And the next morning which was the 30 we left and marched down toward Chickahominy And about three oclock in the eavning we was led in to the Battel field by Colonel Pender And we had a wright nice time of it from then tell dark
SOURCE: Bartlett Yancey Malone, The Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, p. 20
Clouds and sunshine;
warm. Splendid rainbow last evening.
We have nothing new
in the papers from any quarter. Sheridan's position is not known yet, though it
must be within a short distance of the city. There was no battle yesterday.
Sheridan reports the killing of Commodore Hollins, and says it was done because
he attempted to escape at Gordonsville.
Sherman's march
through South Carolina is reported to have been cruel and devastating. Fire and
the sword did their worst. Congress, the House of Representatives rather,
yesterday passed a bill suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus.
The Senate will concur probably. Also the President's suggestion amending the
Conscript act has been passed. The President has the reins now, and Congress
will be more obedient; but can they save this city? Advertisements for
recruiting negro troops are in the papers this morning.
It is rumored that
Sheridan has crossed the Chickahominy and got off without hinderance. If this
be so, Gen. Lee will be criticised.
One P.M. It is
ascertained that Sheridan has withdrawn to the York River, and abandoned any
attempt on Richmond.
And it is supposed
by high military authority that but for the providential freshet, Sheridan
would have succeeded in crossing the James River, and cutting the Danville Railroad,
which would have deprived Lee's army of supplies. The freshet rendered his
pontoon bridge too short, etc. This may be claimed as a direct interposition of
Providence, at a time when we were fasting, praying, etc., in accordance with
the recommendation of the government.
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 450-1
Your letters of the
24th and 26th ult. both reached me last night. The mails seem to be more
regular now than for some time past.
There was not much
fighting yesterday. It was only skirmishing. A few men were wounded in our
brigade, only one of them being in my regiment. About an hour ago I heard heavy
musketry on the extreme right of our lines, but it was far to the right of our
division. We have every confidence that we shall be able to hold Richmond this
summer. General Lee has an enormous army here now, and we all hope that Grant
will attack us as soon as possible.
Jack Teague wrote me
that Jim Spearman had been conscripted and assigned to light duty. Jack is very
anxious for me to return to South Carolina as soon as possible, but it is no
use to hand in a resignation at such busy times as these. I may send it in,
though, whenever we get quiet again, so that it will be attended to. The longer
I delay it the more apt it is to be accepted.
I was glad to know
that you have the wool for my suit. I was proud of my old brown suit of last
winter, but when I get a Confederate gray I shall be proud of it, sure enough.
I have not drawn any money since last January, but as soon as I do I will
replenish your purse. I should like so much to see your catskin shoes.
The weather is
becoming quite warm. The dust is very bad and we are needing rain again. I have
not seen your brother for several days, but suppose he is well. I have nothing
more of importance to write at present, but will write you again to-morrow.
Camp near Rappahannock River, Va.,
March 5, 1863.
Edwin, Jim Allen and Ben Strother took dinner with me yesterday, and I think I gave them a pretty good dinner for camp. We had biscuit, excellent ham, fried potatoes, rice, light bread, butter, stewed fruit and sugar. They ate heartily, as soldiers always do. Edwin is not suffering from his wound, but on account of it he is privileged to have his baggage hauled.
A man was shot near our regiment last Sunday for desertion. It was a very solemn scene. The condemned man was seated on his coffin with his hands tied across his breast. A file of twelve soldiers was brought up to within six feet of him, and at the command a volley was fired right into his breast. He was hit by but one ball, because eleven of the guns were loaded with powder only. This was done so that no man can be certain that he killed him. If he was, the thought of it might always be painful to him. I have seen men marched through the camps under guard with boards on their backs which were labeled, "I am a coward," or "I am a thief," or "I am a shirker from battle," and I saw one man tied hand and foot astride the neck of a cannon and exposed to view for sixteen hours. These severe punishments seem necessary to preserve discipline.
