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when it will reach me. Probably when the rest of the battery joins as which will not be for some time owing to the constant rain spoiling the roads and swelling the rivers. Our section is under Col Minte (acting Brigd Genl) a true Scotchman of whom I will say more hereafter. The brigade the 1st Brigade 2nd Division Cavalry Command is one of the best in the service being composed of the following regiments 4th Mich. 4th Regulars 5 Iowa (Sam Caskey's regiment) 7th Penn. and 3rd Indiana

    So you see I am in the same brigade with Sam and see him nearly every day.  He looks well. (I have just received the letter containing my pen) it came by Lieut Bennett from Manchester.  The news of the capture of Vicksburg reached us last night and we fired a national