I feel much better now that this litigation is at an end. It has cost me a very large amount of money, besides worry and annoyance, and the interference with many of my business transactions.

November 12, 1896. Attended a meeting of the Second Army Corps last evening at the Ebbitt. General Miles presided, and Colonel Kirk read a paper on the Battle of the Wilderness.

November 15, 1896.

Spent last evening with Gov. W. P. Kellogg and several of his friends at the Shoreham, and after dinner today drove Colonel Smithmyer out to the American University in my tea-cart, stopping at Chamberlin's upon our return, meeting Mr. H. Kilbourn, one of my best friends and a leading real-estate man. November 17, 1896.

Judge Yeoman of the Interstate Commerce Commission, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Day and myself went over to Virginia to-look at the 1500-acre farm near Falls Church, which Mr. Campbell is very anxious to sell. His wife treated us to an elegant dinner, which we all enjoyed.

November 26, 1896.

After dinner last evening I called at the Ebbitt to bid my old friend, John E. Coad of Omaha, good-bye. We took a drive around the city. It has been some twenty-eight years since we met in the West, he being the owner of the stock that I had recaptured from Lawrence canyon, where so many of my men were frozen in the winter of 1867.

December 10, 1896.

Saw Gen. S. S. Burdette and Mr. Sam Bryan today in relation to their interests in the Appomattox battlefields, but could not get them together in regard to the deal.

December 16, 1896.

I brought General Burdette to Mr. Bryan's office this afternoon, and after one or two hours' conversation and argument he has agreed to exchange his interest in the Appomattox property

for the I street house.

December 17, 1896.

I spent a portion of last evening with ex-Senator Sawyer of Wisconsin in relation to his mines and some property he has in the city, which he gave to me to sell.

December 31, 1896.

Have finally arranged to make a deal with all those interested for the Appomattox property, placing my I street house in part exchange. Meeting Mr. Harry Davis today, he agreed to sell out his interest. Have worked on papers and accounts most of the day, settling up my affairs for the past year.

A few letters, newspaper extracts and other documents follow and further elucidate the experiences of myself and family during the year 1896:

Washington, D. C., December 28, 1896.

To the Honorable Secretary of War,

(Through the Adjutant-General),

Washington, D. C.:

Sir-I respectfully call your attention to a recommendation on file in your office in relation to a brevet commission as LieutenantColonel, and ask that the papers in the case be referred to the proper parties to be investigated, and that I be allowed to appear in person, with papers, and evidence, I believe, will warrant my nomination being made, if there is any question raised as to my being entitled to it.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

CHAPTER XXXV.

Saw the old year out and the new one in.

January 1, 1897.

The whistles were cannon roared for

in full blast, the bells were ringing and the several minutes after 12 o'clock, and the whole seemed to be a pandemonium. I reached the War Department in time to go with the Army officers, General Miles in the lead, to the President's house. I then made my usual calls.

January 2, 1897.

Among those whom I called upon last evening was Hon. J. W. Thompson, whose lovely bride entertained gracefully as a queen. Mrs. Cushman K. Davis also entertained us with a bevy of beautiful young ladies, and made our stay very pleasant, a fact:lty Mrs. Davis has established at her receptions.

January 5, 1897.

After dinner last evening we called on Bishop Hurst to interest him in the treatment of wood by Mr. Bidwell's process. in which wood, curtains, or in fact any substance, cannot be burned. The process has been adopted by the Navy Department. Called on Gen. S. S. Burdette, who signed the deed in relation to his interest in the Appomattox property.

January 9, 1897.

Called on Senator J. W. Daniel last evening, and he recommended Mr. Randolph Harrison of Lynchburg as my attorney in fixing up the Appomattox property title. Had all the deeds properly acknowledged, and have deeded my I street house in part payment for it.

January 11, 1897.

Met Judge Peck at the Shoreham last evening. Shook hands with Gen. Horace Porter and Colonel Corbin, old friends of mine. whom I met at the Arlington the latter part of the evening. Also had quite a talk with General Alger, who hopes to be made Secretary of War, and is doing everything he can to bring it about.

January 14, 1897.

Senator Daniel sent me a pass to Lynchburg for Mr. Settle and myself. Attended the meeting of the Second Army Corps Association last evening. Called on Senator Gibson this afternoon, who is still anxious to help me with my brevet matter.

West Appomattox Court House, Va., January 15, 1897. I met Mr. Settle at the depot at 8 o'clock this A. M., and we reached Lynchburg at 2.20, where we were met by Randolph Harrison, with whom we were engaged an hour or two at his office in relation to the titles of Appomattox. He then boarded the train with us, and we reached this place at 3.45, where we met Mr. Piers, clerk of the court, a most intelligent and reliable gentleman, and one of the landmarks, who invited us to his office and tendered us every courtesy possible in helping to establish the title to all the tracts of land connected with the Appomattox battlefields. Colonel Poor, who is the agent for the property, had just left, and we were unable to see him.

Lynchburg, Va., January 16, 1897. Mr. Piers entertained us last evening with quite a number of photographs of the old buildings scattered around on the battlefields, and it was 2 o'clock this A. M. before I retired. I was up before 8, and after breakfast Mr. Smith, the collector, invited Mr. Settle and myself to drive over the lands I have just purchased, introducing me to the tenants. Mr. Harrison remained at the clerk's office looking over the titles, while I examined the property, which took several hours to go over.

January 22, 1897. Called on Mr. Bryan at his office today, when he acknowledged the deeds and forwarded them to Governor Campbell in Ohio for his signature.

January 27, 1897.

Invited Mr. Heleluhe, the secretary of Queen Liliuokalani, to make some calls with me yesterday afternoon, and upon being introduced to the Vice-President his daughters and sons recognized him at once as having entertained them at the Hawaian Islands.