that I could think of in after years that would give me or any one pleasure. & now in writing, or reciting over a verry brief sketch of the past I am hurrying to get over it. I do not wish to remember things so unpleasant. Rather let the toils & hardship of the past be buried in oblivion & look forward with an eye of hope or faith. to more happy scenes. 
I will however recur again to this subject & then no more of it. After so much sever Picketing. & while we were at Alton (that is a portion of our forces. & the balance on the way from Vanburen) Gen Marmaduke a Rebel G. passed between or rather in our rear 3 mos, a part of our Army were still further back. It is said that Gen Davidson sent a flag of truce to Marmaduk & proposed that if he (Marmaduke) would not attack. Our supply trains that he (Davidson) would not molest him. & so he passed without being molested. between our main forces & supply train! & was gone before any but a few of the Gen's officers
