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and would certainly be destroyed should such an event take place. A company of cavelry started on a reconnoitering expedition. We saw the officers preparing in the Hall (one of them had been my neighbor at the supper table) & heard the clatter of the horses hoofs on the pavement as they rode away. If it were possible to forget the nature of their errand they must have enjoyed the ride as it was a beautiful moonlight night. Gen Wood has charge of this region as far as Harper's Ferry I believe.

We left Baltimore in the early train passed the night in Philadelphia & reached here at 3 o'clock to day. We are about 15 miles from Phil. in a pretty rural spot but I miss the hills.

Friday 12th.  A cloudy day spent the morning on reading one of Cooper's Novels aloud.

Saturday.    Philadelphia in a state of great excitement. Hagerstown in possession of the Southerners the enemy advancing into Pennsylvania. Every able bodied man ordered to arm & equip himself. for the defense of the city. A number of troops sent to Harrisburg.

Monday.    A battle at Middleton not far from Frederick The southerners defeated. Gen. McClellan had command of our forces. The number of killed & wounded is not definitely known
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but the Confederates seem to have suffered more than our troops. The enemy is retreating. Col Reno is killed. Frederick was taken some days ago but is now abandoned, the confederates having bought out all the merchants paying them with Confederate scrip but not injuring property. The [[troops?]] was in a deplorable condition when they entered the town ragged and almost starved. A gentleman before we left Sykesville told us he saw some of their captains on horse back with spurs strapped to their bare heels. About 700 Marylanders were added to their forces before they left. Others came to enlist but were discouraged by the appearance of the troops. Philadelphia is very jubilant over the victory.

Tuesday. The news to day is that Harper's Ferry is in possession of the Southerners Gen. Miles who was in command there was killed.

Wednesday Another battle near Frederick results unknown.
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