I feel such confidence in the success of this expedition if the forces in the SW can be concentrated that I should almost feel willing to risk the destiny of this nation on the result.  From all that I can learn of the Geography of the country & of the defences at L Rock that we can take it in two months from to day & by having Gunboats to cooperate with us much sooner.  If we could only hear some good news from the Army of the Potomac & Vicksburg the latest we have heard from either place is that we were repulsed.  I would say here that I have not received but two or three Nos of the Register you may as well have it stoped.  it will not reach me. & it is useless to be at the expense you will see from the commencement of this that your letters were about 20 days on the way. & the course we are going they will be still longer on the way.  I dislike this part of the program verry much for I enjoy your letters so much   We have been drawing rations to day for eight days.  It would be amusing to you to see us with our haversacks standing around some one we have chosen out of our mess to divide it, to day we got almost a tin cup full each.
