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being a good officer. He is Acting Adgitant, as their former one, as got to be Colonel of a Negro Regt. The bombardment of Vicksburg goes on as usual. Yesterday and last night again, our fatigue squads were fired on by heavy voleys of Infantry, causing them to skedaddle, as also did some of the pickets, which were supporting them. The officer that was in command of the pickets lost his sword, and was to cowardly to go back and hunt for it. Pete Baker was there and went in search of it. He found it which is worth $15 also a watch worth $25 besides a good over coat, and blanket. I think the pickets belonged to Bunbridges Brigade. We are working our lines up against their forts fast, in many places our rifle pits are within fifty yards of their forte