On the high land
overlooking the Potomac, about six or seven miles above the Navy Yard at
Washington, we have, since our arrival here, thrown up a small fort, formed
extensive abattis, and made redoubts and fortifications to command the turnpike
leading down the river, and the bridge over which any enemy must pass from any
direction above here to reach Washington. This looks like business. The
earthwork fort is small, but very strong, and its large siege guns, from twelve
to eighteen feet long, with their sullen faces watching up and down the road in
every direction, give it a most formidable appearance. A brigade (I have not
learned what one) has just advanced beyond us to commence another fort, about
two miles to the southwest of us. Neither fort has yet been officially named,
but the one just finished is called by the soldiers Fort Mott; the one about to
be built they will for the present distinguish by the name of Fort Ethan Allen.
In this manner we are closing on the enemy by slow approaches, or parallels.
Let Dupont and Butler, from North Carolina, advance to meet us, whilst Fremont
takes care of the Mississippi, and we shall have an early closing up of the
war. Every day's observation more and more satisfies me that the enemy will not
fight us here.
9 P. M.—Our fort is
completed, and we have just received orders to cook three days rations, and be
ready to move at a moment's notice.
I will here note,
once for all, the manner of the soldiers taking care of themselves in a storm,
when they have no tents. They all have "rubber blankets." Two forks
are set, and a pole laid from one to the other, some four or five feet from the
ground. A kind of lean-to roof is made by placing brush or poles against this,
one end resting on the ground, the other end resting on the pole. To make this
roof water-proof, the rubber blankets are stretched, like tiles on a roof, and
no water gets through. In moderate weather the men cuddle together under this,
and are reasonably comfortable. In cold weather they make large log fires in
front of these "bivouacs," and pass the nights without freezing.
An order was
received to-day from the War Department, that in future no labor shall be
required of soldiers on the Sabbath, except what is absolutely necessary for
our defence.
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. 25-6
