May 22nd, 1862

Today, Clarissa came to my house crying. She looked so shocked and heartbroken at the same time. She explained to me about how her family got a letter that her husband was one of the 5 soldiers who went missing in the Battle of McDowell. She was so devastated in tears and could not find the words to speak to me. I felt so bad and sad for myself for her husband. When Clarissa started to stop crying she told me that a general came to her home and told her about how the battle had many deaths, injuries as well as missing people. The officer explained to her that her husband went missing after the battle. The rest of the soldiers went back to pick up the dead bodies and pronounce them dead when 5 went missing. Clarissa's husband was one of them. Clarissa immediately broke down when they said he was one of them.

She could not grasp the fact out of the 6,500 people, her husband was 1 of 5 of the 6,500 people to go missing. She found it unbelievable and could not stop crying. I understand how Clarissa felt, because I would feel the exact same way. The General guaranteed Clarissa that when he found more information out about her husband that he would let her know, as soon as possible. I gave Clarissa a big hug and told her that I was here for her and that if she'd like her and her boys could come and spend some time over at our house. Clarissa thanked me and said her children were still in school. She broke down crying again, trying to think of a way she would tell her kids about their father.