• Motor Coaches and Class A Motorhomes Class B Motorhomes and Vans Class C Motorhomes Fifth Wheel Trailers Travel Trailers Tear Drop Trailers Tent and Folding Trailers Truck Campers Off Road RVs Civil War Books by state: Alabama Arizona Arkansas California Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina Ohio Oklahoma Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia West Virginia Wisconsin

by Horatio Nelson Taft

Sunday January 19th 1862

A rainy day, but Julia & I went out to ch in the afternoon. Dr Dwight, Missionary from Constantinople, officiated, rather a thin “House.” Mr Short did not come up on account of the rain I presume. It is very foggy this evening. Mrs Fenwick (Wido) has been here all the evening. I have just been home with her to I St. She is a very pious Baptist but somewhat excentric as her Sunday evening visit might prove, but she is and old acquaintance. The City has been very quiet today, but the Drums are beating this evening. Last year at this time we were expecting an attack upon the City and the public mind was much agitated. The hideous form of Treason was just showing its head. None then imagined that the Civil War then threatened could possibly attain anything like its present proportions.

by John Beauchamp Jones

JANUARY 18TH.—Gen. L. P. Walker, the first Secretary of War, is assigned to duty in the Southwest under Gen. Bragg. How can he obey the orders of one who was so recently under his command? I think it probable he will resign again before the end of the campaign.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

Saturday, January 18th 1862

Weather still soft and the crossings horrible. For the first time in Washington I saw boys cleaning off the crossing on [our?] street, and taxing the passers bye. Mr Short of Buffalo (the “Greek fire Bomb” inventor) called upon me today. He married my cousin (long ago). Expect him to go to church with us tomorrow. I had quite a lengthy conversation with Geo W Prentice in the office today. He questions a great deal, listens attentively to all that is said, but rarely expresses an opinion in conversation. No particular news in the City, did not go on to the Ave tonight, staid at home. “Bud” came from the Presidents about dark. Young “Bob” Lincoln has just got home from Cambridge to spend the vacation.

by John Beauchamp Jones

JANUARY 18TH.—Gen. L. P. Walker, the first Secretary of War, is assigned to duty in the Southwest under Gen. Bragg. How can he obey the orders of one who was so recently under his command? I think it probable he will resign again before the end of the campaign.

by John Beauchamp Jones

JANUARY 17TH.—A Mr. O. Hendricks, very lately of the U. S. Coast Survey, has returned from a tour of the coast of North Carolina, and has been commissioned a lieutenant by the Secretary of War. He says Burnside will take Roanoke Island, and that Wise and all his men will be captured. It is a man-trap.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

Friday 17th

Nothing new today. Soft moderate weather, the crossings all slush. Very muddy everywhere off the sidewalk. No particular war news. The financial affairs of the Nation look better. The 150,000,000 Tax Bill has passed both Houses of Congress which is a basis upon which loans can be made as it makes the interest sure. G. D. Prentice was writing in our room an hour or two today, he is quite a sober looking man. I went on to 7th St with “Bud” and got him a pair Rubbers. Have spent the evening at home. “Holly” has a bad cold, the rest of us in pretty good health but all fearing the small pox. Julia has been re-vaccinated, the rest of us will be.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

1862

Thursday Jan’y 16th

Streets all ice this morning and all the boys out Skateing before breakfast. In the office all day. Geo D Prentice of the Louisville Journal in the room today. Very plain appearing man, rather slovenly in Dress and looking anything but a Wit who keeps the whole country laughing.

Went down this evening to see a fine Bomb burst and burn on the ground south of the Presidents House. It is designed to set fire to buildings, woods &c fired from a Mortar. The Lincoln boys were here to dinner and brought a request from their Mother that our boys “Bud” & “Holly” would go home and sleep with them tonight and they are there. War matters appear to be coming to a crisis and it is almost certain that there will be an advance soon. Genl McClellan is again in the Saddle after his illness, and expectation is on “tiptoe” to hear from the Burnside Expedition & Grants down the Mississippi. Called upon Judge Mason today. Saw Mr Forburk of Buffalo at Willards. A perfect jam there tonight.

by John Beauchamp Jones

JANUARY 16TH.—To-day, Mr. Benjamin, whom I met in the hall of the department, said, “I don’t grant any passports to leave the country, except to a few men on business for the government. I have ceased to grant any for some time past.” I merely remarked that I was glad to hear it.
Immediately on returning to my office I referred to my book, and counted the names of fifty persons to whom the Secretary had granted passports within thirty days; and these were not all agents of the government. Mr. Benjamin reminded me of Daniel Webster, when he used to make solemn declarations that his friends in office were likewise the partisans of President Tyler.

