General Robert E. Lee to Brigadier General G. W. Custis Lee, September 27, 1863

Camp, 27th September, 1863.

I rejoice over Bragg's victory. It is a great success and will be of great service to us every way; though from the reports in yesterday's paper it looks as if Rosecrans had made a stand at Chattanooga. I hope Bragg will be able to cross the Tennessee below him and force him out.

His cavalry ought now to break up his communications and force him out. I see Rob, Fitz, John, and Henry occasionally; the cavalry is near me now. They are all well.

No advance has yet been seriously made, though all the preparations of General Meade indicate that purpose. Generals King, Heintzelman, etc., have been brought up to Culpeper, and the pontoon trains have again been brought forward from Centerville. I am glad to hear that there is some prospect of a general exchange of prisoners. If Bragg has captured any of importance, it will facilitate matters. Good-by, my dear son. Remember me in your prayers and always keep in your heart,

Your devoted father,

R. E. LEE.

GEN. G. W. CUSTIS LEE.

SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters of Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 284

Brigadier General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, June 26 1862

CAMP NEAR NEW BRIDGE, VA., June 26, 1862.

Everything is quiet on our part of the line. Yesterday Heintzelman, on the left, made an advance, which of course was disputed, resulting in brisk skirmishing, with some loss in killed and wounded on both sides. Heintzelman gained his point, however, and maintained it. We were under arms all day, ready to take part in a general action, if one should result. In the meantime, the batteries opposite to us have been throwing their shot and shell at us, but without inflicting any injury. There is a report that the great "Stonewall" Jackson with his army has left Gordonsville and is coming to Richmond, to turn our right flank. His withdrawal from the Valley of Virginia would indicate weakness of the army here, for he would never leave so important a field, and where he had been doing good service, unless it was a matter of great importance to strengthen their Richmond army. This report, in connection with the fact that they keep up a great drumming and bugling in front of us, to make us believe they are in great force, leads me to doubt whether their army is as strong as represented, and whether they do actually outnumber us, as some believe.

I yesterday rode to the extreme right of our lines, where our cavalry are stationed, watching the whole country, to apprise us of any advance. At one of the outposts, Reynolds, whom I was accompanying on a tour of inspection, sent for the officer in command of the detachment to give him some instructions, when I found he was our old neighbor, Benoni Lockwood, who seemed really glad to see me. The adjutant of the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, now serving with our division, is your relative, Will Biddle. The health of the army, at least of our division, is very fair — some little bilious attacks and diarrhoea, but nothing serious. We have an abundance of good food; no army in the world was ever better supplied and cared for than ours is, all reports to the contrary notwithstanding.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 278-9

General Robert E. Lee to Mary Custis Lee, May 31, 1863

CAMP FREDERICKSBURG, May 31, 1863.

General Hooker has been very daring the past week, and quite active. He has not said what he intends to do, but is giving out by his movements that he designs crossing the Rappahannock. I hope we may be able to frustrate his plans in part if not in whole. He has General Heintzelman's corps now, on whom the Northern papers seem to place great reliance. I pray that our merciful Father in Heaven may protect and direct us! In that case I fear no odds and no numbers!"

SOURCE:  John William Jones, Life and Letters of Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 243

Brigadier General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, March 18, 1862

CAMP NEAR ALEXANDRIA, March 18, 1862.

I note all you write about McClellan. I fear it is all true, and that the most desperate efforts have been made and are still being made to take away his command and destroy him. Franklin told me that McClellan said to him, as they followed Lander's corpse, that he almost wished he was in the coffin instead of Lander. It is reported that they were about to introduce into the House of Representatives a vote of want of confidence in him, but were restrained by fearing it would not pass. It is said the President remains his friend.

McClellan is not the man to make himself popular with the masses. His manners are reserved and retiring. He was not popular either in Chicago or Cincinnati, when at the head of large railroad interests. He has never studied or practiced the art of pleasing, and indeed has not paid that attention to it which every man whose position is dependent on popular favor must pay, if he expects to retain his position. Now, you know long before the tide turned, I told you of ill-advised acts on his part, showing a disposition to gratify personal feelings, at the expense of his own interests. I have no doubt now that the enmity of Heintzelman, Sumner, McDowell and Keyes can all be traced to this very cause — his failure to conciliate them, and the injustice they consider his favoritism to others has been to them. So long as he had full swing, they were silent, but so soon as others had shaken the pedestal he stood on, they join in to lend their hands.

Don't you remember as early as last September, telling us how indignant Charles King was at the treatment of General Scott by McClellan, and that the General had said he would have arrested him for disrespect if he had dared to? In the selection of his staff he has not shown the judgment he might have done. There are too many men on it that are not worthy to be around a man with McClellan's reputation. Again, you know my opinion of his treatment of the Ball's Bluff affair, through personal regard for Stone. All these little things have combined, with his political foes, to shake his position. I think, however, it is pretty well settled that Old Abe has determined he will not cut his head off till he has had a chance, and as I wrote you before, all will depend now on the hazard of a die. Any disaster, never mind from what cause, will ruin him, and any success will reinstate him in public favor.

