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Letter from Frank to Fanny Hall, From Willard's Hotel, Washington, D.C.

                                                                                                                                        Willard's Washington D.C.
                                                                                                                                         Dec. 3d, 1862

Own Dear Dear Fannie Fan.

          Hubby is here safely. I sent a telegraph last evening at about 7 o'clock saying all well & c. When I left you, John hurried down to the cars reaching there just in time. At first I could not get a seat, so I camped out in the aisle, setting on my bag. But soon a gentleman left his seat to go into the sleeping car & I took his. I felt pretty tired so I was right glad to get it. Reached New York about 1/2 past five or six, went right down to Astor house, took breakfast & tried to get a poncho but no stores open. So left for Washington at seven. Very pleasant baggage men. Checked my box right away when I told him it was my saddle & charged me no freight; checked it though. Met a very pleasant old gentleman from Philadelphia formerly of a Hartford family, an old bachelor, by the name of Whitman. Their family lived opposite John Butler's on Main Street, corner of College. I took him first tor Gen, T. Wilson Webb. He was so fine looking.
          I had been looking at him for some time, preparing to speak to him under that supposing, asking him if he had seen Gen. Webb on the train or something of that kind. When he turned round to me and asked me what I thought of the President's message (that I had just finished reading). So, that broke the ice & we were together nearly all the way to Washington & last evening for some time in the sitting room. He is related to Secretary Torrey & old George Beech. He says when last in Hartford he cut Torrey & young George Beech Jr. died & also Geo. Seymore who in some way connected with him.
          Well, I went up to Fred Seward's right after tea. But first I must say the soldiers began to be visible at about Havre the grid degrees where they cross the Susquehannock & there the Connecticut 18th are stationed. & then all along a soldier here & there along the road. Camp fires, tents & c. The Retay House looked quite natural as we passed & then Annapolis Junction where the N.Y. seventh.

                                                                                                                                                            [Frank Hall]