Monday, July 28, 1862

Lucy came down this morning.  Kate is going to spend the day in town.  William to Marietta.


About four o'clock in the afternoon, Mr. A. S. Bailey called and told us that there was a report that Parkersburg was about to be attacked by nine hundred mounted guerillas.  There was great alarm prevailing and women and children were leaving the place.  The funds from the bank of Parkersburg were removed to this side of the river and finally taken on the train to Marietta.  All the boats were sent to this side of the river.  Mr. Cains Cole's little steamboat came shrieking along up and collected all the guns and men they could and went back to help.  The Mayor of Parkersburg telegraphed to Marietta for help.  Mayor Whittlesay caused the alarm bells to be rung.  The people assembled in crowds at the Court House.  Athens was telegraphed to send men and replied that they were ready and would come on the afternoon train.  In the meantime a company was organized to go to the relief of Parkersburg, another to protect government stores at Marietta.  Scouts were sent out into Virginia and the boats were all secured and the cannon were manned.  Forty guns for the men of Warren to guard the railroad were about to be sent when Mayor Amiss telegraphed that they would be able to take care of themselves, troops having arrived from Clarksburg.
Most of these facts we did not learn until William returned from town.  Emeline M'Clure came up and told us one of their neighbors had just come from Parkersburg where the greatest alarm prevailed.  The pickets had been driven in and the guerillas were said to be within two miles of town.  For two or three hours we heard constant firing at Parkersburg but learned from a horseman that the troops were firing for practice and that the guerillas had retreated instead of attacking the place.  This is really the most serious alarm that we have had here.
Mrs. Bailey & Sarah Emerson called.


Peggy's comments:
The guerillas causing all the excitement were led by Col. John Morgan and his cavalry.  These men would soon be known as "Morgan's Raiders".  Parkersburg, (West) Virginia is about 8 miles south of the Cutler house, across the Ohio River.