Weston, Mo. Jan. 29 1862
Dear Brother Charlie
I received our kind letter
today and was very glad to hear from you. It found me in pretty good health.
We have been here two weeks. To day we had a pretty hard time coming here.
When we got to Quincy, we marched 25 miles with all our traps on to the
banks of the Mississippi river opposite Hannibal and we stayed out doors
al night and sit by the fires to keep warm without any sleep for the boat
was froze up and it took all night and half of the next day to get the
boat loose and about 4 o'clock we [?] the river to Hannibal and we stayed
there that night and the next morning they put us on board of the fight
trains and we rode all night and day without any fire and it was very cold
so it was all we could do to keep warm. The 13th and 19th passed through
there on their way to the fort and a Reg. of Cavalry from Ohio came here.
It came from the Western Reserve. We have pretty good times here now but
it will be harder after a while. This is the most desolate place I ever
saw. It is mostly forsaken by secessionists when we came here. About one
half of the houses in the place was empty but we occupy some of them.
We have got a good set
of officers, or at lest e think. We could not be suited any better. You
spoke of drinking. I have not touched a drop of liquor since I enlisted
and I never intend to and I think I am able to resist the temptation. Walace
is the same old boy and he is well and hearty. Mrs. Norton is not here
but we expected she would go with us but she would not go without Walace's
wife would go, but she had a small child so she could not go. You spoke
of Josephine. When I was at home. She wanted I should write to her. I told
her I would and a few days ago. I wrote a letter to her. She is a nice
girl and so are the rest of the family. Norman and Edwin is well and tough.
We do not think we shall have much to do yet awhile. We do not have much
excitement here. Once in a while there is a prisoner taken and contraband,
in the shape of horses and Negros, but I cannot think of much more to write
this time.
Direct P. E. Gilson, Co. D. 12th Regiment W. V.
Western Platte Co. Missouri
From your affectionate brother.
P. E. Gilson
Co. 12 the R.
W. V.
From the Wisconsin Historical Society
AUTHOR Gilson, Pembroke E.
TITLE Civil War letter, 1862.
: MAD 4 /16/D1
CALL NO. Wis Mss 230S
