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- diaries
SEPTEMBER
29, 1862 to JULY 10, 1863
SEPTEMBER 29, 1862
Clear
and dry. Death of Matthew Gillan. One of the first volunteers to meet the call
to arms, but remained a short time. Returned, in worse shape, and declined
thereafter. He was a kind, goodnatured man, and will be missed by his family.
Death of Jacob Oyster, a pillar of the Methodist Church, and a staunch citizen,
much respected. One of our last of the older generation.
OCTOBER
1
John
Mull and I visited one of the hospitals of wounded soldiers in the Academy
Building. About 100 of them, mostly wounded in their lower parts, but some with
their arms and legs off. They are well taken care of and plenty of supplies for
their wants.
OCTOBER
3
Rain,
which we need badly. We see untold thousands of dollars drained from our
Treasury by unscrupulous men using the war to further their personal affairs. We
have several cases in our town that did not get their wealth honestly, but
robbed by men in official stations.
OCTOBER
4
Our
town has greatly changed by the events of the war--business is so good, our
small town is taking on a city appearance of activity. We hear the Rebels plan a
retreat from Staunton. McClelland at present has control of Winchester.
Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation denounced in Richmond. Some here do not
think wisely of it as many abolitionists are so wild they would change our
Constitution. Some of the wounded here are Masons. One who died at the home of
Burnet, I read the Masonic service for his burial. He and several others then
taken to the cars where they will be transported home for interment. There was
quite a number already received, filling up a car. Quite a rush of females to
view the deceased, there being a glass opening in the box.
The crowd at the depot
very large, from there to the hospital, near the jail which I visited to see
some acquaintances, and perhaps offer a little help some way. To view this
brings the war awfully near and deep sympathy for these poor suffering men. To
my farm, find it too dry to plant anything. It will be a loss his year, for a
good crop if there is no immediate rain. The engines and cars are very busy
taking supplies to McClelland on the Potomac. They are running night and day.
OCTOBER
7
Clear
and pleasant. Every day we hear the sad strains of marshal music as the hearses
pass carrying the dead from some distant battlefield to be buried at their home.
The hearses are draped with flags and the procession partly military. Every day
the cars bring from 20 to 30 dead hru
our town.
OCTOBER
8
Pleasant.
Left to visit my mountain land. Saw many turkeys and
partridges,
but didn't have my gun.
OCTOBER
10
Rain
today. A great saving for the farmers who were facing a great drought. business
is flourishing in town. The Rebels are in Mercersburg, and on the way to
Chambersburg from St. Thomas. This evening they entered our town, demanding its
surrender. Some 1500-2000 cavalry, with some artillery. They immediately took
possession of the bank and telegraph office. Also requisitioned provisions,
clothing, etc. as to their needs. It has all happened so quickly, we all felt
safe knowing the Union Army was in Williamsport, MD. The Confederate troops all
look well fed and clothed, and so far, conducted themselves orderly. They will
be busy stripping our stores and gathering up horses. I have sent my three off
with Proctor, I hope they got away safely. I did not go to bed until after one
o'clock, watching what may happen after all retire. So far, all quiet. Secreted
some of my most valuable papers and went to bed, slept soundly until morning.
OCTOBER
11
Clear
and pleasant. Rose early and to the square. Saw Major Gen. Stewart and Gen.
Hampden in conference. The stores were all closed. Broke open Isaac Hutton's
shoe store, helped themselves freely. Then to the depot and confiscated a large
shipment of arms and clothes. Afterwards, set fire to all the buildings and left
town by the Baltimore Pike. They had fired the building of Wanderlick and Nead
Co. which was used as a storehouse for government ammunition. The succeeding
explosions of shells and powder was tremendous. The loss must be very great. All
the machinery and present locomotives destroyed at the shops. This was all the
fault of A.H. Lule, Supt. of the railroad shops. He should have sent the war
supplies back to Carlisle, instead of keeping them here, being warned as early
as three o'clock the past afternoon. However, this save our stores from being
pillaged as they got enough at the depot.
