.MTAzMA.MTYwNw

                                Washington  27  Aug.  1865

      I wrote to you from Richmond my

dearest wife, and now write a few lines just

to say that I am quite well and to have

the pleasure of holding one side of a con-

-versation with you, altho' I cannot enjoy

the other.  I told you in my letter  from

Richmond that I cannot tell you where

to write to me.    Therefor I cannot expect

a letter, which is a great annoyance

to me.      I left Richmond on Wednesday

last & got to Mr. Botts' to  dinner and

fortunatrly found him at home.   He &

dear Peggy & the girls were all very

glad to see me and as kind as I ever

saw them.  Peggy, I think is better than

usual.  She complains however- all the

rest are very well.  Beverley is here,  in

the q. Master Genls.  office.

                                                      I staid a night

 

[P. 2]

and part of Thursday & came up here

in the afternoon.    Mr.  B. gave me

a letter to the Pres. & which I have merely

had the opportunity to deliver without

being able to say much.     I shall seek

an interview tomorrow: but such is the

press of applicants [underlined],  that I may be here

several days.   I think it better,  and

cheaper, as I am here [underlined] to stay until I

get thro' (if I can get thro' at all)

rather than leave here & have to come

back.   The moment I can do so,

I shall of course hasten to you my be-

-loved wife;  I was never more anxious

to see you & my beloved children and

grand children.   Fondest love to dearest

Julia, Page & Bob, and to my darlings

George, Breck & Lucy Page.

       Best love aslo to Mr. W. & Miss Lizzie, &

kindest regards to Mr. Whittle & Miss Mary;

 

[P. 3]

also to Judge & Mrs.  G, & to all friends.

    I find several Virginia acquaintances

here.  Mr. Sheed,  Mr. Caperton, Judge

Allen & others- but my time passes un-

-comfortably because I am uncertain

& anxious as to some matters.   But I

am as active as a steam printing press

and shall not relax my efforts until

I succeed in getting my property restored

to me, or come to a dead halt.   However

I do not fear the latter.

       I shall not stop in Richmond when

I leave here, but shall be in Danville

on the second night.  When that will

be I wish I could tell you.  I hope

however that it will be this week.

     In the hope that you have by

this time entirely recovered, my dearest

wife, and that  all the dear ones are well,

I bid you temporarily good bye

       God bless you.    Ever your

                                         R.S.

Mrs. Saunders