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they heard was occupied by a seceshionist who had skedaddled, leaving his negroes in the charge of the house. They took everything they could lay their hands upon, taking even the [cover?] from a splendid piano, which they scratched and cut most shamefully. We [illegible] a steer, hog or two, and chickens and ducks in abundance every day. Tell Sarah that [illegible] had a letter from his mother to-day in which she said she saw her, and wished that in writing me [would?] each of us mention the other, and then you would hear oftener from us accordingly. I would [just?] say that [illegible] is well, also the [Nounse?] boys and John Ball. There are a number of our battery sick, all the time, but we have a physician now in our battery, who came from Chicago last week. [illegible] Lord, I do not know in what direction we are from Louisville, but we are within a mile of Shelbyville, and if you are anxious to find out you can do so by looking in the Gazzetteer. I still hear a great deal about a [illegible] of thanks [illegible] but I [haven't?] received them yet. Remember me to all your affectionate son John Sc. Fleming. Write soon and very often