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

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Post image for “Business in the Pat office is very dull this winter as might be expected.”—Horatio Nelson Taft.

“Business in the Pat office is very dull this winter as might be expected.”—Horatio Nelson Taft.

January 26, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

SATURDAY 26

A regular snow storm today, snow four or five inches deep. Nothing important occurs from day today here. But the Govt is posting troops in different parts of the City for its protection. We were just startled by hearing two pistol shots and a cry of Watch Watch on Franklin Square near our house. Did not go down to the “Avenue” this evening on account of the snow. Usualy do go down to the Hotels and get the “Herald” or “Times,” sometimes the “Tribune.” I take the City papers (two). The Balt “Sun,” Home J[ournal]l, N.Y. Lyons paper, Scientific American, &c. I read daily a number of other papers and a good deal in Books, mostly relating to Steam. Business in the Pa[ten]t office is very dull this winter as might be expected.

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The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865, are available online at The Library of  Congress.

Post image for A Diary of American Events – January 26, 1861

A Diary of American Events – January 26, 1861

January 26, 2011

The American Civil War,The Rebellion Record—A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore

—The Louisiana State Convention passed the ordinance of secession to-day, by a vote of one hundred and thirteen to seventeen. A delay ordinance was proposed yesterday, but was voted down by a large majority. A gold pen was given each member, with which to sign the ordinance of secession.—(Doc. 27.)— Buffalo Courier.

Post image for Secession ordinance in Louisiana—Dora Richards Miller War Diary

Secession ordinance in Louisiana—Dora Richards Miller War Diary

January 26, 2011

The American Civil War,War Diary of a Union Woman in the South by Dora Richards Miller

Jan. 26, 1861.—The solemn boom of cannon today announced that the convention have passed the ordinance of secession. We must take a reef in our patriotism and narrow it down to State limits. Mine still sticks out all around the borders of the State. It will be bad if New Orleans should secede from Louisiana and set up for herself. Then indeed I would be “cabined, cribbed, confined.” The faces in the house are jubilant to-day. Why is it so easy for them and not for me to “ring out the old, ring in the new”? I am out of place.

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Note: To protect Mrs. Miller’s job as a teacher in New Orleans, the diary was published anonymously, edited by G. W. Cable, names were changed and initials were often used instead of full names — and even the initials differed from the real person’s initials.
Post image for Sloop-of-War Brooklyn not headed to Charleston — Confederate Records

Sloop-of-War Brooklyn not headed to Charleston — Confederate Records

January 26, 2011

The American Civil War,War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies

[JANUARY 26, 1861.] Saturday–8 o’clock a.m.

Hon. JOHN ROBERTSON,

Commissioner from Virginia, Charleston:

President’s reply: “Brooklyn not for South Carolina. On errand of mercy and relief.”

JOHN TYLER.

Post image for Operations in Florida

Operations in Florida

January 26, 2011

War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies

WAR DEPARTMENT, January 26, 1861.

Lieut. Gen. W. Scott:

DEAR GENERAL: The President is much disturbed by a telegraphic dispatch which announces that the Brooklyn has sailed with two companies instead of one as was ordered. I assured him that the dispatch must be inaccurate, but would be glad to repeat the assurance on your authority.

Sincerely yours,

J. HOLT.

Post image for Fort Taylor defenses improving.—Operations in Florida.

Fort Taylor defenses improving.—Operations in Florida.

January 26, 2011

War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies

FORT TAYLOR, KEY WEST, FLA.,……….
January 26, 1861.

SIR: I have to report that no demonstration has been made upon this fort to this date. There is no apprehension from the population of Key West, but I have no doubt that a force will soon appear at any moment from the mainland. If my company was filled up to a hundred men, and a sloop of war stationed in this harbor, there would be no danger of any successful attack, or even an attempt at present. The defenses are improving daily.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. M. BRANNAN, ………
Captain, First Artillery, Commanding.

Col. S. COOPER, Adjutant-General U.S. Army, Washington, D. C.

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P. S.–I have received no communication from the Department in answer to my letter of December 11, 1860.