Washington, D. C., March 22, 1864.
. . . We arrived here, all but General Grant, Mrs. Grant and
Captain Leet, this evening. The General and Mrs. Grant went by Philadelphia, to
enable Mrs. Grant to make some additions to her wardrobe. Captain Leet stayed
over at Pittsburg to see Mrs. Leet. Notwithstanding two nights' ride in the
cars, I feel much better than when I kissed you good night at Cincinnati. The
General and Mrs. Grant seem more attentive to me than ever before. I cannot
tell the reason why unless it was that they thought my recent separation from
you entitled me to sympathy. I certainly feel very kindly to them for their
marked interest in my welfare. Be assured, there is nothing the General can do
for me but he will do. I have great hopes of being able to withstand the coming
campaign and not be compelled to take a leave of absence. To be present at the
battle that must decide the fate of Richmond, and that battle a successful one
too, would be the height of my ambition. . . .
We will go forward without delay to Culpepper Court House,
where headquarters of the armies will be established for the present, and I am
pleased to know, we shall have a house in which I can have a room, and thereby
be relieved from going into a tent which I so much feared because of my health.
. . .
SOURCE: James H. Wilson, The Life of John A. Rawlins,
p. 403
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