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Lexington Ky May 6 (1863

 

Dear Father,

                        We arrived at this place at about 11.30am. We left Covington at 6.30am and passed through Cynthiana Paris &c. This is a beautifull country through here. Paris is the place my reg't marched from to Mt Sterling. They passed through Lexington yesterday on their way to Columbus. We are now in an "engine house" but expect to leave to night. This is quite a city. Larger I should judge from what I have seen of it than Manchester I wrote Mother while in Cincinnati and Covington. The have it in the "Cincinnati Comercial" that we are "straglers" instead of convalescent from the Hospital It had it that 34 stragglers and 6 "deserters" of the 9^th Army Corps passed through and were marched to the Military Prison. They will be sent to their regt's. This was in the Covington items. But as I stated in my last we were soon released and we went to the Armory where we stopped till this morning / We being trusted to our honor to be all there in the morning and we were all there. The Military Authority are doing a good business arresting "Secesh Spies", Secesh females and sending them out of the lines But I do not know of much more to write at present. from

William

 

Lexington Ky. May 8  1863

 

Dear Sister                                                                                                      

                        I now sit down to pen a few lines. We still remain here awaiting transportation. But I guess we shall get off to morrow. We have been having damp cloudy weather but cleared off to day. I see by the papers that Hooker has been giving battle to the Gray backs. I hope he will be successfull. But we seem to have conflicting accounts I hardly know where our reg't is at the present time as they have been moving about so, lately. But think it is in the vicinity of Cumberland Gap. The 48^th NY is doing Provost duty at this place. I saw one of the 13^th NH here. The 13^th is at Suf- / folk, Va, I believe. I have not been around this place much. This city I understand is all mined so it can be blown up. The guards continue to arrest suspicious characters spies &c The jail is opposite us in back. The water is not very good here This is a splendid country out this way. Mr Rosecrans one of our number, wrote the Editors of the Cincinnati Comercial in relation to the item in that paper reflecting on us, as we do not wish to be considered and treated as straglers. There are many darkeys in this place. The men of the 48 NY here frequently go out into the country here "scouting" mounted and dressed in Citizens clothes. I wrote you in my last some account of our journey. We left most nearly half of our number that came on at Cincinnati in that prison. I presume you read in the paper an account of the arrest of Copperhead Vallidigham and the Riot at Dayton, O. I believe I wrote in my last of "Smoky Pittsburg". every thing is covered with smoke and / it is a dirty nasty looking city. I understand that Gen' Fererro has resigned his command of our Brigade. On our way from Covington hither we passed through two tunnels I wrote in my last of the railroad as it passed over the Alleghanys. I assure you it was a beautifull sight to look down far below into the valley as we wound up on the edge of the mountain. But I believe I will close for the evening. from your affect

Brother William.

 

Lexington, Ky May 10/63

           

My dear Sister,

                        This is a pleasant day we still remain here. There appeared to be a mistake somewhere The Lieut and four guards came as far as Cincinnati with us. And from there to here we had no officer in charge of us The Provost or some said they thought we belonged to the 44^th Ohio and were waiting for horses. We expect to leave in the morning. One of the 51^st NY was here this forenoon on his way home on a furlough he says there are 25 of my reg't here on their way on furlough of 10 days. We hear glorious news of the taking of Richmond which I hope is true. This is a pretty place and there are beautifull girls here, some of the prettiest women I ever saw are here. There are a great many negroes here. Our brigade I understand is 44 miles from here at Lowell But I will now close. My love to all till you hear from me again            William           William

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