July 2026

“I shall make an effort today to be re-instated in office as the Times are not at all promising for any one out of business.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

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Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

FRIDAY 19 A day of great excitement in the City, all looking for news from the Army. A thousand reports flying about, but nothing to be relied on when I left Willards at 9 o’clock tonight. I shall make an effort today to be re-instated in office as the Times are not at all promising [...]

William Howard Russell’s Diary: General Scott’s quarters.—General Mansfield.—Bull’s Run.

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My Diary North and South – William Howard Russell

July 19th.–I rose early this morning in order to prepare for contingencies and to see off Captain Johnson, who was about to start with despatches for New York, containing, no doubt, the intelligence that the Federal troops had advanced against the enemy. Yesterday was so hot that officers and men on the field suffered from [...]

“Yesterday evening we were startled by the sound of myriads of horses, wheels, and men on the turnpike.”—Diary of a Southern Refugee, Judith White McGuire.

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Diary of a Southern Refugee During the War by Judith White McGuire

July 19.—This day is perhaps the most anxious of my life. It is believed that a battle is going on at or near Manassas. Our large household is in a state of feverish anxiety; but we cannot talk of it. Some sit still, and are more quiet than usual; others are trying to employ themselves. [...]

Civil War Day-By-Day

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Civil War Day-by-Day

July 19, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 Gen. Banks superseded Gen. Patterson in command on the Potomac. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson Fisher, New York, Johnson and Ward, 1863

A Diary of American Events – December 27, 1860

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The Rebellion Record – A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore

—A meeting of the citizens of Pittsburgh, Pa., was held, to give expression to the public indignation created by the removal of ordnance to the Southern forts. General William Robinson presided. Resolutions were adopted, declaring loyalty to the Union, deprecating any interference with the shipment of arms under government orders, however inopportune or impolitic the [...]

“On account of the diminished business of the Patent office a number of the Examiners were removed today, myself among the rest.”—Horatio Nelson Taft

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Diary of US patent clerk Horatio Nelson Taft.

THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1861. Rather too warm today for comfort but a good air stirring. It is supposed that a great Battle has taken place at Mannasses junction — as our troops were near there this morning. On account of the diminished business of the Patent office a number of the Examiners were removed today, [...]

Rebel War Clerk

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Civil War Day-by-Day

JULY 18th.—The major is sick again, and Jacques is away; therefore I have too much work, and the colonel groans for me. He is proud of the appointments he made with such rapidity, and has been complimented. And in truth there is no reason why the thousands of applications should not be acted on promptly; [...]

Rations and rumors.–Diary of Josiah Marshall Favill.

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Diary of a Young Officer – Josiah Marshall Favill (57th New York Infantry)

July 18th. To-day great droves of beef cattle were driven into camp and slaughtered, and three days’ cooked rations prepared, and issued to all the troops; we got enough to completely fill our haversacks, and load us down uncomfortably. Nothing occurred during the day worth mentioning, the band played frequently while we cleaned our muskets, [...]

Extracts from the journal of Commander Semmes, C.S. Navy, commanding C.S.S. Sumter

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War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Thursday, July 18.—Fresh trade wind and clear. Employed refitting and repairing the small damages of our late cruise. Sent a lieutenant with my card to call on the governor and to excuse my not calling in person on account [of] indisposition. I was visited to-day by a Venezuelan, who spoke English and who represented himself [...]

“…intelligence came that our troops got worsted and the contest was given up.”

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Diary of Battery A, First Regiment, Rhode Island Light Artillery, by Theodore Reichardt

Thursday, July 18.—Advance at daylight. A part of the Union army, Gen. Tyler’s troops, engaged. This con?ict the rebels call battle of Bull Run1. While the contest was raging, our division halted two miles to the left of Fairfax Court House, at a place called Germantown. We could plainly hear the distant booming of artillery, [...]

William Howard Russell’s Diary: Popular excitement.—Lord Lyons.—General M’Dowell’s movements.—Retreat from Fairfax Court House.

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My Diary North and South – William Howard Russell

July 18th.–After breakfast. Leaving head-quarters, I went across to General Mansfield’s, and was going upstairs, when the General (since killed in battle) himself, a white-headed, grey-bearded, and rather soldierly looking man, dashed out of his room in some excitement, and exclaimed, “Mr. Russell, I fear there is bad news from the front.” “Are they fighting, [...]

“Our relations with this country are now in a promising condition.”–Adams Family Letters, Charles Francis Adams, U.S. Minister to the U.K., to his son.

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Adams Family Civil War letters; US Minister to the UK and his sons.

London, July 18, 1861 I Have engaged a house1 which will I hope be more convenient. It is not in quite so fashionable or so noisy a situation, but it is amply and in some respects richly furnished, and is in a very good neighborhood. My engagement is only for a year, and even that [...]

“The soldiers from the far South have never had measles, and most unfortunately it has broken out among them, and many of them have died of it…,”—Diary of a Southern Refugee, Judith White McGuire.

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Diary of a Southern Refugee During the War by Judith White McGuire

July 18.—During the last ten days we have been visiting among our friends, near Berryville, and in Winchester. The wheat harvest is giving the most abundant yield, and the fields are thick with corn. Berryville is a little village surrounded by the most beautiful country and delightful society. Patriotism burns brightly there, and every one [...]

Civil War Day-By-Day

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Civil War Day-by-Day

July 18, 1861 A Chronological History of the Civil War in America1 First Battle of Bull Run2: an engagement took place at Blackford’s Ford, Bull Run, between Union troops under Gen. Tyler and the rebels under Beauregard. Gen. Tyler fell back to Centreville. A Chronological History of the Civil War in America by Richard Swainson [...]

Description of the navy yard, and how we passed the time there.—We cross the Potomac and march to meet the enemy.—Diary of Josiah Marshall Favill.

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Diary of a Young Officer – Josiah Marshall Favill (57th New York Infantry)

(April to the middle of July) Arrangements were made to quarter the regiment in the various sail lofts and store-houses. Double bunks, three tiers high, built to hold two men each, filled the room, with numerous narrow passages running between them. My company was assigned the upper floor of the first store room to the [...]

Rebel War Clerk

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Civil War Day-by-Day

JULY 17th.—The news is not so good to-day. Gen. Garnet’s small command has been defeated by the superior numbers of Gen. McClellan. But the general himself was killed, fighting in the rear of his retreating men. His example will not be without its effect. Our generals will resolve never to survive a defeat. This will [...]

Extracts from the journal of Commander Semmes, C.S. Navy, commanding C.S.S. Sumter

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War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Wednesday, July 17.—Clear; the trade blew all night at a mile or two from the coast. At 7 ran in and received the following message from the governor by the pilot: The governor regrets, but he can not permit you to enter, he having received recent orders from the home Government to this effect. Sent [...]