Hutson, Charles J. (1842-1902) to Sarah McLeod
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08165.56 Author/Creator: Hutson, Charles J. (1842-1902) Place Written: Chambersburg, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 28 June 1863 Pagination: 4 p. Order a Copy
Discusses his regiment's movement into Pennsylvania. He has been instructed to observe the Sabbath. They will march to Strasburg tomorrow. Calls the movement into Pennsylvania a "grand expedition" and expects it to be fruitful. Describes Pennsylvania as beautiful and marvels at the apparent lack of impact of the Civil War on the people there. The people there have not refused to sell them foodstuffs and other goods, but his fellow soldiers have engaged in some pillaging that Hutson disapproves of. Hutson was a Corporal in the 1st South Carolina Infantry during the Civil War. McLeod was his mother. Written a few days before Gettysburg.
Bivouac near Chambersburg, Penn;
June 28th 1863 Sunday
My dear Mother-
We crossed the Pennsylvania & Maryland river yesterday morning and travelled about 12 miles into this rich country, bivouacking near this town. Today, we have rested, and endeavoured to observe the 4th Commandment. Mr. Williams preached this evening, in [Peudes] old Brigade and will preach again this evening at six o'clock. The whole army is now together and striking towards the very heart of Penn. I think we will resume the line of march tomorrow in the direction of Harrisburg; occupy that - capital & establish a base of operations - Hooker is behind us and has not caught up yet. This is a grand expedition and I trust will be fruitful of good results to us - [2] This is a rich country and very beautiful - the wheat crops are magnificent and the clover & timothy hay fields are the richest I have ever seen. The war seems to have had no effect on these people & they are living in the most luxurious bounty- We have been pressing splendid horses into service: giving orders on Lincoln and paging Confederate money when they would take it - I have seen the largest & fiercest horses bought here for 100 & 125 dollars- cattle & sheep &c will also be pressed - The people in most instances have not refused to take our money and we have bought chicken, butter, &c &c in abundance at fabulously small rates - But our soldiers on yesterday played havoc around here [3] killing every chicken or hog to be seen & stripping houses of the usual stores of butter, lard, apple butter &c &c - We even have cleared some farm yards. This pillaging has been stopped & the discipline exerted is becoming very strict - but it is almost impossible to prevent men from taking what they want - The people deserve the treatment - but I object to it as having a bad effect on the morale of the army -
I went into a store in a small town yesterday & bought sugar at 20 ct & could have bought any thing in the [shop] of ladies wants, but have no way of carrying any thing - The people are afraid not to take our money - they are completely sub dued & are as [4] polite & [illegible] as possible deploring the man & longing for peace - I trust our [own] of delivering it at hand and God assisting us we may conquer a peace this summer - the mail communication is very precarious now - a mail [bearer] here tomorrow and I send my letter - Do write carefully directing your letter - Much love to Father, Daughter Mackie - & [send] to Aunt Martha & [text loss] & my cousin at [text loss] -
Your loving Son,
Charles J.C. Hutson
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