Dear Mary,-

You will see by this letter where I am at present. I came here yesterday. I will write you about my travels from home to this place. You will remember I left you at Uncle Robert's at 4:30 A. M. The train left Union Depot at 5. We ran down to Albany and there had to wait one and one-half hours for the up train which made us so much behind time. We made a quick journey to New York but were an hour behind when we arrived there and this disappointed me in going to Rickers Island to see Lieutenant Culver, which I intended to do when leaving home.

I thought the next best thing was to visit some of my friends to pass the time, as I could not leave for Washington. I first called on John A. Cruikshank at the Broadway Bank and as soon as he could get away from business he went with me to see his brother Dwight at A. T. Stewart's store. John had to go back to the bank to attend to business and I found a place to have my photographs taken. Then I went to Barnum's but did not enjoy myself alone. I wanted somebody to talk to but all were strangers. I could not see one familiar face in a crowd of hundreds who were there.

At four o'clock I went back to the bank and John went with me and called on Dr. M. Murray where we stayed until it was time for me to leave for Washington. I enjoyed John's company very much. He is a fine young man and made it as pleasant for me as he could.

I started for Washington at 7:30 P. M. and rode all night, arriving at Washington at 7:30 A. M., the next morning. I got my breakfast the first thing as I thought I needed it the most of anything at that time. After breakfast I reported at the Medical Department and received an order to report at Seminary Hospital at Georgetown, which I did and here I am.

So far I like the appearance of this hospital. It does not look like a private soldiers' hospital. I will write more about it when I have been here longer. This building was a female seminary before the war broke out. It was here that Mrs. Jeff Davis was educated and from this building that Jessie eloped with Fremont. Now it is filled with sick and wounded officers. In the room that I am in there are sixteen beds and is a convalescent ward. it is occupied by doctors, chaplains, captains and lieutenants. A Chaplain has a bed next to mine and is a very friendly fellow. I have been out to church with him. We have preaching in this ward this afternoon. I do not know how long I will remain here but I do not think it will be many days.

Lieutenant Culver has not returned to the Company and they are without an officer of the Company and one of us must be wanted to look after it. I will go as soon as I can endure Camp life.