Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

Friday Jan’y 9th 1863

No Startling news today afloat. Old Elisha Whittlesey died yesterday very suddenly aged about eighty years, his funeral took place this afternoon. He had been a long time in public life as Comptroller of the Treasury and he possessed the unbounded confidence of all who knew his character was unimpeachable. Called on Maj Williams this evening, paid him $10 for Lieut Belden. Met Doct Stone there, he is in attendance upon Mrs Williams who is sick. The Maj is as full of talk and sharp stories as ever. It is very amusing to hear his remarks upon men and things in Lyons. But I think he is disposed to speak fairly of all, personal feelings of bitterness and acrimony which used to distinguish him when speaking of those opposed to him in politics or otherwise have become much softened. He has learned much the last few years. Congress does not seem to be doing much. The currency Bill, the financial measure of Mr Chase, I fear will be smothered by outside influence. Members will acknowledge the justness and majesty of such a Bill but I fear will lack the courage to face the displeasure of the Banks and interested parties. Mr Chase (the Sec’y of the Treasury) reccommends that all paper money shall be U.S. Money and that all Banking Institutions shall be based upon U.S. Stocks. That would give us a safe and uniform Currency. There seems to be an increasing desire to see this terrible War ended, Negro or no Negro, Slavery or no Slavery. It does seem preposterous to me that we should be spending Millions, nay hundreds of Millions, and sacrificing scores of thousands of lives to abolish Slavery just now, when we have all we can do to hold our own and hope for success without bringing Slavery into the question.

Washington Thursday January 8th 1863

This is the anaversary of the Battle of New Orleans. It brings to mind the exploits of Andrew Jackson. O that his old mantle and white hat were still in the “White House.” The present times require his energy, his fire and resolution. The Country has been calling for “Jacksons” to Lead our armies but as yet none has appeared. It is said that the crisis brings the Man, but the Man has not appeared as yet. Perhaps the crisis has not yet arrived, perhaps we have not yet suffered enough, have not sacrificed enough. We are not yet humbled enough, and our cause has not yet become desperate enough. Well, we must wait and suffer still. In Gods own time the black clouds of War will clear away and we shall behold again the sun of peace and National prosperity. Our news from Vicksburgh was premature. The City is not yet ours as was supposed. The Rebels are there in great strength but the City must fall, but only after much hard fighting. Went to the Pay office again today and succeeded in geting the “greenbacks” for Lieut Belden, at least fifty officers were waiting in the office. We pushed bye and got through in half an hour. There is nothing like pushing ahead in these “red tape” offices. Called at Mr Hartleys this evening. “Mat[ty]” has a bad cold and wants to see Julia. She is attending Madam [Burrs or Barrs?] School where they speak nothing but French. Julia would like that. It has been a fine winters day, bright but cold in the morning, indications of snow in the afternoon, a few flakes seen.

Washington Wednesday Jan’y 7th 1863

Quite cold today with a Sharp raw wind. Went to the Pay Mast[er]s office with Lieut Belden today, left his papers and we are to call tomorrow afternoon. It is very quiet in the City. No further news from the South West. Genl B F Butler is here from New Orleans still. Where he is to be placed is as yet not known. The Country cannot well spare him at this crisis. He would make an admirable Sec’y of War. His administrative abilities are not surpassed in this Country.

My Landlord is an Englishman, Mr Cadman. He rents rooms and takes some boarders. A Capt Thornet boards here, an officer of Cavalry who has seen much service in the English Army. He is an Englishman, was all through the Crimean War, has a due quantity of English brag in his composition, has a great many distinguished friends in England and tells large stories. He has been even noticed by the Duke of Richmond [!! or II?]. Cadman likes a good dinner and consequently we live pretty well. He thinks more of his dog and his gun and field sports than any Yankee could, and English fox hunting and Horse racing are his hobbies. He is in govt employ here and is an excellent Clerk. Mr Mulvany as [sic] an Artist painter at our table. He puts the delicate touches to Bradys pictures (Photographs). He is half Italian, half Irish, and on excellent terms with himself, but a great talker and an unsparing critic of other Artists productions. Lieut Belden stays with me tonight & is to breakfast with me in the morning.

