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 —

Thursday April 13. 1865

It has been agreed by the neighbors to observe Friday next as a day of thanksgiving in accordance with Gov. Brough’s proclamation.  I sent John with a note to the Briggs’ M^cClures’ and M^cTaggarts requesting them to inform Harveys’ Lewis’ & any other families who would like to join with us in a picnic to be held at the Church in the after noon, Mr Curtis to conduct the religious exercises &c —

Nancy has been cooking all day — making cake, pies, tarts, baking meat &c — &c — preparing for tomorrow.

Mrs Cutler, Mrs Kate M^cLean, & little Sarah took dinner at Mr. Burgess’s Lucy Dawes came down on the train with Maggie and also took dinner there.  She came down here in the afternoon but the others went to Mrs Dickeys to tea.  Kate spent the night at A. S. Baileys —

Wednesday. April 12” 1865

We went by invitation to Mr. Blackintons to tea expecting to meet Kate on whose account the party was made, but the omnibus disappointed them and altho’ Mr. Edward Buell took her over in his carriage they were two minutes too late and lost the train— She and Anna came down on the evening train & were much disappointed at losing the visit at Mrs. Blackintons.  Mrs. Cutler, Sarah, & I went to the party where we met Mrs. A. S. Bailey, Miss Louisa Carpenter, Rev. C. D. Curtis, Mrs. M^cGill, Miss Ann Waldron, Mrs. Charles Cone, Mrs. C. Dickey, & Miss Maggie Voris & Miss Daniels the teacher of the District School — We spent the afternoon pleasantly, though much regret was expressed that Kate and Anna M^cLean were not there.  Heard that Mr. Henry Cooke, the blind soldier, died very suddenly at Pittsburg last Saturday — He appeared well until a few hours before his death which is supposed to have been occasioned by fragments of bone penetrating the brain.

Tuesday April 11” 1865

William went to Chillicothe to attend a meeting of the Board of R. R. Directors.  Very rainy —  Mrs. Cutler & Martha Colville went in the carriage to tea at the Burgess’.  I wrote two letters one to Clara & one to Annie Dean.  Gov. Brough has issued a proclamation recommending that Friday next be observed as a day of Thanksgiving & rejoicing on account of late victories, & the restoration of the Flag to Fort Sumter.

Monday April 10,” 1865

Lucy came down to tell Kate that Mrs. E. B. Andrews had invited a tea party on her account this afternoon.  Anna was also invited, all went to town — William brought news from town that Lee actually surrendered to Grant yesterday — Fort Boreman fired 200 guns in honor thereof.

Sabbath, April 9. 1865

Went to Church & Sabbath School & Church about 85 present.  Heard that John S. Cole son of Louis Cole of Briscoe’s Run W. Va. was killed in the late battle near Richmond.  He was for a short time a member of my Sabbath school class some years ago.  He was a fine looking promising young man.  This is a very afflictive stroke to his friends —

Rainy evening —

Saturday April 8.” 1865

James Walton came on the Accommodation train.  He says that yesterday it was reported that Lee had surrendered or been captured and all Marietta went wild over the news.  The cannons were fired, every bell in town was rung and every thing that could make a noise from a penny whistle to a tin pan was brought into requisition — It was a spontaneous outburst of feeling —

Mr. W. D. M^cClure also came and told us that Sheridan had certainly captured a large number of officers & men and that later in the day Lee surrendered — James & the girls Sarah Parker, Anna M^cLean & Sarah Cutler demonstrated their joy by blowing the conch shell, beating the drum, blowing the whistle, beating upon tin pans, ringing bells and marching around with the flag, and singing “The battle cry of Freedom” huzzaing &c — it was a rather uproarious time — but pardonable in the circumstances — — —The Misses Parker & James P. Walton went back to town on the afternoon train — Kate and William got home on the evening train — and told us that the news of Lee’s surrender was premature!

Friday April 7” 1865

Kate went to Marietta.  Mrs Swords sent a basket full of flower roots — gave them to her — Went to Belpre to attend the funeral of George Dana Senior who died yesterday morning — went on the cars taking Anna M^cLean with me — she was greatly interested in seeing Fort Boreman on the W. Virginia Shore — Mr and Mrs W. D. Bailey, Mr & Mrs R. D. Hollister, Mr. T. W. Ewart &c were on the train going to Mr Dana’s.  Saw Dr. I. Dodge of Cincinnati, Mrs. W. P. Putnum, W^m Browning & wife Mrs. Lucy Browning and other acquaintances — The services were at the house and were attended by the citizens of Belpre generally    Mr. Dana’s grounds are beautiful — We were obliged as soon as the exercises were over to go immediately to the R. R. Station — Mr. Dana sent a man & wagon to take us there — Got home safely very tired —  Mrs. Cutler went up to her mothers to tea.

