[Friday December 12 1862] 11 A.M.

Now past 11. reports vary
some say whole rebel force under Lee -- Jackson &
250,00 strong are before us, others say, not
2000 within five miles of us, batteries quiet
at this moment. Makg. a fire saying "The old
fellow" (a maiden lady, by the way) "was very thought-
ful to go away & leave us so much wood
cut up" -- Houses still burning --
almost one P. M. -- rice boiling for dinner.

I am reading Pres. message -- Officers dozing in
dift. rooms, men asleep on street.
In comes Jacob with a young pig, Simon enters
to sharpen knife on chimney. "I expect you'll
all be a set of thiev[e]s when you get home." I said
"We must live you know," says Simon. Doctor R[iley] asleep
on two chairs -- "Doctor we are going to butcher
won't you lend us a hand?" It is really
an advantage that we occupy this house --
for we only use their food & utensils instead
of plundering the place -- we burn their wood
instead of the house, & our presence is really
a guard against depredations of some of the
troops. Retired to small room & had a sweet
season in earnest prayer. May God restore peace
to this distracted land. War is dreadful.
May our unhappy Southern brethren see &
renounce their foolish course & we once more
be one. Geo. has just picked up a vol.
of [?] mag. in St. It will be safer here than
in its own house. Some of the troops are
plundering the City, fine houses are rifled
& furniture wantonly destroyed. Food &
forage & shelter I think they are entitled
to. Saw in one house, a soldier playing piano
& another sitting by him on sofa with his
musket. A third leaning over readg. a spelling
book -- a forth in corner appropriating to his
benefit an old print. Two others in kitchen
bakg. short cake -- floor matted down with
hen feathers & mud. The effect of shot & shell
is curious. Some houses riddled completely.
Shot & Shell lying about roofs & ground ploughed
up by them.