Everybody
out on the streets seeking news.
About mid-day, a large
scouting party of our troops came thru producing
a great sensation. We hear of another group at Waynesboro, marching
towards Gettysburg hoping to head them off. All in all the invasion was a very
orderly one. The troops were well disciplined and polite. Not a single house or
person injured. They were more orderly than troops of ours that have passed this
way. Outside of their plundering of Isaac
Hutton's
shoe store, nothing else occurred to criticize them. Many people from the
country came into town in search of news and carrie home relics of the Rebel
Invasion, as shells, balls, saberparts, parts of musquets, etc. Nearly every man
and boy had some souvenier.
OCTOBER 12
Clear
and pleasant, the Sabbath. All is calm, who would suspect that so much
excitement had prevailed yesterday. However, there is much
apprehension
they will return. Some 2,000 troops from Maryland came this morning and
encampted outside of town on the Baltimore Pike. I knew not of their coming and
arrival until this afternoon. At three, attending a religious service at the
Hall among the wounded soldiers. Rev. Bausman conducted the services.
OCTOBER
13
Cloudy,
a little rain. The encamped Rebels have moved on to
Fayetteville,
and across the mountain to Cashtown. There they went South thru Emmittsburg and
Monrovia to the mouth of the Monocacy. Thus completely avoiding the searching
Federal forces, and disappeared into Virginia. Their mission accomplished.
OCTOBER
14
Pleasant.
Out to my farm to ascertain the damage done by the soldiers. Much fencing gone
for fuel, and what corn they didn't use, tried to burn. Many farmers without
horses and at a loss to do any work. We find no buildings burned or occupants
harmed.
OCTOBER
15
Much
apprehension about the Rebels returning as they have camped along
the
Potomac. We can hear cannoning from the vicinity of Hancock, perhaps
some
skirmishes. The Rebels had found little at our bank of value, but
did
not complain. They were looking mainly for horses. I had previously
sent
mine with my man Proctor to Waynesboro, some 16 miles distance, for
safekeeping.
Many others not as fortunate as they delayed. They did take
eight
young colored men and boys along with them, in spite of their
parents
pleading. I fear we will never see them again, unless they can
escape.
OCTOBER
24
Our
church has decided on the final adoption of the much discussed
Liturgy
as a book to be used in our church and family worship. I am glad
this
had been decided, we were much divided.
OCTOBER
25
Pleasant.
Business at the bank, rode to my farm to inspect the new
seeding.
Home early in the evening to do some writing. Agreeable to the
solicitation
of Doctor Wilson, an artist, I sat for my portrait. He
noticed
some of my landscape work, which he commended. I suppose my work
would
improve with practice, but it is now too late in life to hope for
much
proficiency. Some cavalry here this evening, to secure horses for
Gen.
McClelland's command. They hope to find two hundred by tomorrow
evening.
I fear Lincoln is a tool
in the hands of the Abolitionists. We need a
man
of Jackson's iron will in our present emergency to hold our National
Government
together.
OCTOBER
27
Cloudy.
Our town filling up with drafted men to be sent to camp for
training.
Visited a wounded Mason (Captain Miller Moody from Ohio) who
lost
one of his legs at Antietam. He is very low in spirits and much
emaciated,
his wife and sons are visiting him. Spent some time with
Wilson,
the artist.
OCTOBER
28
Clear
and pleasant. We had a sale of the Rebels worn-out horses, left
here
by Stewart's cavalry. Spent some time with Mr. Wilson, the artist.
OCTOBER
29
Beautiful
weather. Out to my farm for inspection of the seeding. Nearly
opposite
there is an encampment of the drafted militia under Col. Geo.
Wiestling, who is to get them in military trim. They are a raw set of
men.
It is hoped to get at least 600,000 men for another army together
to
crush this rebellion. Meanwhile our national debt is staggering, some
640,000,000
dollars. The expenditure of a million and a quarter a day to
keep
this war machine going.
