Yesterday was a bloody day. Gen. Lee telegraphs that the
enemy attacked him at 9 A.M., and as the fog lifted, the fire ran along the
whole line, and the conflict raged until darkness (6 P.M.) put an end to the
battle. The enemy was repulsed at all points, he continued, thanks be to God!
But we have to mourn, as usual, a heavy loss. Lee expects another blow at
Buniside to-day.
It is understood that Gens. Hood, Texas, was wounded; T. R.
R. Cobb, Georgia, and a brigadier from South Carolina were killed. A dispatch
says that where our generals fell, the colonels could no longer restrain their
regiments; and the men ran into the ranks of the enemy, and, animated with a spirit
of desperation, slaughtered the foe in great numbers with their bayonets,
pistols, and knives.
Preparations are being made here for the reception of the
wounded. The request was to provide for a large number.
Last night, at nine o'clock, a number of regiments which had
been encamped among the fortifications northwest of the city, were marched down
to Drewry's Bluff. It is probable Gen. Smith has heard of the enemy's approach
from that quarter. I hope he may prove the right man in the right place.
It is rumored that we were repulsed yesterday, this side of Suffolk.
At this critical moment the President is away.
A dispatch from Gen. Lee says Gen. Wade Hampton dashed into
Dumfries, the other side of the Rappahannock, and in the rear of the
enemy, capturing some wagons, and taking a few men. This seems most
extraordinary. If he be not taken himself, the diversion must have a good
effect; but if he be taken, it will be considered a wild and desperate sally,
boding no good to the cause. But Lee knows what he is about.
From the dispositions of our troops (few in number) in the
vicinity of Richmond, at this moment, it seems to me that Gen. Smith is putting
the city to great hazard. There are not a thousand men to guard the approach
from the head of York River; and if a dozen of the enemy's swift transports
were to dash up that river, the city could be surprised by 5000 men 1
Ten o'clock A.M. No dispatches from Lee have come over the
wires to-day. He may have interdicted others. We got no intelligence whatever.
From this I infer the battle was resumed at early dawn, and the general deems
it best to have no announcements but results. If this be so, it is a day
big with events — and upon its issue may depend the fate of governments. And
yet our people exhibited no trepidation. The foreign portion of the population
may be seen grouped on the pavements indulging in speculation, and occasionally
giving vent to loud laughter, when a Jew is asked what will be the price of his
shoes, etc. to-morrow. They care not which side gains the day, so they gain the
profits.
But our women and children are going to church as usual, to
pray for the success of the cause, and not doubting but that our army will
triumph as usual on the field of combat. It is a bright and lovely Sabbath
morning, and as warm as May.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 212-3
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