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1863
Nov. 14th.

we were in darkness again, one more allumination we had & then a faint streak of of what appeared very much like moonlight appeared [[strikethrough]] from [[strikethrough]] in the distance from what appeared to be a very small opening but which gradually seemed to increase in size as we approached until a lovely picture of rural beauty presented itself to our admiring eyes through the mouth of the mine, very glad were we to see once more the light of day.  [[Wearied?]] with our exertions we seated ourselves on some fragments of slate & while selecting from these specimens [[strikethrough]] of [[strikethrough]] containing impressions of fern leaves refreshed ourselves with the contents of a basket which had been carefully carried by one of the party.  Before us lay the [[entrance?]] to the mine, a succession of low arches in the side of the hill, reminders of the pictures I had seen of ancient tombs in Egypt. I told Mr. Minor so & remarking that these coal formations were older and older than the monuments even of that [[hoary?]] age, he repeated these beautiful lines to an Egyptian mummy which have always been such a favorite with Father.  The remained of the day was passed in driving over the valley & in enjoying the exquisite views.  The next week Father & Cary left us for the Lakes & Niagara & Mother Nell & myself moved from the mountain house where we had been staying to the town of Wilkesbarre where we remained for six weeks.  We were there [[end page]]

[[start page]] 1863
Nov. 14th.
during the election for Governor great complaints were made by the Democrats that the Republican soldiers were allowed to return home & vote while the Dems. were kept away & so the election carried by fraud.  The same was said to be the case in Phil. The [[amish?]] are mostly democrats & greatly opposed to the war fears are entertained that when the draft is enforced they will rebel.  [[strikethrough]] The secon[[strikethrough]] In my humble opinion we have every reason now to fear civil war between the Republican & the Democrats our country is in a terrible state.
    Far away from political excitement & enchanted by the beautiful hills of Wilkesbarre I ^have barely opened a newspaper during my absence so that I know very little of what has been going on.  The repeal of the Habeas Corpus the foundation of our own & well as English liberty could not fail to excite us however even there & lead us to wonder at the [[daring?]] of the despotism that now rules us.  We have been defeated in the west but have gained in a late engagement in Virginia, our victory seemed to have been a bloody one however, most of the wounded have been brought to the hospitals near us.  We saw two from [[rebels?]] [[there?]] on [[Wednesday?]] [[there?]] was one shot though the head the other [[one]], the lungs. I [[suspect?]] they will die.  Will this miserable war never end?
Father has gone to the club tonight, before
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