SUNDAY 22
It is colder today but rains tonight with a prospect of a long rain. I have not been out to church today but staid at home to keep up fires &c and boil hominy. Went down to Willards, found a great crowd. Met Capt Dexter of the R.I. 1st Regt which came here in June (3 months men). He is not now in the Service. Edd Dickerson came up tonight and spent an hour or two. There is no news of importance but news is hourly expected of a fight in Kentuckey. Almeron Field was here this morning. He is on Mass Ave (his old quarters). It rains steadily 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.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1861.
It is cooler tonight and freezes some. The news from Missouri is rcd with great Satisfaction. It now looks as though the Rebels would receive but little else than hard knocks everywhere our troops have got up to the “fighting pitch” and have become too wary to be caught in any more traps. The mail bag which was seized the other night on the River contained letters from many people here, implicating some of them in Treasonable practices. Some have been arrested, and more of the writers will be. I have been at home all the evening with the boys. Wife & Holly went to Market. It is a place which I abominate and this living from “hand to mouth” is no way to live independantly.
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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 20
Warm and pleasant but indications of rain, in the office as usual. News tonight of a Union Victory in Missouri. Other Union Victories will soon be heard from. I called at the “Chronicle” office this evening & subscribed for the Chronicle and the “Phil’a Press.” Called over to the Clarendon Hotel, and then upon Hon Mr Daws M.C., then got the evening papers. Called at Charleys Room on my return home. Miss Hartly has spent the evening here. Mr H called at 1/2 past 9 for her. 10 o’ck (weather clear).
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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 19
Foggy morning but warm during the day. No particular news today. I have been in the office as usual. The boys have been up to the Presidents most of the day. The two Lincoln boys were here after them. They did not return till dark. I have made a wooden model of my Portable Door fastener this evening. Prof Sparks called and brot Julia a French Book. She has spent the evening at Mr Hartleys. I called there with the Prof and staid an hour or so. People are very anxious to know the contents of the dispatches rcd from our Minister, Mr Adams, in reference to the Mason & Slidel affair.
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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, DECEMBER 18, 1861.
The weather continues delightful but there are today indications of rain. We have heard all day heavy guns. Some in the distance are the rebel guns at Centreville. They are practicing too. Troops have been moveing about the City a good deal today. We are expecting important news from various quarters, and the public mind is considerably agitated just now. Our forces now appear to be nearly ready to Strike at various points, in Missouri, Kentuckey, and at the South. I have been at home 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 17
Most beautiful day, warm as May, in the office all day. Two dead Soldiers carried out of the Hospital. They say that there is about one death pr day there. Tonight myself and wife went to the Presidents Levee, first of the Season. Genl McClellan & Lady was there and we were frequently near him and had a good opportunity to observe him. He was the “observed of all observers.” Many other distinguished personages were there. The crowd was not very oppressive. Got home 1/2 past ten, took a cup of tea & and [sic] to bed at 11.
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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 16
Delightful day. Some excitement in the City at the news from England in relation to the arrest of “Mason” and “Slidel.” Some predict a war with her. But I do not. It is only giving her a dose of her own Medicine. The Law of Nations is also on our side, and She has always insisted upon the right of Search for herself. I have spent the evening at home making Willie a picture frame. Matty Hartly spent the evening here. Mr H called about 9 for her. Chas & Sallie also called. Put a night latch on the Hall Door.
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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, DECEMBER 15, 1861.
Pleasant as ever today and the nights are now brilliant with a full moon and clear atmosphere. The Military Band in our vicinity performs almost every night an hour or two, discoursing most splendid music last night. They were Seranading Com Wilkes, the Captor of Slidel & Mason. I did not go out to Church, family went. Both the Lincoln boys were here this afternoon looking over the pictures with Bud & Holly. They are evidently not kept on Sundays with puritan Strictness. They like to come here and feel quite “free and easy” with our boys. Went down town this evening, called at Charleys an hour.
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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 14
Weather fine yet, dry and not freezing. Nothing new of any great importance. I was in the Office all day. One of the Halls in the Patent Office is used as a Military Hospital, about 100 Soldiers from the Indiana Regts are sick there. Two Dead were carried out today. Prof Sparks, the Linguist, called at our home and spent an hour or two this evening. I have spent the rest of the evening in makeing a foot Stool for the Pew in Church. I work in the Wood House.
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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 13
Another fine cool day, just comfortable with a fire. Was in the office all day. Prof Sparks called upon me and spent sometime. Mr Daws M.C. also brot a Mr Eldridge to me (from Williamstown) to me, who also had a letter of introduction from C R Taft. He is here after office. Think he will have a “hard road to travel.” I have been at work this evening and made a wash bench for the Kitchen. I have plenty of tools and like the exercise. There is no particular war news. It is singular how still a half million of soldiers can keep. But they are all in the field.
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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.
