Saturday Aug. 31

This morning we were awakened by an earthquake about five o'clock.  It made the windows shake and rattle.  Mr. and Mrs. Dean went home today.  Lizzie sent provisions to the soldiers guarding the railroad.


Peggy's comments:
I searched but found no record of an earthquake in Ohio on August 31, 1861.

Mr. and Mrs. Dean are William's half-sister and her husband.  I'm not sure where "home" is for them.

Friday Aug. 30

I took care of William last night and feel rather badly today.  Polly and I called on Mrs. W. D. Bailey and toward evening we went up to the graveyard, to see the graves of the household.  I had never seen Henry's headstone before.  I like it much.  Mr. Dean and Ephe went to town to see the Amesville volunteers but they had gone to Virginia.  They however forwarded to them a box of provisions &c. which were sent to them from home.  They belong to the 36th regiment which William did so much for.  The Transfer has been busy all day taking them down.  In the evening Capt. Moore's company passed.  They are Warren and Barlow boys.  They cheered as they passed.


Peggy's comments:
The graveyard Julia refers to was near where they lived and is the Riverview Cemetery, also known as the Gravel Bank Cemetery.  In it are buried Julia's parents, her nephew Henry Dawes, several of the young children of William and Lizzie Cutler, and a few other family members.

Riverview Cemetery.  The children of Lizzie and William Cutler are buried this side of the tall monument which is where Julia's parents, Ephraim Cutler and Sally Parker Cutler, are buried.

Monument to Ephraim Cutler and his wives:  Leah Atwood Cutler and Sally Parker Cutler.  Standing next to the monument are Rich and Peggy Dempsey.

Thursday, Aug. 29

Ephe did not come down last night but came on morning train, Timothy Condit with him.  Sister Polly and Mr. Dean came this afternoon to see William.   They had heard of his illness and came fearing the worst.  
Mrs. W. D. Bailey called.


Peggy's comments:
Polly Cutler Dean is William's half sister who was, at the time, about 65 years old.

Wednesday Aug. 28

Ephe went to town with A. S. Bailey to attend Union Convention at Marietta to nominate representatives to state legislature and county officers.  George went to town to Mill.  Sarah and Marion went up on the train, expect to come back tomorrow.  The Dr. thinks that William is better.  His fever is broken; but he has no appetite and is as weak as a child.  We are thankful that he is no worse.  Train late.


Peggy's comments:
Ephe (Ephraim Dawes, Julia's nephew) was awfully young to be going to a Union Convention to nominate representatives for the state legislature.  But he was well respected, even at the age of 21.

George, I think, is a man who worked for the Cutlers.  Sarah is Sarah Dawes, Ephraim's mother and Julia's sister.  I'm still not sure who Marion is!

They must have been relieved that William was better in this, the third week of his illness from typhoid.

Tuesday, Aug. 27

Dr. Russel, correspondent of the London Times, like most go-betweens seems to be loved and trusted by none.  His letters from the South added fuel to the fire of hatred already burning in the country and now his falsehoods and mis-representations about the late battle and retreat from Manassas has embittered the feeling still more, a portion of which is justly directed toward himself.  War is a solemn reality.  Russel may scoff but the fact remains that thousands of our countrymen lie in bloody graves.  Would he have done more than give his life for his country?


Peggy's comments:
William Howard Russell was a correspondent of the London Times who seemed to favor the South.  Read more about him here.

Monday, Aug. 26

Mitchell, a soldier of the 22nd regiment, O. V. M. staid here last night.  He was one of company B who guarded trestles on the Union railroad.  He says they would have starved if it had not been for the provisions our family sent them.  His regiment was about two months in Virginia but he was not in any fight.  Government has paid them every dollar due, and most of the men will re-enlist.  
We get frequent letters from Rufus who is still at Meridian Hill near Washington.  He is in Gen. Rufus King's brigade.  M'Clellan promises the the post of honor in the next advance.  It is the post of danger, too, God keep our dear Rufus in life and limb.  We hope in God.  Our enemies have compassed us about but He will deliver us.  President Lincoln has appointed Sept. 26th a day of fasting and prayer.  I trust Christians will faithfully observe the day but surely they will also in the meantime feel bound to be instant in prayer, that God may bless our country and speedily subdue this fierce rebellion.




