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On Grand Guard Near Salem, Tenn May 10, 1863

Dear Aunt R.,

Your kind letters of the 16th and 24th utl. both came together on the 30th, so you can see how regular the mails are.

We, (our brigade) are out here on a five days "Grand Guard", coming out Wednesday morning. The first two days were cool and rainy, but it cleared off very pleasant. Salem, is a small village a little distance ahead of us, (about six miles from M.) on the pike of the same name. We are here as an advance post to give notice if the enemy approaches, offer what resistance we can, and thus the camps around M. time to [break word completed on next page]