Sabbath, Nov. 30, 1862

So ends of the autumn of 1862.  Rebellion still uncrushed and boasting itself of Northern Democratic sympathizers.  The national heart bleeds and tears flow from the eyes of thousands of mourners who weep for the beloved ones who will return no more.  What further miseries are still in store God only knows.  France threatens intervention and is trying to draw all Europe into the measure.  With southern rebels and northern traitors at home, and all Europe down upon us we do seem to be a God forsaken people.  Gloom and darkness envelope the land.  The people have offered themselves willingly but "cui bono"?  More than a million loyal men bear arms in this land today, but where are the leaders?  Shame and confusion of face is ours in view of the imbecility and treachery of those who like McClellan and Buell and a host of others have failed us in our hour of need.

Saturday, Nov. 29, 1862

Snowing today but melting as fast as it falls.  Mr. Means, Lizzie and William took dinner at Mr. Burgess.
The following extract from a letter of Hon. T. Ewing of Lancaster, Ohio to William dated Nov. 24/62 gives some curious facts respecting the winter of 1806 & 7.  "The Ohio river is low and cannot rise until it is moved by the spring rains.  The earth is dry and a foot and a half deep and our late long and heavy rain has but moistened the surface.  The season is like that of 1806 & 7 when the winter closed on low streams.  They froze to the bottom and the springs ran over the surface forming glaciers near their sources.  The Ohio was frozen to the depth of six feet, the ice forming an arch, did not rest for support on the water, but when the farmers cut in to get water for their cattle, it did not rise but they dipped it as out of a well with a bucket attached to a pole.  The river will probably be bridged for two months.  Tell your people to look out for small marauding bands from the other shore, horse thieves, especially and if the first band succeed they will annoy you all winter.  I wrote to Gen. Wright.  He says they will protect our border against large parties but we must protect ourselves against small robber bands."  
Lucy Dawes and Mr. Means here to tea.  Both went to Marietta on the evening train.  Mr. Means has much to tell about the workings of rebellion in Kentucky in the Big Sandy region.

Friday, Nov. 28, 1862

William went to town and Mr. John Means and Lucy came home with him.

Thursday, Nov. 27, 1862 Thanksgiving.

We were much disappointed that Sarah and Lucy did not come to spend the day with us.  A note from Lucy says her mother is not well.  Mr. Curtis preached an able sermon.  Mr. Curtis, Mr. John Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Burgess, Maggie, Lizzie Poage, Mrs. Jane Bailey and her son Marins took dinner here.  Mrs. Terril was here to help Nancy and the dinner was well cooked and seemed to give entire satisfaction.
In this time of civil war and public calamity we, as a family, have great cause for thankfulness.  No one of our number has been called away by death, though Rufus and Ephraim have faced it at the cannon's mouth.  "Their heads have been covered in the day of battle."  It has been to us a year of unusual health and our income from fields and herds is more than ever before.

Wednesday, Nov. 26, 1862

William has been very busy getting ready to leave home for the winter, arranging the farm and other business.  Mrs. Terril here ironing and helping prepare for Thanksgiving.

Peggy's comments:
William was heading back to Washington, D.C. for the lame duck session of Congress.  He had not been reelected to a second term.

Tuesday, Nov. 25, 1862

Made sweet pickle for beef.  Limley Wilcox brought in 39 head of cattle, cows and calves to be wintered here.  His uncle T. B. Wilcox expects soon to move to Hardin county, O. where he rents 3000 acres of land belonging to Judge Rice of Hills borough.  Limley Wilcox stays on our old place in Athens Co. and takes care this winter of the stock which consists of 199 sheep one horse and three colts and 86 head of cattle.  William came home from Chillicothe.

Monday, Nov. 24, 1862

Ephe came home with Kate this morning and told us goodby not expecting to be here again before he goes south to join his regiment.  William went with him as far as Chillicothe.  The river is said to have risen ten feet yesterday.  Steamboats and coal barges are passing numerously today.
Emeline and Alonzo McClure called and spent the evening.

Sabbath, Nov. 23, 1862

The sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered today.  Two infants were baptized.  Mary Deming daughter of Lyman Hart and Eliza Alberta, daughter of G. W. Bailey.  S. A. E. Poage united with the church today, Mr. Curtis officiating.

Saturday, Nov. 22, 1862

Kate went with Ephe to Marietta to be with him while at home.  I wish he could stay altogether.  His experience has been a hard one.  I only pray he may come through the struggle unscathed.
Mr. Curtis preached a preparatory lecture this afternoon.  William, Lizzie and I went to it.
William sold and delivered to A. S. Bailey 36 head of young cattle for about $700.
Mrs. McClure, Mrs. W. D. McClure and Miss Emeline McClure called.

