Friday Feb 7th 1862
News rcd today of the capture of Fort Henry on the Tennessee River by Comodore Foot and his Gun Boat Squadron. The news created quite a Sensation in the City as it is considered an important point. Weather damp & chilly and the Roads & crossings awful. When the roads dry up or are at least passable I intend to go over the River and visit the Camps with my family. It will be a new thing for the Boys to visit the Forts. Spent the evening at a Party at Doct Everitts. Julia was with me. Music, dancing & a late supper, did not get home till 1 o’clock a.m.
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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.