It is quite pleasant to day and I will improve it I have nothing of great importence to relate but nevertheless I will try and pass away time I suppose Old Jo [i.e., General Joseph E. Johnston] has given up all East of Miss River I have not officialy but this much I know that we had orders yesterday morning to moove at 6 oclock and have not yet nor will not untill further orders and I was told that yesterday was the last day

That they (our Genls) would not fool any longer But you cannot hear any thing that is official There is a great many things afloat and one is that the veterans are to be mustered out before the 600000 call when I come out I cannot see it in that light the vets have got their pay for it and let them stay the longest I have no doubt but what one mouth will see us on our way home if any of them are The 15 A C has turned over all of their ammunition or nearly all all of the artillery ammunition but what is in their Casrons and Limber chest and they would not do that is an army was out

in our front only 35 or 40 miles our officers are to sharp for that much soldiering has made them sharp I wish you would look arround a little and see what kind of a chance there will be for me when I get home I want a job on the RR if I can get it What are you going to do after you get your house built I may go to Mass after I get home I do not know The boys are all well and full of the old nick as they can live they will hardly let me write I will close good by write soon and all of the news

H E Randall