"Camp Nelson" Ky Aug 30 1863

 

"My dear Mother"

            I presume you have received my letter written sat 22^nd and my two pictures I do not know but the glass may have got broken. It is a very good picture. I consider it the best one I have had taken. I have not received a letter from home since the 17^th but will wait patiently for one. I wrote you that we expected to go to Hickmans Bridge. We are about 4 miles from there. We broke camp at Covington on wed the 26 and left in the train that evening and arrived at Nickolassville a distance of 112 miles at midnight and unloaded. I slept the remainder of the night in a barn. I presume you would like to know what kind of a place it is. It is about the size—I should judge—of 'Squog and nearly all that is done here pertains to the Army. Supplies are brought to this point by rail and taken to the various points from here in teams, although I understand there is a bridge military railroad to the bridge. We are having cold weather here at present. the nights are very chilly one lady at a house near here said she had not known it to be so cold at this season. How is it / in Boston. The boys are quite sickly at present and they are glad to get back to Old Kentucky The 9^th N.H. had but 70 men fit for duty yesterday. The 11^th is considered the healthiest reg't in the Corps it has—the adjutant says—370 fit for duty The fever and ague is the principal cause. I am in good health Gill is picking up. Alek Hutchinson is rather slim. he is now waiting for his furlough papers to come back. I wrote you that they were going for granting furloughs pretty extensively There are five now waiting for their papers to come back in this Co. There is also a detail made from this reg't of 9, 3 commissioned 3 non commissioned and 3 privates, to go to New Hampshire and bring out conscripts to this reg't Lieut Clark is going home in charge of the squad. He is now acting Adjutant. "Hoggish" O Dudley is acting Colonel Col Collins being sick at Covington Maj. Fear gone home. Col Harriman I understand is reappointed to his old place and to report to his reg't on the first of next month. What a cheering there will be when he comes. He is the privates friend. I expect we will stop here three or four weeks and then go down into east Tennessee Lieut Clark expects to leave to morrow

 

I will send two or three pictures in this and will send some more soon. I will send Aunt Harriet one soon. Please write me in your next the / the name of the street and the number of the house you reside in. Is Charley still in Manchester if he is he must be getting about sick of the Mill. I do not hardly dare to write him at that place for fear he may be with the folks. Tell him I would like to have him write and send that picture he was going to send. Fruit such as apples peaches melons &c are quite plenty here. If you see Billy Harvey tell him I would be glad to hear from him as I have forgotten his address. Tell Sumner and Eddie I have not forgotten them that I often think of them. I do not think of much more to write. Please excuse all mistakes and write soon as I am anxious to hear whether you have got those pictures yet. Give my love to all. From your brother,

                                                                                                           

William W.

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