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by Horatio Nelson Taft

TUESDAY 19

A delightful day, bright but cool. Called up to the “White House” this morning to see Maj Watt, did not find him. Walked into the “East room” to see the New Carpet and papering, all very elegant. Called at Willards, met Doct Harris of the R.I. Brigade. He was released from Richmond on his parole. Got letters from Surgeon Barnes and Jas Bourne. Went to Wall Stevens & Co for Barnes and to [McCle[lle]n?] for Bourne. Made fire Board for parlor and spent the evening at home reading.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1861.

Cold, clear day but no frost. Went to Geotown in the morning to pay my rent. Got there an hour too early, waited in the Hotel (reading the morning paper) for Mr Bangs. Walked over and rode in the omnibus back. Bought a fine board for the parlor. Have concluded to discard the old grate and have got up a wood stove. Oak wood is $10.00 pr cord, pine $9.00, Hickory $12.00, all owing to the Blockade of the Potomac. Lieut McFarlan called this evening.

by John Beauchamp Jones

NOVEMBER 17TH.—There are also quite a number of letter-carriers obtaining special passports to leave the Confederacy. They charge $l.50 postage to Washington and Maryland, and as much coming hither. They take on the average three hundred letters, and bring as many, besides diverse articles they sell at enormously high prices. Thus they realize $1000 per trip, and make two each month. They furnish the press with Northern journals; but they give no valuable information: at least I have not conversed with any who could furnish it. They seem particularly ignorant of the plans and forces of the enemy. It is my belief that they render as much service to the enemy as to us; and they certainly do obtain passports on the other side.

Gen. Winder and his alien detectives seem to be on peculiar terms of intimacy with some of these men; for they tell me they convey letters for them to Maryland, and deliver them to their families. This is an equivocal business. Why did they not bring their families away before the storm burst upon them?

by Horatio Nelson Taft

SUNDAY 17

Cool, pleasant day, did not go out to church. Wife and the boys went. Julia is still confined to the house and coughs a good deal yet. Took a long walk this evening, brought up at Willards Hotel. Saw Mr Stillson there from Rochester. Hotel very full, in fact the City seems to now be running over now. Where will the Congressmen go with all the hangers on. No News today of any importance.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

SATURDAY 16

The coldest day yet but no frost, a cold strong wind. The 11th Maine Regt passed through the City, just arrived. Capt Rogers of the 27th called today, brought letter from Doct Barnes enclosing $50.00. The City was thrown into quite an excitement by the news of the arrest of Mason & Slidel. They were taken from the English Mail Steamer from Cuba to England. I have been at home most of the day, have purchased some wood and shoes for the boys, and attended to their lessons in the forenoon. They take to their studies at home very well.

by John Beauchamp Jones

NOVEMBER 16TH. —It is sickening to behold the corruption of the commercial men, which so much wounds our afflicted country. There are large merchants here who come over from Baltimore breathing vengeance against the Northern “despots,” and to make a show of patriotism they subscribed liberally to equip some volunteer companies in the city; but now they are sending their agents North and importing large amounts of merchandise, which they sell to the government and the people at most fabulous prices. I am informed that some of them realize $50,000 per mouth profit! And this after paying officials on both sides bonuses to wink at their operations.

After the order of Mr. Benjamin for applicants for passports to leave the country to be arrested, some of these men applied to me, and I reported the facts to Gen. Winder; but they were not molested. Indeed, they came to me subsequently and exhibited pass-ports they had obtained from the Secretary himself.

by John Beauchamp Jones

NOVEMBER 15TH—We have intelligence that Missouri has joined the Confederacy. She will be scourged by the vengeful enemy; but will rise some day and put her foot on the neck of the oppressor. Missouri is a giant.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1861.

