Had some skirmishing
to-day. Took some prisoners, who state that within twelve miles of us is the
center of operations of about one hundred thousand rebels, who are preparing to
attack us and march on Washington. This, if true, falsifies all the predictions
of this journal, that there is no considerable force of the enemy in front of
us, and that we shall have no general engagement here. Nevertheless, my opinion
is unchanged.
This morning quite a
body of troops, infantry, cavalry and artillery, passed us, on the road going
in the direction of where the enemy are supposed to be. By twelve o'clock
artillery firing was distinctly heard some four miles in the direction which
they took. In the afternoon we were hurriedly called to march to the support of
our retreating men.
We met them about
two miles this side of where the fight was. They claim to have gained a great
victory, but they brought in no prisoners; no guns captured. Why was that.
These reports of victories are very unreliable affairs. All kinds of stories
are going through the camp, but I shall record none of them till they have
assumed a shape worthy to be remembered.
SOURCE: Alfred L.
Castleman, The Army of the Potomac. Behind the Scenes. A Diary of
Unwritten History; From the Organization of the Army, by General George B.
McClellan, to the close of the Campaign in Virginia about the First Day
January, 1863, p. 27-8
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