SUNDAY 14 A fine cool day. Went to church in the morning with all the children, wife staid at home and went in the afternoon. The excitement in the City increases all the time now the war has begun. But the reports from Charleston are mostly “bogus.” Maj Anderson has probably not surrendered, but there [...]

SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1861. This has been the most exciting day yet. The last report about the provisioning Ft Sumpter was untrue and today or early this morning news came that the Rebels were bombarding it and tonight the report is that Maj Anderson has surrendered, it being on fire. The last report is not [...]

FRIDAY 12 It has been rainy the latter part of the day and rains hard tonight. Went with Juliet and the boys to see the soldiers over to the Long Bridge. Nothing but the guard there. Visited the City Armory, a company of U.S. Artillery stationed there. The Military companies are now divided and stationed [...]

THURSDAY 11 A delightful morning and a very pleasant day. City full of Military and full of excitement. Nothing heard from Charleston unusual, but news expected by tomorrow. Fort Sumpter, it is now thought, is without doubt to be relieved in some way. The Cotton States are all up in Arms, while Ben McCulloch is [...]

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1861. Rain again until noon. It has rained all the time since Sunday morning, and the water in the Potomac is higher than it has been before in some years. The District Militia were all out on parade and eight Companies entered the service of the U.S. upon requisition of the Secy [...]

TUESDAY 9 Rained again all day, and a perfect tempest of wind and rain all last night as well as today. Much anxiety is felt on account of the fleet which for two or three days past has been leaving NY with troops &c for the South. E G Allen of Boston in our Rooms [...]

MONDAY 8 Rained all day or rather drizzled all day. No new excitement today. No removals from the Pat office today. Got letter from Bro C.R. Went over to the Post office and got his “papers” taken up. His appointment as Post Master at Wmstown Mass will be made out in a day or two. [...]

SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 1861. It has been a wet drizzly day, but I went to church with the boys in the morning. Chas was up to dinner. The papers are full of war news and there is now much excitement in the country, as much as there has been any time. When we know where [...]

FRIDAY 5 Warmer today but a white frost this morning. Gardens are being made now and the Peach trees are blossoming. The grass is quite green in the public grounds and the trees are leafing out, and the City will soon assume a gay and beautiful appearance. Did not go on to the Ave tonight. [...]

THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 1861. This has been a cool pleasant day, just comfortable with a fire all day. My health and spirits are good. I feel better than usual at this time of year. I take a little cherry whiskey every morning, about half a wine glass full. Took a walk after dinner with Mr [...]

WEDNESDAY 3 Another pleasant cool day, fire in office during the forenoon. The work is pretty well “up” in our room altho we have no 2nd assistant yet. I am now performing the clerical duties in addition to my usual routine of work. Walked with Juliet this evening, got her pr Boots on 7th Street, [...]

TUESDAY 2 A fine day but a little cool, had a fire in the office nearly all day. One of the principal Examiners, A B Little was removed today, other removals are expected this week. Went after dinner with Mr John Vansantvoord to see [Preston?] King. We also called upon Gov Seward at his home [...]

The following material contains wording that is offensive to many in the world of today. However, the work is provided unedited for its historical content and context. MONDAY, APRIL 1, 1861. This has been rather a wet drizzling day. Nothing new seems to be afloat. If all “Niggerdom” “Secedes” the great North and West will [...]

SUNDAY 31 Went out to church this morning. It was cold enough to wear my cloak. Family wer[e] all out but Julia who is unwell. She went with Miss Sallie to “St Mathews” in the afternoon. Chas and Sallie came up about dark from “Vespers” and spent the evening. Miss S. performed on the Piano [...]

SATURDAY 30 This has been rather a busy day in the office for me as I had to make out the monthly account, or Report. Some removals among the subordinates today. Many are trembling expecting decapitation. I think that the removals so far have been generaly judicious and such as ou[gh]t to have been made. [...]

FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1861. A pleasant warm day, which has passed off much as others do when nothing in particular occurs. The office is thronged with expectants for office, and it puzzles the “heads” to find places for even a small portion of the applicants. Went down to the Express office this evening, Julia went [...]

THURSDAY 28 A nice spring day, bright & pleasant. We had a Comr in the office today, and a “green” Board of Appeal. The Pat office seems to be running into the ground under raw leaders. Took walk after dinner with wife and on our return found Chas & Miss Woodward who staid till 9 [...]

WEDNESDAY 27 A rainy morning, but pleasant by noon. It rained nearly all last night. We have at last got a Comr of Patents. Mr Holloway of I.A. was confirmed by the Senate today. Went down to the Hotels this evening. Strange and anxious faces yet crowd them. Called at the “National” upon Judge Ira [...]

TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1861. Another warm pleasant day with some wind, rained some last night. At work hard in the office and very much fatigued tonight. Julia called for me from her school after calling upon Mr Alexander of the Seed Room and geting some garden & flower seeds. I did not go down to [...]

MONDAY 25 This has been a delightful day, bright & warm. Have been very busy in the office, doing the work of two Desks or the Clerical duties of the room in addition to my own from the removal of our assist. Went down to the “National.” Saw Carl Shurz the famous Dutch Orator. And [...]

SUNDAY 24 We have had a “march Wind” today in good earnest, with plenty of dust. I did not go to church in the morning. The Family went. I am not a great admirer of Doct Smiths Sermons. I wrote letters part of the day, one to S Patrick, one to Wm Van Camp, and [...]

SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 1861. Warm comfortable day today with indications of rain towards night. Nothing of note occured in the office. No Comr yet. A great many removals in the Pension Office, and a clamorous crowd ready to fill vacancies. The City is yet quite full of strangers. Despairing applicants for office are telegraphing to [...]

FRIDAY 22 A cold wind till near night, but a fine evening & bright moon. The Heads begin to drop in our office. Three assistant exmrs have been removed today, others will probably follow. Called with Juliet at Doct Everitts after dinner, then went on to the Ave alone and round the Hotels. They are [...]

THURSDAY 21 It has been a cold windy day. It snowed some last night, and we are now having about as much Winter as we have had. The indications are now that Fort Sumpter will be evacuated and perhaps the other Forts in the seceded states, and that there will be no War. But in [...]