I was called up at midnight precisely by a messenger with
telegram from Byington, dated at Hanover Station, stating that the most
terrific battle of the War was being fought at or near Gettysburg, that he left
the field at half-past 6 P.M. with tidings, and that everything looked hopeful.
The President was at the War Department, where this dispatch, which is
addressed to me, was received. It was the first word of the great conflict.
Nothing had come to the War Department. There seems to have been no system, no
arrangement, for prompt, constant, and speedy intelligence. I had remained at
the War Department for news until about eleven. Some half an hour later the
dispatch from Byington to me came over the wires, but nothing from any one to
Stanton or Halleek. The operator in the War Department gave the dispatch to the
President, who remained. He asked, “Who is Byington?” None in the Department
knew anything of him, and the President telegraphed to Hanover Station, asking,
“Who is Byington?” The operator replied, “Ask the Secretary of the Navy.” I
informed the President that the telegram was reliable. Byington is the editor
and proprietor of a weekly paper in Norwalk, Connecticut, active and stirring;
is sometimes employed by the New York Tribune, and is doubtless so
employed now.
The information this morning and dispatches from General
Meade confirm Byington's telegram. There is much confusion in the intelligence
received. The information is not explicit. A great and bloody battle was
fought, and our army has the best of it, but the end is not yet. Everything,
however, looks encouraging.
Later in the day dispatches from Haupt and others state that
Lee with his army commenced a retreat this A.M. at three o'clock. Our army is
waiting for supplies to come up before following, — a little of the old lagging
infirmity. Couch is said to be dilatory; has not left Harrisburg; his force has
not pushed forward with alacrity. Meade sent him word, “The sound of my guns
should have prompted your movement.” Lee and the Rebels may escape in
consequence. If they are driven back, Halleck will be satisfied. That has been
his great anxiety, and too many of our officers think it sufficient if the
Rebels quit and go off, — that it is unnecessary to capture, disperse, and
annihilate them.
Extreme partisans fear that the success of our arms will be
success to the Administration. Governor Curtin is in trepidation, lest, if our
troops leave Harrisburg to join Meade, the Rebels will rush in behind
them and seize the Pennsylvania capital. On the other hand, Stanton and Halleck
ridicule the sensitiveness of the Governor, and are indifferent to his wishes
and responsibilities. Of course, matters do not work well.
Received this evening a dispatch from Admiral Lee, stating
he had a communication from A. H. Stephens,1 who wishes to go to
Washington with a companion as military commissioner from Jefferson Davis,
Commanding General of Confederate forces, to Abraham Lincoln, President and
Commanding General of the Army and Navy of the United States, and desires
permission to pass the blockade in the steamer Torpedo on this mission, with
Mr. Olds, his private secretary. Showed the dispatch to Blair, whom I met. He
made no comment. Saw Stanton directly after, who swore and growled indignantly.
The President was at the Soldiers' Home and not expected for an hour or two.
Consulted Seward, who was emphatic against having anything to do with Stephens
or Davis. Did not see the President till late. In the mean time Stanton and
others had seen him, and made known their feelings and views. The
President treats the subject as not very serious nor very important, and
proposes to take it up to-morrow. My own impression is that not much good is
intended in this proposition, yet it is to be met and considered. It is not necessary
that the vessel should pass the blockade, or that Stephens should come here,
but I would not repel advances, or refuse to receive Davis's communication.
I learn from Admiral Lee that General Keyes with 12,000 men
has moved forward from the “White House” towards Richmond, and other
demonstrations are being made.
Two intercepted dispatches were received, captured by
Captain Dahlgren. One was from Jeff Davis, the other from Adjutant-General
Cooper, both addressed to General Lee. They disclose trouble and differences
among the Rebel leaders. Lee, it seems, had an understanding with Cooper that
Beauregard should concentrate a force of 40,000 at Culpeper for a
demonstration, or something more, on Washington, when the place became
uncovered by the withdrawal of the Army of the Potomac in pursuit of Lee. Davis
appears not to have been informed of this military arrangement, nor satisfied
with the programme when informed of it. Lee is told of the difficulty of
defending Richmond and other places, and that he must defend his own lines,
instead of relying upon its being done from Richmond.
_______________
1 Vice-President of the Confederacy.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30,
1864, p. 357-9
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