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[letterhead]
War Department,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands,
Washington,
Oct 1^st, 1865.

My Dear

It is Sabbath evening, but
I must write a word. We were de-
-tained over night in Phila & reached here
at 9^oC last evening. Mrs Howard & the
children tired enough—She looks blue
today as she goes over this great
dirty house, The Gen'l charges homesick-
-ness upon her. Dont wonder.

Have heard today, at the
new Cong'l Ch. or one wh. they hope will
be new Rev Mr. Johnson, formerly of Bowdoin
St. Ch. Boston—He is now Pastor of the new
Congl Ch in Baltimore—Good sermon.
Am well as usual—Hope you all are. Shall
have work enough at the office tomorrow

Love J. W. A.