FORT CORCORAN, Opposite
Georgetown,
July 3, 1861, Monday.
. . . On Friday I received orders to report to General
McDowell at Arlington. I did so and received orders to relieve Colonel Hunter
in the command of this Brigade composed of three militia regiments and two
companies of regulars, one of cavalry and one of artillery. I occupy along with
many others a beautiful cottage in full view of Georgetown and Washington City
just over the aqueduct. The engineers have erected a fort named after a New
York colonel, Irish, Corcoran, who is most enthusiastic in the cause, and
several other little redoubts, all designed to protect Georgetown and
consequently Washington from an approach this way. . . .
As yet I am simply studying the condition of affairs in
anticipation of a forward movement. Of course, this depends on affairs with
McClellan, Patterson and Butler. When we do move it will be in some force, but
we know that Beauregard has long been expecting such an advance, and is as well
prepared as he can be. It may be after all that he may retire, but I think he
will fight, and it may be it will be in the nature of a duel. Better keep even
this to yourself. I would not have anything traced back to me.
The manner and fact that nothing is now secret or sacred
from the craving for public news is disgraceful to us as a people. The South
manage to keep their councils better than we.
Beauregard has ceased even to think of attacking. All his
dispositions look to defense. . . .
SOURCE: M. A. DeWolfe Howe, Editor, Home Letters of
General Sherman, p. 199-200.
A full copy of this letter can be found in the William T Sherman Family
papers (SHR), University of Notre Dame Archives (UNDA), Notre Dame, IN
46556, Folder CSHR 1/138.
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