We have information that the Rebels have crossed the Potomac
in considerable force, with a view of invading Maryland and pushing on into
Pennsylvania. The War Department is bewildered, knows but little, does nothing,
proposes nothing.
Our army is passing north. This evening some twenty or
thirty thousand passed my house within three hours. There was design in having
them come up from Pennsylvania Avenue to H Street, and pass by McClellan's
house, which is at the corner of H and 15th. They cheered the General lustily,
instead of passing by the White House and honoring the President.
Have unpleasant information concerning privateers, which are
getting abroad by connivance of the British authorities. Am trying to get
Wilkes off as speedily as possible. Wrote out his orders and instructions this
evening to cruise with a squadron in the Bahamas and West Indies for certain
vessels of no recognized nationality that were preparing to prey on our
commerce. Will get them copied and in his hands on Monday. As an additional
hint, told him to-day I wished he could get off on Monday.
McClellan and his partisans have ascendency in the army, but
he has lost ground in the confidence of the country, chiefly from delays, or
what the President aptly terms the “slows.”
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30, 1864,
p. 111
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