Thursday Jan’y 29th 1863
It has been a wintery day, the snow still lying on the ground but it has frozen very little. The streets are deep with “slush.” The City is very quiet. All are in anxious expectation of hearing important news from some quarter, either from Rosecrans in Tennessee, or from Grant at Vicksburgh. From Hunter in S.C. or from Genl Foster in N.C. The “Army of the Potomac” is near by and will move when it can get out of the Mud. A little excitement in the Senate for the past day or two. A motion to expel Senator Saulsbury of Delaware for disorderly conduct on the floor was postponed today upon his making an apology. The Bill in the House to authorize the raising of Negro Regiments for the War creates much excitement there and the House did not adjourn yesterday, but sat all night and adjourned this morning without coming to a vote upon the question. I have not been out of my room since dinner. The side walks are too wet for walking. Doct Barnes called upon me today on his return from Rochester. I paid him $15.00 which I owed him. He is on his way back to his Regt. Business in the office has not been very brisk today, and the “Examining Board” have not had much to do. I have been reading and writing most of the day. Wrote “The Last Salute” for one thing and another article for a newspaper in reference to Hospital Funds. Pay Master Austin returned from the Army today, left there this morning.