Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, Friday, February 21, 1862

It has been pleasant today, it was frozen up this morning. I have been in the office as usual. Willie Taft spent part of the day with me at the office while his Ma & the other boys went to the Presidents. The illumination will not take place tomorrow night in consequence of the Presidents affliction. The news from Tennessee is favorable for our cause, Nashville is probably in our possession. I have not been out tonight. Julia interested us for an hour reciting poetry from different authors. She quite surprised me with the accuracy of her reading (or rendering) Schillers Battle piece, E A Poe^s “Bells” &c. She recited whole pages from memory. “Bengen on the Rhine” was finely done, also “our Flag.” Near 11 o'clock. Julia and the boys were abed long ago. I have been Drafting some. Wife is frying doughnuts in the Kitchen.

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.

Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, Saturday, February 22, 1862

This has been kept as a Holy day in the City. The public offices have all been closed. Salutes have been fired from almost every direction. We all went to the Capitol to see and hear. The Hall of the House of Representatives was more than crowded. It was expected that the Rebel flags which have been taken would be presented to Congress, it was so published in the programme, but after organizeing, the House very properly refused by resolution to receive them or recognize them. John W Forney, clerk of the Senate, read Washingtons farewell address after a prayer by the Chaplin Rev Mr Stockton. The Floor was filled by the two Houses, the Diplomatic corps, the high officers of the Army & Navy, and other notables. I counted forty two Generals & Comodores on the floor. The Cabinet was there. The President was not there. The illumination of the public buildings did not take place. A few Stores & private buildings were illuminated. More rain this evening. I went down to the Ave.

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.

Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, Sunday, February 23, 1862

This has been a misty damp day. I have not been to church. Young Field came up from his quarters and went with my wife & the boys. Prof Sparks called in the evening and staid an hour. I went down to the National and called upon Mr [S Seelye?] of NY. Called upon Cha^s on my return. Home at 9 o'clock.

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.

Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, Monday, February 24, 1862

The public offices have been closed again today in consequence of the funeral of Willie Lincoln. A great many hundreds went to the house, but a small number were admited, as the friends of the family only were invited to attend. Myself and Wife were admited and rode to the Cemetery at Georgetown “Oakhill.” The other Boy is quite low. I fear he will not recover. Today we rc^d the B^ll of fruit &c sent by Col Mirrick, the green apples had been frozen & were [dredged or damaged?].

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.

Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, Tuesday, February 25, 1862

Nothing in particular has occured today. But it has been a clear dry day with a bright sun. Yesterday the wind did much damage blowing off roofs and ruining the Baptist church on 13^th Street. Went over with the boys after dinner to see it today. Called on our return at Franklin Square to see the Dress Parade of the “Regulars,” parts of the 3^rd & 10^th Reg^ts, 11 Companies. Called down to the “National” this evening, got NY papers.

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.

Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, Wednesday, February 26, 1862

Cloudy morning and rain before noon again. The roads were getting quite passable yesterday. There was a stir among the Military. Genl Banks crossed the River (above) it is said, and some Reg^ts & Batteries were sent over from here. Julia was at Gen^l M^cClellans. Mrs M told her that the Gen^l had gone to parts unknown over the River. There is a good deal of excitement in the City in consequence of the reported Advance. There has been some skirmishing among the Pickets today. Mr David of N.H. with his son, Edward from Dubuque, called on me at the office today with a letter from the D^r, of introduction. He left this afternoon for home. I was at the National tonight to see E, he has a brother in the Army who is now here.

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.

Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, Thursday, February 27, 1862

A great movement of troops over the river and from here over, has taken place. The Trains from the City going East have been stopped and no one is allowed to leave the City without a passport. All Telegraph lines as well as Railroads are in the hands of the Gov^t. Various reports are afloat in reference to the fighting over the River but nothing seems to be known. But there is little dou[b]t that the “Army of the Potomac” is on the move after its long season of inactivity. We shall hear of stirring news soon.

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.

Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, Friday, February 28, 1862

This has been a cool, windy, drying day and a few such are much needed to dry up the roads. In the absence of War news from the Army, all sorts of stories are afloat. But little apprehension is felt as to the result of the conflict which will probably take place over the River. I think M^cClellan will make a sure thing of it if he attacks them at Mannasses or Elsewhere.

