Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft.

March 10^th 1864

The Military affairs of the Nation has not been “all a success” for the past two or three weeks. Our troops were repulsed in Florida with a loss of some 1200 men killed, wounded, and prisoners. They are now at Jacksonville and have been re-inforced, and will be able to stay there. Gen^l Sherman has returned to Vicksburgh from his great “raid” into the heart of Miss. He met with no very great losses of men, destroyed a Vast amount of property belonging to the rebels, captured a great number of horses, and brought away (the papers say) 8000 Negroes. Gen^l Kilpatrick of the Army of the Potomac made a “raid” last week upon Richmond with some four or five thousand Cavalry. He approached within two miles of the City, had a fight but found the rebels too well prepared for him and he passed down the Peninsula to Fortress Monroe. The Rebels seem strong this spring and the indications are that there must be a good deal more desperate fighting before the war closes. The impression is generaly entertained that they have got all their men in the field and are determined to make a desperate effort to regain what they have lost the past year. But their desperation will only prolong the war, in the end they will have to give in. We must have double the number of men in the field but our lines are vastly more extended and we are occupying positions in strong force over thousands of miles of territory. Gen^l Grant arrived here on Tuesday, he has recently been made a Lieut Gen^l and is just now the “Lion of the day.” I hope he will return to the West soon or before he becomes paralyzed by breathing the atmosphere of the Potomac. Congress does not seem to be doing much and the political cauldron does not boil much yet. Julia and myself are still occupying rooms at Mr Bartle[tt]s 379 11^th Betⁿ K & L. I intend to go home with her the last of this month. She enjoys it here much and I am not anxious to take her away to what she calls “the dull country” quite yet. In the open spring she will enjoy herself there in planting and tending her flowers which of all occupations is her delight. I took her to “Brady^s ” last week where she sat for her picture which we shall soon have. The Artist who is to touch them up with his pencil came to see her last evening. He is half Italian and half Irish. I suppose the Italian part is the “Artist,” the other portion is probably of grosser material as his habits indicate sometimes. Julia takes her meals here altogether. I dine as formerly at Doct Munsons. At the Land office I am Examiner (with two other Gentlemen, Rev Mr Holmead and Martin Buel) of Patent Deeds. All the Deeds issued by the Gov^t pass through my hands.