We are feeling very hopeful for our cause since the great victory of Sherman at Savanah; he sent a telegram to the President that he would present him Savanah with 150 guns, 800 prisoners, 25000 bales of cotton, amunition and small arms, as a christmas present.  He is very liberal in making his friends presents, is'nt he?  The Rebels themselves are becoming discouraged, Foote, one of the great men in this rebellion has left Congress in disgust; We are looking for something important from Richmond soon, Sherman can take every point of importance in the south while Grant holds Lee's army at or in their own Capital.  We have other good news, which will be cheering to you as it was to all of us; Emma got a letter from Cyrus yesterday, he was well, at Nashville, the letter was written the 14th of Dec, the same day that the last one I received from you was written.  He wrote a very good long letter, he mentioned having one from you; but that hard battle at Nashville since he wrote, and we can't hear whether the 8th was engaged or not; Cy thought he would come home this winter, you would be happy to meet him here would'nt you, if you ca'nt resign could'nt you get a leave of absence?  Cy never mentions getting my letters, although he must get them if he does anybody's, and never has written me a word, so I don't think he wishes to hear from me; It rather hurts my feelings that I am so little esteemed but I'll bear it in silence as much as possible.
