WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 1861.
This has been a delightful day and one full of excitement and interest. The Ave has been thronged all day with soldiers. Small squads of them have been strolling into the City and all had their story of hair breadth escapes to tell surrounded by an eager crowd of listeners. Most of the Regts who were in the Action have returned to this side and taken up their old quarters, and other fresh troops have been sent over the River. I was at Willards this evening. The City is now overflowing. Sergent M Goodrich stayed with me 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.
TUESDAY 23
Yesterday was a rainy day and the poor Soldiers were coming in all day wet and cold. We had our house full of members of our Lyons Co. to tea, and made them as comfortable as we could. Today I have taken down to the camp for them two pairs of pantaloons, bot tobacco for the Zuaves and helped them “out” all I could. The City is full of returning soldiers, many in a bad condition, wounded & tired out.
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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 22
Yesterday proved a disastrous day to our troops. They were compelled to retreat and remnants of Regts and squads of soldiers have been pouring into the City all day. Most of the Regts which I saw pass the long Bridge a week ago have returned badly cut up. The two RI, the NH 2nd, the 71st NY, and the NY 27th are here again, having lost at least 1/4 of their numbers. The Ellsworth Zuaves are all cut to pieces, only about 250 left out of 1100. My nephew Saml Androus of the Michigan 1st is said to be killed. That Regt suffered terribly.
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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, JULY 21, 1861.
This has been the most exciting day yet. We have heard the guns all day from the battle which has been raging at or near Mannasses Junction. There is no news that can be relied on public tonight, only that a terrible fight has been going on all day. Reinforcements have been going over all day and last night. 12000 have left the City. A Regt passed the church during services this morning and a train of Artillery dashed by. A most excited crowd at Willards and all sorts of rumors afloat.
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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 20
I have been about the office writing letters &c most of the day. Saw Doct Smith this morning. He insists that I shall be re-instated. The excitement in the City is great as the two Armies are now near each other and a decisive battle must take place — in a day or two. A number of Congressmen have gone over to the Army today, as yesterday Congress adjourned over till Monday. It is understood that there has been no fighting 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.
FRIDAY 19
A day of great excitement in the City, all looking for news from the Army. A thousand reports flying about, but nothing to be relied on when I left Willards at 9 o’clock tonight. I shall make an effort today to be re-instated in office as the Times are not at all promising for any one out of business. The sun has been hot today but there has been a good air or breeze all day. H N Jr in his sleep last night got out of a three story window on to the roof of the back wing two stories high. I got him in without accident.
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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, JULY 18, 1861.
Rather too warm today for comfort but a good air stirring. It is supposed that a great Battle has taken place at Mannasses junction — as our troops were near there this morning. On account of the diminished business of the Patent office a number of the Examiners were removed today, myself among the rest. The Pat office fund is pretty well exhausted, the expenses being about $10,000.00 per month in excess of receipts for the last six months. Called at Willards to see Mr A D [Polhamus?], an immense crowd.
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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 17
All the Union or 27th Regt did not go yesterday, about a hundred men were left until today. They left this afternoon. Elder Buck (the Chaplin) (from Lyons) and Lieut Gould of Rochester took breakfast with us. Some of the men of the Lyons Co took dinner with us and my wife sent over dinner to others. Nothing is heard yet of Genl McDowells Army. We expect they are at Fairfax C.H. before this. I was at Willards this evening, an excited crowd.
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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 16
This has been quite an exciting day as the military has been moveing all day over the River. The RI Regts with Gov Sprague at the head left their camp and passed through the City and over the long Bridge about 2 o’clock. The 71st and the 2nd N.H.V. followed. The [Union?] Regt also rcd orders at noon and left in two hours for the same destination. I was at the L Bridge with A Tower and E A Dickinson when the four first Regts passed over. A guard only is now left at the camp of the 27th. Was there this 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.
MONDAY, JULY 15, 1861.
Nothing in particular has occured today, excepting the arrival of a number of Regts from the North and the passage of a number over the River into Virginia. Crowds visit the patent office every day. The City is very full now of strangers as well as soldiers. The latter are mostly in Camp back of the City. Saw the “Union” Regt practice firing at target this afternoon. Was at the Camp with the officers of the Lyons Co. Am home this evening. Their Regt is expecting orders to march.
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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.
