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hereafter try and spell it correctly, without offering any appology. The canall to cut off Vicksburg is again being dug out by our soldiers. One division of Grants Army arrived here yesterday, the old 17 Ills. is among them. They muster only about one hundred men. Gun boats are daily arriving so that we have quite a large fleet in that line. Dan Merrell has deserted according to my prediction in my last letter. Report says Dr. Willard as offered his resignation he is not liked by any one, his shoulder straps hurt him so much