Covington Ky Aug 14^th 1863

 

Dear Sister

 

            I received your letter of the 9^th yesterday. It is the first one I have received from home since the 6^th of July. I have received papers and also the letter paper and the other package you sent. I have received that Lowell Journal containing an account of the death of Henry Ball. also a Boston Recorder in a new dress. The new head dress is quite an improvement. You will perceive by the heading of my letter that we have got back to Kentucky once more. I wrote a letter to you while we were aboard the boat and it was put ashore at Memphis so I / suppose you have got it before this. We came up the river safely and landed at Cairo on the 10^th and took the cars for Cincinnati. We had a beautiful ride through the country. The people were all friendly and cheered us and waved their handkerchiefs quite different from what our experience has been down south. When we got to Cincinnati we had a good dinner provided for us by the citizens and then we came over the river to Covington. How long we are to stop here we do not know. We expect to advance soon with Gen Burnside at our head into East Tennessee. Before we left Mississippi Gen Grant issued a General order thanking us for our services in holding Johnston in check during the siege of Vicksburg and stating / that we drove him from his position on the Big Black and drove him to Jackson and after a siege of eight days compelled him to evacuate that place. So he ordered that the different regiments of the Ninth Corps should have Vicksburg and Jackson inscribed on their banners.

 

You mention the death of Uncle Marvin in your letter and from the way you speak of it I conclude you had written about it in a former letter. I was quite surprised to learn of his death I thought he would be able to stand it.

 

I received four stamps in your letter but have not got three mother sent yet but I presume I shall sometime.

 

My health is good and the rest of / the Harvard boys are well. I heard from Leavitt the other day he was getting better. I suppose Joseph Haskell and William Dunn will join us again now we have got back here. But I believe I have about written out so with much love to you all I will close.

 

From your brother

E. W. Stacy.

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