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.

Diary of Senator Orville Hickman Browning, Thursday, February 20, 1862

President Lincoln's son William died at 5 P. M. They sent their carriage for us and Mrs B and I went there & staid all night

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 530

Diary of Senator Orville Hickman Browning, Friday, February 21, 1862

The Presidents youngest Son is very ill, and they would not consent for Mrs Browning to leave them this morning I remained till 12 Oclock—then came to the Capitol leaving Mrs Browning there *Returned at night and sat up part of night

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 530

Diary of Senator Orville Hickman Browning, Saturday, February 22, 1862

At 1 O'clock P. M. the Senate proceeded to the Hall of the House, where Washingtons Farewell address was read in the presence of both Houses by Col. Forney, Secy of the Senate. *The Senate then returned to its chamber, and was in session till 4. P. M.

At night I returned to the Presidents and again sat up part of the night with his little son

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 531

Diary of Senator Orville Hickman Browning, Sunday, February 23, 1862

Came to my lodgings after breakfast, and took Emma to the Presidents with me where she remained all day & night.

In P. M. took the Presidents Carriage and drove out to Georgetown with Mr Carroll to examine his vault which he had offered for the use of the Presidents Son, who is to be deposited there tomorrow.

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 531

Diary of Senator Orville Hickman Browning, Monday, February 24, 1862

The funeral of the Presidents son took place today at 2 P M in the East Room-Rev Dr Gurley officiating

After the services the body was taken to the cemetery at Georgetown to be deposited in Mr Carroll's vault, and left, for the time being, in the little chapel in the cemetary The President, his son Robert, Senator Trumbull & myself rode out in the Presidents carriage After return from Cemetery I brought Emma home to Mrs Carters to dinner—Found Mrs Col Symington of Pittsburgh there. After tea I returned to the Presidents and Mrs B & I sat up with Tad till after 2 O'clock in the morning.

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 531

Diary of Senator Orville Hickman Browning, Tuesday, February 25, 1862

Breakfasted at the Presidents—then came to Senate.

*After dinner returned to the Presidents and remained all night At 6-7 & 9 P M went in Prests carriage to Rail Road depot to meet Mrs Edwards of Springfield, Illinois—She was on the 9 Oclock train

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 531

Diary of Senator Orville Hickman Browning, Wednesday, February 26, 1862

Left the Presidents and came to Mrs Carters to breakfast Mrs. Browning returned in the afternoon In Senate all day

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 531

Diary of Senator Orville Hickman Browning, Thursday, February 27, 1862

Miss Symington of Baltimore arrived this morning After breakfast took Mrs Browning and Emma thro' the Capitol *In Senate all day

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 531

Diary of Senator Orville Hickman Browning, Friday, February 28, 1862

In Senate

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 532

Severe Illness of the President’s Son.

Willie Lincoln, the son of the President, who has been very ill for several days is much improved.

SOURCE: “Severe Illness of the President’s Son,” The New York Daily Herald, Wednesday, February 12, 1862, p. 5, col. 4

The weather is pleasant here today . . .

 . . . and the town is full of lively rumors of battles and successes. It is reported that Secretary Stanton is steadily improving. The president’s boy, Willie Lincoln, is very sick of fever, and was so sick yesterday that his father could not be seen. Mr. Lincoln is one of the most warm-hearted men in the country, and the dangerous illness of any member of his family at once unfits him for the ordinary duties of life. His anxiety does him honor, for no one would like to see the president so much of an executive that he would suppress the feelings of the father.

VAN.

SOURCE: Springfield Weekly Republican, Springfield, Illinois, Saturday February 15. 1862, p. 4, col. 5

The United States Senate and House of Representatives . . .

. . . adjourned yesterday, as a mark of respect and sympathy for the President in his recent affliction. The news of the death of WILLIE LINCOLN has been received with sorrow throughout the country. The inmates of the Presidential mansion receive the heartfelt sympathy of every loyal citizen. As an additional mark of respect, the projected illumination in Washington will not take place.

SOURCE: “The United States Senate and House of Representatives …,” The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Saturday, February 22, 1862, p. 4, col. 1