Well the roll is called & the drums are mostly hushed - The moon is fast sinking away in the west, & sheding but a feeble light over these contending armies - sentinels are far out from each camp watching with a Jealous eye the movements of each other - the last bugle has Just sounded tattoo & soon where all has been noise & frolic - a dead quiet will reign - & I too must seek my couch (some boards laid on the ground & one blanket spread over this & an other over us).  My health continues very good - I am more cautious about what I eat than I ever have been confining my diet principally to crackers & tea & coffee, some beans, bacon, &c the water we drink is cool yet, but not such as we had in the mountains of Missouri - Billy & Bird have both been discharged & are I suppose on their way home:  I think of it I forgot to pay Billy for a plug of tobacco I got from him, will you pay him 35 cts, you can Just imagine it was for some thing to eat - yes I chew a little yet.  Well I must gather up these scraps & see if I can get them into an envelope. give my love to all & remember that your husband will think of his dear wife far away in the north.  good bye my precious wife 
Lyle A Garrett
