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[begin inverted writing] The weather is warm as July in Ills. [inverted writing end] Rear of Vicksburg June 3rd 1863, Dear Sister, I take this opportunity of sending you a note by Wm Barr; to let you know that I am right side up with care. And hope that this may find you all enjoying the blessings of health. Billy goes home as a parolled prisoner. I have requested him to call out and see you, he says that he will do so if he is allowed to stay in Alton, any length of time, he has to report at St. Louis and may have to stay there. Last night at 10 oclock our company returned from picket. The pickets are taken out under cover of darkness, to within two hundred yds of their forts, and there posted in rifle pits to remain twenty four hours. Our men on an average shoot away fifty rounds of cartrige, which is at least ten times as much as the enemy, and the same way with the Artillery. Our guns are almost continualy fireing, while the enemy never fire unless they get an exceedingly good chance. Our Mortar Boats keep up a constant fire day and night. It is a pretty sight to watch the shells from them in the night. The first that is to be seen is