p.

Besides the State has given to all these reenlisted gentlemen
or gentleman's sons, so we call them, a new suit of clothes,
consisting in a dark blue jacket, sky-blue vest and pants,
of such fine cloth, so only the finest officer can wear,
a hat with golden tassels and feathers finished the
whole; - briefly - if You were here, You would think the
whole town to be crowded with officers; - You therefore
can imagine, how enviable this position is here.

You of course have read the latest disasters of
our arms in the papers; Forrest is near Cairo (190 miles
from here) and has demanded the unconditional surrender
of that place - so at least the Telegraph reports this
morning - and the furloughed gentlemen - soldiers - here are
target-shooting - America is really a great country. -

I enclose a letter to Senator Washburne, which
please to deliver personally, You will find in him
a very fine and pleasant gentleman; You find his
direction in the "Morning Chronicle" and find him the
most convenient at home at 8 o'clock A.M. or
at 4 o'clock P.M. -

You Know perhaps, that I formerly have been
in Fort Monroe, I hear from there, that Major
Stickney, in command there, has been recalled; should there
be a possibility, to go back there? Do not do the least