Washington Tuesday Jan’y 6th 1863

The weather has been delightfuly warm, dry & pleasant every day since the New Year came in until today. It has rained all the afternoon and I got some wet in comeing from the office without my umbrella. That article is a servant that is frequently absent when most wanted, a fair type of the servants obtained at the “Contraband Depot” in this City, only the advantage is decidedly on the side of the umbrella for that is entirely subject to your will and pleasure, and will go if you carry it, and at least you cannot blame it for not being where you want it to be and is always ready to do its duty. Not so the “Contraband.” He will go if you drive him, but is never quite ready or willing when there is work to do. His whole idea of Freedom is, “Nothing to do and plenty to eat.” Union faces look brighter today. There is now no doubt of our great success in Tennessee & at Vicksburgh. “All hail the Stars and Stripes.” It is a pity that the Rebel Army now in V.A. was not on the Miss. or out of the atmosphere of Washington where the (Quid nuncs) of the Govt could not assume to control our Armies which contend with it. All our Generals are successful except those on the Potomac. Got letter from home today. “Value” has been rcd all Safe, contents duly appreciated, ought to have sent “Willie” a Book. Must send him one by mail. Willie must not be neglected. He will make a man yet if he is rightly trained up.

Washington Monday Jan’y 5th 1863

Great excitement in the City tonight. We are Victorious at Murfreesboro. A dispatch has been rcd from Rosecrans setting the matter at rest and I breathe easier again. And we also hear that in all probability Vicksburgh is in our possession. All our news from the South West is highly favorable. There is no doubt but the Rebels were largely re-inforced in Tennessee during the five or six days fight from Richmond or rather from the Army before Fredericksburgh. The Rebels make the most of their system of Rail Roads and their facilities for massing troops at any given point has given them a great advantage. Repeatedly have they been able to re-inforce their armies during battle. Especialy were they able to do so at the first battle of “Bull Run” & which won them a Victory and us lasting dishonor. It has been contended that their system of R Roads was designed and the Roads constructed with this very state of things in view years before the Rebellion broke out. But the chief conspirators were silently preparing for it. The worst of it is, they were built (to a great extent) with Northern Capital. At the commencement of the War it is said that the southern States were indebted to the North two hundred millions dollars, much of which was due on Mercantile transactions. We got news today of the loss of the gallant little Monitor off Cape Hatteras. She foundered during a heavy sea and some twenty men went down with her or were lost at the time. The “Rhode Island” had her in tow.

Sunday January 4th 1863. Washington D.C.

A painful suspense have we all been left in today in reference to the “great Battle” reported in Tennessee. The “Sunday Morning Chronicle” has nothing definite as to the result. This Silence is rather ominous of evil, good news travels faster than that over the wires. But the wires may be down. We will solace ourselves with that idea till tomorrow. I attended religious Service at the Capitol this morning. I like to Stray up there of a Sunday morning to not only hear the old Chaplin preach and Miss Rumsey sing. But to gaze on Leutz’ fine picture of the Emigrant Party which decorates the Western Stair Case of the South Wing. The picture is a Study painted on the wall and covering the whole broad space in front as you ascend the stairs. I cannot but pronounce it the finest painting in the Capitol, it is so life like, so true to Nature. I spent an hour or two at Charleys this evening. I think his confinement in the Hospital is undermining his health. He must live in an impure atmosphere much of the time. In my walk this evening I called at “Willards.” There was great anxiety manifested to hear from Rosecrantz. Maj Genl Hooker was there. It is rumored that Burnside is to resign and Hooker be appointed to the Command of the Army of the Potomac. Had a conversation with Eli Thayer in reference to his proposed Florida Emigration Scheme. He is quite sanguine of Success. But the Sec’y of War oposes it in Cabinet meeting.

