September 1st. The fort was historic ground. The flag flying over it caused Mr. Key to write the song “The Star-spangled Banner,” in 1814. Many British shells and solid shot were piled up in the fort as relics. After the battle of Antietam many rebel prisoners were brought to the fort to remain as prisoners [...]

September 1st, Monday. I woke up this morning and, to my great surprise, find that summer has already passed away, and that we have already entered the first month of fall. Where has the summer gone to? Since the taking of Fort Jackson, the days have gone by like a dream. I had hardly realized [...]

SEPTEMBER 1st.—Official dispatches from Lee, announcing a “signal victory,” by the blessing of God, “over the combined forces of the enemy.” That is glory enough for a week. When Lee says “signal victory,” we know exactly what it means, and we breathe freely. Our generals never modify their reports of victories. They see and know [...]

AUGUST 31st.—Fighting every day at Manassas.

August 31, 1862, The New York Herald This sterling officer, whose series of military operations and brilliant victories in the West have been the theme of praise and comment from press and public, is comparatively a young men, being under forty years of age, having been born in Kentucky, March 10, 1923. His parents early [...]

August 30th. Still no prospect of a lodging; so here we remain. I never before lived in a house without a balcony, and have only now found out how inconvenient it is. The whole establishment consists of two rooms on each side of a passage as wide as the front door; and as it has [...]

AUGUST 30th.—Banks, by the order of Pope, has burnt 400 Yankee cars loaded with quartermaster’s and commissary stores. But our soldiers have fared sumptuously on the enemy’s provisions, and captured clothing enough for half the army.

August 29, Clinton, La. Noah’s duck has found another resting-place! Yesterday I was interrupted while writing, to pack up for another move, it being impossible to find a boarding-house in the neighborhood. We heard of some about here, and Charlie had engaged a house for his family, where the servants were already settled, so I [...]

AUGUST 29th.—Bloody fighting is going on at Manassas. All the news is good for us. It appears that Pope, in his consummate egotism, refused to believe that he had been outwitted, and “pitched into” our corps and divisions, believing them to be merely brigades and regiments. He has been terribly cut up.

Tuscumbia, Ala., August 28, 1862. The order has been issued requiring battalion adjutants to be mustered out of the service, but Colonel Mizner insists on our remaining, and being either assigned to companies or made regimental adjutant commander and quartermaster, which offices this new law provides. General Oglesby wants me very much. I was down [...]

Thursday, August 28th. I am satisfied. I have seen my home again. Tuesday I was up at sunrise, and my few preparations were soon completed, and before any one was awake, I walked over to Mr. Elder’s, through mud and dew, to meet Charlie. Fortunate was it for me that I started so early; for [...]

AUGUST 28th.—Pope’s coat was captured, and all his papers. The braggart is near his end.

August 27th. At six P. M., called all hands to muster, when Lieutenant Commander James S. Thornton transferred the command of this ship to Captain James S. Palmer, late of the Iroquois, which was the occasion of a few remarks from Capt. Palmer to the ship’s company. At nine P. M. Lieutenant Com. Thornton left [...]

AUGUST 27th.—Huzza for Gen. Stuart! He has made another circumvention of the enemy, getting completely in Pope’s rear, and destroying many millions worth of stores, etc.

AUGUST 26th.—Mr. Russell’s bill will not pass. The machinery of legislation works too slowly. Fredericksburg has been evacuated by the enemy! It is said the Jews rushed in and bought boots for $7.00, which they now demand $25.00 for, and so with various other articles of merchandise. They are now investing money in real estate [...]

August 25th. After a short drill by officers of the 48th Regiment, I was detailed for guard duty. A large number of Confederate prisoners were confined in one of the old buildings near which I was posted. That kind of duty I did not like. It had to be done. The fort was located on [...]

August 25th. About 12 at night. Sleep is impossible after all that I have heard, so, after vainly endeavoring to follow the example of the rest, and sleep like a Stoic, I have lighted my candle and take to this to induce drowsiness. Just after supper, when Anna and I were sitting with Mrs. Carter [...]

August 25th.–Mr. Russell has reported a bill which would give us martial law in such a modified form as to extract its venom.

August 24th. Sunday. It was after eight o’clock last night before the train got under way. At midnight we passed through Harrisburg, Penn. The night very dark. Did not get much sleep. A slow, tiresome journey. Passed through York, on over the state line into Maryland. Soldiers are on guard along the railroad. The train [...]

August 24th, Sunday. Soon after dinner yesterday two soldiers stopped here, and requested permission to remain all night. The word “ soldier “ was enough for us; and without even seeing them, Anna and I gladly surrendered our room, and said we would sleep in Mrs. Badger’s, instead. However, I had no curiosity to see [...]

AUGUST 24th.—In both Houses of Congress they are thundering away at Gen. Winder’s Provost Marshal and his Plug Ugly alien policemen. Senator Brown has been very bitter against them.

August 23d. Very little sleep on board the boat last night. Passing around New York the boat landed at Pier No. 2, North River, at about 6 A. M. The transport steamer Kill-von-Kull was at the pier waiting for us. Marched across the pier on board to the music of the band. When all were [...]

August 23d. Yesterday Anna and I spent the day with Lilly, and the rain in the evening obliged us to stay all night. Dr. Perkins stopped there, and repeated the same old stories we have been hearing, about the powder placed under the State House and Garrison, to blow them up, if forced to evacuate [...]

AUGUST 23d.—Members of Congress are coming to my office every day, getting passports for their constituents. Those I have seen (Senator Brown, of Mississippi, among the rest) express a purpose not to renew the act, to expire on the 18th September, authorizing martial law.