by John Beauchamp Jones

JANUARY 15TH.—I forgot to mention the fact that some weeks ago I received a work in manuscript from London, sent thither before the war, and brought by a bearer of dispatches from our Commissioner, Hon. Ambrose Dudley Mann, to whom I had written on the subject. I owe him a debt of gratitude for this kindness. When peace is restored, I shall have in readiness some contributions to the literature of the South, and my family, if I should not survive, may derive pecuniary benefit from them. I look for a long war, unless a Napoleon springs up among us, a thing not at all probable, for I believe there are those who are constantly on the watch for such dangerous characters, and they may possess the power to nip all embryo emperors in the bud.
Some of our functionaries are not justly entitled to the great positions they occupy. They attained them by a species of snap-judgment, from which there may be an appeal hereafter. It is very certain that many of our best men have no adequate positions, and revolutions are mutable things.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

Wednesday Jan’y 15th

Nothing new in the City or from the army. More Cabinet changes talked of, and I think necessary. Julia had letter from Mrs Dr Barnes of the 27th Regt. She has been staying in Camp for the last ten weeks living in a tent. She also had a letter from Miss Mirrick of Lyons. It has been a cold unpleasant day, freezing until near night with a misty sleet falling all day. The ground is covered with snow, tonight it thaws and the snow & water on the ground render “rubbers” an absolute necessity. What the poor soldiers do it is hard to tell this kind of weather. There is an immense amount of sickness in the City now among citizens. Small pox & Typhoid fever are both prevailing to a great extent. The mortality in the Military Hospitals is very great, forty or fifty pr day are carried off to their long homes. Bad management I fear there.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

January 14th 1862

This has been a wintry day, the ground covered with snow, air damp and chilly. M. about 27. Cameron, the Sec’y of War, has resigned. Edw’d M Stanton takes his place. Ostensibly he retires voluntarily, the Papers say so. But in reality the “outside pressure” forced it upon him. He was compelled to resign. Other changes in the Cabinet are expected and talked of. Nothing new stirring, but news expected of great moment from the West and south. The day has passed with me as usual in the office. I have spent the evening at home keeping as comfortable as I could. Ed Dickerson has spent an hour or two here, a great talker and not uninteresting. He was from the Camp of the 35th Regt yesterday. Nothing new over the River, “all quiet & comfortable.”

by John Beauchamp Jones

JANUARY 14TH.—All calm and quiet to-day.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

Monday Jan’y 13th 1862

Colder today. M. this morning down to 34, tonight at 28. Have been in the office all day, moved into another room today on the Land office. A Brother of Geo D Prentice of the Louisville Journal is at the next desk to mine. Mr Rickets & Mr Osgood are also in the same Room, no. 10. The Room I left, no. 9, contained Mr Swan, Mr Darnell, both of Indiana, Mr Georgii (a German, from Minesota), Mr Ostrander of N York City, Mr Barnes of Detroit, and Mr Wheelock of California. It is said tonight that Mr Cameron (the Sec’y of War) has resigned, hope it is true. I called at Mr Pecks this evening. They have a very sick boy, have been at home the rest of the time. It is my Birth day today, fifty six years old. What a rough, smooth, sorrifull, pleasant, up hill, and down hill, road I have trodden for forty years past, such is life. I bear my years extremely well being perfectly healthy and quite active and spicy and walk with as quick a step as I ever did and am usualy taken by strangers for a man of 45 years. My eyes are bright, teeth good and my hair (thanks to Prof Wood) is not much grey. We are living very quietly this Winter, Self, Wife, Julia & the three boys. H N Junior, about 15, rather pale and languid, not very robust, pretty good schollar. Halsey C., 12, all motion and activity, never idle, impatient of restraint, quick to learn when he tries, impetuous, all “go ahead.” Willie, 8, dark hair & eyes, a ceaseless talker, ambitious to know everything, always asking questions, always busy, never sitting still like “Bud.” “Willie” & “Holly” are much alike in their disposition. Julia, 17 in March, is willing to take things as they come, rather inactive, somewhat indolent in her habits, but growing fast, quite handsome, quick tempered naturaly, but kind hearted and governs her spirit quite well, does not like study much, reads & writes most of the time.

by John Beauchamp Jones

JANUARY 13TH.—The department leaves Gen. Wise to his superior officer, Gen. Huger, at Norfolk, who has 15,000 men. But I understand that Huger says Wise has ample means for the defense of the island, and refuses to let him have more men. This looks like a man-trap of the “Red-tapers” to get rid of a popular leader. I hope the President will interfere.

