Thursday Oct. 31

Ohio has now 60,250 enlisted men, 83 regiments of infantry have been authorized, 38 of these are now in active service in Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri.  There are also five companies of cavalry and eleven batteries of Artillery.  All eyes look toward the Army of the Potomac, but M'Clellan keeps his own counsel.  When he really strikes a blow we believe by the blessing of God it will be effectual.  
The great Naval Expedition has sailed from Fortress Monroe under command of Commodore S. F. Dupont.  The armament consists of about 400 guns.  There are more than fifty vessels in the fleet which will be augmented by some now on the coast.  The Wabash, carrying fifty guns of the most formidable description is the flag ship.  Her crew include about 650 men and marines.  The military part of the expedition consists of at least 15,000 men under command of Gen. Thos. W. Sherman formerly of "Sherman's Battery". He is considered one of the best officers in the army.  All the Generals with this force are West Point graduates.  The destination is not yet made public.  Under God who alone is sovereign we look to the Amy of the Potomac and the Naval Expedition to crush the Rebellion.  
Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Bailey spent the evening here.

Peggy's comments:

Two images of the flag ship, the Wabash.

Wednesday, Oct. 30

Kate took Emeline who spent the night with us, home in the buggy.  Lizzie canned apple sauce.  I made tomato pickles.  Nancy ironed.  All tired at night.


There are now sick in hospital at Galliplis 400 or our soldiers from the western Virginia army, and many more have been sent to Cincinnati and Camp Dennison.   The ladies at these places are doing much for the comfort of the invalids.  The Marietta ladies have contributed supplies for the Gallipolis hospital.  Mr. Beman Gates and others who have visited the Army under Rosecrans say that they are now completely clothed and fed, and provided with all things needful; that the complaints cone from those who are invalids and physically unable to endure hardship; and from those who have previous to enlistment been accustomed to luxurious living and, so, murmur at soldiers' fare, however good.

Tuesday Oct. 29

William started on the train for Chillicothe.  It is nearly three months since he was there and now it was quite hazardous for him to go.  He is still weak.


Mrs. W. D. Bailey called.  Kate and Lizzie out driving.  Emeline M'Clure and Eliza Hopkins spent the afternoon here.  We had a pleasant call from George Dana, Jr., his wife and four children.  Gen. Kelly has achieved a federal victory at Romney, Va.

Monday Oct. 28

Mr. Burgess and Mr. Kimball here in the afternoon, staid to tea.  Today's paper gives particulars of the fight at Edwards Ferry in which Col. Baker fell.  Many of our soldiers are dead, wounded or missing.  Some accounts say 1000.  This is probably an exaggerated statement.  The rebels admit a loss of 300.  Is our land to be indeed, a land of graves and a field of blood?  The body guard of Gen. Fremont under Major Zagoni, made a brilliant charge on 2000 of the enemy drawn up in line of battle at Springfield, Mo. and completely routed them.


Peggy's comments:
Mr. Burgess, Lizzie Cutler's step-father, was formerly a minister and Mr. Kimball was the current Presbyterian minister from Marietta.

The fight at Edward's Ferry was an example of a battle fought because of miscommunication.   Here's an account written by historian James Morgan.
And here's a map of the area from Harper's Weekly, Sept. 21, 1861:

Sabbath Oct. 27

Good congregation.  Mr. Scott preached on prayer:  Ask and ye shall receive &c., a very good sermon.  At the afternoon prayer meeting, Mr. Pisquod appeared.  The meeting was led by Peter Kimball who was thirty years ago minister at Watertown, a worthy but somewhat eccentric man.   


Peggy's comments:
Peter Kimball was a Presbyterian minister who spent two years in Marietta.  I could find no written references to any of his eccentricities.

Saturday, Oct. 26

Lizzie has been busy making cakes.  Two large loaves nicely iced are in the safe awaiting events.  There is a statement in the Tribune of the number of soldiers furnished by the loyal states to the Government and now in the field.  The total is 360,000 and enough more ready for service to make the number 400,000.

