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heavy timber and thick underbrush, not more than two thirds has been cleared off as yet. The barracks for prisoners is situated on the opposite side of the road, it is as large as our camp, and has a fence about ten feet high built around it, there are 4,000 prisoners and 3 regiments of three months volunteers stationed there. The prisoners are poorly clad, with long hair and beards. In their home spun clothes they are the most savage looking set of men I ever saw. Yesterday I was detailed to go on guard within the Barracks to guard citisen prisoners, but there was some mistake, after standing [vertical writing begin] 2 oclock. Regt Captain has just arrived from Alton with 7 new recruits. One of them is a Glen. I have not much to write as [Howard?] starts amediately [End vertical writing]
[Marginal writing, top, written upside down:] From your brother, CW Colby