It is very hard to know what is going to be done, or what the enemy will do. My opinion is that they are concentrating all their available forces around Richmond, and that they will make there a determined and desperate resistance. Of course, this defense will be made at first in advance, as far as they deem it prudent to go, or as they can readily retire from, as for instance, the Rappahannock on the north, Fredericksburg and the Potomac on the east, Yorktown and Norfolk on the southeast. Where McClellan will attack them is not known, but before many days are over it will be settled, and we will have a fight either at Fredericksburg, Yorktown or Norfolk. For my part, the sooner we meet them the better. The thing has to be done, and there is nothing gained by delay. The morale is on our side; our recent victories, their retreat from Manassas, all combine to inspirit us and demoralize them; and if our men only behave as we hope and believe they will, I think before long we shall have Richmond.

I rode over this morning and saw Willie.¹ I found on my arrival that there was in camp a party of ladies and gentlemen, consisting of Mr. Charles King, of New York, and his daughter, Mrs. Captain Ricketts, and her sister, who is married to a son of Charles King, a captain in the Twelfth (Willie's) Regiment. These ladies had come out to see Captain King, accompanied by Colonel Van Rensselaer, who you remember married a niece of Charles King. They had prepared a lunch, and all the officers were partaking of it, and having, as is usual, a merry time. Soon after I rode up, Miss King recognized Kuhn, who was with me, and sent Captain Wister,² of the regiment after him, and in a few minutes Colonel Van Rensselaer came up to me, and, after the usual salutations, politely asked me to permit him to present me to the party. Of course I had to say yes, and went up with him and joined the party. Mrs. Ricketts, you know, was a Miss Lawrence. I had known her mother and family all my life. She is now a great heroine. After doing the civil to the party I retired.

__________

¹ William Sergeant, brother of Mrs. Meade.

² Francis Wister, captain 12th U. S. Infantry.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 253-4

Brigadier General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, March 9, 1862

CAMP PIERPONT, VA., March 9, 1862.

I am very much afraid there is a great deal of truth in what told you, and that the President is at length yielding to the immense pressure that has been brought to bear to influence him to remove McClellan. McClellan, I understand, continues firm and undaunted. He says they may supersede him whenever they please, but so long as he is responsible, he intends to do what he thinks right, and not what others dictate.

This morning's paper announces the evacuation of Leesburg and its occupation by a part of Banks' force. I never expected they would attempt to hold either Winchester or Leesburg after we were ready to move in force.

I hear we are to be divided into four corps d' armee, to be commanded respectively by Sumner, McDowell, Heintzelman and Keyes. Into which of these commands McCall's Division will be incorporated is not yet decided. I don't think there is much choice between them. The selection of these men, by virtue of the seniority of their commissions, was, I understand, opposed by McClellan, who, finding he could not designate his commanders, objected to corps d' armee, and said he only wanted divisions and their commanders. He has been overruled, and these officers selected in opposition to his openly expressed views. All this is confidential, though it is a matter of absolute fact. Public opinion in this country is so wayward and so whimsical that I should not be surprised to see the same people who the other day called McClellan a demi-god, to-morrow applauding his removal.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 250-1

Colonel William T. Sherman to Ellen Ewing Sherman, July 28, 1861

FORT CORCORAN, July 28, Sunday.

I have already written to you since my return from the unfortunate defeat at Bull Run. I had previously conveyed to you the doubts that oppressed my mind on the score of discipline.

Four large columns of poorly disciplined militia left this place, the Long bridge and Alexandria, all concentrating at a place called Centreville, twenty-seven miles from Washington. We were the first column to reach Centreville, the enemy abandoning all defences en route.

The first day of our arrival our commander, General Tyler, advanced on Bull Run, about two and a half miles distant, and against orders engaged the batteries. He sent back to Centreville and I advanced with our Brigade, when we lay for half an hour, amidst descending shots, killing a few of our men. The batteries were full a mile distant, and I confess I, nor any person in my Brigade, saw an enemy.

Towards evening we returned to Centreville.

That occurred on Thursday. We lay in camp till Saturday night by which the whole army was assembled in and about Centreville. We got orders for march at 2½ Sunday morning, — our column of three brigades — Schenck, Sherman and Keyes — to move straight along a road to Bull Run; another of about 10,000 men to make a circuit by the right (Hunter’s), and come upon the enemy in front of us; Heintzelman's column of about similar strength also to make a wide circuit to sustain Hunter. We took the road first, and about 6 A.M. came in sight of Bull Run. We saw in the grey light of morning men moving about, but no signs of batteries. I rode well down to the stone bridge which crosses the stream, saw plenty of trees cut down, some bush huts, such as soldiers use on picket guard, but none of the evidences of strong fortifications we had been led to believe.

Our business was simply to threaten, and give time for Hunter and Heintzelman to make their circuit. We arranged our troops to this end, Schenck to the left of the road, and I to the right, Keyes behind in reserve. We had with us two six gun batteries, and a 30 lb. gun. This was fired several times, but no answer. We shifted positions several times, firing whenever we had reason to suppose there were any troops. About ten or eleven o’clock, we saw the cloud of dust in the direction of Hunter's approach, saw one or more regiments of the enemy leave their line and move in that direction, soon the firing of musketry and guns showing the engagement had commenced. Early in the morning I saw a flag flying behind some trees. Some of the soldiers seeing it called out, “Colonel, there's a flag, a flag of truce.” A man in the field with his dog and gun, called out, “No, it is no flag of truce, but a flag of defiance.”  I was at the time studying the ground and paid no attention to him. About nine o’clock I was well down to the Run with some skirmishers, and observed two men on horseback ride along a hill, descend, cross the stream, and ride out towards us. He had a gun in his hand which he waved over his head, and called out to us, “You d----d black abolitionists, come on,” etc. I permitted some of the men to fire on him, but no damage was done. We remained some time thus awaiting the action which had begun on the other side of Bull Run. We could see nothing, but heard the firing and could judge that Hunter's column steadily advanced. About 2 P. M. they came to a stand, the firing was severe and stationary. General Tyler rode up to me and remarked that he might have to send the N. Y. 69th to the relief of Hunter. A short while after, he came up and ordered me with my whole Brigade, some 3,400 men, to cross over to Hunter. I ordered the movement, led off, found a place where the men could cross, but the battery could not follow.

