Washington Wednesday March 11th 1863
When I looked out of the window this morning everything was covered with Snow. But it has all disapeared tonight leaving a due quantity of mud in its place. No important events are chronicled in the papers today. In looking ahead a month ago I thought it impossible that a month could pass away without something of great importance taking place. The Capture of Charleston, Savannah, or Vicksburgh seemed among the probabilities or attempts that way at least. I suppose our forces are doing what they can and will at least make an attempt direct to Capture Savannah or Charleston soon. I think it is intended to Starve them out at Vicksburgh by cutting off their Supplies and surrounding the City with water. Great crowds still frequent the Ave afternoons and “Shoulder Straps” were quite plenty. The army orders in the morning papers is stirring them up. The sweet delicate looking lads, the ma mas pets who have got on “Straps” through and draw their pay through pa pas influence cannot air their nice uniforms much longer in the streets or parlors of Washington. March into “line” Gentlemen, or a disgraceful dismissal from the army. Called at Charleys and at Doct Munsons this evening. Got to my room at 9. Got letter from Home & from W T Tinsley of Lyons, wants Seeds.
Tuesday March 10th 1863
It has snowed and rained the most of the day and been as unpleasant as ever. Maj E P Taft came down from the Fort today and called upon me at the office. Staid till near three o’clock and I went down to the Hotel with him where I met “Carrie” Knowles who has been down to visit her husband. Lieut Col Seward was also there. The news boys were crying the evening papers vociferously, “Latest News Capture of Vandorns Rebel Army.” Well there is such a report in the papers tonight, but only a report. We shall know more in a day or two about it. At Vicksburgh Genl Grant is fighting the Rebels with Water and threatening to deluge the whole Country by turning the Waters of the Miss River. The papers say that the inhabitants are much alarmed. Outrages in this City are becoming quite frequent. Last night there was one man murdered on P.A. Ave and two roberies in frequented parts of the City in the evening. Men were knocked down in the street & robed. I think I will stay in as I have this evening, but the mud kept me in tonight. I sent off the soldiers money this afternoon and enclosed a good deal more and directed for soldiers while at the Express office. Wrote home & may go home the last of the week.
Washington Monday March 9th 1863
This has been a fine bright day altho it rained nearly all last night. But the bright Sunshine has brought no very comforting news, rather the Contrary, for last night the Rebels made one of their customary “raids” at Fairfax Court House and gobbled up a Brigadier Genl (Stoughton), a number of other officers and soldiers, and over a hundred horses. Bright soldiers those, officers and all, what vigilent Sentinels they must have had out. About one hundred rebel Cavalry did this thing while a whole Vermont Brigade guarded the place. Considerable strife in the Land office to see who will be appointed at the head of the Examining Board, Mr Eastman of Wisconsin or myself. The subordinates are all for me. We shall know in a day or two who the Commr is for. I have been filling the place for some time. Went to the Hospital after dinner, staid there an hour and then to Charleys an hour. Mr Alcott from NY was there. I wonder if he does not wish she was unmarried. Went from there to Willards. Saw and talked awhile with Col O H Palmer of the 108th. He has resigned and is going home. Called upon Vanmaster and did not get away till half past ten o’clock. Do not wish to be out much later than this, “garroters” are about lately. Have $115.00 soldiers money to send to their friends.
Sunday March 8th 1863
Rained again today most of the time and I have kept my room till near night. I went down to Maj Williams and spent an hour and then came back to tea after which I attended religious Services at the Colored Church on 11th st. A white man preached a very good discourse and the services were conducted throughout with as much propriety as is usual in any other church. The singing was not as artistic but quite as melodious. The Church was crowded to excess and it soon became very warm. There was quite a sprinkling of white folks who were there like myself out of curiosity. I could not but remark that nothing occured in the Sermon or during the exercises to indicate the Color or condition of the audience. The people were very respectably dressed and among the females crinolines were quite as plenty as in other churches. The morning paper contains no news. The Gold Speculators have “caught it” awfuly, the article having fallen within the past week from 172 to 150. Mr Chase has almost unlimited power now to control the finances of the Nation and can Issue money (paper) to meet all contingencies likely to occur for the next year, the probability is that “green backs” will be our circulating medium henceforth.
Washington Saturday March 7th 1863.
Another day has passed and no news to encourage any body. They have had a small fight in Tennessee where three or four of our Regiments were overpowered by superior numbers. All quiet on the Potomac. There is in fact a perfect Blockade of Mud and it is almost impossible to get to the Camps or Hospitals out of the City with anything but a Govt Wagon and & Six Mule teams. Met Gov Sprague on the Ave, he recognized me at once. When he came on with the first RI troops in June/61 His Head Quarters were almost opposite my room in the Pat office. At that time I became quite well acquainted with him and also Genl (then Col) Burnside. The Gov is now U.S. Senator. I have written Six Soldiers letters today and enclosed Money in five of them, amounting in all to about $250.00. It was all sent to Mothers or wives, and sent by Express. It has rained nearly all day and the Streets would be worse than they have been heretofore if it were possible. I have been over to Charleys. Eat some oysters and played a game of Chess. They are living in one Room, Cooking, Sleeping, and all, one of tolerable size on the 2nd floor. It is very inconvenient but the best they could do for the time being.
Washington Friday March 6th 1863.