Friday, Nov. 21, 1862

Ephe has been to Columbus and reported to Col. Brooks who told him to call again at nine o'clock Tuesday thus giving him a chance to come home.  He came on the train tonight.  It has been a cloudy rainy week and the river is rising so that steamboats are again afloat.

Thursday, Nov. 20, 1862

A rainy day.  We did not go to prayer meeting at Mrs. Burgess' on account of the weather.  Lizzie is making the new carpet for the parlor chamber.  Kate came from Marietta on evening train, also William who went out to New England this morning on the cars rode on horeseback to Ames, settled with Mr. Wilcox, staid four hours, got back to New England an hour before the train and home again at eight o'clock this evening.  Mr. John Brown, an old friend of Mr. Charles Dickey called.

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 1862

The cars come an hour later which makes it pleasanter starting in the morning.  Kate and Maggie have gone to Marietta today.  I have been busy all day directing books, documents and speeches to the sovereign people of Morgan Co.  It is a great labor.  I have directed many thousands since the recess of Congress.  It seems to be a duty to place the truth before the minds of the public but whether any good will result is doubtful. So far as the "unterrified democracy" are concerned the fist appears to have gone forth.  "They are joined to their idols, let them alone."

That party under its present leaders is a most corrupt and dangerous one.  We have as much to fear from them as from the rebels themselves.  The manner in which they conducted the political campaign this fall shows them ready for any crime, even murder.  When will "te wickedness of the wicked come to an end?"  God grant it may be soon.

Peggy's comments:
Julia was assisting her brother William Cutler as he prepared to archive papers related to his term in Congress.  Julia refers to the "unterrified democracy" meaning Democrats who were not deemed completely loyal to the Union.   

Monday, Nov. 17, 1862

Late letters from Rufus say that he is still in command of the regiment and is near Warrenton. Col. Cutler whose wound is partially healed has returned but is in command of the brigade.  After the terrible fighting that brigade did during Pope's retreat and at South Mountains and Antietam, they ought not to be put in the forefront of the battle again so soon.  May God watch over them for good and if it is His holy will, keep Rufus unharmed as heretofore.  William has been very much occupied arranging his business preparatory to going to Washington.  It began to rain last night and looks as if we might expect a "spell of weather".

Sabbath, Nov. 16, 1862

Went to meeting.  Mr. Curtis exchanged with Mr. King of the M. E. Church.

Saturday, Nov. 15, 1862

The Marietta Register of yesterday says:  "Adjutant E. C. Dawes of the Ohio 53rd called on us this morning (Thursday) looking in splendid trim.  His regiment is at Memphis and now numbers only about 600 men.  He stays in the city only one day and immediately goes to Columbus on business connected with his regiment.  Ephe is a No. 1 officer."
William, Lizzie, Kate and the children took dinner at Mr. Burgess' with the Goffs, McClures, &c.  Nancy went home to spend the Sabbath and see her brother James now at home on furlough.  He belongs to the 87th reg. O.V.I. now at Mansfield recruiting.  The papers are prophesying a great battle soon between Burnside and the rebel Lee.
Lucy came down on the evening train to spend the Sabbath.

Friday, Nov. 14, 1862

Ephe left us this morning being obliged to report himself immediately.  He is to take charge of the drafted men who may be assigned to his division and take them to Memphis.
Lizzie got in the city new cloaks for herself and Annie and a fur tippet for Sarah, and a carpet for the parlor chamber.  I sent for and got a balmoral skirt and scarf.

Peggy's comments:
A tippet was like a scarf which was draped over the shoulders.

Here's a description of the patented balmoral skirt from Victoriana Magazine:

In 1858, Douglas & Sherwood referred to themselves as a “manufactory of hooped skirts” with almost four hundred young women employed in their factory. They advertised their new style, the “Adjustable Bustle and Skirt” in the February 1858 issue of Godey’s Lady’s Book and Magazine; the bustle was made with “round whalebone.”  Later that year, Douglas & Sherwood introduced their “Balmoral Skirt” which combined both the hoop and a woolen, red and black graduated stripe skirt.

DOUGLAS & SHERWOOD'S NEW EXPANSION  SKIRT - 1858   DOUGLAS & SHERWOOD'S PATENT BALMORAL  SKIRT - 1858

Thursday Nov. 13, 1862

I heard at noon that Ephe arrived in Marietta last night.  Maj. Gen. Sherman having sent him to Ohio on Military business.  This is unexpected and pleasant news.  I went to G. W. Bailey's to attend circle taking Annie and Sarah with me.  Went late because Mr. Burgess was here and I had to read the Gazette to him before going.  This eveing our friends arrived safely from Cincinnati accompanied by Ephraim, his mother and Lucy who joined them at Scotts Landing.  Ephe gave us a very interesting account of his experience at the battle of Pittsburg Landing.  He is looking very well.

