In Camp, February 21, 1864.
I returned from Washington to-day, very much fatigued and
worn out with two days passed in that place. I reached there Friday about 2 P.
M., and immediately went to the Department, where I stayed till 6 P. M., returned
to the hotel, dined, and spent the evening with Mr. Odell, member of Congress,
and Judge Harris. The next day, Saturday, I was with General Halleck till 3 P.
M., when I went out to Georgetown and saw Margaret.1 I ought to have
mentioned that before going to see Margaret, I stopped at the President's,
where Mrs. Lincoln was holding a levee, and spent a half-hour. I also ought to
have stated that the evening before, after leaving Judge Harris, I was
persuaded by Mr. Harding and Cortlandt Parker to go to Speaker Colfax's
reception, where I was a great lion, Mr. Colfax himself turning usher and
bringing every man and woman in the room to introduce to me. All this going
about, sitting up late at night and standing so much, had its effect on me,
wearying and fatiguing me so that I was very glad to get back to-day.
The army is overrun with women. There is to be a grand ball
to-morrow at the headquarters of the Second Corps, and I believe half of
Washington is coming down to attend. I expected the Secretary of the Interior
and his lady to come down with me to-day, but he did not come to the cars. As
the ball is nearly five miles from my headquarters, I don't think I shall have
the courage to go. I don't mind the going, but it is the coming back which is
so unpleasant.
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1 Sister of General Meade.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 166-7
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