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to break down fences or otherwise injure property. They paid for damage immediately. They are a fine looking set of men & seem mostly to be gentlemen. A part of Gov. Sprague's forces are also here, the rest are still at Annapolis. We are well guarded now all fear of an attack on the city at present is at an end. We received our first communication from the North this morning, a letter from Uncle written last saturday 6 days ago. Our friends have of course been very anxious about us. Miss Dix dined with us, she is industrious in her preparation for the care of those who may be sick or wounded.

May 3rd      Father saw the President for the first time officially He went to inform him that as President of the United States he was head of the Smithsonian Institution & was expected to see the Regents & Secretary on the first Tuesday in May. Father had to wait more than an hour before he was admitted. While in the ante room Capt Meigs came in he had just returned from his secret expedition & was about to report himself to the President. He said he thought it was not betraying confidence to inform Father where he had been. Fort Pickens was the destination of the fleet, ^sailing with [sealed?] orders^ in which he had sailed This had reinforced & could not possibly be taken now at least for the next [[few?]] months. [[Colonel?]] Ellsworth the commander the of the N.Y. Zouaves
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& colonel Butler also arrived while Father was waiting He was admitted finally. Mr. Lincoln [[strikeout]] was harassed [[\strikeout]] seemed care worn, he was [[withdrawn?]]& ill at ease. Mr. Seward was with him.

May 7  Tuesday. Mr. Strong of Albany called last evening. He said one of the finest sights he had ever witnessed was the swearing in of the Seventh Regiment. Both Father & himself seemed to think a bloody battle inevitable.

" 8th  Yesterday we visited the camp of the Seventh Regiment. It is in a beautiful spot opposite Columbia College. The tents were arranged back to back in rows with wide streets between them, they seemed small & comfortless & we approached them but very picturesque in the distance. Some of the men seemed quite unfitted for the hard life of a soldier with their slender forms & delicate complexions. One of the engineer corps who was our chaperone [[strikethrough]]appeared [[strikethrough]] seemed to think they would not be called into active service, at least for some time. About 5 o clock the drill commenced the band playing delightfully about a half an hour before. The [[military evolutions/volunteers?]] were very fine & performed with great exactness. The salutes of their officers to the [[commander?]] in command was beautiful in the extreme. A grey headed officer reviewed the troops
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