FRIDAY 8 A warm pleasant morning. Went down to Genl McClellans Head qrs. Saw him and his Brilliant Staff with the two French Princes mount their horses and gallop off to a Review. Stoped into Mr Sewards office & got a letter to the Provost Marshall which secured me a “Pass” to Virginia. Went on [...]

THURSDAY 7 A fine pleasant day. I have not done much. Went to the office of the Sec’y of the Interior. Was told that I was certainly to be restored to office but must have patience. Well, patience is well enough, but it will not pay for provisions and fuel, and I am consequently rather [...]

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1861. A cool, cloudy, misty day. It is now pretty well known that the great fleet landed near Charleston S.C. Much anxiety is felt to hear direct from it. No new[s] today. J.C. Fremont is removed from the command of the Army in M.O. Genl Hunter takes his place. The 60th NY [...]

TUESDAY 5 This has been a pleasant day. There has been some excitement in consequence of the report that Genl Rosecrantz had taken Floyd and his army in Western V.A. We think it is now pretty well ascertained that the “great fleet” has gone to Charleston S.C. There was a grand review over the River [...]

MONDAY 4 The E St Hospital, or the (Washington Infirmary) so called, was destroyed by fire last night. It contained over one hundred wounded soldiers, all were got out safely. Doct Barnes & Lady called this morning. Julia went out with them to different parts of the City. I walked over to Georgetown and back. [...]

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1861. It has been clear and pleasant today. Yesterday Genl Scott resigned the command of the Armies of the U.S. and left the City for NY in the early morning train. He resigned the day before. He was old and infirm and about “used up” and considered an obsticle in the way [...]

SATURDAY 2 This has been a rainy and windy day. It has rained incessantly until about 9 o’clock tonight. The Storm has, it is feared, has [sic] been severe on the Ocean and great fears are expressed that the Vessels of the great Naval Expedition south will suffer. The fleet sailed last Tuesday. I have [...]

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1 The day has been rather cool and windy and it rains a little tonight. I called at the Sec’ys and was told to have patience, that I should have a position soon. Went on the Ave and was at Willards an hour or so, a great many officers there, think they had [...]

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1861. Fine weather again today. Was at the Pat office today but did not call upon the Sec’y. Have been at home most of the day. Chas is at our house sick. Sallie is with him and takes care of him. He has a bad cold upon his lungs and is threatened [...]

WEDNESDAY 30 Another delightful day, have not been round much. Was at the Pat office awhile, met my old friend Burrows Hyde of Jersey City. Have been trying my hand at soldering up holes in tin ware, succeeded pretty well. Wife and Julia are at Mr Middletons, our neighbors. Julia spent last evening at Doct [...]

TUESDAY 29 This has been a most delightful day. I have travelled a good deal about the City mostly on business for other people. I was at the Private qrs of Genl McClellan. Saw the Genl, also my old friend John Cochran of NY, now “Col Cochran.” I was at the office of the Sec’y [...]

MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1861. I was at the Pat office today. Visited the War office and the Head Quarters of Genl McClellan, corner of the Ave & 19th St. His privat Rooms are at the corner of H & 16th Sts. His “rooms” are not very “private” as they are always crowded with officers. I [...]

SUNDAY 27 This has been rather a still Sunday. I have not been to church, I have rather too much of a cough left. I have written a number of letters, one to E P Taft, to Doct J Taft, and one to Lieut Swan. Almeron Field called this evening. He belongs to the Co [...]

SATURDAY 26 A dark cloudy day but no rain. Was down to the post office. Called at the office of Fenwick & Lawrence Pat Agts. Have spent most of the day at home reading the news &c. Wood being $8.00 pr cord I cannot afford to hire it sawed so I saw it myself. The [...]

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1861. A cool, fine October day just right for outdoor business and Military parades. Went down to the Pat office and read the papers in Vansantvoords room. Called at the Sec’ys office, sent in my card but did not see him. Went up to the Presidents in the evening and saw Maj [...]

THURSDAY 24 This has been a bright cool day with a bracing north wind. The Event of the day has been the funeral of Col Baker. There was a great display of Military and a long procession reaching a mile or more. Wife and all the family went. I walked down to the Ave and [...]

WEDNESDAY 23 This has been another sour day, some rain and mist and some sunshine. I have staid pretty close and have not been out. Chas & Sallie were here an hour or two and Doct Smith (Rev) called in the afternoon. An important battle is expected to “come off” up the River soon. The [...]

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1861. Col E D Baker was killed yesterday in the fight near Leesburgh. The event has thrown a general gloom over the City especialy at the “White House” where he was esteemed as an intimate friend. Saw Judge McCook today in the office of the Sec’y of the Interior. The Judge came [...]

MONDAY 21 This day has passed much as yesterday did as regards myself altho the Dr did not “call” and I took a short walk round two squares just before night much against my wifes wish who insists that I am sick and must not “go out.” I told her that I was “determined not [...]

SUNDAY 20 Have kept very close today confined to the house. Had a regular old fashioned ague sweat last night, feel quite weak but suffer no pain. Doct Piper called to see me and left some medicine. Ate my dinner with good appetite. Chas & Sallie were here in the evening. Julia & the boys [...]

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1861. A dense fog all over the City this morning and it has been a misty damp day. I have not been out today yet do not feel very bad, had a restless night and some fever but feel better tonight. A great deal of heavy firing all day over the river, [...]

FRIDAY 18 Wrote a note to Maj Watt this morning, sent it by “Bud.” He returned with a fine Boquet from Mrs Lincoln for the Sec’y of the Interior, C B Smith. Bud took it down to him when I called upon him about noon. He said he would confer with the Comr of Pats [...]

THURSDAY 17 This has been another rather sick day with me, but I have not had much fever. My cough continues bad, did not sleep at all last night. My cough and the moskeetoes took up all my attention, did not go out except to walk down to Charleys on 11th St and back. The [...]

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1861. I have not been out today but kept close in the house feeling quite miserable and coughing about half the time. We have had “calls” very frequent. Mr [Vanlbickel?] and Mr Blackburn from Lyons were here sometime, Dr Barnes of the 27th, and a good many Ladies. The Door bell has [...]