Letter, 30 June 1863, James Risque Hutter (1841-1923) to George Christian Hutter (1793-1879)

Letter, 30 June 1863, James Risque Hutter (1841-1923) to George Christian Hutter (1793-1879)

Letter written by J. Risque Hutter, Captain 11th Virginia Infantry, while on the Gettysburg Campaign.

Hutter writes his father that he has been made provost marshall of Chambersburg, Pa. and thus responsible for keeping order while Lee's army is there. He recounts the friendly nature of the people he meets, getting invited to eat with local families, and being nearly in love with a young woman there. He talks about the local Pennsylvanians are surprised the Confederates are not burning their homes. He discusses being made senior captain of the regiment.

He refers to Gettysburg erroneously as "Gettysville."

Three days later at the Battle of Gettysburg, during Pickett's Charge, Hutter was wounded and captured. He was sent to Johnson's Island prisoner of war camp where he spent 18 months in captivity.

Hutter, James Risque

Donated by Janie Preston Walton
Hutter descendant

Historic Sandusky-University of Lynchburg

1864

Permission to publish or reproduce required
inquire at info@historicsandusky.org

ink on paper, 7 5/8" x 11 7/8"

en-US

My Dear Pa,
     We have now been camped at this place for three days our Division having been left behind for what purpose even if I knew I would not say as the Yankees are in our rear and frequently capture our mail carriers. Since my sojourn here the responsible position of Provost Marshal of Chambersburg has been conferred upon me. I therefore have a great deal to do with the citizens and find them generally strong unionists. We allow them to express their opinions freely and protect their private property. I am very popular with them and they treat me kindly, invite me to eat with them etc., etc. and Pa to tell you truly I am almost in Love with a sweet little Pennsylvanian a thorough going unionist tho a little woman of good sense remarkably pretty etc. how would you like the match? A gentleman gave me a copy of cousin William’s paper. He cousin W. is a Peace democrat and very bitter in his denunciations of the Lincoln administration. A Mr. Wright introduced himself to me who has a brother married to miss Maria Hutter. He says a sister to Cousin Edwin I remember you told me that one of them married a Wright. Yesterday I rec’d two deat letters from home, one from Bro & ____ dated 7th June. another from dear Ma dated 15th June our troops are in splendid fighting trim and we hope to give glorious accounts of ourselves. The Yankees are much (or rather the citizens) surprised at our treatment we burn no houses or barns are threat them as we do our own citizens. We take what we want for our army and pay them in our money. Gen’ Lees headquarters were this morning between this place and Gettysville. Tho he moved to day. Every thing is scarce here that is such things as Calico silk shoes, etc. and Genl Lee does not allow us to force the people to take our money only for such articles as are necessary for our own use. My best Love to dear Ma, Ada & Bro. Dr. Grigsby and I am almost inseperable. I like him very much indeed. He and I called on several ladies when we were in Clarke County. I have been declared by the War Dept. the Sr. Capt. 11th VA & entitled to the majority over Clements as soon as Col Funston’s resignation is recd by Genl Kemper officially I will take the title. I am now drawing pay as such and the mail is about going off so I must close good by in haste, Love to all God bless you, Your affectionate Son J R Hutter