MONDAY 4
The Peace Convention met today but all the Delegates had not arrived and but little was done. The ground was covered with snow again this morning, but nearly melted off during the day. Schuyler Colfax M.C. was at my table in the office attending to a “case.” At Willards tonight I met J F Starbuck of Watertown NY and his new wife. Spent an hour in their room in the Hotel. He was Clerk in the Constitutional Conv’n NY,1846. Willards Hotel is now about full and the Av’e is much crowded during the day. The Election for Delegates to State Convention takes place in Virginia today.
______
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, FEBRUARY 3, 1861.
A little frozen this morning, but warm the rest of the day with plenty of mud. Wife and boys went to church. I did not go out till evening. Was in at “Willards” Hotel. Quite full of eastern and northern men. Was introduced to ex Gov Gardner of Mass. Very young man for an ex Governor. The “Peace Congress” meets tomorrow. Most of the Delegates are here. It is said that Virginia will demand as a preliminary that the U.S. troops now in this City be immediately withdrawn and that no State that “Secedes” shall be coerced. If such be the case it will make trouble & Virginia herself will be ignored altho she first called for the convention. It cannot mean Peace.
______
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 2
Foggy and misty day with water driping from roofs all the time. A Salute of 34 guns was fired today at noon at the Armory on account of the Admission of Kansas into the Union. Many of the Citizens who did not know the cause of the firing were much alarmed thinking that the “fighting” had commenced. No particular news today. More talk now of an attack upon Forts Sumpter & Pickens now held by U.S. troops. In Congress the Republicans are giving ground for the sake of peace. The Peace Convention invited by Virginia meets Monday the 4th. Did not go down to the Ave tonight.
______
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, FEBRUARY 1
Fine cool morning, M: 24 — warmer and misty the latter part of day. Got measured for new black coat. Paid some Bills & small note at Bank. Willie has been quite ill. I came home from the office at 1’o’ck. He is much better tonight. The day has passed off much as yesterday. Two more companys of U.S. Soldiers came today. One is quartered on E St. near pat & post offices. The other in west part of the City. There are many “Secessionists” or Disunionists among the Citizens here. It is my opinion that the District Militia would prove, in case of need, a poor support for the Govt to rely upon. Have spent the evening at home with the boys in various amusements.
______
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, JANUARY 31, 1861.
Mercury this morning 20 above zero, cold and pleasant all day. Interesting debates in Congress now. Chas Francis Adams took high conservative ground today in the “House.” There now seems to be a disposition in Congress to do Something. Attended the meeting of the “Raven Club” this evening at Prof Whitakers on 11th St. J. S. Willson delivered an address, The Ideas of the Ist & IIIrd Napoleon. Ended by paying a fine tribute to the Founders of our Govt and the Value of the Union. Mr Fuller of N.C. followed in a few very eloquent remarks. No particular news. Doct John C. Smith, 4th Pres[byterian] Ch[urch] called on me today at office.
______
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 30
A pleasant cold day, freezing in the shade, Streets muddy. Another Company of Flying Artillery arrived last night — 90 men & four “pieces.” They are quartered in the old Wm Wirt House where Mrs Smith had her Young Ladies Select School or “Institute,” something of a change on those premises. The southerners here are greatly offended and pretend innocence. But in truth these preparations thwart their plans for seizing the City. No news of importance today, but some compromise seems more likely to be made now than heretofore. Did not go down to the Ave tonight.
______
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 29
There are indications today that the Republicans are “coming down” from the Chicago Platform and that something like the Crittenden proposition will be accepted by them. Secession seems to be now a fixed fact and we have to look Disunion in the face, while a subversion of the Government is threatened. This City is still considered in danger. There is a thousand U.S. Soldiers now quartered here. An armed guard now tramps through the Halls of the Patent Office every night and the other Public Buildings are guarded in the same way. Warm & pleasant today.
______
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, JANUARY 28, 1861.
It has thawed only in the sun today but it has been bright and pleasant overhead. The day has passed without any startling news. The committee in Congress resolved to investigate the conspiracy said to exist to seize the City, or at least as far as Govt officials are concerned. Some persons in our office are said to be implicated. Many officials from States that have “seceded” are employed in all the Depts. I was at the “National” this evening. The Hotels and the Streets on the Ave. seem quite crowded at present. A collision at Pensacola (or Fort Pickens) is now expected daily. No Blood has yet been shed.
______
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 27
The snow is about 6 or 7 inches deep and some attempts at sleigh riding are made but there seems to be a sad deficiency in vehicles of that kind, but the ring of sleigh bells has been quite common today. It has thawed in the sun all day. I was in at Willards. The House seemed to be quite full. Called at Cramers and spent an hour. Mr Russell from Saratoga there, took tea there. The moon is at its full and it is almost as light as day out. Every one you meet looks grave and anxious.
______
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 26
A regular snow storm today, snow four or five inches deep. Nothing important occurs from day today here. But the Govt is posting troops in different parts of the City for its protection. We were just startled by hearing two pistol shots and a cry of Watch Watch on Franklin Square near our house. Did not go down to the “Avenue” this evening on account of the snow. Usualy do go down to the Hotels and get the “Herald” or “Times,” sometimes the “Tribune.” I take the City papers (two). The Balt “Sun,” Home J[ournal]l, N.Y. Lyons paper, Scientific American, &c. I read daily a number of other papers and a good deal in Books, mostly relating to Steam. Business in the Pa[ten]t office is very dull this winter as might be expected.
______
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.
