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Letter From Lieutenant Jobe.

CAMP CHETLAIN,
Paducah, Ky., Oct. 8, 1861.

Dear Col.: It has been sometime since I have written to you, but the cause of my tardiness is owing to our duties being much heavier than they were during the three months service, as you will observe by my last letter. Six hours drill each day, besides the various other duties to which we are subjected, gives us very little time to attend to any other business; and the half of our regiment stationed at Smithland, at the mouth of the Cumberland river, gives us the work of a regiment to perform whilst we are only half a regiment.

Our regiment is in the first brigade under command of Gen. Paine. We are expecting an attack daily, and are making speedy preparations to give the enemy a warm reception. Breastworks and fortifications are numerous, and it will take a force of three times our number on the part of the rebels to effect an entrance into this city. There are, I understand, about 20,000 rebel troops at Mayfield, distant about twenty-five miles, and it is reported to be their intention to make an attack upon this place soon.

This town is almost deserted, business almost entirely suspended, and families are moving out by scores, daily, principally the "secesh." I hope by the next time I write to you I can inform you that we have had a battle, and that we have completely "cleaned out" and routed the foe. But, alas! we like Col. Mulligan at Lexington, may be overpowered by numbers, and receive reinforcements, but too late. I hope, however, that such may not be the case.

We are getting tired of this idleness and anxiously awaiting an opportunity to "give 'em fits;" and when we are called out on the "color line," which is very often, (and I can judge of other regiments and brigades by the conduct of our own,) being informed that the advance guard of the enemy are within six miles of us, and then after standing there for sometime, and being supplied with ammunition, and everything requisite for a fight, and then being suddenly told that the cause of the alarm is groundless, you should behold with what disappointed countenances and dissatisfied looks the men seek their quarters.

We had a very fine bridge of boats thrown across the Ohio between this point and the Illinois shore, but the late rise in the river swept it away as quickly as it had been constructed, and our telegraph wire was broken, thereby destroying our telegraph communication between this and Cairo, but no doubt it will soon be repaired again, as there is a company of sappers and miners busily engaged at work on the bridge, after which the telegraph wire can be put in working order again.

Major McNeil visited our camp a few days ago, looking fresh and hearty, as usual. I was glad to see his familiar looking countenance, and was informed by him that the regiment of cavalry to which he is attached would be stationed about six miles below us on the Kentucky side of the Ohio.

Our company is all absent to-night as guards for the wharf boat at Paducah, under charge of Lieut. Koehler, nobody being at "our house" but our very efficient clerk, Mr. Martin Burgh, and myself. Martin looks well, and since he has got into the army has assumed the regular zouave style — "moustache" and long "imperial."

Sergeant J. W. Gregg is acting orderly during the absence of O. S. Barry, and performs the duties of the office in a manner which but few can excel. Sogerin' agrees with him, and he gets fat on't. He assists Lieut. Koehler to-night on the wharfboat.

I have just received an order to report myself as officer of the picket guard at 8.15 in the morning, which I have to do, lately, about every other day. But there is no use in grumbling, if a man wants to be a soger he must expect to do the duties assigned him. I don't suppose it is quite so "dangersum" standing picket at "Black Hawk" as it is down here in Kentucky. 'Spect not.

It is drawing near "taps," and my candle is getting very short, and I will conclude by subscribing myself yours,
Very respectfully,
W. F. J.