FRIDAY 15
A cool day, chilly wind, but not freezing. It is colder tonight, freezes some. No Comisr in our office yet, and no particular news about town. The great Gaines Lawsuit was decided yesterday by the Supreme Court which is the end of the Law. Over two Millions of property goes to Mrs Gaines by this decision. Went the round of the Hotels with Brother this Evening, “Willards,” “National,” “Browns,” & “Kirkwoods,” a good crowd in all of them. Came home before 9, read the papers, and talked of Williamstown Matters & People till after 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.
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1861.
A little rainy this morning, but the rain turned into snow about noon and it has snowed ever since, melting as it came until night when it covered the ground. It is not cold enough to freezze. Nothing new transpiring in the office. No removals or appointments there as yet. Was down at Willards this evening. Saw the old M.C., E B Morgan, Engineer in Chief Archibold and others there. The pressure for office is very great, especialy from the Western States. Julia is staying at Mr Woodwards tonight. It is after 11 & I will retire.
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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 13
A little rainy this morning but it cleared off and it has been rather a pleasant day. Pat office crowded as usual with strangers and the Number of applications for patents is increasing. No Comr of Patents yet appointed. No news stirring today, but the crowds at the Hotels continues very great. All anxious for office. Some side scenes occur of course. Was down to Willards with Bro and saw numerous friends fr various parts of the country. Came home before 9 o’clock, took tea & ready to retire 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.
TUESDAY 12
Fine day and quite warm tonight. The streets are quite dry. The City is quite full of strangers yet mostly office seekers I suppose. Not many removals have as yet been made in any of the Deptts. It is understood that Fort Sumpter is to be evacuated. It may be policy to do so if it is not a matter of Necessity. Went with C R to Georgetown after dinner. Visited the Aqueduct Bridge, the High Resivoir, and the Oak Hill Cemetery. Went with Julia this evening to the National to see one of her friends and from there to Willards to meet Bro. C. R. & all came home.
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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, MARCH 11, 1861.
It has been a pleasant cool day, comfortable out door with an overcoat on. A great many people in the office today. Office seekers are hanging on here in great numbers. Went after 3 o’clck with Bro C R & Maj [Bulkley?] to the Navy Yard through the shops and on board the US War Steamer Pensacola. Maj B came home and dined with us. We then went down to Willards. Bro & myself called at Cramers, and then went back to Willards. Senator Wigfall was there with a crowd round him but not boisterous.
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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 10
Rather a cold day but no frost, a cold wind. Went to Trinity Ch (Dr Butlers.) this morning with my old friend S Patrick. Bro C R, Maj Sol [Bulkley?] & Juliet also there. In afternoon, all went to Dr Smiths ch, heard a Mr Fish from Paris (France). He is trying to raise funds for the Protestant cause in France. He did not speak very good English but was still very interesting and could be easily understood by close attention. Was in at Willards with Bro in the Evening. Wife has been writing to Hariet Brownson. C R & self talking of Wmstown Characters.
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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 9
A rainy morning but most of the day was rather pleasant. No particular news stirring. Spent an hour after dinner with Bro. at the office of Dr John W [Bulkley?] and his father Solomon [Bulkley?] talking of Williamstown people &c. Went down to Willards with Bro. and from there to the “National” to see Philip Dorsheimer. He had left on the 3.10 train. We got the evening NY papers. Called at “Kirkwoods” and came home about 9 o’clock and read the news till 11 o’clock and then went 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.
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1861.
Rather a cool day but cloudy with indications of rain at night. Shepherd Patrick of Norwalk Ohio called upon me today. I showed him round the office. This Evening was the first Levee of Mr Lincoln at the “White House.” Myself, Brother C R, and Julia went. The crowd was so great in the House that hundreds left without seeing the Prest. It was a perfect jam. Elegant Ladies dresses and Elegant Officers uniforms fared bad in the crowd. Got home about 10 and staid there quite as long as was desirable to us.
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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 7
Somewhat frosty this morning, but a bright day. In the office all day. W VanMaster of Lyons called again. Went with him to the seed room and procured a variety of garden seeds, grape cutting, tea plants &c for him. Bro C R and also Julia were at the office today. Went with Bro after three o’clock to [“Klomans“?] and got some oysters and ale. Intending to go to the Navy Yard, but concluded that it was too late. Came home and dined at 4, did not go out this evening. Bro & I staid in parlor.
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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 6
Worked busily in the office all day but had numerous “Calls.” Called, myself, upon Mr Kelly the acting Sec’y of Interior. The Sec’y [has] not taken his position yet but expected today. Wife & Julia called at the office for me just before 3 o’clock. I went home with them, C R T along. In the evening went to Willards with them all, staid two or three hours with our friends in the parlors. We went from there to “Gautiers” and took Ice Cream, Tea, &c. Got home about 11 o’clock and soon went 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.