Mary Parker & her sister Sarah came here this evening from A. S. Baileys — to spend the night.

Thursday April 6” 1865

Mary Parker, Annie M^cLean & Sarah went to the Pine Point to take a view of the country.  Maggie Voris came down on the 11 o’clock train from town.  She & Lucy Dawes were at the wedding of Sarah Andrews this morning at President Andrews‘ — She was married to Capt William Holden who is in the Quartermasters’ Department of Philadelphia.  We have our preparations for the Circle nicely made — Nancy baked the chicken and the cakes, and tarts &c, all right.  We had a beautiful table, and every thing was good — The canned peaches were delicious.  We invited them to-day on Kate’s account — Those who came were Rev. Mr. Curtis, Mrs. M^cClure & Emeline, Mrs Anne B. Reppert, Mrs. W. D. Bailey and Lucy, Mrs. George W. Bailey, Mrs. Burgess, & Maggie & Eliza, Mrs. M^cGill, Alice Scott, Miss Susan Daniels, Mrs A. S. Bailey & Louisa Carpenter, Mrs Harriet D. Wilson & Mary, Mr & Mrs Dickey, Mrs. Lucy Hart, Mrs Joel Deming, Mrs. Blackinton & Alice — Kate, Anna M^cLean & Mary Parker.  It was quite a pleasant Circle.  Nancy & Martha Colville, Mrs. Cutler, Sarah and I were also to be added to the number.  Mary Parker went home with Mrs A. S. Bailey.  The rain fell after they had all gone.  I was thankful it did not come sooner. 

Wednesday April 5, 1865

Mrs. Dawes and Mary Parker came on the accommodation train — Mrs. Dawes returning home in the afternoon.  We are very busy getting ready for the Circle which will meet here tomorrow — Mrs. Shipman and Betsey Bailey called.

Tuesday April 4” 1865

Fort Boreman waked up today and the cannons proclaimed the victory over the Rebels — The Confederate Government is on horseback somewhere, they left Richmond Sabbath afternoon, and Lee evacuated that night.  Rev. Mr. Merwin of Pomeroy here — gave him quite an assortment of flowers and shrubs for his parsonage grounds.

Monday April 3d 1865

The water is again over the bridges below here.  I called on Mrs. Maria (Bailey) Shipmans at W. D. Baileys‘ — she is here on a visit from Kansas.  She had her thigh broken last fall, and goes on crutches, she came with two grand-children, Hattie Everett, and Freddie Shipman.  She looks feeble, but has a wonderful amount of energy, and is enthusiastic in her liking for Kansas — Persons of industrious habits who are able to “rough it” are wise to try their fortunes at the West.  Old Mrs. Reynolds here for rose bushes &c.  gave them to her.

We have heard cannon firing at Marietta this afternoon and supposed that “good news” had been received.  Mr. W^m D. M^cClure called and told us that Richmond was taken by Gen. Weitzels colored troops this morning at 8 o’clock & Petersburg is also in our hands.  To-day’s Gazette says that the army of the Potomac after four days heavy fighting has gained the South Side Railroad which they are destroying, have captured 12,000 prisoners & Fifty cannon — Sheridan is there with his own Cavalry and we have achieved brilliant successes — and may hope for more good news — The 5” army Corps (Warrens’) in which Rufus served, co-opperated with Sheridan — Let us be thankful.

Sabbath April 2d 1865

Pleasant day — warm went to Sabbath School and meeting — A large number came up from Belpre on the car — The house was pretty well filled, an hundred & twenty or more — They walked down to the Station — Henry Cooke, a soldier whose eyes were both shot out in battle, was at Church to-day —

Saturday April 1st 1865

Annie M^cLean & Sarah were made very merry by Nancy who sent John on a fools errand, with a big bucket to get loaf sugar of Mrs Bailey — Nettie Bailey & Anna M^cLean took a horse back ride as far as Mrs Greenwoods — Kate back from town today — Anna rode Mrs. Cutler’s new black riding horse which goes as easy as a cradle —