p.

and [getting?] between the two portions
of his Army. I hope this is true, but
do not fully believe it, if it is, the final
result of his raid will and to the glory
of this army and conplete his discom-
fiture. "Vicksburg is taken" and for this
Grant is lauded with Laurels, and [underline]just-
ly[/underline] too. Meade has weakened the enemy
[underlin]more[/underline]in killed, wounded, and prison-
ers than has Grant, but the enemys [underline]rem-
nant[/underline] has escaped, apparently, perhaps
[unline]really[/underline], still the army of the Potomac is not
a cipher. I had heard some partic-
ulars of the draft but felt anxious to know
how some of the victims would treat it.
At firs I did not think Thomas would
come, but when I thought of certain arrange-
ments which [underline]could have been made[/underline] I
am [underline]sure[/underline], I decided that he would be
surely here, and had my plans made
for him, to have a good and easy place
with me in the Q. M. D. I must say
I am disappointed. The worst feature
of the draft to me is the allowing a
commutation fee. The substitute system
has less objections and should be avail-
ed if by all who do not choose to come.
Those who pay the 300 dollars are saved
from other trouble at present, and fur-

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nish the Government with funds,
which will be useful, but three hundred
thousand men, placed in the field
immdediately would do more to bring
the war to a close, than 300 times 300
000 [underline]dollars[/underline], twice total. Then if one
half of the original conscripts pay their
commutation another call for 150000
must be made, immediately and the
same ones who have once been called
upon will be considered as though they
had [underline]not[/underliine]. I never have urged enlist-
ments, since I "came out", but if I even
now at home and [underline]well[/underline], I should dislike
to have my name recorded as one who
had bought his freedom from a [underline]just
and[/underline] honorable [underline][s?][/underline] with money.
My health is very good still. We came
here on the 25th inst., from White Plains
after being on the road all night, with
out sleep, or rest, of any kind except to
feed the Animals. Thus night we were
quiet but the next I was out again with
the train, at the railroad awaiting sup-
plies, which did not arrive till yester
A.M. at 7. Last night again [underline]six[/underline] feet
by [underline]two[/underline] of Sacred (?) Soil came under the
influence of morpheus' charms as shown
by prostrate [Stevens?]