October 14. Camp Tompkins, General Rosecrans’ Headquarters, near Gauley Bridge. — I came down here to hold court today. Left my regiment about eight miles up the pike. Mrs. Tompkins lives here in a fine large white house. Her husband, a graduate of West Point, is a colonel in the secession army. Why devastate the homes and farms of poor deluded privates in the Rebel army and protect this property? Treat the lady well, as all women ought always to be treated, but put through the man for his great crime.
Friday, October 14, 2011
October 14. — I paid my bill at the Astor House to-day, and went on board the Baltic, Captain Comstock. The Baltic was anchored in the stream, and we were taken out to her in a small tug-boat. I was introduced to the steward, Mr. Godsell, who offered me a drink, which I declined, as I shall not drink or smoke while away. I found it pretty hard to give up smoking, but leaving off drinking is no hardship for me. We spent the night on board the ship. Weather pleasant.
14th. Went to town with Will. (Bushnell.) Saw Fannie in the evening.
Monday, 14th—We completed building our new barracks today. Each company has its own building, built of good one-inch lumber, with just enough room between the buildings for our long stationary company tables, where we eat. In front of the building, extending the entire length, is our parade ground.
Boston, October 14, 1861
My impression is that we are on the eve of great movements and the naval expedition, if successful, will open the ball. We can see little in the papers, but it looks to me as if the correspondents were at fault. But in truth McClellan is coiling himself up for a spring on Manassas immediately after a coast success. If he succeeds, and in him alone have I any confidence, the loan will be at a premium in twenty-four hours and all over Europe in six weeks. For those who have confidence now is the time to buy and sell in the victory. .. .
Let me call your attention to the article on England and America in the Examiner I send the Governor by this bag. It is said to be written by Dr. Hedges and is one of the ablest papers I have read for a long time. . . .
By the way, I had almost forgotten what I most wanted to say. In his last letter the Governor hinted that it would be a good thing if I could get a connection as American correspondent with some London paper, as the correspondents from this side as a whole were beneath contempt. I will leave this to you. Of course I demand no pay and only desire to influence public opinion abroad. If any respectable London paper will print my letters, I will let them hear from me as often as there is anything of interest to let them hear about. I am not anxious about it at all, but at this crisis I am anxious to do everything in my power.
MONDAY 14
I have done but little today but attend to my cold, altho I have been round the City some. It is understood that there has been a general advance today of our troops over the River. Saw the Qr Mastr of the 27th Regt on the Ave. He said that Genl Slocums Brigade was moveing forward a few miles. I was at the Prests this morning a short time. Had an offer of a post in the Qr Master department at $1,200 salary.
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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.
Monday, 14th.—B. A. Hancock, who had been sent to Cumberland Gap the day before after provisions for McNairy’s Battalion, returned. As rations had been very scarce for the last few days, we were glad to see a supply brought into camp.
October 14th.—I was somewhat distraught, like a small Hercules twixt Vice and Virtue, or Garrick between Comedy and Tragedy, by my desire to tell Duncan the truth, and at the same time respect the feelings of a friend. There was a rabbledom of drunken men in uniforms under our windows, who resisted the patrol clearing the streets, and one fellow drew his bayonet, and, with the support of some of the citizens, said that he would not allow any regular to put a finger on him. D— said he had witnessed scenes just as bad, and talked of lanes in garrison towns in England, and street rows between soldiers and civilians; and I did not venture to tell him the scene we witnessed was the sign of a radical vice in the system of the American army, which is, I believe, incurable in these large masses. Few soldiers would venture to draw their bayonets on a patrol. If they did, their punishment would be tolerably sure and swift, but for all I knew this man would be permitted to go on his way rejoicing. There is news of two Federal reverses to-day. A descent was made on Santa Rosa Island, and Mr. Billy Wilson’s Zouaves were driven under the guns of Pickens, losing in the scurry of the night attack—as prisoner only I am glad to say —poor Major Vogdes, of inquiring memory. Rosecrans, who utterly ignores the advantages of Shaksperian spelling, has been defeated in the West; but D— is quite happy, and goes off to New York contented.
Oct. 14.
Moritz got back from Annapolis all right. Found Dr. Bacon and delivered the basket. There was no prospect of their going before next week. All the 15,000 had not yet arrived and only one transport was ready. The railroad was blocked all the way by immense trains of stores, ammunition, etc., and Moritz was from half-past two till eleven o’clock getting there.
OCTOBER 14Th.—Kissing goes by favor! Col. M—r, of Maryland, whose published letter of objuration of the United States Government attracted much attention some time since, is under the ban. He came hither and tendered his services to this government, but failed to get the employment applied for, though his application was urged by Mr. Hunter, the Secretary of State, who is his relative. After remaining here for a long time, vainly hoping our army would cross the Potomac and deliver his native State, and finding his finances diminishing, he sought permission of the Secretary to return temporarily to his family in Maryland, expecting to get them away and to save some portion of his effects. His fidelity was vouched for in strong language by Mr. Hunter, and yet the application has been refused! I infer from this that Mr. Benjamin is omnipotent in the cabinet, and that Mr. Hunter cannot remain long in it.
