Friday Oct. 31, 1862

The troops at Clarksburg, Va., under Gen. Milroy, Gen. Crook &c. have left that place moving on toward Stanton.
The two companies of the 116" Reg. who marched up by here last week went down on the cars yesterday.  The low stage of water in the Ohio throws a large amount of business on the railroad.  The earnings for October will not fall much short of $80,000.
There is an "infare" party at Mrs. M'Clure's tonight.  A large number invited.  Kate came home on the evening train.  It was late and we did not go to the party.  Old Mrs. Candace Harris, daughter of John Cole, and widow of Willard Harris, was buried today, aged 87 years.  She with her father's family came to this place in the beginning of the present century, one of the first settlers of what is now Warren.

Peggy's comments:
An infare was  A house-warming; especially, a reception, party, or entertainment given by a newly married couple, or by the husband upon receiving the wife to his house.

Thursday Oct. 30, 1862

Kate went to Marietta today with her Uncle William.  Lucy is not well.  Lizzie and I attended Circle at W. D. Bailey's.  Began knitting for soldiers.  The late snow storm extended as far south as Memphis and occasioned much suffering in those regiments unprovided with tents.

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 1862

Nancy Carlin went on horseback to Marietta with her father and sister to see her brother James who is now in camp there.  Mrs. Julia A. Bailey called.  We gave her some smoke tree, honeysuckle &c. also some flower seeds.  Lizzie and Mrs. Burgess came home on evening train, William, too, near midnight having walked from Scott's Landing.
The papers say that a forward movement of the army of the Potomac has begun.  Headquarters of M'Clellan are now the south side of the river, and two or three of the corps d'armee have also crossed over.  The shadows of a great battle cast themselves forth.  Shall all the blood shed be in vain?  God only knows.  To Him reverently and humbly we commit our cause.  For Rufus who is under Reynolds in command of the 6" Wisconsin regiment we feel very anxious.  He has been kept heretofore, though exposed to great danger, we can only pray for his safety here.  Col. Cutler is yet in hospital very feeble.  Lt. Col. Bragg has gone to Wisconsin to canvas his district for Congress.
Memphis too seems to be threatened.  Ephe writes that the enemy are very bold.  So we know not how soon he also may be in peril.
Maggie came down.  She is invited to William M'Clure's wedding tonight.

Tuesday, Oct. 28,1862

Little Sarah was threatened with croup last night and so could not go as was proposed to Marietta with her mother and grandmother.  Maggie called down to see her.  Mrs. Lyman Hart and little Charlie called.  A pleasant day.

Monday Oct. 27, 1862

This is Clara's birthday, the youngest of the flock and the family pet in childhood.  In later life she has had much of trial and hardship to endure.  She is a woman of uncommon energy and strength of character, a person once known never to be forgotten.  
William has gone to Chillicothe today.

Peggy's comments:
Clara Cutler Walton, Julia's youngest sister, lived in Pana, Illinois.

Sabbath Oct. 26, 1862

The snow lies white upon the ground this morning and a cold rain is falling.  God pity the poor soldiers who are many of them unprovided with suitable clothing and shelter.  Rain continued so that the female members of the family relinquished the idea of going to meeting.  William went up but there was no congregation and Mr. Curtis did not preach.

Saturday Oct. 25, 1862

Kate received a letter from Marion Hunter this morning.  She is at Dr. Williamson's.  William and Lizzie dined at Mr. Burgess'.  A dark, drizzling afternoon with a cold northerly wind.  This is the first cold storm we have had.
I put up four jars of tomato pickles.
Gen. Buell who has managed matters so badly in Kentucky is now superceded by Gen. Rosecrans.  Buell's sympathies are known to be strongly Southern.  Rosecrans has done well heretofore.  I hope he will not fail us now.

