‸Private.‸
Chicago,—
My Dear Bro—
Well, it was a memorable night. I never shall see its like again. I never shall hear such speeches any more in th in this life—I don’t b[e]lieve the human tongue can improve on them.
And I had a triumph; , for Gen. Grant sat pretty serenely through fourteen speeches, but I fetched him, I broke him up. He told me he laughed till his bones ached. Gen. Sherman said—well, never mind what he said, [MS page 2] but he was mighty cordial & complimentary.
It was a great night, a memorable night.
I’m mighty sorry I can’t go to Keokuk, but I must rush home right away.
It is 7 in the morning, now, & I must go to bed & quit fooling.
This is all strictly confidential & [private]
With love to Mollie,
Yr Bro
Samℓ.
