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with long ropes, & we had to help the Baggage train along to -- you had Better Believe it was a nasty old job, but we got through at last -- there was some Days we only got three or four miles & some Days further owing to the Roads & to help the matter along we only got 1/2 & 1/4 Rations [illegible] of [illegible] Belly & [illegible] 1/2 of Bread & 1/4 [Sow?] Belly & 1/4 of Coffee & [illegible] hungry Boys against we got to [Shell?] Mound Station, when we got there we got plenty of Rations & we got plenty yet -- it is tolerable cool weather Down here now for the past few Days, but it is a little warmer this evening, we have plenty of Clothes but have not got any Blankets yet & it is a little cold Sleeping, but I guess we will get them before long -- we are Camped now on the Side of a mountain, it is a very nice place to camp there is plenty of wood & water & the test of water for the mountain Springs cant be Beat. The [illegible] is now that we will Stay here some time, we have been cutting the timber around our Camp to keep the Rebs from Charging in on us at night & to keep the Cavalry out. we are done cutting trees now & have begun to throw up fortifications, we are going to fortify here [considering?] I guess by the preparation that is being made, & I heard our Bragade Commander say to day that he was