Camp Dick Robinson Ky Apr 18^th 1863.

 

Dear Father

 

At last I have caught up with the regiment. I arrived here safe and sound this afternoon. When we arrived at Cincinnati I wrote to mother. We left there the afternoon of the day I left, and crossed the river to Covington and stopped over night. Here I saw a peach tree in blossom the first I had seen. Friday morning we left Covington by the Kentucky Central Railroad for Lexington which place we reached about noon it being 100 miles from Covington. This days journey was through a splendid country. It / is fully equal to any I had seen along the route. When we got to Lexington we were quartered in a hall that used to be the armory of the Lexington Rifles. One of the citizens who keeps a store in the basement said it was used by John Morgan the famous guerilla as a drill room for his company.

 

During the afternoon a company of cavalry brought in 26 rebel prisoners. Most all of the citizens and negroes in the street followed along after them. In the hall with us were several refugees from Tennessee. They came to Lexington to enlist in the U.S. service. They said the rebels undertook to put their conscription in force and they determined they would not stand it. We left Lexington about 7 oclock in the cars for Nicholasville about 12 miles from Lexington. We stopped overnight / at N and this morning set out on foot for Camp Dick Robinson 15 miles distant. There was about forty of us and we the day was splendid just the day for a walk although it was rather warm in the middle of the day. Peach orchards are in full bloom and the trees are just beginning to leave out. Most of the way country is level and the soil rich and no rocks and ledges to be seen. I have heard you say that there could be any better land than that about the middle of Groton. Well the land for miles is just as good as that or better. The road to camp is a turnpike and there are toll gates and taverns along the road. It made me think of what I have folks tell of old times. People go to mill horseback and ride that way a good deal. you will see horse / blocks before the doors. About noon we arrived at the Kentucky river and stopped and took something to eat and then started on again and arrived here safe and sound.

 

Sunday morning Apr 19

I did not finish my letter last night as it was rather late. I had a good nights rest last night and this morning feel quite refreshed. I stood the journey very well only I got a little footsore.

 

Please direct my letters to Co. G 36 Regt Mass Vols. Burnsides Department via Cincinnati Ohio. I found the Harvard boys all well.

                                                                                   

From your son

E. W. Stacy.

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