Covington, KY
Wed. Aug. 26th, 1863.
My Dear Father and Mother:
I suppose you are beginning to think it is about time to hear from me again. Well
I think so too and would have written sooner but I have been having ague and fever for a few days.
I didn't feel much like writing.
We had quite a time coming up from Mississippi. We were only ten days on the water. We left the boat at Cario and took the Illinois Central to Centralia. Then we changed cars and took the Ohio and Mississippi road through Indiana.
We had an accident on the road while we were running in the night. We had stopped so we were going quite slow, when the first thing we new about half of the cars jumped the track. They were flat cars loaded with wagons and the boys were asleep in the wagons. The first thing we knew the cars were off the track and two of the wagons were under the cars, men and all. If we had been going as fast as usual it would have killed a good many men. As it was it only
bruised those that were in the wagons that got away.
There are a great many of the boys sick with fever and some with ague and fever.
I have had a good chance to look around Cincinnati. All one has to do is to go if you want to. There are no guards on either side of the river.
I heard from one of the boys in the regiment that King Allen has gone home. If he has gone home you should know by now. If he is there tell him to stop and see me on his way back.
We are stopping by the Government Wagon and Blacksmith Shops near the Kentucky Central Railroad. I don't know when we will join the Regiment as we are getting the wagons repaired and some other work done.
I don't think we will go any farther than Nicholasville for some time for the boys are not fit for duty. There are a good many sick in both divisions.
Father I think you and mother had better come and see me and then you could go and see Uncle Henry. If mother could not come you could come anyway. I know you could see plenty enough to pay for the trip. I think you had better make up your mind to come. If we have moved to
Nicholasville it would make no difference as the railroad runs right on to there.
you don't know how much I would like to see you.
I have not received any letters since about a week before we left Mississippi but expect to get some mail to-day.
I will have to stop for this time so give my love to all.
I want to hear from you all soon and if you make up your mind to come let me hear from you right away.
So good bye for this time.
I remain as ever your loving Son
A.J. Juckett.