Thursday, March 31, 1864

Dr. Williamson, missionary to the Dakotahs, who arrived at Mr. Burgess’s last night, called here this morning.  He is on his way to Washington to get something done for the Dakotahs now imprisoned at Davenport, Iowa.  He wants to have Government sent a committee to investigate their case, believing that when this is done many will be found to be unjustly confined.  William gave him letters to Senator Wade, Commissioner Dale on Indian Affairs, and Hon. Mr. Ashley.  --  Mr. & Mrs. Cutler & little Sarah went up to Mr. Burgess’s to dine & spend the day with him.  Cloudy day & walks muddy.  No prayer meeting.  I wrote to C. C. Cutler.

There has been a formidable outbreak of the copperheads in Coles Co. Ill.  This cannot be more than fifty miles from Pana.  

George Cutter came & staid to supper & went back on train.  Mary Devore, the girl he once went to see, is to be married to Ezra J. Carpenter this evening.

Peggy’s comments:

Julia refers to the Dakotahs, members of the Sioux who were arrested after Indian uprisings in Minnesota.  Read an article including letters written by the Dakotahs here, and more information from Wikipedia here.  Dr. Williamson was related to Mrs. Burgess and her daughter, Lizzie Cutler.

Wednesday, March 30, 1864

Mrs. Dawes went back to Marietta, altho still quite unwell.

Tuesday, March 29, 1864

A day of incessant rain.  Mrs. Dawes better but still obliged to keep her bed.

Monday, March 28, 1864

Lucy returned to Marietta.  William also went to town.  Mrs. Dawes too sick to go.  She did not sit up any during the day, influenza & headache.  Mrs. Terril washed.  Barbara came back this morning.

Sabbath, March 27th, 1864

I went with Sarah to Sabbath school & church -- Mr. Curtis preached.  All this family attended.  Mrs. Dawes & Lucy were both suffering from influenza & could not go.  My wallflower which I have kept all winter in my room is now in full bloom & very fragrant.  The hyacinths which I planted in a pot last October have been in bloom nearly a month and are still pretty & sweet though beginning to fade.  We have a single Camelia in bloom in the pits, & some English violets.  But the garden presents little appearance of spring, only crocuses & the early yellow pipes are out.  The season is very backward.

Saturday, March 26, 1864

William came home from Cincinnati and Mrs. Dawes & Lucy came this evening to spend the Sabbath.  Mrs. Dawes has just returned from a visit to Kate.

Friday, March 25, 1864

A perfect contrast in the weather  -- It is today snowing furiously and the earth is white.  Mr. Thomas Wilcox came this afternoon and will wait to see William.  He is now living in Morgan Co. four miles from Malta.

Thursday, March 24, 1864

Female Prayer Meeting here.  Mrs. W. D. Bailey led the meeting.  Present Mrs. M^cClure, Mrs. W. D. Bailey, Miss Lizzie Bailey, Mrs. Cutler & myself & little Sarah.  A very pleasant sunny day.  Mr. Burgess came again to-day but was civil.

Wednesday, March 23, 1864

Not so cold as yesterday.  Mrs. Cutler rode up to her Mothers & spent the day, leaving Sarah with me, fearing she might take cold.  She took up the Gazette & Mr. Burgess did not come down.  I received a letter from C. C. Cutler.  Old Mr. John Scott moved to Belpre today.  He came to Warren from Virginia nearly 25 years ago, with a large family.  He is a democrat and copperhead.

Tuesday, Mar. 22, 1864

Mrs. Terril here washing -- cold & windy.  Eliza Hopkins who has been sometimes sick of typhus fever died to-day.  Three more of the family are sick.

Mr. Burgess was here to-day as usual.  He became very much excited and abused Dr. Hart & Col. Mills to us, saying “Do not I hate them O Lord, yea, Lord, I hate them with perfect hatred.”

Monday, Mar. 21, 1864

William started again to Chillicothe & Cincinnati to be gone all the week -- The weather is cold & disagreeable -- cannot uncover the pits list the flowers be frozen.  Lizzie received a letter from Kate.

