THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1861.
This has been a wet dreary day but the streets have been quite lively and the Ave crowded as usual. I saw a large body of cavalry moveing over the River from this side this morning. Our troops are makeing advances frequently on the other side but I think that no important battle will take place very soon. I looked at gas-fixtures on the Ave with a view of purchaseing some. Spent part of the day fixing up matters about the House. Willie has been quite smart all day spinning his top & whitling. He is sick nights.
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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.