by John Beauchamp Jones

JANUARY 12TH.—Gen. Wise, whose headquarters are to be fixed at Nag’s Head on the beach near Roanoke Island, reports that the force he commands is altogether inadequate to defend the position. Burnside is said to have 20,000 men, besides a numerous fleet of gun-boats; and Gen. Wise has but 3000 effective men.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

Sunday Jan’y 12 1862

A warm pleasant day. Julia is over her cold and went out to church. Chaplin Booth of NY preached all day. He is a Methodist. Young Thos Lincoln (”Tad”) came up this morning and went to Sunday school and to church with our boys. I was down to the Hotels this evening, saw Fred Sickels at the “National.” He informed me that the “Pensecola” War Steamer which left her anchorage at Alexandria yesterday had safely run the Blockade of the Potomac. The night was misty and she was not seen. Only two shots were fired at her or in the direction of the noise she made. No news afloat tonight but it is expected that this will be an eventful week in the history of the War. It is thought that at least 400,000 Men, good Union soldiers, will “move” this week, and that will leave a quarter of a Million more stationary. To what immense proportions has this war grown. Such a demonstration of power made in so short a time the world has never seen. The pecuniary affairs of the Country are just now in a critical state. Treasury Notes at a discount of from two to four pr cent and gold at a premium of 4 pr ct. All parties are awaiting the action of Congress to authorize another issue and to make them a legal tender. It is said that the expenses of the Govt are now near two millions pr day. If the war lasts a year more we shall be a thousand Millions in Debt, but that is nothing compared to the Value of the Union and the integrity and preservation of the constitution inviolate.

by John Beauchamp Jones

JANUARY 11TH.—We have three candidates in the field in this district for Congress: President Tyler, James Lyons, and Wm. H. McFarland. The first will, of course, walk over the track.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

Saturday Jany 11th 1862

Warm pleasant day with muddy crossings. The public mind is now on “tiptoe” to learn news in reference to the two great expeditions, Genl Burnsides which left Annapolis yesterday, and Genl Grants Ironclad Gun Boat Expedition which left Cairo the same day for the south. It is thought that these concerted blows will fall with crushing force when they strike. It is understood that near 80,000 Men move with Genl Grant and some 40,000 with Genl Burnside, both armed and prepared to perfection. No particular news in the City. A woman was killed today on the Ave by her carriage coming in contact with a runaway Govt team, it was a Mrs Sweeny. The young “Lincons” were here to dinner. Our three boys went home with them, and at 5 o’clock took another dinner with the president and his family. Mrs L. sent a servant to call them while they were at play. They sent word that they had been to dinner at home. She sent again, the servt saying “The Madam says you must come with her boys.” They got home about 7.– The Boys are having a nice time on top of the White House. The Roof is copper, flat & with a high stone Ballistrade all round. They have built a cabin there which they call the “Ship of State” or rather the Qutar desk [Quarter deck]. They have a Spy Glass and report all strange sails on the River and objects on the Virginia Shore. They say that Mr Lincoln is Comodore. The Cabinet are officers but they sail “the Ship of State.” I went down to the P.O., got the NY papers, called upon Chas & Sallie. Got home about 8, did not get to bed till 11, raining a little.

by John Beauchamp Jones

JANUARY 10TH.—The President is rarely seen in the streets now, and it is complained that he is not so accessible as formerly in his office. I do not know what foundation there is for these reports, and see no reason to credit them. I know he rides out in the afternoon, if the weather be fair, after the labors of the day, and he is a regular attendant at St. Paul’s Church. I am rather inclined to credit the rumor that he intends to join the church. All his messages and proclamations indicate that he is looking to a mightier power than England for assistance. There is a general desire to have the cabinet modified and Christianized upon the inauguration of the permanent government.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

Friday Jan’y 10th 1862

This has been a warm foggy day, streets very mudy. Nothing new in the City worthy of notice. The Burnside Expedition has left Annapolis for Old Point, its destination not yet publicly known. But it is Expected that it will go up some of the Rivers into Virginia. Success attend the gallant General Burnside. I became acquainted with him when he first came on with the 1st R.I. Regt in June last. I have been in the office all day writing Bounty land Patent Deeds. That is my business most of the time in the Land office. Have spent the evening at home. Always find something to do about the house or for the boys if I am not reading or writing letters or something else. Julia is quite unwell tonight from a bad cold. She is taking hot tea to make her perspire, hope it is nothing worse than a cold.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

Thursday Jan’y 9th 1862

In the office as usual. It rained most of last night. Warm today, very foggy tonight. I have spent the evening at home. The boys read, write, spell & cypher and “Bud” gets a Latin lesson every day. There is a good deal of sickness in the City and many deaths at the Military Hospitals daily. Julia was vaccinated today by Doct Gibbons for Kine pox. The small pox is very prevalent. No War news today. Everything quiet. Congress seems to be doing but little. The Republican Party is split betwen the Abolitionists and the Conservatives. The latter support the measures of Mr Lincoln, which is to save the Union, crush the rebellion, and let Slavery take care of itself.

