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Rear of Vicksburg July 3rd /63 Dear Sister I am just in from picket from the rear, when I found two very important subjects to entertain myself with, first, and most satisfactory was your letter of the 22nd of June, in which I was interested, especially to hear that you have been so successfull in getting harvest hands. Secondly a flag of truce from Rebeldom borne by Gen. Bowen and Col. ____ Chief of Pembertons Staff, for a conditional surrender of Vicksburg. Grants reply was public and desisive, for a unconditional surrender or nothing, that he