In my last letter to you, which was along time ago, I promised you as soon as something noteworthy happens, to report it to you.

The one important thing that happened to us, is, that our two companies, Capt. Martin’s and Capt. Haupthoff’s, from the 4th Kentucky Regiment lay 8 days in Elizabethtown, where we liked it very well, in spite of hard service, feel very well, but were too weak to maintain this important post, because the Secessionists in this neighborhood are very strong, and would gladly have captured us, if they would not have held off because they feared the German company, respectively, Haupthoff’s, as our Major Pirtle himself assured us. The ladies of Elizabethtown appear, however, not to be very scared of the Hessian barbarians, and soon found out that the Germans are human beings and gentlemen, like the Americans, (and perhaps are better), because they send out to our camp many refreshments and upon our departure our company was given flowers by them while marching through the little town.

The Germans have really demonstrated nobility, and gave our thanks in the name of the company, namely to Mr. Hotopp, Depp, Raubold, and Landolf, etc.

We now lay here again on Nolin Creek, and I can report nothing further, except that it is very boring, cold and in spite of much rainy weather, it is very dry here, and we very much have the need for the abundant moisture at 3rd Street, between Market and Jefferson [Streets] [i.e., Beargrass Creek]. We have continually put off [going] to Bowling Green and Nashville, but when we go the Green River it appears that much has to be been done, and it appears that the same story will be played out there as at the Potomac[River]..

The contractors appear to run the supreme command, that is, the longer the war, all the fuller the purse.

In the hope to soon report a major “fight,” and no “retreat,” respectfully greetings.

[The author of this letter was probably Gustav Bohn of Capt. Joseph Haupthoff’s company.]