Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft.

Tuesday May 10^th 1864

These days are eventful days and big with the fate of the thousands who are engaged in hostile array as well as of the would be “Southern Confederacy.” There has been most severe fighting almost every day for the past six days. The rebels fight with a determination and heroism worthy of a better cause. But they fight to little purpose in this campaign. They have not go[t] the men to contend with the Masses which Grant is hurling against them. Still as far as heard from no very decisive advantage has as yet been gained. It is understood that they have been forced back with great slaughter but not scattered or greatly disorganized. Our own wounded now number 15,000 which would give about 4000 killed. Yesterday we had the news that Gen^l J S Wadsworth of Geneseo was Slain. The death of Gen^l Wadsworth is a very serious loss. We have few such men in the country. I am told that he exhibited the greatest bravery and heroism on the field and fell at the head of his Division. We have news today that Gen^l Butler (B F) is close upon Richmond having cut the RRoad betwen there and Petersburgh. It appears now as though Richmond would surely fall. It looks now as tho the “game was up” with the Rebels. But we have been disappointed so often that it is not best to be too sanguine. The next few days will tell the tale. The crisis may already be past and the War near its end. God grant that it may be so. O the blood, the wounds. Twelve thousand poor mutilated fellows (Union soldiers) are now said to be in the City of Fredericksburgh. Two or three days ago I rc^d a letter from Frank dated Clifton Springs May 5^th informing me that he buried his wife on that day. She died the 3^d leaving a boy about a week old. F appears to be in great affliction and has lost a kind and loving Companion. I had never seen her but had formed a very good opinion of her and much regret her death on his account. I have rc^d letters from home and answered them within the past few days. I can think of nothing that appears so pleasant to me now as my home in S Harbor, the cool shade, the green lawn, and the flowers, a wife and children who are only too ready to anticipate my wants when I am there and estimate me quite high in the Scale of moral worth.