Peggy's comments:
Rufus Dawes, Julia's nephew, had not yet seen battle.  On August 24, 1861 he wrote to his brother Ephraim Dawes:

We are here at Washington yet, and I think likely to stay a week or so.  We were reviewed yesterday by the Brigadier (Rufus King,) and our regiment never before appeared so meanly.  It was enough to try the patience of a martyr, the performance of that contemptible brass band of ours.  They played such slow time music that we passed the reviewing officer at about forty-seven paces a minute.  We had to hold one leg in the air and balance on the other while we waited for the music.  By the way, old Kanouse belongs to the band.  He is sick and I do not wonder at it.  He goes along, pumping up and down on a big toot horn.  He wants to get out of the band.  I should think he would, for if a man in the regiment is caught in a rascally trick, the whole regiment yells, "Put him in the brass band."


(Theodore Kanouse was a college friend of Rufus's from Wisconsin.)

Sunday Aug. 25

Sarah, Ephraim and the children went to meeting.  Mr. Wakefield preached.  Capt. Shaw and Mr. Washburn were here to dinner.


Peggy's comments:
It sounds like the family had a quiet Sunday.  Sarah is Julia's sister, Ephraim is Sarah's son, and the children are Annie and Sarah Cutler, who are the children of William and Lizzie Cutler.  I don't know who Capt. Shaw and Mr. Washburn are.

Saturday, Aug. 24

One of the young soldiers guarding trestle work on railroad brought some nice squirrels to make broth for William.  They have frequently shown the same kindness, which has been duly appreciated.  It is now said that Rosecrans has about 30 thousand men,16 regiments from Ohio, besides artillery and cavalry, enough to make 20 thousand Ohioans in the field.  The remainder of his command are Virginians, Kentuckians and Indianians.

Friday, Aug. 23

M'Clellan is introducing strict discipline in the Army, and is effecting a perfect re-organization.  He is not a better general but he is a younger man than Scott, and gives personal attention to details.  He is constantly at work inspecting troops and remedying evils.  The army never before has been so well organized or in better spirits.

General McClellan

Thursday Aug. 22

Rumors are frequent respecting military movements in western Virginia.  Sometimes it is said that Lee is advancing upon Rosecrans with a superior force and that Virginia secessionists are bold and active.  Again it is stated that Rosecrans had surrounded Lee who escaped by a night retreat through the wilderness, leaving artillery and baggage.  Fighting is expected soon.  Our men occupy Cheat mountain pass.  It is feared that Rosecrans has not men enough and that his force is too much scattered.  He is believed to be an able general.  His only "foughten field" was that of Rich Mountain in which he earned laurels for himself and those under his command.  He keeps his own counsels, no one knows what his plans are.  The Confederates say they intend to go into winter quarters in Southern Ohio where there is plenty to subsist their troops and forage for their horses.  This we trust by the blessing of God, Rosecrans will be able to prevent.  We don't want the traitors here.


Peggy's comments:
It is said that Rosecrans was responsible for the Union victories at Rich Mountain and Corrick's Ford in July but that General McClellan claimed credit for them.  When the Union soldiers were defeated at the first battle at Bull Run, General McClellan was summoned to Washington to meet with Lincoln.  It was at this time that Gen. William Rosecrans was given the western Virginia command.  Here's a map of western Virginia from the Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation.  Marietta, Ohio is across the river from Parkersburg.

Wednesday Aug. 21

William's fever not so high today.  Mr. Terril, his son Henry, John & Wesley Hufford, Otis Bickford and Hiram Skipton have all joined the 36" regiment, also Ezekiel Roberts.  These are all from families, living on our land, and are a pretty good contribution for one farm to the cause of our country.  Lucy and I take care of William tonight.