Friday Oct. 25

Not so pleasant as yesterday.  A late Intelligence says that the quota of Washington Co. is nine hundered and six, one in every forty inhabitants, our population being 36, 236.  We have already sent into the service 1200 men, viz: five full companies of infantry, Capt. King's, Fell's, Devol's, Palmer's and Moore's, one of cavalry, Capt. Pattin's, also Capt. Buell's company.  Besides there are parts of companies.  Capt. Rhodes 50, Capt. Jumper 50, DeBecks Artillery 50, Bolles' Cavalry 50, and 200 men guarding the railroad.  Two other regiments have been authorized and are now being formed at Marietta, the 63' Col. Craig at Camp Putnam and the 77" Col Hilderbrand at Camp Tupper on the Elevated Square.  Col. Hilderbrand desired to call his camp, "Cutler", in compliment to William, but the Nyes claimed the "honor".  The Col. would not have it "Camp Nye."  They finally compromised on "Tupper".   Lizzie came home this evening.


Peggy's comments:
Julia may be referring to the Marietta Intelligencer, a tri-weekly Republican leaning newspaper that was published between 1839 and 1862.

It is clear that Julia thinks that Washington County Ohio has contributed its share of men to the war effort.

Ichabod Nye was one of the original settlers in Marietta, Ohio.  His descendants continued to live and be active in Marietta.

Anselm Tupper was a revolutionary war officer and subsequently one of the original pioneers to Marietta, Ohio.  He served as Marietta's first school teacher and was admired as a scholar and welcomed into society.  Naming a camp after him was non-controversial.  Camp Tupper  was located on the elevated green between Third and Fourth Streets and Sacra Via and Warren in Marietta.  It was the encampment and training grounds for the 77th Ohio.

The correct spelling of the Colonel of the 77th Ohio is Jesse Hildebrand.

Thursday Oct. 24

Lizzie went to Marietta with her mother on a visit.  Mr. Burgess and Mr. Brice called.  I went with the children nutting.  William had John climb the trees and eat off the nuts.  George also was along and gathered some excellent Hill grapes.  Pleasant day.
Lucy came down to spend the night.  She brought a letter from Rufus who is now in McDowells Division.  The Wisconsin Sixth is in Virginia near Arlington Heights.  He says they work hard.  He considers the grand reviews a great bore.  The last one, of King's brigade to which his regiment belongs was attended by Secretary Seward.  Prince de Joinville and Lord Lyons.  


Peggy's comments:
Lizzie, William Cutler's wife, had grown up living near the Cutler's Old Stone House.  Her mother, Mrs. Burgess, still lived nearby with Lizzie's stepfather Dyer Burgess.

Rufus Dawes, Julia's nephew, wrote frequently throughout his service during the war, and used the letters and his journals to write Service with the Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers, which was published in 1890.

Wednesday Oct. 23

I spent most of the day in the garden preparing tulip beds and monthly roses for winter.  A large number, I should think three or four hundred army horses taken down today, one man to every five horses.  Some of those who were leading the horses seemed to be mere boys.  I was sorry to see them.  It is a bad school for them.  
The reported death of Lieut. Kelly is false.  He sent the despatch about Tilton's death.  A battle at Edwards Ferry -- severe.  Col. E. D. Baker, senator from Oregon was killed  -- much regretted.


Peggy's Comments:
Lincoln named his second son, Edward Baker Lincoln, after his close friend Edward Dickinson Baker.  Col. Edward Baker, a senator from Oregon, was killed in battle in Virginia, the only sitting Senator to die in the Civil War.  Commemorative activities to honor the senator are taking place this year both in Oregon and in Virginia.

Tuesday Oct. 22

Ephe came to tell us goodbye and has gone again to Camp Dennison.  Marion went back to town today.  She is rather expecting Mr. Hunter this week.  
Kate and I went to call at Augustus Bailey's and also went to the graveyard where I planted some roses &c. on Manasseh's grave. Mrs. Moses Scott has just heard of the death of her brother, Douglas Tilton, at Somersville, Va. He was a member of Capt. Moore's Company and died in hospital.  It is also said that 1st Lieut. Joseph Kelly of the same Company was buried on the same day at the same place.  Our army have retaken Lexington in Missouri.  


