october the 4th

 

Dear frinds it with plasure that I attempt to write to you to let you know were i am i am in kentucky

 

[commences in another hand]

 

about 40 miles from Louisville. we started from there on the first and are now 9 miles from Bardstown where the enemy are in force. I think we will have a battle there soon we may go there to day or to morrow we have just heard that they have 7500 men there I suppose we have twice that number. There are a great many negroes here they want to go along with us some have come into our lines but our Co put them out yesterday 

 

Camp Seymo we had orders to move this morning but they were countermanded and we are going to kill some cattle and have some fresh beef we have had no beef since we left Camp Dennison we have passed some very good country what corn there is looks very well but there is not much of it tell Peter Cornely I think he will do well with his tobacco for what I have seen here is of no account. I want to know what Hatcher has done with that note if he has not pushed I want him to. I left a pair of boots at Slagles I want you to see about them / they may be at Mooreytown

 

Cousin Mary

                        As Cyrus has been writing to you I thought I would write you a few lines I am well at present and like Soldiering very well although carrying an knapsack is very hard. the boys have thrown away blankets overcoats shoes shirts drawers and almost every other kind of clothing they are to heavy for us to pack. When you write direct to Louisville to follow the 50^th Reg O.V.I.

Clay Pettijohn

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