We have no prospect of a fight now whatever, but if the weather continues dry and pleasant it may come soon. We are too well entrenched for them to attack us here, but it is hard to tell what these crazy, fanatical Yankees intend to do.
Our troops are all in fine health. We seldom send a man to the hospital now, but when we were on the Chickahominy River near Richmond we sent from five to twelve each day. I trust we will be exposed to no greater danger in the future than the bullets, for they do not compare in destructiveness with disease. Captain Hunt's company has lost seven men from bullets and twenty-five from disease, and in most of the companies the difference is greater than this.
The weather for the last three or four days has been very windy and blustering and characteristic of March. It was intensely cold last night, but to-day the sun broke out and it is pleasant.
I am anxious to see George. I know he is a charming little fellow.
Clear and cool.
Gen. Bragg sent to
the Secretary of War to-day a copy of a letter from him to the President,
yesterday, proposing to send 6000 more troops to Western Virginia, as Breckinridge
has only 9000 and the enemy 18,000.
Lieut.-Gen Holmes
sends from Raleigh, N. C., a letter from Hon. T. Bragg, revealing
the existence of a secret organization in communication with the enemy, styled
the “H. O. A.;" and asking authority to arrest certain men supposed to be
implicated.
A letter was
received from G. W. Lay, his son-in-law, by the Assistant Secretary of War,
Judge Campbell, dated near Petersburg, stating that the Southern Express
Company would bring articles from Charleston for him. That company seems to be
more potential than ever.
Cannonading was
heard far down the Chickahominy this morning. And yet Lieut.-Gen. Ewell marched
his corps to-day out the Brooke Road, just in the opposite direction. It is
rumored that he is marching away for Washington! If he had transportation,
and could march in that direction, no doubt it would be the speediest way of
relieving Richmond. Gen. Lee, however, knows best.
At the conclave of
dignitaries, Hunter, Wigfall, and Secretary Seddon, yesterday, it is reported
that when Mr. Seddon explained Grant's zigzag fortifications, Senator Hunter
exclaimed he was afraid we could never beat him; when Senator Wigfall said
nothing was easier—the President would put the old folks and children to praying at
6 o'clock A.M. Now if any one were to tell these things to the President, he
would not believe him.
Clear and pleasant
weather, but dusty.
The Departmental
Battalion marched away, last night, from the Chickahominy (guarding a ford when
no enemy was on the other side!) for Chaffin's Farm, on the James River. They
were halted after marching an hour or so, and permitted to rest (sleep) while
the rest of the brigade passed on.
When Custis awoke he
was alone, the battalion having left him; and he was ill, and knew not the
road. So he set out for the city, with the intention of going down the river
road this morning. But he grew worse after reaching home. Still, he resolved to
go; and at 8 A.M., having marched all night nearly, he set out again, and met
his sergeant—who had likewise diverged as far as the city—who said if he was
really too ill to march, he would deliver the captain a surgeon's certificate
to that effect, which would be a sufficient explanation of his absence. So,
Surgeon C. Bell Gibson, upon an examination, pronounced him sick,
and certified to the captain that he could not be fit for service for a week or
ten days. At 3 P.M. he is in bed with a raging fever.
There was a fight at
Malvern Hill yesterday, the enemy being repulsed.
There was also
another assault on Petersburg, repulsed three times; but the fourth time our
forces, two regiments, were forced back by overwhelming
numbers from the outer line of defenses..
To-day it is
reported that they are fighting again at Petersburg, and great masses of troops
are in motion. The war will be determined, perhaps, by the operations of a day
or two; and much anxiety is felt by all.
A letter from Hon.
G. A. Henry, on the Danville Railroad, saying only 1000 men were there to
defend it, with but two cannon without appropiate ammunition!
Soon after a
dispatch came from Col. Withers, at Danville, stating it was reported 10,000 of
the enemy were approaching the road, and only thirty-two miles distant. He
called for reinforcements, but stated his belief that the number of the enemy
was exaggerated.