Peggy's comments:
Ephraim is rejoining his unit, the 53rd Ohio, which has not yet seen active duty.

Marion is a friend (or maybe a relative?) of Sarah Dawes, but I don't know about Mr. Hunter.

Kate and Julia planted roses on the grave of Manasseh Cutler, Julia's brother who died at age 12 in 1822.

Monday Oct. 21

Ephe came down this morning and Kate went to town with him returning in the evening.  The train was delayed two hours which made it after eight before she got home.  She bought herself a set of Motley's Dutch Republic and a rocking chair with money William gave her.


Peggy's comments:
Ephraim Dawes, Julia's nephew, is still on leave from the 53rd Ohio.

Motley's Dutch Republic refers to a three volume set of books, The Rise of the Dutch Republic:  A History  by John Lothrop Motley.  I can picture Kate sitting in her new rocking chair, reading about the establishment of a Dutch Republic.

Sabbath, Oct. 20

Last night quite a fleet of steamboats passed.  I suppose they had on board Gen. Negley's brigade of Pennsylvanians bound for the West.  Three more steamers with soldiers passed this morning.  NO preaching but a sermon read to a good congregation.


Peggy's comments:
General James S. Negley of Pennsylvania was in command of the Seventh Brigade, Department of the Ohio (along the Ohio River).

Saturday, Oct. 19

We are anxious to hear from Rufus.  His brigade we find from the newspapers, is now in M'Dowell's division and is at Vienna.  A battle has been expected for several days, but the rebels do not seem anxious to fight.  We get no letters now.  Ephe came home unexpectedly on the evening train on a furlough until Tuesday.  He looks very well and seems to be in good spirits.  The regiment is filling up slowly but he thinks it will will succeed, hopes it will be full in two weeks.  Unexpected difficulties have occurred to retard the increase of numbers.  Sarah and Lucy went home with Ephe shortening their visit here.


Peggy's comments:
Rufus was still near Washington, DC at Arlington Heights.  Reading his book Service with the Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers, I find no evidence that he sent to Vienna to the Battle of Ball's Bluff which occurred October 21,1861.

Ephe Dawes, Rufus's brother, was the Adjutant of the 53rd Ohio Volunteers.  The regiment needed to reach a quota before it was accepted and assigned into service.

Lucy was Ephe's sister and Sarah was his mother.

Friday, Oct. 18

Mr. Israel Waters was here to dinner.  Sarah and Lucy came on the evening train.  They will stay till Monday.  
Much is said about the sufferings of our troops in the mountains of Virginia for want of blankets, overcoats, and comfortable clothing.  I hope the accounts are exaggerated, but it seems they are fast becoming unfit for service, on account of exposure to the cold rains which produce sickness, typhoid fever &c.  When I think what careful nursing and careful attention was necessary for William's recovery, I wonder any of the poor soldiers get well, neglected as they are.  It is said that in Gallipolis alone there are five hundred sick, sent back from Rosecrans' army.  They have also been sent to Cincinnati.  Those in the Marine Hospital were shamefully treated but the citizens are investigating the matter.  A number have been sent to Camp Dennison, where it is hoped they will be cared for.  The Secretary of War, Gen. Cameron is now in Ohio--he has been at St. Louis.  
It is said that the President has decided to remove Gen. Fremont from the command of the Western Department.  I am sorry for I like Fremont, but we are told that the relations between the Government and Fremont are such as to render the change absolutely necessary.  We are told that the President is Commander-in-Chief and must have entire control of his subordinates, and the people are asked to trust his knowledge and discretion.


Peggy's comments:
Sarah Dawes (Julia's older sister) and Sarah's daughter Lucy lived in Marietta--only 6 miles away.

General Fremont caused a great deal of concern for Lincoln.  His goals and actions did not always coincide with the President's goals.  To read an interesting appraisal of Fremont's actions, go here.

