THURSDAY 5
This has been a very pleasant day, bright & not cold. The nerves of the old ladies have been greatly tried today by the constant firing across the River. It has been almost incessant. But it was all practice. I have been putting down Carpet and quite weary. Our dining room is now quite comfortable with a good Coal Stove. Lieut McFarlan called this evening. Everything seems to be quiet. No news from any quarter of importance, to bed at 11 o’clock.
______
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.