OCTOBER
30
Beautiful
weather. At the bank, called to see Captain Moody who is
improving,
but very weak. Spent most of the afternoon with Jeramy
Wilson,
the artist. In the evening, took Capt. Moody some fruit. Rev.
Bausman
called and stayed until about ten. He feels that I should do
more
visiting among the members of our congregation.
NOVEMBER
1, 1862
Fine
weather. Visited Captain Moody who would like some fresh fish. He
is
improving. Called then on Barney Minnich, an old fisherman, to
procure
some for me. Attended to Sabbath school and Bible class
activities.
NOVEMBER
3
Weather
cold and rough. There was quite a change last night. The sky is
overcast
with dark clouds and the wind has a wintry feel. It sighs
around
the corners as in mid-winter, and creates a melancholy
feeling-for
me, it is music. I can sit for hours and listen to it with
pleasure.
NOVEMBER
4
Business
good at the bank, we declared a 5% dividend on the past 6
months
business. The stock is $10 above par. We have a surplus of
$42,000.
NOVEMBER
5
Cold
and rough. At the farm to plant some grapes.
NOVEMBER
6
Captain
Moody's condition turns for the worse. I called on him to
discuss
the salvation of his soul. Asked Doctors Richards and Senseny to
look
in on him, but too late. Sent for the undertaker. Wife and two
small
sons very distressed. I do my best to comfort them.
NOVEMBER
8
Snowing
hard, already 5 or 6 inches. Called on Mrs. Moody to offer some
comfort.
Assisted her in making preparations for her trip home with the
body.
We gave him the last Masonic Service.
NOVEMBER
11
Cold.
A rumor that the Rebels were again in Mercersburg, and marching
upon
us. Sent everyone into a stampede of activity, to hide their goods.
The
rumor proved false. We all feel those at Washington are doing little
to
protect its citizens. Too much in activity by our military leaders.
They
seem to not know what to do. The removal of Gen. McClelland of the
Army
of the Potomac creates some despair.
NOVEMBER
13
Visited
Col. Weistling at the camp outside of town. He was much
dispirited
over contradictory orders and no equipment. Making little
headway
in training his men.
NOVEMBER
14
Beautiful
weather. (Heyser reflects on his love for the changing of the
seasons.)
How human it seems. He once knew springtime of his life, his
autumn
years are past, now I am in the winter of my years. How all dies
and
decays, but to be reborn again.
NOVEMBER
16
Winter
has now set in, and everyone changes his living habits. This is
the
time of year that brings families closer together: The great war
raging
now casts a pall of gloom over it all.
NOVEMBER
20
Cold
and rough. Feel unwell, very depressed. I need something of a
change.
At the bank until noon. Came home and gave some directions to
Mr.
Wilson the artist, who is painting my deceased daughter, Harriet's
portrait
from a photograph. The war news is bad, mostly from the
indecision
at Washington. They must play politics first, and then decide
the
course of their plottings. Much controversy over McClelland being
relieved
of his command. We feel Lincoln but a tool in his party's hand.
NOVEMBER 22
Rough
weather. At the bank a few hours. Home to attend to the painting
of
my daughter, Hattie, it grows with interest as he paints it. A most
striking
likeness. This work affords me much pleasure. To the farm this
afternoon
with Mr. Forbes, a barn builder, perhaps in the spring I will
put
up one.
NOVEMBER
27
Moderate
weather. Decorated the church for Thanksgiving. The gallery and
pillars
ornamented with spruce. The pulpit lamps and walk behind the
pulpit
beautifully ornamented. Two flags handsomely draped in the
background.
The whole effect enhanced when the gas lights turned on. Our
efforts
were a huge success in that all were surprised as well as
delighted
with our arrangements.
NOVEMBER
28
Snowing.
Spent an hour with Doctor Wilson, the artist, who is doing a
piece
for a lady in Harrisburg. My old creative feeling came over me and
though
it is 40 years since I've painted, feel I could paint again.