We crossed the stream, and ascended the bluff bank, moving slowly to permit the ranks to close up. When about half a mile back from the stream, I saw the parties in the fight, and the first danger was that we might be mistaken for secessionists and fired on. One of my regiments had on the grey uniform of the Virginia troops. We first fired on some retreating secessionists, our Lieutenant Colonel Haggerty was killed, and my bugler by my side had his horse shot dead. I moved on and joined Hunter’s column. They had a pretty severe fight. Hunter was wounded, and the unexpected arrival of my Brigade seemed a great relief to all. I joined them on a high field with a house, and as we effected the junction the secessionists took to the woods and were seemingly retreating, and General McDowell who had accompanied Hunter’s column ordered me to join in the pursuit. I will not attempt to describe you the scene. Their batteries were on all the high hills overlooking the ground which we had to cross, and they fired with great vigor. Our horse batteries pursued from point to point returning the fire, whilst we moved on, with shot, shell and cannister over and all round us. I kept to my horse and head of the Brigade, and moving slowly, came upon their heavy masses of men, behind all kinds of obstacles.

They knew the ground perfectly, and at every turn we found new ground, over which they poured their fire. At last we came to a stand, and with my regiments in succession we crossed a ridge and were exposed to a very heavy fire. First one regiment and then another and another were forced back, not by the bayonet but by a musketry and rifle fire, which it seemed impossible to push our men through. After an hour of close contest our men began to fall into confusion. One hundred and eleven had been killed, some two hundred and fifty wounded and the soldiers began to fall back in disorder. My horse was shot through the fore leg. My knee was cut round by a ball, and another had hit my coat collar and did not penetrate; an aide, Lt. Bagley, was missing, and spite of all exertions the confusion increased, and the men would not re-form. Similar confusion had already occurred among other regiments, and I saw we were gone. Had they kept their ranks we were the gainers up to that point, only our field batteries, exposed, had been severely cut up by theirs, partially covered. Then for the first time I saw the carnage of battle, men lying in every conceivable shape, and mangled in a horrible way; but this did not make a particle of impression on me, but horses running about riderless with blood streaming from their nostrils, lying on the ground hitched to guns, gnawing their sides in death. I sat on my horse on the ground where Ricketts’ Battery had been shattered to fragments, and saw the havoc done. I kept my regiments under cover as much as possible, till the last moment, when it became necessary to cross boldly a ridge and attack the enemy, by that time gathered in great strength behind all sorts of cover.

The volunteers up to that time had done well, but they were repulsed regiment by regiment, and I do think it was impossible to stand long in that fire. I did not find fault with them, but they fell into disorder — an incessant clamor of tongues, one saying they were not properly supported, another that they could not tell friend from foe; but I observed the gradual retreat going on and did all I could to stop it. At last it became manifest we were falling back, and as soon as I perceived it, I gave it direction by the way we came, and thus we fell back to Centreville, some four miles. We had with our Brigade no wagons, they had not crossed the river. At Centreville came pouring in the confused masses of men, without order or system. Here I supposed we should assemble in some order the confused masses and try to stem the tide. Indeed I saw but little evidence of being pursued, though once or twice their cavalry interposed themselves between us and our rear. I had read of retreats before, have seen the noise and confusion of crowds of men at fires and shipwrecks, but nothing like this. It was as disgraceful as words can portray, but I doubt if volunteers from any quarter could do better. Each private thinks for himself. If he wants to go for water, he asks leave of no one. If he thinks right, he takes the oats and corn, and even burns the house of his enemy. As we could not prevent these disorders on the way out, I always feared the result, for everywhere we found the people against us. No curse could be greater than invasion by a volunteer army. No Goths or Vandals ever had less respect for the lives and property of friends and foes, and henceforth we ought never to hope for any friends in Virginia. McDowell and all the generals tried their best to stop these disorders, but for us to say we commanded that army is no such thing. They did as they pleased. Democracy has worked out one result, and the next step is to be seen. Beauregard and Johnston were enabled to effect a junction by the failure of Patterson to press the latter, and they had such accurate accounts of our numbers and movements that they had all the men they wanted. We had never more than 18,000 engaged, though some ten or twelve thousand were within a few miles. After our retreat here I did my best to stop the flying masses, and partially succeeded, so that we once more present a front: but Beauregard has committed a sad mistake in not pursuing us promptly. Had he done so, he could have stampeded us again, and gone into Washington.

As it is, I suppose their plan is to produce riot in Baltimore, cross over above Leesburg, and come upon Washington through Maryland. Our rulers think more of who shall get office, than who can save the country. Nobody, no man, can save the country. The difficulty is with the masses. Our men are not good soldiers. They brag, but don't perform, complain sadly if they don't get everything they want, and a march of a few miles uses them up. It will take a long time to overcome these things, and what is in store for us in the future I know not. I purpose trying to defend this place if Beauregard approaches Washington by this route, but he has now deferred it some days and I rather think he will give it up.

