SATURDAY 20
I have been about the office writing letters &c most of the day. Saw Doct Smith this morning. He insists that I shall be re-instated. The excitement in the City is great as the two Armies are now near each other and a decisive battle must take place — in a day or two. A number of Congressmen have gone over to the Army today, as yesterday Congress adjourned over till Monday. It is understood that there has been no fighting today.
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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.