Dear Father

Haveing a few spare moments I thought I would improve them by writing you a few lines to inform you that I am well and so are the rest of the boys that you know I I saw Jacob Collins [i.e., Pvt. Jacob Collins, Co. H, 100th Ohio Infantry] the first of this month He had a finger shot off the 3 finger on the right hand at the first joint he is poor but well he sayes they are at it day and night their works and ours are about 20 rods apart He sayes it is not much fun and I should think not I am acting as orderly of 100 men I have to make the details draw rations and &c

I do not know how long we shall stay here but I shall stay here a good while if I can for I am not any ways anchious to go to the front myself The repot is that Johnson [i.e., Gen. Joseph E. Johnston] has got 20000 reinforcements if such being the case Sherman will need all of his men to drive him out of the Altona Hills They have got a strong position there Capt Bishop of Co D [i.e., Capt. William Bishop, Co. D., 100th Ohio Infantry] is mortally wounded (they say) by a sharpshooter The ball passed through his left lung he was a good officer as there was in our Regt I shall try and get detailed here at some business C Bayes [i.e., Pvt. Campbell Bayes, Co. H., 100th Ohio Infantry] is teamster hauling logs and lumber I shall try and get in as clerk somewhere

There is nothing of any importence to write or that will interest you much So I will close Good by you may direct to convalescent Camp 2d Batt

H E Randall