MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1861.
Hot day. M. 88 — considerable excitement in the City. People seem to feel and think that affairs on the other side of the River as well as at other points are approaching a crisis. Troops are coming in and moveing over the river every day. We can see the tents of the encampments on the other side with the naked eye. Tonight, bright flashing signals were made from there about 10 & 11 o’clock, and answered from the City. I think that the rebels are approaching our lines in force. We did not go to bed till late, watching the lights and listening.
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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.
