Walt Whitman letter to Louisa Whitman, 10 July 1863

WASHINGTON, July 10, 1863.

DEAR MOTHER

I suppose you rec'd a letter from me last Wednesday, as I sent you one Tuesday (yth). Dear mother, I was glad enough to hear from George, by that letter from Snyder's Bluffs, June 28th. I had felt a little fear on acc't of some of those storming parties Grant sent against Vicksburg the middle of June and up to the 2Oth but this letter dispels all anxiety. I have written to George many times, but it seems he has not got them. Mother, I shall write immediately to him again. I think he will get the letter I sent last Sunday, as I directed it to Vicksburg I told him all the news from home. Mother, I shall write to Han and enclose George's letter. I am real glad to hear from Mat and the little one, all so favorable. We are having pleasant weather here still. I go to Campbell hospital this afternoon I still keep going, mother. The wounded are doing rather badly ; I am sorry to say there are frequent deaths the weather, I suppose, which has been peculiarly bad for wounds, so wet and warm (though not disagreeable outdoors). Mother, you must write as often as you can, and Jeff too you must not get worried about the ups and downs of the war; I don't know any course but to resign oneself to events if one can only bring one's mind to it. Good-bye once more, for the present, dearest mother, Mat, and the dear little ones. WALT. Mother, do you ever hear from Mary?