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gunpowder, the troops are practicing at firing, in the afternoon from two till five, the rattle of musketry is incessant, the Artty. brings in his voise with a bang, bang, intersperced with booming of the heavy guns at the fort, gives it quite a worklike appearance. Report says that there are sixty thousand men here that draw rations, but she exagerates sometimes. Yesterday I received Harpers Magazine to Nov. with paper and envelops enclosed, directed to [illegible] Ky., it was quite a treat, as reading is scarce in camp, since we have been here the Alton papers have come quite often. Thos. McCorcle just came in to tell me that he had received a letter from home, teling him to sharpen his apitite for a Christmas dinner, as that box was to start on Wednesday. Saturday Noon, On Transport Robert Cambell Jr. Here we go for Dixie, but not to day as not more than half of the boats are loaded. The river for a mile or more is lined with boats, and them what are loaded are swarming with Human Beings, Horses, Mules, Waggons and Cannon fill up the extra space. The boat is an old Cotton Boat, with only Cabin room for Officers. We are on the larboard side exposed to all the inclemencies of the weather of the weather which will go hard with us, after being feted in a warm house. Must close now, so as to send this by mail [begin vertical writing] Will write again tomorrow if there is any oportunity to send it to the office, From your Affectionate Brother, Carlie [vertical writing end]