The end of the Civil War Journal of Julia P. Cutler

This blog began over four years ago as a tribute to Julia Cutler and as a way to share her remarkable journal written 150 years ago.  She wrote almost every day throughout the Civil War, sharing news of the war, family news, and her own day-to-day activities.  After I read the journal,  my admiration for  Julia was so great that I wanted to share her words with Dawes/Cutler descendants and with anyone else who had an interest in the history of the time.  She was a strong and capable woman, a keen observer, steady and slow to panic, and devoted to her family.  She suffered her share of loss and sadness, but she also took delight in her garden, her writing and her family.  She seldom seemed discouraged and her personal faith remained strong.  I think she knew she was writing for posterity:  she nearly always included first and last names of people in her journal.  For the most part, she kept negative opinions to herself or she was very tactful about them (although she had no love for "traitors" to the Union).

 Julia Cutler continued to write in her journal sporadically until August 1865.  The entries stop but resume in the same book in January 1869.  In her later life, she helped publish the papers of her grandfather Manasseh Cutler, her father Ephraim Cutler, and her brother William P. Cutler.  Julia never married, but always was involved in the lives of her nieces and nephews.  Julia lived to the age of 90, spending her remaining years in a house near her nephew Rufus R. Dawes and his wife Mary in Marietta, Ohio.  

I have very much enjoyed posting Julia Cutler's journal entries to this blog.  I have learned a good deal about the Civil War, the impact of the war on families, and a woman's perspective on the times.  Because we know how the Civil War ended, we sometimes forget the uncertainty that contemporary people felt.  I found particularly moving the account of the celebration at the end of the war which was followed by feelings of devastation upon hearing of Lincoln's assassination.  Those were hard times, important times and they are worth remembering.

I have updated the "People" tab at the top of this page so you can learn a little bit about what happened in the lives of the Cutler/Dawes family after 1865.  I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Now that I have posted all the remaining entries for 1865, I expect this to be my last post to this blog.  Thanks for reading!  And thanks to Julia for writing all those years ago.

Peggy Dempsey

Julia P. Cutler

Julia Cutler, her niece Sarah Julia Cutler, and Sarah's mother, Lizzie Voris Cutler

Journal entries for August 1865

Aug. 1 1865 Tuesday

We feel almost tired out, & glad to rest a little from our large family.  Ella Blackside here to spend the after noon with Sarah —

Aug. 2^d 1865 Wednesday

Mrs. Burgess here to spend her morning day.  Mrs. Blackinton and Alice called — James went off on horse back and did not come home till we were abed.

Aug. 3^d. 1865 Thursday

James sick — Mrs Dawes here to dinner.

Aug 4”. 1865 Friday

Lucy here & talked to James.

Aug 5 1865 Saturday

Had a long talk with James —

Fred Cutter came to spend the Sabbath William came home & brought a box of peaches from Loveland

Aug 6” 1865 Sabbath

Rainy.  Rev. Dr. Hartshorn the Bible Agent preached but not on the subject of his agency —  Our Church & Township have contributed $162 for the Bible cause this year, Small congregation.

Aug. 7. 1865 Monday

James went to Barlow.  Nancy washed — & got dinner.  Col. Dawes walked down from town to see William.  Two oil men stopped to stay all night — Put up two cans of peaches

Aug 8” 1865 Thursday.  Oil men staid to breakfast appeared surprised that we charged them nothing — — Rev Mr. James here to dinner —  I wrote a long letter to Kate — James came home from Barlow —  Sarah Perry with him.

Aug. 9”. 1865 Wednesday

Rev Mr Perry, Sarah’s father came on 11 o’clock train and will stay untill tomorrow morning — The two Sarahs spend the afternoon & took tea with Lucy Bailey.  Mrs Bailey sent for me to come & visit with Mrs. Greenwood — could not go.

Aug 10. 1865 Thursday

Mr. Perry left after breakfast I had Mrs. Bailey, Mrs Wickes, and the children here to tea —

Aug 11. 1865 Friday

Lucy came and took her box of canned fruit to town —

Aug 12 1865 Saturday

Nancy went home to attend quarterly meeting.

Sabbath Aug. 13. 1865

Mr. Curtis preached — a full congregation — Mrs Burgess sick — William little Sarah & I went up to see her toward evening —

Monday Aug 1”. 1865

Mrs. Terril washed, & Nancy came home — William went to town — Nancy took Sarah up to see her grandma & William went up & brought her home about sunset — Mr. B. C. Bailey, Col. Moore, called — also Mr. Wyatt and Col Fuller the latter staid all night —

Tuesday Aug. 15. 1865

Wrote to Kate.  William gone to Chillicothe.

Wednesday Aug. 16” 1865

Thursday Aug. 17. “ 1865

Lucy here.  Sarah is not well.  Went to see Mrs Burgess

Friday Aug. 18.”  1865

Wrote to Lizzie.  Lucy & Sarah still unwell.

Saturday. Aug. 19” 1865

Sarah had a hard chill last night, followed by fever which continues to-day.

William came home.

Sabbath Aug. 20” 1865

Sarah sick, staid at home with her — Rev. Andrews preached —   Mr. Lacy buried.

Monday Aug 21. 1865

William telegraphed to Mrs. Cutler to come home — Betsey Bailey & Mrs Dickey called  

Sarah better —

Tuesday Aug 22 1865

William went to Zaleski — Lucy came and took Sarah to town.

Wednesday Aug 23 1865 —

Journal entries for July 1865

[Blank page in the journal and then it resumes on July 5, 1865]

July 5”, 1865. Wednesday

Still very hot.  Annie Dean & Miss Brawley went on the train to town, and Mrs. M^cLean to Cincinnati.  There are eight men in the hay-field, all with good appetites demanding an abundant supply of eatables.  I helped Nancy all day in the kitchen & am very tired — A thunderstorm in the afternoon — Mrs. W. D. Bailey called —

July 6” Thursday — 

Col. Dawes came from Marietta & brought Sarah home.  The celebration on Harmar hill, was not what it was intended to be.  None of the Speakers who were invited came.  Rev. Mr. Wickes gave them an impromptu address, in which he took occasion to say things very laudatory of William’s course as a public man.

