Saturday March 22nd 1862
We have been listening all day to the booming of Cannon and beating of Drums. Troops are constantly embarking at the Arsenal and marching through and about the City. But the tents on the hills back of the City do not seem to diminish in number, but most of the Regts are under marching orders to be ready in a few minutes when called upon to go. I[t] rained nearly all last night and rains tonight and the mud is almost as bad as ever in the streets, and the boys are again levying toll upon passengers at the crossings. — Doct David called this morning with another Surgeon. I think the Dr is a little homesick (very little). Comodore Foot is still throwing shells among the rebels at Island No 10. Yesterday the land forces were to arrive and act in concert with him. Went down to the Ave after dinner. Visited the “Ariated Bread” Bakery foot of 10th st. Went into some Machine Shops. Penn Ave was crowded to excess, Carriages, Hacks, Govt Wagons, stubborn mules refusing to go, drivers swearing, Soldiers marching, Drums beating, Bands playing, Dragoons and “orderlies” rushing through at great speed. Officers and Privates, Citizens & Congressmen, Negros & Newsboys, all hurrying to and fro on the broad Side walk without any order or regularity as regards turning “to the right.” All put together made a lively time of it, and I was not sorry to get away from the uproar and confusion of the Ave to a more quiet part of the City. The two elder boys have been up to the camp of the 98th today. They have gone to bed tired. Julia is reading her Spanish lesson. Wife has prepared a cup of tea & some ariated Bread & buter, and placed it invitingly near me on the table. We rarely get a regular “Tea” at night, dining past 4 renders it hardly necessary. It is usualy done in a sort of fugitive way about 8 or 9 o’clock, sometimes later. We cannot contrive to get to bed before about 11 o’clock, that is, myself and wife. Julia goes before 10 usualy, and the boys about 8.
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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.
Friday March 21st
No definite news from Foot yet, the 19th he was still bombarding Island No 10 — people are now waiting again to hear from Genl Burnside — an immense force is moveing down the River. Norfolk & Richmond now. Stirring times these. Our arms are successful everywhere. The great “Anaconda” is closing its coils and wo[e] to those who do not escape in time. It is said that the traitor W L Yancy has been taken prisoner, he ought to be hung.
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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.
Thursday March 20th 1862
Wet drizzling day, as uncomfortable as need be. No news yet from Comodore Foot. I fear he has met with a repulse. Doct David & his Brother James were down and dined with us today. James is not attached to the Regt but is going down with it. It is expected to go tomorrow, but uncertain. Prof Sparks was here this evening hearing Julia recite her Spanish. He brought he[r] up a Spanish Dictionary & other books in the Spanish language. She seems to be making some progress. I have not been out of the house tonight, looked at the boys writing Books &c, & read the papers.
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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.
Wednesday March 19th 1862
No news today. Nothing from Foot yet. Troops are embarking down at the Arsenal to go down the River. It is supposed that an attack is to be made upon Norfolk. An overwhelming force is going down. This afternoon we rode up to the Camp of the 98th NY, Col Duttons Regt — Saw the Lyons officers. Saw two Batteries of Artillery and five Regiments on parade near by — Got home before sun down. The Regiments up on “Meridian hill” all have orders to be ready to leave in twenty minutes after orders are rcd. They all embark. A great many Regts from the other side of the River are embarking at Alexandria. The 27th is there & going.
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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.
Tuesday March 18th
News from Genl Burnside today. He has taken Newbern N.C. after a severe battle, 100 killed & 400 wounded, rebel loss not known, the Victory decisive. No news today from Comd Foot, only that he was bombarding Island No 10. Julia is selling tickets for the Church Festival, Pres[byteria]n 4th (Doct Smiths). I gave the Ladies committee $2.00 to assist in getting it up, the church is in debt.
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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 March 17th 1862
Nothing new has transpired today that we know of. The Telegraph announces that a Battle is in progress on the Miss. Com Foote is Bombarding the Rebels at Island No 10 with his gun boats. Troops are embarking on the Steam Boats to go down the River. The long trains of Govt Wagons which used to obstruct our Streets have nearly all left, and are over the River having followed the Army. I called down to Mr Morrisons on D st this evening for Julia. It is now 101/2 o’clock, the children are all in bed since 1/2 past 8. A fine Band of music is playing in the street, some Seranade I presume.
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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.
Sunday March 16th 1862
Has not rained today. A Regt passed this morning with Band playing &c just as people were going to church. Col Dutton had his horse sent down and he left for the Camp (as he said) cured. Col Durkee left early this morning. Col Dutton had an ambrotype of his family, self, wife & five children. I noticed that he was very attentive to it this morning. We think him a very fine warm hearted man. It is probable that he will be called into active service very soon. Maj McCamby of Oswego and Q Master Francis of Bridghampton LI called today, they belong to the 81 NY Regt.
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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.
Saturday March 15th
The River is full of Steam Boats for transporting troops down the River, probably to “Old Point”. It has rained incessantly and this evening it pours. Col D. is well (he says). We went down to “Browns,” saw Maj Williams, Maj Fletcher & other officers. Col Durkee came in about 8 o’clock and is to stay all night. Our House for the time being seems to be the Head Quarters. Col Dutton is acting Brigadier Genl.
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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.
Friday March 14th
Col Dutton is better today. Lieut Col Durkee and nearly all the officers of the Regt have been here to see the Col. The Regt has rcd marching orders and the Col is very uneasy. Mr Short called on me today. He is going down to Fortress Monroe, an attack is to be made upon Norfolk it is supposed. Troops are returning from Virginia to embark down the River.
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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.
Thursday March 13th
There is no particular news today in the papers. Col Dutton concluded to come down and stay with us until he gets better. Doct David came with him. He appears better tonight, but Doct D stays with him all night. It has been a little wet this evening and there seems to be more rain in prospect. McClellan is, it is said, pursuing the fleeing rebels.
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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.
