Letter, 18 April 1865, James Risque Hutter (1841-1923) to an unidentified woman

Letter, 18 April 1865, James Risque Hutter (1841-1923) to an unidentified woman

James Risque Hutter writes to a woman he met while a prisoner at the U.S. Military Prison in Washington D.C. (likely the Old Capital Prison) likely a woman visiting the prison to bring food and sundries to captive soldiers there. This is shortly after his capture at the Battle of Five Forks on 1 April 1865. Hutter asks her for her photograph. He also expresses a love for his country and his service.

A member of the prison guard wrote on the letter that Hutter could only write about family affairs, not military ones, which likely accounts for the letter being undelivered and remaining in Risque Hutter's family until 2020.

April 18^th 1865

God only knows when we may meet again – in the meantime, I hope you will not forget our acquaintance formed at the U.S. Military Prison at Washington. Our promised correspondence will tend to remind the one of the other. Tho there will be so many restrictions that I almost feel as if it were denied us altogether. Think not strangely of me for presuming to ask for your photograph – also a correspondence. You granted my requests tis true, knowing that I would understand your motives, I know your reasons for so doing. You have brothers fighting in the same ranks and under the same colors with myself. Your whole soul is interested in the cause for which I fought and now that I am unfortunate. You with that self sacrifice so characteristic of the noble woman feel it your duty to do all in your power to comfort and console the kindness extended to one at your hands were for the cause I have expressed. Do not for a moment believe that I have attributed your kindness and favor to other imperatives. I assure you I have not. I feel and appreciate those in the same spirit in which they were given and pray that Honor (?) will be your reward.

Pardon my rebellious heart however _ if it doesn’t trespass upon the patriotic and Christian duties you perform. If it saw you in a different light from that in where you appeared and dared to venture upon that rough and stormy sea of Love. I have and will do are in my power to support the feeling to still the young currents and await the storm. The feeling of love I never experienced but once and I have thought much if I would now know it again situated as I am (a soldier of a subjugated people) I feel it my duty to engender no other feeling than love of country if that country is free. The shameful, malicious, and outrageous occurrences of the last evening. The assassination of Abe L. has changed our status and we must now patiently bide our time in prison till our country is free or till we are bound to the South by the yoke of despotism. Good bye God bless you. Read and destroy.

 

On side of page:

Col. Hutter

            Sir

              You should write only on family affairs, no mentions of military affairs are allowed by the prison regulation.

                                                                                                Resp. by order of the supt. Perle