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talk as they please about their "sunny south" but I prefer a northern winter of snow and frost to a southern one of continual rain and knee-deep mud. I heard a salute fired this morning. I have not yet learned what for. Camp rumor says Vicksburg is taken, I hope it is true Refugees are coming in here daily hastening from the rebel conscriptionists to join our army. I was talking to some of them a day or two ago, They give a very rough statement of the condition of the rebel army. They conscript every on between 15 and 65 and hurry them down to Mississippi far from their [homes?]. Persons north know but extremely little of the real horrors of war. Think of women having their husbands and sons of 15 and upwards taken from their very beds, and then the wife is obliged to toil in this God-forsaken and desolate country. [Large?] numbers [also?] of the rebel soldiers daily come into our [lines?] heartily sick of their cause. no signs as yet of moving, No more at present. Remember me to all, write and send papers frequently. Your Son, James C. Fleming P.S. I suppose I will receive letters [only?] by [directing?] [B of T.B.?] care of Capt [Stakes?] Murfreesboro Tenn. instead of via Louisville