Full Title

Horatio Nelson Taft Diary, May 30, 1865

Description

Patent examiner Horatio Nelson Taft reflected on the events of the first five months of 1865.

Transcription

Washington May 30th 1865

The achievements of the Country during the past six or seven months, if we take a rapid glance at them, are truly astonishing. A catalogue merely of the striking Military events during that period would almost fill a volume. Beginning with the time that Thomas almost annihilated the army of the Rebel Genl Hood at Franklin and Nashville. Then following Genl Sherman in his daring plunge into the heart of Georgia. The Storming of Fort McAllister, and the Capture of Savannah, almost without a Siege, with all its Wealth and vast Armaments. Then sweeping through South Carolina like a desolating Tornado. Compelling the Surrender of Charleston tho not within a hundred miles of it. Capturing the Capital of the State without a Battle (Columbia). Entering North Carolina, defeating the Rebels under Johnston at Bentonville and Averysboro and capturing the Capital of the State Raleigh and to close this successful march receives the surrender of Johnston and his Army. During this time, the month of March, Genl Terry captures Fort Fisher at the mouth of the Cap[e] Fear River (one of the most desperate and heroic acts of the War). Thus compelling the surrender of Willmington a few days afterwards. During this time also Schofield was fighting betwen Wilmington and Raleigh around Kinston and penetrating to Goldsboro. It is now the latter part of March and Genl Grants Movements begin to absorb the attention of the Country. The rebels surprise and capture Fort Steadman (one of Grants line of Forts) but dearly did it cost them for they were easily driven away. And then began those decisive movements and series of splendid victories which compelled the surrender of Petersburgh and Richmond and finaly the Capture of Genl Lee and his whole army, and the Great Rebellion was virtualy ended. But during this time again, Genl Canby was forcing his way into Mobile. Genl Wilson is “riding free” with a Cloud of horsemen over Alabama and Georgia scattering all opposition, capturing Selma, Montgomery, and Macon. Stoneman is dashing through Eastern Tennessee and N Carolina, riding at will and driving all before him. Then Taylor and Kirby Smith Surrender which embrace about the last of the rebel forces. But during this period of Six or Seven months, the realy most important events have not been yet mentioned. In the midst of a desolating War, in the smoke and heat of Battle as it were, There has been a quiet Presidential Election and Inauguration, with all its usual attendant excitements. A Draft of three hundred thousand men has been ordered, and the men raised. The Government Credit has been increased at home and abroad a hundred fold and Gold has fallen a hundred percent. Our great and Good President has been assassinated. The assassin Killed. Jefferson Davis has been captured and impeached for Treason. The grand Review & the Trial of the conspirators. Tearfully - and Joyfully have we witnessed these Events.

Source

Library of Congress, Manuscript Division

Rights

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.

Tags

Cite this Item

Horatio Nelson Taft. "Horatio Nelson Taft Diary, May 30, 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/690

Creator

Horatio Nelson Taft

Date

May 30, 1865

Full Title

U.S. Military Telegraph of Gideon Welles, Secretary Navy, to Comdt. Navy Yard [J.B. Montgomery], May 4, 1865

Description

States, "Have Guns fired every half hour from noon till Sunday closing with a national Salute, in honor of the late President whose funeral is now taking place in Springfield, Illinois. . . ."

Rights

This item is in the public domain.

Tags

Cite this Item

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878. "U.S. Military Telegraph of Gideon Welles, Secretary Navy, to Comdt. Navy Yard [J.B. Montgomery], May 4, 1865". . Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/671

Creator

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Publisher

Date

May 4, 1865

Material

Full Title

Contemporary copy of telegram of J.B. Montgomery, Navy Yard, Washington, to Hon. Secretary of the Navy [Gideon Welles], Washington, D.C., April 30, 1865

Description

States, "Telegram received at 9 O'Clock last night. Eight Prisoners delivered to General Hancock at 10.30 P.M. & Military guard left the yard at 11 O'Clock. . . ." Refers to the capture of suspected conspirators in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

Rights

This item is in the public domain.

Tags

Cite this Item

Montgomery, John Berrien, 1794-. "Contemporary copy of telegram of J.B. Montgomery, Navy Yard, Washington, to Hon. Secretary of the Navy [Gideon Welles], Washington, D.C., April 30, 1865". . Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/669

Creator

Montgomery, John Berrien, 1794-

Publisher

Date

April 30, 1865

Material

Full Title

United States Military Telegraph of F.A. Parker to A.J. Kane, New York, [April 29], 1865

Description

States, "You can remain until after the funeral. . . ." Additional instructions in pencil state, "The Com. wishes the Bulletin of the war news to-day - also any further particulars in regard to the taking of Booth [John Wilkes Booth]."

Rights

This item is in the public domain.

Tags

Cite this Item

Parker, F. A.. "United States Military Telegraph of F.A. Parker to A.J. Kane, New York, [April 29], 1865". . Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/668

Creator

Parker, F. A.