The newspapers will tell ten thousand things, none of which are true. I have had no time to read them, but I know no one now has the moral courage to tell the truth. . . .

SOURCE: M. A. DeWolfe Howe, Editor, Home Letters of General Sherman,  p. 204-10.  A full copy of this letter can be found in the William T Sherman Family papers (SHR), University of Notre Dame Archives (UNDA), Notre Dame, IN 46556, Folder CSHR 1/138.

The Evacuation of Yorktown

PHILADELPHIA, May 5.

The Inquirer has a special dispatch from Fort Monroe, giving the following particulars in regard to the evacuation of Yorktown:

ONE MILE BEYOND YORKTOWN,

Sunday, May 4 – 10 A. M.

All day yesterday the rebels kept up a hot fire on Gen. Porter’s division.  No one was hurt.  Our Parrott gun at Farnholt Court House occasionally answered them last evening, and up to midnight heavy firing was kept up.  About that time there fire slackened considerably, and at 2 o’clock stopped altogether.  We fired one or two more batteries at them, but got no answer.

About 3 o’clock this morning a building at Yorktown was fired, and Prof. Lowe and Gen. Heintzleman went up in a balloon and found it was the storehouse at Yorktown wharf.  At daylight they reported the forts empty.  At 7 o’clock we occupied Yorktown without a gun being fired.

Of the guns of the enemy, nearly all remaining were spiked and dismounted.  By the side of the river battery were large piles of ammunition, powder, balls, shells, &c.  Eighty guns were in Yorktown, which is surrounded by a semi-circle.  The earthworks were all constructed to cover one another in every position, but they must have eventually yielded could he have got around them.

The gun we dismounted the other day killed and wounded four rebels.

The fort had been occupied by the 1st battalion New Orleans artillery, the 8th and 30th Alabama regiments, the 10th and 18th Louisiana, and 13th and 15th Georgia regiments.  These troops were ordered to report at Howard’s Grove, and left the fort at midnight.  A rear guard was left who waited for the appearance of day, and then retired in greatest haste.

Two deserters who left their regiment in Williamsburg at Daylight, say the whole rebel army was in a panic.  Prof. Lowe’s balloon reconnoissance discovered their rear guard at 9 a. m., to be four miles out.  Gen. McClellan immediately ordered out the artillery and cavalry and is pushing after them at full speed.

All our gunboats came up at 9 o’clock and landed some marines at Gloucester, who raised the United States flag amid the cheering that could be heard across the river.  The boats all then left and are now running up York river, shelling the banks on both sides.

A number of mines had been prepared for our troops by placing Prussian shells under ground in the roadways and entrances to the fort.

No whites were to be found, and only a few negro women and babies.  The town was squalid and filthy.  A few days of warm weather would have brought on a pestilence.  An abundance of bread, flour and a large quantity of meat, salt and fish was left.  All the tents were left, but no horses or wagons.

Reports concur that the rebels consist of a mob of about 100,000 men, ill fed, dirty and disheartened.

The road from Yorktown to Hampton, on which we encamped, was guarded by Fort Magruder, mounting a large number of guns, part of which were taken away and part spiked.  Some of their works were well built and well laid out, while others were wretched contrivances.  The work upon them was finished on Friday night, and the slaves sent to the rear under guard.  The rebels have nothing behind in which they can make a stand.  Last night their camp fires all along were the same as usual.  The dense woods along the peninsula enable them to leave without being seen by the balloon.

The large guns of the rebels were mostly Columbiads, taken from the Norfolk navy yard.  Some of them have been recently mounted.

The fortifications, although of the roughest character, where very formidable, being surrounded by deep gorges almost impossible to pass.

Times’ Dispatch

The retreat of the rebels appears to have been precipitate.  The commenced dismounting and carrying their guns back to Williamsburg four days ago.  Wagons have been engaged in transporting their ammunition, provisions, and camp equipage for over a week.  Their sick and wounded, numbering over 2,500, were sent to Richmond ten days ago.

The rebel soldiers and negroes were at work on their entrenchments until 2 o’clk. this morning, when their rear guard ordered the work to cease and take up the march to Williamsburg.

Ten thousand of the rebels were sent from Winne’s Mill to reinforce an army sent from Richmond to oppose McDowell’s advance last Thursday week.

A great battle is expected at Williamsburg, as the rebel troops particularly those under Magruder, have mutinied on several occasions within two weeks.  6,000 of his men threatened to lay down their arms unless they received food and clothing.

Three rebel lieutenants, 2 sergeants, and 20 men were captured on the other side of Yorktown, and brought in.  Since the 3d, over 70 deserters have come in, who report their army as thoroughly disheartened and demoralized.

The honor of first entering the enemy’s works belongs to the 73d regiment, of N. Y.  The Texas Rangers left as our forces were advancing.  A large force of the enemy are reported captured four miles behind Yorktown.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

May 4 – 7 P. M.

