Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft.

Washington May 29^th 1864

We have had no direct information from the Army for the past four days until today that has been of much importance. Today it is said that Grant is on Lee^s right, East of the Richmond and Fredericksburg R Road and within twelve miles of Richmond. The communication is not kept up with the Army through Fredericksburg. That City has been abandoned and the Army is now supplied from Port Royal on the Rappahannock and from the York River. The worst cases of wounded men were at Fredericksburgh but they have all been removed to this City, at least, those that lived to get here for many died on the way, some on the Dock (five or six) after they were landed from the Steam Boats, and some died in the Ambulances on they [sic] way through the City to the Hospitals. Some were taken from the Boats on “Stretchers” and carried by hand. It was a sorry sight. According to the Books of the Medical Director, the number of wounded men who have been admitted in to Hospitals from the late Battle fields (this month) is Twenty six thousand. The proportion Killed in these battles has been less than usual it is said, amounting to about five thousand only, but I think it is more. Today Cha^s called for me to go out with him to his home, “Clifton,” near Georgetown. So I got into his buggy with him and went with him on his “rounds” to the various ports which he visits as Medical Officer. Two places in Washington viz. the Head Qrs of the Veteran Reserve Corps, and the Guard H^d Qrs at the Medical Purveyors. Then we went to “Forest Hall” Georgetown where we were detained an hour or two as there were many there to be examined. All the deserters and Straglers are taken there where they are examined as to their physical condition. Some are sent to Hospital (the Stone Hospital). Some are retained for a few days till they get able to travel, but the greater portion are sent to their Regiments. Some however are discharged if found useless as soldiers in consequence of physical disability. Such was the case of a Private named Thompson from Chemung County NY today. He had formerly been a wealthy man and member a[t] one time of the Legislature, but got to drinking of late years and turned up a private Soldier and too much broken down for that. Cha^s was treated with much respect by the officers of the establishment and after the examination was over he dictated to two or three Clerks what report to make at H^d Qrs in reference to the men there. That is such of them as were to be removed. From Forest Hall we next visited the Signal Camp on Georgetown Hights where I had a splendid view of the Potomac and surrounding Country. I was informed at the “Signal Camp” by the Adjutant (Lieut Niles or Miles[?]) that they could convey information by signaling Twenty one miles. For long distances they use a Telescope mounted on a tripod, but for ordinary distances of six to twelve miles they use a much smaller glass. The Camp is commanded by Cap^t Russell. We arrived at “Clifton” just after noon where I dined and remained till near six this evening when I walked back to Washington. Cha^s offered to bring me but I prefered to walk. I came back through the North part of the City and on my way visited the grave of that excentric preacher Lorenzo Dow. He lies in old but interesting Burying Ground on Boundary Street (Corner of 21^st ), The Holmead Burying ground. A large stone slab lies over the grave. Born in /77, died in /32. The following is on the Stone “Slave to no sect. He took no private road. But looked through Nature up to Natures God.” I pulled a sprig from a rose bush growing by the Stone, remembering to have seen him in Lyons, once, preaching on the public Square.