War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

Wednesday, 12th. Took breakfast at Loveland. Reached Cincinnati at 9:30. Went to Gibson House. Room with Eggleston. Got my horse. Rode to Gen. Cox’s and hospital, Covington, to see about Homer Johnson. Successful, I guess. Supper at Gibson. Saw Al Bushnell. Forgot letter from Ellen. Evening wrote to Dr. Johnson and Fannie.

11th. Went to Capt. Burr’s office and stable. Found my horse almost blind. Did some trading and did errand with Gov. Tod for Dr. Johnson. Over the State House with Ampt. Thunder shower. Took the freight train at 9:45. Got into a caboose and rested nicely. A Mo. Captain aboard. One fright. Brakes whistled down—all startled.

10th. Went to Minnie’s at 7 and saw the folks off for the lake. Ed., Frankie, Phoebe, M., E. J. and Terrell’s people. At 9:30 called on Fannie. Supposed I had gone. Interchanged sentiment, and agreeably. Happiest day of my life. Most fortunate boy. God grant it may cause no regret to either of us. Oh for grace to nobly do my part of life. Off at 2. Hard to leave again. Reached Columbus at 9:30 with Ampt. Supper at Exchange.

Sunday, 9th. Thede and I went to S. S. together. Visited the infant school. So pleasant. Enjoyed being back again. Bless God for these occasional home visits. Heard Mr. Finney in the morning. Good but queer sermon. Sat in gallery. P. M. heard Prof. Morgan, very warm. Girls and John at home. Evening Ed Williams gave an account of S. Carolina life. Very interesting indeed.

8th. Read some during the morning. At 11 went to Daguerrian Gallery and had likeness taken. New coat. Met Mr. Austin and wife, Miss Smith formerly. Helen and Aunt came. Charlie Fairchild treated boys to ice cream, lemonade, etc. Sorry can not stay in O. till after Com. too. In the evening went to N. P. St. and, shame to me, remained till nearly 11. But these farewell calls are excusable, if long, hard to say goodbye. Promised to meet the boys, but all abed. Reconsecrated my life and all to Jesus.

7th. Spent the morning reading and doing chores. In the afternoon made an hour’s call on Fannie. Engaged Mr. Turner’s horse and rode from 7:30 till 9 with Thede and Minnie. Very pleasant time. Went to George Fairchild’s room and read class letters. Borrowed one from Burrell.

6th. Saturday. A very pleasant ride down the James. Rounded Lighthouse Point. Soon passed Harrison’s Landing, then Fort Powhatan and Wilcox’s Landing. Here danger from reb guns ceased. The old Jamestown site on left bank, a few chimneys still standing. Newport near where the Merrimac fight came off, Cumberland and Congress sunk. Sewall’s Point across, eight miles down Fortress Monroe. Went ashore. Everything carried on in the finest style. Splendid fort, having an armament of over 200 guns and “The Union” monster gun which fired a shot from Fort Monroe to Sewall’s Point, 8 miles. Ripraps still progressing. A splendid fort built in center of stream on the shoals, Gov’t prisoners at work on it. Through Hampton Roads into the Chesapeake and Atlantic. Passing Old Point Comfort, the bay is very wide. Saw an American and English frigate and a French gunboat. An English cutter manned by 8 or 10 fellows in white came ashore. Reached Point Lookout about sundown, the ironclad Roanoke lying off the point. Up the river, 12 miles, and anchored for the night. A most pleasant trip. Stormed enough to roughen the bay a little. Good fare upon the boat. Pass hundreds of boats, most of them making their way to City Point, I suppose. Phosphorus.

6th. Engaged a carriage for the afternoon for a ride with Fannie. Went to meeting with Minnie and Ellie. Pres. Finney preached admirably. Was off with Fannie at 1:30 P. M. Drove by Boynton’s S. Amherst to Lake. Enjoyed an hour’s stroll on the shore and ate nuts in the grove. Then home again, calling at Mary’s (Aunt Mary Hitchcock) to see the little boy. Home at 8 o’clock.

5th. Went to Cleveland in morning on train. Did some shopping and then went to Uncle’s. Mrs. Col. Webb, cousin of Ma’s, there. Had a splendid visit with her. Very plain but rich and intelligent. Went home on the P. M. train. Attended Young Ladies’ Literary. Miss Everson did well, natural. In the evening had pleasant visit at Fannie’s.