SATURDAY 2
This has been a rainy and windy day. It has rained incessantly until about 9 o’clock tonight. The Storm has, it is feared, has [sic] been severe on the Ocean and great fears are expressed that the Vessels of the great Naval Expedition south will suffer. The fleet sailed last Tuesday. I have not been down in the City, but busied myself at home attending to the water, making a bench &c.
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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, NOVEMBER 1
The day has been rather cool and windy and it rains a little tonight. I called at the Sec’ys and was told to have patience, that I should have a position soon. Went on the Ave and was at Willards an hour or so, a great many officers there, think they had better be with their Regts. The City seems to be very full at present. There seems to be no place for the Congressmen who will be here in a month. Nothing new from the army 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.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1861.
Fine weather again today. Was at the Pat office today but did not call upon the Sec’y. Have been at home most of the day. Chas is at our house sick. Sallie is with him and takes care of him. He has a bad cold upon his lungs and is threatened with pneumonia. My own health is quite restored. H N Jr coughs some yet and is generaly disposed to be rather delicate. There is no news that I heare of.
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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 30
Another delightful day, have not been round much. Was at the Pat office awhile, met my old friend Burrows Hyde of Jersey City. Have been trying my hand at soldering up holes in tin ware, succeeded pretty well. Wife and Julia are at Mr Middletons, our neighbors. Julia spent last evening at Doct Everitts. I went up after her at 9 o’clock & staid an hour. News in the City seems to be rather scarce.
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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 29
This has been a most delightful day. I have travelled a good deal about the City mostly on business for other people. I was at the Private qrs of Genl McClellan. Saw the Genl, also my old friend John Cochran of NY, now “Col Cochran.” I was at the office of the Sec’y of the Interior on my own business, was assured that I was to have an appointment very soon. The City is now very full of strangers, mostly I presume connected in some way with the Army.
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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, OCTOBER 28, 1861.
I was at the Pat office today. Visited the War office and the Head Quarters of Genl McClellan, corner of the Ave & 19th St. His privat Rooms are at the corner of H & 16th Sts. His “rooms” are not very “private” as they are always crowded with officers. I was at Home most of the day. Doct Barnes called and took dinner with us. Rcd a letter from Bro C.R. Mailed letters to various friends north. Chas & Sallie spent most of the evening with us. No particular news.
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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 27
This has been rather a still Sunday. I have not been to church, I have rather too much of a cough left. I have written a number of letters, one to E P Taft, to Doct J Taft, and one to Lieut Swan. Almeron Field called this evening. He belongs to the Co F 8th Regt of Regulars. Long rows of Army wagons continue to rumble through the streets to remind us that a terrible war is raging.
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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 26
A dark cloudy day but no rain. Was down to the post office. Called at the office of Fenwick & Lawrence Pat Agts. Have spent most of the day at home reading the news &c. Wood being $8.00 pr cord I cannot afford to hire it sawed so I saw it myself. The boys carry it in & split the kindlings. There is no war news afloat today. Heavy firing has been heard nearly all day, practicing at the Camps, I presume. Julia saw Sec’y Smith at the Presidents today, introduced by Maj Watt.
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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, OCTOBER 25, 1861.
A cool, fine October day just right for outdoor business and Military parades. Went down to the Pat office and read the papers in Vansantvoords room. Called at the Sec’ys office, sent in my card but did not see him. Went up to the Presidents in the evening and saw Maj Watt, gave him a new start in the matter of my appointment. He will see the Sec’y tomorrow and Mrs Lincoln in the morning. Caught a little more cold.
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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 24
This has been a bright cool day with a bracing north wind. The Event of the day has been the funeral of Col Baker. There was a great display of Military and a long procession reaching a mile or more. Wife and all the family went. I walked down to the Ave and saw the procession pass from the “Kirkwood House.” I was an hour or so at the Pat office. Rcd a letter from Lieut Swan dated at the Camp near Alexandria. No important news from up the River, down it is closed by Batteries.
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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.
