A lady, just from Washington, after striving in vain to
procure an interview with the Secretary of War, left with me the programme of the
enemy's contemplated movements. She was present with the family of Gen. Dix at a
party, and heard their purposes disclosed. They meditate an advance
immediately, with 200,000 men. The head of Banks's column is to cross near
Leesburg; and when over, a movement upon our flank is intended from the
vicinity of Arlington Heights. This is truly a formidable enterprise, if true.
We have not 70,000 effective men in Northern Virginia. The lady is in
earnest—and remains here.
I wrote down the above information and sent it to the
President; and understood that dispatches were transmitted immediately to Gen.
Johnston, by telegraph.
The lady likewise spoke of a contemplated movement by sea
with gun-boats, to be commanded by Burnside, Butler, etc.
In the evening I met Mr. Hunter, and told him the substance of
the information brought by the lady. He seemed much interested, for he knows
the calm we have been enjoying bodes no good; and he apprehends that evil will
grow out of the order of the Secretary of War, permitting all who choose to
call themselves alien enemies to leave the Confederacy. While we were speaking
(in the street) Mr. Benjamin came up, and told me he had seen the letter I sent
to the President. He said, moreover, that he did not doubt the enemy intended
to advance as set forth in the programme.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 86
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