Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

Washington Sunday Feb’y 8th 1863.

A most delightful bright and warm day but wet and muddy crossings. I attended divine service at the Capitol again this morning, heard Dr Stockton. He was not as tedious as usual. There was a very good congregation present, a large portion Strangers. They go to the Capitol for the novelty of the thing. An elegant piece of Sculpture, a full length life size Washington in beautiful marble, stands fronting Leutzes picture of the Emigrants. It is by Powers and as a work of art it seems could hardly be excelled. The chiseling is most exquisite. Went up to the “Stone Hospital” again today after dinner. Robert White who I saw last Sunday has had his foot taken off just above the ancle. He appears to be doing well. Another NY Soldier, Rufus Chandler from Livingston Co. NY, with whom I talked that day some time died the next day. Rogers from Conn. 27th Regt, a Student at Yale, was in the fight at Fredericksburgh, got hit four times by bullets, twice wounded severely and twice slightly. I was there about two hours talking with the “boys.” I walked up there and back making a walk of near six miles altogether today. Met Edd Dickerson this morning. Alex Tower is still a prisoner in Richmond but will be back soon as arrangements have been made for the Exchange of the Sutlers. I have been over to Charleys an hour or two this evening. They all seem very well and very fond of each other and of the baby which is very pretty. The weather is warm enough to sit without a fire. It is past eleven and I must to bed.

Washington Saturday Feb’y 7th 1863.

This has been a bright and beautiful day overhead, some mud under foot. I was quite surprised to receive a visit at the office today from Genl Havelock dressed in full uniform. He came into the Hall and enquired for me and his presence created quite a stir as he was not known. I escorted him about the building and showed him the Libraries, and in the upper Hall or “Museum” explained to him the operation of the Revolving Fort (Timbys) with which he was much pleased. His brilliant English Uniform (of a Cavalry officer) attracted much attention in the office and many were the questions of “who was he?” after he had left. After office hours I went on to the Ave and visited the Book Stores, Taylors & Philps, where they know me. I frequently sit there and read for hours in any book I please to take up. It is not a bad place to pick up information at a cheap rate. Books are so awful dear that I cannot afford to purchase. I was at Willards awhile, talked an hour with Mr Sweatland, the N.Y. State Agent for the Soldiers. Saw Bouge, he wanted to borrow a dollar, did not get it. He appeared to be nearly sober, feared he wanted to get drunk. Called at A B Williams. Mrs W is very sick, do not think she can recover. Saw Mrs Tice there from Palmyra, had seen her in Lyons before. She was Miss Armington. Got back to my room before 9 o’clock.

Friday Feb’y 6th 1863.

This day has passed off very quietly. Some rebel stories floating about tonight to the effect that there had been a “raid” on Aquia Creek, that all our immense Stores had been Burned &c. “Secesh” has been quite jubilent about it this evening. It is, of course, all “bosh.” I stoped at Charleys this evening and staid an hour. The baby is getting quite interesting. It is so good natured and quiet, drinks a quart of milk a day, sucks her thumb when she is asleep and grows fat. I went from there to the rooms of Rev Mr Read (at Dr Munsons) and staid there an hour. They (He and his wife) are very friendly and confide their secrets to me. He wants the Agency of the NY S.R. Assn to travel through the State. I will do what I can to get it for him as I think him a “sterling” man. Mrs R also attends the NY “Rooms” and deals out to the soldiers such articles as are sent to the Asson for them. She has spent her whole time for months past and should be paid in some way. I called down below upon Dr Munson & family. They always have so much to say that I can never get away from them. They would like much to have me come back there to Board, perhaps I may sometime. They told me all their secrets about Ostrander (which I knew before). The old Lady talked all the time. “Teal” was wide awake. The fat one slept and snored. The Doct dozed. I did not get released till 1/2 past 10.

NY S.R. Assn = NY S(oldiers). R(elief). Assn

Washington Thursday Feb’y 5th 1863.

I hardly know how to fill out a page tonight. It has been cold and Stormy having snowed most of the day, tonight the snow is more like rain and the weather has moderated. I was on the Ave after I left the office and bought a pair of rubbers, then came home directly to my room, which I have not left since except for dinner. I have been writing over a couple pages of foolscap upon the Analogy which exists betwen a Nation and an individual. In a Nation the whole Territory may be compared to the body of a man. The inhabitants are the living Soul. The Mountains are the Bones. The Rivers and roads and canals are the veins and arteries. Trade and Commerce is the Blood which circulates through them & the industrial system of the Nation is the real nutriment which gives life and vigor to the body giving to the Blood its sustaining and life giving principle. I pursued the comparison much farther. I also wrote some verses for Julias Album should they suit her. There is no news worthy of notice today. I have been in the office as usual. The concert proved a “Sell” to the Committee. Ostrander deceived them in every way. But has now time to repent as he was arrested before the concert yesterday for obtaining property by false pretenses and is now in Jail. He has been a Clerk in the Land office for something over a year. But his game is up now. Past 11 o’clock.

Washington Wednesday. Feb’y 4th 1863

It has been the coldest day of the Season with a sharp cutting wind. The “Grand Concert” came off this evening. I had tickets rather more than I sold but did not see or hear much of the Concert. I think the audience (which was a large one) were not very well satisfied and rather felt “sold.” I was spending most of the evening more pleasantly with Genl Havelock at his room on F Street by invitation. The Genl is an open hearted honest old Soldier. The President invited him over here from England to take charge of the Cavalry as it arrived from the country and fit it for Service. He thinks he has not been very handsomely treated by the Sec’y of War as his Views and plans have not met with much favor at the War office. He holds a Cols Commission, was Genl in the British Army. We sat and talked and drank sherry near two hours. He is a fine specimen of the English Gentleman and brother of the celebrated Genl Havelock of India fame. My Stove “goes off” tonight and the wood melts away in it like wax as it is a very cold night for this City. Mercury is 10 above zero. No war news of any importance, everything must be frozen up. The Potomac was frozen over this morning. There are indications in congress that Mr Chases Banking system will be adopted. Gold droped yesterday five per cent, but is up again today to 159 under the influence of some “Secesh” news to the effect that some of our Blockading Squadron at Charlston had been destroyed by two rebel “iron Clads.” We will wait and see.

