Informs his sister that he will be marching out today towards Black River, Mississippi. Writes of a man named Nathan shooting himself in the hand, and says that his middle finger is now an inch back. Mentions various men in the army and reports on what they are up to and how they are doing. Comments on hearing big guns fired in the direction of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Reports that they took Grand Gulf, Mississippi and captured somewhere between 600 and 800 prisoners. Notes that some people believe that the prisoners have done their last fighting while others believe that they will be exchanged for Union prisoners and will return to defend Vicksburg, Mississippi when the Union attacks it. Writes that some of the prisoners comment that they are glad to be taken so they can now eat; they have been on half rations at Vicksburg, Mississippi for some time. Reports that Jackson, Mississippi is now in the Union's hands. Has an embossed seal in the upper corner.