Following the American Civil War Sesquicentennial with day by day writings of the time, currently 1863.

Post image for “Thousands of soldiers were there (Congress) today as spectators.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

“Thousands of soldiers were there (Congress) today as spectators.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

July 5, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

FRIDAY 5

Hot in the sun but a good air stirring. Congress is fairly organized and ready to go to work. I was at the Capitol a couple of hours today. Saw many of the “Members” with whom I was acquainted, went on the floor among them before the call to order. The Halls looked clean and nice after being used for Barracks. Thousands of soldiers were there today as spectators. Went down to Willards and got the “Papers.” At the parade with wife & Julia.

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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.

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