TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1861.
This has been the coldest day of the season yet. M. this morning stood at 28. Have been in the office all day. No particular news afloat. Went down to the Ave after dinner, bot some Carpeting of “Barnes and Mitchel,” 20 yards for dining room and 28 yards stairs Carpet. Wife went down and selected it. Called at Willards. Saw Hugh Hastings of Albany and some other gentlemen who I knew from NY. Came home about 7 o’c., read the Presidents Message which was delivered to Congress today. A plain, practical document.
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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.