From the 16th Regiment.

Camp Cumberland, April 27.

Dear Sister Jennie: This is Sunday evening, pleasant and lonely. It was warm all day, but, as usual, is getting cold this evening. Since my last, a few things that may be worth of note have transpired. First, we have been living mighty scant for a while - part of the time on half rations. On last Wednesday we were ordered to go to Flat Lick with our knapsacks and bring 5 days' rations, but the brigade teams failed in arriving, so we had to go back (8 miles) to camp without anything, I almost said, to eat. But the boys pressed some corn-meal on the way, and when we got to camp the boys had drawn full rations there. High water prevented the teams from hauling provisions.

April 29th.

The regiment started up to the Gap yesterday morning early. I have not been fit for duty for several days, having had a bad cold and sore throat. About 8 regiments and 10 pieces of artillery have gone, and no doubt they will finish the place this time. I am very sorry I was not able to go along, but it is 18 miles the nearest way; and I understand that our regiment, with two others, was ordered to go around and come in on the other side. They took 3 days' rations along, and also about 50 axes, some spades and picks. I wanted to start after them this morning as I felt some better, but our pickets won't allow any one to pass. We have no accounts of more than 2500 men at the Gap, but if they want to they can do much damage. Provisions are again plenty. Yesterday we heard that New Orleans was ours.

As ever, from HIRAM