MONDAY 25
This has been a delightful day, bright & warm. Have been very busy in the office, doing the work of two Desks or the Clerical duties of the room in addition to my own from the removal of our assist. Went down to the “National.” Saw Carl Shurz the famous Dutch Orator. And also met my old friend P Dorsheimer who is now State Treasurer of NY. He is after the N York Naval office. Got the NY papers & read them. Bed at 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.
SUNDAY 24
We have had a “march Wind” today in good earnest, with plenty of dust. I did not go to church in the morning. The Family went. I am not a great admirer of Doct Smiths Sermons. I wrote letters part of the day, one to S Patrick, one to Wm Van Camp, and one to Frank. In the evening I called with Holly at Mr Cramers and had a pleasant chat with them. Did not get home till near 10 o’clock, read awhile and went to bed about 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.
SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 1861.
Warm comfortable day today with indications of rain towards night. Nothing of note occured in the office. No Comr yet. A great many removals in the Pension Office, and a clamorous crowd ready to fill vacancies. The City is yet quite full of strangers. Despairing applicants for office are telegraphing to their friends to come & help them. Was in at Willards & Kirkwoods, bought a cravat at Berglings and the papers at [French & Richsteins?], and came home about 9 o’ck, read till 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 22
A cold wind till near night, but a fine evening & bright moon. The Heads begin to drop in our office. Three assistant exmrs have been removed today, others will probably follow. Called with Juliet at Doct Everitts after dinner, then went on to the Ave alone and round the Hotels. They are pretty well crowded yet with anxious faces. Levee at the Prests tonight, crowds were moving that way on the Ave. Came home before 9, and read “Williams on heat” till 11, read last night till after 12 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.
THURSDAY 21
It has been a cold windy day. It snowed some last night, and we are now having about as much Winter as we have had. The indications are now that Fort Sumpter will be evacuated and perhaps the other Forts in the seceded states, and that there will be no War. But in my opinion a peaceable separation will ultimately be brought about (probably with all the Slave States) and two confederacys be formed. Went with Julia (after calling on our neighbor Mr Douglass with my wife) to the Raven Club at Prof Whitakers, heard Doct Chesney discuss the Character of Queen Elizabeth.
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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, MARCH 20, 1861.
Cool again today, but not freezing. Busy in the office for two or three days on Steam gauges. Work in the office increasing this Month. Do not take much time now to read in office hours, am interupted much by frequent “calls.” Juliet commenced school with Miss Douglass today. The Boys go (as they have for some months) to Mr [De Harts?]. Went down to the Ave with my wife to make some purchases. I called at Willards, quite a crowd there yet, saw some that I knew. Came home about 8 with the “Times,” been reading all the evening. 1/2 past 10 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.
TUESDAY 19
Another cold day. M. 19 early this morning, but the sun took the snow off before night. There does not seem to be any news in particular afloat but Warlike rumors are in the secession papers. The Cabinet does not seem to be a unit upon all questions and it may not hold together long. Sent packages of seeds from the Agriclt Room to both the Editors at Lyons, Tinsley & Van Camp. Went down to the Ave with Juliet. Called upon Miss Douglas on H Street. She commences school with Miss D. tomorrow. 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.
MONDAY 18
Mercury down to 20 this morning with quite a cold wind, the day closeing with a snowstorm. It has been about as cold and wintry a day as we have had. Brother C R started for home on the the [sic] 3.10 train this afternoon. We have had a good pleasant visit from him, and he is very agreeable company. I went to the Depot with him and saw him off. He is to be Post Master at Williamstown. The office seekers are leaving, some satisfied and others growling. Holly is nearly well today. I did not sleep much last night, to bed early 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.
SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 1861.
It threatened rain all day but none fell. Holly has been rather sick today, sore throat, cold, &c. Julia D[itt]o. Neither went to church. Uncle C R and the rest of us all went to Doct. Smiths in the morning. Bro & myself went over to the Island to hear Mason Noble in the afternoon. Bro thinks of starting home tomorrow, must try and keep him a little longer. He seems very near to me as a Brother. We have concluded not to send Juliet back to Elmira this term. Holly has considerable fever tonight and we feel somewhat anxious about him. I sleep with him 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.
SATURDAY 16
A cool pleasant day. Brother C R went to Mt Vernon this morning with Maj [Bulkley?] & others. Retd about 4 o’ck. I wrote to the Sec’y of Interior in reference to Promotion. It is now understood that Mr Holloway of Indiana is appointed Comr of Patents. E G Allen of Boston in the office today. He is a singular man. I should almost think him half insane. Did not go down town after dinner. Charley and Miss Woodward spent the evening, took tea with us. She appears very much accomplished and is a very beautiful girl. Bro went to market with me, bed at 12 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.