Hon. E. M. STANTON:

Our cavalry and horse artillery came up with the enemy’s rear guard in their entrenchment about two miles this side of Williamsburg.  A brisk fight ensued, just as my aid left Smith’s division of infantry arrived on the ground, and it is presumed carried his works, though I have not yet heard.  The enemy’s rear is strong, but I have force enough up there to ensure all purposes.  All along the lines their works prove to have been most formidable, and I am now fully satisfied of the correctness of the course I have pursued.  The success is brilliant, and you may rest assured that its effects will be of the greatest importance.  There shall be no delay in following up the rebels.  The rebels have been guilty of the most murderous and barbarous conduct in placing torpedoes within the abandoned works near wells and springs, and near flog staffs, magazines, telegraph offices, in carpet bags, barrels of flour, &c.  Fortunately we have not lost many men in this manner – some four or five killed and perhaps a dozen wounded.  I shall make the prisoners remove them at their own peril.

(Signed,)

GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Maj. Gen.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 6, 1862, p. 1

Have We A General?

MR. EDITOR:  The present rebellion has now been persisted in for more than a year.  It has developed in an unexpected and almost marvelous degree, the before unknown resources of the country.  It has called a larger number of men into the field than any other single nation can muster, and all of them are volunteers.  It has created a navy able to compete with any in the world.  It has appropriated to active military use, novel, scientific and mechanical agencies, unknown to all previous wars.  It has developed financial resources, available and plenteous wealth, and rendered it easily applicable to the needs of the country, as much to our own surprise as it has been to the astonishment of other nations.  Above all, it has proven that the soldiers of the Union, are as gallant and courageous as the most ardent patriot could wish.

One thing, in my opinion, the war has not yet done.  It has found among us an abundance of the very best soldiers that ever fought and died upon the battlefield, but thus far it seems to have failed in giving prominence to any man competent to command a great army.  I cannot doubt that among the numerous officers in the national ranks, there must be some who would prove admirable leaders.  But they remain unknown, being over shadowed by those occupying higher positions – positions unworthily filled.

Our two great armies are commanded by McClellan and Halleck.  The former has been in command of his department for nearly a year, superseding McDowell, who had just fought and lost a great battle which he ought to have won.  He has under his command probably the best army, and the most completely appointed, ever yet led to the field.  His friends that he is a wonderful strategist, how justly events have plainly indicated.  He lay idle all winter before Manassas, with force and means enough to have captured all the rebels there at any time, by a single week’s use of but ordinary military skill.  Yet he allowed them to escape leaving behind them, scarcely enough of war materials to make trophies of.  He has been nearly, or quite, three months on the Yorktown [peninsula], and is now within sight of Richmond.  During the period, we have had the evacuation of Yorktown, without any material loss to the rebels, and several subsequent heavy [skirmishes].  In the most important of these, the rebels have made the attack, and in every instance, have found our forces unprepared and in a great measure uncommanded, and, consequently, in each instance have caused us heavy and intolerable loss of men.  It was so at Williamsburg, and so it was in the affair of last Saturday and Sunday.  In a word, this great strategist displays a remarkable capacity for placing portions of his army in positions which invite attack, without furnishing support, or with support so [distant] as to be able to give it only in time to just avoid absolute defeat and destruction.

At noon, Jun [1st], this strategist, Gen. McClellan, himself telegraphed these words, “We have had a desperate battle, in which the corps of Generals Sumner, Heintzelman and Keyes have been engaged against greatly superior numbers!”  What kind of strategy is that which allows a portion of any army to be assailed by “greatly superior numbers”?  Is it any consolation to tell us that, “Our loss is heavy,” but that of the enemy must have been enormous?”  If the fight was a necessary one, it would be endurable.  If he had captured the enemy, we might perceive that something had been gained.  But the fight was “desperate” he says, and the enemy was merely repulsed.  That repulse cost us 1000 killed and 2000 or more wounded.  This is Gen. McClellan’s strategy.  This is a specimen of the battles he fights, and the glory he gives to our army.  A thousand bereaved mothers and widows, nothing gained, and all to display his “strategy.”

Gen. McClellan has had the power to take Richmond any time during the past six weeks. – It is plain that he has not the capacity to move a large army, that he does not know how to plan it; and that he will not be able to fight with it so as to secure all the advantages of victory.  I do not doubt that he will take Richmond.  But I think it safe to predict that but a small portion of the rebel forces will fall into his hands.  The best part of the campaign will be wasted before that city, and a barren possession of it, will be the sum of our gain.  If this is strategy, I do not see it.  I consider McClellan an egregious failure; by the time a few more thousand lives are sacrificed, to satisfy his strategy, I presume it will be thought expedient to try another.

I will not ascribe the folly of the battle of Shiloh to General Halleck.  I think General Grant is responsible for that, and it is a responsibility no one will wish to share with him.  The evacuation of Corinth, by the rebels taking with them all their munitions of war evidences either a marvelous degree of successful strategy on their party, or an equally marvelous want of Generalship on the part of Halleck.  General Grant set down about Pittsburgh Landing with some 40,000 men, and felt so secure that he never tho’t  of the ordinary precaution of entrenching his camp.  Halleck, having the addition of Buell’s, Mitchell’s, Pope’s and Curtis’ Divisions, making his army three of four times as effective as Grant’s, builds entrenchments all the way from Shiloh to Corinth, and when he gets there, obtains the place for his pains!  There is no doubt that Grant ought to have entrenched himself. – It is equally evident that Halleck has been wasting his time.  He could have taken Corinth, and the larger part of the rebel army, had he but moved on it with rapidity and energy, instead of wasting his time in his entrenchments.  The battle of Shiloh appears to have given him a “big scare.”  To avoid Grant’s absurd negligence and recklessness, he adopted the other extreme, and instead of proving a competent General, he has proven merely to be a good ditcher.