The Copperhead celebration at the Tunnel, broke up in a row.  Mrs. Terril has been here ironing.  Day very warm.  Thermometer at 108^o.  Miss Brawley & Annie Dean came from town, and we went to Mr. W. D. Bailey’s where we had been invited to spend the evening  & partake of ice cream & cake.  The refreshments were served under a grapevine bower, lighted by lamps and was very pleasant.

July 7” 1865 Friday

Very busy all day, a large family.  Nancy canning blackberries.  I am obliged to help in the kitchen & can devote little time to my guests.  I gave them Gail Hamiltons “Gala Days” and “New Atmosphere” to read.      Sarah took a music lesson from Lizzie Poage, and recieved a letter to-day from her mother written at Wheeling.  It has been excessively hot, thermometer at 110^o — Miss Brawley & Annie about sunset concluded to call upon Mrs. Dickey & Mrs. B. C. Bailey & of course wanted me to go with them.  I was very tired with the labors of the day & felt almost as if I could not walk three miles to gratify them, but I did!  —  The walk home was by moonlight.

The assassins of President Lincoln who were accessories were hung to-day.

July 8”. 1865. Saturday

Twelve years ago to-day, my dear father died.  Brother William gave Annie forty dollars for her Mother.  She & Miss Brawley took the spy-glass and went to the Pine-point hill, to enjoy the view, & the morning air.  In the afternoon they called on Mrs. W. D. Bailey and went to town on the evening train to spend the sabbath.  Gen. R. R. Dawes was here to dinner.      Tommy Wickes came and staid all night with James P Walton.  Heavy thunder storm.

Sabbath.  July 9” 1865

Sarah, Nancy, & I went to meeting.  I asked my sabbath school class to come and see Sarah Tuesday.

Monday July 10” 1865

Lucy Dawes, Miss Maria Brawley, & Miss Annie Dean came from town on the 10” clock train.  I invited Mrs. Burgess & Lizzie Poage, Emeline M^cClure, and Mrs. W. D. Bailey & Nettie here to take tea.  Only Mrs. W. D. Bailey and Lizzie Poage came — Mrs. Terril washed.

Tuesday July 11” 1865

This morning William started to Chillicothe to attend to railroad business.  I wish he could be at home through harvest, it is very unpleasant to have him gone in harvest tine, when there are so many hands employed, it requires a master to keep all straight.  Misses Brawley & Dean returned to their home in Amesville to-day.  Lucy staid and helped me get ready for Sarah’s company.  We had a beautiful entertainment, cakes, candies, raisons, almonds, canned peaches, ripe whortleberries, lemonade beside the more substantial viands.  It proved to be a very rainy afternoon, and only Lucy, Ella & Nettie Bailey, and Ida Colder who came on the cars, were here.

Wednesday July 12. 1865

Lucy is here today making blackberry jam.  I recieved a letter from Mrs. Cutler to-day written from Buffalo.

Thursday July 13" 1865

Lucy went home — Mrs Terril ironed.  Miss O’Harra here to dinner.  I took Sara up and left her to spend the day with her Grand-Mother.  A Mr. West here for money to help buy him a cow.  I gave him a dollar.

Friday July 14” 1865

Good weather for harvesting again, so we have a table full of hands.  Sarah wrote a letter to her Mama.  I sat up late writing for William who came on the train which was delayed.

Saturday July 15”. 1865

We had eleven men here to diner -- also Col. Dawes.

[Another blank half page]

July 30.” 1865  Sabbath

Mr. Curtis preached full congregation — Tender off the track kept minister & people waiting till sunset — Broderick engineer.

July 31”. 1865

Wrote to Kate.  William took his 4” of July speech up to Marietta to be printed — Mrs Terril washed   finished haying — Two oil men here to stay all night —

Journal entries for the remainder of June 1865

Peggy's note:
Julia continued to write in the journal sporadically through mid-August.  Today I am publishing all of the remaining entries for June, tomorrow I will post the July entries, and Wednesday I will post the August entries along with some of my thoughts as the journal comes to an end.

Thursday. June. 15—” 1865

The men finished sheep shearing to day —

Friday June 16” 1865

The family is again reduced to the ordinary number.

Saturday June 17” 1865

Mrs. Dawes came on the evening train.  James P. Walton is here, a hot day —

Sabbath. June 18” 1865

“David returned to bless his household” was the text today.  The sermon inculcated the duty of Family Prayer.  In talking with William about the state of the World & the present aspect of things — a religious war &c — he says he almost shudders as he looks to the future.

Monday June 19” 1865

The 6” Wisconsin regiment ordered I think to Louisville is at Parkersburg to-day — This is the Regiment with which Rufus fought through the War & of which he was Colonel — He & Major E. C. Dawes went down to Parkersburg to see them — The men recieved Rufus with loud acclamations of joy.

Tuesday June 20. 1865

Col. Rufus R. Dawes & Dr. Hall, surgeon of the 6” Wisconsin were here to dinner — Dr. Hall is tall and good looking — & appears to be intelligent and gentlemanly.

The Rev. D. C. Perry of Barlow is here to spend the night.  Mr. Perry is a nervous, feeble looking man, but is a fine scholar, having improved his opportunities for superior mental culture.

Wednesday, June 21. 1865

Mrs. Burgess is here to spend the day.  Lucy Dawes was here to dinner with little Ida Smith, the daughter of Mr. Hayden Smith, the gentleman who came with Ephraim C. Dawes from Dallas to Nashville at the time he was so desperately wounded —

I wrote to Kate who is homesick and longs for letters.