Friday Oct. 24, 1862

William and Lizzie went to Marietta to perfect a deed to John Henry of some land in Cerro Gordo county, Iowa, which he sold Mr. Henry for his farm on Little Hocking adjoining this place.  Kate also went to town.  It was long after dark before they got home, all very tired, the train being some how belated.  A regiment of soldiers passed down on the cars today enroute for western Virginia.  Emeline M'Clure was here calling today.  Her brother William has just returned from Clarksburg, Va.  There are now four brigades at that place or about 23 thousand men.
The 36th are said not to like their new Col.  They have been much complimented and are very proud of their drill  -- lately in the presence of some strange officers some blunders occurred which mortified the regiment sorely -- I believe the Colonel is brave enough & talented enough to make a fine officer & has every motive to be diligent.

Thursday, Oct. 23, 1862

Two companies of the 116 O.V.I. marched up past here today going to Marietta.  Miss Ann Reppert and Miss Parker from Harmar came to solicit something for the festival of the Soldiers Aid Society to be held in Harmar tomorrow evening.  We gave them two cans of delicious quinces and a large can of pickled cabbage, a quantity of Rome beauties (apples) and "any amount" of flowers.  Miss Parker is a refugee from Norfolk, Va.  Her father, a lawyer was driven out on account of his Union sentiments.  The ladies of the family are boarding in Harmar.  She "admired old houses" like ours, they were "so antique" and the garden, the cannas looked "so tropical" &c. & c.
Lizzie and I went to prayer meeting at Mrs. Burgess'.  William came from Amesville.  He settled with Mr. Wilcox who thinks of going up into Hardin county to settle this fall.  William has for his share four or five hundred bushels of wheat worth a dollar a bushel, and three hundred dollars worth of corn and hogs.  For the capital which William invested in stock he receives 125 head of catle and 199 sheep.  We have on this home farm 194 sheep.

Wednesday Oct. 22, 1862

William started to Amesville on train. Kate spent part of the day at Mr. Burgess's.  Mrs. Terril here ironing.
 A man from Virgnia here.  Said he lived twenty one miles from Parkersburg, owned a farm which he lived on and another which he rented.  He had been obliged to send away his horses to prevent the guerrillas from getting them and could put in no crops for want of a team.  Said a man who stood by the government could have no satisfaction living there.  The guerillas were very bold coming not only at night but in open day, taking what they chose but especially horses.  He had a wife, three small boys and a little girl.  His oldest son nearly of age would probably go into the army but he wanted to get the rest of his family away where they could live in peace.  He had been sent to William as likely to have a farm to rent.  We have had many such applications since the war began.  Truly the land mourns.  He spoke of hearing cannons in the direction of Charleston last Friday mrning, and that there was a rumor that Cox had taken that place.  I doubt it.

Tuesday Oct. 21, 1862

A regiment of soldiers passed on the cars today.  The officers rode by horseback.  Two soldiers of the 116" called for water and lunch.  The government seems to be sending many troops into Virginia from Ohio.  What does it mean?  Are the rebels coming westward?  Who knows?  Things look badly in Kentucky.  Buell as might have been expected has let Bragg slip through his fingers and make off with his plunder.  The papers say a battle near Winchester, Va. is impending.  The Commercial and other conservative papers begin to cry out for vigorous action.  I sometimes feel that all the blood and sacrifices of a noble patriotism have been in vain.  We are undone by the procrastination and vacillation of the powers that be.  It is now said that France and England are about to recognize the Confederacy.  The success of the Democrats in so many districts encourages the rebels more than victory on the field of battle.  That corrupt party has brought our beloved country to the brink of ruin and seems now about to plunge her over the precipice.  I verily believe the only hope for safety is the interposition of God.  If he does not fight against them that fight against us, we are lost.  "Lord, how long wilt thou look on?"  "Shall they escape by iniquity?"  "Shew us a token for good that they which hate us may see it and be ashamed because thou, Lord, hath helpen us and comforted us".
Kate and the children went to Mrs. G. W. Bailey's to take a little baby's hood which Kate has knitted for her.  In the afternoon Lizzie took Annie & Sarah up to her mothers -- William came home from Chillicothe.

