Friday, Feb. 14

Today Kate called on Mrs. A. G. Bailey.  Mrs. M. D. Bailey spent the afternoon here.

Thursday, Feb. 13

I wrote to Martha A. Carter.
William has sent us some more books.  Among them are.   Emory's United States and Mexican Boundary Survey and several additional volumes of the Pacific Railroad Explorations.
Burnside's expedition has taken possession of Roanoke Island, and captured about 3000 of the enemy.  O. Jennings Wise son of ex-governor Wise of Virginia, among the killed.  His grandfather, Rev. Obadiah Jennings was an old friend of my father's.  


Peggy's comments:
Martha A. Carter was another niece.  She was the daughter of Rufus Carter and Nancy Cutler Carter.  Nancy was Julia's half sister.

Wednesday, Feb. 12

Dr. Hart came down on the morning train and extracted Kate's teeth.  The papers are full of comments on the recent grand party at the President's mansion.  It does seem strange that Mrs. Lincoln should think the present a suitable time for festivities.  Merry making in the midst of a national calamity is out of place.  Hundreds of thousands of families are today in a state of agonizing anxiety, not knowing what hour will bring to them intelligence of the death of some loved one whose life has been given an offering to his country.  Mrs. Lincoln evidently lacks good common sense.  It is ridiculous for a woman of her age, training and profession to attempt to be a leader of fashion.  If she had pursued an unobtrusive and dignified course she would have commanded much more respect at home and abroad.

Tuesday, Feb. 11

Snowing all day.  Letter from William.  Some time since he had written and we began to be anxious about his health.  He is well except toothache.  This winter has brought us very little cold weather.  The snow melts almost as fast as it falls.  We have had no sleighing yet.  Some one says:  "Old winter has seceded and that is why we have a Southern climate."  The state of the roads has placed an embargo on military movement.  Marching and drilling in the mud results in great loss of health and even life.  Loss from deaths in camp has exceeded many fold our loss from the enemy's guns.

Monday, Feb. 10

Kate and Marion went to Marietta.  Cold but pleasant.  Mr. Burgess here, also Mr. Male, Mr. Richardson, &c.  Gave Mrs. Male delaine dress and some other things.

Sabbath, Feb. 9

Marion is here today      she came down last evening.  Mr. Scott preached.  Good congregation considering the state of the roads.  Pleasant day.

Saturday, Feb. 8

Lucy went home this morning.  Jane Scott came to bring home Kate's bonnet and shawl and staid nearly all the forenoon.  Mr. Burgess here in the afternoon discussing masonry.  
The paper tonight brings intelligence of an important victory in Tennessee.  Commodore Foote with his gun boats captured Fort Henry which surrendered with its garrison of 60 men under Brig. Gen. Tilghman.  The Confederate infantry four or five thousand strong fled from their camp without striking a blow, leaving in our hands stores and equipage worth a million of dollars.  This is thought to be one of the most damaging strokes yet given the rebels.
Mr. Hollister set up Father's monument in the graveyard today.


Peggy's comments:
The monument to Ephraim Cutler still stands in the Riverview Cemetery (also known as the Gravel Bank Cemetery) near Marietta, Ohio.

Monument to Ephraim Cutler