[Penciled in on top of Scan 1 [June, 1863] ]

	I hear an occasional
report of artillery this morning
in the direction of Centerville and
Manassas Junction. yet I do not
look for a battle for some days..
    I am glad to see a movement
in the army in this section be
it of whatever kind it may..
     I still have confidence in
“Fighting Joe” and although
we cannot see through his plans
and designs in making this move
ment I think it may and
will tell in our favor yet..
    Were our horses in good con
dition I should be glad to
see the fulfillment of our rumor
and see our division in the
Shenandoah Valley within
the next ten days and as it

is I shall not grumble if we
are sent there even in our pres
ent condition.
     The “Valley” is represented
to be the richest portion of the
state and furnishes more suste
nance for the rebel army than
the rest of the State and it is
to our advantage to make a
raid and destroy the now ripe
ning crops. and I think the
prospects not unlikely..
     It seems very slow work
for Grant to take Vicksburgh
and it may yet escape his grasp
                very
  I should hate ^ much to see
him retreat from here as Mc
Clellan did from before Rich
mond last year. It was reported
by the Richmond “Dispatch” 
a few days ago that Kirby 

like or dislike their operations.
     But if the army has no
confidence in their leaders but
little can be done.
     Like Nell. I have not heard
from Rene McGowan or John
Cowles from time immemorial
John I have not heard a word
from since leaving Michigan and
from Rene since April.
     I am sorry to hear that Newton 
Stephens is sick. I received a letter
    him
from ^ of a date since a month
ago in which he said he was in
excellent health.
     I am glad to hear that
Grant is to be reinforced as your
report of the 12th going there would
indicate.. Lee has undoubtedly lost
heavily.. Hooker too as lost many
<i>[illegible in original]<i> since his fight of a month ago