LETTER OF PRIVATE PEMBROKE GILSON, CO D. 12TH WISCONSIN INFANTRY Presented here by permission of Russell Scott http://www.agro.agri.umn.edu/~lemedg/12thwis/ltpegils.htm *************************************************************************** This web site and its contents in the format presented, except where otherwise noted on the page, are copyrighted by Debbie Barrett and may not be copied, altered, converted nor uploaded to any electronic system or BBS, nor linked from any "pay-for-view" site, linked in such a manner as to appear to be part of another site including "frame" capturing, nor included in any software collection or print collection of any type without the express written permission of the author of this site, namely, Debbie Barrett. Please report any such violations to Debbie Barrett, mrsgrinnin@home.com. If you are caught in someone else's frame, please go to http://www.rootsweb.com/~wipierce and click on the link provided to free you. ***************************************************************************. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------