Philadelphia May 28^th 1863

 

Dear Lena

                        Being disappointed in seeing you the morning I left Louisville I intend to give you a short history of my [?] to this time. Left the prison at Louisville on the morning of the 26^th at 6 Oclock, crossed the Ohio at Jeffersonville started on the cars for Cincinnatti at 7, landed in cincinnatti about 12 started from there about 10 that night & landed at Baltimore this morning about 5 reaching here about 2 Oclock this evening You have no idea the great regret I felt in being compelled to leave Louisville that morning before I could see you I know your disappointment was great in not finding me when you arrived. I have enjoyed myself since I left Louisville very well considering the circumstances/ the officer & guard who had me under charge treated me well they are amongst the best men I ever saw. I do not know for how long I will remain at Fort Delaware (the next point to which I will be sent) but probably not long from fort Delaware we will in all probability be sent to City Point for an exchange

 

There are nine of us here together viz Col Brewer, Majors Thompson, Ramsay, Barclay, Capt Edwards, Lieutenants Allan, Black & your humble servant. They are gentlemen (save the last) in every sense of the word & am much indebted to them for many acts of kindness & generosity. I cannot say with any degree of certainty when I will come & see you again certainly not while the same amount of severity is practised towards all who/ would entertain a southern rebel I have no good opportunity to write having to seat myself on the floor with my saddle bags on my lap with the din of some 50 voices ringing in my ears

 

the Captain in authority here informs us we leave tomorrow for fort Delaware. So Good bye Dearest Kiss Magga & Charley for me Tell them to be good Children & not to forget that Pa prays to God every night that our seperation may be of short duration, that we may soon meet again never more to be seperated but live long & happily together May God bless you & our Babes Dearest is the fervent prayer of your affectionate husband

 

                                                                                                Jn^o M^cLauchlan

                                                                                                1^st Lieut. Co G Ky Cav

                                                                                                                        C.S.A.

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