We have been encamped at this place
since the 12th of January. It is a small
uoitnpoilaLt place containing perhaps a
dozen houses. We are guarding the rail
road here. No object cun be conceived
for guarding it at this time, except that of
protecting the interests of cotton specula
tors, h truly patriotic object and one which
it will readily be supposed the 33d enters
imo with commendable gusto (?). We
have done a good deal of hard inaiclr.ng
but have seen no armed rebels yet, save
as are armed with Gen. Grant’s protection
papers. Of these lb re is no lack. We
are expecting a visit from our “southern
brethren” eveiydav. \V T e shall be happy
to see them, and intend to treat them to
full rations of ihe best we have, in the way
of hot shot and cold steel. With a view
to this, eaitbworks have been erected un
der the direction of Lieut. Col. Lowell,
and a blocs house is nearly completed, un
der the direction of Col. Moore.
Gen. La mu an is absent on a visit to bis
home in lowa, and Col. Moure is in com
mand of the Ist brigade, consisting of the
33d Wisconsin, the 3d lowa, and the 41st
and 53d Illinois, with lb addition of Rog
ers’ Battery.