A wet misty day and very chilly. Went down to Genl McClellans Head Qrs for Lieut Gaul in reference to his furlough. Went from there to the Post office and then home. Holms & [Vanamburgh?], privates of the 27th, called with letters from Lieut Swan. Elder Buck called with the furlough of Lieut Gaul, who started for Home on the 5 o’clock train. Aleck [Tower?] and Ed Dickerson called in the evening and spent an hour or two. They are Sutlers for the 35th Regt stationed in V.A.

by John Beauchamp Jones

NOVEMBER 14TH.—The enemy, knowing our destitution of gun-boats, and well apprised of the paucity of our garrisons, are sending expeditions southward to devastate the coast. They say New Orleans will be taken before spring, and communication be opened with Cairo, at the mouth of the Ohio. They will not succeed so soon; but success is certain ultimately, if Mr. Benjamin, Gen. Winder, and Gen. Huger do not cease to pass Federal spies out of the country.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

THURSDAY 14

A cloudy day with rain tonight. Lieut Gaul is still with us waiting for his furlough. I was at the Pat office and saw the Comr, got not much satisfaction from him. Shall now look to the Sec’y for fulfilment of his promise. Have been at home most of the day. Julia is getting better slowly. All the rest of us are well. Letter from Mrs Brownson and the News is generaly favorable to our Army. Capt White called this evening on his way to Lyons recruiting.

by John Beauchamp Jones

NOVEMBER 13TH.—Dry goods have risen more than a hundred per cent since spring, and rents and boarding are advancing in the same ratio.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

WEDNESDAY 13

Another warm pleasant day. Went down to the War Dept with Lieut Gaul to see the Ajutant Genl, came back by the Post office. Have been at home the rest of the day, have exacted lessons from the boys in their school books. Positive news from the Fleet obtained at last, everywhere successful. An immense Union force now on the other side of the Potomac. The Camps extend back 8 or 10 miles from the River. Julia is rather better.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1861.

A delightful day. Went this morning with Lieut Gaul to the Pay Masters Office, and from there to the U.S. Treasury. From thence I went to the Pat office where I had an interview with the Comr. He requested me to call again on Thursday. The question is a place. He talked favorable. No more new[s] from the fleet. We do not know that Charleston has been attacked. The fire works last night were part of a Serenade to Genl McClellan by Genl Blenckers Brigade which was a splendid affair. Julias cough is very bad.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

MONDAY 11

A windy morning with a storm threatened. Tent rather airy but slept pretty well. Went round and bade my friends good bye and started for home with Lieut Gaul about one o’clock in a hack which took us to Alexandria where we took the Boat for Washington. Got home about 3 o’clock. The Lieut stops with us a short time. News rcd tonight of the taking of Charleston S.C. by our “Expedition” and fire works blazed for two hours. Julia has been quite sick and still coughs badly.

by John Beauchamp Jones

NOVEMBER 11TH.—Bad news. The Unionists in East Tennessee have burnt several of the railroad bridges between this and Chattanooga. This is one of the effects of the discharge of spies captured in Western Virginia and East Tennessee. A military police, if properly directed, composed of honest men, true Southern men, might do much good, or prevent much evil; but I must not criticise Gen. Winder’s inefficiency, for he acts under the instructions of Mr. Benjamin.

The burning of these bridges not only prevents the arrival of an immense amount of clothing and provisions for the army, contributed by the patriotic people, but it will embarrass the government in the transmission of men and muniments of war, which an emergency may demand at any moment. Until the avenues by which the enemy derives information from our country are closed, I shall look for a series of disasters.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

SUNDAY 10

A bright fine morning. Went out to the Sunday Inspection of the Regt. Saw all the officers afterwards. Visited the qrs of the men of the Lyons Co. The men were all extremely glad to see me at the Camp again. Chaplin Buck held services near his tent about 3 o’clock and a real Methodist meeting in the evening before his tent with a Bonfire in front made of brush. Walked over to the Fairfax Seminary with Lieut Swan. Went up on to the tower, had a most splendid view of the surrounding country, Potomac, Wn &c.

by John Beauchamp Jones

NOVEMBER l0TH.—A gentleman from Urbana, on the Rappahannock, informs me that he witnessed the shelling of that village a few days ago. There are so few houses that the enemy did not strike any of them. The only blood shed was that of an old hare, that had taken refuge in a hollow stump.

edited by G.W. Cable

Nov. 10.—Surely this year will ever be memorable to me for its perfection of natural beauty. Never was sunshine such pure gold, or moonlight such transparent silver. The beautiful custom prevalent here of decking the graves with flowers on All Saint’s day was well fulfilled, so profuse and rich were the blossoms. On All-hallow Eve Mrs. S. and myself visited a large cemetery. The chrysanthemums lay like great masses of snow and flame and gold in every garden we passed, and were piled on every costly tomb and lowly grave. The battle of Manassas robed many of our women in mourning, and some of these, who had no graves to deck, were weeping silently as they walked through the scented avenues.