Thurs. Oct. 17

Mr. Hunter and John Bailey came to sell out John's interest in the property near the meeting house &c. which William bought for nine hundred dollars.  Kate and Lizzie went to Mr. Burgess' to dine.  Mrs. Newton, Mrs. Harriet Means, Mrs. Evans and Miss Maria Woodbridge are spending the day there.  It has been a rainy day.  A large number of horses and mules for the army have passed down the road today.  




Peggy's comments:

Kate, Julia's niece, and Lizzie, William's wife, were about the same age.  They went to the Burgess's (Lizzie's mother and step-father) who lived within walking distance.

Here's a stereoscope picture of mules and wagons used during the Civil War.  This picture was taken in 1862 in Virginia.

Wednesday, Oct. 16

Sent a letter to Clara today.  It is a long time since we have heard from Pana, and I fear that they are in trouble.  Mr. Jenney of Marietta with his son came to see William about getting the latter in at West Point.  But Mr. Thompkins, the former Congressman, had filled the vacancy for this district so there is no opening.  Mr. Stewart, Cashier at Athens sent by train a present of quails to William, very acceptable as his appetite is capricious.   A letter from Amesville says "Dr. L. Fulton has just returned from Camp Diamond where he saw Ephe, who, he says is very much liked by the soldiers and is the right man for that place".


Peggy's comments:
Clara Walton is Julia's younger sister.  She married a minister and lived in Pana, Illinois which was about 500 miles west of Marietta, Ohio.  Clara had 5 children, 2 of whom died in infancy.  Julia talks about hardships Clara faced, but is rarely specific.

Tuesday Oct. 15

There is a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Marietta and Cincinnati railroad in Marietta today.  William has gone up to attend it, the first time he has been on the cars since his illness. Lizzie went with him.  Old Mrs. Butler came to get some clothing &c. for winter.  She was here all day.  Kate sick with headache.  Mrs. Terrill here helping us.  300 army horses passed down.
The army of the Potomac is advancing slowly upon the enemy in Virginia.  A battle may occur at any time.  God is the judge.  He alone giveth victory.  We are in His hands.  He knows our necessities.


Peggy's comments:
It seems like William is definitely recovered from typhoid.  During the 1860s, approximately 10% of those who contracted typhoid died from the disease.  The morbidity rate was as high as 30% for Civil War soldiers.

Kate Dawes, was 31 years old in 1861.  She was unmarried at the time and lived with the Cutlers in the Old Stone House.  She had spent most of her childhood there as well, and was a good friend to Lizzie Cutler, William's wife.  She wrote frequently to her brother Rufus, who was serving with the Sixth Wisconsin.

Julia had a particular interest in the movements of the Army of the Potomac  in that her nephew, Rufus R. Dawes, (Kate's younger brother) was serving with the Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers in the Army of the Potomac.  Rufus is not yet on the move, however, and seems somewhat impatient in this letter to Kate:

A military life in camp is the most monotonous in the world.  It is the same routine over and over every day.  Occasionally we have a small excitement when on review. . . .If you have stockings and blankets for the soldiers, send them where they are needed, not here.  If you could hear our men complain about being pack horses to carry the clothing forced upon them, you would not think they were suffering.  Every man in my company has one cloth uniform coat, one overcoat, some men two, three pairs of pants, three to five pairs of stockings, two woolen shirts, one undershirt, and most of them two pairs of shoes, and the regiment has been forced to send to Washington a large amount of good state clothing, (gray).  Take the above mentioned articles in connection with two or three blankets, and pile them on to a man, in addition to his Belgian musket, cartridge box, and accoutrements, and you can appreciate the just cause for complaint of our knapsack drills.  The plea is, that these drills make the men tough.  Knapsack drills, reviews and inspections are the order of the day.  General McDowell reviews us, then General McClellan, then General McClellan, and then McDowell.  Every member of the Cabinet has been present on some of these occasions, but we have not yet had the President.  How soon we will move, or what the plan of campaign will be, are subjects I have long ceased to bother my head about. . . .  

Rufus has not yet seen action beyond a few skirmishes.  Indeed, many were concerned about the great length of time preparing the troops to fight;  Rufus quoted Horace Greeley who called it "rooted inaction".