I delivered these to
the Secretary myself, finding him engaged writing a long letter to Gen. Kirby
Smith, beyond the Mississippi!
In this moment
of doubt and apprehension, I saw Mr. Randolph,
formerly Secretary of War, and Mr. G. A. Myers, his law colleague, at the
telegraph office eagerly in quest of news.
To-day the President
decided that Marylanders here are “residents," or "alien
enemies;" if the former, they must fight-if the latter, be expelled. A
righteous judgment.
Last night, as
Custis staggered (with debility) upon the pickets at the fortifications of the
city, not having a passport, he was refused permission to proceed. He then lay
down to rest, when one of the pickets remarked to him that he was not
"smart, or he would flank them.” Custis sprang up and thanked him for
the hint, and proceeded to put it in practice.
The Examiner to-day
says that Col. Dahlgren, a month before his death, was in Richmond, under an
assumed name, with a passport signed by Gen. Winder, to go whithersoever he
would. think this probable.
At 3 P. M. the wires
cease to work between here and Petersburg, and there are many rumors.
But from the
direction of the wind, we cannot hear any firing.
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 232-3
The Expedition.
The morning of February 6th found us in line on the parade ground, New York and Massachusetts shoulder to shoulder. Capt. Phillips, wanting a brave and valiant veteran on the left of his company, assigned me to that post of honor. I reckon the reason for it was that two of his sergeants were on the sick list. While standing in line, waiting the order to march, a scene is transpiring which to us of the 25th is altogether new and strange. The ladies living here in camp are all out, and wetting their handkerchiefs with their tears, are watching the preparations to leave. They are struggling under a fearful burden of anxiety which will not be removed until our return. Groups of men and women are standing around, taking each other by the hand and kissing their good-byes. Our Brooklyn friends are visibly affected, while the 25th boys look on stoically. While men and women with streaming eyes are bidding perhaps their last farewells, these roughened, hardened sons of Mars look with unpitying eye on this affecting scene and laugh. I confess I should have taken a greater interest in the thing and my sympathies would have flowed more freely if I could have taken a hand in the kissing.
We marched into town where the brigade line was formed, consisting of the 139th and 118th New York, two regiments of colored troops and one U. S. battery, (the 2d I think). The mounted rifles were to follow later. This comprised the whole force under command of Brig. Gen. Wistar, whoever he is. The line of march was taken up the country on the road towards Richmond. Arriving at the woods, about a mile from town, the column was halted and a detail made to act as skirmishers. The 139th being on the advance furnished the detail. In this detail the 25th was largely represented, and was under command of Major Mulcay. The major marched his command a few rods into the woods, formed his skirmish line and ordered them forward, the column following. I now began to hear plenty of talk about bushwhackers and business for the boys ahead. Capt. Phillips fell back to the rear of his company, marching by my side. I thought this a good opportunity to scrape an acquaintance, and commenced talking to him, but he did not seem to be in a mood for conversation and said as little as possible. He commenced a low, suppressed whistle of a single strain of Rally 'Round the Flag. I tried all means I could think of to draw him out, but finding I could do nothing with him, I turned my attention to the major and his skirmishers. He was as busy with them and as particular as if they were out for skirmish drill, and kept talking to them all the time about preserving their distances and alignments.
After a time, the boys started up a rabbit, and half a dozen of them gave chase, shouting and yelling till they were out of sight in the woods, where they waited for the major to come up. The major lectured them a little about charging without orders and warning them of the great danger they were in from bushwhackers. All the thanks he got from those heartless fellows for all his care and solicitude was: “Oh! damn the bushwhackers!” and as soon as another rabbit or squirrel was started up, away they would go again. Capt. Phillips, who meanwhile had kept up his whistle, suppressed it long enough to say: “Your boys are taking great risks in running off into the woods in that way; some of them will get shot by bushwhackers.” I said I thought our boys had very little fear of bush whackers, and would sooner have the fun of chasing them than rabbits, besides I thought there was little danger from bush whackers, for when a force like this was marching through they preferred keeping at a safe distance.
