This has been an
exciting day. The troops commenced moving last night about midnight and have
been going over the River nearly all the time since. It is said that not less than
fifty thousand have crossed into Virginia today. It is confirmed that the
Rebels are running from Manasses & Centreville, so our troops will have no
fight there. The exploits of the Rebel Iron clad Steamer Merimac yesterday
at Hampton Roads destroying the frigates Cumberland & Congress created a
good deal of excitement in the City. But the exploits of the little Iron Boat
Monitor (Erricksons Boat) eclipsed all as she fairly drove the Merrimac back to
Norfolk. The son of our next door neighbor, Comodore Smith, commanded
the Cumberland congress and was killed. They are in great grief. I
was down to Willards tonight, two Regts of Regulars passed on
their way over the River. Wrote today to Brother C. R. Taft & to Col Mirrick,
home tonight ½ past 9.
SOURCE: Horatio Nelson
Taft, The Diary of
Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865. Volume 1, January 1,1861-April 11, 1862,
Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Washington D. C.
