WEDNESDAY 15
This has been a fine airy day. The RI Regt is a[l]most gone from the Pat office. Troops are coming into the City every day. It is so common now to see Regts march through the streets that it is hardly known where they come from by the crowd. Went to hear the music at the Prests this evening. The R.I. Band played, quite a crowd there. Lord Lyon quite prominent. 4000 troops were marching on the Ave when we came away. Went into all the Hotels tonight. Not much excitement, but there is “something in the wind.” Genl Butler will be heard from soon.
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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 14
Warm today. Some of the northern soldiers fainted in the streets. 2nd Connecticut Regt got in today. The 2 Connt Regts are in camp on 7th st at the “Park” about a mile north of the Pat office. Went up after dinner to see the NY 7th Regt camp and Drill or dress parade. There were a great many spectators. Was down at Willards and on the Ave down to Philps Book Store, bought “Philps Washington” (a dollar). Ave full, about two thirds officers & soldiers. Came home 1/2 past 8 o’clock, read the evening papers, have felt quite well and my long walk dose [sic] not tire me.
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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, MAY 13, 1861.
Rather hot today. M. 80. RI Regt preparing to leave the Pat off and go into camp near Glenwood Cemetery. Six or eight of the Regts are now in camp. Nothing new now occuring from day to day in the office. We attend as usual in our rooms, and do what there is to do, but business is very light this month. Felt quite ill this morning, ate no breakfast, but am as well as usual tonight. Wife & Julia & Boys were at the Presidents to see a Review of the District Military. All the Regiments have a Dress Parade every evening about 6 o’clock. I saw the 12th tonight on F[ranklin]. Square.
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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 12
Pleasant warm day. Went to church with wife & children. Doct Smith preached in the afternoon. The church was half full of soldiers of the R.I. Regt. Some 4000 troops have arrived during last night and today. The Regiments now in quarters paraded this evening as usual. We were at F[ranklin]. Square. I caught cold during the wet weather and am half sick, have not felt worse in a good while. Wrote a letter to Bro C R today. Did not go onto the Ave today, retired early.
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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 11
This has been a fine day and the Military have been all alive. Regiments marching, Bands playing and Drums beating, Bugles sounding, and now and then the deep booming of cannon. I was in the office all day, but was writing & reading the news, having not much official business to transact. Attended the parade of the 12th with wife on Franklin Square, then went down to Market with Willie, the black girl carrying the basket. That performance seems to be the height of her ambition. Sent her home with basket full. Went & got Willie a hat.
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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, MAY 10, 1861.
A bright morning, but rain all day after 12 o’clock. Troops continue to arrive, 30,000 here now. They are now mostly going into camp in the suburbs of the City. Reports of large bodies of troops in Virginia indicate work near here before long. I should not be much surprised to see them on Arlington heights any morning. I hope an army will not attempt to march to Richmond. Should one do so, I believe it would be destroyed if less than fifty thousand. Went down to “Camp Anderson” Franklin Square after dinner. There was no parade on account of the wet. Filled the Aquarium again 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.
THURSDAY 9
Fine day and much enjoyed by everybody. But little seems to be attended to except military matters. Soldiers marching, Drums beating and Bugles sounding all the time, and now and [sic] one hears the deep booming of a heavy Cannon from Fort Washington, or from the Navy Yard or perhaps from some vessel on the River. Saw the 12th NY Regt Parade, then went down to Willards. Saw A B Williams again. Saw Maj Anderson and many other officers. Found Chas & Sallie at the House.
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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 8
Another fine bright day. Have been bothered some with ladies at the Pat office calling upon me. I might perhaps better say interupted. They all want to see Gov Sprague of R.I. I took in five and introduced them. Then into the quarters upstairs, then into the Surgeon Genls quarters, then into the Hospital. Juliet renewed the Govs Boquet of flowers. Went after dinner to the Presidents grounds with wife, Juliet & H N Jr. Went from there to the Pat office to see the RI Regt parade. Avee full of people, mostly soldiers. Troops marching and parading all over the City every night. Music heard all over.
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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, MAY 7, 1861.
It has been a pleasant fine day and much enjoyed by all after the long cold rain. 4000 soldiers from NJ are here now. Saw them all on parade on the Ave tonight. Went with wife to the Capitol, into both chambers. Had to pass eight sentries. Went into the East Capitol grounds where the Zuave Regt (Col Ellsworths) was on parade. They are a hard looking set (NY Fire man). Called in the evening on Col Allen of Boston at the National. Saw the Col of the NY 5th Regt there and other officers. Got the papers, a map of the City & Georgetown & a [badge?] for myself.
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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 6
Rain again most of the day. Many of the troops are in an exposed condition and suffering for shelter. The NJ troops came in early this morning, over 3000 in the rain and could find no shelter for sometime. Drilling of RI soldiers in the Halls of the Pat office all day. Everything outside looks wet and gloomy. Did not go to the Ave this evening, but got a plate of glass and put in the Aquarium, one was broken. Caught in a shower while after it, to bed early.
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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.