These two Generals are the only ones who have had command of large armies.  The ditchers around Corinth and Yorktown are the best evidence they have given of their capacity.  I do not know how well they were dug.  But I submit, that, although ditch digging is good in its place, a General ought to have the ability to do “something else.”  I do not know who should supersede these so-called Generals.  But I am sure some one, possessed of higher qualifications, ought to be found, with ease, by those whose business it is to know the character, and ability of our numerous military officers.  We have had too many evacuations without results.  If this mode of warfare should be persisted in, you and I need not hope to live long enough to see the end of the rebellion.  I repeat it, then, let us have a GENERAL if it be possible to find one.  We have had enough of ditch-digging; let us next have men who will “go in for a fight.”

H.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 2

Major General George B. McClellan to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, June 1, 1862

FIELD OF BATTLE, June 1, 1862 – 12 o'clock.

Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War:

We have had a desperate battle, in which the corps of Sumner, Heintzelman, and Keyes have been engaged against greatly superior numbers. Yesterday, at 1, the enemy, taking advantage of a terrible storm, which had flooded the valley of the Chickahominy, attacked our troops on the right bank of that river.  Casey's division, which was in first line, gave way unaccountably and disunitedly [discreditably*]. This caused a temporary confusion, during which some guns and baggage were lost, but Heintzelman and Kearny most gallantly brought up their troops, which checked the enemy; at the same time, however, [General Sumner*] succeeded by great exertion in bringing across Sedgwick's and Richardson's divisions, who drove back the enemy at the point of the bayonet, covering the ground with his dead.

This morning the enemy attempted to renew the conflict, but was everywhere repulsed. We have taken many prisoners, among whom is General Pettigrew and Colonel Long. Our loss is heavy, but that of the enemy must be enormous. With the exception of Casey's division [our*] men behaved splendidly.†  Several fine bayonet charges have been made. The Second Excelsior made two to-day.

GEO. B. McCLELLAN,

Major-general, Commanding.

__________

*These words in revised copy.  See McClellan to Stanto, Jun 5, 10:30 a.m., p. 751.

†See also general report, pp. 38-43

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume XI, Part I (Serial No. 12), page 749

Washington News

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29. – The Secretary of War orders that no further contracts be made by his department for any article of foreign manufacture that can be had at home.  This includes arms.

2.  All orders for the purchase of arms, clothing, &ct., in foreign countries are annulled.

3.  All persons claiming to have contracts or agreements for furnishing anything to the United States, are required within 15 days to give a statement in writing of its character, and file a copy with the Secretary of war.

4.  All contracts &c., for any supplies should be in writing and signed by the contracting parties, and if these terms are not complied with, said contracts, &c., shall be deemed fraudulent and void, and no claim thereon be allowed.

A dispatch from Heintzelman says that nine rebels were killed last night instead of twenty-nine, as previously telegraphed.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30. – The Ways and Means Committee find that they cannot report the tax bills for some time yet.

The opinion here to-day is that the legal tender clause of the Treasury note bill will not pass the House.

Postmaster General Blair has written a letter to a member of Congress in Defense of Secretary Welles.

Gen. Butler leaves Washington this evening for New England.  He declares that his expedition has not been given up.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2

Texan Rangers Surprised

WASHINGTON, Man 29. – A dispatch from Gen. Heintzelman, dated Fort Lyon to-day, addressed to Assistant Adjutant General Williams, says, last night a force of 50 men of the 37th New York regiment under Lieut. Col. Burke, sent out by Col. Hayman, surprised the enemy, some Texas rangers, at Mrs. Lee’s House at the head of Belmont, on Occaquon Bay.  The rebel force was about 30 men.  They fought till all but one was killed whom Col. Burke took prisoner.  Our loss was one killed and four wounded.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2

More Skirmishing

CHARLSTON, VA., March 9. – Hundred of contrabands are coming in from the country. – The course adopted in regard to them, if they have been employed by secession authorities, is to turn them over to the Division commander to be employed by the Federal Government, but if proven otherwise, they are to be returned to their owners.

On Friday, Capt. Coles, of the Maryland Cavalry, 40 in number, came upon about 140 of the rebel cavalry between Bunker Hill and Winchester.  A skirmish ensued which lasted an hour, resulting in the killing of six of Ashley’s and wounding five of Capt. Coles’ men.  A section of Matthew’s Washington Battery came up to Capt. Coles’s support, when the Adjutant Wilkins, of Gen. Williams’s Brigade had his horse shout under him.

It is believed at Bunker Hill, that the force at Winchester had been greatly reduced, leaving not over 30,000 or 40,000 troops there.  Others say that Gen. Jackson’s force has been reinforced by the regiments from Leesburg.

Capt. Coles’ scouts last night reached Paris, four miles from Winchester, but encountered no resistance except from a small cavalry picket.

It is stated that but 400 of the 19th Mississippi regiment remained at Leesburg at the time of the evacuation.  These returned in the direction of Manassas.

Early this morning, rebel scouts attacked Gen. Heintzelman’s pickets near Smith’s Mills, killing one and wounding another of the 27th Indiana.  They were pursued by the 3d Wisconsin, which had not returned at last accounts.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 4

Divisions of the Army of the Potomac

WASHINGTON, March 8. – The President’s war order No. 2, has ordered the army of the Potomac to be divided into Corps D’arme, commanded as follows:

1st Corps consisting of the four divisions commanded by McDowell.

