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

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Post image for Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft

Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft

February 20, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

WEDNESDAY 20

It has been a pleasant bright day. M. 36. Rain last night and the Streets wet. Doct G P Eddy of Lewistown NY called upon me today, old friend. I was glad to see him. My old friend J C Smith of Canandagua NY, formerly of Lyons, spent the evening with me and my family at my house. He is member of the Peace Convention now in session here. I was down at Willards after dinner, great crowd there. Chas & Miss Sally Woodward called this evening and spent an hour. Mis Doct Everitt sent in a gold fish for our Aquarium. It is a “Whale among the minnows.” Bed at 11 o’clk.

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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 Winfield Scott.—Looking to relieve Sumpter.—Expresses fear of telegraph.—Operations in Charleston Harbor

Winfield Scott.—Looking to relieve Sumpter.—Expresses fear of telegraph.—Operations in Charleston Harbor

February 20, 2011

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

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Washington, D.C., February 20, 1861.

Lieut. Col. HENRY L. SCOTT, A. D. C.; &c., New York:

See Captain Ward, commanding the North Carolina, receiving ship, and ask him to get his squadron ready as soon as he can, and let you know how many recruits he will want in addition to his marines ; learn, also, what subsistence stores he will want, including a good quantity of desiccated vegetables; also coals, &c. See that he is supplied with everything for Anderson. I shall write to-morrow. No time now. Afraid of the wires.

WINFIELD SCOTT.