". One volume. 1 item.
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