A little after noon the cavalry overtook us, and we halted to let them go past us. I was surprised to see such a force; there was a whole brigade, numbering between 3000 and 4000, under command of Col. Spear, who had been sent down from the army of the Potomac, landing at Yorktown, and had now overtaken us. I could now begin to see through a glass darkly. This is the raid on Richmond, of which I had heard some hints before. The cavalry of course are the principal actors, and we are simply the supporting column.
The cavalry past us, we again started. The general hurried us up, wishing to keep as near the cavalry as possible, but the major's skirmish line rather retarded us. It was finally thought that with a large cavalry force in advance the skirmish line was not absolutely necessary, and it was withdrawn. The march was forced till past the middle of the afternoon, when it began to tell on the Brooklyn boys, some of them giving out. They were unaccustomed to such severe marching, and it took hold of them severely. We made a halt of an hour for rest and lunch, and before starting, Col. Roberts made a short address. He thought we were on the eve of a severe battle, and he hoped and believed his regiment would stand up and quit themselves like soldiers, and if successful in our undertaking we should deserve end receive the plaudits of the country. In such a battle, there must necessarily be some victims, but just who, we are of course ignorant, but each one is hoping it will not be him. I laughed, and one of the boys asked what pleased me. I said if the colonel did not look out he would have us all whipped before we sighted the enemy. We pushed along till into the evening; the boys were getting pretty well played out and would make frequent halts without any orders.
There was one of the general's aids who seemed to take a great interest in getting us along, and his interest from some cause or other (probably his canteen) seemed to increase with the evening. The boys would be groping their weary way through the darkness, when some one would give a whistle and they would all squat in the road. This aid would ride up in a great passion and order them up, telling them if they didn't get along faster he would put a regiment of colored troops on the advance. The response to that threat would be: “Bring on your niggers!” This officer had another provoking habit which he came well nigh paying dearly for. There were occasional mud holes in the road caused by the rains; some of them two or three rods across. The boys would flank these to keep their feet from getting wet and sore, but this officer attempted to drive them through, saying it took up the time tanking them. At one of these places he was going to drive them through anyway or it would be the death of some of them. I was quietly going around, and halted to see how he made it work with them. He was swearing at them, wheeling his horse right and left among them, and making himself about as disagreeable as he could. Just then I heard the ominous click of rifle locks, and heard some one ask him if he was aware those rifles were loaded. He seemed to catch on to the idea, and got himself out of that as quickly as possible, and was heard from no more during the march. Soldiers are human, with feelings and passions like other men; they can and do stand a great deal, but they cannot stand everything any more than a stone drag.
The night wore on, the boys were well nigh exhausted and made frequent halts. The colonel would sympathize with them, and encourage them by saying he hoped the day's march was nearly over, telling them to keep up courage and a few miles more the end would be reached. At one of these halts the major showed some impatience, and riding up to the colonel said:
“Colonel, I really do not understand the meaning of this?”
“What's the matter now, major?"
“Why, every few moments this entire regiment will simultaneously sit down?”
“Oh, well, major,” the colonel replied, “the boys are tired; they have come a long way and are pretty well played out; change places with some of them, major, and you will understand it better.”
That seemed to be satisfactory to the major and he rode off, but it cheered the boys up wonderfully and they made quite a distance before halting again.
It is curious how sometimes the most trifling act or expression will raise up the almost exhausted energies of men and inspire hope when almost on the verge of despair. As an instance of this, the boys while marching along had for some time preserved a dead silence; not a word had been spoken, and all seemed to be absorbed in their own reflections, when suddenly I stumbled over a stump. Gathering myself up I exclaimed: “There, I know just where that stump is!" The effect was like magic; all within the sound of my voice broke out in a loud and hearty laugh, and for a time forgot their fatigue and trudged lightly along.
