ought to be for memory; I am happy again when I think of the few bright years we spent together; and I hope, fondly hope we may both live to enjoy each others society many years.  
And now for the news.  Uncle John has been to Milford and the report is that Gen. Lee has evacuated Petersburg - and his whole army is making for Washington, and that Grant is orderd by boats to protect the City; this is merely rumor, we don't believe it.  I suppose the Cop's will rejoice over anything that looks like defeat to our armies, one of the ladies here today advanced some rather sympathizing arguments, I soon gave her to understand what I thought of it.  They - the Copperheads, say that if Gen McClelland can be given a command, he can have 100,000 me who will not go if he remains inactive, I replied to the lady that said that, that if he did'nt use them better than he did when he was in command, it would be little worth while to try him again.  There is very little volunteering in this State there will probably be a draft here, and the 5th of Sept will soon be here.  But for the timely discovery of that formidable conspiracy, there would doubtless have been considerable trouble here this fall.  I will send you the paper containing a full account of that conspiracy, also a Lafayette paper in which you will find a letter from Bayard Taylor, which you will think rather more amusing than interesting.
There is an incident I've been wanting to write you this three or four weeks, but have forgotten it every time.  One day when Aunt and I were visiting at a neighbors, a woman stopped to get some milk for an eight months old babe; some of the ladies asked some question in
