Following the American Civil War Sesquicentennial with day by day writings of the time, currently 1863.

Post image for Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft.

Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft.

March 5, 2013

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

Washington Thursday March 5th 1863.

We are disappointed today as the report last night of the Capture of Fort McAllister is contradicted today. Still, there is something that is favorable to the Union cause as gold has fallen down to 150, or twenty percent in one day. We will hear news in a day or two, I think. I notice that the Town Elections in N York are going Democratic all over. But that does not indicate disloyalty to the Union, it is more like an expression of want of confidence in the Managers of the war. Very few democrats at the North (I think) would be willing to see the Union divided or that would consent to it without a much longer Struggle. But they do not want to see our Strength frittered away and are willing to rebuke those in power for their ineficiency and blunders. A few Victories will put the matter all right and I have the faith to believe that we shall soon hear of them. I attended the Lodge till nine o’clock and called on Mr Lieb (Profs). Judge Lieb the Uncle was there, his daughter, and Chas and Sallie. The air is quite keen tonight and it freezes quite hard. I called at Dr Munsons this morning. We have a large quantity of Union news papers to send to the Camps and Hospitals. They are sent from NY for distribution, gratis.

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