Conversed with some Yankees to-day who are to be released
to-morrow. It appears that when young Lamar lost his horse on the plains of Manassas,
the 4th Alabama Regiment had to fall back a few hundred yards, and it was
impossible to bear Col. Jones, wounded, from the field, as he was large and
unwieldy. When the enemy came up, some half dozen of their men volunteered to
convey him to a house in the vicinity. They were permitted to do this, and to
remain with him as a guard. Soon after our line advanced, and with such
impetuosity as to sweep everything before it. Col. Jones was rescued, and his
guard made prisoners. But, for their attention to him, he asked their release,
which was granted. They say their curiosity to see a battle-field has been
gratified, and they shall be contented to remain at home in safety hereafter.
They regarded us as rebels, and believed us divided among ourselves. If this
should be true, the rebellion would yet be crushed; but if we were unanimous
and continued to fight as we did at Manassas, it would be revolution, and our
independence must some day be acknowledged by the United States. But, they say,
a great many Northern men remain to be gratified as they had been; and the war
will be a terrible one before they can be convinced that a reduction of the
rebellion is not a practicable thing.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 69-70
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