No news today of any importance from the armies or from the southern coast. We are in a State of great anxiety just now. It seems so important that we should now hear of Victories and I cannot but think that our troops will be successful wherever they strike at the Rebels. We are in a better condition now to strike hard blows than we have ever been before. Our armies now in the field are stronger than ever before, if not as numerous, for they have got rid of the most of the inefficient officers as well as soldiers. The “weak kneed” and the faint hearted have gone been going home by the thousands every week all winter. I have been in the office today as usual. After leaving it I went down on to the Ave, droped into Bradys Photograph Gallery which is one of the Institutions of Washington. Genl Sumner of the Army was there and I was introduced to him by my friend the Artist Mulvaney and had some conversation with him. He is not as white haired and bearded as the Pictures represent him, his hair and beard is a fair iron grey. I told him that I found him a much younger looking officer than I expected, which seemed to please him, as he said he the pictures did not do him justice. I spent an hour at Charleys and then was over to Doct Munsons where I staid an hour more.
Washington Thursday March 5th 1863.
We are disappointed today as the report last night of the Capture of Fort McAllister is contradicted today. Still, there is something that is favorable to the Union cause as gold has fallen down to 150, or twenty percent in one day. We will hear news in a day or two, I think. I notice that the Town Elections in N York are going Democratic all over. But that does not indicate disloyalty to the Union, it is more like an expression of want of confidence in the Managers of the war. Very few democrats at the North (I think) would be willing to see the Union divided or that would consent to it without a much longer Struggle. But they do not want to see our Strength frittered away and are willing to rebuke those in power for their ineficiency and blunders. A few Victories will put the matter all right and I have the faith to believe that we shall soon hear of them. I attended the Lodge till nine o’clock and called on Mr Lieb (Profs). Judge Lieb the Uncle was there, his daughter, and Chas and Sallie. The air is quite keen tonight and it freezes quite hard. I called at Dr Munsons this morning. We have a large quantity of Union news papers to send to the Camps and Hospitals. They are sent from NY for distribution, gratis.
Wednesday March 4th 1863.
Congress adjourned at twelve O’clock today. The Senate is again convened by proclimation of the Prest for further Confirmations and perhaps for counsel and as advisors of the Prest. Public affairs look rather more bright. Mr Chase now has almost unlimited powers for raising money confered upon him. Not much apprehension is felt now about his being able to carry the war along. The War news is more favorable. Fort McAllister below Savannah has been taken by our troops and “Iron Clads” and that was the Principal defense of Savannah. We shall hear from Charleston very soon. It is reported in the papers that the Rebels have evacuated Vicksburgh after a hard fought Battle. We will know for certain in a day or two. I got some Photographs of myself at Addiss today, the first I have ever had taken as Photographs. I was on the Avenue after office hours. The celebrated Sword recently presented to Genl Siegel attracts much attention in Jeweler Semkins window. It is a very elegant article. He has just resigned. Genl Halleck to blame for that. Spent an hour at Charleys, a short time in the Hospital, and the bal of the evening with my friends Mr & Mrs Schram at their room very pleasantly. Returned to my room at eleven o’clock.
Washington Tuesday March 3rd 1863.
A delightful morning but a Snow Storm in the afternoon attended with lightning and thunder. This evening it is all Clear again. No startling news. One of our Gun Boats the Indianola captured by the rebels near Vicksburgh and the “Jacob Bell,” a rich China Ship laden with Tea, has been taken by the Florida, one of the Rebel piratical Vessels which has been furnished them by the English. Wrote home today, enclosed Draft for $50.00, think I shall go Myself in a week or two. I have been this evening down to VanMasters Room and spent an hour or two with him, he is as busy as ever and making money fast. Was in at Willards awhile, met my old friend G H Corliss of Providence R.I. No one that comes to Washington comes better dressed or bears himself more like a Gentleman than the Engine builder. The present Congress is about expiring. It has passed nearly all the very important Bills before it. The Country Banks were almost too much for the friends of Mr Chases Finance Bill. Their opposition is considered very Selfish and unpatriotic, and from New England too. But I think that Mr Chase will succeed in his measures notwithstanding. Soldiers call upon me every day for clothing &c. I go down to the NY Relief rooms with them very frequently for flannels, dried fruits, jellies &c
Washington Monday March 2nd 1863.
With a bright day the spirits of everybody seem to rise and countences look brighter than for the last fortnight. I wonder no suicides have been committed, it would have been an excellent time and would not have created much surprise. I got a fine Gold Pen out of “Uncle Sam” today $2.75 (Silver holder), am writing with it now. I got almost everything in the way of Stationary out of the old gentleman. Rcd letter from my friend J T McKenzie. Glad to learn that traitors are so scarce at the north. Spent part of the evening at Charleys. Mr Lieb & Lady were there, the lady who came home from Boarding School to spend the Holydays, and got married New Years night, unbeknown to her friends. The lady that was reading a novel to her Father during the week previous called the “Missing Bride” (one of Mrs Southworths Novels) and had nearly completed it much to the old Gentlemans gratification when She was herself a “Missing Bride.” This was a singular coincidence but litteraly true. We are still waiting for news, little of interest afloat today. No Movement of any moment noticed in the papers. No Movement of myself yet. I do so hate to pack up and take new quarters. I might not suit myself any better, and rooms and boarding houses are scarce yet.