Monday, Oct. 20, 1862

This morning William went to Chillicothe to attend Railroad matters.  Mrs. Dawes and Lucy returned home.  Two soldiers of the 116" O.V.I. took dinner with us.  They were from Noble Co.  A hard frost last night.  It nipped tomatoes, sweet potatoes, cannas, dahlias, &c.  Our first frost.

Sabbath, Oct. 19, 1862

Went to Sabbath School and meeting.  Heard that Milroy's men had all marched back from Gallipolis to Parkersburg with orders to go to Clarksburg.  It is apprehended that Lee designs to march into Western Virginia with his rebel hordes perhaps to Wheeling, Pittsburg and the adjacent parts of Ohio.  The number of Federal troops now being assembled at Clarksburg and Parkersburg and a very considerable force under Gen. Cox near the mouth of the Great Kanawha would indicate a purpose on the part of th government to keep the miscreants back  from the Ohio river, which is still fordable at hundreds of places.  The war has thus far been kept away from us through the good providence of God.  We may now, perhaps, see more of it.
During the late political canvas the conduct of the Democrats has been perfectly unscrupulous.  They have made lies their refuge, resorting to threats intimidations and bribes to prevent men from voting the Republican ticket.  They have misrepresented and lied about William, their falsehoods all hinging on the poor "nigger" and calculated to excite the malignant passions of unprincipled men.  I knew that our friends have felt anxious for William's personal safety, but did not know until today that in Washington county, forty men have bound themselves to assassinate him.  This has been made known to him from two reliable sources.  Prof. Blair of the Ohio University also states his conviction that a similar gang exists in Athens county.  Col. Putnam and other loyal men in Marietta have also been threatened.  I do not believe God will give them over to the will of their enemies.  I will "rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him".  "The wicked watcheth the righteous and seeketh to slay him, the Lord will not leave him in his hands".  "But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; the end of the wicked shall be cut off."  [The following part was part crossed off but is still readable.]  The Democratic leaders here about are very mean & corrupt, men such as ========= [unreadable], S D. Mi====, Sharp, &c had enough for any deed and it is a bad one to see ========== hand & glove with them.

Saturday, Oct. 18, 1862

Lizzie and Mrs. Dawes and Mrs. Burgess went up in the afternoon and called on Mrs. Greenwood.  Lucy spent the afternoon and night at Mrs. Burgess'.  In the morning Sarah and I took a walk on the hill seeking pawpaws and finding none.  No Gazette tonight.  Two or three trains with soldiers passed down.  They are a regiment from Zanesville.

Friday Oct. 17, 1862

Agricultural fair at Veto near Mr. Dan Shaw's.  Nancy went.  Kate sent a beautiful bouquet of flowers with directions to have it given to Mrs. Perry of Barlow after the fair.  Col. David Barber called.  He said he was sorry for the result of the election.  We have not yet heard from Morgan county; but Monroe is reported to have given Morris 1900 majority.  No doubt he is elected.

Thursday, Oct. 16, 1862

A dark, cloudy day, rain in the afternoon.  Circle met at Mr. Briggs.  William at home.
No returns from election as yet, but from the insolent manner and noisy manifestations of passing Democrats hurrahing for James R. Morris, the Secesh candidate for Congress, I suppose they feel sure of the result.  The paper tonight says but four Union congressmen are known to be elected in this state.  One of these is Schenck, the opponent of the traitor Vallandigham.  I am glad that he is defeated as he deserves to be.  I am sorry that our good state which has sent to the battlefield more than 100,000 of her sons must fall into the hands of the enemies of liberty and of the government, because her true men have gone to fight and are not here to vote.  I fear that we have deeper waters to pass through than ever before, for when the wicked here rule the land mourns.

Peggy's comments:
Ohio's congressional districts were re-districted for the 1862 election.  The incumbent of the 15th district, Democrat Robert Nugen, retired.  William Cutler, Republican, ran against James. R. Morris, Democrat.

William had represented the 16th district.  James R. Morris had represented the 17th district. The 16th, which had been Republican, went to the Democrat.  The 17th, which had been Democrat, went to the republican.

