Friday Nov. 29

Raining this morning.  Sarah and Ephe returned home.  The house has been filled nearly all day with people from Hocking and others doing business with William.  It is a hard day for him.  Annie has gone to spend the night with her Grandmother.


Peggy's comments:
Hocking, Ohio was about 75 miles west of where the Cutler's lived in Constitution, Warren Township.  I can't confirm this, but my guess is that the people from Hocking were visiting William on RailRoad business.

Annie Cutler, William and Lizzie's daughter, was probably staying with Mrs. Burgess, Lizzie's mother.

Thursday Nov. 21

Kate and Lizzie went to town visited Mrs. Dr. Tenney.  Mary Slocomb was married this morning by gas-light to Dr. D. B. Cotton.  Sister Sarah came down with Lizzie this evening.

Saturday Nov. 16

Lucy came down on the cars and sister Sarah returned this morning to Marietta.  Lucy has been painting in water colors -- rosebuds.  Ephe came on the evening train and Lucy went to town with him.  He had heard of the alarm at Marietta and came home to see after his friends.  Col. Craig has been appointed Military Commandant at Marietta.  He has two companies entrenching themselves in the narrows below the mouth of the Muskingum where they have two cannon mounted.  The Adjutant Gen. Buckingham ordered another cannon in from Chillicothe, and Col. Pond with six hundred men came down fro Zanesville.  A lady, Mrs. Lovell, just from Charleston who is well acquainted with Jenkins and his secession friends says he has vowed to burn Gallipolis at all hazards and Marietta if he can.  Forewarned it is best to be forearmed.  This Jenkins is an ex-member of Congress.  He owns a valuable estate on the banks of the Ohio, raising on it some years 100,000 bushels of corn.  He is now at the head of a troop of cavalry 800 strong with whom he has been waging a guerrilla warfare upon his union neighbors in western Virginia and now threatens southern Ohio.  God has mercifully kept the war from us higherto.  We can but trust Him for the future.  Mr. Scott, our preacher, came on the cars and spends the night with us.  W. W. Peabody sent William a box with a dozen quails.


Peggy's comments:
A rambling post from Julia today, recording the comings and goings of her sister, niece and nephew.

Albert Jenkins is the ex-member of Congress to whom she refers.  He was a Democrat from Virginia who resigned his seat in Congress when Virginia seceded.  Read more about him here. 

Albert Jenkins

Friday Nov. 15

Sister Sarah came on the cars this morning.  Mr. and Mrs. Adams returned to Marietta.  We have enjoyed their visit very much.
Gen. Don Carlos Buell is appointed to command in Kentucky in the place of Sherman.  Gen. Buell's mother lives in Marietta.  He is said to be modest, capable, enduring and brave.  He is a native of Ohio, I believe of Marietta.

Peggy's comments:

Friday, Oct. 18

Mr. Israel Waters was here to dinner.  Sarah and Lucy came on the evening train.  They will stay till Monday.  
Much is said about the sufferings of our troops in the mountains of Virginia for want of blankets, overcoats, and comfortable clothing.  I hope the accounts are exaggerated, but it seems they are fast becoming unfit for service, on account of exposure to the cold rains which produce sickness, typhoid fever &c.  When I think what careful nursing and careful attention was necessary for William's recovery, I wonder any of the poor soldiers get well, neglected as they are.  It is said that in Gallipolis alone there are five hundred sick, sent back from Rosecrans' army.  They have also been sent to Cincinnati.  Those in the Marine Hospital were shamefully treated but the citizens are investigating the matter.  A number have been sent to Camp Dennison, where it is hoped they will be cared for.  The Secretary of War, Gen. Cameron is now in Ohio--he has been at St. Louis.  
It is said that the President has decided to remove Gen. Fremont from the command of the Western Department.  I am sorry for I like Fremont, but we are told that the relations between the Government and Fremont are such as to render the change absolutely necessary.  We are told that the President is Commander-in-Chief and must have entire control of his subordinates, and the people are asked to trust his knowledge and discretion.


Peggy's comments:
Sarah Dawes (Julia's older sister) and Sarah's daughter Lucy lived in Marietta--only 6 miles away.

