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New Orleans La. March 17th /64 My Own Dear Sister Sallie I have been putting off writing for several days expecting a letter from you. The dockment has at last arrived, and I am now indebted to you for a full sheet of fools cap. written on or about Feb. 24 of the present year. Your accounts of the different excitements in, and around the vicinity of Alton was very interesting to me, think it will pass well enough for a censation eaven in war times. As for Robt. Smith I think he had better go and join the Army, so that he can make a public display of some of his deeds of valor One thing is certain the Rebs could never take him prisoner. I am of the opinion, that the old adage of "A barking dog never bites" is applicable to him