Thursday June 22 1865

William attended court at Marietta.  The O’Neal case on its Second trial — O’Neal claims damages of the M. & C. R. R. to the amount of several thousand dollars, because the track is laid along the beach in front of his premises — The verdict gave him $210—

Betsey Bailey came to see the garden — I gave her a handsome boquet of flowers — Mrs. Cutler and Sarah are at Mrs. Burgess’s to tea — Nettie Bailey who has been sick but is now convalescent, took tea here—

Friday. June 23. 1865

Lizzie Poage here.  Mrs. Butler brought us a turkey & staid to dinner after which she departed with the usual load of eatables and wearables — Mrs. Cutler took Sarah to town to attend Mr. Seigfrieds Musical Concert —

Saturday. June 24” 1865

Nancy Carlin “our help” went home on the morning train, to be gone three days.  I made pies, bread &c. for the Sabbath — Mrs. Cutler & Sarah came home on the 11.o’clk train — They enjoyed the concert very much — James P. Walton came with them.  He & Mr. Limley Wilcox will be here until Monday —

Sabbath, June 25, 1865

Sarah & I went to Sabbath school about 50 scholars present.  Rev. Prof. Blair preached from the text “a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump”

Monday, June 26” 1865

William off to Chillicothe again — He can only spend the Sabbath at home as a general thing —      Lucy Bailey and Sarah began to recite their lessons to me again today — Nancy came on the evening train —

Tuesday,. June 27 1865

Nancy is washing today, and we have the work to do — I fear I have “no vocation” for kitchen work —

Wednesday, June. 28. 1865

Mrs. Cutler and Sarah spent the day at Mr. Burgesses —  —  Ironing done at home.  We are very busy getting Mrs Cutler ready for a trip for her health — Her health has been poor for a long time, so has Kate’s  — who since her marriage has lived at West Alexander Pa  —  With the hope that they may be benefitted by a change of air and scenes, William proposes to send them under the care of Major E. C. Dawes to Canada & New England during the summer months.  Maggie Voris is going with them.  They expect to commence their journey next week.

[Blank page in the journal and then it resumes on July 5, 1865]

Wednesday. June 14”. 1865

It rained last night.

Tuesday. June. 13”. 1865

Lucy Dawes here to dinner.  I wrote to Kate.

Monday — June 12” 1865

William went to Chillicothe as usual for Railroad business — Col. and Major Dawes were here to dinner —

Sabbath, June 11” 1865

Mr. Curtis preached to a full house, Collection for the American Bible Society taken up & amounted to 147 dollars—

Saturday. June 10” 1865

A very rainy day.  Lizzie Poage came home to day from school at College Hill, in Cincinnati —

Friday, June 9” 1865

The Sheep Shearers here all day — doing nothing, the sheep being too wet from yesterdays rain to shear — Mrs. Cutler & Sarah spent the day at Mrs Burgess’ and Sarah staid all night —

Thursday. June 8” 1865

Very hot — Sabbath School picnic — Shower in the afternoon — Rufus, Mrs. Dawes & Bettie here.

June 7” 1865. Wednesday

Our folks began Sheep-shearing which makes for the tie, a large family — Lucy Dawes & Jennie Stone came on the evening train.

Tuesday June 6” 1865

Martha Colville who sews for Mrs. Cutler, returned this evening from Mrs. Flemings.

Monday. June 5”. 1865

Mrs. Cutler, Maggie Voris, & Sarah went to town.  I wrote to Clara W. C. Walton —

Sabbath June 4th 1865

As our carriage was driven away from the church it struck against a wheel of Mr. Joel Demings buggy & demolished it.

Saturday June 3d 1865

William went to town and then to Belpre.  Lucy is here canning strawberries, she put up six cans and went home in the afternoon.  James Walton, and Charles S. Perry (who graduates the last of this month at Marietta College,) and Mr. Summers (the son of an old college friend of Williams’ viz Hon. George Summers of West Virginia) — were here to dinner.

Friday June 2. 1865

Lucy & Bettie Gates here.  There is a show of animals & a circus in town to which the Country people flock in crowds.  Lucy took Bettie home & returned.

June 1st 1865 Thursday

This day has been set apart by President Johnson, & Gov. Brough as a day of fasting and prayer on account of the death of President Lincoln.  We went with Mr. Dean & family to the village and heard a sermon from Mr. Wolf of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  We expected to go to the Station from the Church & so home by the evening train.  Mrs. Lewis however very kindly insisted upon our stopping at her house for some refreshments.  We there met Mr & Mrs Souder & there we bade good bye to sister Polly & Annie — Mr. Dean took us to New England — after waiting more than an hour, the train came and we were glad to speed our way homeward — at Scotts Landing Mrs. Dawes took the train for Marietta & I arrived at home just at early candle lighting — after supper, but had tea and the nicest of strawberries —

Wednesday May 31” 1865

Took a walk with Polly over in the direction of Mr. Alloway’s their tenant’s house —  Mr. Dean is not able, at his age to labor much, he has his farm rented to Mr. Alloway who works it on the shares —

Tuesday. May. 30. 1865

Mr. Limley Wilcox was in this morning and told us that the late rains had thrown down some of the trestles between here & Marietta so that trains cannot get through & passengers have to walk round — advised us to wait a few days before attempting to go home —  Mrs. Lewis was here to spend the day.  she is a very pleasant lady — Her husband a Methodist minister formerly on this Circuit, is now a chaplain in the army, and is expecting soon to return to his family as his regiment is about to be mustered out of service —  Miss Maria Brawley, a friend of Annie’s, was here to tea.

Monday May. 29”. 1865.

Walked out with Mr. & Mrs. Dean & Annie to see their farm.  They have got a hedge of young willows set out, which will be very pretty if it proves to be a success.

Sabbath. May 28” 1865

As there is no preaching today at the village, Mrs. Dawes and I staid at home with sister Polly — Annie however went to teach her sabbath school class & Mr Dean to prayer meeting 

Saturday May 27” 1865

This is Ephraim’s twenty-fifth birthday    may he enjoy many happy returns of the day — We climbed the hill back of Mr Dean’s house and had a fine view of a part of the old Farm and the surrounding country.  Mrs. Emily Wyatt wife of John Wyatt Esq. having died suddenly was buried today —  Mr. Dean & Annie attended the funeral  —  We took a walk to the graveyard on the old Farm — Dr. L. Fulton has erected a very neat marble monument to the memory of his late wife Louisa Cutler Fulton — In this old grave yard the Ames’s, Walker’s, Rice’s and other of families of the old settlers have found their final resting place — And here lies my father’s brother Charles a man of superior abilities and fine culture who was smitten down by consumption in the prime of life —

Ephraim Cutler Dawes

Friday May 26” 1865

Rained again today.  But this only insured us a quiet day to talk, and visit with Polly so we enjoyed it very much.

