By the blessing of God, I now record that, as far as heard
from, our arms have been signally notorious, On Thursday and Friday the enemy
were driven off, and the telegram of yesterday from General Lee spoke of our
cause as going on prosperously, and with comparatively little loss to us. Grant
had been driven back, and 10,000 prisoners taken, but how far he has gone is
not yet known. General Lee's telegram last night was very encouraging; he
speaks of having captured two major-generals and killed three brigadiers. We
have not yet heard of our casualties, except in one or two instances. We have been
dreadfully shocked by the death of Colonel William Randolph, of Clarke County.
He fell on the 6th of May. The country has lost no more devoted patriot, the
army no more gallant officer, and society no more brilliant member. It was but
last Sunday that his sister-in-law, Miss Margaret Stuart, said to me with
natural pride and pleasure: "William Randolph has been promoted; he is now
colonel of the Second.” I expressed the pleasure which I then felt; but as she
passed out of the room, and my thoughts again turned to the subject, a
superstitious horror came over me, and I said to those around me, “This is a
fatal honour conferred upon W. R.,” and I could not get rid of the impression.
The Second Regiment has invariably lost its field officers. It is one of the
most gallant regiments of the Stonewall Brigade, and has frequently had what is
called the post of honour. Colonel Allen, Colonel Botts, Lientenant-Colonel
Lackland, Lientenant-Colonel Colston, Major Jones, and now Colonel Randolph,
have fallen! and Colonel Nadenboush, of the same regiment, has been so
mutilated by wounds, as to be obliged to retire from the service.
The fleet upon James River has landed about 30,000 or 40,000
troops. One of their gunboats ran upon a torpedo, which blew it to atoms. We
repulsed them near Port Walthall. Yesterday they came with a very strong force
upon the Petersburg Railroad. They were too strong for us, and we had to fall
back; the enemy consequently took the road, and, of course, injured it very
much; but they have fallen back; why, we do not know, unless they have heard of
Grant's failure. The alarm-bell is constantly ringing, making us nervous and
anxious. The militia have been called out, and have left the city, but where
they have gone I know not. It is strange how little apprehension seems to be
felt in the city. Our trust is first in God, and, under Him, in our brave men.
At this moment Yankee prisoners are passing by. I do not know where they were
captured. Those taken at the battle of “The Wilderness” were sent South.
I went to the Monumental Church this morning. Mr.— read the
service, and Mr. Johnston, of Alexandria, preached.
SOURCE: Judith W. McGuire, Diary of a Southern
Refugee, During the War, p. 262-4
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