July 1, 1861- 
I wrote to the Union Headquarters at Fort Monroe 
telling the Commander the location and strenghth 
of the Confederate forces surrounding Richmond.
I sent it by first post so it should arrive at 
Fort Monroe in a couple of days. I hope the war 
won’t hamper the mail service.



July 21, 1861- 
Uncle Henry informed us that there was fighting 
around Manassas Junction. He said it looked to 
be a major battle.  More killing and carnage.  
More prisoners to fill the warehouses of Richmond. 
More prisoners that will need care.

The Blacks are so full of information these days. 
They are intelligent and eager to learn.  I’m glad 
Uncle Henry stayed with us after Mother freed our 
slaves.



August 1, 1861- 
I had a visitor today from Fort Monroe. Mr. Timothy 
Webster.  He said he worked for the Pinkerton agency 
who were commisioned as spies for the Union.  He told 
me that the information I sent was very useful.  "Miss
Van Lew," he said, "We are going to need people like 
you if we are to win this war. But I must inform you 
that it is not safe to send such information through 
the post.  Too many things could happen to it.  It
could fall into Confederate hands and you could be 
arrested and hanged as a spy."  

I was appalled. I honestly had no idea that a woman 
could be hanged.  He assured me in this war spies 
would  more than likely be hanged regardless of 
gender.  I  asked him how I should get the 
information to the Union.   He told me there would 
be other Pinkerton men besides  himself in and 
around Richmond. He suggested that I  could set a 
network of trusted friends. "We can set up  a drop 
off place.  Please think about it. We desperately 
need the informaion," he said.



August 10, 1861- 
Sad day. Three prisoners died. The only medical 
attention  these unfortunates get is what Mother 
and I give them.  It is not enough. No one should 
see the sights I have  seen. Men with limbs missing, 
forced to live in the  filthiest of conditions. Our 
mare has a cleaner stall to sleep in.



August 12, 1861- 
I spent the day with the prisoners. One Sgt. 
Flannery had arrived yesterday with a group of about 
50 men. To my amazement he was full of information of 
Confederate movements. He and the rest of the men in 
his group were marched from camp to camp before they
arrived in Richmond.  He noted what type of regiment 
was located at a particular place, and how many there 
were. I told him I could get information to the Union 
forces.  He said he would talk to new arrivals, and 
probably have more information in a day or two.  This
was a source I had not thought of.