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very highly. military matters are not progressing as fast in this Department as might be desired but prehaps as fast as could be expected from all the circumstances. Vicksburg is undoubtedly the hardest egg to break that has been found during the war. there is know way to git at them except to run direct down the river and then only the Gunboats can work I sometimes fret and stew about the inactivity of the Army but try to be as patient as possiable. if our Officers our head men would quit quarrelling and trying to [hist?] themselves or somebody else into position and unite all their energy and talent at the one great object of suppressing this Rebellion it would realy be but a short job. if Public opinion at the North would become so strong against deserters that they could not remain at Home it would be of great assistance to the Army the conscription Law must next be regidly enforced and one steady Policy must be presured by the Administration but I shall trust to time to bring it all