"As I got to thinking about home, I said to General Foster that when
my services could be dispensed with, I would like to take a leave of
absence. He says he cannot think of letting me go for ten days or two
weeks, but hopes at the expiration of that time that the exigencies of
the service will permit him to let me go home. That means that I may
probably go home if the enemy will let me. Don't fix your heart on my
coming soon. It will be as soon as I can consistently."