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1863 
July 
1st

the genius of Shakespere said he did not think him at all remarkable he could himself write as good plays [[underlined]]"if he had a mind to"  He said "if you had a [[underline]] mind to."

Harrisburg is still [[of/safe?]] troops are rapidly arriving for its protection. Six bridges have been burned upon the Northern Central railroad.

2nd. Thursday. Went to Mrs. Peale's this afternoon to meet Father & Mother Miss Dix was there. She seemed to be in good spirits & was playfully upbraiding Father for not speaking to her in the streets. She said some of the rebels had been in the city on Monday night attending the theatre & others had passed the evening with their friends. Saw Gen. Casey went to his boarding house to enquire if his daughter had gone & found him sitting on the porch reading a book of Hebrew prayers.

3rd. Exciting news to night, a great battle yesterday between the combined armies of Lee & Meade near Gettysburg our arms said to be successfull but two of our Generals Reynolds & Paul killed. Gen Rosecrans has driven the enemy quite out of Tenn. after bloody battle at Tullahoma.

4th. The day unusually quiet. Went to the hospital in the evening the men had a supper given them in honour of the day. A band discoursed sweet music for some time in front of the wards. Mary & some of the other nurses passed the evening with us.
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1863
July 6th. Mon. the fighting at Gettysburg commenced on Wed. & continued on Thursday & Friday. The loss on both sides has been terribly severe but the Rebels are in full retreat. Their bridge at Williamsport has been destroyed & the rain has swollen the river so that the [[fords?]] must be impassable. Their retreat seems to be cut off. Gen. Lee in this move has evidently trusted too much to the incapacity of Hooker. 

8th. Vicksburg is ours. I passed last night with Mrs. Peale. The President & Secretaries were [[serenaded?]] & speeches were made by the dignitaries in honour of the recent victories. We heard the distant music & shouts & Mr. Peale reported the speeches. The President commenced his with the stupendous announcement that the 4th of July was a remarkable day with the reasons for its being so considered & ended with the elegent expression that on this particular 4th the Rebels had "turned tail & run". Mr. Sewards speech was fine. 100 guns have been fired today for the taking of Vicksburg. Mary Felton & her friend Dr. Bowen passed the evening with us. Father gave us two reminiscences of his boyish days that were interesting. When he was a tiny little fellow he crept into a bakers wagon & was let down in State Street (Albany) for the first time He saw the big state House at one end & the cross
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