DECEMBER
1, 1862
Cloudy
and unpleasant. Visited a few sick friends.
DECEMBER
4
Moderate.
Rode out to the camp to see Col. Mikibbon about payment for
straw
I furnished. Visited my farm, find one tenant back with his work.
The
other progressing well. The camp shall move soon, it is not a good
influence
on our local boys. I remember my associations with camp life
in
the War of 1812, so know what these young men go thru. (Heyser was 16
years
old then.) Everybody feels McClelland's removal a great mistake,
even
the English newspapers against it.
DECEMBER
5
Cloudy.
Army of Potomac resumes the battle, now before Fredericksburg.
Visited
Wm. Jude, a stocking weaver, to have some made, a very
interesting
shop and man. "This afternoon I visited Mr. Jude, an
Englishman
who is a stocking weaver by trade. I went for the purpose of
having
some stockings made. The shop is quite a curiosity in its way. It
is
not more than six feet square and about six feet high. The door of
entrance
is so small that stooping is necessary to get in. On the right
as
you enter in the corner, is his loom, about four feet wide, on the
West
is a small counter to which is attached a small vise and some other
weaving
tools, such as boards upon which to stretch and put in shape his
stockings.
On the South side is his spinning wheel. On the left is his
reels
and spools with a couple of small boxes, which I observed were
locked.
"On entering his
shop, I could scarce refrain the laugh. On the seat of
his
weaving loom lay his daily companion, a yellow striped cat called
Peter,
who amused himself trying to catch the spool of yarn while he was
weaving.
"'How do you do Mr.
Heyser. I was wondering if you do not want some
stockings.
I weave many a pair for you. Come Peter, behave yourself'
speaking
to the cat. 'I'm just weaving these for a particular old lady,
maybe
you know her, Mrs. Hare in the Row.' You mean Mrs. McElhare. 'Oh
yes,
that's her. She's stout.' Could you fit you? 'Oh yes. told her to
show
me her foot--faith, said she, will do that and my leg too--if you
want
to see it. I had no trouble to get her measure.' I said to him you
must
be happy in your palace here. 'Ah,' said he, 'wool is dreadful
high,
but if you get me the yarn, I weave then at journeyman's wages,
Just
31 cents.'
"The shop is a
curiosity--truly it is not the size of the shop or house
that
makes contentment, this man appears to be satisfied with his lot,
and
he is in some respects, like his shop--he is small, somewhere about
five
feet, old, and pretty near worn out. He sits the picture of habit.
An
old white hat, with the crown knocked in, and from its looks, might
have
seen twenty summers, adorns his head. His coat and other garments
are
in keeping with his hat. His pipe would seem to have consumed a vast
amount
of the weed, his spectacles too, bear the stamp of age. While he
stopped
his loom to converse with me, his companion, Peter, coiled
himself
up on his lap to take his rest. A place doubtless much occupied
when
his master is at work. This little shop has a latch outside and
inside,
and thus shuts out the world. He is a widower, and although he
has
children, seems to be alone.
"I feel well
compensated for my visit; I have never seen business done
in
so small a compass."
DECEMBER
6
Cold
and stormy, with dashes of snow. Have just heard of the death of
John
Goteman, a baker by trade and a retailer of ale. After some years,
commenced
a small grocery establishment. After some years of a
successful
run of business, amassed considerable property. He was vain
of
his possessions, having been nicknamed, Rothchild. With his increase
of
property, he grew in dimensions himself, for he was a great lover of
ale.
When I last saw him, he was quite disfigured from its use, a
perfect
bloat. His wife is equally defamed from the same cause. Her face
wears
the appearance of the full moon, almost twice its usual size and
full
of blotches. It would seem impossible that human beings could be so
disfigured
by drink. I am told he is almost a petrified mass, and can
scarcely
be handled. He is a Lutheran, but paid little attention to the
interests
of his soul. His son is rapidly following in his foot steps.