Peggy's comments:
Julia's father, Ephraim Cutler and his first wife, Leah Atwood, moved west from Connecticut in 1795.  They had settled first in Ames, Ohio, but when Leah became ill with consumption, they decided to move closer to Marietta where there was a doctor.  Ephraim leased his farm and moved to Belpre near Marietta in 1806.  He had 160 acres of uncleared land and acquired several small adjoining lots.  He began to build the house of stone in which he would live for the remainder of his life.  In November 1807, before the stone house was finished, his wife Leah Atwood Cutler died.  They had four children living at home.  Ephraim married Sally Parker the following spring and together they had five additional children:  Sarah, Manasseh, William, Julia, and Clara Cutler.  Manasseh died in childhood.   It was a close, loving, mutually supportive family.  Ephraim's second wife Sally died in 1846 and Ephraim died in 1853.   William and Julia continued to live in the house, by now called the "Old Stone House".

The Life and Times of Ephraim Cutler, written primarily by Julia Cutler, has been digitized by Google.

Lucy Dawes is a niece of Julia and William (she is a daughter of Sarah Cutler Dawes).

Tuesday, Aug. 20

Cleaned out garden paths.  Miss Mary Cone and her brother Timothy called this afternoon.  She has just returned from Chicago.  Looks in fine health.  She thinks of associating Miss Long of St. Louis with her in the school, a good arrangement.  Sarah and Marion came down this evening from town.  William still a little delirious.


Peggy's comments:
Miss Mary Cone and her brother Timothy were descendants of Timothy Cone, one of the original settlers in Constitution (Warren Township).  Miss Long is unknown to me.

Sarah is Sarah Cutler Dawes, Julia's sister who is the mother of Kate, Lucy, Jane, Rufus and Ephraim Dawes, all grown.  Kate lived with the William Cutlers in the Old Stone House, Lucy lived in town (Marietta) and was a teacher, Jane was married to a missionary and they were living in Persia, Rufus was serving with the 6th Wisconsin Volunteers and was currently a Captain.  In August of 1861 he was camped near Washington, D.C. and had not yet seen battle. Ephraim lived in Marietta but was frequently helping his Uncle William with business matters.

Marion is frequently mentioned by Julia, but I haven't been able to learn if she was a friend or if she was somehow related.

Effective treatment for typhoid was not available in the 1860s.  The disease lasted four weeks and was characterized by a high fever and delirium.  William fell ill on August 9 and so was in the second week of the illness.

Monday Aug 19

Mr. Douglas Putnam came down this morning to see William about the annual meeting of the board of directors of the Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad which takes place next Wednesday.  He went over the business items with Mr. Putnam but was very much exhausted by doing so.  In the afternoon he was quite delirious.
Kate and Mr. Burgess called down to see Mrs. M'Clure.  She is better.  Miss Betsey Bailey and Mrs. Julia Ann Bailey called.  Lizzie sits up tonight.


Peggy's comments:
It's a little difficult to keep track of who's who in Julia's journal, even though she frequently records first and last names.  William Cutler, Julia's brother who has been sick with typhoid, was Vice-President of the Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad and seems to have roused himself enough to discuss business with Mr. Douglas Putnam.

Kate is Kate Dawes, a niece of Julia's (and the oldest sister of Rufus and Ephraim Dawes).  She lived with Julia and her brother William's family in the Old Stone House in Constitution, Ohio.  Mr. Burgess was a progressive and out-spoken minister who lived nearby and he was the step-father of Lizzie Cutler (who was married to William although she was 20 years younger than he).    The Baileys were neighbors who were Lincoln Republicans and friends with the Cutlers.  Mrs. M'Clure is the woman who was injured when she fell from a buggy.

Map of Marietta and Cincinnati Rail Road

Sunday Aug. 18

William M'Clure came up early to have us send the Doctor down to see his mother who was badly bruised by being thrown from a buggy.  The horse frightened at a thrashing machine.  
We did not go to meeting today.  We feel very anxious about William.  The Typhoid fever which he  has is dangerous and deceptive.  I feel greatly depressed about his case.  May He who wept with "Martha and Mary" and gave them back their brother from the dead, pity us and rebuke the fever.  With Him are the issues of life and death.  Lucy takes care tonight of him.

