Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, Saturday, April 5, 1862

Nothing has occured today worthy of notice. Everyone is looking anxiously for news from three or four different points. From “Buels Army” & Com Foote Ten; from M^cClellan who is now at Fortress Monroe with a large Army, 130,000; from Gen^l Burnside in N. Car[o]lina; and from New Orleans & Savannah. A delegation from the North is here holding a sort of Caucus attempting to galvanize the old Democratic Party into life. It moves at the suggestion of old Breckinridge supporters, which gives the matter a bad odor. It will not do to talk of Party till this Rebellion is crushed.

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, April 6, 1862

A delightful morning. Hearing that the “27^th” were soon to move, I crossed the River to Alexandria and walked out to their Camp. But to my surprise found the Camp vacated. The Reg^t left on Friday. Lieut Gaul was left in charge of some Stores but he expects to leave tomorrow. The Reg^t went by RR to Warrenton junction and are on the Way to Richmond. God Speed them. A deserted camp is about the most desolate place imaginable. The tents were all standing but all was still and lonely where so lately all was life and motion. I got back to Washington about 5 o'clock. The Steam Boat was crowded both ways. The country over there looks desolate enough. “Poor Virginia” “put back half a century.”

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, April 7, 1862

Rain last night and mud this morning. In the office as usual. A fire broke out this morning on the corner of the Av^e & 7^th Street, it has been burning most of the day. Six stores and one Hotel were destroyed before three o'clock. Willie came down to the office before three to go home with me. I took him down to see the fire, he was some frightened at the noise and confusion. It has snowed most of the day and no wind so the fire did not burn very rapidly. All the engines were there, but the efficiency of the fire department was not much. Went down to the “National” to meet some gentlemen with S Seely of NY to examine Models & Drawings in reference to Iron covering for Ships of War. Staid till ½ past 10. We had the corrigated Iron in question. We think that there must be “something up” down the River as since 9 o'clock two messengers have called at our door with Dispatches for Comodore Smith from the War Department, perhaps the “Merrimac” is out again.

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, April 8, 1862

This has been a most dismal day, rain or Sleet has been falling all the time. I am all the time thinking of the Thousands of Soldiers who are now out in the storm without tents or shelter. Such must be the condition of Gen^l M^cDowells Division, which has advanced into Virginia on their way to Richmond leaving their tents behind, and also those who are now besieging Yorktown. The news tonight is that Island No 10 and the Shore Batteries have been surrendered to our troops. We shall get particulars tomorrow, probably. Gen^l M^cClellan is having a desperate time of it at Yorktown. The Rebels under M^cGruder are, it is said, Thirty thousand strong, but they must capitulate or run and run they cannot very easily. We are expecting news of a great battle at or near Corinth every day betwen Halleck and Beauregard. Each have over a hundred thousand men. It will be the great Battle of the war I think. Nothing has been heard from the Merrimac 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.

Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, Wednesday, April 9, 1862

It has stormed all day, rain, sleet and snow falling incessantly. News today of a great Battle West. Beauregard defeated and Island No 10 taken with all the land Batteries. Our armies everywhere victorious, more prisoners, guns, and munitions than our troops know what to do with. The City is in wild excitement over the news. A Salute of 100 guns ordered by the Sec'y of War. The great “Anaconda” is drawing in his coils tighter and tighter around the rebels. They have behaved most cowardly in every instance where they did not have the advantage in numbers or position. The proud “Southerners” had better strike the word chivalry from their vocabulary. I think they are a race of bombaster cowards and events are proveing it every day. We have had one Bull Run. They have a “Bully Run” every time they meet our troops.

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, April 10, 1862

The weather is more settled today. Nothing in particular has occured. We are getting more of the particulars of the great Battle at Pittsburgh Landing, it was the most desperate fight of the War so far. There is nothing from Yorktown, to which all eyes are now turned. Both parties are in great force there. There must be another desperate encounter there. Our troops are flushed with Victory. The rebels are desperate.

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, April 11, 1862

Fine pleasant day. The Event here has been the passage of the Bill by the House abolishing Slavery in the District of Columbia. It had passed the Senate. No particular War news today. I was down to the Hotels. They are all full and quite a crowd at Willards. Went to the “Festival” to call for Julia about 10, staid an hour, it is the last night. We got home about 11½ o'clock. The nights are now bright and beautiful.

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 Orville Hickman Browning, Friday, June 1, 1860

Carthage.  Pleasant day—Attending Court in the forenoon. At 2 P. M. Mr Warren, Mr Wheat & myself left Carthage, and came in Hamiltons carriage to Colmer, where they took the cars home, and I came to Macomb to address a political meeting tomorrow.

I am at the Randolph House. At near ten Oclock at night the people assembled round the house, and shouted for me till I had to go down, and show myself and shake hands & talk a little.

