Stanford, Ky June 3 1863

           

Dear Father

                        I received yours and Mothers kind letters dated 17^th 26 this morning and was happy to hear from you after so long a time—nearly 5 weeks. Mother stated that Martha had written me and directed to Baltimore. I have not received it yet. I thought I informed you in my letter how to direct Just put on the Co. Reg't, 2^nd Brigade, 2^nd Division 9^th Army Corps, via Cincinnati. I am well. The boys hardly knew me I had fleshed up so. Lieut Clark is well as also Wilkins Ben [faded] and the rest. Gill is well but is quite poor in flesh. He is not so heavy as I am. He weighs 139 lbs I weigh 144½ I understand that Col Harriman has resigned he is here, but is not in command of the reg't. The boys think a great deal of him. He has been acting as Brigadier. It is reported that there has been charges brought against him for bringing the Reg't off from picket at Fredericksburg without orders. I received that dollar you sent also two stamps. We expect to get paid this / week as the pay master is paying off the troops around here so you need not send any more I should not have sent for any if I had known we were to be paid so soon. Gen'l Frererro is back here again in command. I think he is in command of the division. We are expecting to leave this place before many days in the direction of Cumberland Gap or somewhere else We were ordered to hold our selves in readiness to move with 8 days rations, dispence with all unnecessary clothing. And the officers had to give up their wall tents with the exception of 3 or 4 tents. Our brigade brigade is not all here The 35^th Mass and 51^st Pen^? is here with us. The boys get flour here and make into doughnuts pancakes biscuits &c We have just sold our oxen and cart on account of an order by Frerrero against having any teams or irregular conveyances. We got $60 for the team I wrote you last thursday the 28^th there is some game here such as foxes gray squirrels partridges rabbits &c The trees are black walnut beech locust cottonwood butternut butternut &c. There is also cane here such as is used for fishing poles &c 

 

Tell Mother she has not sent me her picture yet. I hope that Grant will meet with good success at Vicksburg. We have had some rain lately. There are some blackberries out here still green just now in blossom and forming I have not seen any blueberry bushes There are some strawberries cultivated here but have not seen any wild Strawberries are now up. Capt Dudley has got back. I received a Weekly Mirror from Thos Gay I wish you could send me a paper occasionally. Burnside I hear has removed his Head Quarters to Hickman's bridge at the Kentucky River. But I do not think of much more to write at present. So I will close                                    

William

 

Cairo, Ill. June 7, 1863

            Dear Father

                        You no doubt will be greatly surprised to hear from me at this place We received orders to march wednesday afternoon, and left about 5pm on a forced march. We marched till 12 at night about 16 miles, a few miles beyond Lancaster. We turned into a field and rested till / about 4 next morning, when we started again. We reached Nickolasville between 5 and 6pm a distance of 33 miles. There were a great many sore and blistered feet I assure you. We were ordered to report at Nickolasville on thursday night and for  this reason we were marched pretty hard. We stopped here a short time and then took the train for Covington. We passed many pretty places Peach trees are pretty well loaded with fruit. they are now about the size of English walnuts. I got a good breakfast at the home of a citizen a few miles from Covington where we stopped at a town which cost me nothing. Reached Covington friday forenoon marched through the town took the boat and crossed over to Cincinnatti and went to the Soldiers home where we got dinner. Saw Charley and Reub here Their battery is along with us and 35^th Mass and other reg'ts I understand are behind on the way. Our destination is supposed to be "Vicksburg". Stopped a few hours here when we took the train and left between 4 and 5pm rode all night and reached Vincennes / on the Wabash the boundary between Indiana and Illinois Saturday morning and got our breakfast here of warm bread and coffee. We then started on passing into Illinois It is a beautifull sight I assure you to pass through the large "praries" and look off as far as you can see and only see a level plain and to see the herds of cattle grazing. The town of "Noble" is situated on one of the praries. We stopped at this place a short time. Butter sells here for 6 and 8 cts a lb eggs I think hear are 5 cts a doz. We reached Sandover in the afternoon where we changed cars going on to the Illinois Central road. Stopped for supper at Centralia a few miles beyond. After which we started on. "Centralia" is 290 / miles from Cincinnatti. We arrived at Corinth this morning early. I dont think I can give you a very good description of this place if I should undertake it. It is a nasty low sunken hole situated as it is at the junction of the Ohio and Mississippi. I think you will find a description of this place in my scrap book given by the correspondent of the Journall some time ago. The river water is used for drinking purposes. We expect to take the boat to night or to morrow for Vicksburg from 5 to 600 miles distant. It may be that Grant will not need us. Orderly Layford has got back he has been home. I may be in Vicksburg by the time you get this I understand we are to be paid here or else on the boat. I will try to write you again soon Direct to Washington till you hear from me again or else to Cincinn

 

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atti dont make much difference. But I will close. My love to all from

                                                                                               

William

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