Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft.

Monday June 22^nd 1863

I have hardly fulfilld my purpose of noting down “important events as they occur” for many important events have occured since my last writing. No very important Battle has been fought by the “Army of the Potomac” with the exception of that while Hooker was across the Rappahannock about the first of May. Vicksburg has not yet been captured, but Gen^l Grant has it closely invested and I think there is no doubt of its capture in a very few days. Gen^l Banks is also investing Port Hudson with a like prospect of success. There has been much hard fighting at both places and near them. Gen^l Rosecrantz has remained quiet at Murfreesborogh Tenn. the past two months watching Gen^l Bragg. For the past few days it has been quite exciting times here as the Rebels are again in Maryland and Pennsylvania in force. They crossed above Harpers Ferry. They have been to Chambersburgh P.a. and now hold some points in that State and Frederick City, and other places in the Western portion of Maryland. Hooker^s and Lee^s armies have been near each other for the past week not far from the old Bull Run Battle ground. There has been much heavy skirmishing betwen the Cavalry the past few days and it is supposed that there was a sharp fight yesterday some twenty miles from here in the direction of Bull Run, as heavy guns were heard for some hours in quick succession. A general Battle is expected to occur very soon. They (or rather) we are fortifying Harrisburg P.a. and at Baltimore the Streets are Barricaded and prepared for cavalry “raids.” The sick and wounded from the Army of the Potomac were all sent up here when the Army moved from Falmouth, some seven thousand in number filling the Hospitals. But they are being sent North rapidly. Cha^s goes every day with his train coming back nights. He still runs to Phil^a. Frank has been here and stayed some weeks. He came in April and returned to Waterloo the forepart of this month, he writes that he was married to Miss Stiles on the 16^th Ins^t. I intend to make a visit home by the first of Agust. My health is good but I am falling off in weight some as I usualy do in the summer. I am rooming at Mr Bartletts 379 11 S^t be^tn K & L Streets. I Board at Doct Munsons, my old Boarding place. I will endeavor to note down events oftener in future and the “events” are likely to take place.