SUNDAY, AUGUST 11, 1861. A very hot day. Went to church this morning with Julia, Willie, and Surgeon Barnes of the 27th. Doct Smith preached. It commenced to rain about 5 o’clock and rained till near night very hard, flooding the lower part of the City. Guns were heard over the River, some fighting probably. [...]
SATURDAY 10 We hear of no particular news today. The “papers” are not allowed to publish army news. We see Regts moving every day but hardly know where they are going to. It seems hard to realize that we are in the midst of a Civil War of gigantic proportions, that in fact within three [...]
FRIDAY 9 This day has not been so hot, rather cloudy and rain tonight. I was on the Ave and at the Pat office, got a Hack and brot home my Books and papers from the office. Nothing new stirring in the City. Do[c]t Vanslyck was here today and Capt Adams gave us a Call. [...]
WEDNESDAY 7 Heat still oppressive. M. 92, but a good air. Was on the Ave awhile this morning, soldiers not as plenty there as formerly. They are now kept in their quarters. The “Patrol” “nabs” them anywhere, officers and all, when found without a “pass.” Congress adjourned yesterday. I have spent most of the day [...]
TUESDAY 6 M. at 92. at 10. this morning with but little air stirring. The Lincoln boys were both up here after mine by 9 o’clock, they make themselves quite at home in the house. Packed up my books at the Pat office today, shall try to get out some Patents on my own ac[coun]t. [...]
MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 1861. Weather continues extremely hot. M. at 92 in the middle of the day. Surgeon Barnes took breakfast with us. He is attending the Lowry boy who fell (our neighbor). The boy is doing extremely well. I was at the Pat office awhile today, saw and talked with the Comr. He thinks [...]
SUNDAY 4 The heat has been greater than ever today. Went to Church with wife and the boys. Lieut Swan & Lieut Gould took breakfast with with [sic] us & Chaplin Buck took dinner with us. He preached at the Capitol this morning. It was too hot for any of us to go out to [...]
SATURDAY 3 Hot still. Went over to the Navy Yard with Julia and Miss Hartly. Went round the shops and on board the Steamer Pensacola which will be completed in a few days. Nothing but cannon, and shot and shells, fill the workshops. Everything there looks warlike. No troops are quartered in the Yard now, [...]
FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 1861. The weather is hot now adays, the M. ranging about 90. I have been at the office part of the day writing letters &c at my old table. Doct King has been packing up his books. I have been cleaning out my drawers and throwing away unimportant papers and letters. Chas [...]
THURSDAY, AUGUST 1 My lameness is much better today. I have been down to the office where I remained most of the day writing &c. I think it quite possible that they will find it necessary to restore me to my Desk as Doct King was removed yesterday, among others. I was down to the [...]
WEDNESDAY 31 This has been a hot day. M. 92. I have been obliged to keep very quiet on account of my lameness. If I had been a “high liver” I should think it was the gout, but I am very clear of that. I have been in the house nearly all day, but went [...]
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1861. Another day has passed away and no particular thing has occured of note. Little Holly had his face pretty badly burned this morning. Chas dressed it and it seems to be doing well. Wrote to C R. Taft & Col Paine. Came home before 3 o’clock. My right great toe is [...]
MONDAY 29 Saml Androus and his Regt (Mich 1st) went home today. I am quite well today after my attack of yesterday. I went down town and staid part of the day. Nothing of importance occured today but the City is very full of strangers, besides soldiers. I went down to the Camp with wife [...]
SUNDAY 28 I have been sick today with Cholera Morbus. Was very bad the fore part of the day, but am much better tonight. I have not been out in the street at all, nor have I eaten anything. Kept flannel wet occasionaly in hot water on my bowels all day and took a little [...]
SATURDAY, JULY 27, 1861. The day has passed off without any thing very remarkable taking place. I was at the office part of the day but at home most of the time. Lieuts Swan and White, Lieut Gould of Rochester, and Sergeant Major Chas Gaul dined with us today. I was at Willards this evening. [...]
FRIDAY 26 Was required to go before the Committee at the Capitol today at 10 o’clock (John F Porter Chairman). The Committee is investigating the cases of Clerks and others in the different departments who are said to be secessionists, or disloyal to the Govt. Went with Julia after dinner up to the camps on [...]
THURSDAY 25 Tho not engaged in the patent office officialy, my time has been occupied from day to day the past week in looking about and visiting the Regts encamped around the City. This evening, myself and Julia & H N Jr went over to the RI Camp and visited the officers, Col Burnside, Capt [...]
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 1861. This has been a delightful day and one full of excitement and interest. The Ave has been thronged all day with soldiers. Small squads of them have been strolling into the City and all had their story of hair breadth escapes to tell surrounded by an eager crowd of listeners. Most [...]
TUESDAY 23 Yesterday was a rainy day and the poor Soldiers were coming in all day wet and cold. We had our house full of members of our Lyons Co. to tea, and made them as comfortable as we could. Today I have taken down to the camp for them two pairs of pantaloons, bot [...]
MONDAY 22 Yesterday proved a disastrous day to our troops. They were compelled to retreat and remnants of Regts and squads of soldiers have been pouring into the City all day. Most of the Regts which I saw pass the long Bridge a week ago have returned badly cut up. The two RI, the NH [...]
SUNDAY, JULY 21, 1861. This has been the most exciting day yet. We have heard the guns all day from the battle which has been raging at or near Mannasses Junction. There is no news that can be relied on public tonight, only that a terrible fight has been going on all day. Reinforcements have [...]
SATURDAY 20 I have been about the office writing letters &c most of the day. Saw Doct Smith this morning. He insists that I shall be re-instated. The excitement in the City is great as the two Armies are now near each other and a decisive battle must take place — in a day or [...]
FRIDAY 19 A day of great excitement in the City, all looking for news from the Army. A thousand reports flying about, but nothing to be relied on when I left Willards at 9 o’clock tonight. I shall make an effort today to be re-instated in office as the Times are not at all promising [...]
THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1861. Rather too warm today for comfort but a good air stirring. It is supposed that a great Battle has taken place at Mannasses junction — as our troops were near there this morning. On account of the diminished business of the Patent office a number of the Examiners were removed today, [...]
WEDNESDAY 17 All the Union or 27th Regt did not go yesterday, about a hundred men were left until today. They left this afternoon. Elder Buck (the Chaplin) (from Lyons) and Lieut Gould of Rochester took breakfast with us. Some of the men of the Lyons Co took dinner with us and my wife sent [...]