Monday Sept. 30

This morning Ephe and Lucy came down on the cars.  The back-water is over the bridge, in the turnpike.  We sent a horse over for Lucy.  Ephe crossed on the fence.  William rode out today twice and felt the better for it.  The river very low when it began to rain Thursday.  The elm stump and log near our landing were then out of water, high and dry.  Today the water was nearly up to the buggy bed on the turnpike bridge.  It has risen a few inches this afternoon but is probably at a stand tonight.  I never remember so high a river in September.  
Today's Gazette states that the rebels have evacuated Munson's Hill near Washington, a strategic position which commanded the encamp of 60,000 of our troops.  Do they despair of taking Washington or is it a ruse to deceive M'Clellan and draw him into another Bull Run trap?  May He have wisdom and courage to direct him aright.  Perhaps the rebels contemplate some new move against Rosecrans or toward Kentucky and Cincinnati.  Gen. Mitchell who is now in command of the Department of Ohio is throwing up intrenchments on the hills near Cincinnati and it is said that he is desirous to collect a large army at that point.  Some Ohio regiments among them the 14" (Col. Steadman's) have been sent to Kentucky, which having by the actions of her legislature, thrown off her neutrality is now ranged on the side of Government.  Federal troops have been sent there to protect Union men and to repel the rebel forces which are in possession of Bowling Green and other points.  There will be stirring times in Kentucky.  
Fremont is still denounced by many.  I think meanly and unjustly.  I hope he may have an opportunity to silence his enemies.  His position in Missouri is a difficult one.  Now he has taken the field.  May He who directs all things, and without whose blessing it is vain to fight, give him the victory.


Peggy's comments:
Ephraim Dawes, Julia's nephew, is preparing for service with the Union army.  With William at last recovering from typhoid, Ephraim is not so needed at home.

The Old Stone House in which Julia and brother William and his family lived is no longer standing so it is difficult to picture the particulars that Julia describes.  Here is a painting of the Old Stone House:

The Old Stone House, Constitution, Ohio

Here is a map of Munson's Hill and an illustration and description of Munson's Hill from Harper's Weekly.

Fremont was a Union general who had issued a proclamation freeing slaves in Missouri.  This caused political difficulties for Lincoln who believed that Fremont had not only overstepped his authority but that his proclamation might tip Missouri toward the Confederacy.  In addition, the various regiments under Fremont's command in Missouri were not communicating well and appeared quite disorganized.

John C. Fremont