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 413

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Saturday, June 2, 1860

Macomb.  Early this morning the people began to gather in, and by noon from seven to ten thousand assembled. The morning was quite warm with a fresh breeze from the South, and the arrangements for speaking were made in the public square. Lawrence was to commence at 2 P. M. and I was to follow him. At 1 P. M. the wind shifted to the North, and blew almost a hurricane for half and hour, and then rained very heavily for sometime. Between 2 & 3 P. M. when it had almost ceased to rain although the earth was drenched, and the grass dripping, a great crowd of men and women assembled in the square, and I was compelled to address them, which I proceeded to do with my hat on, and an umbrella held over. After speaking an hour, being then thoroughly wet, and the rain increasing, it was proposed to adjourn to a large unfinished brick house, which we did, and where I addressed them for an hour longer tho' not one fourth of them could get in.

At 7 O'clock I took the cars for home where I arrived at 10, and found that rain had extended to Adams County in copious & abundant supply. It was the best and heaviest rain we have had this year. Lawrence and I dined with Mr Twyman, the son in law of Mr Chas Chandler

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 413

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Sunday, June 3, 1860

Very fine day. At Church A. M. & P. M. Just before night Mr & Mrs Goodrich, of Mass: Mr Goodrich being a member of the National Republican Committee called, and sat till near 10 O'clock. The moon is about full, and is as lovely a summer night as ever shone.

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 413

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Monday, June 4, 1860

Quincy & Carthage.  At 5 Oclock this morning took the cars for Plymouth on my way back to Hancock Court. Warren & Grimshaw in company and at Plymouth we were joined by Mr Sherman of Galesburg and we all came on together to Carthage with Hamiltons team and carriage, which Grimshaw had driven to Plymouth on Saturday—Got here a little after 10 Oclock and stopped at Artois Hamiltons—A very fine day.

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 413

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Tuesday, June 5, 1860

Fine day. Attending Court. Wrote to Hon Edw: Bates in reply to his of 28th ult:

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 413

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Wednesday, June 6, 1860

Thunder & lightning last night, and a little cool this morning. Attending Court

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 413

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Thursday, June 7, 1860

Carthage & Quincy.  Cool, pleasant day. At 3. PM Court & Quincy adjourned till Court in Course. Grimshaw, Jason Sherman & myself got Jno Hamilton to bring us, and Miss Mary Boude, who was going home with me, to Colmer, where we took supper, and at 7½ took the cars for Quincy where we arrived at 9½ at night. Miss Boude went home with me.

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 413

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Friday, June 8, 1860

Very pleasant day. At work in office. At 10½ A M. Mrs B & I rode to our place in 8th Street and called at Mr Coxs

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 413

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Saturday, June 9, 1860

Cool, pleasant day. At work in office. A little party at our house at night. Had to tea Bushnells, Bulls, Cox's, McFadons & & Mrs Baldwin of Keokuk — & Mrs Hunter & Miss Benedict of Philadelphia

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 413

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Sunday, June 10, 1860

Quincy.  Pleasant day. At church A. M. and P. M.

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 413

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Monday, June 11, 1860

Fine day. At 512 P. M. took the cars for Springfield to attend US Circuit Court. Reached Springfield at midgnight and stopped at the American. Many democrats were in Company coming over to attend the meeting of the democratic State Convention on Wednesday. Quite cloudy & thundering and lightning when we arrived at Springfield, and some rain before day. The Circuit Court commenced in Quincy to day but I could not remain, being compelled to come here

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 413

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Tuesday, June 12, 1860

Young Lincoln
by Thomas Hicks.

Springfield.  Fine day. After breakfast called to see Hon Abm Lincoln, at his room in the State House—He was very glad to see me, and received me with great cordiality. I found Mr Hicks,¹ an artist of New York, painting a portrait to be lithographed in Boston, and at the request of himself and Mr Lincoln, I remained and talked to Lincoln whilst Mr Hicks worked upon the picture. In the afternoon I called and did the same thing, and promised to call again tomorrow, as Mr Hicks says he greatly prefers to have some friend present whilst he is at work. The picture promises to be a very fine one.

Lincoln bears his honors meekly As soon as other company had retired after I went in he fell into his old habit of telling amusing stories, and we had a free and easy talk of an hour or two.

Called at Dr Browns after tea

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¹ Thomas Hicks

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 413

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Wednesday, June 13, 1860

Democratic State Convention in session here to day, and the Court did but little business Spent a portion of the day with Lincoln talking to him whilst Mr Hicks worked upon his portrait He completed it this P. M. In my judgment it is an exact, life like likeness, and a beautiful work of art. It is deeply imbued with the intellectual and spiritual, and I doubt whether any one ever succeeds in getting a better picture of the man.

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"Lincoln's published works include a memorandum concerning his birthplace which was given to the "Artist Hicks" on June 14, 1860. Nicolay and Hay, Complete Works of Abraham Lincoln (Gettysburg edition).

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 413