THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1861.
A fine cool day but not freezing. No special event has happened that I know of. I have been engaged in the Office as usual. Tonight I put up my Shelf in the lower Hall for a Hat Shelf. I brot it from one of the Camps over the River. Much of the furniture in John A Washingtons house was destroyed, he being a rebel. This Leaf of a Table was brot to the Camp and presented to me. Wife went to meeting this evening. The Lincoln Boys have been here twice today after our boys to go there. Chas & Sallie called this evening & spent 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.
WEDNESDAY 11
Quite cool and very windy today. “Willie” is quite Smart today. The trouble with him was all owing to his stomachs having rebelled against the unconstitutional demands which he in his voracity made upon it. A dose of castor oil quelled the insurection and all his internal operations returned to their accustomed quiet state. Nothing new today. Went down to the Ave and made some small purchases, bot some Iron brackets for the mahogany shelf which is a leaf from a Table of John A Washington, brot away from his abandoned house by the soldiers.
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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 10
Too warm today for comfort. The Sun was quite oppressive in the middle of the day. Nothing new has taken place that I am aware of worth mentioning. I have spent the evening at home. Miss Mary Middleton called and at 9 o’clock I went over on to NY Ave for Julia, she being at Mr Hartlys. Julia and Martha H seem to be inseparable companions. Willie is quite unwell tonight, complains of his head. All the family except myself were up to the Presidents today. “Bud” brot home a water Lilly for the Aquarium. There were Indians from the west at the Presidents last night.
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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, DECEMBER 9, 1861.
The day has been warm and soft as May. No fires necessary in the house. The northern soldiers are highly delighted with this kind of winter. Nothing new in the City. The immence Army near the City keep so quiet that we hard[ly] realize that 250,000 Soldiers are within a few miles of us. There is a great deal of practicing with the guns at the Forts. Some days it is a constant Cannonade. I did a little glazeing tonight, then called with Julia at Mr Fenwicks and spent an hour or two. Mr Munson, owner of “Munsons Hill,” was there. He is the Fatherinlaw of Mr Fenwick. Very inteligent man.
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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 8
A warm pleasant day, too warm for an overcoat. Went to church all day with the Family. Doct Smith preached in the morning, Mason Noble in the afternoon. Doct Smith attended the funeral of an old member of the Col[or]ed Pres[byteria]n Church. Walked with wife up to Franklin Square, called on our return at Mr Bartletts and at Mr Pecks. In the evening went down to the National and spent an hour with Aldrich of Palmyra and [T?] Mosely of Detroit (formerly of Lyons).
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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 7
Another very delightful day. But it was a foggy morning, busy in the office all day. There has been heavy firing heard all day over the River. There has been no Battle and they are only practicing at the Forts. The force over the River is now said to be 200,000 men. There are many on this side, probably not less than Fifty Thousand. They keep coming all the time. I have not been on to the Ave tonight. The boys go to bed at 8, the rest of us about 1/2 past 10. We get up about 1/2 past 6. Breakfast at 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, DECEMBER 6, 1861.
Pleasant day, fine as could be. The City all alive with people. Penn Ave is thronged from morning till late at night. I was in the office all day. At night went down to the Hotels. Called upon Judge Granger at the “Washington House.” At the “National” met W F Aldrich from Palmyra. Great crowds at all the Hotels. Miss Hartly spent the evening with Julia, her Father called for her at 9 o’clock. No news of importance afloat. Congress adjourned till Monday.
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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 5
This has been a very pleasant day, bright & not cold. The nerves of the old ladies have been greatly tried today by the constant firing across the River. It has been almost incessant. But it was all practice. I have been putting down Carpet and quite weary. Our dining room is now quite comfortable with a good Coal Stove. Lieut McFarlan called this evening. Everything seems to be quiet. No news from any quarter of importance, to bed at 11 o’clock.
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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 4
Mercury at 24 this morning, the air pure and bracing, in the office as usual all day. Bought some wood and coal this morning, enough I think to last till “New Years.” By that time I think the Potomac will be open or clear of Batterys, but it may be closed with ice. Some indications of a movement over the River. According to the Report of the Sec’y of War, we have 600,000 men now in the field. Mr Seward says “we do not want any more men. The War is nearly over.” Spent an hour with Alex Williams at “Browns.”
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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, DECEMBER 3, 1861.
This has been the coldest day of the season yet. M. this morning stood at 28. Have been in the office all day. No particular news afloat. Went down to the Ave after dinner, bot some Carpeting of “Barnes and Mitchel,” 20 yards for dining room and 28 yards stairs Carpet. Wife went down and selected it. Called at Willards. Saw Hugh Hastings of Albany and some other gentlemen who I knew from NY. Came home about 7 o’c., read the Presidents Message which was delivered to Congress today. A plain, practical document.
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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.
