Centre County Library and Historical Museum - P. Benner Wilson Letters

Capt. Wilson asked about his potential appointment to Major by Gov. Curtin. His unit is patrolling the Virginia countryside looking for 'bush wackers'. Capt. Wilson listed 9 deserter's names from his Company that he wanted his brother to get published in the newspapers and get the Sheriff to arrest them; not doing so is a 'bad effect on the rest of the men'. Capt. Wilson and the 2nd PA Cavalry are always moving.

Capt. Wilson 'never heard such cannonading as there was on Friday'. Capt. Wilson has a very sore finger he is treating it with a 'poultice on it of sugar & soap'. Capt. Wilson predicts 'one great battle soon' given the amount of Union troops coming together.

Capt. Wilson says the letter he received 'done my heart good'; he wants his family to write often. The battle (likely Cedar Mountain) was 'awful'. Five men deserted and Capt. Wilson was sending the list of men back home for publication; he wants them arrested. Virginia countryside is beautiful but desolate. There are many prisoners and about 700 wounded.

Capt. Wilson was recently in two battles with a squadron of two companies. The first was 'the hardest battle we have ever had yet' and 'our loss must be from 10 to 15 thousand'. Capt. Wilson's clothes are almost rags; he has not gotten to his baggage in ten days. He gets 'about one meal a day and some days none'. Capt. Wilson is still waiting to hear from Governor Curtin on his appointment to Major. He deserves it for being 'very active' in the field and doing his duty.

Major Wilson is happy to hear that he will be getting apple butter and butter. Major Wilson thinks there will be a battle in a few days; he wants to enter Richmond before he returns to Bellefonte. Major Wilson hopes they get a chaplain soon because 'it has been a long time since I have heard a sermon'.

It's Major Wilson's birthday but 'it has been very cold and most awful high winds' and he has stayed in his tent. Major Wilson was invited to see the U.S.S. Passaic in the Navy Yards. Washington D.C. is crowded given the court martial of General Porter. Major Wilson wants General Cameron to run for U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania; 'he is the man for that place and for the interest of Penna. and the nation.' Startling news is expected from the Army.

Major Wilson appreciated the apple butter sent to him but now wanted sausage and wurst. Major Wilson is anxious to see the new Pennsylvania Regiments when they get to Washington, D. C. General Burnside was shelling Fredericksburg, VA.

Major Wilson is staying at Colonel Price's Cavalry Brigade headquarters while the 2nd PA Cavalry is out on picket and scouting. After Benner Wilson was promoted to major he had to go through a court martial due to charges by a jealous fellow company commander. Major Wilson was 'honorably acquitted' and 'acted during the battles with great courage'. Major Wilson wants his family to come down to Washington to see him.

Major Wilson's friend in Bellefonte probably died from drinking liquor. Major Wilson said he doesn't think he 'ever will taste a drop as long as I live'; he has also given up chewing so his sister 'will not have to scold me any more for that filthy habit'. Major Wilson wants his sister to come to Washington and they will go riding on horseback.

Major Wilson notes that the 2nd PA Cavalry has not been paid since the end of June with some soldiers not paid since the end of April; the men are uneasy in that they have families that need it very bad. Major Wilson is in temporary command of the 2nd PA Cavalry. Major Wilson wants to see his sister.

Major Wilson went to a Quaker Meeting and mustered his men for their pay; it 'was considerable contrast of duties performed that day'. Major Wilson wishes he were home; two years ago he used to 'spend my evenings pleasantly amongst the ladies in Bellefonte'. Major Wilson notes that ladies 'had better keep a sharp look out for army officers' and not be 'carried away with shoulder straps and brass buttons as it is not all gold that glitters'.

Major Wilson went to church on Sunday 'but did not hear much of a sermon'. Major Wilson told the story of the March 9, 1863 capture of Union General Stoughton and the cold overnight stay in the shed by Union Col. Johnson as part of a rebel raid.