WEDNESDAY 17
Cold and windy day, fire in the office and as much in the house as on a winters day. Soldiers are now met with at every turn and the drum and bugle are heard almost all the time from some quarter of the City. Went down to the Hotels after dinner (Chas dined with us), the crowd not so great tonight and less excitement. All the papers from the North indicate but one feeling in reference to the coming contest. Men and money to any extent are offered to sustain the government. Came home before 9, City very quiet. Bed at 11.
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.