Sitting before my
comfortable fire, I reflect on the miseries of the
world,
and the less fortunate which causes me to think of friendships,
of
which there are very few that are true ones. Let a man become
degraded
by no fault of his own, and see how few recognize him. But let
his
prosperity become evident, and he has countless friends.
DECEMBER
7
Cloudy
and cold. Feel indisposed, a bad cold, can scarcely talk. The
cold
penetrates everywhere. Sorry to miss my Bible class. I shall remain
at
home-meditate and write.
DECEMBER
10
Weather
more pleasant. Slept badly last nite. My cold still troubles me,
cough
much. Jeremy Wilson the artist called, we walked up to Jude's
establishment
as he was anxious to see it. I hadn't noticed before how
precarious
his chimney was built. Without mortar, and the stove pipe
just
stuck in. The movements of his loom made it all tremble. Wilson
thought
it quite a curiousity. Came home feeling the worse for my
outing.
The war news tells
Fredericksburg has been taken. The Rebels taking up
positions
behind it. A fearful battle is shaping up. Reflection on the
war
and governments that control them, and that all lose in the end. The
poor
victims killed, giving the most.
DECEMBER
15
Beautiful
weather. My cold still continues; my breast quite sore from
coughing.
DECEMBER
22
Cloudy
and rough. Buried John Ligget and James Kirby today. News from
Washington
very perplexing, opinions so conflicting nothing gets
resolved.
This war has opened up a system of speculation never seen
before.
It has turned fine honest men into plunderers of our government.
It
seems no one is immune from this greed. I believe this war will
continue
as long as it is profitable for these scavengers.
DECEMBER
23
I
notice the windows of our toy shops wear the appearance of approaching
Christmas.
I leave for Lebanon, Pennsylvania, tomorrow to attend to
Church
business. This will be the first Christmas ever away from home.
DECEMBER
24
At
Lebanon, staying with Mr. Miley, a pleasant family. Conducted family
worship.
DECEMBER
25
Pleasant
weather. Attended Christmas festival at Rev. Harbaugh's church.
Called
upon to conduct the services.
DECEMBER
26
Our
first day's work on the revision of the Heidleburg Catechism.
DECEMBER
28
Much
work on our project, which seems to be going very well. Rev.
Harbaugh
has three colored boys in his class. Brought back from Virginia
as
contraband by our volunteers. They came here totally illiterate, now
know
their letters. Read well and cipher satisfactorily. One has been
admitted
into the church and the others promising. It was a pleasing
sight
to see these poor outcasts, far from their native soil pursuing
the
light of liberty. I hope they do not fall under the influence of
many
of the debased Africans now filling up our towns.
DECEMBER
31
Snowing.
We call a halt to our nearly finished work. I must leave for
home,
arriving there without accident about five P.M. Bodies of John
Oaks
and Augustus Howser brought home for burial from Fredericksburg. A
large
concourse of people present at the depot.
The condition of our
government more gloomy than ever. Nearly 70,000 of
our
soldiers slain, and we are in debt over 700 millions of dollars. We
can
see no end to this plundering of our resources.
Already the contractors
of this war have emptied the treasury. Many of
our
soldiers going unpaid.
JANUARY
1, 1863
Pleasant
weather. At the bank, then home to read and write. Town crowded
with
country people keeping New Year's Day. This day Lincoln issued his
Emancipation
Proclamation. I think it will do more harm than good.
Little
can be done with it, but to make more enemies.
JANUARY
2
With
increasing years I am losing my relish for society, and becoming
more
domestic. My loss of hearing, and other infirmities point to my
approaching
end. Attended prayer meeting at the Methodist Church. The
night
was dark, cold, and stormy, but services well attended.
JANUARY
7
Very
cold. More reports of war. Death of Liet. Col. Housom of this
place.
He no doubt was a good soldier, but from my dealings with him,
did
not admire his character or reliability. The war years profitable to
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