1862 June 4 Fredericksburg, Va.

[from the diary of Dr. Brodie Strachan Herndon, of Fredericksburg, Va.]

June 4  The Yankee bridges
are swept away by a flood

---We had a visit of a week from Brod[?]
in April.  He went from home to join
the Army, and became an Ass: Surgeon
under Jim at Ashland

----Our sky looks dark--but it
was worse with our fathers in the
76.  Read to mother & girls in the 1st
Chapter in 4th volume of Irvings Washington
describing the poverty & sufferings of
our Army & the difficulties  Gen Washington
had to contend with.  If we are
true t ourselves we cannot be conquered

----Luc & Mil enjoy their pony-dear
Jim's gift--vastly--They go with me
on all my country rides.  Little
Mol made nothing of a 17 mile
gallop to Counsin Alec's  Gen
Patrick gave us passes.  Luc does
not mind the pickets but little M
is nervous.  We pass through the
Enemys into our lines.  Our conquerors
treat us very well.  The soldiers behave
themselves very decently and respectfully.
It is a great nation.  Mr Randolph
omits the prayers for Rulers.  Mat
wrote from Richmond disapprovingly
and said that was not the way Daniel
did--but I think the cases are different

--Bro Johns people have been very
sick with measles--Nannie Gordon
suffered considerably and we fear for her

---All the darkies are running
away.  Jinny went  from Sister
Anns employment

----Chester Arthur (Gen Arthur)
made us a visit last month, and
was very affectionate & kind
He thought we might be suffering
and delicately proffered aid.  We
told him we forget the General in the man

Chester Arthur, later 21st President of the United States, was an extremely able and efficient Quartermaster in the Union Army.  He was married to Ellen Herndon, of Culpeper, Va.

MSS 2563-b