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Quartermasters commissaries and surgeons are expected to study the utmost economy without neglecting all necessary provisions for their department. No extra or useless arms will be taken but all commanders will see that ample and proper ammunition is provided. Each man must have a Haversack & Knapsack and company officers will immediately inspect the men and see to the procuring of all little necessaries for field duty and every man must see to the preservation of his personal effects as his life may depend upon it. This order will be published to Regiments and companies if possible in the hearing of a soldier and translated to our comrades of different languages. A prompt response to a call for duty and a readiness to serve with celerity and a brave exhibition of endurance will command the admiration of our comrades in other fields and receive a cordial commendation of the commanding General.

                 By order of Brigadier General Custis

This is a good evidence of a fordward movement & I shall not be surprised if we move in a few days. I will write again when I see further developments. Cant surmise the direction intended for us to take. There are now from fifteen to twenty thousand troops here. My health is very good. Very few sick in the [ illegible]

      My regard to all the friends. Write soon.
                           Yours truly
                                 JJ Russell

P.S. The [ rough? ] & desolate looks like Arkansas.