Monday Oct. 14

Marion came down from Marietta today.  She will spend the week here.  Kate went with Mrs. Bailey to make calls and see what people would do to supply soldiers with socks and blankets.  Theodore Greenwood came for a letter of recommendation to Secretary Cameron, which William gave.


Peggy's notes:
I believe that Marion was a friend of Sarah Cutler Dawes and lived in Marietta.  She is often mentioned in connection with Sarah, but so far, I've not seen her last name.  This is a bit unusual as Julia tended to record first and last names, except for family.

Kate Dawes, Julia's niece, lived with Julia and the Cutlers in the Old Stone House.

I don't know Theodore Greenwood, although George Greenwood was a neighbor of the Cutlers.  Secretary Cameron was serving as Lincoln's Secretary of War.

Sabbath, Oct. 13

A pleasant day.  Mr. Scott preached a very good sermon.  We shall hereafter have preaching on alternate Sabbaths.

Saturday Oct. 12

Lucy went home this morning.  She expects to resume her school next Monday.  We shall miss her very much.  Mr. Graves, the engineer was here to see William about the Tunnel work.  Maggie and Miss Hanna Temple called this evening.


Peggy's comments:
Lucy is Julia's niece.

The reference to the "Tunnel" work refers to the Tunnel Station of the Marietta and Cincinnati Rail Road.

Maggie Voris is Lizzie Cutler's sister.  Maggie lived nearby with their mother, Mrs. Burgess.

Friday Oct. 11

Lucy came home this morning on the cars but went p to Mrs. Burgess' to dinner.  Theodore McClure is sick near Paducah, Kentucky.  He is in the army.

Thursday Oct. 10

The papers state that Gen. Lee had retired some twenty miles back into the country east of Cheat mountains where Gen. Reynolds is posted.  There is a rumor that New Orleans is in the hands of the Federal troops, but it lacks confirmation.  It is known that a fleet of our vessels are in the neighborhood and have taken possession of Paducah, Kentucky.  Forty thousand rebels are advancing toward that place.  Lucy went down to Mrs. McClure's to spend the night.

Wednesday Oct. 9

I called on Mrs. W. D. Bailey.  Mrs. M. B. Shipman came down and I gave her several monthly and moss roses.  Lizzie and Lucy went to spend the day with Mrs. Charles Dickey.  She learned to make frames ornamented with gravel stones.  They are quite pretty.  The frame is covered with glue on which the pebbles are placed and mustard seed sprinkled between.  After being well dried the whole is varnished over.

Tuesday Oct. 8

Ephraim started this morning on the train for Camp Diamond near Jackson.  God keep him uncontaminated by the vices which attend armies and safe in life and limb.  It seems hard to have him go but he has decided to do so.  May God abundantly bless him.  He expected to cast his first vote on his way to the depot.  This is election day.  The Republicans and Union Democrats united on a ticket taking their candidates from all the old parties.  The Union candidate for Gov. is David Tod a loyal Democrat.  
The weather is fair again.  Lucy and I went to the point and made a few more purchases and got our daguerreotypes taken and ordered the omnibus to take us to the cars at five o'clock.  So, getting our bundles ready we came home on the evening train.  We found Mr. Douglas Putnam and Rev. M. Merwin on the cars, both coming down to see William.  Mr. Merwin spent the night.

Peggy's comments:
Ephraim Dawes, Julia's nephew is beginning his service with the 53rd Ohio.  The election was for Governor and for the General Assembly in Ohio.  I find the merging of political parties quite fascinating.  Here's a bit of information from Ohio History Central :




"By the end of the decade, the Democratic Party, as well as the nation as a whole, was being divided along regional lines. In the Election of 1860, the Democratic Party split into the Northern Democratic Party and the Southern Democratic Party. Tod was one of Ohio's delegates to the Northern Democratic national convention in 1860, and he ultimately served as chairman of the convention. He was instrumental in assuring Stephen Douglas's nomination as the Northern Democratic presidential candidate in the Election of 1860. Republican Abraham Lincoln won the presidency, and the nation soon was at war. Rather than join with the Peace Democrats in opposing the war, Tod chose to become part of the Union Party, a new party consisting of pro-war Democrats and Republicans, and supported Lincoln's administration. As a result, the Union Party chose Tod as its gubernatorial candidate in 1861. Tod easily defeated Democrat Hugh J. Jewett and became the state's governor in 1862."


