Wednesday Dec 2nd 1863
Since my last date Genl Grant has defeated the rebel Army under Bragg at Chattanooga taking Six or seven thousand prisoners and about Sixty cannon. Genl Mead moved South from the Rapahannock last week. He has cut himself loose from all supply trains or Depots from this direction. He has ordered off all Reporters and we know but little about where he is at this date. He has a well appointed Army of Eighty thousand men and took along about twenty days rations for his Army. The object is Richmond. I expect He will fetch up on the James River. Congress meets next Monday and people are flocking to the City in droves. Julia is still at Mr Hartleys and is quite well. She comes into the office nearly every day to see me. I am now suffering from a severe cold owing I presume to the change in temperature. It has been quite cold for a day or two but no Snow as yet and I have seen no ice here until yesterday. The Head of the Statue of Freedom was put on today. The figure now stands complete upon the top of the Dome of the Capitol.