2d. Of three divisions commanded by Gen. Sherman.

3d. Of three divisions commanded by Gen. Heintzelman.

4th. Of three divisions commanded by Brig. Gen. Keys.

5th. Banks and Shields’ divisions.  The latter  and Sanders’ to be commanded by Gen. Banks.

Capt Bell, of the 3d Pennsylvania Cavalry has been promoted to Major of the 3d Illinois Cavalry, in Halleck’s department.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 4

PRESIDENT'S GENERAL WAR ORDER, No. 2

EXECUTIVE MANSION,

Washington, March 8, 1862.

Ordered, 1. That the major-general commanding the Army of the Potomac proceed forthwith to organize that part of the said army destined to enter upon active operations (including the reserve, but excluding the troops to be left in the fortifications about Washington) into four army corps, to be commanded according to seniority of rank, as follows:

First Corps to consist of four divisions, and to be commanded by Maj. Gen. I. McDowell.

Second Corps to consist of three divisions, and to be commanded by Brig. Gen. E. V. Sumner.

Third Corps to consist of three divisions, and to be commanded by Brig. Gen. S. P. Heintzelman.

Fourth Corps to consist of three divisions, and to be commanded by Brig. Gen. E. D. Keyes.

2. That the divisions now commanded by the officers above assigned to the commands of army corps shall be embraced in and form part of their respective corps.

3. The forces left for the defense of Washington will be placed in command of Brig. Gen. James S. Wadsworth, who shall also be military governor of the District of Columbia.

4. That this order be executed with such promptness and dispatch as not to delay the commencement of the operations already directed to be undertaken by the Army of the Potomac.

5. A fifth army corps, to be commanded by Maj. Gen. N. P. Banks, will be formed from his own and General Shields' (late General Lander's) divisions.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, vol. 5, p. 18

From Washington

WASHINGTON, March 11.

The following orders by the President were published by authority in the Intelligencer this morning.  Their importance and bearing are manifest.

WAR GAZETTE, PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY.

EXECUTIVE MANSION,

WASHIGNTON, Jan. 27^th, 1862

THE PRESIDENT'S GENERAL ORDER NO. ONE.

It is ordered that on the 22d day of February, 1862, there be a general movement of the land and naval forces of the United States against the insurgent forces.  That especially the army at and about Fortress Monroe, the army of the Potomac, the army of Western Virginia, the army near Munfordsville, the army and flotilla at Cairo, and naval force in the Gulf of Mexico, be ready for a movement on that day.  That all the other forces both land and naval, with their respective commanders, obey the existing order for the time, and be ready to obey additional orders, when duly given.  That the heads of departments, and especially the Secretary of War and the Navy, with all their subordinates, and the General-in-Chief, with other commanders and subordinates of the land and naval forces, will severally be held to their strict and full responsibilities for the prompt execution of this order.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

THE PRESIDENT'S GENERAL WAR ORDER NO. TWO

EXECUTIVE MANSION,

WASHINGTON, March 8, 1862.

Ordered, first, that the Major General commanding the army of the Potomac proceed forthwith to organize that part of said army destined to enter upon active operations, including the reserve, but excluding the troops to be left in the fortifications about Washington, into four army corps, to be commanded according to seniority of rank, as follows:

First corps to consist of four divisions, to be commanded by Maj. Gen. McDowell.

Second corps to consist of three divisions, to be commanded by Brig. Gen. Sumner.

Third corps to consist of three divisions, to be commanded by Brig. Gen. Heintzelman.

Fourth corps to consist of three divisions, to be commanded, by Brig. Gen. Keyes.

Ordered, second, that the division now commanded by the officers above assigned the command of corps, shall be embraced in and form parts of their respective corps.

Third, the forces left for the defence of Washington will be placed under command of Brig. Gen. James S. Wadsworth, who shall also be military Governor of the District of Columbia.

Fourth, that this order be executed with such promptness and dispatch as not to delay the commencement of the operations, directed to be undertaken by the army of the Potomac.

Fifth.  A fifth army corps, to be commanded by Major General N. P. Banks, will be formed from his own and General Shield’s (lat Gen. Lander’s) divisions.

Signed,

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

THE PRESIDENT'S WAR ORDER NO. THREE

EXECUTIVE MANSION,

WASHINGTON, March 12, 1862.

Maj. Gen. McClellan, having personally taken the field at the head of the army of the Potomac, until otherwise ordered he is released from the command of the other military departments, he retaining the command of the department of the Potomac.

Ordered, further, that the two departments now under the respective command of Gens. Halleck and Hunter, together with so much of that of Gen. Buell which lies west of a north and south line indefinitely drawn through Knoxville, Tennessee, be consolidated, and designated the department of the Mississippi; and that until otherwise ordered, Maj. Gen. Halleck have command of the said department.

Ordered also that the country west of the department of the Potomac and east of the department of the Mississippi, be a military department, and the same be commanded by Major Gen. Fremont; that all commanders of departments after the receipt of this order respectively report severally and directly to the Secretary of war, and that prompt and frequent reports will be expected of all.

Signed,

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 13, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, March 6.

The President’s message excited deep interest in the House to-day.  Evidently it was not generally anticipated.  A message of a similar character, transmitted to the Senate, was not read.

The President has Nominated Brig. Gen. Thomas as Major General.

Newspapers are especially excluded from the list of manufactures taxed in the tax bill.  It repeals so much of the last session’s bill as relates to incomes, but leaves the land tax unchanged.

