MONDAY 23
Have had a hard days work packing up and geting ready to evacuate these premises. It is one of the miseries of Washington life that few of its inhabitants feel at home. The population is constantly changing. At just at this time a residence here is less disirable than usual, although but slight fears are entertained that the City will be taken by the rebels. Troops keep coming and moveing about, last night the street by our house was full of Cavalry.
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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, SEPTEMBER 22, 1861.
Went to ch. this morning with wife and the three boys. Wife & Julia went in the afternoon. Edd Dickerson called in the evening and took tea. Chas & Sallie also called about the same time. Went down to the camp to hear the music of the Regimental Band. It performs every night from 1/2 past 8 till 9 o’clock, a large crowd usualy attends. Everything remains quiet over the River and nothing but the long wagon trains today would indicate anything unusual going on in or near the City.
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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 21
Nothing new has occured recently although we are surrounded on all sides with elements which may be put in motion any how carrying destruction and death to thousands. Heavy cannonading over the River almost every day is heard from the Forts, practicing and getting the range of their guns. Have been at home most of the day fixing up things and preparing to sell out. Was on the Ave in the morning with Julia.
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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
At the Indiana Hospital (Pt office) today, 100 Patients. Made Box for Piano. Got a Deed from the Land Office for Mr Pollok of Lyons. Attended the Parade with Julia of the Regulars on F[ranklin] Square. Called with her upon the Woodburys, 12th St, refined educated people and much devoted to the sick soldiers. Troops are pouring in rapidly now, from five to six Regiments pr day arrive by the Cars. Large numbers have gone over the river this week. An attack on the City expected.
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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, SEPTEMBER 19, 1861.
Weather continues delightful. I spent some time at the Pat office. Saw the Comr, could get no decisive answer as to the precise time that I could go back into the office. It would not be long. Saw the Auctioneer in regard to my sale of furniture. Next Tuesday is the day, 1/2 past 10 a.m. Varnished over some of my furniture. Spent the evening with Julia at Chas rooms, Capt Kendig and Dr John [Bulkley?] there. K is a fine singer.
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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 18
Delightful day bright & cool. M. 70. Went over to the Depot to see about freight to NY. Went from there to the Western Wharves “Morgan & Rhinehart” on the same errand. Visited the Govt “Corrall,” 3000 horses and some 2000 mules there and acres of Govt Wagons. On my return purchased 6 dry goods boxes on the Ave for packing furniture, intend to have a sale of our bulky articles soon. Wife and children will go to L[ong] I[sland] for the present, or until times are better.
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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
This has been a nice cool day until near night when there was a violent rain for an hour or two, flooding the streets. I saw the Comr of patents today. I shall go back into the office again in a short time. There is no particular news. Some people are expecting an attack upon the City. The Rebels have a large army within thirty miles of the City, probably near 200,000 men. They must do something soon. I was at the Pt off two or three hours. I think that Mr Scheopf will go into the army soon. Mr Holt backs him.
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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, SEPTEMBER 16, 1861.
Today went with Doct David to the Smithsonian and to the Washington Monument. Called at the U.S. Treasury, saw Genl Spinner (the Treasurer). He told me that $800,000 pr day was now paid out or the average was that. Julia got a boquet from the Prests Garden for the Dr to take home to his wife. He left on the 21/2 train. I went with him to the Depot. We all like the Dr very much, never saw much of him before. Capt Meeks spent and hour with us this evening, left for his camp 1/2 past 9 o’clk.
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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 15
A hot day. M. 86. Went to ch[urch] in the morning with Julia & one of the boys and heard Dr Smith, church well filled. Wife went in the afternoon. Chas & Sallie were up to dine with us. Walked with Dr D. & Chas up to Camp Cameron to see the “Anderson Zouaves.” Saw Capt Lafata of the Co of the French Zouaves. He is an Italian. Came down to tea and went over to Camp Anderson to hear the music of the “Regulars” Band, it was fine.
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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 & bright but a little too hot. M. 82. Have been at the Pat office part of the day. Had an interview with the Comr and a long talk with him, and a pretty plain talk. But of all the mean business in the world, the most humiliating to a proud and independant man is dancing attendance upon and asking favors from those in power. Dr David got in this evening from the other side of the River. I was at the National an hour or so, also called at Willards. City quiet.
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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.