Publisher

Date

April 29, 1865

Material

Full Title

Contemporary copy of telegram of Gideon Welles, Secy. Navy, Navy Department, Washington City, to Comd. Montgomery [J.B. Montgomery], Comdt. Navy Yard, April 27, 1865

Description

States, "I am informed by the Secretary of War that persons were permitted to visit the Iron Clads on board of which the prisoners are confined by his and my order. You will explain if this has been done, and you will allow no person to visit those vessels who has not the. . . .order of the Secretary of War and myself. Until the Prisoners are removed from your custody, you will exclude visitors from the yard. . . ." Refers to captured suspected conspirators in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

Rights

This item is in the public domain.

Tags

Cite this Item

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878. "Contemporary copy of telegram of Gideon Welles, Secy. Navy, Navy Department, Washington City, to Comd. Montgomery [J.B. Montgomery], Comdt. Navy Yard, April 27, 1865". . Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/666

Creator

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Publisher

Date

April 27, 1865

Material

Full Title

Contemporary copy of telegram of J.B. Montgomery, Navy Yard, Washington, to Hon. Secretary of the Navy [Gideon Welles], Navy Dept., April 27, 1865

Description

States, "Danl. C. Herold [David Herold], prisoner, & remains of J. Wilkes Boothe delivered here at 1.45 this morning. The latter is changing rapidly. What disposition shall be made of the body. . . ."

Rights

This item is in the public domain.

Tags

Cite this Item

Montgomery, John Berrien, 1794-. "Contemporary copy of telegram of J.B. Montgomery, Navy Yard, Washington, to Hon. Secretary of the Navy [Gideon Welles], Navy Dept., April 27, 1865". . Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/665

Creator

Montgomery, John Berrien, 1794-

Publisher

Date

April 27, 1865

Material

Full Title

Letter signed J.P. Slough, Brig. Genl. Vols., Headquarters Military Governor, Alexandria, Va., to Lt. Col. J.H. Taylor, Chf. of Staff and A.A.G., Hd. Qrs. Dpt. of Washington, April 17, 1865

Description

States, "A number of fisherman are tied up at this place. The officir [officer] of the Guard Ship desired to know if the restriction preventing their passing down the River is to be continued or whether he can pass all registered and known persons with their Vessels. . . ." Relates to the hunt for John Wilkes Booth after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.

Rights

This item is in the public domain.

Tags

Cite this Item

Slough, John P.. "Letter signed J.P. Slough, Brig. Genl. Vols., Headquarters Military Governor, Alexandria, Va., to Lt. Col. J.H. Taylor, Chf. of Staff and A.A.G., Hd. Qrs. Dpt. of Washington, April 17, 1865". . Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/635

Creator

Slough, John P.

Publisher

Date

April 17, 1865

Material

Full Title

Unsigned Note to George Harrington, April 1865

Description

Suggests that as few carriages as possible be allowed in the funeral procession of Abraham Lincoln so that more persons may follow the President to his grave.

Transcription

Hon. Geo Harrington
Sir:
Pardon me for suggesting that as few carriages as possible ought to be allowed in the funeral cortege of the President.

There are one hundred thousand aching hearts, that will follow his remains to the grave. This cannot be done if long lines of vehicles occupy the space, without adding to the volume of humanity desirous of participating.

Unless care be taken in this respect, the remains will [arrive] at the place of burial or deposite before the people move from the White House.

Affection

[Transcription by: Daniel Kynaston]

Source

Rights

Please contact the Missouri History Museum at photo@mohistory.org for permission to publish this resource.

Tags

Cite this Item

anonymous. "Unsigned Note to George Harrington, April 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/678

Creator

anonymous

Date

April 1865

Full Title

List of the Diplomatic Corps entitled to attend the funeral ceremonies of Abraham Lincoln, [April] 1865

Description

Lists diplomats and other dignitaries from various countries who were invited to attend the funeral of President Abraham Lincoln.

Transcription

List of the Diplomatic Corps

1865

Entitled to attend the Funeral Ceremonies

[Page 2]

Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary

Portugal. The Commander J.C. de Figaniere e Morao
Charlestown, Md

Prussia. Baron von Gerolt
Washington

Guatemala. Senor [Señor] Don Antonio José de Yrisarri [Irisarri]
Brooklyn, N.Y.

Spain. Senor Don Gabriel Garcia y Tassara
Corcorans Row. I. St.

Russia. Mr. Eduard de Stoeckle [Stoeckl]
Cor. I. & Connecticut Avenue

Costa Rica, Nicaragua & Honduras Senor [Señor] Don Luis Molina
F. st. bet: 20th & 21st sts.

Great Britain. Sir Frederick Bruce
245 H Street

Belgium. Mr. Alfred Berghuans.
Washington.

