[excerpt] … if the last intelligence, of the capture of Milliken's [illegible] be true - there is no escape for Grant unless he whips Johnston & Pemberton - but it lacks confirmation - …Little doubt exists now but that Bank's & his "nigger" have met with a most terrible defeat - he deserves [2] all & more than he has received, it is said that "he was not in the fight, we may take this for a fact as it is by no means incredible - It is great pity, that those, who first endeavoured to break up the union, & afterward attempted to unite it again by bloodshed arson theft and all other villainous deeds, cannot be [reached] first - Vallandigham's arrest, and the suppression of newspapers, have given an electrick shock to Yankeeism, which will [very quickly] pass off. When Mr. Seward "very cheerfully" backs down, he knows when to act & when to retract to or against Yankee Vengeances - & for me I do not believe that men will be a collision in between the people & government of Yankee doodle - So we must make up our minds to the fact that the war will be continued as long as it can be carried on by both parties, The are now enlisting negroes for their army which is a good sign, as it is certain that they can not get whites - & is some evidence of their weakness & desperation...