Washington March 25th/64 Nothing very important has occured in regard to the war since my last date. No movement of the Army of the Potomac has taken place. Some Cavalry “raids” have been made and some skirmishing has been going on. Today an order is published consolidating the Army of the Potomac into three Corps [...]

Washington D.C. March 20th/64 Not much of importance has transpired in regard to the War since my last date. Genl Grant has been here (He is now Lieut Genl) and has gone back to Tennessee, but soon returns and takes command of the Army of the Potomac in person. Having command at the same time [...]

March 10th 1864 The Military affairs of the Nation has not been “all a success” for the past two or three weeks. Our troops were repulsed in Florida with a loss of some 1200 men killed, wounded, and prisoners. They are now at Jacksonville and have been re-inforced, and will be able to stay there. [...]

Saturday February 27th 1864 The day has been beautiful as could be wished and the streets have swarmed with ladies. The country is getting considerably excited upon the question of the “succession” to the Presidency. Mr Lincoln seems to have the “inside tract,” but he will find a good deal of opposition in the Republican [...]

Feb 26th 1864 As the season advances and Spring approaches the news becomes more interesting. The Armies begin to move and important events are expected to happen soon, are in fact happening at the present time. Genl Sherman has struck out from Vicksburgh with about 30,000 men and has advanced far into the interior taking [...]

Monday 22nd No particular notice was taken of the birth day of Washington in this City. The public offices were not closed but the flags were hung from numerous dwellings and offices. Julia and myself had intended to go down to Fort Foot today but the River is still too full of ice to make [...]

February 18th 1864 (Thursday) This is the coldest weather that I have ever seen in Washington, that is for Six years. The Mercury was below zero this morning. The River is again frozen over, but there is no snow on the ground and the streets look quite lonesome. A cold cutting wind banishes everybody but [...]

February 9th 1864 Monday Julia and myself took the Govt Steam Tug “Lookout” at 3 o’clock P.M. on Saturday and went down to Rosiers Bluff or to “Fort Foot” three miles below Alexandria on the Maryland side on a visit to Maj E. P. Taft who is at present in command. We returned last evening. [...]

Washington January 1st 1864 This has been a pleasant day and people have I think enjoyed themselves much better in making their “calls” than they did last year and especialy the year before. Every one seems to feel in good spirits and very hopeful in regard to the future. Mr Lincoln looks brighter and less [...]

Thursday Decr 31 1863 Alas for yesterdays Sun and balmy air and brilliant atmosphere. It has rained all day and as I now write, the rain decending upon the tin roof sounds like the roar of a Waterfall, but I like that Music. It was always charming to me to hear the rain decending upon [...]

Wednesday Decr 30th 1863 Today the weather has been warm and pleasant, almost too warm for comfort in the Sun. I went down to the Bank to get a Draft to send home today and found it more pleasant to seek the shady side of the street. All are anticipating a pleasant New Year and [...]

Sunday Decr 27th 1863 Congress has adjourned over until the 5th of Jan’y and many of the Members have gone home to spend the Holydays. Christmas has passed off pleasantly. It was a beautiful bright day on Friday and appeared to be enjoyed by all Classes. I walked up to the Capitol in the forenoon [...]

Tuesday Decr 22nd 1863 I sent the Books to the Boys yesterday, one to Each costing about $2.50, and also a head dress for wife which was the handywork of Julia, all by Adams Express, .50cts to NY. I called and spent an hour with Mr Vanmaster at Mrs Wakeleys. Mr James Bashford is still [...]

Sunday Dec. 20th 1863. Went to the Capitol this morning at 11 o’ck and heard Rev John Lord (the Lecturer) preach, subject the “Sorrows of Knowledge,” took his text from Solomon, or Ecclesiastes, 1 chapter last verse, “For in much wisdom is much grief and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.” He dwelt upon the [...]

Saturday Dec. 19th 1863 I am still rooming at Mr Bartle[tt]s 379 11th St where I take my breakfast at 8 o’clock a.m. I dine at Doct Munsons 442 9th st at 5 o’clock. My room, board, & fuel costs me about $1.00 pr day. I furnish my own fuel and burn wood which is [...]

Wednesday Dec 16th 1863 The “Army of the potomac” is virtualy in Winter quarters. The roads are so bad in Virginia now that heavy Artillery cannot move. Genl Mead is still in com[ma]nd of the Army and it is generaly conceded that He was not to blame in falling back under the circumstances. Longstreets army [...]

Dec 3rd 1863 Today we learn that Mead has fallen back (this way) to this side of the “Rapidan.” This creates much disappointment here and the general opinion is that Genl Mead is incompetant. But the whole policy of the forward movement is not publicly understood. Congressmen are now flocking to the City and stowing [...]

Wednesday Dec 2nd 1863 Since my last date Genl Grant has defeated the rebel Army under Bragg at Chattanooga taking Six or seven thousand prisoners and about Sixty cannon. Genl Mead moved South from the Rapahannock last week. He has cut himself loose from all supply trains or Depots from this direction. He has ordered [...]

Wednesday November 18th 1863 Since my last date I have been Home and Staid eight days, left here the 31st Oct & returned the 10th Inst, brought Julia back with me. She is staying at Mr Hartleys on NY Avenue. Neither Genl Meade or Admiral Dahlgreen have been removed as was reported at that date, [...]

Friday Oct 23rd 1863 Events are passing of perhaps much importance to the Country, but no Battles of any note have been fought. Lee has retreated back across the Rappahanock. Genl Meade thought he could not follow immediately and has been relieved of the Command of the Army of the Potomac and Genl Sedgwick is [...]

Monday October 19th 1863 Not much of pub[l]ic interest has occured for a week past in the field. There has been almost constant skirmishing over the River within from 30 to 60 miles of here. Our army is now near the old Bull Run Battle ground and another general Battle is expected there or near [...]

Sunday Oct 11th 1863 This has been a delightful day but rather cool. I got up this morning and took a long walk before breakfast. Spent some time in the Stanton Hospital and heard Dr Gurley preach this evening. He gave an interesting account in his Sermon (or remarks) of the Life and Martyrdom of [...]

Thursday Oct 8th 1863 There has hardly ever been so dull a time (for news) as for the past week or two. There seems to be nothing going on in the Military line that we hear of that is worthy of especial notice. But we are expecting to hear of important events at Charlston and [...]

Monday Oct 5th 1863 Perhaps I might have made it interesting to have continued my diary. But I have been absent some time since my last date, and important events it is true have occured, great Battles have been fought, and great Victories have been won by our arms. The month of July saw our [...]