Fort Craig, New Mexico
                                       Tuesday, 2^d 1862.
                                       (Probably September, 1862-chw)

Mr. Henry Raguet,

                 Sir
                     I am the Son (the younger) of John W. and Angelina Wynkoop and bear a relationship toward yourself, in consequence of which I have been induced to write to you. I hold a Major's Commission in the Federal service and was at the battle of Apache Canon fought in this Territory between our forces and the Tescans and where your gallant son Henry was killed. Although opposed to one another, fighting on opposite sides--and notwithstanding the relationship comparatively strangers--I could not help feeling a pang knowing that the same blood ran in our veins.
    In consequence of the interest I took in him and his family I endeavored to glean all the information I could in regard to him and from his brother Officers, who were Prisoners within our lines, learned that he was greatly beloved, that there was no more gallant Soldier in the Confederate service, and no Officer whose loss could be more deeply regretted. It was while bravely leading a charge on our battery that he was killed, he was buried in the Masonic Cemetery at Santa Fe. I have been to see his grave and marked it in such a manner that at any time I can recognize it--if at any time you desire to do anything with his remains and I can be of any service, Command me while in this Territory; you can address me through my Mother in Philadelphia - with deep sympathy for your bereavement I remain
                                         Respectfully

                                         [Signed] Edward W. Wynkoop
                                         Major Commandg
                                         1^st Colo. Reg't 215 A
                                         Co. Dept.? at? ?

Source:

Transcript of a letter from the private collection of Randolph Irion McCalla of Texas.

    I'd like to thank a special friend of mine, Shannon Morris, [email protected], of Austin, Texas for her invaluable help over the past several years regarding the Raguet family and their Wynkoop relations. Shannon is the author of Ever Thine Truly: Love Letters From Sam Houston to Anna Raguet, published in 1975 by the Jenkins Garret Press. Shannon is currently at work on another book right now. She has spent countless hours answering my questions about the Wynkoops, Raguets and Irions of Texas and other parts, without a complaint. Shannon, I can't tell you how much I've appreciated your help over the years.

    Shannon sent me a copy of this transcript several years ago, which was typed up by Randy McCalla, the owner, back in 1990. I haven't seen the original letter, so there may be mistakes in it as it's presented above. Shannon and I are currently in the process of tracking down the original and with some luck I'll be able to present a completely accurate transcript sometime in the future.

    I'm sure this was one of the hardest letters Ned Wynkoop wrote in his young life. (He was 26 at the time.) He talks of being induced by his mother into writing Major Raguet's family. Considering that she was in Philadelphia at the time and he was in New Mexico, I think that speaks volumes for how strong a figure she was in his life. I'm also sure that his wife, Louise Brown, used her influence on him as well, although he doesn't specifically say so.

    For the record, Major Henry Wynkoop Raguet, Jr., and Captain Edward Wanshaer Wynkoop were second cousins, both having descended from Judge Henry Wynkoop, of Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

    One final note. Although there is no month given on this transcript, since it was written from Fort Craig, New Mexico, that means it was probably written in September and not December of 1862, (the only two months of that year that the 2nd of the month fell on a Tuesday.) According to a return dated December 20th, 1862, Major Wynkoop, at the time, was in command of the garrison at Colorado City, Colorado and would have been unable to write from Fort Craig, New Mexico.

    Chris