MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1861. Cold, clear day but no frost. Went to Geotown in the morning to pay my rent. Got there an hour too early, waited in the Hotel (reading the morning paper) for Mr Bangs. Walked over and rode in the omnibus back. Bought a fine board for the parlor. Have concluded to [...]

SUNDAY 17 Cool, pleasant day, did not go out to church. Wife and the boys went. Julia is still confined to the house and coughs a good deal yet. Took a long walk this evening, brought up at Willards Hotel. Saw Mr Stillson there from Rochester. Hotel very full, in fact the City seems to [...]

SATURDAY 16 The coldest day yet but no frost, a cold strong wind. The 11th Maine Regt passed through the City, just arrived. Capt Rogers of the 27th called today, brought letter from Doct Barnes enclosing $50.00. The City was thrown into quite an excitement by the news of the arrest of Mason & Slidel. [...]

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1861. A wet misty day and very chilly. Went down to Genl McClellans Head Qrs for Lieut Gaul in reference to his furlough. Went from there to the Post office and then home. Holms & [Vanamburgh?], privates of the 27th, called with letters from Lieut Swan. Elder Buck called with the furlough [...]

THURSDAY 14 A cloudy day with rain tonight. Lieut Gaul is still with us waiting for his furlough. I was at the Pat office and saw the Comr, got not much satisfaction from him. Shall now look to the Sec’y for fulfilment of his promise. Have been at home most of the day. Julia is [...]

WEDNESDAY 13 Another warm pleasant day. Went down to the War Dept with Lieut Gaul to see the Ajutant Genl, came back by the Post office. Have been at home the rest of the day, have exacted lessons from the boys in their school books. Positive news from the Fleet obtained at last, everywhere successful. [...]

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1861. A delightful day. Went this morning with Lieut Gaul to the Pay Masters Office, and from there to the U.S. Treasury. From thence I went to the Pat office where I had an interview with the Comr. He requested me to call again on Thursday. The question is a place. He [...]

MONDAY 11 A windy morning with a storm threatened. Tent rather airy but slept pretty well. Went round and bade my friends good bye and started for home with Lieut Gaul about one o’clock in a hack which took us to Alexandria where we took the Boat for Washington. Got home about 3 o’clock. The [...]

SUNDAY 10 A bright fine morning. Went out to the Sunday Inspection of the Regt. Saw all the officers afterwards. Visited the qrs of the men of the Lyons Co. The men were all extremely glad to see me at the Camp again. Chaplin Buck held services near his tent about 3 o’clock and a [...]

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1861. I was heartily welcomed by my officer friends of the Regt and took up my quarters with my old friend Lieut W. H. Swan. Found the “Boys” all in good condition and in fine spirits. Attended the Dress Parade this morning. Regts are quartered round in all directions. [Alek?] Scotts brass [...]

FRIDAY 8 A warm pleasant morning. Went down to Genl McClellans Head qrs. Saw him and his Brilliant Staff with the two French Princes mount their horses and gallop off to a Review. Stoped into Mr Sewards office & got a letter to the Provost Marshall which secured me a “Pass” to Virginia. Went on [...]

THURSDAY 7 A fine pleasant day. I have not done much. Went to the office of the Sec’y of the Interior. Was told that I was certainly to be restored to office but must have patience. Well, patience is well enough, but it will not pay for provisions and fuel, and I am consequently rather [...]

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1861. A cool, cloudy, misty day. It is now pretty well known that the great fleet landed near Charleston S.C. Much anxiety is felt to hear direct from it. No new[s] today. J.C. Fremont is removed from the command of the Army in M.O. Genl Hunter takes his place. The 60th NY [...]

TUESDAY 5 This has been a pleasant day. There has been some excitement in consequence of the report that Genl Rosecrantz had taken Floyd and his army in Western V.A. We think it is now pretty well ascertained that the “great fleet” has gone to Charleston S.C. There was a grand review over the River [...]

MONDAY 4 The E St Hospital, or the (Washington Infirmary) so called, was destroyed by fire last night. It contained over one hundred wounded soldiers, all were got out safely. Doct Barnes & Lady called this morning. Julia went out with them to different parts of the City. I walked over to Georgetown and back. [...]

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1861. It has been clear and pleasant today. Yesterday Genl Scott resigned the command of the Armies of the U.S. and left the City for NY in the early morning train. He resigned the day before. He was old and infirm and about “used up” and considered an obsticle in the way [...]

SATURDAY 2 This has been a rainy and windy day. It has rained incessantly until about 9 o’clock tonight. The Storm has, it is feared, has [sic] been severe on the Ocean and great fears are expressed that the Vessels of the great Naval Expedition south will suffer. The fleet sailed last Tuesday. I have [...]

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1 The day has been rather cool and windy and it rains a little tonight. I called at the Sec’ys and was told to have patience, that I should have a position soon. Went on the Ave and was at Willards an hour or so, a great many officers there, think they had [...]

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1861. Fine weather again today. Was at the Pat office today but did not call upon the Sec’y. Have been at home most of the day. Chas is at our house sick. Sallie is with him and takes care of him. He has a bad cold upon his lungs and is threatened [...]

WEDNESDAY 30 Another delightful day, have not been round much. Was at the Pat office awhile, met my old friend Burrows Hyde of Jersey City. Have been trying my hand at soldering up holes in tin ware, succeeded pretty well. Wife and Julia are at Mr Middletons, our neighbors. Julia spent last evening at Doct [...]

TUESDAY 29 This has been a most delightful day. I have travelled a good deal about the City mostly on business for other people. I was at the Private qrs of Genl McClellan. Saw the Genl, also my old friend John Cochran of NY, now “Col Cochran.” I was at the office of the Sec’y [...]

MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1861. I was at the Pat office today. Visited the War office and the Head Quarters of Genl McClellan, corner of the Ave & 19th St. His privat Rooms are at the corner of H & 16th Sts. His “rooms” are not very “private” as they are always crowded with officers. I [...]

SUNDAY 27 This has been rather a still Sunday. I have not been to church, I have rather too much of a cough left. I have written a number of letters, one to E P Taft, to Doct J Taft, and one to Lieut Swan. Almeron Field called this evening. He belongs to the Co [...]

SATURDAY 26 A dark cloudy day but no rain. Was down to the post office. Called at the office of Fenwick & Lawrence Pat Agts. Have spent most of the day at home reading the news &c. Wood being $8.00 pr cord I cannot afford to hire it sawed so I saw it myself. The [...]