February 18th.
We have just packed and despatched Charley for Baltimore and Fortress Monroe, and are now writing notes of introduction for Mr. Vincent Colyer, who is to join him at the Fortress, and if possible take him with him to Roanoke and Port Royal. I have given him a note to Mr. Withers, and G. will write one to Dr. Bacon, and I only wish we had some jolly little things to slip into the envelopes too. Mr. Colyer is to take down a quantity of stores for the hospitals. Charley also has a large trunk full. We hear from private sources that the sick of the Burnside expedition have suffered terribly for actual necessities–water to wash with, and food to eat, and this six weeks after the expedition had started! . . .
Charley was at the War Department yesterday just after the news came of Grant’s success at Fort Donelson and Mr. McClure described McClellan as coming in “pale with excitement” to rejoice over the victory a moment with Stanton before going to work again. . . .