TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1861.
Have had rather a busy day of it and it has been quite warm. Packed Julia’s trunk and then went to the Pat office. Went up to the Navy Dept by request of Chief Engineer Saml Archibold to inspect some Drawings and Models of Engines, Valves, &c. Went to Express off and pd charge on trunk $2.00 and then back to Pat office. Have not done much office work today, a good many in the room talking over the affairs of the Nation. Went this evening to the Levee (the last of Pres Buchanans). A great crowd there, many Army & Navy officers in uniform. H N Jr went with me and was introduced to the Prest & shook hands with him.
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.