Head Quarters First Division, Military District of Kentucky,

Prestonsburg Lexington Ky. Sept 23^rd 1864.

 

            We arrived at this place about dinner time making the fourth days march from Mt Sterling. A courier is going in the morning to Louisa and I presume they have a mail from that station to civilization. I shall start my letter at all events but can give you no news about our movements as this may fall into the hands of the rebels before it reaches its destination. Genl B has not yet joined me but I expect him certainly tomorrow. We are all well and less fatigued with our marching than I expected. From this point we expect to have a little harder times and / more rapid marching. From all that I can learn our prospects for success are very good if we only move with promptness. I regret my delay at this point, and if the expedition was under my exclusive command I would be miles from here at this time.

 

            I take it for granted that you have reached home all safe and well, and hope you are enjoying your visit. You must stay as long as you choose, and when you go to Glendale try and make your arrangements to join me again when I return to Lexington. When that will be I cannot now tell but I hope it will not be long. Perhaps Genl Goodloe may / have succeeded in getting a good bargain out of Mr Bell, and if so we can go to housekeeping after a fashion for the winter. I should enjoy such living I am very sure. It would be like our Brooks Station only much more comfortable. Bells place has taken a strong hold upon my fancy, and if it could only be transported to Ohio I would make a great effort to get hold of it permanently. Kentucky is hardly safe as a residence so long as the guerrillas remain. We have found but very few on our march thus far and have only lost one man killed. The Kentucky union troops make but short work of bushwhackers when they / get hold of them and they do not observe any mercy. The regular confederate soldiers shall always be treated by me with all their rights of war, but that class of men who infest this as guerrillas I will punish wherever I find them, with all the severity which the curtain of war permits. We have had some [?] scenes at some of our stopping places which would have made you stare. One night we had a dance that is some of the officers danced with the girls of the house but I only looked on. It was a rich sight to see these mountain girls & their citizen beaus show of all their refinements in the dancing line. I laughed as much as I danced & they seemed highly delighted at our appreciation of their skill & grace. When I see you I will try and give you some idea of

 

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their movements. Do not expect to hear from me again until I return to Ky, which I hope will be soon. Love to your mother & all the girls and children with kisses and warmest love for darling wife

N. C. M^cLean

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