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[[underline]]March[[/underline]] [[underline]]1865[[/underline]]
Inaugeration.
3rd Columbia & Augusta have yielded to Sherman. Johnson is concentrating his forces & we may expect a terrible battle before long which it is supposed will decide the contest. The Southern army is much weakened & as they still refuse to arm the negros we have the advantage of them. Columbia was burned by the rebels as the evacuated it. It is raining fast I am ^[[afraid]] we shall have a wet day for the Inaugeration tomorrow.
4th The important day which makes Mr Lincoln the ruler of our country for another four years has passed It commenced with clouds & ended in sunshine a prophetic omen we may hope of [[his?]] new career. 
Mrs Chase & myself went at seven O'clock to the Capitol in order to secure seats in the Senate gallery We found the doors closed but having sent away our carriage in the confident supposition that we could obtain admittance [[end page]]
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the door keeper took pity upon our desolate condition and admitted us. It was raining hard. Several senators passed us on their way to their breakfast after sitting up all night Senator Morgan gave us a cheerful "good morning in spite of his wearisome vigil. Admission was not obtained to the Senate until eleven O'clock The galleries were then crowded with ladies to the complete exclusion of the other sex. The Senate convened & transacted business until twelve when the secretaries entered followed shortly after by the Judges of the supreme court in their black robse headed by Chief Justice Chase. Then came the Diplomatic corps in their brilliant [[?]] or court dresses. The members of the House & distinguished individual occupied the remaining space among the latter we noticed Admiral Farragut & Gen [[end page]]