One handwritten diary kept by Catherine Powell intermittently between April 27, 1861 and January 1, 1865 as a refugee at "Locust Hill" near Leesburg, Virginia, where Powell had fled with her granddaughters and several female enslaved persons after the outbreak of the Civil War. Most diary entries relate to the progress of the war and describe news of battles, relatives lost, and local disturbances. These include accounts of Union forces seizing area homes, property, and slaves; Powell describes the search and pillage of Locust Hill by Union soldiers September 14, 1863. Also included is an essay written at Powell's home, "Bellevue," in Alexandria, Virginia, dated January 9, 1857. The essay is addressed to Powell's granddaughters and describes childhood memories, events, and social conditions in Alexandria during the late 18th century. Her reminiscences include description of local celebrations following the ratification of th U.S. Constitution. Undated biographical entries on family history in the hand of Powell's daughter, Mary Ellen Powell Adie, are written on front pastedown and leaves 17-20.