Horatio Nelson Taft Diary, April 6-14, 1865
This excerpt from the diary of Horatio Nelson Taft is an insight into some of the first reactions of citizens of the Union to the death of President Lincoln. Taft, who was a patent clerk, laments Lincoln's teach and denounces the assassination as assassination at it's worst. In the entry just prior to the excerpt describing Lincoln's death, Taft described the return of Lincoln to Washington after a Union victory.
April 6th 1865
Mr Lincoln has been in Richmond. Near half of the City has been destroyed by fire by the
Rebels themselves as they evacuated it. Large numbers of prisoners have been captured
by Sheridan, Genl Ewell and his Corps, some seven thousand.
April 9, 1865
Genl Lee has surrendered to Genl Grant with his whole Army!! Mr Lincoln has returned to
Washington as in fine Spirits at the prospect of a speedy peace. It is thought that Johnson
and the other rebel Genls will give up now that Lee has surrendered.
April 14th ½ past 10 o'clock P.M.
O, fatal day. O, noble Victim.
Treason has done its worst.
The President has been Assassinated.
It has just been announced at my door
that he was shot a half hour ago at Fords Theatre.
Is it possible?
I have just come from near the scene,
it is too True. 11, o'clock P.M.
memory.loc.gov
This item is in the public domain and may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution.
Horatio Nelson Taft. "Horatio Nelson Taft Diary, April 6-14, 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed November 14, 2024. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1107
Horatio Nelson Taft
April 6, 1865 & April 14, 1865
bound paper with script in ink and type
Diary from Apr. 14, 1865
This excerpt from the diary of Horatio Nelson Taft is an insight into some of the first reactions of citizens of the Union to the death of President Lincoln. Taft, who was a patent clerk, laments Lincoln's teach and denounces the assassination as assassination at it's worst. In the entry just prior to the excerpt describing Lincoln's death, Taft described the return of Lincoln to Washington after a Union victory.
memory.loc.gov
This item is in the public domain and may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution.
Horatio Nelson Taft
April 14, 1865
bound paper with script in ink and type