Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

Monday Jan’y 19th 1863

This has been another cold day but clear and pleasant. I did not have much to do in the office after making out my weekly report. All seems to be in uncertainty in regard to the movements of the Army of the Potomac. But I think it is again over the Rappahannock. Went up to Georgetown after office hours with a view of going out to Fort Gaines, but was too late, so I came back to Browns the (“Metropolitan”) where I met John C Adams. He is a “Chip of[f] the old Block.” Also met Capt Swan there. We agreed to go up to the 138th Regt tomorrow. He intends to return to the Army in a day or two. Important news (which seems to be official) from the Arkansas River. Seven Regts of rebels taken prisoners and a great amount of Stores and Ammunition. Genl McClernand in command of our troops. I called at Charleys and staid an hour and then went to Odd Fellows Hall to hear readings or recitations from “Madame Lizzy Bell.” Her recitations were very good. He had quite a good house. James E Murdoch and George Vanderhoff both read tonight, the former in the Senate Chamber and the latter in “Willards Hall.” I must hear Vanderhoff tomorrow night. I do get lonesome sometimes, but not often. With my Books and my writing in my room with a good fire I enjoy myself tolerably well. I go into the Hotels almost every night but do not often sit down. Always meet old friends and acquaintances there. “Shoulder Straps” are rather more scarce since a late “order” ordering all officers to their commands. Sent three newspapers home today, got no letters.

Washington Sunday Jan’y 18th 1863

A fine cold winter morning, ground hard frozen. Attended religious Services in the Capitol, heard Mr Stockton (the Chaplain). Took a look at Leutzes picture of the “Emigrants.” The more I look at it the more I admire it. Miss Rumsey always sings with one other female and three male singers at the Hall of the “House” Sundays. She is a public singer at concerts and other places, particularly at the Hospitals for the soldiers. She and her intended husband Mr spend about all their time for the soldiers. They have raised a Library for them of several hundred Vols. I visited the Ascension Hospital, it is again full of Patients and Chas is as busy as ever. I spent an hour or two in their rooms after he left the Hospital, took tea with them, held the baby while it went to sleep sucking its thumb. I was a little surprised when he asked me to stay & play a game of Chess. I do not play any game Sunday or Sunday evening, told him so. I suppose it is from habit for I do not think I have any too much respect for the Sabbath as a holy day. It may be from respect to the habit and teaching of my Father. But then He kept Saturday night and not Sunday night, “so there I am again.” When I was a boy in N England Sunday began at sundown Saturday & ended at sundown Sunday. Called at A B Williamss and spent an hour and then to my room. Williams intends to sell his property in Lyons and live here altogether. That may suit him but it would not suit me were I in his place.

Saturday Jan’y 17, 1863

Heard tonight that the Army have crossed the Rappahannock below Fredericksburgh 10 miles. We shall hear of a Battle in a day or two. The Patent office is being cleared of Patients today. It may be it is only to make room for more wounded. It is sad to think of. Yesterday and today the weather has been very cold, that is freezing with wind. Capt Swan called this morning having just returned from Lyons on a visit. He is bound for the army. I called upon Vanmaster this evening and also upon Mr & Mrs Read where I spent a couple of hours very pleasantly. They seem to think a great deal of me. I expect he will propose my name to the Patriotic “League” for membership. I do not know yet what it is exactly but think the object good if it is to expose traitors in office or out of office and uphold the government at all hazzards. I called upon Hon Mr Daws, M.C., last evening, had quite a talk with him about Mr Chases financial scheme. He I find is one of the Country Bank Men. It will intefere with some of his Bank constituents to support Mr Cs idea, and and the same miserable plea by other members will defeat the measure. I talked pretty plain to Mr D. upon the matter. Told him that discussions in Congress upon this matter was injuring the country just now more than the Rebels were, and that all Banks of Issue were unconstitutional in my view – and such was the opinion of many of our former and best Statesmen.

