A native of New York, Charles P. Hutchinson moved to Wenona, Illinois, before the war. A farmer, he enlisted as a musician in the 44th Illinois Infantry on July 1, 1861.1 The regiment participated in General John C. Fremont’s campaign in southwest Missouri in the fall of 1861. It was also engaged in the Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas on March 7-8, 1862. Like many units in the region, the 44th Illinois was transferred east of the Mississippi River after Pea Ridge. Hutchinson however, remained behind in Rolla due to sickness. By the end of May 1862, Hutchinson had recovered enough to rejoin his regiment, but he remained in Rolla awaiting the paymaster. He described life in the large military camp there in a letter to his brother, Edgar Hutchinson, in Ottawa, Illinois, on May 28.

Hutchinson reported that his health had improved but he was tired of being Rolla. “I must soon join the Regmt I have nothing to do here but look after my Self. I have not done any Druming for three months.”2 There were many wounded and sick men in the camp, many of them with terrible wounds as Hutchinson described, “some of them with a leg off, some with one arm off, and some with both an arm and leg gone. Others with one or both eyes out.”3 Although eager to rejoin his regiment, Hutchinson hoped to receive a furlough so he could spend the Fourth of July at home.

Since Rolla was a major supply depot for the Union army, it was a favorite target of guerrillas. In the same letter, Hutchinson reported on the havoc they caused,

three trains left here with suplies for the Army one after the other was attacked 30 Miles from here mules turned loose and waggons and contents Burned up. the last train 92 waggons was attacked 30 miles out. yesterday Burned 12 of them when our boys pitched in to them at it yet Bushwhacking around the waggons Guerillas comanded by Coleman [Thomas Coleman “Cole” Younger]
Charles P. Hutchinson letter to Edgar Hutchinson – May 28, 1862

Charles P. Hutchinson was killed in action at Missionary Ridge on November 25, 1863. He left behind his widowed mother Lydia. Hutchinson had financially supported her both before and after his enlistment. She received a pension of $8.00 per month for her son’s service.4

Contributed by the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield

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1. “Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls Database,” Illinois State Archives, http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/databases/home.html
2. Charles P. Hutchinson, Letter to Edgar Hutchinson, 28 May 1862, WICR 30985, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Republic, Missouri.
3. Charles P. Hutchinson, Letter to Edgar Hutchinson, 28 May 1862, WICR 30985, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Republic, Missouri.
4. “Case Files of Approved Pension Applications of Widows and Other Dependents of Civil War Veterans, ca. 1861 – ca. 1910,” www.fold3.com