SUNDAY 29 Went to church in the morning with the boys. Dr Smith preached “Unless the Lord keep the City the watchman wait in vain.” From the way he handled the Text it was to be infered that the Army now here was of little account. He does not believe that the Lord is usualy [...]

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1861. A cool delightful day. Have been looking for a residence some. Houses very scarce at present. The fact indicates confidence in the stability of our Govt. The Hotels are not overcrowded but but the City is unusualy full for this season of the year. I was on the “Island” today, also [...]

FRIDAY 27 It has rained nearly all day and is very windy tonight. Called at office of Sec’y Chase. He and the Assistant Sec’y (Harrington) have both gone to NY. I was at the “White House.” Mr Scheopf, who is soon to be a Brigadier Genl, was there waiting to see the Prest. I had [...]

THURSDAY 26 We have thought considerably today of taking another house and remaining in the City. But decent houses for rent are extremely scarce now. Two months ago half the houses (almost) were empty and for rent. I was at the “White House” last evening. Saw Maj Watt and called at the residence of Gov [...]

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1861. Busy packing boxes most of the day. We expected [to] give up the house on Friday morning but have concluded not to do so until Monday. My wife went today to pay her respects to Mrs Lincoln before leaving the City. Was very graciously received by Mrs L. and assured that [...]

TUESDAY 24 This has been a delightful day and our sale of furniture has passed off. It mostly sold at a low rate, but it was mostly purchased at Auction two or three years since. We sold nothing but the bulkey articles amounting to only $140.00. Fires seen tonight on the Virginia hills. Julia was [...]

MONDAY 23 Have had a hard days work packing up and geting ready to evacuate these premises. It is one of the miseries of Washington life that few of its inhabitants feel at home. The population is constantly changing. At just at this time a residence here is less disirable than usual, although but slight [...]

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1861. Went to ch. this morning with wife and the three boys. Wife & Julia went in the afternoon. Edd Dickerson called in the evening and took tea. Chas & Sallie also called about the same time. Went down to the camp to hear the music of the Regimental Band. It performs [...]

SATURDAY 21 Nothing new has occured recently although we are surrounded on all sides with elements which may be put in motion any how carrying destruction and death to thousands. Heavy cannonading over the River almost every day is heard from the Forts, practicing and getting the range of their guns. Have been at home [...]

FRIDAY 20 At the Indiana Hospital (Pt office) today, 100 Patients. Made Box for Piano. Got a Deed from the Land Office for Mr Pollok of Lyons. Attended the Parade with Julia of the Regulars on F[ranklin] Square. Called with her upon the Woodburys, 12th St, refined educated people and much devoted to the sick [...]

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1861. Weather continues delightful. I spent some time at the Pat office. Saw the Comr, could get no decisive answer as to the precise time that I could go back into the office. It would not be long. Saw the Auctioneer in regard to my sale of furniture. Next Tuesday is the [...]

WEDNESDAY 18 Delightful day bright & cool. M. 70. Went over to the Depot to see about freight to NY. Went from there to the Western Wharves “Morgan & Rhinehart” on the same errand. Visited the Govt “Corrall,” 3000 horses and some 2000 mules there and acres of Govt Wagons. On my return purchased 6 [...]

TUESDAY 17 This has been a nice cool day until near night when there was a violent rain for an hour or two, flooding the streets. I saw the Comr of patents today. I shall go back into the office again in a short time. There is no particular news. Some people are expecting an [...]

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1861. Today went with Doct David to the Smithsonian and to the Washington Monument. Called at the U.S. Treasury, saw Genl Spinner (the Treasurer). He told me that $800,000 pr day was now paid out or the average was that. Julia got a boquet from the Prests Garden for the Dr to [...]

SUNDAY 15 A hot day. M. 86. Went to ch[urch] in the morning with Julia & one of the boys and heard Dr Smith, church well filled. Wife went in the afternoon. Chas & Sallie were up to dine with us. Walked with Dr D. & Chas up to Camp Cameron to see the “Anderson [...]

SATURDAY 14 Weather fine & bright but a little too hot. M. 82. Have been at the Pat office part of the day. Had an interview with the Comr and a long talk with him, and a pretty plain talk. But of all the mean business in the world, the most humiliating to a proud [...]

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1861. I have been much of the day at the Treasury Dept waiting to see the Sec’y on business. While there saw Prof (now) Genl Michel, the Astronomer, who is now in the Army. Also saw and conversed with Genl Burnside of R.I. Genl Pomeroy of Kansas notoriety I saw also. It [...]

THURSDAY 12 This has been a delightful day. I was at the Pat office and at the Treasury Dept, did not see Mr Chase. The fight near the Chain Bridge yesterday proved to be only a rather severe skirmish, two of our soldiers killed. Went with Julia after dinner up to Camp Cameron to see [...]

WEDNESDAY 11 Was at the Pat office this morning with Doct D, visited the Hospital there. Called upon Mr Seward, got letter of introduction from him to Mr Chase, could not see Mr C today. There has been heavy firing over the river all the afternoon. The report tonight is that there has been a [...]

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1861. Went to the Navy Yard today with Doct David and Julia. Chas & Sallie were also along. Quite lively times there but nothing doing excepting preparing war material, shot, cannon, &c. The Steamer Pensecola is nearly completed and was taking on her stores. 400 sailors for her were landed at the [...]

MONDAY 9 A little rain this morning. Went down to the Post Office and then to the State Department to see Mr Seward, he was not in. Have been at home most of the day, have not felt very well. Capt Meeks of the “Anderson Zuaves” dined with us today. He was formerly in the [...]

SUNDAY 8 Pleasant day, cloudy, not hot. Went to church in the morning. Edward Dickson called before Church and Doct David went over the River with him. Everything quiet among the military today, no movements of troops noticed. Chas & Sallie called in the evening and we went down to the Camp to hear the [...]

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1861. Very hot sun today and the atmosphere oppressive. I was down to the P.O. Pd my gas bill for the month 95 cts. Came home about noon and found Doct David. Went to market before dark. Went with Julia down to the Camp (the Doct and wife had gone to the [...]

FRIDAY 6 Beautiful day again. No particular news afloat but expected every hour to hear of a battle. Spent part of the day at the pat office, wrote a letter there to Brother C R. Found that an application was [sic] had been made, or two rather, for my old invention, the rotary trigger, for [...]