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Monday Dec 14th 1862 It is raining to day, and looks like it would all day. We are all better but cannot go out visiting as we expected. We all expected to go to unclear & Patti's concert to night - but the rains prevented. Sister Belles children have Scarlet fever. Tuesday Dec 15th 1862 It is a lovely day - we all well. I burned my arm and it is quite swollen. Sister Belle's children have scarlet fever in earnest - they are doing as well as could be expected. We are afraid to go to see her. Mattie Sheridan is here - she is dreadfully deformed. Sewing? Julia came to see me - she is still in delicate health. Sallie Hunt also called. Wednesday Dec 16th 1862 It is quite cold to day - everything is frozen. Rev Craik and Lady called - also Mrs Judge Pirtle. We are all well. I still have my burned arm - it is quite swollen. Sis's children still in the same condition - children out walking. I wrote to Mrs Badger there has been a terrible defeat at Fredricksburg Virginia & Burnsides large army - they retreated over the river in haste. Thursday Dec 17th This is a beautiful sunny day - we all well but myself - I still have my sore throat and burned arm. Sister Virginia and I talk of visiting Mattie Sheridan here to spend the day. Sewing? Julia here to see us - children went to see their Aunt Rhoda. I went visiting. Saw Heywoods Lewiss called on Speeds. I went to Mrs Beattie's bought a pearl headdress. Mrs. Angelo Gray called Mrs Peay Mrs Rawson Mrs Harrison. Our Ellen Mullen came to see us - children took their first dancing from Mrs. Wastell all the children gone to Hunts to dancing school. Friday Dec 18th This has been a lovely day - we all well - Sister Belle's still very sick. My children went out walking - I called on Mrs Rawdon, Tyler, Bacon, Hunts, Powells, Hopkins, Yune's - Hites. Mrs Ed Wilder Mrs Pirtle Ella Pirtle & Miss Semple called on me. Mrs. Wastell gave children lessons. Misses Prathers & Winston called also Mrs. Blackburn. Saturday Dec 19 This is a lovely day - I went at eleven o.clock and took my four children to dancing school. they practised for 2 hours and returned to dinner at three we went again and the hall was crowded to receive and welcome my children. Mr Wastell had a full band of music also for them the school has not had a band before this season children did their fancy dances well - Belle & Elvira wore samon coloured merinos with wide white fold braided in black on skirts. White Merino Garibaldi's braided in black - this looked well - hair curled down to their waists - white kid slippers & white gloves - Ada in blue silk ruffled dress blue silk boots.