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them up at near 3200, I have just been informed by one of the General's aids that the total is but about 2900, of which 400 are on the sick list, leaving an efficient force, for the present, of but 2500, or thereabouts. They consists of two Regiments of Volunteer Infantry from Illinois, one of Cavalry from Arkansas, six or seven rather small companies of Regulars, between Dragoons and Infantry, and a fine-looking company of "Flying Artillery," which has just arrived from Pennsylvania. At first glance, this force would appear pretty weak for a campaign into the heart of Northern Mexico, especially when we consider that, entering, as we expect to do, at the Presidio del Rio Grande (which is something over 160 miles from here), we must traverse near 400 miles of the interior settlements, before reaching Chihuahua, -- passing within two or three hundred miles of the metropolitan city of Durango. Then, if Mexico carries out what would evidently seem her policy, and -- relinquishing, as she had better, and I have little doubt will do, all hope of opposing Gen. Taylor -- concentrates all the force of Zacatecas, Durango, etc. with that of Chihuahua, she might bring 10,000 men, or more into the field against us. Yet, as "fight" is what we all seem at least to desire, and our chances for a "brush" are of course better than if our force were larger, the only discontent I see demonstrated, is, that we are permitted to lie here in camp so long, instead of pouncing at once into the country of the enemy.

written along left margin You intimate a desire to know "in what capacity I list." Why that is rather a hard question; for it is so "mixt up," that I hardly know myself. However, I have some sort of appointment, between civil and military -- call it govt. agent (as it was termed), interpreter, or what you please. I was determined to be in the scrape, some