July 1863
1st -- Travelled by coach and arrived in Harrisburg without incident. That said, I can hear cannon fire in the distance and am told that there is a battle ensuing in nearby Gettysburg. There is nothing for me to do for McGill at this time -- the midwife has all in hand -- so I will honour Cypriana's warning and see to the delivery of the pocket linen to Capt. L. Armistead if he is in the vicinity.
     Word reached us in Harrisburg this evening that Gen. Reynolds was killed in the battle today. I also learned that he had refused the promotion to command the army, the position now falling to Gen. G. Meade, who had paid a few visits to the hotel in years past. I hope he will be amenable to making some provision for dealing with Kilpatrick, although in the midst of a war such matters hardly rate attention.

2nd -- I found Armistead, now promoted to Brig. Gen. and gave him the handkerchief. Discretion forbids me from saying who purchased the item for him in June, 1861, but I could state that the purchaser was of a waggish disposition who said "Old Lo wouldn't be caught dead in such a hotel, not even to buy pocket linen." Gen. Armistead received the package kindly and was grateful for his unknown benefactor's thougtfulness and my efforts to see to the delivery in the midst of a terrible battle. I made no mention of Cypriana's dire predictions and only pray that this time she is wrong.
     I spoke briefly with Gen. Longstreet and invited him to visit the hotel should he ever again be in Washington. He thanked me for the invitation, but thought it unlikely he would be in Washington any time soon. Much it seems depends on the outcome of this one battle. Should the rebs be victorious then no doubt I will again have the good fortune to entertain southern gentlemen in my establishment. They have always proved to be our best customers -- with the exception of one J. Early who was evicted from the property in March, 1860 for unfit conduct. He joins Sickles and Kilpatrick as men who need not bother to knock as they remain permanently barred as long as I run the house.
     Passing amongst the northern generals I had occasion to meet Gen. McPherson and his lovely fiance Miss Hoffman. Delightful couple. I wish them well in their future together. Surely no God of mercy would part such a fit match.
     I took a leisurely moment at the ambrotypist field studio and the image turned out quite well, I think. My first official portrait as proprietress of the Fortress of Freedom.
     This battle is indeed terrible. I passed by several hospital tents and found myself both moved and sickened by the sight of such fine young men of both armies so horrible mangled. I only pray I can see Maureen safely delivered, her complaints addressed, and return to the sanity of the hotel as quickly as a coach may carry me.

5th -- I remain in Harrisburg. McGill has delivered a beautiful baby girl who is to be christened Margaret Bridget McGill, pending the claim of paternity against Kilpatrick. I shall remain here a few more days, waiting for the roads to clear of military before taking coach back to Washington.

7th -- Still in Harrisburg. Lee's army is fleeing back towards the Potomac with a wagon train of wounded, so the roads are not a fit place for a lady of my station. Word has also come that amongst the many dead is Gen. Armistead, mortally wounded in the rebs' final charge on the 3rd. He died on the 5th. I will never doubt Cypriana's prophecies again. Though I can not agree with his cause I can weep for his passing, though he be but one of so very many. He was a fine and honourable gentleman. I doubt I shall meet his like again. Longstreet, too, is rumored to have been killed, but equally there are rumors that this is not true. Another gentleman I would deeply regret losing.