WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1861.
Rain again until noon. It has rained all the time since Sunday morning, and the water in the Potomac is higher than it has been before in some years. The District Militia were all out on parade and eight Companies entered the service of the U.S. upon requisition of the Secy of War for the Protection of the City. The guards are doubled at all the Public Buildings, and Military companies were on duty all last night. Exciting rumors from the South & exciting news expected. Was on the Ave, at the Hotels, much excitement.
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.