We reached the end of our day's tramp at New Kent sometime after midnight, having made a march of thirty miles. Many of the boys were so exhausted that they threw themselves down on the ground and were soon fast asleep. I prepared some coffee, and while it was boiling, washed myself up, and after drinking my coffee, rolled up in my blanket and was soon asleep.
We slept about three hours when we were routed up, and a little after daylight were again on the march. The boys were pretty stiff and sore, but a mile or two took the kinks out of their legs and limbered them up so they were about as good as new. Nothing transpired worthy of note luring the forenoon's march, unless it was that Capt. Phillips kept up his suppressed whistle of that same strain of Rally 'Round the Flag. I tried to rally him and get him to talking, but it was of no use; he was entirely absorbed in his own reflections, ruminating, as I thought, over the probable chances of leaving a widow and orphan children as a legacy to his country.
Before noon we reached what is called the Baltimore cross roads, about two miles from Bottom bridge which crosses the Chickahominy river. Here we met the cavalry coming back, and Col. Spear reported to Gen. Wistar that on reaching the river he found all the bridges up and a considerable force of the enemy, with infantry and artillery guarding the river. With our small force and only one battery he thought it would be useless to attempt to force the passage of the river. On learning this I felt relieved, for if we couldn't cross the river to them, they certainly couldn't cross it to us, and in all probability they had no desire to do so.
Presently an alarm was raised that the enemy was coming up the White House road. The 139th was ordered down the road to meet them. We went about a quarter of a mile and formed a line of battle. A few cavalry went down the road a couple of miles and when they returned reported no enemy in sight or hearing, a circumstance I did not regret. We then went back and were dismissed for dinner.
This Baltimore is the junction of several roads; the one we came up from New Kent extends on to Richmond, one runs south to Charles City, one northeast to White House, and another runs north over into Northumberland, where once lived a little boy who owned a little hatchet and couldn't tell a lie. It was fortunate for him and the country that he lived at that time for if he had lived in these times the chances are more than a thousand to one that he couldn't have told the truth. There are some half a dozen farm houses scattered round in sight, and also the convenient blacksmith shop is located here.
In the little square formed by the intersection of the roads stands an interesting old building—the church in which Gen. Washington was married. It is a long, low, rather narrow building, without belfrey or ornament of any kind outside or in. It is without paint or even whitewash, and shows the rough marks of age and neglect. It is divested of its seats, having been used for an army hospital. I entered this historic old church and found it half full of the boys cutting their monograms in the ceiling; I uncovered my head in profound reverence for the place and the distinguished parties who were here joined in the holy bonds of wedlock. Here George and Martha mutually pledged themselves each to the other, to share together their joys and sorrows along the pathway of life until death should bring a separation, and well they kept their vows, for I have never learned that either of them ever applied for a divorce, although it is said Martha in prosperous gales was something of a shrew. For this little bit of history I am indebted to one of my Brooklyn friends who had made a previous visit here.
After waiting here a couple of hours the column re-formed and marched back over the road we came nearly to the woods, where we halted to let the cavalry go past us. After passing us they halted to feed their horses and themselves, and while waiting for them an alarm was raised that the enemy were coming through the woods on our flank. Down came the fences and a regiment of darkies filed into the field, and deployed as skirmish
Every few moments they would look back to see where their support was, while their teeth and the whites of their eyes resembled bunches of tallow candles hanging in a dark cellar-way. The alarm of course was a false one, but the colored troops fought nobly.
We arrived back at New Kent about night, and bivouacked on a large field near the village. New Kent is the county seat, and is not much unlike other country places they call towns in Virginia. It contains a court house, jail, church, two or three stores, tavern, a small collection of houses and the inevitable blacksmith shop. There is no such thing in Virginia as a schoolhouse; they have no use for such things. All they want is law and gospel, and I have not been able to find out that these give them a great degree of culture and refinement. More than 200 years ago the colonial Gov. Berkley said: “I thank God there are no public schools in Virginia, and I hope there will be none for the next hundred years.” His hopes have been doubly realized, which probably accounts for the present state of affairs in Virginia.
