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streets without a pass. Gen McClellan the successor of McDowell seems determined to maintain the strictest discipline in his armies. The utmost secrecy is now preserved by the Government in regard to war movement, a necessary precaution since the Southerners have been kept constantly informed of every important measure of the Northern Army. When our forces reached Fairfax Court House, [[the?]] found in the quarters deserted by the rebel officers maps of fortifications &c. photographed from there made at the Coast Survey. copies of which had not yet been issued for the use of the Federal officers.

Since I last wrote we have had a visit from Prince Napoleon. He was the guest of the French minister. Sec. Seward gave a ball in his honour the day before he went to Mount Vernon & as he did not return at the time appointed great fears were entertained that he had been taken prisoner. The Secretary was not [[dis?]] in his [[royal?]] guest however. It seems that the Prince & the distinguished gentleman with him had [[made?]] in an [[?]] [[however?]] an as the [[??]] this hour & exhausted & the party was [[obliged?]] to remain at a farm house until others could be obtained. They at last [[??]] the [[???]] of [[?]] however to [[their?]] 
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[[carriage?]] instead of [[horses?]]. The Prince is very fine looking & strongly resembles his illustrious ancestor. He thinks the war will not last long since Government will not be able to support the expense $1000 000 per day was the lowest estimate. He thought France would take no part in the war She had too much to attend to at home. It is generally supposed that the Prince has other motives than those of men pleasure seeking in coming to this country at this [[important?]] era.

The [[Northern?]] troops have met with reverses in Missouri The death of Gen. Lyon has caused great excitement. We expect to leave home next Tuesday.

Sat 24th     Our [[meditated?]] departure has been deferred by the illness of Dr [[Hase?]] one of Father's assistance. An attack is expected every day upon the city but there are so many troops here now we do not feel any anxiety. Regiment after regiment have been come in quietly almost every night. We have visited the new encampments twice with Mr.____. The street is strongly fortified & a little church that interfered with the range of the guns has been pulled down. It is supposed that Maryland will [[rise?]] [[simultaneously?]] with the [[attack?]] on the city & perhaps again cut off our communication with the North.

[[Germantown?]] W. 28th     Had a pleasant journey from Washington found troops stationed at intervals all along the 
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