Washington Tuesday Febru’y 3rd 1863

It was quite warm and pleasant this morning. But tonight it is cold with a keen north wind which quite upsets all my calculations for comfort in my room for the chimney and my stove do not work together at all, the draft being decidedly down instead of up. I have consequently been obliged to surrender the premises and have spent the evening with my Artist friend Mr Mulviny whose room is below stairs. He has fine Stereoscopic Views and a good Instrument and many fine pictures. He himself is half Irish & half Italian. The concert for the NY soldiers goes off tomorrow night. I have got ten tickets to Sell. I am afraid the whole thing will be a “Sell” with P.H. Ostrander as manager. I think the House will be full as great efforts are making to sell tickets. If the audience are not “Sold,” I shall be glad. Called this morning at Charleys to say to him that some of the Patients at the Ascension Hospital were complaining of Doct Dorr, and want of attention. Some of the Soldiers are given to complaining and are never Satisfied whatever their treatment may be. Such men can make a great deal of trouble if they try as there is always plenty of anxious listeners visiting the Hospitals and take it for granted that a sick or wounded soldier would always tell the truth. It is bitter cold tonight for the poor soldiers in the field and it is freezing hard.

Monday Feb’y 2nd 1863

Have not done much in the office today, there has not been much to do. I wrote a letter home inclosing a draft for $75.00, also sent a bundle of news papers. I send one every day, the “daily Chronicle,” which is left at my room every morning. A number of Soldiers have called on me today for assistance. I went to the N York Rooms with them and gave them a supply. Sent a nice can of fruit to Robert White and another to a poor sick fellow by the name of Chandler from Livingston Co, the only two N.Y. men who were at all badly off in that Hospital. Paid my months Board, Room rent &c, wood & Light included, $30.00. Think of leaving here, but do not know where I coud do any better just now. Went down to the Ave this evening. Sat and read an hour or more in Taylors Book Store. Got hold of Hon Henry Ruttans work on warming and ventilation. He lives in Cobourg C.W. I used to know him. I bo’t Harper’s Monthly and have been reading it since I returned to my room. “A Californian in Iceland” by J Ross Browne is quite interesting and amusing, his powers of description are unequaled. Some body is being Serenaded tonight as a Band of Music has struck upon the street. It is now after eleven o’clock. Some distinguished character is in the neighborhood. Well, the music is good and sounds just as well to the neighbors as though they paid for it. No War news today. Everything quiet on the Potomac. But news expected all the time, especialy from N.C. as well as Vicksburgh. It has been pleasant over head.

Washington. Feb’y 1st 1863. Sunday.

Went to the Capitol today and heard the Chaplin Dr Stockton. He is rather dry and tedious, his sermons this winter have been more of a doctrinal, than a practical character. I believe in practical Christianity and practical preaching. I dont suppose that I am very orthodox, for it does not matter much to me whether a man believes this or that particular dogma, or belongs to this or that denomination. If he acts like a christian from day to day. If he is always ready to do as he would be done by. To forgive as he would wish to be forgiven, I am bound to believe that he has the spirit of Christs teachings in him and is a christian. After all my experience in the world I am much given to judging the tree by its fruit, professions of faith and all the “thirty nine Articles” to the contrary notwithstanding. After dinner I walked up to the “Stone Hospital,” got very muddy. Staid there a couple of hours and walked back in a drizzling rain. Not many NY Soldiers there. One, Robert White, must have his foot taken off. He is a brave boy, not over eighteen, says he wants it done soon, as he can then go home after a little while, poor lad, he has much to suffer yet. He is from Westchester Co. of the 9th NY Militia. I have not been out since I returned. Got two good letters from home this morning, one from Wife, and one from Julia. They seem much elated because I spoke in my last of going home in a month or so. I will go if I can consistantly with my duties in the office.

Washington Saturday Jan’y 31st 1863

The month of Jan’y has passed away and in looking back I find matters connected with the War in much the same condition they were in a month ago. It seems no nearer a close, but on the whole I think matters look more bright for us generaly. The Rebels through their papers repudiate all ideas of our Peace men at the North as to a “re-construction of the Union.” Nothing Short of entire Independence on their part will bring peace. Well, it seems [to] be a question of endurance, and we will see who can stand it the longest. We are expecting successes now and nothing else, two or three victories would do wonders for us during the next month, as many defeats would ruin us. I think we are pretty well prepared for the former. An immense force must now be near Vicksburgh and we are expecting to hear of a terrible fight there soon. Genl Grant is in command. I have been in the office as usual today. After dinner I called upon Vanmaster and staid an hour and then attended a meeting at Mr Sweatlands rooms convened to make arrangements for a Musical Concert to come off next week for the benefit of the NY Soldiers. P H Ostrander is the active man in the affair. Nothing of importance in the way of news. Congress is squabling over the Negro Regiment Bill. Gold 1.58 today. It is speculation, a sort of [“Morus Multicaulus”?] fever that is raging. Genl Benj F Butler is at the “National.” Many other celebrities are are [sic] in town. Called at Charleys rooms. “Sallie” is quite ill. The baby Jessie sucks her thumb and grows fat.