Thursday May 25. 1865

According to previous arrangement Mrs. Dawes and I went to Amestown to-day.  We came by railroad to New England Station, brother William was with us going farther west, and Col. R. R. Dawes came with us to make arrangements for sheep-washing & shearing of the flock upon the Old Farm in which he has an interest.  We saw a number of derricks, tanks, and other indications of activity in the oil business, along the line of railroad and also on the road to Amesville.  They are now boring for oil near father’s old saw mill, but I believe they have found none.  There has been a great deal of oil obtained a few miles from here on Sharps Fork on the “Joy farm” and in some other localities —

Mr. Dean came in his large wagon for us to the Station & not only took Mrs. Dawes, the Col. & myself, but also a machine for rolling up wool, in his roomy vehicle.  The rain began to fall when we were about half way from the Station to Mr. Dean’s house and by the time we reached the latter place we were very wet not withstanding our umbrellas — Sister Dean & Annie gave us a cordial welcome, and a nice warm dinner — Finding that Mr. Wilcox had washed the sheep, after making arrangements about Sheep Shearing, Col. Dawes concluded as the rain had slacked and his business was accomplished he would return to the Station and take the evening train home — which he accordingly did —

Wednesday. May. 24. 1865

We had company here to tea this after noon viz Mrs. Burgess, Mrs. W. D. Bailey, Mrs. W. D. M^cClure and Mrs. S. C. Dawes.

Tuesday May 23. 1865

Lucy Dawes and Martha Colville came on the 11‘^o’clock train — Martha is making my black gingham dress —

Monday, May. 22. 1865.

We have enjoyed Mr. Wickes’ visit very much — he left for home this morning — William has gone again to Chillicothe —  —  Nancy went home in the P. M.

Sabbath May 21 1865

Rev. Thomas Wickes the Congregational minister of Marietta preached for us from the text “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth” — an excellent discourse —      Mr. Hitchcock, the music teacher, conducted the singing — full choir —

Mrs. Wickes came home with us.  Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Bailey came in to talk with him about Christ’s second coming — a very interesting conversation.

Saturday May 20. 1865

William who has been away all the week on RailRoad business at Chillicothe and Ironton came home last night.  Still rainy — Ephraim was here to dinner also James Walton who got $15 of the money his mother sent —

Friday May 19” 1865

Mrs. Dawes went home.  Mrs. Cutler and Sarah spent the day at Mr. Burgesses.  Nancy cleaned the old kitchen to-day, having cleaned the sitting room yesterday — I got dinner.  Mrs. Rosa Roberts and Mrs. Mary (Devore) Carpenter came and staid to dinner.  Heavy rain —  I wrote to Annie Dean telling her that Mrs. Dawes and I would go to Amesville next Thursday.

Thursday May 18”. 1865

Showery — A train of cars passed up with returned soldiers said to be from the horrible prison-pen at Andersonville.  Who can say what the poor fellows have suffered there!  One shrinks from the recital of the cruelties which they have endured.  Mrs. Dawes came with Mrs. Cutler from Marietta and we wrote a letter of eight pages on Genealogical subjects to Rev. Abner Morse of Boston.  He is just now occupied in making out the “Cutler Genealogy”.  We sent him a draft for $50 to aid him in getting out his work.

Wednesday May 17” 1865

Planted pansies in my garden — Mrs. Cutler, Lucy Dawes & Sarah Cutler went to Marietta.  Emeline M^cClure came to see me and I went with her to call at W. D. Baileys — The boys finished planting corn.

Tuesday, May 16” 1865

Lucy spends the day here.  The trial of the conspirators who assassinated President Lincoln, by a Military commission, is now going on at Washington.  Reverdy Johnson acts as counsel for the criminals also, a son of Tom. Ewing is engaged to defend one of them —

Monday May 15” 1865

Lucy came on 11 o’clock train — Jeff. Davis has been caught in Georgia endeavoring to make his escape to the Sea coast.  He was disguised in petticoats.

Here is an account in Harper's Weekly about the capture of Jefferson Davis.

Sabbath May 14” 1865

Mr. Curtis preached.

Saturday May 13. 1865

William, Lizzie & Sarah went to town and James P. Walton came home with them.  Ephe has returned to Marietta from New York and Washington.  A. S. Bailey was here to tea.  Mr & Mrs Cutler & Sarah went riding in the evening.

Friday May 12 1865

There was frost last night — Mrs Dawes & Katy went home.  I sent a boquet to Mrs Hayden Smith — tulips &c.  Mr. B. C. Bailey came to tell us that Miss Julia Stone is dead and will be buried at 11 ^oclock — Mrs Cutler, Maggie, and Sarah attended the funeral going down on the train.  I made a boquet of white tulips & spirea, which Mrs Cutler took & which was laid upon her coffin.  William came home this evening.

Thursday May 11” 1865

A rainy day.  Busy with Mrs. Dawes writing to Rev. Abner Morse on genealogical subjects.  Katy Andrews is having a fine play with Sarah —

Wednesday May 10” 1865

Set out dahlias — Mrs. S. C. Dawes and Katie Andrews and Mrs. Hattie Perry came on the train & were here to dinner — Mrs Perry returning to town by the afternoon train — A rainy evening.

Tuesday May 9 1865

Mrs. Cutler & Sarah went to Mr. Burgess’s to dinner, to eat veal-pie and did not come home until after supper —  We have had so much rain lately that there has been little opportunity for gardening but it is pleasant to-day & I spent the after noon in the garden which now contains about two acres all of which is under the care & management of John Kunz our German gardener, except the flowers, which department belongs exclusively to me.  We have a good deal of choice fruit —

Monday May 8” 1865

William went to Cincinnati to day on Railroad business.  Bettie Gates went home.  I gave her a fine boquet of tulips & spirea.

