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join our old command and the boys were jubilant over the prospects Anything to get out of this Department for we are all heartily sick of this place but I fear now that the prospects are rather poor. What do you think of the movements of the Army in Virginia. I say three cheers for the hero of the West. He is surely a bitter pill for the women of N.O. but you can never make them believe that Lee has been out generaled. The saying is that drowning men catch at straws, so it is with the women here they [can?] Lee defeat to Gen. Grant in all the news they say that heretofore General Grant has always had imbecile Generals to deal with but that Lee will never sell Richmond as did Pemberton Vicksburg. My opinion is that it is being sold to about the same tune. Have recd. no letter from home since writing to Sallie on my birthday, but am in hopes there will be one for me to morrow, for I am told that a mail boat has just arrived. Excuse this hastily written scrawl Write often. Love to all From Your Act. Brother Carl