Getting into camp we built fires, made coffee and began to make ourselves comfortable. Some time in the evening the major happened along where a few of us were standing around a fire of burning rails. He began to upbraid us for burning the rails, telling us if we wanted fires we must go into the woods and get our fuel. I said to the major I thought it was all right to burn the rails; as we were sort of guests on the gentleman's place, I presumed he would be entirely willing and glad to contribute a few rails for our personal comfort during the night. He went off muttering something about destruction of property while the boys added more rails to the fire.
Next morning the march was resumed, Capt. Phillips came out looking bright and pert as a wildcat, the low whistle was no longer heard and he was as full of orders to his company as a major-general. We arrived back on the afternoon of the 9th, and as we sighted Camp West, the ladies were all out on the parade ground, waving their handkerchiefs in greeting of our return. It was like the old Roman armies returning from conquest, when fair maidens, with white waving arms, would welcome their coming. Now another scene ensued; fair women and brave men close in the fond embraces of love and thanksgiving for their miraculous deliverance. I could but feel that the 25th boys were rather slighted in not receiving a share of the kisses, for who can tell that but for them their friends might not now be dwellers in the Hotel de Libby. On the whole we have had rather an interesting excursion, having seen some forty odd miles of the county. It was very woody and I think the poorest I have ever traveled in for chickens, applejack and peach and honey. But the chickens and applejack didn't matter so much as the orders in regard to foraging were very strict. These officers in command here seem to think the proper way to conduct a war is not to hurt anyone or damage their property. The result was not much different from what I expected, and reminds me of the old couplet:
I reckon we must have gone very near where Pocahontas befriended Capt. Smith. The history of that little romance is that Smith was captured while ascending the Chickahominy river, and taken higher up the river to Powhatan’s lodge, and that was said to be some twelve miles below where the city of Richmond now stands. So I reckon we must have been in the vicinity where that occurred; I should like to have stayed there two or three days, or at least long enough to have selected some romantic spot as being the place where that drama was enacted, and if possible gathered a few stones and erected some sort of rude monument to the memory of the young lady.
Before dismissing his regiment, Col. Roberts thanked them for their cheerful obedience to orders, endurance and good order while on the march, and especially his new allies, who throughout the long march neither faltered, complained or straggled.
Showers and
sunshine. It is believed Grant has lost 40,000 within the last week!
To-day there has
been more or less cannonading along the line; but it is not known if any
infantry were engaged.
The battalion to
which Custis (my son) belongs is at Bottom's Bridge, some sixteen miles distant
on the Chickahominy; and I learn that the enemy shelled it yesterday and last
night, without injury, shells falling short.
It is suspected that
Sherman will be ordered from Georgia to reinforce Grant! It seems Lincoln
would give up his hopes of heaven, and plunge into hell, for the PRESIDENCY.
The
Commissary-General says Lee must beat Grant before the latter is reinforced, “or
we are gone;” for their destruction of the railroads, north and northwest, will
ruin us—the southern roads being insufficient to transport stores for the army.
My nephew, Col. R.
H. Musser, trans-Mississippi, I am told by Senator Clark, was complimented on
the field of victory by Gen. Taylor. His brigadier-general having fallen, Col.
M. commanded the brigade.
Last evening, about
6 P.M., a cloud nearly overhead assumed the shape of a section of our
fortifications, the segment of a circle, with the triangle penetrating through
from the north. These shapes were distinctly defined. Could the operations
beneath have produced this phenomenon ? was it accidental? or a portent of the
future? God knows!
Clear and cool.
All quiet round the
city; but Petersburg was assaulted yesterday and successfully defended.
The battalion of
clerks still remains at Bottom's Bridge, on the Chickahominy. The pickets hold
familiar conversation every day with the pickets of the enemy, the stream being
narrow, and crossed by a log. For tobacco and the city papers our boys get
sugar, coffee, etc. This intercourse is wrong. Some of the clerks were compelled to
volunteer to retain their offices, and may desert, giving important information
to the enemy.
