THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 1861.
This has been a cool pleasant day, just comfortable with a fire all day. My health and spirits are good. I feel better than usual at this time of year. I take a little cherry whiskey every morning, about half a wine glass full. Took a walk after dinner with Mr Peale of the Patent office. Was an hour at the National. Called at “Browns” upon Mr Henry Howson of Phila., droped into Willards, got the NY papers and came home and read them. No particular News. 1/2 past 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 3
Another pleasant cool day, fire in office during the forenoon. The work is pretty well “up” in our room altho we have no 2nd assistant yet. I am now performing the clerical duties in addition to my usual routine of work. Walked with Juliet this evening, got her pr Boots on 7th Street, and then we went through the upper part of the City. I did not go to the Ave and of course did not get the NY papers. Read “Williams on Heat” till 11, and am off to bed.
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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 2
A fine day but a little cool, had a fire in the office nearly all day. One of the principal Examiners, A B Little was removed today, other removals are expected this week. Went after dinner with Mr John Vansantvoord to see [Preston?] King. We also called upon Gov Seward at his home and upon Mssrs Beach and Wales at the “National.” The crowd at the Hotels is getting rather less in numbers but apparently more anxious. The time of their waiting has grown long while their purses have grown short and they look impatient.
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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.
Note: This particular diary entry—a private document written in 1861—includes a term that is very offensive to many today. No attempt will be made to censor or edit 19th century material.
MONDAY, APRIL 1, 1861.
This has been rather a wet drizzling day. Nothing new seems to be afloat. If all “Niggerdom” “Secedes” the great North and West will be United and still a great Nation. If a compromise is effected at last, it will be many long years before the North can have faith or confidence in States which have furnished so many Robbers and Traitors. Many in the office are fearing the “ax” but I am quite indifferent about being removed. Am tempted to resign if my salary is not increased to $2500 & think I shall.
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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 31
Went out to church this morning. It was cold enough to wear my cloak. Family wer[e] all out but Julia who is unwell. She went with Miss Sallie to “St Mathews” in the afternoon. Chas and Sallie came up about dark from “Vespers” and spent the evening. Miss S. performed on the Piano and the passersby might have heard in some of the pieces anything but Sunday music. I took a walk down 12th St to the Ave & back, quick step. It took me twenty minutes.
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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 30
This has been rather a busy day in the office for me as I had to make out the monthly account, or Report. Some removals among the subordinates today. Many are trembling expecting decapitation. I think that the removals so far have been generaly judicious and such as ou[gh]t to have been made. The day has been windy and dry, and consequently very dusty. Went down to the Ave and got the NY papers. Came home with Julia from Mr Woodwards, read the papers till it is now high time to bed 1/2 pst 11.
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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, MARCH 29, 1861.
A pleasant warm day, which has passed off much as others do when nothing in particular occurs. The office is thronged with expectants for office, and it puzzles the “heads” to find places for even a small portion of the applicants. Went down to the Express office this evening, Julia went with me for a walk. We called no where else except for the NY Papers. We are all very well. My own health never was better. We read the papers till I was left alone & I went to bed at 11 o’ck.
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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 28
A nice spring day, bright & pleasant. We had a Comr in the office today, and a “green” Board of Appeal. The Pat office seems to be running into the ground under raw leaders. Took walk after dinner with wife and on our return found Chas & Miss Woodward who staid till 9 o’ck. Maj Davidson called and staid an hour or two. US. Senate Adjourned today. The Flying Artillery were practicing or rather exercising near us on Franklin Square. Julia & the boys went to see them. 1/2 past 10.
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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 27
A rainy morning, but pleasant by noon. It rained nearly all last night. We have at last got a Comr of Patents. Mr Holloway of I.A. was confirmed by the Senate today. Went down to the Hotels this evening. Strange and anxious faces yet crowd them. Called at the “National” upon Judge Ira Harris NY Senator. Had a pleasant “call,” conversed upon various subjects. He thinks the Secession Movement will die out if it is let alone. Got the NY “Times” and came home 1/2 past 9 & read it. Got letter today from Prest Cowles of Elmira Female College. Clock has just struck 11.
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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, MARCH 26, 1861.
Another warm pleasant day with some wind, rained some last night. At work hard in the office and very much fatigued tonight. Julia called for me from her school after calling upon Mr Alexander of the Seed Room and geting some garden & flower seeds. I did not go down to the Ave this evening. Took a walk with Julia up 14th St after taking short nap on the sofa. Read the days news in the “Star,” heard the boys read some. Their mother thrumed the Piano some. I have noded some, am off to bed at 1/2 past 9.
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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.
