MONDAY 23
Cold and windy with some snow but not enough to remain on the ground. News from England looks squaly. England is seeking a pretext for engaging in the quarrel on the Side of the rebels. We are likely to have our hands full. Our people are “fighting mad” with England whether the fight comes off now or not. Nothing new from the War. Genl Scott has returned probably on some important business connected with the matter with England. He comes from Paris. I have been home all the evening puting the boys through their lessons, &c.
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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.