Washington Friday Jan’y 16th 1863

Rumors today of a movement of the Army of the Potomac. It is believed to be a good time for it. The Rebels have undoubtedly been sending off a portion of their Army to Tennessee and N Carolina and I think our army will cross the River above Fredericksburgh, but perhaps below. More Battles and more killed and wounded, more pain and suffering. But perhaps the War is but just begun. We can and will fight for years for the preservation of the Union, if necessary, if our finances are put in a good condition. That is or seems to be now the worst feature of the business. But the Rebels must be much the worst off in that respect. We have at any rate got the most men and the most money and can stand the War the longest time. Young Ed Rogers from Lyons called upon me today and we agreed to go up to the Camp of the 138th together this afternoon, but I have not seen him since and waited so long for him that I could not go myself. Bought some Books for the Boys which I will send by mail tomorrow. I am quite well pleased with my new position in the office as Examiner of Patent Deeds. The Board is composed of three, Mr Martin Buel, Mr O Abell, and myself. We also examine the Records. The Churches are all to be given up and the “Ascension” is clear of Patients. But the order in regard to that church has been countermanded. Chas has order to have it ready tomorrow for 100 patients again.

Washington Thursday Jan’y 15th 1863

I have reason to be thankful that my health is so good. Today I have felt extremely well and have been quite busy all day although I have not done much on the “Board.” Josephine (Maj E Ps wife) and Mrs H P Knowles called upon me at my office about noon and I spent a couple of hours with them showing them round the Pat office, and Dead Letter office. We also visited Mr McGuires Picture Gallery on E st. The ladies were much pleased with all they saw. I promised to go out to Fort Gaines tomorrow and return their “Call.” I [c]onfess that I have not been very neighborly with my Lyons Friends of the 138th, never having been out to Fort Gaines. But it is difficult getting there on foot after leaving the cars & “Bus.” Spent an hour with Chas & Sallie. The Ascension Hospital is broken up. The Surgeon Genl told Chas that he could have his choice of all the Hospitals in the District, and be transfered to which he chose. He decides tomorrow. The baby is growing finely on the bottle. She has never nursed it much. Called at Doct Munsons and staid till past 9. Mr & Mrs White there from Albany, also Mr & Mrs Whitney from Rochester. Heard something from Mis Read (in a very sly way) of a secret “League” of Loyal Gentlemen now forming in the City to act in support of the Govt &c. I must enquire and find out all about it if I can and perhaps join it. I was a Minuet Man two years ago when we were in great Peril. I will be one now if necessary. No very bad news, a gun Boat and some Transports taken by the Rebels on the Cumberland River. The Army of the Potomac, it is reported, is moving. Called upon Maj Austin, Pay Master from Auburn. Saw Mr Meeker (his Clerk) and Mrs Meeker, also from Auburn NY.

Washington Wednesday January 14th 1863.

As gloomy and as dark as two years ago are the days now. When we look into the future for our Country Dark days were those, and it looks dark now for the preservation of our Union. Our vast armies seem to be lying idle or baffled everywhere by our alert enimies. But worse than all there are indications of mutiny among ourselves. The weakness and imbecility of the Govt manifested in the Management of the War has raised a storm in the north and west that looks dark and threatening. People are tired and sick of the war, and now the Political leaders say, and the mass of the people believe, that the object of the war is now not what it was (to preserve the Union). But, to free the Negroes (an abolition War) and they hate abolitionists as well as the Negroes. Under present circumstances no Union or re-construction can take place. Nothing in fact but crushing the rebels, entirely subdueing them, can bring Peace. It dont now look as though we were able to do that, and in any case the South say they will accept No Terms short of their Independence. Well, the War must Continue for a long while yet. (Gold today 147). Got letters from home & one from Lieut Belden from Lyons. Called and spent an hour with Mr Haws on I St. I consider him a rising man. He certainly is a thriving one. There is no news in particular, quite a financial panic. If this miserable Congress does not adopt Mr Chases measures, we shall go to ruin soon.

Tuesday Jan’y 13th 1863 (My Birth day) 57 years.