Washington Saturday Jan’y 3, 1863

We could not have finer weather, the air is soft and balmy as May. It is much like a northern Indian summer. The same blue haze rests upon the horizon. The roads and fields are dry and everything (out doors) invites one to make an excursion. But the beautiful groves on the hilltops have an ominous look even on this side of the River. Everything bears the Mark of the Camp. On the Virginia side of the River, the beautiful groves themselves have nearly all been destroyed to give a good and unobstructed sweep to the cannon in the Forts which crown the Hill Tops. War, like a destroying angel, has passed over the fair fields, and the hills and valleys of the “old dominion.” Rebellion has brot a bitter cup to her lips. War, like the dread Sirocco, has swept over her fields, leaving them desolate. A terrible battle has been raging near Nashville Tenn. for the past two or three days. We get no definite news from there tonight and do not yet know the result. But from all accounts it is the bloodiest battle of the War yet fought. Frank must be yet in the Hospital from his wounds rcd on the 8th Dec at Franklin. We may expect active operations now in the South West. Vicksburgh I think is now in our hands, if not it will soon. I wrote home today, sending a Draft for $50. I went up to the Navy Yard after office hours and took dinner at Mr Angels. Spent an hour or two very pleasantly. His Brother from NY City was there, a very shrewd inteligent man. I walked back to my lodgings, some 21/2 miles. Mr Angel moves to Dutchess Co NY this month, He having purchased a farm there.

Washington Friday Jan’y 2nd 1863.

Another most delightful day. The New Year commences very smilingly. May it be an indication of the future fortunes of our Country and may Peace through our whole land smile as brightly long before we see the last of 1863. It is reported tonight that a great Battle was fought yesterday in Tennessee betwen Rosecrantz & Joe Johnson, result not known. Genl B F Butler is serenaded tonight at “Willards.” He has just arrived from New Orleans, being relieved by Genl Banks. Genl McClellan is also here again before the courts of enquiry as a witness. It is rumored that He is to take Stantons place as Sec’y of War. Hope it is true. The Avenue seems to be more thronged than ever afternoons. Everybody is ‘out” these pleasant evenings either riding or walking and everything is seen from the Millionare to the beggar. The carriages of Foreign Ministers, of Cabinet Ministers are usualy seen in motion, and the Presidents carriage with its tall driver & footman one will frequently see standing in front of some Merchants door while Mrs L. sits in her seat and examines the rich goods which the obsequious Clerk brings out to her. I called at Mr Jordans this evening a few minutes and spent an hour or two with Chas & Sallie. “Puss” Woodward the youngest daughter was married last night unbeknown to her Father to a Mr A Lieb a clerk in the Land office, a foolish pair.

Washington Thursday Jan’y 1st 1863. Diary.

The New Year has opened beautifully, it has been a mild and bright day. The Departments of the Govt have been (as usual) closed, and the whole City (Males) went at 12 o’clock to pay their respects to the President. The Foreign Ministers and the officers of the Army and Navy paid their respects before 12. I met Genl Halleck at Mr Sec’y Chases, Genl Heintzelman and Genl Meigs at Mr Sewards, Comodore Smith and Admiral Foot at Mr Sec’y Stantons, “lesser lights” of both Army and Navy were quite plenty. The expected Proclamation is “out” tonight in the “Star.” It carries out the one issued a hundred days ago. Mr Lincoln looks quite as well as he did a year ago. I have seen him frequently during the year. In the summer he used to ride out with a body guard of ten or twelve horsemen (Cavalry) round his carriage. I think he has dispensed with that of late. That was not done at his desire but at the desire of friends who feared for his life. Mr Seward received “in State.” Six Policemen at and near the Door & Hall, and a “Gentleman Usher” at the parlor door anounced the name of each visitor in a loud voice as he entered the room. I suppose it was “done up” in the English style. No particular news today but indications of Army movements and more Battles. Assisted some today at an extra and realy luxurious Dinner given to the Patients at the Ascension Church Hospital. No choicer Bill of fare was to be found on any table in the City. The men were feasted on the greatest delicacies to their hearts content. I was in at “Willards” this evening, counted forty pairs of Shoulder Straps there at one time. It is quite disgusting to see (every night) such neglect of duty!!!