MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1861. Hot day. M. 88 — considerable excitement in the City. People seem to feel and think that affairs on the other side of the River as well as at other points are approaching a crisis. Troops are coming in and moveing over the river every day. We can see the tents [...]

SUNDAY 2 This has been rather a hot day. M: 84. I did not go out to church, all the rest of the family went. The 12th Regt returned to their quarters on Franklin Square today. We attended their dress parade at 6 o’clock. I went down to Willards afterwards, many officers there of Army [...]

SATURDAY, JUNE 1 Excitement today, fight at Fairfax C.H. this morning, brilliant dash on part of U.S. dragoons. Fighting also below at “Aquia Creek” betwen War Steamers and rebel batteries, firing heard this evening (before dark) over the River. The Artillery practicing, or a fight, every one now on the “qui vive” to hear news [...]

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1861. Weather very delightful. Boys some sick last night (much fever) but better today. Nothing of particular interest has occured. The 7th NY Regt returned home today, term (30 days) being up, other Regts are arriving every day. Went down to the N Yard after dinner with H N Jr, ten or [...]

THURSDAY 30 Did not feel much worse for “wear” today for my long walk yesterday. Attended to business in the office as usual, got my months salary $150. Came home about 1/2 past 2 o’clock and with wife and Juliet went to the Prests to see some troops reviewed by the Prest and Genl Scott. [...]

WEDNESDAY 29 It has been a fine, cool, and airy day. Took a longer walk than I have for some time. Got a “pass” from Genl Mansfield and about 12 o’clock started with Mr Vansantvoord for Virginia over the Long Bridge. Visited the encampments of some 6000 men and their entrenchments. Was at “Arlington House,” [...]

TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1861. The weather Continues very cool, a fire in the house to sit by is necessary mornings. The Heights opposite here in Virginia are now thoroughly occupied by some 15000 soldiers. More are going over every day, and more are coming from the North. 3000 came today, 1000 from N.H. and 2000 [...]

MONDAY 27 Another hot morning but a terrible tempest of wind and rain came on before noon and raged for an hour or two after which it was cool and pleasant. Went down to the “National” after dinner with Saml and called upon Judge Grey & Lady from Coldwater Mich. Went down to Willards again [...]

SUNDAY 26 Warm today, went to church with family. Chas and young Saml Androus are both with us, came up last night. Saml is somewhat sick, is geting better. His Regt is at Alexandria. The excitement of yesterday has passed off but troops are passing over the River today and the large Govt Wagons are [...]

SATURDAY, MAY 25, 1861. Another most exciting day. Rumours of fighting on the other side of the river were rife all over the City the middle of the day but were without foundation. The Funeral of Col Ellsworth took place from the Prests House. His remains were in the East room where thousands passed through [...]

FRIDAY 24 This has been a day of excitement. 10,000 troops crossed the Potomac this morning early at different points near the City. Col Ellsworth with his Zuaves went to Alexandria on Steamers. . . He was shot dead at the “Marshall House” where he had taken down a “Secession” Flag, by a man named [...]

THURSDAY 23 Nothing in particular going on today here. The War seems to assume greater proportions every day, and a contest seems to be inevitable soon. Troops ar[e] arriving all the time from the North and generaly going into camp. Chas and Saml are better today, have been there twice today; tonight with wife, staid [...]

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1861. No particular occurence has marked this day here except the raising of a fine National Flag on the Genl Post office. Mr Lincoln handled the cords. Mr Seward, Mr Blair (the P.M.), and Mr Smith the Sec’y of the Interior spoke on the occasion. Was down today to see Chas and [...]

TUESDAY 21 Today the weather has been fine, quite still times in the office. Matters and business there are now assuming their usual channels, but applications for Patents have much fallen off of late. Went with Juliet up to the camp of the 7th NY Regt (“Camp Cameron”), a great crowd of spectators there. We [...]

MONDAY 20 Another cool day, a fire comfortable to sit by all day. It has rained most of the day. Troops a[re] mostly gone from the Pat office. Went down to the Parade of the 12th with wife this evening. Afterwards went on to the Ave. Was at the “National” an hour or so. People [...]

SUNDAY, MAY 19, 1861. Cool today, fire in Parlor in the morning. Went with Juliet to the camp of the 12th Regt in the morning and heard Rev Mathew Hale Smith (the Chaplin of the Regt) deliver an eloquent discourse to the soldiers. Got to church in time from there and heard Doct Smith, a [...]

SATURDAY 18 Fine cool day. Very pleasant for the soldiers to drill. “Squads” being seen all over the City marching to and fro under a drill officer. Had letter today from Brother C R. Wrote him in reply after going over to the Genl P.O. Was introduced to Mr Lewis Clephane, the City P.M., by [...]

FRIDAY 17 Another fine day. The Michigan Regt got in last night, Col Wilcox. Young Saml Androus is among them from Coldwater. He called upon me at the office this morning. The Regt is for the Present quartered at Woodwards Building. Attended the Parade of the 12th with Wife and Doct Everitt & Lady. Afterwards [...]

THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1861. The weather has been fine today and nothing in particular has occured to vary the past routine in the office. My health is excellent this spring. I have made use of cherry bitters occasionaly and perhaps it has kept off my usual billious attack at this season of the year. Attended [...]

WEDNESDAY 15 This has been a fine airy day. The RI Regt is a[l]most gone from the Pat office. Troops are coming into the City every day. It is so common now to see Regts march through the streets that it is hardly known where they come from by the crowd. Went to hear the [...]

TUESDAY 14 Warm today. Some of the northern soldiers fainted in the streets. 2nd Connecticut Regt got in today. The 2 Connt Regts are in camp on 7th st at the “Park” about a mile north of the Pat office. Went up after dinner to see the NY 7th Regt camp and Drill or dress [...]

MONDAY, MAY 13, 1861. Rather hot today. M. 80. RI Regt preparing to leave the Pat off and go into camp near Glenwood Cemetery. Six or eight of the Regts are now in camp. Nothing new now occuring from day to day in the office. We attend as usual in our rooms, and do what [...]

SUNDAY 12 Pleasant warm day. Went to church with wife & children. Doct Smith preached in the afternoon. The church was half full of soldiers of the R.I. Regt. Some 4000 troops have arrived during last night and today. The Regiments now in quarters paraded this evening as usual. We were at F[ranklin]. Square. I [...]

SATURDAY 11 This has been a fine day and the Military have been all alive. Regiments marching, Bands playing and Drums beating, Bugles sounding, and now and then the deep booming of cannon. I was in the office all day, but was writing & reading the news, having not much official business to transact. Attended [...]