It was difficult, if not impossible, for the men who were off fighting in the war to cast their ballots, which could very well have made a difference in the election results.

Wednesday, Oct. 15, 1862

In Warren which is a strong Democratic township, the majority is the same as it was last year on the Governor's vote being about 74 where they promised themselves 110.
We this morning received a letter from Marion Hunter who is now at Dr. Williamson's at Traverse de Sioux.  She gives a touching account of the murder of Mr. Hunter by the Indians.  Annie and Sarah cried when I read it to them.  No one could hear it without emotion.  She was among the released prisoners.  Rev. John P. Williamson also writes --
William went to town today.  Lucy came on the evening train.  The Republican ticket is defeated in this county; and probably in the district.  Sharp a miserable traitor living in Warren was boasting and glorying over it in the streets of Marietta.  Thus the wicked triumph.  The Democrats have perhaps 500 majority in Washington Co.  The Republicans 780 in Athens, 350 in Meigs as reported, Morgan and Monroe yet to hear from.  The latter will be heavily Democratic.

Tuesday, Oct. 14, 1862

This is election day in Ohio and Pennsylvania.  This morning it was cloudy and dark but the sun has set without a cloud and the day has been pleasant.  We know that in this Congressional district the result is very uncertain.  
The victory at Corinth assumes larger proportions.  It is now stated that our men buried 1200 of the rebel dead.  1500 more were wounded and we took 600 prisoners, bringing their loss to nine or ten thousand, -- So says. Gen. Pope.

Peggy's comments:
Julia's brother, William P. Cutler, was running for a second congressional term.

Monday, Oct. 13, 1862

William about home nearly all day.  Speaks tonight at the Court House in Marietta.  Nancy Carlin who has been at her father's for six weeks came back today.  Still cloudy.

Sabbath, Oct. 12, 1862

Lucy here today.  The weather which has been very warm has turned cool but no frost yet.  All went to meeting.  Mr. Curtis preached. -- Cloudy.

Saturday, Oct. 11, 1862

Kate and I and Mrs. Julia Bailey went up to Mr. Greenwood's.  They are more composed, though very sorrowful, showed us a letter from Capt. Goddard giving the particulars of Theodore's sickness and death.  George went after William who has been speaking at different points around the county.  It was midnight when they got home.
Today's paper reports the rebels in possession of Chambersburg, Pa.  This week's Register has a fine tribute to the memory of Lt. Col. Clark from the pen of Mrs. W. D. Bailey.
Rainy.

Friday, Oct. 10, 1862

I have been looking over old papers & find some that are curious & interesting -- one written to my Grandmother Parker during the Revolutionary War.  She had been removed from Newburyport to Brown's Gardens for greater safety, & there her son William was born July 4th 1775.  It is dated at Glocester Monday morning noon & night from perpetual interruptions May 22".

My dear cousin,  why this remissness in writing to me, when I have so anxiously desired to hear from you.  I don't imagine that your regard falters in the least, but rather impute your silence to the tumult of the times.  Sometimes I think you are retired so far back that you have not opportunity to write.  But let me tell you, my dear, that not the remotest distance will ever put a period to my regard for you & yours.  I can't say with propriety, that I have been one day free from care and anxiety since you left me.  The loss of my little cousin Nancy Collings and my brother Nathl and John's joining the army and in short everything conspires to make me uneasy -- Your Uncles company left this town last Tuesday -- My brother rode on horseback together with twenty gentlemen that waited on him as far as Manchester where they treated the officers and soldiers in the best manner and left them -- I have since heard they are safely arrived at Head Quarters in Cambridge in good spirits.  I am very anxious about them and have many a gloomy thought., but my dear the providence of God's universal & over all his works --  Why should I be uneasy when the great Savior of the Universe has vouchedsafe to be their guard if they put their trust in Him.  O:  that they might put their trust in Him & not in an arm of flesh -- May He give them wisdom, courage, and intrepedity to act in so great an undertaking.  Tis an innocent cause -- The God of Nature teaches us to stand in defence of our lives and liberties.  Truly 'tis a shocking thing to take the life of one fellow creature, and for Christians to make war against one another, but I verily believe the Blood that is shed in this war will be required at the hands of wicked ministry -- How many lives will be thrown away in this unhappy quarrel that might have been useful to society & blessings to their families and friends -- I heartily sympathise with every person that has friends in the army -- my heart overflows with sorrow for them all -- but more particularly for our own friends.  These ties of Nature and a tender heart are almost too much for me -- our family is here at present and will tarry as long as we can with safety.  My father has spoke for part of a house at Gebacco as far up as Revd Mr. Cleveland's about eight miles from the Harbor.  Some of our goods are there. We have talked much of going to Haveril but I hope we shall not be obliged to leave this old Mansion house yet awhile.

