The President left the city this morning for Manassas, and
we look for a battle immediately. I have always thought he would avail himself of
his prerogative as commander-in-chief, and direct in person the most important
operations in the field; and, indeed, I have always supposed he was selected to
be the Chief of the Confederacy, mainly with a view to this object, as it was
generally believed he possessed military genius of a high order. In revolutions
like the present, the chief executive occupies a most perilous and precarious
position, if he be not a military chieftain, and present on every battle-field of
great magnitude. I have faith in President Davis, and believe he will gain
great glory in this first mighty conflict.
Early in the evening Secretary Walker returned from tea in
great excitement. He strode to and fro in the room where we were sitting, d–––g
his office. He said a great battle was then going on, and he wished himself
present participating in its perils. Again he denounced the office he filled — and
seemed, for a time, almost frantic with anxiety. He said all young men ought to
be in the field, and this was understood by those present, who had merely
shouldered their pens.
Before long the hall of the department was filled with people
eager to hear the news; and as successive dispatches were received, the
excitement increased. All the cabinet were in our office; and Hon. Howell Cobb,
President of Congress, making deductions from the dispatches, announced his
belief that it was a drawn battle. This moved the wrath of Col. Bledsoe, and he
denounced Cobb. Mr. Hunter did nothing but listen. It was night, now. Finally,
Mr. Benjamin, who had gone to the Spottswood Hotel, where Mrs. Davis resided,
returned with news that stopped every detracting tongue. Mrs. D. had just got a
dispatch from the President announcing a dearly-bought but glorious victory.
Some of the editors of the papers being present, and applying to me for a copy of
the dispatch, Mr. Benjamin said he could repeat it from memory, which he did,
and I wrote it down for the press. Then joy ruled the hour! The city seemed
lifted up, and every one appeared to walk on air. Mr. Hunter's face grew
shorter; Mr. Reagan's eyes subsided into their natural size; and Mr. Benjamin's
glowed something like Daniel Webster's after taking a pint of brandy. The men
in place felt that now they held their offices for life, as the permanent government
would soon be ratified by the people, and that the Rubicon had been passed in
earnest. We had gained a great victory; and no doubt existed that it would be
followed up the next day. If so, the Federal city would inevitably fall into
our hands; and this would soon be followed by the expulsion of the enemy from
Southern soil. All men seemed to think that the tide of war would roll from
that day northward into the enemy's country, until we should win a glorious
peace.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 64-5
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