Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft.

Washington May 18^th 1864

There has been quite a lull in military affairs the past few days. The rebels are still strong and defiant. Gen^l Grant has been receiving strong re-inforcements since the Battles of last week and is preparing for another forward movement. There has been a great deal of rain the past few days and the roads are in a bad condition. After we have had two or three days of dry weather we shall expect to hear of a forward movement. Perhaps the bloodiest battle of the war is yet to be fought, and that very soon. Gen^l Butler is investing Fort Darling at Drewry^s Bluff below Richmond. Gen^l Sherman drove the Rebel army from Resaca Georgia and was following them up at last dates. We hear today that Gen^l Seigel has been repulsed in Shanandoah Valley near New Market and has fallen back to Strasburgh. Gen^l Crooks has defeated the rebels in South Western V.A. near Newberne. All the old Reg^ts which have been occupying the Forts around Washington for the past year or two have been ordered to the “Front.” The “hundred day men” from Ohio and Indiana are taking their places. The wounded soldiers from the late battle fields are still arriving here. The runaways who came on with the first wounded are being sent back. Three hundred yesterday of this class were sent on with a number of officers who were marched in the rear, and some of the more obstreperous of them, who were too indignant to be orderly, had their wrists decorated with the “Bracelets,” and were marched fastened together. It is said that they will be degraded and made to fight in the ranks as a punishment for their cowardice. There was quite an excitement today on the Avenue when the Manager and operators of the “Independant Telegraph” were arrested and marched to the old Capitol under guard. It appears that they sent by that line what purported to be a Proclimation by the President ordering a Draft for four hundred thousand men. It was “bogus,” but it had the effect to raise the price of gold in NY 10 pc^t. It was telegraphed to the “N York World” newspaper. I understand the paper was immediately suppressed. The body of Gen^l James S Wadsworth has been recovered and arrived here today and will be sent North tomorrow morning, escorted by officers and members of congress. No one who has fallen in this “Cruel War” is more universaly lamented or, was more respected. I believe he was just my own age (58).