WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1861.
Beautiful day, rather hot in the sun. Called on Doct Smith which amounted to nothing. I think he likes to have people think that they are under great obligations to him. Got glass and glazed the broken windows, saved $1.50 by doing it myself. Paid my Ice bill $3.70. It is supposed that fighting is going on this afternoon up the river where the rebels are attempting to cross. The Balloon was up over the River on the lookout. Large bodies of troops have arrived today, one Regt passed our door. The death of Jeff Davis is confirmed in the enemies papers.
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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.