"We have been moving out slowly and by degrees from Pittsburg. We are
now about eighteen miles from the river, and six miles from Corinth.
Our pickets are within three or four miles of Corinth, and can hear
very plainly the locomotives whistle and the drums beat. We have
various rumors of its evacuation, but can tell nothing of their truth.
I think the enemy are still there.
"I have come very near being quite ill for the last few days with
fever, but fortunately have escaped and am nearly well again. We were
called out in line of battle the other day by a false alarm, and I
thought I _must_ go out with my men, though I had a high fever; and
standing out in the hot sun for two hours (and we have hot sun now)
nearly laid me up permanently. It is the nearest I have come to being
real sick since I have been in the service; but I am pretty well over
it now, thanks to my strong resolution and Dr. Walker's good treatment.
Dr. Walker says I have barely escaped typhoid fever. I have taken
medicine quite freely. I cannot afford to be sick now; the enemy must
first be driven out of Corinth."