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one week good weather would finish our portion. The ground that we dig out is all made ground, one portion of it is heavy timber, in some places the dig four and five feet without finding any roots. All the grubing is done by the Engineer Corps, some of the men from the Reg. who were so anxious to join them, are now equaly anxious to get back. Yesterday there was a promotion in the company which was not at all satisfactory to its members. Wm Hazard was promoted from fifth or sixth Corp. I do not know which to Act as Orderly Sergt. The boys were willing to have J. Hobson who would take the position in line of promotion, but had a vote been taken J. Beam would have got it, as he is not a favorite with the officers, they fixed it to suit themselves. As yet there has been no other promotions in the Company. There has been heavy firing last night and to day several miles down the river but the cause and results I know nothing of nor either shall I untill it is officialy announced in northern papers. I expect you would think that here would bee a good place for news, so it is, but nothing reliable [begin vertical writing] Do not think the 72nd Ills Reg. is here, it is very likely at Lake Providence some distance up the river. It has now stoped raining will go and mail this before it commences again [vertical writing end]