Wednesday 19th
Rain all day, roads and crossing are in a horrible condition. The news looks favorable for further Victories to be heard of before long. The whole country is jubilent over the past. I have not been out tonight. After dinner I cleaned out the Aquarium and put in fresh water. The Eel has been burrowed in the sand all winter, have not seen him before in three months, he is very active. Got a Tribune of the newsboy and have read all the evening.
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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 18th
Nothing new today. Extensive preparations are being made for celebrating the 22nd. I was down to the Ave and in to McClees Gallery. Ed Dick[erson] was up and spent the evening. Doct Barnes & Lady were over from Camp and called upon us. I spent the evening at home.
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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 17th
After a day or two of great anxiety we have today rcd ample confirmation of the reports in reference to the great Victory at Fort Donoldson, 15000 prisoners, 4 Generals, and an immense quantity of Military Stores. I[t] must have been a most desperate fight. We have no particulars to be relied on but it is reported that the Rebels lost 10000 killed and wounded. It is also reported that Savannah is taken. The Streets here were gladed with ice this morning. This afternoon it has rained. Snow going off fast. Called into our next neighbor Forneys tonight with my wife.
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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 Feb 16th 1862
Cold and wintry day but has thawed some. Out to church with family this morning. Almeron Field came up from his quarters and went to Church with us. Doct Smith preached. The air in the church abominable, no ventilation. No further news from Fort Donoldson yet.
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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 15th
The City is quite wild with Excitement today at the reported capture of Fort Donoldson with 15000 prisoners. It is not yet confirmed. We all hope & rejoice. Good news also from Genl Lander, he has made an important capture of rebel officers & Stores near Winchester V.A.
Capt White of the 27th came over from Camp today and gave us a call, he returned this evening. Union Stock has raised astonishingly within three or four days past. We have been sometime getting ready to fight and now the “ball” is open. No obstruction now but Bad roads. Spent the evening at home, it has snowed all day.
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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 Feb 14th
Nothing of note has occured today in the City. Arrests are made of Secessionists almost every day and many more might be made with propriety. The roads are getting better and exciting news is expected all the time from almost every point of the Compass. Went down on to the Ave this evening. “Holly” went with me. We were at Willards and the “National,” bot the papers, home at 8 o’clk. The north side of the Ave is crowded like Broadway, N.Y.
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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 Feb 13th 1862
A bright pleasant day. No particular news, but many rumors of fighting West. I have been in the office, am there every day filling out Patents or Deeds & recording them. Julia has Miss Hartly and two of the Miss Middletons here tonight. I have been down to the National. Called at Chas on my return from the Ave –. Mr Hartly called for Mat[ty] at 1/2 past 9. Willie coughs a good deal. Bud & Holly went to the Capitol today.
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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 12th
Great excitement in the City today at the news of the Battle of Roanoke Island. No great particulars yet, but it must have been a desperate fight. “Secesh” is now receiving nothing but hard knocks, many more are in reserved [sic] for her. Norfolk will soon be taken, it is expected. The boys called upon Mrs McClellan today, the Genl was out. Mrs M said tha[t] he could hardly help from swinging his hat in the Street he was so elated at the war news. I wrote to Col Mirrick today in reference to the apples &c which he sent me. I have not been out tonight. Willie has a bad cold. I have made him a little box tonight for his “Man and ass.” The head turns on a pivot in the box. One side of the head is is [sic] a mans face, the other is the asses face. Tad Lincoln gave it to him. This has been a delightful day.
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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 11th
Cloudy today and snow towards evening. Dispatch rcd today by the War Dept that Burnside had taken Roanoke Island with many prisoners, particulars perhaps tomorrow. Went up to the RR Depot after dinner and then up the Ave to Willards Hotel. Quite a crowd there, a great many army officers. The Statuelike Dragoons were stationed all along the Ave not, as the corrispondant of the London Times (Russell) says, to prevent a “rising” of the people, but to prevent fast driving and to keep order in the streets.
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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 Feb 10th 1862
Genl Chas P Stone was arrested yesterday for Treason and sent to Fort Lafayette. News through Norfolk that a Battle was going on at Roanoke Island, Genl Burnside having attacked it. No particular news from the West. It has been a beautiful bright day. Mercury this morning stood at 20. Lieut Gould from the 27th came over today and is stopping with us tonight.
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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.