Wednesday Nov. 12, 1862

A cloudy dull day.  The river has fallen again to within eight inches of the low stage at which it has been so long this fall, a very unusual thing at this season.  Steamboat navigation has ceased again.  

Tuesday Nov. 11, 1862

William, Lizzie and Kate started this morning for Cincinnati; he to attend a meeting of the Board of Directors of the M. & C. R.R., they to do a little shopping.  Lucy went home.  Maggie came down & took Annie home with her to spend the night.

Monday Nov. 10, 1862

The president has removed M'Clellan.  William says this is the broadest streak of sunshine the country has seen since the rebellion broke out, and worth to the nation a hundred millions of dollars.  Burnside takes his place and Hooker replaces Burnside.
Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Bailey, Mr. G. W. Bailey, Mr. Thomas and their nephew young John Bailey spent the evening here.

Peggy's comments:
Much has been written about General McClellan.  A recent essay appeared in the NY Times blog, Disunion.

Sabbath, Nov. 9, 1862

Nancy went home.  We had sabbath school & preaching by Mr. Carter's uncle.

Saturday Nov. 8, 1862

Ground covered with snow this morning and still snowing.  Mr. W. D. Bailey and his wife and Mr. and Mrs. M'Leod with the children of both families took tea with us.  Mr. M'Leod's house was partly burned a few weeks ago and his family are staying with the Baileys (with whom Mrs. M'Leod was brought up) until it is repaired.

Friday Nov. 7, 1862

Kate went to Marietta today & returned.  Cold day.

Thursday Nov. 6, 1862

Prayer meeting here.  Mrs. Burgess, Mrs. W. D. Bailey, Mrs. B. C. Bailey attended.
Kate and I went up on the cars to Mr. Hollister's, Mr. W. D. Bailey bringing the buggy for us to return.  There were about fifty guests.  Rev. Mr. Wakefield of Harmar performed the ceremony which made Miss Augusta Hollister and Mr. John Sutleff man and wife.  The evening passed off pleasantly.  The table (which had been arranged and decorated under the auspices of Mrs. R. P. Iams) was very handsome.  We had a cold moonlight ride home and retired to rest about one o'clock.

Wednesday Nov. 5, 1862

The first steamboat (except some diminutive low water specimens) we have seen for many weeks passed down early this morning.  The river has risen two feet or more.  I went with Miss Ainsworth to visit at Mr. Cains Cole's in Virginia.  Old Mr. Sardis Cole came over in his skiff for us and also staid and took dinner at his son's.  He is an intelligent and loyal man.  He told me much about the early history of Warren.  After a pleasant visit we re-crossed the river and I got home about sunset.  Kate and I received invitations to Miss Augusta Hollister's wedding tomorrow evening.

Tuesday Nov. 4, 1862

William at Parkersburg.  They have begun to drive the piles for the foundation of the bridge.  Mr. W. W. Graves, the engineer told him that they found the bottom of the river a hard conglomerate composed apparently of the ordinary river pebbles cemented together by some substance which in a fluid state had percolated between the stones and then hardened.  This strata is from four to five feet thick.  Underlying this is a strata much thicker (which extends down to the rock of sandstone) soft and yielding, which the piles penetrate easily when once through the conglomerate.  This probably is a bed of sand lying between the sandstone and conglomerate.  
Kate, Annie and I spent the afternoon at Mrs. Blackinton's.  Drove home by moonlight.

Monday Nov. 3, 1862

William at Belpre and Parkersburg about "right of way".  The weather pleasant in the afternoon.  Kate called on Mrs. Loring Cole and Mrs. W. D. M'Clure.

Sabbath Nov. 2, 1862

An unusually pleasant morning.  I could scarcely stay in the house -- delightful autumn weather.  We all went to meeting.  Mr. Curtis preached a good sermon on "Regeneration, the work of the Spirit of God".  Mrs. W. D. McClure and his bride formerly Miss Lizzie James, Mr. Irving Cole & his bride & Mrs. Knox formerly Miss Mary Jane Scott were at meeting.  An unusual thing to see three brides on the same Sabbath.  The afternoon cloudy and at evening wind and rain.

Saturday Nov. 1, 1862

I directed three bags full of books mostly Agricultural reports for 1861 to persons in different parts of Washington and Morgan counties.  William went to Belpre to attend to business connected with the Railroad bridge to be constructed over the Ohio river above Parkersburg.