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

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“Mr & Mrs Lincoln were holding a Levee in their parlors and we went up and were introduced.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

February 25, 2011

Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.,The American Civil War

MONDAY 25

It has been a delightful day and the streets are nearly dry. Nothing in particular has occured in the City. Everything moves along as usual only there is getting to be a great crowd here. Called tonight with my wife on Mrs & Miss Butterfield at Willards Hotel. Mr & Mrs Lincoln were holding a Levee in their parlors and we went up and were introduced. Mrs L in one room and Mr L in an adjoining room. They are both quite ordinary looking people. I hope He is equal to the crises. To my Mind, appearances do not favor the conclusion that he is. A brilliant assembly at the Hotel, staid there two hours.

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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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