Sabbath May 7” 1865

A Methodist Minister named Munroe from Parkersburg preached for Mr. Curtis.  He seems a loyal earnest man.

Saturday May 6” 1865

A Thunder Storm with heavy rain last night which occasioned a slide of the Railroad track near Repperts, this prevented the Cincinnati train from getting down till 8 o’clock this morning — Col. Dawes here & Bettie Gates with him.  He took her & Sarah into the carriage to go over the hill to see the sheep & lambs, but a shower prevented them from going farther than the mill.  William went to Big Run with Waters and Norris to look over the coal property they own there.

Friday May 5” 1865

Rainy — William went to town.  Martha Colville went in the afternoon to Marietta.  She is going to sew for Mrs. S. C. Dawes & will be there two weeks.

Thursday May 4” 1865

Busy in the garden.  Nancy has cleaned her own room & the upper entry to-day.  Investigations by the War Department prove that Jeff. Davis knew and approved the assassination of President Lincoln as did Saunders, Clay &c in Canada — President Johnson has issued a proclamation offering $100,000 for the capture of Davis and $25,000 apiece for four others.  William came home — a thunder shower this evening.

Wednesday May 3d 1865

A pleasant day.  Mrs. Cutler went to town and got from Cadwallader’s the pictures for Annie E. Cutler’s Memorial.  She brought me a pretty black, striped with white gingham dress & a net.  My little scholar’s Sarah Cutler & Lucy Bailey began Botany today.  Sarah Emerson called to see the tulips her brother Capt. Geo. D. Emerson is with her.  —  —  Mrs. Terril is here  washing bedding —

There is quite a stir in the neighborhood about a piece of villainy perpetrated lately upon Joline Hopkins.  His credulity was imposed upon by a well-dressed man and woman who pretended to be able to point the place where treasure had been concealed by the Indians —  They wrought upon the superstition of the family until they fleeced them of about $3500 mostly borrowed for the occasion from Bill Scott — This money was put into a chest which was locked and the key given to Hopkins who was forbbidden to open it for a certain number of days on pain of breaking the spell which was to double their money &c.  These impostors made off with themselves two or three days before the time appointed for opening the chest.  On examination the greenbacks were missing and their place filled with old spelling book leaves & blank paper.  Mr Hopkins now saw they had been swindled and started in pursuit, being obliged to borrow money for the purpose — Bill Scott went over at once & took a mortgage on Hopkin’s farm to indemnify himself — unless the Swindlers are caught and made to disgorge the loss to Mr. Hopkins will prove a serious one, and may result in obliging him to sell his farm.

Maggie Voris here to tea.

This is the photograph used in Annie's Memorial.
Little Sarah Cutler with her sister, Annie Cutler.
Annie died January 11, 1864

Tuesday May 2. 1865

Very cold last night, but a dense fog saved our fruit from injury — William went to Chillicothe — Major Dawes went on the morning train.  He is going East to Washington and New York — His health has suffered from too close confinement to business.  I hope the trip may do him good.

James Walton came down for his Spring coat which Martha has made for him —

Mrs. Cutler & Sarah went to see Maggie this afternoon and then in the carriage to singing school.  Mr Hitchcock the teacher has just heard of the death, from wounds recieved in battle, of his brother Myron Hitchcock — therefore no singing school.

May 1st 1865 - Monday

A very early spring.  The fruit trees are done blossoming and are out in full leaf.  We have been using lettuce from our garden for some time — The potatoes, onions, beets, and peas are growing nicely.  I have more than a thousand tulips in blossom now.  The Reeves Spirea is also out in bloom and is very beautiful.  Mrs. Cutler and Sarah at Mr. Burgess’s — Maggie Voris got home from Cincinnati to day — Major Dawes here to spend the night.

Sabbath April 30 1865

Mr. Curtis preached from the text “Come for all things are now ready.”

This month of April 1865 has been one of the most noticable in the history of this Country for the remarkable events which have been crowded into it.  Among which are the taking of Richmond & Petersburg, the surrender of Robert E. Lee and the Northern Army of Virginia, the elevation of the flag upon Fort Sumter and the day of rejoicing and Thanksgiving followed by the cowardly assasination of the President Abraham Lincoln, and the attempt to murder W^m H. Seward Secretary of State, and several members of his family.  Sherman’s great mistake in his way of negotiating with Breckenridge and Johnston — The capture of Booth, the infamous murderer, and of his accomplice Harold, The Surrender of Johnston and his Army to Grant.  The fearful disaster on the Steamer Sultana by which near 1500 soldiers lost their lives.  We believe that the War is essentially over — “Thanks be to God who giveth to us the Victory” — may we use it for his glory, and the benefit of our fellow men.

Saturday April 29. 1865

Nancy & Mrs. Terril cleaned the chambers yesterday and I have been nailing down my carpet and putting the room in order.  — Rainy morning, I set out verbenas and Wallflowers.  

Mrs Cutler & Sarah took tea at Mrs Burgess’ and Nancy went to Town for her bonnet.

William came home from Cincinnati.  He says there will be a train with a thousand soldiers pass over the Railroad to night.  God grant that they may go safely.  The Gazette has an account of a terrible disaster and loss of life, by an explosion and burning of the Steamer Sultana on the Mississippi by which more than 1000 Union Soldiers lost their lives.  Nothing so horrible has ever happened in the history of Steamboat accidents.

Friday, April 28. 1865

The President’s remains are at Cleveland to-day where funeral honors will be shown to them and tomorrow at Columbus —  The murderer of President Lincoln has been discovered in a barn in Virginia and shot and killed by a Union soldier named Boston Corbett, an Englishman.  An accomplice in the crime named Herold who was with him was arrested and brought to Washington with Booth’s body —

Thursday April 27 1865

Lucy & came home this forenoon.  Mrs. Cutler had yesterday to dinner Mr. & Mrs. J. J. Hollister and their daughter Laura, Mr & Mrs. W. D. Bailey and their daughter Lucy and Mr. Luther Emerson.  —      This Afternoon Mrs. Cutler sent up the carriage for her Mother who came & spent the afternoon & took tea with us.

