Louisville. Sept. 30th 1862
	     Dear Father
		I again take my
pen in hand to write you a few lines
we are both well. we have recieved no
letters from home Since we were at Bowling
green. when we had two from John
I answered them there So I suppose
that you have them before this. we
came here last friday we do not know
how long we will stay here we have
orders to have three day's rations in 
our haversacks all the time. the 25 Regt
is here I Saw them yesterday & in
the Regt I saw a young man by the name 
fo wilder from our neighborhood who
Said that he had been to our house
& got Some apples. but a short time
before he left the State. I also Saw
Hathaway & one or two others. that I had
Seen before. they said that they thought

that Brother John had enlisted. I
hope that it is not so. for he is
needed to home. I think that two is enough
from one family & if things work as they
have for a spell back. in this part of
the country. it is two to. many: we
     have recieved no pay yet. they are
pay-ing off most of the Regt here now.
     I have nothing more to write at present
write soon direct your leteres to Co F 1st
Regt Mich. Eng. & Mech. Louisville. K.Y.
     from your Son. Allen Campbell
		Louisville Ky Sept 30 / 62
	Dear Father
		      I take this opportunity of
writing you a few lines to let you know
of our whereabouts and how we are getting
along, well you will see that we are again
where we were one year ago (that is the army)
on the banks of the Ohio. and our cause
is as far if not farther from triumphing than
at that time. we reached this place Friday
night after being on the march almost

     continually for one month. as we left
     Stevenson on the twenty Seventh of Aug
and we have scarcely stopped Since there is
					     an
now at this place about two Hundred thous^
troops in and around this city and all in fine
condition and if we had not a coward or a
traitor for a leader we would have the rebels
cleaned out in the [western?] department but as
it is they are going every day. we were
following in their rear for about aweek and
it was in the power of Buell to have
forced them to fight or surrender but in
place of that he brings us to this place by a
circutous route and very severe marching as he said
						     [illegible]
to [save?] the place. but thank God he is now [illegible]^
and is reduced as he [waits?] Gen Nelson was
shot in this city yesterday by Gen. Jeff C Davis
of Indiana. who can not be blamed for the act
as nelson first called him a lier and struck
him in the face. it is deplorable that such
an occurrence should take place in our army
at this time when we all should be united
in heart and hand and intent only upon 

conquering a common foe. it appears to 
be a very prevalent error this jealosy among
our Generals and I hope that a new order
of things will Shortly appear. I See that
              had
we have ^ some hard fighting in Maryland
and it Seems that there is about the same
order of things there as at this place it is
					     d
indeed awful the amount of life sacrifice^
in this bloody war and the amount Still to 
be lost if it continues. but having once
put our hand to the plough we must not
turn back. only an unconditional submission
should be the terms of a settlement/ the weather
is pretty warm yet but getting Some cooler it
has been very dry in the south for a long
time and the dust in the roads is from four to
Six inches deep. but last saturday we had a fine
rain and since it is a little more pleasant I
hope these lines will find you all in good
health do not forget to write to us as often
as you can. give my best respects to all and 
consider me ever yours.
		Alexander Campbell