1862 August 29 Suffield, Conn.

[from the diary of the Rev. Francis Butler, future Chaplain of the 25th New Jersey]





Fri 29.  fine pleasant day   Suffield grows in size &
beauty.  Went over Chal. Loomis’ house now building
quite handsome – Wrote letters.  Made several visits
took tea & spent Eveg out – Mr Norton’s – nice girls
the daughters – visited Ch.[church] Yard.  a mistake in the
Mother’s name on the stone   I ordered Anna for Anne
                        Disastrous news fr. War – Rebels are
pressing upon Washington, it is said taken Fairfax
& attacked Manassas – I think our Army however
will take care of them – Mr Norton told story of Capt
Hanchett in attack on Quebec under Arnold – Capt H & five
Soldiers got strayed off in some part of town.  firing fr. a
house – he went in – calling to his men “Keep back!” –
The room was full of British officers – he demanded their surrender
they supposing he had a large force Surrendered – he ordered
them to fall back so as to let his men enter – “only five
of you come in”, sd. he “only five” – the officers were received
but the fortune of the night soon changed - & the Capt. was
soon afterwards himself a prisoner – but the Officers admiring
his tact & courage presented him with a handsome british
uniform wh – the Capt., on the Anniversary of the event,
ever afterward put on & wore for the day.
Sat 30.  Made calls – dined at the Gays – took 2 PM train
for Windsor spent afternoon at Mrs. Parson’s, tea & eveg [evening]
at Dea. Woodford’s   Dea is away. but nice wife
& family, his sister & niece the Southmayd, & all


[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935