This is Jacob’s first numbered letter, consisting of several sheets over several days. This letter includes a hand drawn map of the defensive fortifications they were building to secure Cincinnati against the impending Confederate invasion.
Letter No. 1
Camp Tailor, KY
Sept 4, 1862
Dear Mary,
I am thankful yet to announce that I am well. Yesterday about 8 o’clock we left Camp Denison by railroad to Cincinnati and were marched through several of the principal streets, were addressed by Gov. Tod, and then proceeded to the river, crossed on ferry into Covington. There we proceeded on foot about 4 miles out on the Covington and Lexington Pike. It was a wearisome journey as it was very warm and we had to carry our knapsacks with such a composition of articles as we needed as overcoat, dress coat, drawers shirts, etc…. 3 days rations, water, guns and 40 rounds of ammunition – in all I suppose about 50. lbs. About 1/2 of the men had to fall out of ranks and rest or take their time to it. I stood it very well.
We are encamped on the east side of the pike. There are 3 regiments here. Fort Mitchel, a fort of considerable strength, is situated on the opposite side of the road about 4 miles further on. It is garrisoned by 2 regiments. The face of the country here is very rough, much resembling that around Lattaville.1 we are placed here to guard the rebel approaches towards Cincinnati.
Sept 5
I was not a little surprised yesterday whilst writing to hear the order given to form in line of battle immediately as the enemy was coming. We were formed and marched to Fort Mitchell and stood there in line of battle 5 hours expecting every moment to see the enemy approach. But the alarm was finally ascertained to have been caused by some rebel cavalry attacking and burning 4 or 5 government wagons near Florence about 5 miles from there. About 5 o’clock we were ordered to march to camp King about 4 miles east on the R.R. leading from Covington to Lexington. There is a Pike here also. This is a remarkable strong position – it appears as that nature formed everything to our advantage.
There are not less than 10,000 soldiers here and 100 negros at work fortifying. If we were a little better drilled I would not be afraid to risk holding this place against 4 times our number. We are situated about 2 miles S.E. from Covington on the Licking river – a very rough country it is and very poor. It is remarkable how kind the inhabitants are to us. On our inward yesterday at every house we passed there were every description of vessels filled with water placed along the road for us and we were cheered on every side. There is no use denying the fact the line of battle is now on the Ohio River.
I am very well satisfied that the approach of battle will not scare or unnerve me in the least, thought I saw numbers yesterday who were so bad scared that they could scarcely stand and I think the Army would be better off without them.
We have had no tents since we left Camp Denison. We have been camped in line of battle, that is, in open field – our guns stacked in line and at night we sleep with our heads to our guns – lie on one end of our blankets and cover with the other.
Jacob Shively
Camp King
Sept 5th
When we left Camp Denison, I boxed up a part of my clothes with Thomas Augustus and directed them to Anderson, and I put 2 flannel shirts, 1 fine shirt and vest in Isaac Roseboom’s trunk and directed to his wife. They were all sent in care of Presley Jenkins. Get them all as soon as you can. Write soon and direct your letters to Covington KY, 89th OVI Company D care of Capt Brown
Jacob Shively
To Martin V. B. Wright
On this sheet I have attempted to give you an offhand sketch of the military position on this side of the river, so far as I have seen, so as to give you some idea of our travels and positions. It is about 5 miles by way of Covington from No 1 to No 3. We are not about 2 miles from Newport, a half mile to the North of our camp on the same ridge. We can have a full view of Cincinnati, Covington, and Newport all at once.
Nancy Abbott is still here with her children. She is working in the hospital, cooking mostly. She gets 40 cts per day and board for herself and children. She also makes considerable washing shirts for the soldiers. She gets ten cents per shirt, poorly washed at that. So no more at present, but remain yours until death.
To an affectionate wife and children, write soon.
Jacob Shively
Covington Kentucky.
1 Lattaville is a small community about 5 miles south of Frankfort, Ohio. Jacob’s property was about 5 miles east of Frankfort and 10 miles west of Chillicothe.
“I am very well satisfied that the approach of battle will not scare or unnerve me in the least.”
Jacob to Mary. 5 Sept, 1862
A Thousand Thunders 