Upton's. — A clear, cold, windy day; bracing and Northern.
No news except a rumor that the armies are both busy gathering up wounded
and burying dead; that the enemy hold rather more of the battlefield than we
do.
12:30 P. M. — I have seen several accounts of the late
battles, with details more or less accurate. The impression I get is that we
have rather the worst of it, by reason of superior generalship on the part of
the Rebels.
9:30 P. M. — New and interesting scenes this P. M. The great
army is retreating, coming back. It passes before us and in our rear. We are to
cover the retreat if they are pursued. They do not look or act like beaten men;
they are in good spirits and orderly. They are ready to hiss McDowell. When
General Given announced that General McClellan was again leader, the cheering
was hearty and spontaneous. The camps around us are numerous. The signal corps
telegraphs by waving lights to the camps on all the heights. The scene is wild
and glorious this fine night. Colonel White of the Twelfth and I have arranged
our plans in case of an attack tonight. So to bed. Let the morrow provide for
itself.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 339
