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46 it was. We were now worn to mere skelitons. Fatigue parties were detailed every day to build fortifications until no human power could hope to attack us with the least hope of success. Sickness was prevalent to an alarming extent. And the dead march was heard sounding in almost every camp and at almost all hours of the day. And its solemn music told us of those who had answered to the last earthly roll call. And next the parting salute told that their remains were laid in their last resting place. "These were the times that tried mens souls." And many very many cursed the land that gave them birth. But now the news reached us of the 300,000 call for three years men, their(?) of a call for 300,000 men for 9 months. This sounded like we were in earnest it just suited my views only I wished it had been 1,000,000 men for during the war long or short. My Brothers Pelatiah and Hezekiah had both been talking about enlisting and I had heretofore opposed it. But I now wrote that if they desired to enlist I had no objection. My whole desire now was to see the people of the North act like men. I often thought to myself that in the people of the North were what I would like to see them in twenty four hours after these calls had reached the extremities of the nation, they would both be filled. But I soon learned that the rest of mankind was not so enthusiastic as I was. But Pelatiah and Hezekiah both immediately entered the service. On the 3d of August we moved out on a reconnosance to Malvern Hill, had a slight skirmish with the enemy, remained until the 6th and returned to camp. When we returned we found