Cincinnatti, Ohio, May 5, 1863

 

"M dear Sister "Martha"

                        We arrived at this place last evening after a pleasant and safe journey. I dropped a letter into the office at Patterson Park on saturday and stated in it that I thought we should not get off that week. But we started at about 7pm and marched to the Harrisburg depot when we took the cars at 9 or a little after. We reached Harrisburg at ¼ of 2 sunday morning and changed cars. We then proceeded on our way through Altoona and other towns We passed on to the Alleghains mountains it is very rocky along through here. It must have been at great expense and labor that this road was built it is cut through solid rock at a great many places and we passed through I should think 6 tunnels. At one place beyond Altoona the road makes a sudden horseshoe bend around a valley and then winds up the mountain side. Just before we turned the / bend we could see the road on the opposite side going back in the opposite direction nearly that we then were proceeding. We wound up around the mountain at a very high elevation at a grade (a driver on the train said) of 100 ft to a mile. The mountain was very steep. far far below was the bottom of the valley. When near the top of the mountain we passed through the tunnel Gill wrote of ¾ of a mile in length we passed by numerous coal mines and past the "Cresson Mountain House" a celebrated watering place and a place of summer resort. We reached Pittsburg at 12m and got our dinner near the depot furnished by the people. I should have stated that our squad numbered a little over 60. After dinner we proceeded to the Provost Marshal's. Supper was furnished us at the Volunteer Refreshment Rooms, City Hall. After which the Lieut' of the Guard the latter of which was composed of four men took us to church after Church we went back to our quarters and laid down till about 12 o'clock when we proceeded to the depot and took the cars. We left Pittsburg at 1am / monday morning We passed many splendid farms on the way, through Cleaveland Columbus and many other towns. The vegetation is much more forward in Ohio. The further we proceeded westward apple and other fruit trees in full blossom and lilack bushes green peas onions &c up about six inches and the farmers busy ploughing and planting Passed Camp Dennison a large hospital or Convalescent Camp, I know not which. We arrived at "Porkopolis" Queen City of the west at 5pm last night and were marched to this "abominable" place a 5 story building abounding in filth and nastiness. We are in the fourth story in a room with a lot of Rebel prisoners and secesh sympathizers. The latter are in the front end separated by a wooden grating. We eat drink sleep wash and do all the rest of our business on the same floor and is thick with dirt and lice and the windows out. In the fifth story right above are "Deserters" and Rebs some with balls and chain, handcuffs. We get but two meals a day. Valindingham ex Congressman that cussed old traitor was brou / ght here this morning he is in the story below. They He was taken at his residence.                                                                                     William.

 

Covington Ky May 5

           

Dear Sister.                                                                             

                        I left off writing this forenoon as we were sent over across the river 35 of us to this place and glad we were to get out of that hole not expecting to get into a worse place. The guards were ordered to take us to the Armory here but by some mistake (owing I presume to the fact of there being 4 or 5 that came from Cincinnati in handcuffs) took us to the Covington Military Prison a lousy old hole (an engine house). But we were soon brought out of it when they found it out and sent to the Armory where we now are where we are all by ourselves without any guards at all I have just eaten a good supper cooked by ourselves, consisting of bread ham baked potatoes syrup and coffee We expect to leave to morrow morning Our reg't were here as some of my company left their names written on the building and tree boxes. Our guards that came on from Baltimore left us at Cincinnati but I must close. I shall probably write again in a few days my love to all the folks Mother, Father &c write soon from your affect Bro  William W Fish

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