Sabbath, Mar. 20, 1864

All went to meeting.  A cold day.  Sarah & I to sabbath school.  I taught Kate’s class for the first time,  Mr. Blackington taught my old class.  Sermon by Prof. Fish -- very good.  Mr. Curtis & Prof. Fish came here to tea.

Saturday, March 19, 1864

Busy preparing for the Sabbath.  Barbara Morgan, the little maid who helps in the kitchen went home after dinner to spend the Sabbath.

William went to town, Mrs. Dawes has not yet returned from Pennsylvania, prevented by sick headache, will probably come next Monday.  Mrs. Lt. Col. Dawes got back last night -- her husband having brought her to Wheeling & placed her on the Packet boat and then turned his face to the Army of the Potomac.

Peggy’s notes:

Rufus Dawes wrote to his wife Mary after he sent her back to Marietta and he returned to the Army of the Potomac:

Near Culpepper March 24, 1864 

I can’t tell you how I pitied you when I saw you almost fall down before you could start on the boat and how glad I was to see you able to come out and wave your handkerchief at me. Keep a good heart.  I am coming out all right.

March 27, 1864     

It was I who raised the hat at the car window and I had been watching and hoping all the way to catch another glimpse of you and know that you were safely through the pain of parting that seemed to paralyze you so at the omnibus.

Throughout their lives, Rufus and Mary Dawes wrote to one another whenever they were apart.  For a selection of family letters, see the tab at the top of the page, The Dawes House.

Friday, March 18, 1864

A very windy day, the waves in the Ohio ran high capped with foam.  The coal and other boats are obliged to tie up and wait for the wind to lull.  A coal-boat stopped near here and seven or eight men came and asked to buy apples to eat.  William gave them half a basket of russets with which they were much pleased.

Our little hand maiden Barbara does not understand much of the “science of cookery” so I undertook breadmaking and think I had “one grand success” for it was white, light, and sweet.

The “gallant 36^th” were in Cincinnati Wednesday and are daily expected home.

Thursday, March 17, 1864

Emeline M^cClure called to inquire after Lizzie’s & Sarah’s health.  Sarah is really better, but Lizzie had a sick night.  Female prayer meeting here this afternoon.  Mrs. M^cClure, Mrs. W. D. Bailey, Ellen & Lizzie Bailey were here, there will be another meeting here next Thursday.

We learn from the Cincinnati papers that the 53^d (Ephe’s Regiment), passed through the city on the 15^th “on its way to the front” in company of two or three other regiments, “veterans” returning to the field.  The 53^d is now 800 strong having received 200 recruits while at home.  It has a good reputation for drill, endurance, and courage.  May God in great mercy watch over them all, and deliver them in the time of peril and make them & others successful in putting down the rebellion, sustaining the Government, and establishing Freedom to all, everywhere.

Wednesday, March 16, 1864

William went to town again, George has got better, and went on the train.  Col. F. W. Moore called.  He told us that Mr. Ainsworth was found dead in one of Bennet Bailey’s fields, this morning.  He had been absent from his boarding place since Sabbath--he was habitually intemperate, and probably died drunk.

Nancy Carlin rode over & took dinner with us.  James is no better & I fear is appointed to die.  He was young, vigorous, brave and handsome.  May the blessed Redeemer give him Salvation.

Mr. Curtis called to see Lizzie.

Tuesday, March 15, 1864

William went to Marietta.  Lt. Col. Dawes left home to join his regiment this morning, he will visit Kate on his way East and take his wife and mother that far with him.  We had company to tea.  Miss Ada Bartlett of Athens, and Miss Mary Holliday of Illinois, they are grand-daughter of Uncle William Parker.  Louisa Carpenter came with them.  They are pleasant girls.  A. S. Bailey took tea with us.  Mrs. Cutler has a very sore throat--The Dr. B. F. Hart came on the night train, he thinks it is not diphtheria but comes from a cold.

