Washington Sunday Jan’y 18th 1863
A fine cold winter morning, ground hard frozen. Attended religious Services in the Capitol, heard Mr Stockton (the Chaplain). Took a look at Leutzes picture of the “Emigrants.” The more I look at it the more I admire it. Miss Rumsey always sings with one other female and three male singers at the Hall of the “House” Sundays. She is a public singer at concerts and other places, particularly at the Hospitals for the soldiers. She and her intended husband Mr spend about all their time for the soldiers. They have raised a Library for them of several hundred Vols. I visited the Ascension Hospital, it is again full of Patients and Chas is as busy as ever. I spent an hour or two in their rooms after he left the Hospital, took tea with them, held the baby while it went to sleep sucking its thumb. I was a little surprised when he asked me to stay & play a game of Chess. I do not play any game Sunday or Sunday evening, told him so. I suppose it is from habit for I do not think I have any too much respect for the Sabbath as a holy day. It may be from respect to the habit and teaching of my Father. But then He kept Saturday night and not Sunday night, “so there I am again.” When I was a boy in N England Sunday began at sundown Saturday & ended at sundown Sunday. Called at A B Williamss and spent an hour and then to my room. Williams intends to sell his property in Lyons and live here altogether. That may suit him but it would not suit me were I in his place.