The Old Jail Museum is proud to include among its collection a letter written by W. H. Cross to his son J. W. in 1861. Cross died soon afterwards in the Battle of Shiloh on Sunday, the last day of the fight.
Mr. Cross writes: " God in peace which let me enjoin you as your affectionate father if we (n)ever meet again on earth, do, do try to meet me in Heaven where we will enjoy uninterrupted happiness while eternity's ages shall roll around us and, my Son, if it pleases God to show you the light of His countenance reconciled through Jesus Christ our Lord. Do not forget to instruct your little sisters and brothers in the way of life for the duties of brother, son and father devolve upon your shoulders in my absence and in all human probability I may never return..."
Descendants of Cross include South Sebastian County's Stanfill family. This letter can be found in its entirety at the Museum in the desk reference in the entry room. The desk reference contains many touching Civil War stories of South Sebastian County families.
