I yesterday took a steamer with a small company, consisting
among others of Postmaster-General Blair, Senators Doolittle and Grimes,
Messrs. Rice and Griswold of the Naval Committee, Count Rosen of the Swedish
Navy, Mr. Hale (the newly selected Consul-General to Egypt), G. W. Blunt and
Assistant Secretary Fox, Commander Wise, Dr. Horwitz, and two or three others,
and went down the Potomac to Belle Plain. The day was pleasant and the sail
charming. We reached Belle Plain about two P.M. and left a little past five. Is
a rough place with no dwelling, — an extemporized plank-way from the shore some
twenty or thirty rods in the rear. Some forty or fifty steamers and barges,
most of them crowded with persons, were there. Recruits going forward to
reinforce Grant's army, or the wounded and maimed returning from battle. Rows
of stretchers, on each of which was a maimed or wounded Union soldier, were
wending towards the steamers which were to bear them to Washington, while from
the newly arrived boats were emerging the fresh soldiers going forward to the
field. Working our way along the new and rough-made road, through teams of
mules and horses, we arrived at the base of a hill some two or three hundred
feet in height, and went up a narrow broken footpath to the summit, on which
were the headquarters of General Abercrombie and staff. The ascent was steep
and laborious. We had expected to find the prisoners here, but were told they
were beyond, about one and a half miles. The majority were disposed to proceed
thither, and, though tired and reluctant, I acquiesced. The prisoners, said to
be about 7000 in number, were encamped in a valley surrounded by steep hills,
the circumference of the basin being some two or three miles. Returning, we
passed through the centre of this valley or basin. The prisoners were rough,
sturdy-looking men, good and effective soldiers, I should judge. Most of them
were quiet and well-behaved, but some few of them were boisterous and inclined
to be insolent.
One of the prisoners, a young man of some twenty-five,
joined me and inquired if I resided in the neighborhood. I told him at a little
distance. He wished to exchange some money, Rebel for greenbacks. When I told
him that his was worthless, he claimed it was better than greenbacks though not
current here. I asked him if they had not enough of fighting, opposing the
Union and lawful authority. He said no, there was much more fighting yet to be
done. Claimed that Lee would be in Fredericksburg before the Union army could
get to Richmond. Would not believe that J. E. B. Stuart was killed, news of
which I received just as I came on board the boat this morning. He was earnest,
though uninformed, and said he was from western North Carolina. Returning, we
reached Washington at 9 P.M.
To-day I have been busy in preparing two or three letters
and matters for Congress.
Governor Morgan called on me relative to abuses in cotton
speculations, and malconduct of Treasury agents and others. Some of the
malpractices which are demoralizing the army and the officials and disgusting
the whole people in the lower Mississippi are becoming known, and will, I
trust, lead to legislative correction. As Morgan introduced the subject and
thought proper to consult me, I freely gave him facts and my views, which
conflict with Chase and the Treasury management. A bill which Morgan showed me
is crudely drawn but introduces, or makes, an entire change. It is not, in some
of its features, what I should have proposed, but it will improve on the present
system.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 —
December 31, 1866, p. 31-3
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