General Fremont caused a great deal of concern for Lincoln.  His goals and actions did not always coincide with the President's goals.  To read an interesting appraisal of Fremont's actions, go here.

Tuesday Oct. 1

The water has begun to fall.  A great deal of valuable lumber (from head waters probably) has been carried down with the drift.  Our neighbors have made a good business of catching it and are busy today with their teams securing it.  The rise was unprecedented at this tie of year, rising from 18 to 20 feet in 24 hours.  Kate and Lucy went to town today on the morning train.  They wish to prepare Ephraim's things for his prospective campaign.  May God bless and keep him.  
Yesterday Mr. Burgess came down here quite alarmed.  He had a visit from a Virginia secessionist named Creel, who pretended to be a Union man and asked impertinent questions &c.  Lieut. Miller sent two of his soldiers to sleep there last night.
William has been riding a good deal today.  The weather is fine and he enjoys it very much.
Lucy and Kate came home on train.  Ephraim with them.  Brought me a nice blanket shawl costing nine dollars, which William very kindly gave me.  
Will M'Clure told the girls that he knew this Creel who was at Mr. Burgess yesterday.  His relatives are all secessionists but this man himself is an abolitionist and a union man, but very odd which accounts for his asking so many questions.  So . . . . . . [the next two lines have been scrubbed out with pencil.]


Old Mrs. Reppert died suddenly this morning in Harmar.  I sent Mrs. Graves a bouquet by Lucy today which she liked much, and a basket of grapes to Sarah.


Peggy's comments:
Family members helped prepare items useful to soldiers as they headed off for service.  Ephraim Dawes, much loved by his sisters Kate and Lucy, was no doubt well supplied.

Mr. Burgess was a retired Presbyterian minister, a rather flamboyant seventy-seven year old man who was the step-father of Lizzie Cutler (William's wife).  Mr. Burgess and Lizzie's mother lived on property that bordered the Cutler land.

Once again, something has been obliterated in Julia's original journal.  I speculate that she might have written something about  families who still lived in the area decades later and someone who had access to the journal (her niece Sarah Cutler?) may not have wanted Julia's comments to be made public.

According to an article by Kathy Dahlie on Civil War fashions, blanket shawls were the first women't fashions to be mass produced.  Plain or checked were popular for travel.  

Monday, Sept. 23

Lucy and little Sarah went up to town with Sarah and Marion.  Lt. Col. Clark and Major Andrews were here to dinner.  Major Andrews has been to Cincinnati by order of Gen. Rosecrans to purchase supplies for the 36" regiment (or as it is sometimes called the Cutler regiment", blankets, tents, &c.  He is in good spirits and speaks of their late expedition as "a grand, good time".  They expect to leave Parkersburg, that is, the four companies still there, will leave the latter part of this week to join Gen, Rosecrans at Somersville.  Col. Clark says Gen. Rosecrans has at least 40,000 men.  Capt. Moore and Mr. Tuttle here this evening on business.  Capt. Moore has been sick and had hard times in the service, severe marching and short rations.  Does not much like Slemmer.


Peggy's comments:
The Cutler women moved easily from the Old Stone House where Julia lived to Marietta, Ohio which was six miles away.  They seemed to frequently visit with each other and took care of one another.  Sarah Cutler Dawes was Julia's older sister and had been separated from her husband, Henry Dawes, for many years.  Lucy was one of Sarah's daughters who ran a school in Marietta.  Little Sarah was the daughter of William and Lizzie Cutler and was 5 years old in 1861.

Major Andrews had formerly served as a minister of the church that Julia Cutler attended.

Adam J. Slemmer  was a West Point graduate and also taught at West Point during the 1850s.

Sabbath Sept. 22

Sarah took care of William last night, I went to meeting to hear Mr. Deming read a sermon and to attend Sabbath School.  In the afternoon Major Andrews called on his way to Parkersburg.  Capt. Moore and Mr. Finch called.


Peggy's comments:
The women in the family are still sitting up with William.  Last night it was Sarah Cutler Dawes, William's sister from Marietta, who sat with him.  Sarah's son Rufus was fighting with the Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers.