Monday, March 14, 1864

Maggie, Miss Hopkins & Miss Wilson went on the cars to Marietta this morning expecting to go with Mr. Hopkins on the Ohio down to Ripley.  The river is quite high having been swollen by the recent heavy rains.  Mrs. Terril washed.  Many persons called to see William and do business with him.  Mr. C. Finch, Mr. Hudson, Mr. A. S. Bailey, W. D. Bailey, Mr. Briggs & others--George Cutter is here quite unwell, he came Saturday night & is “lying by” as he calls it, until he gets better.  I received a letter from Kate.

Sabbath, March 13, 1864

I believe this is Kate’s birthday -- God grant that each added year may be crowned with blessing for her.  We had Sacrament to-day.  Nancy Cole united with the church.  She is a girl of a good mind & much decision of character and if a true Christian may do much good.  The other candidates for church membership concluded to defer a public profession until next communion when several other are expected to join.

Mrs. Cutler’s throat is very sore.  She staid at home with Sarah.  Mrs. Burgess & Maggie came down to see her.

James Bailey asked me to teach his sabbath class again.  I told him I must teach Kate’s class & advised him to get a gentleman.

Saturday, March 12, 1864

Little Sarah is quite sick.  She had a feverish, restless night.  We concluded to send for Dr. B. F. Hart who came down and brushed her throat, said she must have tonics and as soon as the weather permits, fresh air.  He talked of Annie & Kate.

Mrs. Burgess and Jimmy Means were here & Lizzie received a note from Nancy saying she hoped to be back the first of next week if her brother did not become worse.  William came home from Cincinnati on the morning train, and Dr. Regnier with him who came down to talk with Mrs. Cutler about her health.  He did not speak of Annie, but appeared kind.

I went to preparatory lecture in the after noon.  Nancy Cole, Hattie Bailey, Isaac Deming and Seth Bailey presented themselves before the session for examination which was satisfactory.  Mrs. M^cClure called, also Maggie & Miss Wilson.  Mrs. Terrel helped us awhile this afternoon & Barbara Morgan will stay till Nancy comes.

Friday, March 11th, 1864

Mrs. Cutler spent the day at her mothers.  She rode up on horseback and left Sarah at home who is quite unwell with sore throat.  Mrs. Cutler herself has a sore throat.  Rosa went home after dinner.  She expects her husband, who is in the 36^th O.V.I., home next Wednesday and probably will not help us any more.  Mrs. Cutler & I did most of the ironing.  I wrote to Kate.

Thursday, March 10th, 1864

Rained very hard all the forenoon.  Female Prayer meeting was appointed here, but the rain prevented every one from attending.  A gentleman came by the evening train, he told me to tell William that “Mr. Fraser of Marietta called to see him.”

Wednesday, March 9th, 1864

A beautiful day, most of which I spent in the garden, which looks the better for it.  Many of the tender roses are winter killed & must be cut down.  I hope they will sprout again from the roots.  Canterbury bells are killed and things generally look unpromising.  Bulbs are coming up.  The hyacinths I planted in a pot last fall are now out in bloom, they are pretty and very sweet.  My wallflower is nicely budded & will soon be out.

Maggie took her friends to town, they went to Mrs. Dawes to tea.

Tuesday, March 8th, 1864

Mrs. Terril is here washing.  Mr. Burgess came down to say that Mrs. Burgess would be down this afternoon, Mrs. Cutler sent for them all to come.  We got some chickens and had a nice supper.  Mr. & Mrs. Bruges, Mr. & Miss Hopkins, Miss Wilson & Maggie were here.

William went to Cincinnati.  Mrs. Gates gives Rufus & Mary a party to night.  Evening meeting.  John & Mrs. Cutler went.

