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Regiment: 8th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Ambrose E. Burnside, John H. Morgan, Simon B. Buckner, Speed S. Fry
In Camp near Hickmans Bdg
June 25 1863
Dear Father
Yours of the 19th was handed
me this evening by the Postmaster just
from Mt. Sterling with the regiment.
You need feel no farther anxiety about
my health for it is very good now and
I feel as well as I have since leaving
Michigan. I have written to you nearly
every three days since leaving home, do
you get all my letters? Yours I think
all come through and the papers as well
they are very acceptable especially the letters.
Col. Stockton told me this evening that
he had recd. orders to relieve Brig. Genl.
Fry in command here. I should not be
surprised if this was our headquarters for
some time. Scouting parties will be kept out
most of the time probably.
This is to be a great post. Immense
Com’sy stores & forage is being brought.
Some 12 or 15 buildings have already been
erected. Two portable saw mills, capable
of sawing 1000 feet per. hour, each. have
been put up close at hand and are
seen ten hours daily. Fortifications are to
be built at once.
I see by the papers that Morgan and
Buckner are coming into Ky. with a heavy
force and you may depend upon it this
post will prove very attractive to them.
I look for them and think we are to
have lively times in this State soon.
There is no force here, of any acct. at
present. Burnsides old 9
th Army Corps
has go down near Vicksburgh & the few
troops here are mostly raw ones.
It has rained nearly all day giving
me an opportunity of using my rubber
coat for the first time. It is an excellent
thing. The rain was very much needed.
They are cutting wheat around here.
Please direct my letters to Nicholasville
as we get out mail at that office.
I am sorry to hear that mother is
not as well as when she returned from
Ohio. Cannot she be persuaded to go
to a water cure? It has seemed to me
that that is just the place for here.
Do have her take a trip up the lakes
or somewhere at any rate.
She must not worry about me for
I am well & contented & shall take
good care of my health. So much
depends upon good wholesome food
twken regularly, that I shall took out for
that even if it costs more. The diarrhea
has troubled many but I have not
had it although I have partaken freely
of vegetables when I could get them.
It is pouring down now but I am
in a good wall tent, perfectly dry. When
I finish this I shall spread out some
straw hay, lay down my blankets & sleep
like a Lord, aye better, like a laboring man.
Kind regards to Uncle Howard, Pick
& my other P.O. friends.
Love to Mother, Mary & Howard.
Hoping that you are in good health
& spirits I remain
Your Aff Son
Watson
Hickman’s Bridge
June 25/63.
