Fri. [August] 29 [1862]

fine pleasant day Suffield grows in size &
beauty. Went over Chas. 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. 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 [Oliver]
Hanchett in attack on Quebec under [Benedict] 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 offcers were received
but the fortune of the night soon changed -- & the Capt. was
soon afterward 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.

Thurs, [August] 28 [1862]

Packed up to go to Suffield via Boston --
Have had pleasant time here--bade all goodbye -- started in
11 1/2 train fr No. Hampton. Mr [Charles?] Sumner next seat to me --
Hooker met me at Newburyport urged me to stay -- passed
thro. Ipswich & Salem--large fine town--D[?] Chelsea dined
in Boston, got ck cashed at G. W. & Co -- called on Mrs Wich's
was out. Bot, Read Gasparin in Cars, called on Mr. Spafford
at Windsor Locks at 9 -- & Mr. Prout beguiled the way
with histories of Suffield -- Suffield has filled up
both quotas for 600,000 men & has some perhaps
ten men over -- stopd at Mr Wilkes' the Old Hotel
about 10 p.m.--shower [?] in cars, starlight night
Landlord was in bed. Charles Loomis is at his
away taking care of his sick bride. Sorry not to
see her

Wed [August] 27 [1862]

Talked good deal. pitched a tent for children.
watched Mr. Heade of Boston paint--a sunset marine
view--then with him horseback--invited Miss Holman
she was engaged--was introduced yesterday to Ex
Pres. Pierce & saw him again today--also saw
Bis[hop] Eastburn at beach--watched the ladies
bathe & afterwards bathed myself. much warmer
There are theatricals in parlor tonight for Sanitery
Com--I must see if meantime I can sermonize
a little while they are at it--reported that Gen [Franz]
Sigel shot Gen. [Irvin] McDowell thro. the head in battle field
at Warrenton lately--I doubt it. Great uncertainty
& doubt about Army Affairs.

Martin John Heade, 1819-1904, American romantic artist known for his tranquil marsh scenes and seascapes

Manton Eastburn, 1801-1872, eminent Episcopal minister and bishop of the diocese of Massachusetts

Tues 26 Augt. [1862] Rye Beach N.H.

Fine warm day. Shot at mark with Mr.
Bird. pistol practice -- very pretty tangled woods behind
the house. Began sermon on 2 Cor 8:9. bathed, pretty cold
short-term horseback after tea -- talked in Phi & Euy