_Washington, June 17, 1864._ DEAREST MOTHER. I got your letter this
morning. This place and the hospitals seem to have got the better of me. I
do not feel so badly this forenoon--but I have bad nights and bad days
too. Some of the spells are pretty bad--still I am up some and around
every day. The doctors have told me for a fortnight I must leave; that I
need an entire change of air, etc.
I think I shall come home for a short time, and pretty soon. (I will try
it two or three days yet though, and if I find my illness goes over I will
stay here yet awhile. All I think about is to be here if any thing should
happen to George).
We don't hear anything more of the army than you do there in the papers.