MONDAY 2
A fine cool day again. The great event has been the convening of Congress. A quorum was present and a great crowd was there. No particular news today. Young H N Jr is makeing an effort to get the place of Page in the “House.” Went down to the Ave this evening, bot Harpers Mag. and Frank Leslies Pictorial. Called at Barnes & Mitchels, came home by seven o’clock and staid there.
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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 1
This has been a fine cool day, no frost but a fresh wind. Wife and the boys went to church. Julia went to the Episcopal church with Miss Hartly, it was Doct Pinckneys church. I have been in the house nearly all day reading &c. Went down town this evening, was at the “National” an hour or so, met several members of Congress who are here ready for the morrow. This will be a very important Session, the most important perhaps that has been convened for half a Century at least.
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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, NOVEMBER 30, 1861.
This day (the last of Autumn) has passed off without any particular event happening. I was in the office all day recording Patent Deeds. We were paid off today, my pay not being a very heavy amount having been in the office only six days. Did not get so weary as I did yesterday. J. N. Granger returned today from a visit home to Ontario County NY. He called upon me in my room this morning. Bought groceries & marketing. Went down to fire on 10th St, bot the papers at Shepherds, called for Julia at Mr Hartleys.
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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 29
A wet day and quite warm, no fire necessary for comfort. Have been hard at work in the office all day recording Land Patent Deeds, find it very tiresome. Have spent most of the evening at Chas Room with him and Sallie. News from the south looks favorable and in fact we are looking for favorable news from our forces everywhere. Our troops are now begining to be in earnest. Rainy 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.
THURSDAY 28
Rather a warm day with rain this evening. It being “Thanksgiving” I did not go to the office. Did some fixing round the house in the morning and then went to Church with all the family. After church and after dinner went with the three boys to the “Monument” pond after aquatic plants and fish for the Aquarium. On our return met four Regts of NY troops on their way over the River. It is said today that our troops have advanced.
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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, NOVEMBER 27, 1861.
A rainy morning. Went to the office as usual and was very busy writing all day. Got with my stationary today a new Pocket knife and a gold pen with which I am writing now but I do not think much of the Pen. No further news from Pensecola. It is “Thanksgiving” tomorrow and the Office is closed for the day. Turkeys are very scarce this year and we shall have rather slim “Thanksgiving” without one. I have 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.
TUESDAY 26
In the office all day, weather rather cold and unpleasant. Wife and the two elder boys went to the Review of the Regulars, a little East of the Capitol, by Genl McClellan. News today comes through Norfolk of a Battle at Pensecola. Nothing definite known. I went down and spent an hour with Chas & Sallie. Came home and then went after Julia at Mr Hartleys.
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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 25
Coldest morning yet. M. down to 32. Went to the Pat office and got my appointment from the Comr after going to a Magistrate and taking the oath, in such cases prescribed by law. Have been engaged in filling out certificates of Lands to purchasers. Nothing new in the military line today or in the “papers” tonight. Doct Barnes was over from the Camp today with his wife. She returns with him being quite enamoured of Camp life. Regts have been moveing all day and Drums beating 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.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1861.
This has been rather a cool Sunday with the first Snow of the season this evening. We have seen no ice yet, and no very hard frost. Wife and all the Children were out to church this morning. Myself and Julia went this afternoon. Chas & Sallie called and spent an hour or two this evening. The boys went to bed at 8 o’clock. Wife is writing to her Aunt Reeves. We occupy the Parlor evenings with airtight Stove.
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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 23
Rained last night and was a rainy morning, but it cleared off about noon. I went to the Land office today and was examined as the law directs for all clerks, but it is very much of a “humbug.” If it is wanted to keep an applicant out, it is a very easy matter to do it. I go again on Monday to learn the nature of the report in my case. Perhaps I am to be humbuged as a Democrat does not, in reality, stand much chance for a place in that Department. “We shall see.”
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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.
