This is Julias Birth
day. I must try and make her some little present. There is talk about town the
the [sic] Illumination “goes off” tonight but I think it will not. It has
been dry today but the Weather does not appear to be settled yet.
No news that I have heard of.
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.
Went down on to the
Ave this evening, had a talk with Judge Edmonds, Comr of
the Land office, at the National. Called into “Willards.” Saw Mr Stillson
there, was introduced to Mr Wills, a lawyer of Chicago, who is engaged in the
great Land suit against the RR Company at Chicago. He appears to be a “smart
one.” Called on my return home at the office of Maj Williams on 11th st.
Saw VanMaster, just from Lyons. Nothing new from there. We are all much
attached to the place. I have spent most of my life there.
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.
The event of the day
has been the Funeral of the gallant Genl Lander. It took place at the
Epiphany church, starting from the Residence of Sec'y Chase. The family (ours)
all went. Mrs Doct Barnes & Julia were at the office. I went up into the
Hospital with them. They were out to see the procession pass. Mrs O Knight
called this evening. Prof Sparks was here an hour. Edwd Dickerson
called and he and Julia went to the great Gotschalk concert at Willards Hall,
returned about 10½ o'clock. It has been dry but quite Cool today. The roads are
getting better. No news from over the River and no advance as yet.
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.
A beautiful clear
day but rather cool out, in the office as usual. Nothing new in the
city that I hear of tonight. I have been down to Charleys. He has been doing
some writing for me, my work in the Land office. Troops are coming into the
City and moveing about a good deal. We may expect lively times soon over the
River. All seems to be quiet now.
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.
The weather is now
fine & the roads are drying up. Troops are coming into the City and
crossing over the River. Rumors afloat of fighting today near Mt Vernon.
Nothing is published and little is known publicly of War operations.
The prospect now is that there will be a desperate Battle near here soon. The
Rebels will try to retrieve their recent losses, and will fight with
desperation. McClellan is well prepared and has an immense army near
here all ready and anxious for a fight. Went up to Franklin Square with wife
& the boys after dinner. Wife & myself continued our walk to Lafayette
Square pass [sic] Genl McClellans home. He was standing at the
Window. I did not go down to the Ave tonight, got a “Tribune”
of the news boy & read Carl Shurze Speech at the Cooper Institute NY.
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.
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.
The “Stars &
Stripes” are floating over Centreville & Mannasses, the Rebels having ran
away. McClellan is there with over two hundred thousand men. News
this morning of a desperate battle in Arkansas betwen our forces under Genl Curtis
& Price, McCullochs army. The Rebels were
totally routed with great loss. It has been a delightful day. Tonight Comodore
Smiths son (Capt Smith of the Frigate Congress, killed in the
fight with the Merrimac) was brought up to his fathers, funeral tomorrow. Took
a walk with Julia & Willie tonight after dinner. “Bud” & “Holly” have
gone out to the camp of the 98th Meridian Hill to see their
Lyons friends. They stay in the camp tonight. I think one night in
the tent will satisfy them.
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.
Walked up to the
camp of the 98th at Meridian Hill with Julia after dinner. Saw
all our officer friends there. Called upon Col Dutton who is sick at the
old Comodore Porter Mansion. He appeared quite sick and was as I thought very
uncomfortable. I invited him down to our house where he could have quiet and
rest for a few days. He declined. Said he would be “all right” in a day or two.
Mr Seward was at the camp of the 103rd German Regt nearby.
We got home before dark, pretty tired.
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.
There is no
particular news today in the papers. Col Dutton concluded to come down and stay
with us until he gets better. Doct David came with him. He appears better
tonight, but Doct D stays with him all night. It has been a little wet this
evening and there seems to be more rain in prospect. McClellan is,
it is said, pursuing the fleeing rebels.
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.
Col Dutton is better
today. Lieut Col Durkee and nearly all the officers of the Regt have
been here to see the Col. The Regt has rcd marching
orders and the Col is very uneasy. Mr Short called on me today. He is going
down to Fortress Monroe, an attack is to be made upon Norfolk it is supposed.
Troops are returning from Virginia to embark down the River.
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.
The River is full of
Steam Boats for transporting troops down the River, probably to “Old Point”. It
has rained incessantly and this evening it pours. Col D. is well (he
says). We went down to “Browns,” saw Maj Williams, Maj Fletcher & other
officers. Col Durkee came in about 8 o'clock and is to stay all night. Our
House for the time being seems to be the Head Quarters. Col Dutton
is acting Brigadier Genl.
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.
[Quincy, Illinois.] Very
pretty day, but somewhat cool Was a
little frost this morning At work in office Emma commenced French with Miss
Fougeu to day
SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 404
Bright, warm day—At
work in office
SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 404
Warm &
bright-Yellow, cinnamon & Scotch roses in bloom, also the locust trees—At
work in office
SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 404
Still warm & dry—Water
all gone from cisterns—At work in office
SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 404
Very warm. At work in office. Stanleys & Allens with us to tea
SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 404
Quincy Very warm day. At Church A. M. & P. M.
and at Episcopal at Sunday School exhibition in the afternoon.
SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 404
Very warm &
cloudy—threatning rain—Dr & Mrs Warren with us to dinner. At work in office
SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 404
Warm and cloudy. At work in office in forenoon. At 5½ P M started to Decatur to attend Republican State Convention in company with quite a number of other delegates—Cars crowded—Very windy day, threatning rain, but giving none—turned quite cool towards night—Reached Decatur at 2 Oclock at night, and stopped at Macon House where Gilpin and I got a small, hard, bed together, and slept a little
SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, pp. 404-5
1 The only county not sending a regular delegate was Pulaski. This Decatur convention was a much more fully organized meeting than that which met at Bloomington in 1856.
2 Concerning this contest for the governorship, Gustave Koerner wrote: "To my surprise Judd, candidate for the nomineeship for Governor, was defeated, probably by an intrigue of Mr. Swett, and Richard Yates was nominated." Memoirs of Gustave Koerner, 2: 83.
3 Leonard Swett, 1825-1889. Born in Maine; came to Bloomington, Illinois, after serving in the Mexican War; active Republican from 1856; National Republican in 1872. A prominent Illinois lawyer and a close friend of Lincoln and Browning.
4 Richard J. Oglesby, 1824-1899. Born in Kentucky; came to Decatur, Illinois, 1836; admitted to bar and began practice of law at Sullivan, 1845; served in Mexican War; went to California with the Forty-Niners, returning in 1851; served in the Civil War rising to the rank of major general; elected governor, 1864, 1872, 1884; United States senator, 1873-1879.
5 In this convention, besides serving on the resolutions committee, Browning was named presidential elector, and was chosen one of the delegates-at-large to the national convention soon to meet at Chicago. In addition to naming Yates as governor and Francis H. Hoffman, a German-American, as lieutenant governor, the most important act of this convention was to instruct the delegation to the national convention to give its support to Lincoln for president. It appears that Lincoln was consulted in the selection of the delegates. Cole, The Era of the Civil War (Centennial History of Illinois, 3), 190-191; Green B. Raum, History of Illinois Republicanism, 64.
SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 405
