<​July 2​> About 6 p.m. The Maid of Iowa returned to here landing at the , the Company who had been on the expedition on board of her, formed in a procession and walked up to my , where they formed a hollow square and sent in a deputation to me, as soon as I had bid them welcome. I opened the window of my and requested that no man would leave the ground until I had spoken to them. My Brother and I went into the hollow square and directed them not to allow their ranks to be broken. I then shook hands with each man, blessing them and welcoming them home. I then took off my hat and related to them how I was brought home to the midst of my friends, and how I regained my liberty. I feel by the Spirit of the Lord that if I had fallen into your hands that you would either have brought me safe home, or that we should all have died in a heap together; at this time, a well dressed man, a Stranger, who had a Cloak around him broke through the South line of the ranks, when the orderly Sergeant took the strange man by the nape of the neck and kicked him outside the ranks telling him not to come in again; as soon as quiet was resumed, I continued my address to the company. and had scarce spoken 15 minutes, when the same stranger again broke the ranks, which annoyed me, and I stopt speaking; the first Lieutanant then marched out of the ranks and struck at him with the barrel of his gun, but he retired escaping the blow.

About dusk I dismissed the company, blessing them in the name of the Lord [p. 1655]