[header]
Sanitary Commission
Adams’ House, 244 F street,
Washington, D.C., March 3, 1863.

[letter]
Mrs Gibbons,

You will find enclosed a
letter which we have held expecting to be
able to send to you by Miss Sewall. There
seems to be some way in the [Quarter Master] Department
for the boat which was to be placed on
the line between this city & [Baltimore] has no [?]
so far as I can learn reported.

Miss Sewall has been here nearly a week
and is doubtless anxious to go on, I saw
her this morning and told her she should
go by the first opportunity.

I should have kept my promise
to Dr Wagner but my duties have greatly
increased by the absence of both Mr Olmsted
Mr Knapp & Dr Jenkins. I will write the Dr
a letter now. Please assure [him?] that I hold
him in affectionate remembrance. My best
regards to Dr. Stearns, & please remember me
to your daughter.

I have this minute received a visit
from Mrs Verplanck and Mrs Moore. They
came for advice. They think they were
sent away from [Point Lookout] without adequate cause.
They showed me letters from Dr Wagner &
Dr Stonelake. What advice shall I give them,
They desire to remain in the service. Are
they capable women, equal to the duty?

It will be difficult for them to find
a place in any other hospital just now,
as there are many vacant beds, and
the corps of attendants complete. After
weeks however and the soldier now
in the field will need their services.

Can you give them any encouragement
that they may be needed at the
Point at some future time. The merits
of their position I do not know, and have
no opinion about them.

[Yours truly]
J.H. Douglas