The lady who wrote this letter was Sukey Warner she afterwards married Dr. Cotton Tufts -- She was Aunt to my Grandmother although she addresses her as "My dear cousin" -- The letter takes us back near an hundred years -- and the state of things described is not very unlike that which now exists.  The parting of friends going to war -- the fleeing of families from their homes for safety the looking up to God for help -- the confidence in the justice of our cause -- are all what we daily hear of or see.

Lucy came down.  The cars were late.  Fighting in Kentucky between Buell and Bragg, at Perrysburg.  Rainy.  William speaks in Salem tonight.

Thursday Oct. 9, 1862

Mrs. Scott, widow of Sergeant John Scott, called.  Her son Lt. W. W. Scott, who was wounded at Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., by a ball passing through his chest coming out at the shoulder, has gone, this week to rejoin his regiment, the 77" O.V.I., now at Alton, Ill.  Mrs. Loring Lewis and Mrs. M. Taggart spent the afternoon here.  In the evening Mr. Burgess, the Misses Hollister, and Mrs. Julia A. Bailey called, also W. D. M'Clure and B. C. Bailey

Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1862

The battle of Corinth proves to be a decided victory.  Gen. U. S. Grant reports 800 rebels killed, 1500 wounded and 1500 prisoners.  They fled across the Hatchie river pursued by our forces under Hurlburt and Rosecrans.

Tuesday Oct. 7, 1862

Kate and Annie went to Marietta and deposited the money in Bank which was received yesterday for the cattle.  Mrs. G. W. Bailey called.  She says the firing Sabbath night in Virginia was occasioned by the marriage of one of David Uhl's daughters.  Milroy's men marched by land to Gallipolis from Parkersburg.  They encamped one night in Belpre in a grove of trees.

Monday, Oct. 6, 1862

Milroy's brigade are at Parkersburg en route to Kanawha Valley, to join Lightburn's Brigade now at Point Pleasant.  Horses and wagons are being sent by train for the use of the expedition.  The rebels are believed to be in considerable force at the Salines near Charleston.  The Moriss's came today and got 35 head of cattle for $1065.00.  They paid $865.00 down and promised the remainder next week.  William went to Athens.

A battle and victory reported near Corinth, Miss. over Van Dorn and Price.

Sabbath, Oct. 5, 1862

Theodore E. Greenwood's funeral was attended at eleven o'clock today.  President Andrews of Marietta College conducted the services and made the address.  He spoke in the highest terms of the worth of the departed, whom he said he regarded as a son.  He was much affected as were many of those who heard him.  Mr. Wickes made the concluding prayer, a most appropriate one.  A procession of more than thirty carriages besides a large number on foot who had come on the train from Harmar, and some on horse back, followed him to the grave where a hymn was sung.  Kate took up a beautiful bouquet of white flowers (which Lucy had arranged) and by his Mother's permission laid it upon his coffin.  There were many of Mr. Greenwood's friends from Newport there, also from Marietta and Harmar, besides the Warren people.  After the funeral was over we came home.  (S. S. was omitted today) got our dinner and went to meeting.  Mrs. Dawes came on the train to Mr. Greenwood's and then home with us.  In the evening we heard firing on the other side of the river not very distant.  We could not tell what it was.  William said it was "boys having a frolic", but Mr. George Bailey who was on the bank listening, thought it must be a skirmish.  We heard explosions that sounded like cannon and also muskets.  After sitting up sometime being unable to decide what was going on we concluded (that is Sarah and I, for the rest of the family retired as usual) to go to bed.

