We have remained
bivouaced all day, and there is talk of our moving our camp to this place
to-morrow. This will advance us another three miles in the direction of
Richmond. On the 8th of August we arrived in Washington two months ago
yesterday. We are now eight miles nearer Richmond than then. At this rate when
shall we reach that famous city? If we do not go faster, I fear Mr. President
Lincoln will never dine there at the head of his armies.
But these delays are
doubtless necessary on the start. War is new to us. Our armies had to be
organized and educated to war. Munitions had to be procured, and as most of
those belonging to the nation had been appropriated by the South, much of them
had to be manufactured. Our navy had to be called home from the four quarters
of the world, and innumerable other preparations had to be made, of which we
uninitiated are wholly ignorant. Gen. McClellan seems to be active, and we
doubt not that under the counsels of the veteran General Scott, matters will be
pushed forward as rapidly as circumstances will permit. True, many of us think
that Gen. McClellan's "Stand by me and I'll stand by you" speech was
not in refined taste—in about as good taste as Pope's proclamation—but as we do
not expect or desire exhibitions of delicate taste on the battle-field with an
unscrupulous enemy, we overlook the departure from it in our General, and accord
to him full confidence, as to both his will and ability to lead us to victory.
We are at present
within half a mile of the splendid mansion of the late Commodore Thos. Ap'
Catesby Jones. I visited that and his splendid grounds, found them deserted by
the whites; a few of the old and almost helpless negroes being left on the
place. The soldiers had entered, and made some havoc amongst books and papers.
The fine furniture stood in every room in the house, and the walls were covered
by the finest paintings, including the family pictures. But the strictest
orders, denouncing severe punishment to depredators, were posted about the
house, and a strong guard placed to enforce them. I picked up a few articles of
little value, except as relics from the home of this once happy and popular
family, now in rebellion against the Government to which they were indebted for
the favors and protection to which they owed their prosperity. I was strongly
inclined to take down the family pictures, and to remove them to where they
could be taken care of till happier times befall us, that they might then be
returned to the family, by whom they must be held in high estimation, but I
feared that the motive would be misconstrued, and that it would lead to
trouble.
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. 40-1