Item No. 2994725

This letter was written by Charles H. Palmer to his mother Rhoda R. Palmer on March 23, 1862. In it he discusses how his company will remain independent, how it might become escort for General Frederick Steele, and how they had just been issued “six shooters,” and describes the area around Pilot Knob, Missouri.

Charles was a private serving in Captain Oscar H. Huntley’s independent company of Illinois cavalry. The company was officially Company K, 1st Illinois Cavalry, but never served with the regiment, instead acting in various guard and escort duties in Missouri during its one year of service from December 1861 through December 1862.

Then stationed at Pilot Knob, Palmer opens the letter with relief that his company had not been attached to the 13th Illinois Cavalry, which was then operating in the same area. “[T]hank fortune we have got clear of them,” he writes. “They are the poorest reg that I have seen in the business.” He then looks hopefully toward a new assignment under General Frederick Steele. “General Steele, the commander of this post, is forming a brigade and we and another independent company is to be his body guards.”

Palmer then describes the Pilot Knob area:

Pilot Knob is the pleasantest place that I have seen in Mo. The reason is that it is called Pilot Knob is because there is a great high mountain and a great stone on top of that runs up to a peak. I have been on top of it and could see all over the country. There is 3 little towns within calling distance nestled down in a little valley, and a little brook running through the middle. That is the description of the pilot knob.

In the final paragraph of his letter Palmer writes, “there was one regiment of infantry and a battery left from here this morning.” He adds, “we have got our revolvers. They are six shooters. I do not know where we shall go from here.”

Near the close he writes, “it is getting late and my old bed fellow wants me to come to bed.” He directs her to send letters in care of Captain Huntley.

The letter was written upon three pages of a 4-page letter sheet measuring about 5” x 8”. Excellent condition with light toning. Creased at the original folds. Includes the original postal cover with a 3-cent stamp and Pilot Knob postmark. The full transcript appears below.

Pilot Knob, Mo, March the 23, 1862

Dear Mother
It is with pleasure that I write to inform you that I am well and hope that this will find you the same. We expect to start tomorrow on our journey down south. When I wrote to you before I told you to direct your letters to the 13th Ills Cavalry, but thank fortune we have got clear of them. They are the poorest reg that I have seen in the business.

General Steele, the commander of this post, is forming a brigade and we and another independent company is to be his body guards.

Pilot Knob is the pleasantest place that I have seen in Mo. The reason is that it is called Pilot Knob is because there is a great high mountain and a great stone on top of that runs up to a peak. I have been on top of it and could see all over the country. There is 3 little towns within calling distance nestled down in a little valley, and a little brook running through the middle. That is the description of the pilot knob.

There was one regiment of infantry and a battery left from here this morning. We have got our revolvers. They are six shooters. I do not know where we shall go from here. The weather is cold and blustering. The boys are getting along first rate. I want you to write and tell me how you and the children get along this winter, and how the weather is up there. Write and tell me how Mr. Martin’s folks get along and how the rest of the neighbors get along. Have you been well this winter and have the children been sick any? It is getting late and my old bed fellow wants me to come to bed. Write and answer all my questions and I wait with great anxiety to hear from you.

And may god be with you in your troubles.
From Charlie to his Mother
Rhoda R. Palmer

P.S. direct to Pilot Knob, Mo.
Care Capt. O. H. Huntley
Independent Company A, Ills. Cavalry