FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1861.
Weather very delightful. Boys some sick last night (much fever) but better today. Nothing of particular interest has occured. The 7th NY Regt returned home today, term (30 days) being up, other Regts are arriving every day. Went down to the N Yard after dinner with H N Jr, ten or twelve War Steamers there at the Dock. Thirty odd prisoners taken at Alexandria (Capt Balls troopers) were in confinement on the Powhattan. Saw the 71st NY Regt parade in the yard where they are quartered. Came home direct before dark, did not go out again.
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.