The transcripts of the collection, made by James Lemen, Jr., came into the hands of his son, Joseph Bowler Lemen, who is responsible for the publication of various portions of the story, including some of the letters entire. Even these copies, however, are not accessible at the present time, except that of the Lemen Diary, as located by the present writer. Joseph Lemen's account of the fate of the elusive documents is given in full at the end of this publication. He there states that every paper of any value was copied and preserved, but even these copies were dissipated to a large extent. He also claims that all the facts contained in these documents have been published in one form or another, "except a very few, including Rev. James Lemen's interviews with Lincoln, as written up by Mr. Lemen on ten pages of legal cap paper." This Joseph B. Lemen is now far advanced in years, has long been a recluse, and has the reputation of being "peculiar." In a personal interview with him, the present writer could elicit no further facts regarding the whereabouts of the "Lemen Family Notes." Nevertheless, the discovery of the copy of the Lemen Diary and the manuscript of Dr. Peck's "History" gives encouragement to hope for further discoveries, which should be reported to the Chicago Historical Society. DOCUMENTS {p.26} I. DIARY OF REV. JAMES LEMEN, SR. Ridge Prairie, Ill. June 4, 1867. The within notes are a true copy of the notes kept by the Rev. James Lemen, Sr., when in the siege at Yorktown. The original notes were fading out. By his son, REV. JAMES LEMEN, Jr. * * * * * Near Yorktown, Va. Sep. 26, 1781. My enlistment of two years expired some time ago, but I joined my regiment to-day and will serve in this siege. Quarters, near Yorktown, Sept. 27, 1781. I was on one of the French ships to-day with my captain. There is a great fleet of them to help us, it is said, if we fight soon. Sept. 30, 1781, Near Yorktown. Our regiment has orders to move forward this morning, and the main army is moving. Near Yorktown. Oct. 3, 1781. I was detailed with four other soldiers to return an insane British soldier who had come into our lines, as we don't want such prisoners. Near Yorktown. Oct. 4, 1781. I carried a message from my Colonel to Gen. Washington to-day. He recognized me and talked very kindly and said the war would soon be over, he thought. I knew Washington before the war commenced. Near {p.27} Yorktown. Oct. 4, 1781. I saw Washington and La Fayette looking at a French soldier and an American soldier wrestling, and the American threw the Frenchman so hard he limped off, and La Fayette said that was the way Washington must do to Cornwallis.