Dear Brother,

You will see that I keep moving around. I mailed a long letter to Mother a few days since from Covington. I presume you will have read it before you receive this. Thursday forenoon our division (ten reg’ts I believe) received orders to be ready to march in an hour. Where to, nor what for, no one in the reg’t knew. We all went to work with a will for we were glad to get off those clay hills which our adjutant says is the worst place for a camp he ever saw and at the time appointed had everything packed and tents tied up, reedy for transportation. After waiting a while for all to get ready the Division started towards the Ohio; about 3 miles from camp. We marched through the streets of Covington again and sat down on the bank of the river opposite Cincinnatti. As the stam boats were pretty thick in the river we concluded that we were going either up or down the Ohio. After resting an hour or two we went on board. Our reg’t went on the steamboat Lady Franklin except 3 Co’s who went by railroad.

We started at sundown down the river. So see I found myself “Sailing down the Ohio” that’s funny, ain’t it? We were on the largest and fastest and soon went ahead of the others. Our Co. was stationed on one of the decks (the 2nd)[.] We were sheltered overhead but not at the side but slept warm enough, were crowded very thick together. I have a very bad boil on my knee which kept me awake part of the night and makes me quite lame though I have kept in the ranks all of the time. About midnight our boat run aground on a sand bar and did not get off until 8 am. yesterday. We then went on without further trouble and arrived at Louisville about dark last evening.

We were ordered to stay on board over night. Most of us boys suffered from want of something to eat. Nobody was to blame of course. I had been detailed for guard just before our marching orders came and had furnished myself with a days provisions so that I did not suffer any. Lieut. Mooney went ashore with ten men and got $l2 worth of provisions for our Co. so we had a good supper and breakfast.

We came ashore this morning and marched to camp about 3 miles from the landing, through some of the principal streets of Louisville. We are encamped in a fine meadow and a good location. The rebels witch have been threatening Louisville are retreating as they did from Cincinnatti. I suppose we shall soon start on a march for the interior of the state Sabbath morning.

Our company was detailed for picket duty last night stationed about 1 mite from here. But only 6 or 8 of our men had anything to do. We slept outdoors found it rather cold. We have had very very heavy dews. The days are very warm the nights very cold and damp.

The 2nd Mich. Cav. is here. They were ordered to Cincinnatti from Corinth and immediately on their arrival they were ordered to Louisville and came down the river at the same time that we did. Our boat came to shore by the side of theirs. I spoke with Dan Fargo & George Rossman. The old Regt. looked pretty black and tough. Quite
a number of our Co. are sick. We left two at Ionia and two at Cincinnatti (Robert Brigs & Laf Trosket) who will probably die (the last two I mean) I and a number are sick here in their tents. If health is a blessing anywhere, it is here in came. We have just had preaching by our chaplain in the shale of some large willows, had a first rate Sermon.

The people of Louivville gave us a more enthusiastic reception than those of any other place we have passed. Flags hung out from at least half of the buildings. The people cheered us and the children hurrahed for the Union. The contrabands slowed their way and one old negro women came with a basket of peaches and gave them to our Co. saying that she had 15 children all sold into slavery and did not know where they were. Our boys made up a few shillings for her which she received with many thanks. I hope I shall hear from you all often. I read a copy of the Independent from you. A number once in a while would be very acceptable but don’t send but one at a time.

I can’t realize that I am way off here in Ky but shall probably be farther off in a few days. I should not wonder if our Regt. goes into the first engagement that takes place. The Gen. commanding was bound to place us in advance of the rest of the troops stationed here and would have done so had it not been for our Col’s interceeding for us. I suppose there are at least 75,000 soldiers here. Major Ge. Gilbert commanding. John F. Loose has been appointed clerk to the Adjutant at a salary of $3O per month. C. VanLoo has been appointed one of the Color Guard in his place. VanLoo is a first rate fellow and I have become more attached to him than to any other one in the Co. Well, I guess I won’t scribble over any more paper.

Love to all. Has little Emily got well. Direct to Co. 21st Regt.

Good Bye, Chauncy H. Peck

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