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Virginia, December 21, 1870.

Dear General,

         My college duties closed on the 8th inst. for a vacation of sex weeks, and a few days later I came with Mrs. Alvord to spend our vacation with the relatives in Virginia.  Having passed the first Sunday out here, I left Martha with her parents and went back to Washington where I spent all last week.   At the Ebbitt House with me were Harmon and Spencer, while in other parts of the city were Kidd, Nolan, Bryant, Rife and Reese, others of the Tenth, and some who have been here but are not.   I heard of as being en route to Washington and as having recently been there.     The omnipresent Armes was constantly in sight, said to be living at present on his witness fees drawn for attendance on the Hancock Board.