Tuesday Jan’y 21st 1862
Weather continues soft and unpleasant, a light rain nearly all day. Battle in Kentucky and death of Zollicoffer confirmed. “Sesesh” must now take a succession of hard Knocks. Our troops are now disciplined and more in Earnest. In the office a[s] usual. Went down to the National this evening, spent an hour or two in Mr Shorts room. Saw his partner in the “fire Bomb,” Lyman B Smith, Mr Jewett the Engraver of Buffalo, Maj Chapin from over the River, the “Ellsworth” Regt. I came home about 10 o’clock. The Maj thinks there is to be an advance soon. People are waiting for it with a great deal of impatience. Our armies are in good condition and eager for a “fight” everywhere.
______
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.