Washington February 7 1866

           

My dear Sister

                                    I dont really believe I deserve such a castigating as you gave me for I have endeavored to write you as often as any of the family, all of whom seem to expect a separate letter from me at least once a week . Before me is a letter just received from Hattie wherein I am belabored for not writing her more frequently. Now please take into consideration the fact that I am not the free and independent young man I was four months ago. Seven hours daily of my time must go to Uncle Sam or else my desk will get such a pile of work on it that I have to work nights to keep it clean. Just now, the 2^nd Auditors Office is overwhelmed with business. Applications come in from every quarter of the country for settlement of accounts. More than a wagon load of letters have to be answered daily. The Government are anxious to have the claims of the soldiers settled and the minimum force reduced. Eight hundred clerks "driving the quill" in this Office alone, two thousand more are scattered through the different branches of the Treasury, six hundred of whom are ladies—And yet this is not enough to keep the work up to date. Many work every night till into the small hours. This Treasury has come to be a "Big thing" Do you know that we could not count our National debt in a life time if it was in twenty dollar bills. What a load then upon the shoulders of Secretary McCulloch. I think the Treasury is now the heart of the country and as it throbs so throbs the country. The War Department is fast dwindling down to a peace basis and Stanton the "Carrot" of our war is fast losing his "Occupation". There could not have been found on our broad land another man equal to the Secretary of War for his position. his great mind immediately grasped the reins and put our vast armies in the field ready for service with a celerity truly wonderful. Foreign nations look upon him with awe and wonder. And what man would have withstood so long and [?]enly the many attacks upon him from all parts of the country. At one time the press were all howling at him like wolves at a huge bear whom they were afraid to grapple with, but he moved on unflinchingly in his chosen path and now the country see the wisdom of his course and know him accordingly. However I did not sit down to write a panegyric. I began with a protest against your denunciations of my delinquency (whew! those two words made my head ache). I know dear Sister you have always / been a kind, blessed sister to me and I appreciate the many kindnesses from you, and your watchful care for me during my youth, before we both left our home. You were always the first to chide me when I did wrong and applaud when I was right. I have in my journal a maxim you gave me when I started for the west the first time, one I never have forgotten—you wrote it yourself. And dear Mary beside the counsels of my father and Mother none have had such weight with me and have affected my life like yours. You know you always governed me in my boyhood and I can truly say that much of the ambition which has guided me during the last four years was due to your training. Then do you think I love to write to any one more than you? I have said this much, for the first page of your letter seemed to convey the impression to me that you believed I did not think of sister Mary as often as the rest of the family. I am glad you are pleasantly situated Keeping house must be more agreeable than boarding.

 

            Washington is full of life and gayety, foreigners, Southerners and wealthy Northerners are here in great numbers the parlors of the wealthy throng nightly with beauty and fashion. The votaries of pleasure can be filled to satiety with opera, receptions, parties and half-a-dozen other fashionable amusements. The city seems to be one grand whirl. I go out about every night, more for the sake / of seeing our public men than for anything else. I have plenty of invitations. Last night I attended the Presidents Reception. At half past eight the stream of silks and broadcloth commenced pouring in to the gorgeous salons of the White House, and so continued till midnight. I went in at nine and a half. A more brilliant assemblage I never saw before. The "Blue Room" "East Room" and halls were crowded with the elite of the Capital and of the nation. Among the Generals were Grant, Sherman, Meade, Meigs and Logan. Members of Congress were sandwiched between double stars. Welles of the Navy, Stanton, Harlan and all the rest of the Cabinet were there. The President and daughters received in the "Blue Room". Andy looked well, has a determined eye, straight black hair and very dark complexion, he griped my hand warmly. B. B. French who does all the introducing after the crowd had got tough bones-shaking took me by the arm and told the President the reliable story of my getting shot twice in the face &c. Andy said—"Well Capt. I suppose there is not a parallel case in the whole country" said 'twas "a great cause" &c. I was so "Obfusticated" I couldn't say much. And I have had to take it all day from my comrades for that few minutes chat with the President. Mrs. Patterson and Mrs. Stover daughters of the President receive very graciously

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