Washington Saturday Feb’y 7th 1863.
This has been a bright and beautiful day overhead, some mud under foot. I was quite surprised to receive a visit at the office today from Genl Havelock dressed in full uniform. He came into the Hall and enquired for me and his presence created quite a stir as he was not known. I escorted him about the building and showed him the Libraries, and in the upper Hall or “Museum” explained to him the operation of the Revolving Fort (Timbys) with which he was much pleased. His brilliant English Uniform (of a Cavalry officer) attracted much attention in the office and many were the questions of “who was he?” after he had left. After office hours I went on to the Ave and visited the Book Stores, Taylors & Philps, where they know me. I frequently sit there and read for hours in any book I please to take up. It is not a bad place to pick up information at a cheap rate. Books are so awful dear that I cannot afford to purchase. I was at Willards awhile, talked an hour with Mr Sweatland, the N.Y. State Agent for the Soldiers. Saw Bouge, he wanted to borrow a dollar, did not get it. He appeared to be nearly sober, feared he wanted to get drunk. Called at A B Williams. Mrs W is very sick, do not think she can recover. Saw Mrs Tice there from Palmyra, had seen her in Lyons before. She was Miss Armington. Got back to my room before 9 o’clock.
