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reading your letter which I had previously given him. He then explained fully the nature of the offence they were committing and stated to them that the punishment was severe. He told them that he was no lawyer and could not argue the point with them. Then all those who refused duty he ordered to the front, one hundred & fifty stepped forward, but after some expostulations all but fifty eight privates, and four non commissioned officers returned to the ranks, these latter being reported to Genl Scott, they were at 8 o'clock (PM) last evening under the guard of a detachment of United States Cavalry marched to the Navy Yard at Washington, from thence they are immediately to embark per Steamer Penhalton for Dry Tortugas, Gulf of Mexico there to serve on "fatigue duty” until they can, like men, serve their Country. This after all our labors is exceedingly trying as well as mortifying to me, and to the Officers generally. Many of the men thus detached from us have families at home who must necessarily suffer much in body & mind before