April 29, 1863, Galveston Weekly News
We learn by a gentleman from Hempstead, that the ladies of that county gave a fair on last Tuesday night in Hempstead, for the benefit of Waller’s Battalion the proceeds of which amounted to upwards of TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS. This is the largest contribution we have yet heard of at any one fair, and speaks stronger than any language for the patriotism of Austin county.