Wednesday April 26 1865

I spent the day in town.  In the morning Lucy & I walked through the Mound burying Ground.  It is a pretty “city of the dead” .  The monuments, shrubbery, and flowers show the love of the living for departed friends.  We went up to the top of the Mound & rested, and enjoyed the views of the Country & town below.  We then walked over to Williams lot on       Street and then down 4” street home.  Rufus is having a new house put up the west side of this street the foundations of which are now being laid.  When we got back to Mrs Dawes’ we found Mrs. Lucy Browning there to spend the day.  After dinner Mr & Mrs Hayden Smith and their little girl returned from the Country & Lucy had to get them dinner.  Mr. Smith has been here several weeks and his wife & child came a few days ago.  They are going to Harmar to board to-morrow.  They are intelligent, pleasant people — Rufus and Mary called in the evening.  They have recently returned from a trip to Washington, Gettysburg &c.  They were in Washington the night of the President’s assassination.  Had thought of going to Fords’ Theater that night to see the President and Gen. Grant who were advertised to be present — But Mary was tired, and they did not go.  They put up at the National Hotel and were annoyed by some fellows in an adjoining room who were drinking singing & swearing but who went out in the course of the evening and left all quiet and they went to sleep and did not hear till morning of the President’s Assassination and did not know till some days afterwards that the room adjoining theirs was the one occupied by J. Wilkes Booth.  Who was there doubtless with his accomplices preparing themselves for the dreadful deed.  Rufus said the excitement in the city was terrible, thousands congregating at the street corners, and threatening vengeance on such as rejoiced in the murder of Lincoln or failed to exhibit from their houses emblems of mourning.  All the Public Offices were closed — and apprehensions of serious disorders were felt — The military as well as police force were on the alert.

Mrs Dawes showed me a photograph of Ephe taken lately which looks better than I expected he ever could.

Peggy's comments:

When I first read this, I was absolutely amazed that Julia's nephew, Rufus R. Dawes, was in Washington DC and stayed at the National Hotel the night Booth assassinated Lincoln.  Booth indeed was there that day.  Amazing!

The Mound Cemetery in Marietta, Ohio
(Ohio Historical Society)

A stereoscope picture of the house that was built in 1865 for Rufus and Mary Dawes.
The house is still standing on Fourth Street in Marietta, Ohio.

National Hotel, Washington, D. C.
(ghostsofdc.org)

Rufus R. Dawes
(Family collection)

Mary Gates Dawes
(Family collection)

Ephraim Cutler Dawes.
His beard conceals the scars of reconstructive surgery on his jaw.

Tuesday April 25 1865

Lucy came down and proposed that I should go home with her —  which I thought I could not do, but she said I could —  & I did —  Was introduced on the cars to Gen. B. D. Fearing and his sister Mrs. Norton.  The General served under Sherman in his Carolina campaign and is now at home on furlough    he is wounded in his right hand at Bentonville. Ike Johnson was also on the cars — There was also a man whose appearance was so singular and his actions so strange we thought him insane.   Mr. Johnson said he was a man from Jackson Co Va who had come to Parkersburg with $800 belonging to his brother to pay a debt — In that place he fell among thieves who first got him drunk and then gambled his money all away from him.  As soon as he became sober he was greatly distressed, and was with difficulty prevented from taking his own life — Some young men who were acquainted with him, were now taking him home. 

Every body is discussing and denouncing Sherman’s amnesty with the rebel Johnston — No body likes it & it is pronounced a “false step” which is likely to tumble Sherman, who was becoming one of the idols of the people, headlong — 

Peggy's note:

Read the document signed by Sherman and Johnston.

And an opinion about GENERAL SHERMAN in the May 6, 1865 Harper's Weekly.

Monday April 24, 1865

I wrote to Kate in answer to a letter I received from her Saturday night.  I also wrote to Miss Mary Pollock, Hospital Nurse at Judiciary Square Washington City, telling her that the Ladies of our Soldiers Aid Society had sent to her a barrel of canned fruit and some shirts for the sick and wounded soldiers under her care —

Sabbath April 23” 1865

The pulpit was supplied to-day by Professor Blair, formerly of the Ohio University,  now Editor of the Parkersburg Gazette — His text was Hosea 9.9. — “They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah; therefore he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins” — It was an excellent sermon prepared for the occasion in which many startling truths were told — Some of the copperheads called it Lincoln’s funeral sermon — I was glad we had draped the house in black —  it looked very well and as one woman said to me ““it looked real mournful” — We shall leave it up thirty days.

April 22 1865 Saturday

William went to town.  They are pumping the Hussey Well in which he has an interest yields five barrels of oil per day —

I planted out gladiolas, pink and daily lilies, the madeira vine &c.  Went to the Church in the after noon, found that there was quite an accession of materials.  I took quite a bundle from home, as did the Mrs. Baileys & Mrs. Dickey.  We went to work in good earnest — and soon had the satisfaction of seeing our work was not in vain. Theodore M^cClure came and fastened up the drapery to the rods which cross the house and did it very tastefully — Mrs W. D. Bailey arranged the pulpit, draping it with heavy black shawls looped up with crape — Wreaths of cedar were hung around the walls, tied with large knots and ends hanging down of of black berage — The lamps were also ornamented with berage tied around them. The effect altogether was very good.

Mrs. Joel Deming, Mrs Lewis Reppert, and Mrs Charles Cone looked in upon us while we were there —

April 21. 1865 Friday

Nancy went to town to get her bonnet fixed came home on the 11’ o’clock train — James Walton here to dinner got $10 of the money his parents sent, for his summer clothing to get a spring coat — Took up several cedar wreaths.  We swept and dusted the church and proceeded to arrange the drapery, but the results were very unsatisfactory —  Mrs. A. S. Bailey, Mrs W. D. Bailey, Louisa Carpenter, Nancy Cole, & Mrs Dickey were there.  Mr A. S. Bailey came & helped us, but we concluded to adjourn & meet tomorrow after noon and complete the work.