Saturday Sept. 21

Sarah and Marion came down on the cars this morning.  We were very glad to see them.
The papers tonight speak of the critical state of Col. Mulligan at Lexington, Mo., who is surrounded by a large rebel force under M'Cullough and Price.  Reinforcements are on the way but may not reach him in time.  Two steamboats loaded with ammunition have fallen into the hands of the enemy.
Mr. Durand, Superintendent of the M & C R.R. spent an hour with William today.


Peggy's comments:

Sarah Cutler Dawes is Julia's sister who lived 6 miles away in Marietta.

The siege at Lexington, Mo, was not going well for Col. Mulligan of the Union.  His forces had holed up at a former college campus, but had not built their defenses to include adequate water.  They expected reinforcements, but none came.

William Cutler, six weeks into his illness from typhoid, may be on the mend at last since he was able to meet with Mr. Durand of the Marietta & Cincinnati Rail Road.

Sunday Aug. 25

Sarah, Ephraim and the children went to meeting.  Mr. Wakefield preached.  Capt. Shaw and Mr. Washburn were here to dinner.


Peggy's comments:
It sounds like the family had a quiet Sunday.  Sarah is Julia's sister, Ephraim is Sarah's son, and the children are Annie and Sarah Cutler, who are the children of William and Lizzie Cutler.  I don't know who Capt. Shaw and Mr. Washburn are.

Tuesday, Aug. 20

Cleaned out garden paths.  Miss Mary Cone and her brother Timothy called this afternoon.  She has just returned from Chicago.  Looks in fine health.  She thinks of associating Miss Long of St. Louis with her in the school, a good arrangement.  Sarah and Marion came down this evening from town.  William still a little delirious.


Peggy's comments:
Miss Mary Cone and her brother Timothy were descendants of Timothy Cone, one of the original settlers in Constitution (Warren Township).  Miss Long is unknown to me.

Sarah is Sarah Cutler Dawes, Julia's sister who is the mother of Kate, Lucy, Jane, Rufus and Ephraim Dawes, all grown.  Kate lived with the William Cutlers in the Old Stone House, Lucy lived in town (Marietta) and was a teacher, Jane was married to a missionary and they were living in Persia, Rufus was serving with the 6th Wisconsin Volunteers and was currently a Captain.  In August of 1861 he was camped near Washington, D.C. and had not yet seen battle. Ephraim lived in Marietta but was frequently helping his Uncle William with business matters.

Marion is frequently mentioned by Julia, but I haven't been able to learn if she was a friend or if she was somehow related.

Effective treatment for typhoid was not available in the 1860s.  The disease lasted four weeks and was characterized by a high fever and delirium.  William fell ill on August 9 and so was in the second week of the illness.

Thursday, Aug. 15

The Doctor says that William's fever will run seven days counting from this morning.  He complains of his head.  The doctor says he must not see visitors.  Ephraim has returned from Gallipolis where he went to secure a company from Gallia county for the thirty sixth regiment.  He will relieve William of business cares.  Lucy spent the day with Maggie.  Gen.  Lyon was killed in the battle near Springfield, Missouri, while cheering his men on to victory.  Our force is stated at from five to eight thousand, the enemy twenty two or twenty three thousand.  It was a drawn battle, both armies retreating from the field; the Federal troops under Gen. Sigel falling back in good order upon Rolla.   Our loss in killed and wounded said to be eight hundred, the enemy's loss much more.  Sarah took care of William last night.  Lizzie and I expect to sit up tonight.




Peggy's comments:
Concern for Julia's brother William continues.  I can only imagine how sick he was being made by the medicines.

Nephew Ephraim Dawes, who was 21 years old and not yet enlisted in the Army, was quite helpful to the family.

Once again, reports from the battlefield mis-estimated numbers of troops and casualties.  Estimates from sources recounting the battles still vary but here are some numbers which are probably more accurate than the ones reported by Julia:
Federal troops:  5,400
Confederate troops:  12,000

Federal troops killed and wounded:  1,300
Confederate troops killed and wounded:  1,200

