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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.  Graham is a Deputy U. S. Marshal near Lynchburg in this State.
   Lt. Harmon was in high feather, was very handsomely received by the Secretary of War and the Quartermaster General, but his idea of being made a Captain at once will hardly be realized.  Harmon certainly deserves a great deal of credit, but he is, in danger of being spoiled [underline] at present.   He starts this week for Leavenworth where he expects his wife and personal effects to meet him, and expresses the opinion that he will remain there on duty at Dept. Hd. Qrs.