SATURDAY 18
Fine cool day. Very pleasant for the soldiers to drill. “Squads” being seen all over the City marching to and fro under a drill officer. Had letter today from Brother C R. Wrote him in reply after going over to the Genl P.O. Was introduced to Mr Lewis Clephane, the City P.M., by Mr Vansantvoord of the Pat office. Was down to see the Dress Parade of the 12th. From there to “Willards” Hotel and then to Kirkwoods. Saw the officers of the Mich Regt who stop there. Came home about 9 o’clock, bed at 11.
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.