Tuesday March 25th 1862
This has been a pleasant day. The troops have been quite active, some five or six Regiments marched through the City to the River to embark. No particular news afloat. Nothing is allowed to be published relating to army movements except official dispatches from the War department. The news papers are consequently rather stale at present. After dinner we all went up to the camp of the 98th NY to see the Lyons boys and bid them good bye. They expect to start tomorrow for down the River. They all seemed to be in good health and spirits. Surgeon David came down and took tea with us. We all regret to have him go. We are all much attached to him. He appears so amiable and quiet in his demeanor and so sincere in what he says. We got back from the camp before dark. After Dr David left, Julia and I called at Mr Hartlys on NY Avenue. I also called at the office of Maj A B Williams on 11th street. Met Mr VanMaster of Lyons and Mr Underwood of Auburn NY. Genl Burnside has taken Beaufort N.C. & Fort Mason.
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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.