I had snap beans
to-day from my garden. I have seen none in market.
Bright and quite
cold.
There was
skirmishing yesterday evening on the Chickahominy.
The armies are
confronting each other, but Grant is moving gradually to the right of us, as if
with an intention to reach the James River; but probably it is with the view of
enveloping us with his superior numbers, and the GREAT BATTLE may occur at any
hour. The train of cars, laden, in Broad Street, destined a few days ago
to transport provisions, etc. to Gen. Lee's army, are visited hourly by wagons
from the army, now in the immediate vicinity.
This morning the
Secretary's time is occupied in giving audience to citizens who have fled from
the vicinity of the enemy, but whose exaggerated accounts really furnish no
reliable information. Of what benefit, in such a crisis as this, is the tale of
desolation in the track of Grant's army, the destruction of crops, the robbery
of children of their silver cups and spoons, etc.? And yet these are the things
which occupy much time.
North Bank of Chickahominy River, May 13, 1865.
We crossed the James river this a. m. Our division, the rear of the corps, paraded a little around Richmond, saw Libby Prison, Castle Thunder, the bronze statue of Washington, Lee's and Davis' residence, and a number of women. Some handkerchiefs flying. Two women told us they were Yankees and looked so sweet that I (in theory) lifted my hat to them. It always puts me out of humor to see Southern women cheer Yanks in public. We passed through the Rebel works where Kilpatrick made his bold dash in March, '64. We are six or seven miles above Mechanicsville, and McClellan's old battle ground.
SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 380-1
Bright, warm,beautiful. We have a sensation to-day, but really no excitement. A dispatch from Gen. Lee (dated last night) says the enemy opened the battle yesterday, and the conflict continued until night put an end to the carnage. He says we have many prisoners, captured four guns, etc., losing two generals killed, one, Gen. J. M. Jones. But our position was maintained, and the enemy repulsed. Doubtless the battle was renewed this morning.
Some fifty-nine transports and several iron-clad gun-boats, monitors, etc., came up the James River yesterday and last night. A heavy force was landed at Bermuda Hundred, within a few miles of the railroad between Richmond and Petersburg.
And the enemy likewise came up the Peninsula, and there was fighting this morning on the Chickahominy.
Thus the plan of the enemy is distinctly pronounced, and the assaults were designed to be made simultaneously. Yet there is no undue excitement.
A dispatch from Gen. Pickett at Petersburg, this morning, to Gen. Bragg, asked if he (Bragg) intended to defend the railroad between Richmond and Petersburg. He said, "the enemy will attack the road to-day, marching from Bermuda Hundred, I think."
At 3 P.M. we are waiting with anxiety for news from all quarters.
Both my sons marched out in the Department Battalion. Two Tennessee regiments marched down to Drewry's Bluff yesterday, and Hunton's brigade, that left there yesterday, were ordered back again last night. It is said troops were passing south through the city all night. And I know heavy forces are on the way from North Carolina. Gen. Pickett likewise has the greater part of his division in supporting distance. So, if the enemy have not cut the road by this time, it is probably safe, and the expedition will be a failure. If Lee defeats Grant, the city will certainly be saved. All the local troops are out.
Gen. Beauregard is expected to-day, but it is reported he is sick at Weldon. On the 3d inst. the following dispatch was received from him:
KINSTON, N. C.
GEN. COOPER.
Orders should be given for the immediate re-establishment of fisheries at Plymouth and Washington, also to get large supplies of pork in Hyde. County and vicinity.
G. T. BEAUREGARD, General.
On this the Commissary-General indorsed that the matter had been attended to-had, indeed, been anticipated.
The best indication of the day (to me) was the smiling face of Mr. Hunter as he came from the Secretary's office. He said to me, “The ball is opening well.”
The President and his aids rode over the river to-day: what direction they took I know not; but this I know, he has no idea of being taken by the enemy. And he cannot think the city will be taken, for in that event it would be difficult for him to escape.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 199-200