Mrs Cutler went to her mothers —  William came home on the Paymaster’s extra train about the middle of the afternoon —

Thursday April 20 1865

We are having a very early spring the apple orchards are all in bloom.   We had lettuce from the garden today on our table.  Mrs Dawes was here to dinner.  

 Mrs Cutler & little Sarah took tea at Mr Burgess‘ — Maggie Voris went to Cincinnati today to be gone a week or two.  Mrs. A. S. Bailey and Mrs. W. D. Bailey called to consult about the propriety of draping our church with black on account of the President’s death — There is no one connected with our church who is not wholly loyal, and I am sure it would be agreeable to their feelings to have it done.  The Mrs Baileys said they would go to town to morrow and get materials, and some directions how the thing is to be done so as to have it accomplished before next sabbath.

Wednesday April 19 1865

Mrs. Waldron, Miss Ann Waldron and Mrs W. D. Bailey called.  The Waldron family are refugees from Virginia, they are Presbyterians now loyal .  Mr. Waldron is a Railroad man and has a contract on the bridge which is to be constructed across the Ohio river at Parkersburg.  They have been living in brother Daniels old house, but they are moving to Parkersburg to-day —

About 11 o’clock the ‘Wild Wagoner’ came and the Waldron’s & the Bowhans got on with their furniture and goods — and Mrs. Cutler, Sarah & Maggie got off.  They had a very pleasant trip.  The ‘Wild Wagoner’ is one of the finest boats on the river and is said to have cost with its furniture $150,000.  Capt. Drown gave the whole party including Kate & Annie ‘free tickets‘ — He said that Mr. Cutler had done much more than that for him, and he was glad to have an opportunity to make some return to his family &c. &c.  Mrs. Cutler got new bonnets in Wheeling for her self and me, second mourning and very pretty — She got Sarah a beautiful hat of white straw, narrow brim trimmed with blue ribins & white feathers & heads of wheat in front — The bonnets worn this spring are very different from those worn last year, and much prettier I think.  They are not so high in front, fitting closely to the head, and generally without frills behind instead of which there is an arrangement of long loops and ends of ribin — I have seen some without crowns, shaped like a three cornered handkerchief with two ends meeting under the chin, and the third point behind with loops of ribin to conceal the back hair — We shall still wear our black crape bonnets until summer comes —

Tuesday April 18 1865

Mr. and Mrs. Bowhan, Mr. Carlin and his son James & Mr. Morris here to dinner.  They are friends of Nancy, our girl — Mr & Mrs Bowhan were refugees from Missouri a year ago.  Now affairs being more settled in that state and the guerrillas less troublesome they are going back again — 

Secretary Seward is still living and strong hopes are entertained that both he & his son will recover.  The assassins are not yet arrested —

Monday April 17. 1865

Mr. Burgess here this morning greatly excited —he acted like a crazy man.  His family dreading the effect upon him, concealed the death of President Lincoln from him until yesterday, the news seems to have thrown him off his ballance.  He is a great coward naturally, and now he is sure somebody will assassinate him, when William told him that he was in no danger, he was very angry, he said they had murdered Lincoln & Seward and yet they would tell him he was in no danger.  He then began to abuse William and call him an infidel &c in the midst of which William left him to go on the cars to Chillicothe —He then turned to me and berated the Baileys, Col. Mills, President Andrews, brother William, Sister Sarah and every other friend he could think of, until he had exhausted his extensive vocabulary of abusive epithets —Mrs. Cutler took her bonnet & went to her mothers —I tried to read the paper to him but he at every pause in the reading began anew, till at last I handed him the Gazette to take home with him.  I dont doubt he is sincerely sorry for the death of Mr. Lincoln, but I think he manifests it in a strange way —I suppose that he is really deranged for the time being, that is the most charitable construction we can put upon his conduct — —Chief Justice Chase administered the oath of office to President Johnson Saturday, within three hours of the death of President Lincoln.  There is to be no changes in the cabinet for the present, at least —And the government goes on without interuption, it is believed that the new President will carry out the Emancipation Policy of Lincoln, and that he will treat traitors with less leniency than his predecessor —The fact that Johnson was drunk on the 4” of March has filled people with apprehensions for the future — It is stated however authoritatively that he is not an habitual drinker — that he was at that time prostrated by disease, and took stimulants to enable him to go through the duties of his day — The mortification felt by his friends & the Country generally may prove a valuable lesson —

Mrs. Cutler, little Sarah, & Maggie Voris went to Marietta to take the Wild Wagoner and go with Kate & Anna M^cLean to Wheeling — They expect to get home Wednesday.

Sabbath April 16. 1865

I woke with a heavy pain at my heart such as one feels when the dead are in the house, and for a moment could not think what had happened but God reigns, and wicked men cannot circumvent them, or prevent his purposes from being carried out — Though hand join in hand the wicked shall not go unpunished.  The cry of the poor & needy slave has gone up to God, these many years, and now that of our captive, suffering, soldiers is added — We hope and believe that He has begun to visit for these things and that the shackles will fall from the limbs of the slave, and the prison doors will be opened to the languishing captive.

Mr. Curtis preached a very good sermon from the text “Though he slay me yet will I trust in him” — Every body seems to think and speak only of the terrible tragedy at Washington — One man shed tears as he spoke of it & said he would do what he could to hang traitors — Ann Harvey said she had never been so shocked, or so much regretted the death of any public man as she did that of President Lincoln, but she believed that God had some purpose in permitting it — She was sorry though, that he was at such a place as the theater — a feeling I have heard expressed by more than one — Some said that they had felt paralized by the news, and unable to attend to any business — Many felt a half expressed and vague dread that this is but the beginning of horrors — — That more assassinations may be expected and they know not what — Mrs Blackinton, who has spent 25 years in the South & has imbibed some ideas belonging to that latitude, said that “what made the death of Mr. Lincoln to be particularly regretted was the fact that Vice President Johnson was so unfitted to take his place — he had risen from low life — had been a tailor — his wife had taught him to read” &c. &c.  I told her “for that very reason I honored him, he must be a man of decided talent — a great man — to have acquired so much distinction, and to have honorably filled so many exalted positions” — She said she knew “he was not habitually intemperate — but Southern Gentlemen had never regarded him as being on an equality with them” — I said “so much the better, he will have nothing in common with them, and so will be untrammelled in his dealing with traitors —— 

Saturday April. 15. 1865.