Peggy's comments:
More about Theodore E. Greenwood can be found in the book Marietta College in the war of Secession.

Saturday Oct. 4, 1862

It is cool and a pleasant rain fell today, the first for many days.  The grass in many places had withered with drouth and the dust was almost intollerable.  William at home today, went this evening and spoke at Shaw's school house. Col. West was there and made a speech advocating emancipation.
Mr. T. B. Wilcox who lives on the "Old Place" in Amestown is here tonight. -- He has been up into Hurden Co. to look at the country & thinks he will buy a farm there.  He says good land, unimproved, can be bought at six dollars an acre.

Friday, Oct. 3, 1862

Kate this forenoon went on horseback with Julia A. Bailey to Mr. Greenwood's.  They have received a dispatch from Cairo saying that Mr. Greenwood would be here Saturday night with the body of his son.
Lucy came down this evening to stay until Monday.  It seems doubtful what the rebels will do next.  A movement on Wheeling and thence to Pittsburg to destroy the arsenal and seize public stores is thought possible.  It is asserted that a large part of Lee's army are being sent to Kanawha.  If so we shall have fighting nearer home.
George went to Chadwick's Schoolhouse for William.

Thursday, Oct. 2, 1862

We still get letters from Rufus giving interesting incidents of the late battle.  In the battle of Sharpsburg or Antietam as it is called, his division was commanded by Gen. Doubleday.  Sept. 23' he writes

We are temporarily in camp.  It would seem that our brigade having suffered a loss of 1593 in battle had done its share, but I suppose we'll have to go in again soon.  I have had for a day or two a very severe sick headache, the result of the late trying times. At Gainsville we fought the famous "Stonewall Brigade" and routed it.  One of their Captains said it was the first time they ever turned their backs.  We met the same Brigade at South Mountain and dislodged them from what they had called an impregnable position.  Just about such a place as the point back of where Ma's old house used to stand.  They call us the "Black Hat Brigade", and when they saw us coming up the mountain it was with difficulty their officers restrained a panic.  The carrying of that mountain gorge on the 14" was one of the most brilliant things of this war.  Gibbon's Brigade without support carried this position.  Sumner who was ordered to our support was not within three miles until the fight was over.  At Sharpsburg the 6" Wisconsin fired the first musket, moved farther to the front than any other regiment and at its advanced position fired away every round of amunition.  Capt. Brown, a splendid fellow, my best friend in the regiment, was shot dead at Sharpsburg. Capt. Bachelle, a most gallant soldier was shot dead, his Newfoundland dog lay dead upon his body never having left his master.

The sewing circle met today at Mr. Henry Cole's.  Kate and Lizzie attended. 

Wednesday, Oct. 1, 1862

Kate went with Mrs. W. D. Bailey to see Mrs. Greenwood and Julia.  They are almost heart broken.  Mr. Greenwood has gone hoping to find him alive.  How sad it will be to find him dead.  Gen. Rosecrans, on whose staff he was, telegraphed his death to Mr. Beman Gates.  He had sent to St. Louis for a Metallic Coffin, the body being preserved in ice until its arrival. 

Lizzie and the children took dinner at Mr. Burgess with Mr. and Mrs. John Newton.  They came down here, spent the afternoon and took tea.  Mr. Newton is a member of the military committee of the county.  He thinks they are well organized now and could resist an attack successfully.  

The rebels now talk of annihilating the Baltimore Ohio R.R. threatening to blow up bridges and tunnels and level embankments and utterly destroy the road.  After this done from Harpers Ferry to Wheeling and Parkersburg, they expect to exterminate the Pierpont Government.  All this looks like making western Virginia the seat of war.