Monday, March 7th, 1864

Rosa is still away, Mr. Burgess’s have a turkey dinner to which Mr. & Mrs. Cutler, Col & Mrs Dawes & Miss Dawes went -- leaving Betty & Sarah at home with me.  Had old Hocking here to wait on, dinner to get & clean away, bread to make & coffee to brown, in the midst of which a Mr. & Mrs. Johnson relatives of Walter Chalfont’s came to wait for a boat to go to Belle Air.  Our folks came home to supper, after which they all went to Marietta the Johnsons concluding to go and stay on the wharf boat as the surer way to get a boat -- A Rev. Mr. M^cElroy, an agent for the American Tract Society, came to let William have an opportunity to contribute to their fund, which he did, after expressing fully his views of their past course & present action.  He went back on the train.  Rosa returned this evening.  I was very tired.

Sabbath, March 6th, 1864

All went to meeting except Mrs. Mary Dawes & myself.  There was also a meeting in the evening but I did not go out on account of my cold.  Some twelve or fourteen have attended inquiry meeting and expressed a desire to become Christians.  May God’s Holy Spirit teach them the way, the truth and the life.

Rosa went home this morning.

Saturday, March 5th, 1864

Eliza Carlin went on the cars this morning her brother James is no better but rather worse, and it is feared will not recover.  She expects to remain with him.  I am very sorry for them, he is a brave & gallant soldier & so young, I wish he might be spared. ------ I wrote to day on the Memorial of Annie & put the house in order.  On the evening train Lt. Col. Dawes and his wife, Lucy, & Betty Gates arrived.  Rufus is quite lame still, the ankle being much swolen.  Lucy has a letter from Kate who appears to be very happy.  I am thankful.

Peggy's comments:

Happily, Rufus R. Dawes, who would soon leave Ohio to return to battle, survives the war and returns to Mary.  During their life time together, Rufus and Mary Gates Dawes wrote frequent letters to one another whenever they were separated.  I have recently published a book which includes letters and journal entries, primarily written by Rufus.  The Dawes House is available at amazon.com.  More information can be found at The Dawes House tab at the top of this page.

Friday, March 4th, 1864

        Mrs. Cutler and Sarah have gone to spend the day with Mrs. Burgess -- only John & Rosa here, our family is now small indeed.  Miss Sophronia Wilson, Miss Hattie Hopkins, & Mr. Archie Hopkins have just arrived at Mr. Burgess’s on a visit.

Mrs. Dawes came down to spend the night & to get more of Grandfather Cutler’s letters, proposing to make extracts to be printed with the Cutler papers.  William got home from Cincinnati, where he met Mr. Gregg of Pickaway Co. who was here at the time of the Morgan Raid.  He says Mr. Turney often talks of his stay at our house.

I have taken more cold & cough very hard.

Thursday, March 3d, 1864

        Mrs. Cutler, little Sarah & I went to W. D. Bailey’s to female prayer meeting besides Mrs. Bailey & her daughters, Mrs. Joel Deming and Mrs. Lavina M^cClare were there.

A man called about sunset & inquired if Mr. Cutler lived here & was at home.  Then said “his mare was much fagged” & he wished to spend the night.  I invited him in and found him to be Mr. David Hughs who lived near Ostend P. O.  He is a native of Wales -- a ‘Christian’ preacher & a loyal man -- very anti-slavery.  Quite a student of the prophecies, some of which he interprets on a plan of his own -- for instance he considers Moab to be the type of American Slavery and argues that slavery will be destroyed this present year.  He thinks that this epoch is one of the most remarkable in the history of the world and that God is about to deliver his chosen ones in some remarkable manner, he is looking for great change and events in the next five years.  

Old Mrs. Finch died this morning aged 92.

Wednesday, March 2d, 1864

Sunshine -- snow melting--  William has gone to Chillicothe.  We have been doing the work since Saturday, sent a horse for Rosa who came in time to get dinner.

Tuesday, March 1st, 1864

Snowed last night and nearly all day, the trees are loaded with snow, the fences & every post capped with snow.  It is truly a wintry scene, although not severely cold.  The snow is nearly a foot deep.  Sarah is at the door or windows admiring and exclaiming at the unique view.  William went to town and got a sack of coffee and box of soda & [oil?] extract.