MONDAY 15
It seems pretty probable that “Sumpter” is taken but I think that we cannot rely entirely upon the news. There seems to be a great war spirit up throughout the Country. Washington will soon be a great Military Camp. My wife is not so much frightened today. I think we will not hurry in getting the family off. It has rained some today, and it [is] threatening a storm tonight. Applicants for office are less pertinacious than they were and many have left for their homes. I was down at Willards. The same crowd seems to be there still.
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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 14
A fine cool day. Went to church in the morning with all the children, wife staid at home and went in the afternoon. The excitement in the City increases all the time now the war has begun. But the reports from Charleston are mostly “bogus.” Maj Anderson has probably not surrendered, but there is fighting there. I left Willards about 1/2 past 10 this evening, never saw a more excited crowd. It is said that Martial law will be proclaimed tomorrow morning, and that the Prest has made requisition upon the States for 75,000 men or Volunteers to defend the Government. Think of sending my family out of the City immediately.
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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, APRIL 13, 1861.
This has been the most exciting day yet. The last report about the provisioning Ft Sumpter was untrue and today or early this morning news came that the Rebels were bombarding it and tonight the report is that Maj Anderson has surrendered, it being on fire. The last report is not generaly credited. Even if true, it is not astonishing. The Rebels have ten thousand men & nineteen Batteries. Anderson had 70 men only. I went on to the Ave after 3 o’clock, a great crowd round all the Printing or News paper offices. Everybody much excited, and all will soon be compelled to “show their hands,” for or against the Union.
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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 12
It has been rainy the latter part of the day and rains hard tonight. Went with Juliet and the boys to see the soldiers over to the Long Bridge. Nothing but the guard there. Visited the City Armory, a company of U.S. Artillery stationed there. The Military companies are now divided and stationed at various points all over the City. Treason is in our midst. One hardly knows whom to trust. But I speak my own sentiments freely as I have all the time and denounce “seceders” as Traitors. Went down to the Ave & got the NY papers. It is said today that Fort Sumpter has been provisioned without bloodshed.
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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 11
A delightful morning and a very pleasant day. City full of Military and full of excitement. Nothing heard from Charleston unusual, but news expected by tomorrow. Fort Sumpter, it is now thought, is without doubt to be relieved in some way. The Cotton States are all up in Arms, while Ben McCulloch is threatening Washington. He is fearless and desperate. Chas took dinner with us and came up in the evening with Miss Woodward and staid till 10. Sent young H N to the Ave for the NY papers early in the evening. Retired at 11 o’clock.
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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, APRIL 10, 1861.
Rain again until noon. It has rained all the time since Sunday morning, and the water in the Potomac is higher than it has been before in some years. The District Militia were all out on parade and eight Companies entered the service of the U.S. upon requisition of the Secy of War for the Protection of the City. The guards are doubled at all the Public Buildings, and Military companies were on duty all last night. Exciting rumors from the South & exciting news expected. Was on the Ave, at the Hotels, much excitement.
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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 9
Rained again all day, and a perfect tempest of wind and rain all last night as well as today. Much anxiety is felt on account of the fleet which for two or three days past has been leaving NY with troops &c for the South. E G Allen of Boston in our Rooms today. Singular man. Many are fearing an attack upon the City now, as it is thought that a War is about commencing. Have been at home all the evening hearing the boys read, and cleaning my “revolver” after they went to bed. It rains yet at 11 o’clock, fair prospect for it tomorrow.
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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 8
Rained all day or rather drizzled all day. No new excitement today. No removals from the Pat office today. Got letter from Bro C.R. Went over to the Post office and got his “papers” taken up. His appointment as Post Master at Wmstown Mass will be made out in a day or two. Wrote to him tonight at home, most of my private letters I write in the office. Handed Green my revolver to draw the charges, it has been loaded two months. Have spent the entire evening at home with one girl & three boys round the table with me writing.
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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, APRIL 7, 1861.
It has been a wet drizzly day, but I went to church with the boys in the morning. Chas was up to dinner. The papers are full of war news and there is now much excitement in the country, as much as there has been any time. When we know where the troops have gone from NY, the anxiety will be lessened. It is past 9. Wife is at the table reading. The boys have gone to bed. Julia is playing on the Piano. Larney (the black chattel) is crouched behind the stove keeping comfortable, a basket of young chickens is in the corner by her.
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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 5
Warmer today but a white frost this morning. Gardens are being made now and the Peach trees are blossoming. The grass is quite green in the public grounds and the trees are leafing out, and the City will soon assume a gay and beautiful appearance. Did not go on to the Ave tonight. Have had a man at work cleaning out the celler (my wood house) and doing some work in the yard. Got a load of manure. The man is coming tomorrow to spade up the little garden & I will plant it. Boys are much exercised over the first litter of chickens. 11 o’clock.
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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.
