Steamer Daniel Webster, March 21, 1862.
Dear Hannah, — We are at anchor off Alexandria, having embarked on this fast steamer this afternoon.
We shall go to the dock to-morrow morning to take General Porter and horse on board, and I intend taking that opportunity to send this letter. I am forced to use red ink, as my inkstand is packed up. I feel pretty well used up, as I have been walking around carrying dispatches, my horse being on board ship. My foot has troubled me to-day, the first time for a long while. You know my toes have an unfortunate habit of getting out of joint and paining me excessively. I had it down at Port Royal. The next pair of boots I have made I shall have fixed in some peculiar way so as to remedy this if I can.
We shall probably start to-morrow morning, and reach our destination in 24 hours.
I am very tired and cannot write you a long letter. I am very sorry indeed to hear that Bill Horton is probably mortally wounded. How dreadfully his family must feel.
Please write the same as before and let me hear from you often. I don’t know how soon you will hear from me again. It may be some time before I have a chance to send you another letter. . . .
