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great military achievement. His front extends over a line of thirty miles & he had besides to guarde the railroad to White House. His forces are now more compact although 25 miles from Richmond. He was prevented from taking a position on the James river before by the presence of the Merrimac.

Thursday 10th    Mrs. [[Valtre?]] daughter of Sec. Smith is to have a fair to night for the benefit of the hospitals. No additional news from the army Gen. McClellan's flank movement in the face of the enemy seems in some quarters to be considered a very brilliant achievement. Our loss is great. 

Sat. July 12th.    We passed yesterday at Bladensburg we went to attend the commencement of the Agricultural college. We left home in the early morning train. Mrs. Calvert sent her carriage to meet us at the depot. The little shed used for that purpose hardly deserves the name however I remembered it well for several hours passed there with Father & Sec. Thompson  two or three years ago had impressed it vividly upon my memory. It was when the college was first organized & Father & the Sec. had been called upon for addresses. We had expected a certain
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train to stop for us & convey us home but it [[voyaged?]] past us apparently unconscious of our existance so we were obliged to wait for one more accommodating. The Sec. was a rough specimen of humanity but apparently kind hearted. ------ The young collegians acquitted themselves well. Their speeches were followed  by an address from the Rev. Mr. [[Pickering?]] & Mr. Underwood the President of the college A ball in the evening was pleasant but we enjoyed rambling over Mr. Calvert's beautiful place more than anything else. Mr. Mallory & Mr. Holt came out shortly after tea. We did not see Mr. Calvert in the morning he was obliged to attend a meeting of [[con?]] members of congress called unexpectedly by the President. We reached home at noon to day. Mr. Welling was our escort.

Mon. 14th Went to visit the camps with Mr. [[Lee?]] of Princeton. Crossed over the Long Bridge --- a rail road has been laid over it for the benefit of the soldiery ---- visited several forts & returned by the aqueduct bridge. We also stopped at Arlington House. A number of the trees have been cut down but the property does not seem to be otherwise injured several companies of soldiers 
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