In addition to the election of David Tod as Governor, the General Assembly also election representatives.  
     Senate:  26 Republican/Union Democrats
                        8 Democrats
     House:  74 Republican/Union Democrats
                    23 Democrats


I've recently discovered a Business Directory for Marietta for 1860.  Julia probably had her daguerrotype taken at Cadwalader's.  Other businesses included several dry goods stores, watchmakers, shoe makers, tailors, druggists, tobacco stores, saddle makers, clothin for gents, glass & queensware shops, leather shops, a churn & furniture store, milliners, books & stationers.  There was even an "ice cream saloon"! 

Monday Oct. 7

Still raining.  We are all busy fixing Ephraim's things.  He is going tomorrow to Camp Diamond to enter upon his duties as adjutant of the 53" regiment.  He received his appointment of first lieutenant from Gov. Dennison a few days ago with directions to report himself to Col. Appler immediately.  He put on his uniform today and looks quite soldierly.  He had his likeness taken which is good.  And has been arranging his matters to leave, making farewell calls &c.  He went down on the evening train to say goodby to Kate, Uncle William &c.  Mrs. Gates called.  She has knit Ephe a pair of socks.  Lucy has arranged and packed all his things.  He is very nicely fixed.


Peggy's comments:
Ephraim Dawes, Julia's nephew,  has received his appointment from the Governor of Ohio.  Here he is, looking "quite soldierly".

Ephraim Cutler Dawes

From her entry, I assume that Julia is still visiting in Marietta and that Ephraim has taken the cars to visit Uncle William Cutler at the Old Stone House near Constitution.  

Mrs. Gates is Betsey Gates, the mother of Mary Gates and Charley Gates.  The Gates family lived in Marietta and were friends of the Cutler and Dawes families.  As a matter of fact, Rufus Dawes, Ephraim's older brother who is serving with the Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers near Washington, DC, would soon begin writing to young Mary Gates.

Peggy's Comments:
Julia did not write on October 6, 1861; I suspect she was caught up in her travels to Marietta.

Saturday Oct. 5

I went with Lucy on the cars to Marietta.  It was nearly a year I think since I was there.  I thought of Henry who used to be there on my former visits.  They have quite a number of Persian curiosities which I had not seen.  After dinner Lucy and I went down to the Point shopping.  We got some very pretty pictures at Clines, also some patterns for flower painting.  Mrs. Buell called.  It rained in the evening.  Rev. Mr. Scott went down to our house tonight.  He is going to preach tomorrow in Warren.


Peggy's Comments:
Marietta was about 6 miles northeast from where Julia lived.  The cars she refers to are Rail Road cars that ran along the Ohio River from Marietta past where the Cutlers lived.  Here's a sketch of the area from an old map:

Warren Township, Ohio

The Marietta and Cincinnati Rail Road primarily ran east-west between Marietta and Cincinnati.  A little spur came down past the Cutler's Stone House (William P. Cutler was V. President of the Rail Road) so when Julia writes that someone has come down on the cars, she is referring to the railroad cars that came down on this set of tracks.  The Cutler's mailing address was Constitution, Ohio and they picked up their mail from the Constitution Post Office.   They attended church nearby and could buy dry goods in Constitution or at Scott's Landing.  Bigger shopping excursions required a trip to Marietta.

