SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1861.
Very hot sun today and the atmosphere oppressive. I was down to the P.O. Pd my gas bill for the month 95 cts. Came home about noon and found Doct David. Went to market before dark. Went with Julia down to the Camp (the Doct and wife had gone to the Presidents). Have been drawing some with Pencil, studying upon a self cocking and self loading gun with the rotary trigger. No news yet from over [there?]. The Union cause now looks much brighter and we are looking for success all round.
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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.