[Page 3]

Netherlands. Mr Roest van Limburg
N.Y.

Mexico. Senor Don Matias Romero.
h. 263 G Street.

Denmark. Mr. W.R. Raasloff [Raasløff]
29 Fifth Avenue
h. 46 Clinton Place, N.Y.

Italy. The Commander Joseph Butinatti.
At Mrs. Mackall’s, 7 Buildings.

Venezuela. Senor [Señor] Blas Bruzual
h. 35. West 35th 33rd Street, N. York

United States of Columbia [Colombia]. Genl. Eustorgio Salgar
Gramercy Park Hotel New York.

Sweden and Norway. Baron N.G. de Wetterstedt.
Washington

[Page 4]
Ministers Resident
Hanseatic Republics

Austria. Count Wydenbruck.
Washington.

[Page 5]
Chargés d’ Affaires

Chili [Chile]. Senor [Señor] Don F. Asta Buruaga.
Corcoran’s Row, I St.

Hayti [Haiti]. Mr. W. D. Bruno.

France. Mr. de Geofroy.
310. H. Street.

Liberia. John B. Pinney
New York

Peru. Senor José Antonio Garcia y Garcia.
Gramercy House, New York.

Hanseatic Republics. Dr. Johannes Rosing.
Corner 6th and D. streets.

Brazil. Senhor Ignacio de Avellar Barbosa [Barloza] de [da] Silva
Washington.

Hawaii. S.W. F. Odell.

Great Britain. J. Hurne Burnley
245. H. St.

Belgium. Mr. Alfred Berghmans.
Washington

[Page 6]

First Secretaries

Prussia. Baron Guido von Grabow, Georgetown.

Russia. Mr. Waldemar de Bodisco. do [Georgetown]

Italy. Mr. Henry Cora. Washington

Peru. Don Emilio Bonifaz. Gramercy Park Hotel N. York.

Mexico. Señor Don Ignacio Mariscal.

Spain. Señor Don Mariano de Potestad Wash.

Brazil. Senhor Luis Auguste de Padua Fleury.

Venezuela. Señor Florencio Ribas.

United States of Columbia [Colombia]. Señor Felipe Zapata.

Netherlands. Mr. A.P.C. Van Karnbeck [Karnebeek].

[Page 7]

Second Secretaries

Spain. Senor Don Luis de Potestad. Wash.

Russia. Mr. Alexander Davydov “

Great Britain. Francis Ottiwell Adams, Esq. “
Frederick Autrobus, Esq. “

France. Mr le Comte de Faverney “
M. de Minogues “

Mexico. Senor [Señor] Francisco D. Macin. “

Third Secretaries

Great Britain. R.T. G Kirkpatrick “
Edwin Constantine Henry Phipps “
Arthur Henry Seymour “
H. B. Smyth “
[Page 8]

Attaches

Portugal. Senhor G. J. de Fejaniere, Charlestown Md.

Spain. Señor Don Miguel de Bertodano, Washington

France. M. le Comte Grande Colbert “
M. Arthur de Pont “

Great Britain. The Hon. Thomas George Grosvenor “

Italy. Mr. R. Cantagalli

Venezuela. Commander José J. Roldan N. York
Senor Abraham I. Dorale “

United States of Columbia [Colombia]. Senor [Señor] Francisco Párraga “
Senor [Señor] Gustave F. Gonzales “

Chancellors

France. Mr Paul Dejardin Wash

--
[Transcription by: Patrick J. Lynch]

Rights

This item is in the public domain.

Tags

Cite this Item

Harrington, George, 1815-1892. "List of the Diplomatic Corps entitled to attend the funeral ceremonies of Abraham Lincoln, [April] 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/675

Creator

Harrington, George, 1815-1892

Date

April 1865

Material

Full Title

Unsigned note to Hon. E.M. Stanton, [April 1865]

Description

States, "The running of cars upon the street railroads, between 17th street and the Congressional Cemetery, should cease to-morrow between 11 A.M., and to P.M. The rolling of cars, and the jingle of bells will contrast strangely with the solemnity of those several hours. . . ." Instructions for the day of Abraham Lincoln's funeral.

Transcription

[*4-1865*]
Missouri
Historical Society
Saint Louis
Bixby Collection

Hon E M Stanton
Sec of War
Sir
The running of cars
upon the street railroads, between
17th Street and the Congressional
Cemetery, should cease to-morrow
between 11 A M and 2 P M.
The rolling of cars, and the jingle
of bills will contrast strangely
with the solemnity of those sacred
hours.
Affection.

PRESENTED TO
MISSOURI HISTORICAL SOCIETY
BY W. K. BIXBY

[Transcription by Henry R.]

Source

Rights

This item is in the public domain.

Tags

Cite this Item

anonymous. "Unsigned note to Hon. E.M. Stanton, [April 1865]". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/680

Creator

anonymous

Date

April 18, 1865