MONDAY 20
Another cool day, a fire comfortable to sit by all day. It has rained most of the day. Troops a[re] mostly gone from the Pat office. Went down to the Parade of the 12th with wife this evening. Afterwards went on to the Ave. Was at the “National” an hour or so. People are expecting great events will take place soon. A Battle at or near Norfolk probably. Got the NY papers and came home early and read till near 11 o’clock. Accidents among the soldiers occur frequently, three or four have been shot.
The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865, are available online at The Library of Congress.