Washington June 28th 1864 In looking over my last “minutes” I see that I stated that Petersburgh was taken, but altho it was so reported it is not taken yet. Frequent attacks upon the defences have been made and some of the out works have been carried, but the City is still held by the [...]

Washington June 18th 1864 In looking back through the past ten days I can fix upon no very striking event that has taken place. Army operations of great importance have been undoubtedly going on, but no decisive Battles have been fought, if we except the victory of Genl Hunter in Western Virginia near Staunton. In [...]

Washington June 8th 1864 Fighting almost every day now before Richmond. Genl Grant is loosing a great many men but is also getting re-inforcements enough (perhaps) to make up for his losses. The Rebels loose probably more than we do as much of the fighting has been where they have been the attacking party. I [...]

Washington June 2nd 1864 No very great addition has been made to our stock of information in reference to army movements since my last date. Genl Grant had a pretty severe fight on Monday last (30th ult) but no particulars as yet. His army is near Mechanicsville some five or six miles north of Richmond. [...]

Washington May 29th 1864 We have had no direct information from the Army for the past four days until today that has been of much importance. Today it is said that Grant is on Lees right, East of the Richmond and Fredericksburg R Road and within twelve miles of Richmond. The communication is not kept [...]

Washington May 20th 1864 We do not get much direct news from the army today but there has been some fighting at the Front. All the news that is reported from there is always “a Victory” or a “great success,” “The Rebels defeated” &c. Such was the news with which we were regaled day by [...]

Washington May 18th 1864 There has been quite a lull in military affairs the past few days. The rebels are still strong and defiant. Genl Grant has been receiving strong re-inforcements since the Battles of last week and is preparing for another forward movement. There has been a great deal of rain the past few [...]

Monday May 16th 1864 It has been rather a still and quiet day. No exciting news has been circulated and it is understood that not much fighting has been done for the past two or three days. Lee is said to be now occupying a strong position south of Spotsylvania C. H. and I think [...]

Washington May 14/64 We hear nothing but confirmatory news today of what we had yesterday. At last accounts the rebel Army was fleeing before the Union troops. It is said that their retreat has become a rout. We hear today from Sherman in Georgia. He has taken Dalton and some 5000 prisoners and a large [...]

Washington May 13th 1864 The news from the Army today is more cheering than ever. Lees RRoad communications have all been cut and it is considered an almost sure thing that his Army will be destroyed or at least scattered. One Division of his Army was defeated yesterday by Genl Hancock, four thousand rebel prisoners [...]

Washington May 12th 1864 The news from the Army continues favorable. Genl Grant most pertinaciously sticks to Lee driving him from one position to another and making steady progress onward towards Richmond. We have no news from the forces near Richmond today, but it is thought that all the R Roads leading there have been [...]

Washington May 11th 1864. We get but little reliable news today from the army, but all the accounts agree in one particular. There has been the most terrible fighting almost every day since it began on Thursday last the 5th Inst. We have lost three good Maj Genls killed. Hayes, Wadsworth & Sedgwick. Hays & [...]

Tuesday May 10th 1864 These days are eventful days and big with the fate of the thousands who are engaged in hostile array as well as of the would be “Southern Confederacy.” There has been most severe fighting almost every day for the past six days. The rebels fight with a determination and heroism worthy [...]

Washington Saturday May 7th/64 We hear today that there has been two days severe fighting Thursday & Friday and the battle was expected to be renewed today. No decisive results so far as heard tonight, but the news as far as it goes (up to last night) is rather favorable to us. Lees Army had [...]

Friday May 6th 1864 My Brother did not go by Steamer but by RR on the day he intended. I met them at the Landing (foot of 6th St) and Saw them on board of the Cars bound for NY the day before yesterday. It being a broken day with me I concluded to spend [...]

Washington May 3rd/64 Matters remain in about Status quo as it regards the war. Both sides are concentrating their armies in Virginia. No movement of Genl Grants army has yet taken place. But we are waiting to hear of the Crash every day. It is said that the rebel Genl Lee is drawing all the [...]

Wednesday April 27th 1864, Washington Since my last date I have been home to L Island and staid 15 days. Julia and myself started the 1st inst. We staid two days in N York City. I returned here on the morning of the 19th. I had a very pleasant time of it at home altho [...]

Washington March 25th/64 Nothing very important has occured in regard to the war since my last date. No movement of the Army of the Potomac has taken place. Some Cavalry “raids” have been made and some skirmishing has been going on. Today an order is published consolidating the Army of the Potomac into three Corps [...]

Washington D.C. March 20th/64 Not much of importance has transpired in regard to the War since my last date. Genl Grant has been here (He is now Lieut Genl) and has gone back to Tennessee, but soon returns and takes command of the Army of the Potomac in person. Having command at the same time [...]

March 10th 1864 The Military affairs of the Nation has not been “all a success” for the past two or three weeks. Our troops were repulsed in Florida with a loss of some 1200 men killed, wounded, and prisoners. They are now at Jacksonville and have been re-inforced, and will be able to stay there. [...]

Saturday February 27th 1864 The day has been beautiful as could be wished and the streets have swarmed with ladies. The country is getting considerably excited upon the question of the “succession” to the Presidency. Mr Lincoln seems to have the “inside tract,” but he will find a good deal of opposition in the Republican [...]

Feb 26th 1864 As the season advances and Spring approaches the news becomes more interesting. The Armies begin to move and important events are expected to happen soon, are in fact happening at the present time. Genl Sherman has struck out from Vicksburgh with about 30,000 men and has advanced far into the interior taking [...]

Monday 22nd No particular notice was taken of the birth day of Washington in this City. The public offices were not closed but the flags were hung from numerous dwellings and offices. Julia and myself had intended to go down to Fort Foot today but the River is still too full of ice to make [...]

February 18th 1864 (Thursday) This is the coldest weather that I have ever seen in Washington, that is for Six years. The Mercury was below zero this morning. The River is again frozen over, but there is no snow on the ground and the streets look quite lonesome. A cold cutting wind banishes everybody but [...]