SUNDAY 25 Went to church this morning with Julia & Brownson. The day has been delightful, quite a show of soldiers up 14th St., Infantry, Cavalry & Artillery of the Regular Army with a fine Band and Drum Corps. A long train of Army wagons also passed the house. Mr B & wife [Mrs Taft] [...]

SATURDAY 24 Saw the President this morning 1/2 past 8. Applied for a Pay Mastership in the Army. Too many already appointed, gave me a line to Mr Seward. Came home and found Mr Brownson of Lyons at the house. Went with him and Julia up to Camp Cameron to see the “Anderson Zuaves.” Col [...]

FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 1861. A fine bright day. Went to the Presidents at 1/2 past 8. Many members of the Cabinet there to see him and officers of the Army. I was not able to see him in private. Genl McClellan was there and Col Baker and Col Duryee and Genl J.W. Denver and other [...]

THURSDAY 22 Another rainy day. Went down to the Provost Marshalls Office, great crowd there for passes across the River. Saw Capt Fowler and Capt [Huron?] there (of the 12 Regt). Sent a line to the President by H N Jr — requesting a private interview. Will see him in the morning 1/2 past 8 [...]

WEDNESDAY 21 This has been a fine cool day but bright with a feeling of Autumn in the air. I saw the Comr this morning but could get nothing satisfactory from him in reference to my restoration to the Pat office. Came home about noon. The Brazilian Minister wants to rent my House & furniture [...]

TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1861. Many people in the City were much alarmed last night at a report that “the rebels had crossed the River below and were marching on Washington.” Similar rumors are constantly afloat. Went to the Express Office and sent off (as requested) Lieut Martins trunk which was left with me. Called at [...]

MONDAY 19 This will pass for a rainy day and a disagreable one. I was at Genl Porters office (Provost Marshall), a great crowd there after “passes” to Virginia. The Court Marshall was sitting in the same building. I saw four of the mutineers of the NY 79th who were awaiting their trial. They were [...]

SUNDAY 18 This has been a wet disagreable day. Did not go to church, have been reading & writing most of the day. E’d Dickerson and Owen Klink called today. They are just from the other side of the River. All quiet there. There seems to be an ominous stillness all round the City soon [...]

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 1861. This day has passed off without any particular incident occuring. I was at the RR Depot. A Regt of Cavalry from P.A. came in while I was there. Troops are coming all the while but nothing is said or known about it publicly. Long trains of Army wagons were loading and [...]

FRIDAY 16 Went down to the Navy Yard this forenoon with F Sickels. The “Pensacola” Steamer is nearly completed. The little Tug Boat “Resolute” lay near her with three dead men on board who were killed near Mathias Point last night by the Rebels. Met Jas Westfall and Mr [Vanstetyne?] of Lyons, at the “Yard.” [...]

THURSDAY 15 The 3rd Regt of Regulars are cleaning up the Camp on F[ranklin] Square, “Camp Anderson,” for occupation. I was in the Pat office awhile today but staid at Home most of the day. The weather is quite cool and a fire in the dining room is comfortable in the morning. Doct Barnes was [...]

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1861. Got up this morning and went to market. Doct Barnes and Lieut Gould to Breakfast. Doct Vanslyck to dinner. The “27th” left this morning for V.A. I was at the Pat office awhile & on the Ave. Witnessed this evening the quelling of a mutiny among the 79th Regt. A strong [...]

TUESDAY 13 News today of the battle at Springfield Missori and death of Genl Lyon. My son Frank was in his Army, Co. E, 2nd Regt US Infantry, Capt Steel. Have been at the Camp much of the day seeing the soldiers pack up and get in readiness to leave. They go tomorrow morning. Doct [...]

MONDAY 12 Went down to the Pat office this morning and saw the Comr, could get nothing definite from him in reference to my restoration to the office. Business there is still dull. Few soldiers are seen in the streets now and none without a “pass.” The 27th Regt have rcd orders to cross the [...]

SUNDAY, AUGUST 11, 1861. A very hot day. Went to church this morning with Julia, Willie, and Surgeon Barnes of the 27th. Doct Smith preached. It commenced to rain about 5 o’clock and rained till near night very hard, flooding the lower part of the City. Guns were heard over the River, some fighting probably. [...]

SATURDAY 10 We hear of no particular news today. The “papers” are not allowed to publish army news. We see Regts moving every day but hardly know where they are going to. It seems hard to realize that we are in the midst of a Civil War of gigantic proportions, that in fact within three [...]

FRIDAY 9 This day has not been so hot, rather cloudy and rain tonight. I was on the Ave and at the Pat office, got a Hack and brot home my Books and papers from the office. Nothing new stirring in the City. Do[c]t Vanslyck was here today and Capt Adams gave us a Call. [...]

WEDNESDAY 7 Heat still oppressive. M. 92, but a good air. Was on the Ave awhile this morning, soldiers not as plenty there as formerly. They are now kept in their quarters. The “Patrol” “nabs” them anywhere, officers and all, when found without a “pass.” Congress adjourned yesterday. I have spent most of the day [...]

TUESDAY 6 M. at 92. at 10. this morning with but little air stirring. The Lincoln boys were both up here after mine by 9 o’clock, they make themselves quite at home in the house. Packed up my books at the Pat office today, shall try to get out some Patents on my own ac[coun]t. [...]

MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 1861. Weather continues extremely hot. M. at 92 in the middle of the day. Surgeon Barnes took breakfast with us. He is attending the Lowry boy who fell (our neighbor). The boy is doing extremely well. I was at the Pat office awhile today, saw and talked with the Comr. He thinks [...]

SUNDAY 4 The heat has been greater than ever today. Went to Church with wife and the boys. Lieut Swan & Lieut Gould took breakfast with with [sic] us & Chaplin Buck took dinner with us. He preached at the Capitol this morning. It was too hot for any of us to go out to [...]

SATURDAY 3 Hot still. Went over to the Navy Yard with Julia and Miss Hartly. Went round the shops and on board the Steamer Pensacola which will be completed in a few days. Nothing but cannon, and shot and shells, fill the workshops. Everything there looks warlike. No troops are quartered in the Yard now, [...]

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 1861. The weather is hot now adays, the M. ranging about 90. I have been at the office part of the day writing letters &c at my old table. Doct King has been packing up his books. I have been cleaning out my drawers and throwing away unimportant papers and letters. Chas [...]

THURSDAY, AUGUST 1 My lameness is much better today. I have been down to the office where I remained most of the day writing &c. I think it quite possible that they will find it necessary to restore me to my Desk as Doct King was removed yesterday, among others. I was down to the [...]