Major Buell took me into Floyd's room at the War Department, to whom I explained my business, and I was agreeably surprised to meet with such easy success.

Although the State of Louisiana had already drawn her full quota of arms, Floyd promptly promised to order my requisition to be filled, and I procured the necessary blanks at the Ordnance-Office, filled them with two hundred cadet muskets, and all equipments complete, and was assured that all these articles would be shipped to Louisiana in season for our use that fall.

These assurances were faithfully carried out.
I then went on to New York, there met Major Smith according to appointment, and together we selected and purchased a good supply of uniforms, clothing, and text books, as well as a fair number of books of history and fiction, to commence a library.
When this business was completed, I returned to Lancaster, and remained with my family till the time approached for me to return to Louisiana.

I again left my family at Lancaster, until assured of the completion of the two buildings designed for the married professors for which I had contracted that spring with Mr.Mills, of Alexandria, and which were well under progress when I left in August.

One of these was designed for me and the other for Vallas.
Mr.Ewing presented me with a horse, which I took down the river with me, and en route I ordered from Grimsley & Co.