Written in pencil. Drawing of John C. Fremont in upper left top corner.
October 24, 1862 Camp near Paris, Ky.
I left Covington yesterday morning 23rd on the 8 oclock train. I was told that the Regt. was at Synthiana, Ky. and when I got there they told me they left about noon for Paris so I went on and found them there. When I got on the cars in Covington I had not been there long untill Wes Scott came in and he went down most to Falmouth with me where he got of and there I saw Will Mc. They are guarding bridges on the railroad and Wes had some business up to Covington is the way that he happened to be up there. Will and Wes are well Wes looks the best I ever saw him he said he had better helth than he has had before in a great while, I went as far as robertson Station on one train and there was a bridge burned so we had to walk acrost the gulf the water is almost dries up. there was a train on the other side that we go into and went to Paris the bridges have all been burned along the Railroad and have been built all but on and they are to work at that. I got to Paris about 12 oclock at night and slept in the warehouse that night and in the morning I went and found the Regt. It is about one mile from Paris in a maple grove it is the best place we have camped yet. there is 2 or 3 other Regts. in the same camp it is the prettiest place I have seen since I come to Ky. Paris is about 84 miles from Covington in Ky. today is a sort of a cold rainy day. we are all in the tent and the boys are tumbeling round so I have much chance to write. the boys are all here they had quite a march. they carried their napsacks some of the way and when they got tired they would stop in to a house and tell them they must take their team and haul napsacks and if they would refuse they would go and take his team rite along they have got good many horses they took on the way. they come acrost anyone they thought was sesesh they would tell him he must take the oath and if he would not sware they would go out and take his team and if he had any nigers they would take them. every captain has got a niger cook. I feel very well at present and guess I can stand it now. there is some talk of staying here some time but we do not know how long we will stay here. the 121 regt seem to have pretty big times some of the boys cannot hardly beleave it. write how you heard it and all about it. the Boys got that Box when they were at Falmouth. (Upside down at top of page) things were as well off as could be expected. we are eating.
(Following written upside down at the top of the letter.) Direct to Paris, Ky. on the march. I have not heard anymore from Eliot. L. C.