1862 May 12 Clarke County, Va.

[from the diary of Matthella Page Harrison as copied at a later date]

Mary and Lizzie left for the Vineyard today.  Cousin Mary and I rode up to
Longwood where we dined, then to the Briars in the evening to see the girls
who had just come home. On dit Norfolk is taken.  I cannot believe it.  Some-
one heard two officers conversing together on the street about the report.
One sneered at it and said it was not so; also, that the Merrimac had come up
with the Turtle and sunk two vessels and taken eight hundred prisoners.

MSS 9759