, 1863-07-23
FROM CAIRO.


ttlpm Ouf U"N NCor1esponlG4:tJ
CAIRO, July 10. 1B6a-
Through the kindness of Major ". B. Row
ley, District Provost Marshal at Columbus, I
have the following copy Of rebel letter taken
from the person of q Confederate mail carrier.
named Hooks, lately upon trial before mill
tary commissioner at Columbus. The most
striking portion Of the 1etter-apparently
written BY man Of education and polite at
tainmeDts-is that where allusion Is made to
Mr.. Vallandigham. I give you the letter
s4rootim ct nteratim, omittiDg only such parts
AT are purely upon socinl and trivial matters:
;CAur HHAn 5nH1R1y111.n, TENN,
June ~, 1868.
Dr. F. Mcfarland:
DEAR FATuEn:- Yours of the 1st was re-
ceived yesterday, and 1t revived me wonder.
fully. Major Bacey called to see me, but
would only star NTH me one night. 7 would
have been glad II he could have remained with
INC longer. He stated that you were released.
but could not tell BY what means. Under the
circumstances, I Vas very glad to hear that
you had taken the oath, knowing that you
would only do so when compelled. My only
regret IL, that 3ou hare those indignities to
submit to. We can only say, "Quos9ue tan
DUN, aonte7e Hostra patitntia, mud be very
thsnkful when We get our hands out Of the
ilon's mouth.
The boys speak often of you In the highest
terms, and ray II every one had acted as yon
lave done, there would have been fewer de-
eerscrs from our ranks, and West Tennessee
would wonld hare n! made few brighter pages in tho
The news from VIcksburg Is encouraging,
but nc are prepared to hear Of its fall at any
time. My own opinion Of the situation Ii
this: Vicksourg cannot be taken By assault
.protracted hiege alone can do the work.
That unde, taking Is nov In progress. Grant
is 20 situated that, while be is carrying on
offensive operations against the place, he can
also protect hImself from any attack Of John
ttor's unlce8 brilliantly planned and boldly
sud swiftly executed. Thisis our only hope.
If be waits for reinfoEcemcnts, Grant, on &C.
count Of bis superior facilities, can daily in
crease the odds; for we have but one railroad
-r;a Meridian-with which to reinforce John
zion. After sending the troops to jackson,
they have no transportation 10 carry them
farther. This is what has delayed Johnston
SO lorg.
In 1nJ humble opinion. this feat Of Grants
iu going 10 Jackson, SO fat from Vicksburg,
ana cutting -reinforcements for that gar
rison, preventing the accumulation Of IAN army
within striking distance of the place-then
suddenly attacking Vickshurg-to take 1t
either by assault or siege, before force could
be brought TO turn for q rescue. be 1t suc-
less or defeat, Is the most brilliant CAM
raign the enemy have Jet planned during the
WAr.
The fate Of the whole North depends upon
,he fall of that I'1ace. Every e1ertion will be
rs.d to that effect. If defeated, the war will
end. If fsucccssful, not unta the end Of Me pre.
sxnt Administration Talland;9han, sai.l, teaen
hsre, tAat his elfet'on depended upon the fate
lam now acting as brigade Provost Mar
Ahal- There are thirty men, four non-com-
u,iseioned officers, md two Lieutenants, un-
Ger my command. I will soon have separate
quarters eo1aewhere near the brigade, to con:
slst Of four tcnts--three for the men, and one
Tor mJte1f-a TWO horbc wagon, etc. 30, ron
see, shall be very comfortably situated.
If any one comes up very soou, / wish you
would make them bring cloth for a,,uniform; 1t
,sould be great saving Fine, Confederate
grey cloth is worth, here, $40 per yard;
sight i yards Ear Of st,dn. sold laoe aud o1e
here, SIS. The whole uniform, costing there
only $50, will cost here 500. am obliged
10 have one, and want to get it rs soon und ~
cheap as possible, also fine black hat, size
IS.
+ 4 r.
We have news from Virgtnia, which gives
IN account Of another glorious victory; 1000
r1ieoneIs captured, with ail their artillery,
wagons. &c. This Was at Winchester, No
F.. particulars as yet.
News from Vicksburgi is that Sherman whip
xed kiroy Smith, some"here across the river.
We sre fortified so well here, that do not
anticipate any engagement for some time to
come. All is quiet in front. We were within
FIX miles Of Murffeetboro last week. One
man killed In the brigade. Small affair.
remain, yours atiectionate1y,
L. B. MCFARLAND.