Washington Saturday March 7th 1863.
Another day has passed and no news to encourage any body. They have had a small fight in Tennessee where three or four of our Regiments were overpowered by superior numbers. All quiet on the Potomac. There is in fact a perfect Blockade of Mud and it is almost impossible to get to the Camps or Hospitals out of the City with anything but a Govt Wagon and & [sic] Six Mule teams. Met Gov Sprague on the Ave, he recognized me at once. When he came on with the first RI troops in June/61 His Head Quarters were almost opposite my room in the Pat office. At that time I became quite well acquainted with him and also Genl (then Col) Burnside. The Gov is now U.S. Senator. I have written Six Soldiers letters today and enclosed Money in five of them, amounting in all to about $250.00. It was all sent to Mothers or wives, and sent by Express. It has rained nearly all day and the Streets would be worse than they have been heretofore if it were possible. I have been over to Charleys. Eat some oysters and played a game of Chess. They are living in one Room, Cooking, Sleeping, and all, one of tolerable size on the 2nd floor. It is very inconvenient but the best they could do for the time being.