Gen. Lee dispatched this morning early that the enemy were
constructing three pontoon bridges, and that firing had commenced on both
sides. At nine o'clock A.M. the firing increased, and Gen Lee dispatched for
ammunition, looking to the contingency of a prolonged battle.
At three P.M., Gen. Lee says, the enemy had been repulsed in
two of their attempts to throw bridges over the river; but the third attempt would
probably succeed, as it was under cover of batteries which commanded the
river, and where his sharpshooters could not reach the workmen. But, he says, his
batteries command the plain where the enemy must debouch. We may speedily
hear of a most sanguinary conflict.
Burnside must have greatly superior numbers, or else he is a
great fool to precipitate his men into a plain, where every Southern soldier is
prepared to die, in the event of failure to conquer! There is no trepidation
here; on the contrary, a settled calm on the faces of the people, which might
be mistaken for indifference. They are confident of the success of Lee, and
really seem apprehensive that Burnside will not come over and fight him in a decisive
battle. We shall soon see, now, of what stuff Burnside and his army are made. I
feel some anxiety; because the destruction of our little army on the
Rappahannock might be the fall of Richmond.
It is rumored that the President started two days ago for
the West — Tennessee and Mississippi. No papers have been sent in by him since
Tuesday, and it may be true. If so, he means to return speedily. I think we
shall soon have news from the lower James River.
A letter from the Governor of Alabama calls urgently for
heavy guns, and a reserve force, for the defense of Mobile.
Major Hause, the government's agent in Europe, has
purchased, up to this time, 157,000 stand of arms, besides many cannon, much
ammunition, quartermaster's stores, etc. A portion was lost in transitu,
however, but not a large amount. Besides the large sums he has expended, he has
obtained credit to the extent of $6,000,000!
They are calling for a guard at Petersburg against
incendiaries. A factory was burned the other night. This is bad.
Scully and Lewis, condemned to die as spies, have been
pardoned by the President, and are to be sent North.
Another dispatch from Gen. Lee, dated 3½ P.M., says the
enemy has nearly completed his bridge, and will probably commence crossing this
evening or in the morning. The bulletin boards in the city purport to give
intelligence of the passage having been effected in part; but I do not see how
the editors could have obtained their information.
At 6 P.M., passengers by the Fredericksburg train (which
left, at 1 P.M.) report the shelling of the town, and a great battle in
progress on this side of the river. I doubt both; and I saw but one excited man
(a Jew) who said he was in Fredericksburg when the shelling began. I do not
believe it. The cars were not within four miles of the town, and perhaps merely
conjectured the cannonading they heard to be directed at the town. There
were no ladies or children in the cars. But doubtless the enemy will cross
the river, and there will be a battle, which must result in a great mortality.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 209-11
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