Saturday Aug. 17

Mrs. Ann Reppert, Mrs. Barclay and Mrs. James Reppert called today.  Mrs. Ann Reppert is anxious to secure a cadetship at West Point for her son Charlie.  Sarah and Marion went to town and will not be back until Tuesday.  We hear often from Rufus.  His regiment is in Gen. Rufus King's brigade and now encamped at Meridian Hill near Washington City.  The position is an exposed one.  May God protect him.   After all He it is that shall tread down our enemies. 
Lizzie takes care of William tonight.  The neighbors kindly offer to watch with him, but we think it best for him to do it ourselves as long as we can.  Mr. Graves, R. R. Engineer, offered to come and sit up with him.


Peggy's comments:

Rufus writes in Service with the Sixth Wisconsin:
On the seventh day of August we moved on to Washington.  The order came while the regiment was engaged in the evening Dress Parade, and it was received with enthusiasm.  Our orders were to move at once, and there was hurrying in hot haste.  The Regiment had been armed, while at Patterson Park, with Belgium muskets, a heavy, clumsy gun, of large caliber, and not to be compared with the Springfield rifled musket.  We again marched through the streets of Baltimore at night.  Our muskets were loaded . . . "at half cock," and we received from all citizens the compliment of respectful silence.  We started about midnight, in filthy cattle cars, and reached Washington City at daylight.  We marched to the City Hall Park, and, late in the day to Meridian Hill, where we established our camp, a few rods from Columbia College, then being used as a hospital for the wounded from the Bull Run battle.  This camp, called Kalorama, was, as indicated by its classic name, indeed beautiful for situation and for its magnificent view of the Capitol and the city.  But the three weeks spent there were a great trial.  There were in my company twenty-five men sick with the measles, and the other companies were in like manner severely scourged.  The weather was intensely hot and the water was not good.  Melons were freely sold in camp, and a general run of sickness was the result beyond our measles.  On August fifteenth, we had in Company "K" thirty-five reported sick and unfit for duty.

Friday Aug. 16

Lucy went up to Mr. Burgess' again today.  It is said that the rebel forces under Gen. Lee, fifteen thousand strong, are within fifteen miles of Cheat Mountain Gap which is held by our forces.  Gen. Rosecrans has his headquarters at Clarksburg.  Since Gen. M'Clellan went to Washington Rosecrans takes command of the Federal forces in western Virginia.  We fear he has not men enough to hold it against Lee.
Judge W. B. Putnam came down to see William.  He wanted to talk about the Colonel for the 36" Regiment.  J. R. Scott called and offered to sit up with William but we prefer to nurse him ourselves as long as we can.  Lucy takes care of William tonight.

Thursday, Aug. 15

The Doctor says that William's fever will run seven days counting from this morning.  He complains of his head.  The doctor says he must not see visitors.  Ephraim has returned from Gallipolis where he went to secure a company from Gallia county for the thirty sixth regiment.  He will relieve William of business cares.  Lucy spent the day with Maggie.  Gen.  Lyon was killed in the battle near Springfield, Missouri, while cheering his men on to victory.  Our force is stated at from five to eight thousand, the enemy twenty two or twenty three thousand.  It was a drawn battle, both armies retreating from the field; the Federal troops under Gen. Sigel falling back in good order upon Rolla.   Our loss in killed and wounded said to be eight hundred, the enemy's loss much more.  Sarah took care of William last night.  Lizzie and I expect to sit up tonight.




Peggy's comments:
Concern for Julia's brother William continues.  I can only imagine how sick he was being made by the medicines.

Nephew Ephraim Dawes, who was 21 years old and not yet enlisted in the Army, was quite helpful to the family.