The first thing that I hear in the morning is the cry of the News Boys, “Baltimore Sun & Clipper,” “Morning Chronicle,” “Northern Battle.” At 3 o’clock the “Star.” About 4 o’ck it is “Star 2nd Edition,” “Northern Union Victory.” After the N York mail gets in which is about 6 o’clock, the boys run through the Streets crying “N York Herald, Tribune, and Times.” The Baltimore papers and the Washington papers are sold at three cents, the NY at 5 cts, which are about three times the size of the “Sun” or Star. The old “Inteligencer” is distributed without any Noise. It stands on its dignity. Treads where it trod forty years ago, never radical or very divided in anything, trimming its sails to suit the breeze as far as prudence allows. It has lived through all administrations for half a Century and almost always enjoyed the patronage of the Govt until now. The Globe and the Republican are also daily papers. Nothing New today, all quiet. The Govt seems waiting (like Mr McCawber) “for something to turn up.” If it could only hatch out a Military genius who could lead our troops to Victory in Virginia, it would pay for sitting still. Victory is what we want now with gold at forty per cent over Treasury notes. I have not labored very hard today on the “Board,” have not had much to do. Was down to “Willards” awhile, saw Genl McDowell and Genl Heintzelman there. Qr Master Knowles called upon me today at the office. The hundreds of officers around the City have got what (in former times) was a Paradise to the southern employees in the Departments of the Govt, that is, “High Salaries and nothing to do.”

Washington Monday Jan’y 12 1863

The capture of Galvestion & the Steamer “Harriet Lane” by the Rebels has become a fixed fact and is not a “Secesh lie,” and what is full as bad, our forces were badly repulsed at Vicksburgh with much loss to us. Our “Army of the potomac” is still idle on this side of the Rappahannock. Around Washington there are troops enough to fill the City with their officers every day who for the most part much prefer to air their Uniforms on the Avenue to staying with their commands in the Camps. I was placed this morning upon the Examining Board of the Land office, that is, to examine the patent Deeds and records after they are finished by the writers. It is a place of considerable responsibility and importance. I was at Vanmasters Room an hour or two tonight. He seems to be doing an extensive business prosecuting Claims &c. A great crowd at Willards,. “Stars” and eagles and smaller birds very plenty. Met Whiting the distinguished Lawyer of Boston. He is here as the Attorney of the War Department, also saw Col Allen of Boston. Pay Master Austin from Auburn NY has his office & Room below Stairs at my present place of abode. He invited me to call and see him this morning and I must do so. There is plenty of Small pox near the City or rather in the suburbs if not directly in our midst. About 250 cases are reported among the Negroes near the Contraband Depot up 12th Street. There are many cases now all over the City.

Washington Sunday Jan’y 11th 1863

Attended religious service in the Senate Chamber this morning. If the service was not so very interesting, one can endure even a dull sermon while lolling in a Senatorial chair. Chaplin Stockton held forth in the other chamber. The crossings are very muddy since the rain of last night, but the weather has not been unpleasant today. We had roast goose with celery and a variety of vegitables for dinner, had a talk at dinner with Johnson of the “Light Brigade.” He gave me a minute account of the “Charge.” Only 180 men rode out of the scrape, near one hundred afterwards straggled in who were not wounded, the bal. were killed and wounded. He (Johnson) had his horse killed and got a shot through the leg. I was down to Willards this evening an hour or so. Always see a number there that I know who tell me the news if there is any. Was told by Maj Chase that the Rebels are reported to have retaken Galveston Texas with 600 prisoners and the Steamer Harriet Lane. I think it is a “Secesh” lie. There is a great deal of growling among the shirking officers and soldiers about the War. They are “tired of fighting for the Nigger.” I think Mr Lincoln intended to give the Rebels a hard blow by his Proclamation of freedom, careing less about abolishing Slavery than crushing the Rebellion. Interested and short sighted men declare it is all for the abolition of Slavery. Went over on to 9th Street and spent an hour with Chas & Sallie. A lady from Gloucester Mass presented her with a $15.00 Photograph Album. Her son was in Chas Hospital. They had been spending the afternoon at Father Woodwards with the baby, which is growing fat rapidly.