Monday 31st
It has been pleasant today after the thunder shower which we had last night. Got my months Salary today, bought me a new hat, wore my old one a year and a half. Paid Bills “too numerous to mention.” We know but little of what is going on relating to the War as nothing is allowed to be published in the papers but there must be a great Battle soon in Tennessee betwen Buel & Beauregard. It is thought that the “cord” is tightening round Richmond. We shall probably hear soon. The Ladies Fair of the 4[th] Pres[byterian] Ch[urch] commenced tonight. Julia did not get home till after 11.
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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.