Once again, reports from the battlefield mis-estimated numbers of troops and casualties.  Estimates from sources recounting the battles still vary but here are some numbers which are probably more accurate than the ones reported by Julia:
Federal troops:  5,400
Confederate troops:  12,000

Federal troops killed and wounded:  1,300
Confederate troops killed and wounded:  1,200

Tuesday, Aug. 14

Lucy, Marion and little Annie went up to A. S. Bailey's.  Clara Andrews is spending the week there.  Sarah Dawes took dinner at Mrs. Burgess'.  Dr. Hart today gave William more active medicine and he has had a very sick day.  I am afraid he will have a course of typhoid fever but hope for the best.  The river has risen rapidly and is covered with drift.  In some places the fords have been guarded for fear of secession depredations.  This rise will remove all such apprehensions.  It has risen about ten feet.  Miss Bicknell who lives at Great Bend, Ohio, opposite Jackson Co., Va., says that their neighborhood has been full of Virginia refugees.  Union men fleeing with their families from secession pursuers.  As many as thirty were at one time at her father's house.  The family of Lieut. Gov. Falsey were obliged at one time to take refuge in Ohio.  Our land is in a deplorable state.  Whence will deliverance come?  God pity us and send victory to our armies.  How long must this state of things be?  Shall the oppressor go unpunished?  Is God the friend of the slaveholder to uphold him in all his ways?

Tuesday. Aug. 13

Sarah came this morning with Emeline Bicknell who spent the day with us.  Mr. & Mrs. Burgess here to dinner.  Dr. Hart here again.  It is reported that there has been a battle in Missouri, our forces defeated and Gen. Lyon killed.  We trust it may be false.  Andrew M'Clure is under Gen. Lyon.  This makes his friends anxious.  Henry (Dawes) died just one year ago today.  How much we miss him!  How active he would have been in these exciting times.


Peggy's comments:
Henry Dawes was the oldest son of Henry Dawes and Sarah Cutler Dawes.  He was Julia's nephew, and brother to Kate, Lucy, Jane, Rufus and Ephraim.  By all accounts, an admirable young man, he was looked up to by his siblings.  He worked as a lawyer in Marietta, Ohio.

Monday, Aug. 12

Dr. Fulton left this morning.  Dr. Hart came down to see William.  Another hard rain.  Ephraim has been writing letters all day for his Uncle William.

Sabbath Aug. 11

Still rainy.  Lizzie, Annie and I went to meeting.  Mr. Andrews preached.  William quite unwell all day.

Saturday. Aug. 10

The report of the capture of Wise is unfounded.  Ephe came down this morning.  His mother and Marion went back with him.  He came down again on the evening train with Mr. Morse and Dr. Fulton, Augusta Cutler's husband.  A very hard rain.


Peggy's comments:
Rumors were quite common and Julia seems increasingly skeptical of reports from the battlefront.

Family members continue to come and go to the Old Stone House that Julia called home.  Her sister, Sarah Cutler Dawes had been raised there and Sarah's son Ephe (Ephraim Dawes)  had lived there for the first 10 years of his life and always considered it to be home.

Friday Aug. 9

William came home from Cincinnati.  He is quite unwell - pain in his limbs and head.  He is glad to be at home.  Mrs. Dawes and I took a walk up "Ichabod" (run) and got some fine ripe blackberries.

Thursday. Aug. 8

Letters again from Rufus, he is at Baltimore.  Their sentries were attacked by Baltimore Plug Uglies.  He says that his regiment were marched five miles through the city unarmed, but were unmolested.  The attack was made the next night.  A letter also from Jane.  She has just heard that "there is war in America", and feels extremely anxious about friends here.  The news was first received from a gentleman of Tabreez, then from newspapers; but no letters were sent them by that mail and their solicitude is extreme.  We have written and before this time they must have letters.  Sister Sarah C. Dawes and Marion came on the evening train.  It is rumored that Wise has been captured.  We hope it is true but do not give much credence to the papers.




Peggy's Comments:
Rufus R. Dawes, Julia's nephew, was with the 6th Wisconsin, moving toward Arlington Heights.

