City Point Va. Oct. 26th 1864
Dear Julia,
To-morrow a great battle will probably be fought. At all events I have made all the arrangements for one and unless I conclude through the day to change my programme it will take place. I do not like to predict results therefore will say nothing about what I expect to accomplish. The cake you sent by Mr. Smith come to hand but the other you speak of having sent by Express has not. In one of your letters you ask if I accepted the house in Chicago? I did not accept or decline. I stated that I had no disposition to give up Ill. as my place of residence but the probability being that my duties hereafter would keep me most of the time in the East I had selected Phila as a place where my children could have the benefit of good schools and I could expect often to visit my family. If they were in Chicago I could not expect to see them often. I have heard nothing further since.
All are well here. Rawlins appears to have entirely recovered. Shall I have Little Rebel sent to you? If you had him you could get a little buggy and sleigh expressly for him and the children could then ride as much as they pleased. I expect when this campaign ends to send all my horses home and stay there most of the time myself when I am not visiting the different Armies. I do wish I could tell when that would be.—Love and kisses for you and the children.
ULYS.