Tuesday, Aug. 14

Lucy, Marion and little Annie went up to A. S. Bailey's.  Clara Andrews is spending the week there.  Sarah Dawes took dinner at Mrs. Burgess'.  Dr. Hart today gave William more active medicine and he has had a very sick day.  I am afraid he will have a course of typhoid fever but hope for the best.  The river has risen rapidly and is covered with drift.  In some places the fords have been guarded for fear of secession depredations.  This rise will remove all such apprehensions.  It has risen about ten feet.  Miss Bicknell who lives at Great Bend, Ohio, opposite Jackson Co., Va., says that their neighborhood has been full of Virginia refugees.  Union men fleeing with their families from secession pursuers.  As many as thirty were at one time at her father's house.  The family of Lieut. Gov. Falsey were obliged at one time to take refuge in Ohio.  Our land is in a deplorable state.  Whence will deliverance come?  God pity us and send victory to our armies.  How long must this state of things be?  Shall the oppressor go unpunished?  Is God the friend of the slaveholder to uphold him in all his ways?

Tuesday. Aug. 13

Sarah came this morning with Emeline Bicknell who spent the day with us.  Mr. & Mrs. Burgess here to dinner.  Dr. Hart here again.  It is reported that there has been a battle in Missouri, our forces defeated and Gen. Lyon killed.  We trust it may be false.  Andrew M'Clure is under Gen. Lyon.  This makes his friends anxious.  Henry (Dawes) died just one year ago today.  How much we miss him!  How active he would have been in these exciting times.


Peggy's comments:
Henry Dawes was the oldest son of Henry Dawes and Sarah Cutler Dawes.  He was Julia's nephew, and brother to Kate, Lucy, Jane, Rufus and Ephraim.  By all accounts, an admirable young man, he was looked up to by his siblings.  He worked as a lawyer in Marietta, Ohio.

Friday Aug. 9

William came home from Cincinnati.  He is quite unwell - pain in his limbs and head.  He is glad to be at home.  Mrs. Dawes and I took a walk up "Ichabod" (run) and got some fine ripe blackberries.

Thursday. Aug. 8

Letters again from Rufus, he is at Baltimore.  Their sentries were attacked by Baltimore Plug Uglies.  He says that his regiment were marched five miles through the city unarmed, but were unmolested.  The attack was made the next night.  A letter also from Jane.  She has just heard that "there is war in America", and feels extremely anxious about friends here.  The news was first received from a gentleman of Tabreez, then from newspapers; but no letters were sent them by that mail and their solicitude is extreme.  We have written and before this time they must have letters.  Sister Sarah C. Dawes and Marion came on the evening train.  It is rumored that Wise has been captured.  We hope it is true but do not give much credence to the papers.




Peggy's Comments:
Rufus R. Dawes, Julia's nephew, was with the 6th Wisconsin, moving toward Arlington Heights.

Jane is Rufus's sister Jane Dawes Shedd who had sailed to Persia with her husband, Rev. John Shedd, in August 1859.  They served as Presbyterian missionaries.

Wise is former Governor Wise, now a Confederate General.

Monday July 22

Exciting rumors are afloat today about the action at Manassas Junction.  A heavy loss of life but nothing very positive.  Our troops are said to have driven the rebels two miles and have taken their batteries, so far, but with a loss of 3000 killed and wounded.  The loss of the enemy unknown but thought to be severe.  We can only pray that "God himself will be with us for our Captain" and fight for us and save us.
Ephe came down from town this morning bringing with him Mr. Chatfield a member of the Michigan Coldwater Artillery, who has been very sick in hospital with typhoid fever, but is now slowly recovering.  We hope that a week in the country will benefit him.  He spent last week at Mrs. Dawes'.  Lucy went home this morning having spent last night with Maggie.  She & Kate went this morning to the graveyard to see the stone lately put up at Henry M. Dawes' grave, at Lucy's expense.


Peggy's comments:
Julia's use of the word "exciting" shows how word meanings change over the years.  While we now think of exciting news or excitement as something positive, 150 years ago the word was generally used to mean chaotic or causing mental or emotional agitation.

News travelled by telegraph dispatch and by newspaper but was not instantaneous.  Early reports were frequently incorrect.  The battle at Manassas Junction (Bull Run) occurred the day before this journal entry on July 21 so news was just beginning to reach Julia.

Henry M. Dawes was Julia's nephew, the older brother of Kate, Lucy, Jane, Rufus, and Ephe Dawes.  A lawyer in Marietta, Henry became ill and died the previous August at the age of 28.

Henry Manasseh Dawes