It is somewhat surprising to me that Julia hadn't made the 6 mile trip to Marietta, Ohio in over a year.  When she had last been there, her nephew Henry Dawes had been alive, practicing law there.  He became ill and died in August of 1860. (Sarah Cutler Dawes, Julia's older sister had 6 children:  

• Kate  (lived with Julia and the Cutlers in the Old Stone House)
• Henry (had been an attorney in Marietta until his death in 1860 at age 28)
• Lucy (unmarried, Lucy lived in Marietta and taught school)
• Jane (married Rev. John Shedd, a Presbyterian minister, they moved to Persia in 1859)
• Rufus (in 1861, he was a Captain of Company K in the Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers.  Rufus had been working for his father in Wisconsin when Lincoln's call for volunteers came out and so raised a company there, rather than in his native Ohio.)
• Ephraim  (a recent graduate of Marietta College, Ephraim helped his family including his Uncle William Cutler.  He had just enlisted in the 53rd Ohio Volunteers)

On October 5, 1861, I believe Julia was visiting her sister Sarah and Sarah's daughter Lucy.  The reference to "Persian curiosities" is to items from Jane Dawes Shedd, another of Sarah's daughters, who had been a missionary in Persia for some years.  Some of these curiosities have been passed down in the family.

Friday Oct. 4

Helped Lizzie prepare quinces for preserves and canning.  By special invitation William, Lizzie and I went to B. C. Bailey's to tea.  Mrs. Dickey was there.


Peggy's comments:
The Baileys and Dickeys, long-time residents of Warren Township, were close neighbors of the Cutlers.

Thursday Oct. 3

I have been painting a piece in water colors today -- roses and honeysuckles.  I am out of practise and do not paint so smoothly as formerly.  Ephraim went down to Camp Diamond today.  It seems that the rebels are actually retreating from the Potomac.  It is thought that Kentucky is now to witness a terrible struggle between the contending armies.


Peggy's comments:
I do wish that some of Julia's paintings had survived!  Roses and honeysuckles!

Camp Diamond was in Jackson, Ohio, which was west of Constitution where Julia lived.

Here are articles from Harper's Weekly regarding Kentucky in the fall of 1861.

Wednesday Oct. 2

The girls have been very busy all day fixing Ephe's things.  He expects to join his regiment in a few days.

Tuesday Oct. 1

The water has begun to fall.  A great deal of valuable lumber (from head waters probably) has been carried down with the drift.  Our neighbors have made a good business of catching it and are busy today with their teams securing it.  The rise was unprecedented at this tie of year, rising from 18 to 20 feet in 24 hours.  Kate and Lucy went to town today on the morning train.  They wish to prepare Ephraim's things for his prospective campaign.  May God bless and keep him.  
Yesterday Mr. Burgess came down here quite alarmed.  He had a visit from a Virginia secessionist named Creel, who pretended to be a Union man and asked impertinent questions &c.  Lieut. Miller sent two of his soldiers to sleep there last night.
William has been riding a good deal today.  The weather is fine and he enjoys it very much.
Lucy and Kate came home on train.  Ephraim with them.  Brought me a nice blanket shawl costing nine dollars, which William very kindly gave me.  
Will M'Clure told the girls that he knew this Creel who was at Mr. Burgess yesterday.  His relatives are all secessionists but this man himself is an abolitionist and a union man, but very odd which accounts for his asking so many questions.  So . . . . . . [the next two lines have been scrubbed out with pencil.]


Old Mrs. Reppert died suddenly this morning in Harmar.  I sent Mrs. Graves a bouquet by Lucy today which she liked much, and a basket of grapes to Sarah.


Peggy's comments:
Family members helped prepare items useful to soldiers as they headed off for service.  Ephraim Dawes, much loved by his sisters Kate and Lucy, was no doubt well supplied.

Mr. Burgess was a retired Presbyterian minister, a rather flamboyant seventy-seven year old man who was the step-father of Lizzie Cutler (William's wife).  Mr. Burgess and Lizzie's mother lived on property that bordered the Cutler land.

Once again, something has been obliterated in Julia's original journal.  I speculate that she might have written something about  families who still lived in the area decades later and someone who had access to the journal (her niece Sarah Cutler?) may not have wanted Julia's comments to be made public.

According to an article by Kathy Dahlie on Civil War fashions, blanket shawls were the first women't fashions to be mass produced.  Plain or checked were popular for travel.