The Douglass Democrats support Mr Lincolns policy also. He has in fact the strength of the Country with him.

by John Beauchamp Jones

JANUARY 9TH.—Butter is 50 cts. per pound, bacon 25 cts., beef has risen from 13 cts. to 30 cts., wood is selling for $8 per cord, but flour is abundant, and cheap enough to keep us from starving.

July 9, 1862, The Charleston Mercury

Troops, unless healthy, are a useless expense to the country. Their physical condition is no less important than their discipline, drill or spirit. Our soldiers have the spirit, and can get the discipline and drill only from their officers. But the people of Charleston can be of great benefit to their health by providing what, in our bilious climate, is necessary in summer — vegetable food — tomatos, okra, potatos, etc.

by Horatio Nelson Taft

Wednesday, 8th 1862

Aniversary of the Battle of New Orleans, another Battle is expected there soon. No particular news today. Our boys were at Genl McClellans House today with the Lincoln boys. The Genl was out riding, his health is nearly restored. There is a good deal of alarm in the City on account of the prevalence of the Small pox. There are cases of it in almost every Street in the City. There is said to be over 400 cases in private families. The City authorities have as yet taken no notice of it in any official way. We are getting vaccinated again. I have spent the evening at home hearing the boys recite their lessons. The Mercury was down to 14 this morning, but it thawed in the middle of the day and tonight it rains. It is 9 o’clock. The boys have gone to bed. Julia is over to Mr Hartlys. I must go after her soon. Our family room has a good coal Stove and the fire does not go out all night, it is always warm and comfortable. We burn wood in the cooking Stove (oak at $10.00 pr cord), hard coal is but $8.50. Went to Mr Hartlys for Julia. Mr Greenleaf was there. I staid an hour in pleasant conversation.

by John Beauchamp Jones

JANUARY 8TH.—Dearth of news.

← Previous Page — Next Page →

• 
  
  

• Spam Blocked

  381,891 spam comments

  blocked by
  Akismet

• Fort Sumter and Charleston Webcam

  

  Check out the Historic Charleston & Fort Sumter 360° Zoom, Pan & Tilt Webcam

•  

  January 1862

  S	M	T	W	T	F	S
  « Dec				Feb »
  			1	2	3	4
  5	6	7	8	9	10	11
  12	13	14	15	16	17	18
  19	20	21	22	23	24	25
  26	27	28	29	30	31

• Archives

  Select Month January 2011  (1) September 2008  (32) August 2008  (31) July 2008  (31) June 2008  (50) May 2008  (52) April 2008  (58) March 2008  (63) February 2008  (53) January 2008  (51) December 2007  (53) November 2007  (59) October 2007  (54) September 2007  (48) August 2007  (54) July 2007  (121) June 2007  (366) May 2007  (347) April 2007  (328) March 2007  (211) June 1863  (1) May 1863  (4) March 1863  (13) February 1863  (193) January 1863  (82) December 1862  (31) November 1862  (50) October 1862  (439) September 1862  (557) August 1862  (233) July 1862  (327) June 1862  (294) May 1862  (316) April 1862  (45) March 1862  (63) February 1862  (46) January 1862  (64) December 1861  (64) November 1861  (61) October 1861  (33) September 1861  (31) August 1861  (33) July 1861  (34) June 1861  (33) May 1861  (38) April 1861  (213) March 1861  (194) February 1861  (186) January 1861  (196) 0  (2)

• Feeds and Admin

  • Login
  • Entries RSS
  • Comments RSS
  • WordPress.org

• Categories

  • A Soldier’s Story of the Siege of Vicksburg (63)
  • Administrivia (7)
  • Blogroll (1)
  • Civil War (5924)
  • Diary of a Yankee in the Patent Office (368)
  • Diary of the Union Secretary of the Navy (333)
  • Rebel War Clerk's Diary (1225)
  • War Diary of a Union Woman in the South (83)

• Administrivia

  • Privacy Policy

• Interesting History Related Blogs

  • American Heroes’ Memorial
  • Civil War Bookshelf
  • The Blog of Henry David Thoreau
  • Mason-Dixon Wild West

• Sites I check

  • CW Interative’s - This Week in the Blogs