The prospect is that we will moove from here soon or not at all I understand that our authorities at Washington would not except of a conditional surrender since the President [i.e., Abraham Lincoln] death and now all they ask of Johnson [i.e., General Joseph E. Johnston] is an unconditional surrender and I think he will with out the least doubt for he is not a man that will cause useless shedding of blood

He has prooved himself a good General so far but not a fighting one If he had never been relieved from the army we would not stand where we do now for heis saveing of his men
     Gen Grant and Meede [i.e., General George B. Meade] are here Grant is a very small man We have orders to moove tomorrow morning but I do not think we will I do not think we will I do not think any of the troops have left and they had orders to this morning and that is the reason I do not think we shall pull out I will close and if nothing prevents you will hear from me soon write soon

H E Randall