Item No. 2434113

This letter was written in March 1865 by Corporal John F. Hutchison of the 209th Pennsylvania Infantry days before the regiment would fight in one of the final attacks of the Petersburg Campaign—the Battle of Fort Stedman. Writing home to his wife in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, Hutchison reports, “last night we got word to march or be ready by 4 o’clock this morning.” He saw the doctor, who “put me on duty” and “said if I could not march the ambulance train would haul me.” The next morning, Hutchison reports, “I was ready to try it,” but he was one of a handful of men detailed to guard the camp. “I am not heartsick,” he contends, “but the rheumatism in my legs and arms in my left leg and right arm and hand I hardly can handle my gun….”

Hutchison continues describing the situation as he saw it in the closing days of the war:

The 9th Corps is all on a move, so the 3rd Division is all out and the word is that the rest of us will go tonight and strike camp somewhere else, or not at all a regular camp—only our shelter tents. It has come the time of year for the summer campaign to begin and the way things look now there will be something done before long, as the sutler and all the mechanics are ordered to the rear—or rather to City Point. It is thought that Sheridan and Sherman is coming in the rear of the enemy, and if that is the case there will be a warm time somewhere along here. The division hospital is all cleaned out and sent to City Point. There is no telling what will be done yet, but trust for the better.

He then laments the lack of mail and mentions that Captain Andrew C. Mensh of his company “started home on a furlough,” and encouraging his wife to tell his family “to go and see him.” Near the close of the letter Hutchison states that he wishes “the war would soon come to a close” and that “I am tired of soldiering.” The end would come soon. After the victory March 25 at Fort Stedman, Richmond and Petersburg remained in Confederate hands only a week more. Hutchison would be mustered out with his regiment May 31 at Alexandria.

The letter was written on four pages of a 4 1/2” x 7 1/4” bifolium letter sheet. It is in excellent condition with light toning. Creased at the original mailing folds. Included is the original stamped cover with March 17 Washington postmark. The full transcript appears below:

March 15th 1865
Camp Meads Station

Dear wife
I now sit down to write a few lines to you to let you know how I am. I am not very well at present. Last night we got word to march or be ready by 4 o’clock this morning. I went to the doctor but he put me on duty. He said if I could not march the ambulance train would haul me. This morning I was ready to try it, but when the company was formed there was three to be left to guard the camp and I was one. I am not heartsick, but the rheumatism in my legs and arms in my left leg and right arm and hand I hardly can handle my gun, and so I am left in camp with so few of us. All other times I was along.

The 9th Corps is all on a move, so the 3rd Division is all out and the word is that the rest of us will go tonight and strike camp somewhere else, or not at all a regular camp—only our shelter tents. It has come the time of year for the summer campaign to begin and the way things look now there will be something done before long, as the sutler and all the mechanics are ordered to the rear—or rather to City Point. It is thought that Sheridan and Sherman is coming in the rear of the enemy, and if that is the case there will be a warm time somewhere along here. The division hospital is all cleaned out and sent to City Point. There is no telling what will be done yet, but trust for the better.

I have not received a letter from you in several days, but we have not had a mail in a day or two. I put off writing on the account of the mail not coming in this morning. Yesterday Captain Mensh started home on furlough. He will be home 15 or 16 days. If pap or any of the folks goes to Bloomsburgh tell them to go and see him. He can tell how the boys are getting along. I sent to John H. Gratz a block of boxwood and a paper with some rings in it. Send down with someone and get them. I sent them in your name. I do not know what more to write. I wish the war would soon come to a close. I am tired of soldiering, but today our time is half out. Six months today since we left Harrisburg and we will have to serve one year from the time the regiment was formed, but our time is paid to the time of enlistment—that is, the first of last September. I must come to a close by saying I often think of you—how that soft hand used to bathe my legs and arms two years ago, but here I have to take it rough and tumble, but hope to return agin home to you and my sweet little lambs. The mail just came in and no news for me. No more at this time, but hoping to write soon again. Write soon.
From your Husband
John F. Hutchison