Busy all the morning packing two boxes of canned fruit &c. for Kate to take home with her.  She leaves here today, and will go to Wheeling on the Wild Wagoner Monday.  Mr. Cutler and Sarah and Maggie Voris intend to go as far as that city with her.  Kate’s health is not good and I fear she will not live long.  Nancy went home to see her sister.

Saturday April 15 1865 — continued —  William returned from town on the 11 o’clock train.  As soon as I saw him I thought from his countenance that there was bad news — and asked at once “What news from Sherman?” as we were daily expecting to hear of a battle between Sherman & Johnston — He replied “No news from Sherman, but there is shocking news from Washington, President Lincoln was assassinated last night at a theater, and an attempt made to murder Secretary Seward and his son who are supposed to be fatally wounded” —I said “It is a copperhead lie, to mar the rejoicing over the late victories” —”No” he said, “it is a too true, it comes from Secretary Stanton” — —He says that the feeling in town is intense they say now “no compromises with treason, let justice be done to the traitors.”  Lincoln had a strong hold on the hearts of the people, his right principles, his honesty of purpose, & his kindliness have won their love —and now his base and cruel murder, coming at a time of jubilant rejoicing produces the most painful revulsion of feeling and profound sorrow —Our joy is turned into mourning, our Season of hope & promise into the blackness of darkness.  People sit down and weep as if bereaved of a dear friend —William says “nothing since our defeat at Manasus has produced such a shock (if indeed that can be compared with this) men’s hearts failing them for fear of the things that are coming on the earth — —This afternoon William received a dispatch saying Lincoln died this morning at half past seven.  The murderer is Booth an actor, who has not been arrested —Seward is also reported dead —

Everybody almost seems horror struck with this terrible crime.  The idea of the murder of the Secretary of State, who since the fall from his carriage, some time ago has been lying helpless with a broken jaw and arm —seems too horrible for belief —Savages could not be more brutal —but a people who can commit the atrocities suffered by our captive soldiers in Southern prisons are bad enough to instigate and carry out any act however infamous and revolting —

Peggy's note:
Read an account published in Harper's Weekly.

Friday April 14. 1865

As soon as I awoke this morning I heard the cannons booming at Marietta reminding us that this was to be a day of rejoicing.  Lucy went home on morning train.  Nancy busy cooking this forenoon.  We have prepared a dozen peach-pies made of canned fruit — Two large white cakes, a basket full of ginger snaps— five or six dozen jelly tarts.  Two plates of trifles, a quantity of soda biscuits, buttered — a large dish of baked veal, and a large basket of apples — I gathered two boquets of flowers. Dialeteus, primroses, bluebells, jonquils, aster flowers, pansies &c — Lucy made yesterday half a dozen small flags of white silk which she painted very nicely — to ornament the table — Kate came on the 11 o clock train she had spent the morning with Mrs. Greenwood —

William has been busy all the morning on the hill directing the men in preparing their bonfires for the evening and I have been busy preparing candles for illuminating the house to night.  We cut the candles in half then dipped the wick in petroleum so that they would ignite readily, then set them in candle stands made by cutting off one side of a potatoe flat and hollowing out the other side to receive the candle.  I placed them all in position, eight in a window — in all one hundred and fifty six candles.

Seven or eight of the men who have been engaged making the bonfires ready, came here to dinner.

We sent John up to the meeting house with the eatables then he took me up in the carriage — & afterwards Lizzie, Kate, & Sarah, Martha & Nancy were there but Anna M^cLean went to town.

The table was made in front of the pulpit and literally loaded with good things very tastefully disposed with several vases of flowers & flags &c — above the pulpit a motto constructed of cedar & made by Mrs W. D. Bailey was put up it consisted of these words “Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory” — and some wreaths of cedar were disposed about the house — A large & handsome flag was placed by the stand.  Mr Judson J. Hollister was called to the Chair which he took making some very appropriate and patriotic remarks as Mr Curtis did not make his appearance, Mr. Blackinton was called on to make the thanksgiving prayer after which the choir sang “America” — Then the ladies served the dinner by carrying round the refreshments — the house was filled with men, women, & children who were all bountifully fed, and much remained after all had eaten.  Next William was called upon for a speech, he responded in his happiest manner, giving his reasons for rejoicing.  He rejoiced not merely that the flag was restored to Sumter, that our brave soldiers had gained important victories, and that Lee had surrendered thus virtually closing the war — last he rejoiced in the triumph of right principles — in the recognition of the right of the colored man “to life, liberty, & the pursuit of happiness” — he rejoiced that he had a Government able to maintain its authority and willing to pursue a righteous policy — but more than all he rejoiced that he had a God — Both North & South had submitted the case to His arbitrament — and He had made known his decision in a manner that could not be mistaken & he believed that our government would stand until God should establish his own Kingdom in the Earth — These were some of the ideas he advanced, they were well received, and much applauded.  Mr Hollister rose to say that he cordially agreed with Mr. Cutler in recognizing the hand of God in our National Affairs.  He said too that an occasion like that on which we assembled today could occur but once in a life time &c &c.  He called upon the singers for the “John Brown Song” but they said they hadn’t it — Every body seemed to enjoy the day and separated with the understanding that there would be “fire works” in the evening.

As soon as it was dark a perfect line of bonfires on the three hills back of here loomed up, making a most brilliant appearance.  There were also some others lighted in the hills in the neighbor hood but none to compare in regularity and beauty to ours.  We illuminated the house, which for about three hours made a very fine appearance.  Mr. Boothby had a cannon on the hill which he fired at intervals — this with the discharge of guns & revolvers and the cheering of the men & boys, the display of fire works, Roman candles, and some splendid rockets showed the the people enjoyed the holiday & welcomed the return of peace which we hope is not far distant —