Dear Wife,-

I wrote you that I expected to go to Washington. I came the day I wrote you. I have not felt like writing before but will now attempt to write a few lines. I must confess I do not feel in a writing mood. It is extremely warm and the heat with my weakness makes me feel shiftless. I think I am improving slowly. My doctor says the most I need is rest and good food,- that my trouble is weakness caused by overwork and not having sufficient food.

When I came here my blanket was spread on the floor of a freight car and I lay on that. It was not a very easy way for a sick man to ride.

I am boarding at a private boarding-house. I pay $10.00 per week. I have an army surgeon attend me so do not pay anything for a doctor. He is a fine man. He is trying to find a cheaper place for me to board and if he finds one Lieutenant Reid will go with me. He and Colonel Rogers are both boarding here.

Today is the Sabbath, the first that I could have as a day of rest since we left Stafford. I was not able to go to church so kept to my room all day. The quiet does me good. If you and Ella were with me how I would enjoy this day. I wonder if this wicked war will not soon come to a close so that we can return to our friends and enjoy life. We must await God's own time to bring about these things. He is permitting it for some good purpose. It is my opinion that He will not permit slavery longer to exist in this land. When that is done away with then we can go home.