Jane is Rufus's sister Jane Dawes Shedd who had sailed to Persia with her husband, Rev. John Shedd, in August 1859.  They served as Presbyterian missionaries.

Wise is former Governor Wise, now a Confederate General.

Wednesday Aug. 7

Kate, Nancy and I went to Mrs. Sandford's funeral.  Mr. Bing, Methodist preacher from Harmar, preached a very good sermon.  We received the daily Globe of July 27 containing William's speech on the Revenue Bill.  Another battle in Missouri at Day Spring (?) between Gen. Lyon and Ben M'Cullough.  8 killed and 30 wounded of the Federal troops.  40 of the rebels killed and 44 wounded.  The Federal cavalry made a brilliant charge on 4000 infantry of the enemy.

Tuesday Aug. 6

Ephe has just returned from Gallipolis where he has been on business connected with the thirty sixth regiment.  This is the regiment that William got Secretary Cameron to accept.  Melvin Clark has been appointed Lieut. Col. and Prof. E. B. Andrews, Major J. M. Woodbridge, Quarter Master.  They hope to procure a West Point man for Colonel.  They will have no difficulty in getting up the regiment.  Sixteen companies have already offered themselves, three are now in Camp Putnam.  Ephe brought Lucy a letter from Rufus.  He was in Harrisburg, could not get a furlough to visit us.  He expects to be in Gen'l Banks division at Harper's Ferry.  He had a fine trip from Wisconsin, saw Major Anderson's family.  He sent Lucy many kind messages and $15.00 and hopes to send more.  Ephe seems determined to enter the volunteer army.  This is to me a great trial.  I cannot bear to have him go.  Henry is dead, Rufus in the army beyond recall, and now Ephraim!  I feel like Israel of old, "will they take Benjamin also".  Rufus and Ephraim are both very dear to us.  May God bless the lads.  May they be Christ's own chosen ones, true soldiers of the Cross.  Into his hand we commit them, he alone is able to keep them.  May he "hide them in the secret of his pavilion until these calamities are overpast".
William went today to Chillicothe and probably will go to Cincinnati before his return.  Lucy went to town this morning and came back on the evening train.  Ephe came with her.  He is going again to Gallipolis.  Mrs. Sandford, a Virginia refugee from Charleston, died last night of consumption.  Mr. Sandford lives near the meeting house.

Monday Aug. 5

This morning Messrs. Melvin Clark, John Newton, Levi Barber and Charley Gates came down on the cars to see William.  He returned with them to town.
Just one year ago our dear little Ephie was gathered into the Savior's fold.


Peggy's notes:
William and Lizzie Cutler had as of this date 5 children, 3 of whom had died quite young.  Little Ephie died when he was 2.

Sabbath August 4

Last night, about 11 o'clock William got home unexpectedly as we supposed he did not leave Washington until Friday and coming by way of Harrisburg we did not expect him before Monday night as he never travels on the Sabbath.  But he left Thursday and so got home Saturday night. He has been sick but is better now.  We were very thankful to see him safe at home again.  About midnight a very long train of cars passed down which went up today in two detachments having on board the 22nd Ohio regiment.  Oren Newton preached today a patriotic sermon.  I was sick and did not hear it.

Saturday Aug 3

Yesterday, the 1s and 2nd Ohio Regiments whose time was out, but who staid to help at the fight at Manassas, had a grand reception at Cincinnati.

Friday Aug. 2

Another oppressively warm day.  Mrs. Joanna Shipman, Mrs. Maria Shipman, Mrs. Fanny Bailey, Mrs. W. D. Bailey and Miss Betsey Bailey were here to tea.  Lucy and Kate came on the evening train.  They brought a dispatch from William saying he would start home this morning being quite unwell.  Congress will adjourn next Monday.

Thursday Aug. 1, 1861

Kate and Lucy went to town hoping to meet Rufus.  A very warm day.  Lizzie and Marion went to circle at A. S. Bailey's.  Next circle to be at William Scott's three weeks from today.  A young girl was killed by lightning at Widow Fleming's in Barlou.  Her name was Catherine Clark.