1862 July 17 Clarke County, Va.

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

Thursday July 17
The third day of the hottest weather I ever felt.  John was here this morning.  I went over to Linden with him.  I found Mr. Jones there.  We had very cheering news from the peninsula. Several of the northern papers say that if they do not receive ten thousand men in twenty days their game will be played out. Their generals are a disgrace to any army, more so to that of a nation celebrated throughout the world for refinement and civilization.  General Butler stands first on the list of unrenowned heroes, next Mitchell and Bleaker. They have not left Winchester yet on dit they are fortifying.  I just read a splendid piece from the London Times entitled "The Bloody Spots of America".  First at Harrisonburg where the Confederates fought so desperately even though near the oppressors land. Then Richmond where thousands upon thousands of bloody corpses lay, food for the fowls of the air, and the air filled with farewells of the dying who are yielding up their souls to the God who gave them to do honor to him.  and how has the precious gift been treated? They tell of starvation throughout the northern land.  We may be exterminated but submit never.

MSS 9759