Washington D.C.

May 7^th 1862

 

My Dear Grace

                        Your letter of the 3^d inst was received in due time and with all the feelings of pleasure and gratitude with which letters from such a dear friend as yourself should be greeted and in return I thank you for takeing the time and trouble to cheer me with your kind letters. they are a great source of pleasure to me. I am glad to hear that you are enjoying good health that best of all God's gifts if we except his love which it is better than all things to enjoy

 

with you I enjoyed the delightful weather of last Saturday but not here. I took a trip to Baltimore haveing a little business on hand and I felt very much as if I would / like to go farther just to enjoy such a beautiful evening with you but the time is coming when I hope to look in your face again and hear you say those words that cheer my heart and bid me hope for better days to come

 

            The Capitol grounds look very nice now. on last Sunday week I took a stroll through them. they are very inviting to those who love to look at nature and a good many were out enjoying the warm sun and admireing the early flowers. O I like so much to see them so inocent in their beauty, so georgious yet so modest.

 

            I am thankful to you dear Grace for thinking so favorably of my proposition although you have not been able to make up your mind, but I hope when I come to see you we shall be able to make such arangements / as will be gratifying to both you and me. I have still been looking about for a house but all my efforts prove it to be almost a hopeless case, and knowing of nothing else I thought we could be accomadated at M^rs Kellows. still I know it would not be so pleasent as being alone, but it is better than no where at all. Ellen say's it would not be any trouble to her, but rather a pleasure to accomadate you, but she would rather I could get a house. If your packing is going to take you 3 weeks, I think you will make a heap of preparation and summer be gone before you get here, but I hope not.

 

            We have been in a great excitement here the last week about the movements of the army / of the Potomac our hopes have been very high that Hooker was going to win a victory for for us, but our hopes have been disapointed again. the weather of the last three day's has compeled him to abandon his position on the South side of the Rappahanock it became so swollen with the rain that he was afraid he could not get supplyes. this morning when the news was rumored about every one said they would not believe it but this evenings star confirmes the news. every body is down about it. many a heart tonight bleeds for a loved one gone in the din of Battle. we are all much concerned about Bro. John God only knows what has become of him we will have to wate untill the smoke of Battle clears away to see if he is alive yet. I dread much to hear of him for I hardly expect he has been spared. he was with the Cavelry that cut the rebels communication by rail with Richmond. O it is so hard we have been expecting so much from Hooker and it will likely / take 2 or 3 months before he can be prepared to fight them again still we must not give up, never in a good cause. I am sure if it had not been for the rainy weather the rebels would have been defeated this time

 

I must close I have hardly been able to write this for since I commenced the news came in confirming what we feared

 

Give my love to my little niece and tell her I am keeping her in mind and will soon come for her. assuring you my Dear Grace of my unalterable love and devotion and praying that God will bless you with his best blessings

 

I remain yours

            most Affectionately

                        W^m Muirhead

 

Good night, good night.

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