Some rumors yesterday and more direct information to-day are
cheering to the Union cause. McClellan telegraphs a victory, defeat of the
enemy with loss of 15,000 men, and that “General Lee admits they are badly
whipped.” To whom Lee made this admission so that it should be brought straight
to McC. and telegraphed here does not appear. A tale like this from Pope would
have been classed as one of his fictions. It may be all true, coming from
McClellan, but I do not credit Lee's confession or admission. That we have had
a fight and beaten the Rebels, I can believe. It scarcely could have been
otherwise. I am afraid it is not as decisive as it should be, and as is the
current belief, but shall rejoice if McC. has actually overtaken the Rebels,
which is not yet altogether clear.
Rev. Dr. Patton of Chicago, chairman of a committee
appointed in northern Illinois, desired an introduction with his associates to
the President, to advise with him on the subject of slavery and emancipation.
The President assented cheerfully.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30, 1864,
p. 130
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