A few days ago Mrs. E. arrived here. She is a widow, of Natchez, a friend of Mrs. F.’s, and is traveling home with the dead body of her eldest son, killed at Manassas. She stopped two days waiting for a boat, and begged me to share her room and read her to sleep, saying she couldn’t be alone since he was killed; she feared her mind would give way. So I read all the comforting chapters to be found till she dropped into forgetfulness, but the recollection of those weeping mothers in the cemetery banished sleep for me.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1861.

I was heartily welcomed by my officer friends of the Regt and took up my quarters with my old friend Lieut W. H. Swan. Found the “Boys” all in good condition and in fine spirits. Attended the Dress Parade this morning. Regts are quartered round in all directions. [Alek?] Scotts brass Band arrived for the “27th” last night and discoursed some fine music in the evening. It has rained all this afternoon but the tent is dry and the fare good.

by John Beauchamp Jones

NOVEMBER 9TH.—Gen. Winder and all his police and Plug Ugly gang have their friends or agents, whom they continually desire to send to Maryland. And often there comes a request from Gen. Huger, at Norfolk, for passports to be granted certain parties to go out under flag of truce. I suppose he can send whom he pleases.

We have news of a bloody battle in the West, at Belmont. Gen. Pillow and Bishop Polk defeated the enemy, it is said, killing and wounding 1000. Our loss, some 500.

Port Royal, on the coast of South Carolina, has been taken by the enemy’s fleet. We had no casemated batteries. Here the Yankees will intrench themselves, and cannot be dislodged. They will take negroes and cotton, and menace both Savannah and Charleston.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

FRIDAY 8

A warm pleasant morning. Went down to Genl McClellans Head qrs. Saw him and his Brilliant Staff with the two French Princes mount their horses and gallop off to a Review. Stoped into Mr Sewards office & got a letter to the Provost Marshall which secured me a “Pass” to Virginia. Went on board of the Alexandria Boat about one o’clock on a visit to the 27th NY Regt about three miles (on the Leesburgh road) from Alexandria. Arrived there about dark.

by John Beauchamp Jones

NOVEMBER 8TH.—There are many applications for passports to leave the country. I have declared my purpose to sign no more for the Secretary without his official order. But he is signing them himself, as I find out by the parties desiring the usual pass-ports from me to leave the city. They, like guilty men, dislike to exhibit their permits to leave the country at the depots. And the Northern press bears testimony of the fact that the spies in our midst are still at work, and from this I apprehend the worst consequences. Why did Mr. Benjamin send the order for every man to be arrested who applied for permission to leave the country? Was it merely to deceive me, knowing that I had some influence with certain leading journals? I am told he says, “no one leaves the country now.”

by John Beauchamp Jones

NOVEMBER 7TH.—We hear of the resignation of Gen. Scott, as Commander-in-Chief of the U. S. forces.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

THURSDAY 7

A fine pleasant day. I have not done much. Went to the office of the Sec’y of the Interior. Was told that I was certainly to be restored to office but must have patience. Well, patience is well enough, but it will not pay for provisions and fuel, and I am consequently rather impatient as near four months inactivity has naturaly reduced my finances to a low ebb. Oak wood from $10. to $11. pr cord, pine $9.00, coal $12.00 &c &c. No news of importance. A large Regt with a fine Band passed tonight. Just arrived P.A.104th.

by John Beauchamp Jones

NOVEMBER 6TH.—All accounts from the North indicate that great preparations are being made to crush us on the coast this winter. I see no corresponding preparations on our side.

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