Headquarters, Manassas
Junction, June 16, 1861
My Dear Mary: I wrote you a short letter from Richmond last
Wednesday, and came here next day. Found the camp all busy and preparing for a
vigorous defense. We have here at this camp seven regiments, and in the same
command, at posts in the neighborhood, six others — say, ten thousand good men.
The General and the men feel confident that they can whip twice that number of
the enemy, at least.
I have been in the saddle for two days, all day, with the
General, to become familiar with the topography of the country, and the posts
he intends to assume, and the communications between them.
We learned General Johnston has evacuated Harper's Ferry,
and taken up his position at Winchester, to meet the advancing column of
McClellan, and to avoid being cut off by the three columns which were advancing
upon him. Neither Johnston nor Beauregard considers Harper's Ferry as very
important in a strategic point of view.
I think it most probable that the next battle you will hear
of will be between the forces of Johnston and McClellan.
I think what we particularly need is a head in the field — a
Major-General to combine and conduct all the forces as well as plan a general
and energetic campaign. Still, we have all confidence that we will defeat the
enemy whenever and wherever we meet in general engagement. Although the
majority of the people just around here are with us, still there are many who
are against us.
God bless you.
Yours,
James Chesnut, Jr.
SOURCE: Mary Boykin Chesnut, Edited by Isabella D. Martin
and Myrta Lockett Avary, A Diary From Dixie, p. 64-5
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