CIVIL WAR LETTER - 121st Pennsylvania, Rebels Destroy Railroad Bristoe Station

Description

CIVIL WAR LETTER
Written by Soldier in
121st Pennsylvania
This Civil War soldier letter was written by James Hilton (1833-1864) who emigrated to Philadelphia from England with his parents as a youngster. His father, John Hilton (1817-1886), was a carpet weaver by profession. By 1860 the family had settled into Philadelphia’s 23rd Ward and James was apprenticed to a wheelwright. James wrote these letters to his mother, Amelia Simpson (1821-1893).
In August 1862, days apart, both father and son enlisted in
121st Pennsylvania
. James was mustered into Co. I and his father into Co. K.  His father would survive the war but sadly James would not. James was taken prisoner on 5 May 1864 in the Battle of the Wilderness—just days after the second letter—and he died at the POW Camp in Florence, South Carolina, on 1 October 1864.
TRANSCRIPTION
Bristoe Station, Va.
October 26, 1863
Dear Mother,
I received your letter and was glad to hear from you and to know that you was all well as [is] father and myself at present and hope that this will find you all the same.
Mother I think that there will have to be another engagement between Lee and Meade before we can have another winter quarters. I think that it is near time that we was in them for it is very cold nights and mornings here.
We was on the march last Saturday and it rained all day and the mud was up over shoe top and we had to wade in a creek which was up to the knees. It was very cold I can tell you but the worst of it was when I had got half way over it, my feet struck a stone and away I went full length, gun and all. I tell you it was a very cold bath and it was near dark but soon we halted. We had a good fire and it was not long before I got all dried and laid done in the blankets—Thomas and myself.
Bent railroad tracks
Mother the rebels have done sad work down here with the railroad. They have torn up all of the track and burnt the sleepers [ties], then put the track on them and bent them double. But there is men a working on the track and will soon have it all right again in running order. There is plenty of rebels buried around where we are and some of ours too.
John Heap does not have to go in any fight for he is with the wagons. I am very glad to hear that [my brother] John Henry is getting so big that he can wear my coat. I would like to see him with it on and in fact to see all of you, but I suppose that I will have to wait.
It is one year ago today since we left Sharpsburg. I remember it well. It was on a Sunday. It rained and mud was up over shoe top.
Father wants you to send him postage stamps in your next letter as he has not got any. Mother it is very likely that we will have to leave before long as there is heavy cannonading out in front now. You might send me a little money in you next letter. Thomas Simpson sends his best love to you all and so does father and accept mine with his. No more at present from your affectionate son. — James Hilton
Give my best respects to H__ and the girls. Goodbye.
TERMS
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