Covington, Kenty. U.S.
15th May 1863

Dear Cousin

I have given to a friend of mine Mr. Herbert Bird who proceeds on Sunday next to San Francisco, California (via New York) to take a position in the Phoenix Insurance office there, a letter of introduction to you. When he visits San Luis or you visit San Francisco, I hope that you will become acquainted. He knows exactly what we are doing here and can give you full information - our relatives in England of course he knows nothing about. I have found him and recommend him to you as a very safe acquaintance and friend.

Here I am in the midst of wars and rumors of wars, until we all begin to regard it as the natural state of things. Regiments of soldiers, packs of artillery and munitions of war we have long ceased to regard as any novelty. As you are doubtless aware this department is under command of Major Gen. A. E. Burnside, and Major Gen. Rosecrans, with Burnside's Corps in Kentucky, protects our front and enables your cousin to pursue the even tenor of his way, unmolested.

The Confederates have repeatedly tried to obtain possession of Kentucky but as yet have been unsuccessful except for 4 weeks last fall when throu the defeat of the Kentucky forces and the slow movements of Gen. Buel[l] they overran the State. We were then in a state of great excitement; [news of?] the defeat at Richmond, Kty. reached us about the last day of August and the 2nd day of September 62 Lexington was captured by the confederates and our retreating forces concentrated on the Ohio River. Martial law was at once declared here and every one compelled to dig or shoulder a gun. In 3 days a pontoon Bridge was built across the Ohio River and in the meantime all the railroads & country Roads had been bringing in day and night the farmers of Ohio and Indiana dressed in homespun with their rifles in hand,. They kept the Confederates at bay until Gen. Buel[l] with his army retreated from Tennessee and drove the Rebels out of Kentucky. I could not describe on paper the many amusing phases of character [?] that occurred.

I am still employed keeping Books for the Ten. Cen. Rl. Rd. Co. Henry is now in Miss. investing Vicksburg with the army under Major General Grant. They have taken Grand Gulf and are now attacking Vicksburg from the rear. I hope every day to hear of the success of the federal armies in large battles; with the exception of Hooker's and Banks' there [has] been a lull in army matters but I think it will break out with more violence than ever shortly and some decisive battles must be fought. This war is a terrible business but is the only alternative left the government, and I cannot see any other termination of it but that it will be fought out to the bitter end. Amicable settlement is out of the question while an aggregate of nearly a million and a half of men on both sides are in arms. The feelings of both sections are intensified as the war progresses and after the actual fighting we shall have to be under a stronger government than ever or no government at all.

Henry's health remains good and he seems to like the army better than I could have anticipated. He still acts as surgeon to the same regiment - the 22nd Kentucky. He sent me up about a month ago a valuable case of amputating instruments he captured from one of the Rebel Gen. Hindaman's Brigade Surgeons who was killed at the storming of Arkansas Post. I have been attending to his business matters while he is in the army and have got his affairs pretty well settled up and have invested proceeds on his a/c in the 5.20 and sp 3 10 ds. [DB unsure] government loans.

I have not yet sent you a photograph of myself but will yet do so. When the war is over Henry will make a trip to England before settling down, and my own movements are yet undecided but unless the Confederates again gobble us up, shall remain until the war is over in Covington. I shall have much pleasure in receiving a line from you whenever time or inclination prompts and trust you will still be able to give a good a/c of yourself and Walter. This war does not affect you in California and your business matters proceed as usual. I should like to know what is the feeling in your neigborhood, together with any other suggestions that may occur to you. Fortunately or unfortunately as the case may prove, I am at present in the Ohio Valley, and shall have to take the fortune of this section of country whatever it may be.

The girls in London seem to get along pleasantly and comfortably there. They sent me their photographs by mail the other day. I do not see that they appear any older, tho' such may be the case. If Henry gets thro' this war without being shot or maimed, he will have had a large amount of practice and be an excellent surgeon. His regiment has suffered considerably and now numbers only 450 men; a year & ½ ago they had nearly a 1000, that was when first recruited. They suffered severely in the attack upon Vicksburg in December 1862.

Write a good long letter one of these days like a good fellow - anything about yourselves or California will be interesting to me. And with sincere good wishes and cordial greetings to yourself and Walter,

Believe me

Yours very truly

Charles Manfred.

Is business increasing in your section or not?