Dear Father & Mother

I received a letter from you this morning bearing the date of Dec 19 which was rather unexpected for I did not look for one before the last of the week for I do not get them before the last of the week generally but it was welcom never theless and it would seem by your writing that you were rather dishartned since Burnsides repulse but keep up good spirits for I have to no matter what the news is I done some washing last Sunday and I caught a bad cold by so doing and my throat is swelled

considerable on the outsid[...] the surgeon sayes that I it is the mumps there is some of the boys just getting over the mumps in our tent did I ever have them that you know of and if I did whither on both sides or not it is on the left side of the head I guess it will come out all right in the end I have faith as much as I can which is not much I can tell you but it does not do for a fellow to get dishartned here for if he does he surely will be sick in spite of the fates but unless I get worse I than I am now I shall keep up my faith for a while yet for I do believe that the first of the year 63

will show a new side of our country either for the better or worse I hope the better for I do feel in hopes I shall be home in the spring that is my calculation now whether I do or not that is the way we get along here in the army The Major is not going home Harlan is sending a box of cloths home I have sent a blouse well I shall have to close for I cannot think of any more to write so good by for this time write soon my love to all

H E Randall