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�be made. The number of guns mounted I did not ascertain but it is great. The Fort is impregnable unless starved out. All the water they use comes from Baltimore they are boring for water inside the walls now

A flag of truce came off from Norfolk a day or two after we got here -- They brought off our prisoners -- They were instructed not too come on that errand again and that the flag of truce would not be respected

I do not know what our orders of this morning mean -- Some think that they are fighting on the line of the Potomac { and this is a report to that effect} and that are going to make a diversion here to keep the rebels in this quarter busy, while others think that we are to going to land to make a point to deceive the rebels as the to the object of the expedition -- And some think that Gen Viele is to take command of Fortress Munroe But it is by no means certain that we shall land here at all -- We had orders to be in readiness at 9 o'clock this morning -- We are in readiness but have not gone yet though it must be 12 -- Our buys are all well -- and the Regt is very healthy there being but