Mr. Blair, from the military committee, has reported a bill authorizing the Secretary of War to allow loyal citizens their claims for damage to property heretofore and hereafter destroyed by order of army or navy officers of the United States, to prevent it from falling into the hands of the enemy.

A reconnoitering party of the 63d Penn., Gen. Heintzelman’s division, was ambushed yesterday morning beyond the Occoquan, two or three miles in advance of our pickets, and received the fire, as was reckoned, of 40 concealed rebels.  They instantly fled through the woods.  Capt. Chapman and Lieut. Lyle were killed, and two privates wounded, one mortally.

Commander J. T. Armstrong, of the Steamer State of Georgia, reports how the Nashville ran into Beaufort, N. C.  He saw her at daylight and gave chase, but she ran under the guns of Fort Macon and escaped.

The Lieutenant Colonel in command of the 40^th Pennsylvania regiment, who was ambushed yesterday, will probably be cashiered.  The enemy are supposed to be Texan Rangers.

Gen. Lander’s funeral was very imposing.  It was attended by infantry, cavalry, artillery, lancers, and civilians, and the procession was two miles long.

Lieut. Conway, of the bark Peerless, blockading at Bull’s Bay near Charleston, S. C., sunk three vessels loaded with rice, and burned one inside of the Shoals, the last under the nose of a rebel battery of three guns.  They were all bound to Charleston, and manned by foreigners and negroes, who were put ashore, the boats being unable to take them off.

One hundred and fifty rebel soldiers recently deserted from Savannah to General Sherman.  Their reason was they said that they were tired of fighting in this inhuman war.

Clark, of the Boston Courier, nominated as commissary of subsistence, was rejected by the Senate to-day.  A large number of minor civil and military nominations were confirmed.

It is estimated by the committee of ways and means, that the internal taxes, with the taxes on imports, will probably produce a revenue of $150,000,000, and the tax may be increased if necessary.  The propriety of levying a tax on cotton is under discussion.

The Kentucky and pro-slavery Congressmen regard the President’s message with suspicion.

The question of branch mints in Denver City and New York, has been referred, by the ways and means committee, to the Secretary of the Treasury for his opinion.

The proof sheets of the tax bill are ready, and will be in circulation to-morrow.

A sub-committee of ways and means will immediately take up the tariff bill.

It is thought that Gen. Fremont has damaged rather than helped his case by the publication of his defense.

Gen. Fremont was at the Capitol yesterday receiving the congratulations of his friends.

Montgomery Blair was there to-day, very nervous about his private letter among the Fremont documents criticizing Chase and Lincoln.

Senator Collamer, from the committee on Post office Post Roads has reported adversely to the House a bill establishing a postal money order system and authorizing the carriage of additional mail matter.

Alex. Cummings is out with a defense, in a letter to Congressman Wm. Kelly.  He denies that he had anything to do with the chartering of the Cataline, and avers that her freight, including all linen trousers and straw hats, was bona fide for the soldiers.  He claims that the hundred and forty thousand dollars spoken of in Washburne’s report, were retained under orders from the Navy Department, to meet requisitions of the War Department, and pleads illness as his excuse or delay in making his reply.

C B. Matteson is said to be a silent partner in the Pennyslvania Avenue scheme, driven through the House, but encountering a serious obstacle in the Senate, in the person of Mr. Grimes, chairman of the district committee, whom the speculators call impracticable.  Ten thousand dollars worth of stocks are said to have been promised one valuable lobby assistant, in case of success.

Tribune’s Dispatch.

WASHINGTON, March 6.

The following statement of the disposition and strength of rebel forces opposed to the Union army of the Potomac was perfectly accurate, for days ago.  Changes have probably occurred since, but the main facts must still correspond with the figures.  At Centreville, which is now the strong point of the rebels, there are 50,000 infantry, 11,000 cavalry and 120 pieces of cannon, light and heavy.  Behind the batteries along the Potomac there are from 12,000 to 15,000 men.  At Gum Spring, between Leesburg and Centerville, there are three regiments of infantry, with a squadron of cavalry.  At Leesburg there are three regiments of infantry, one battery and 460 cavalry.  At a point five miles south of Brentsville, that is to say some ten miles south of Manassas, there is one brigade of infantry of 35,000 men.  These reports do not include any part of Jackson’s army, forming the rebel left wing, against which Gen. Banks is operating.

At Manassas there is not a single full regiment, whole companies and regiments having gone home on furlough for ten, twenty and thirty days.  All of the troops from South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Louisiana have gone home within the past two or three weeks.  Very few of the men whose term of service has expired are re-enlisting.

Herald’s Dispatch.

The gunboats Satellite and Island Belle discovered on Wednesday a number of rebel cavalry near Aquia Creek, and fired a [bow] shot, when the rebels ran away and the steamers returned.

A brisk fire was opened this morning by the lower flotilla, causing great alarm among the rebels.  The long roll was beaten, commencing at Aquia Creek and extending along the river as far as Evansport.  The call of the roll extended throughout a greater number of camps than at any time before.

The camp fires, within a few days past, have materially increased, showing a considerable augmentation of the rebel forces in this vicinity.

The rebels opened fire upon the Hubbs Ferry battery this morning.  About 20 or 30 shots were fired, without doing any damage.

The steamer Yankee to-day went within a half mile of the Virginia shore, and shelled a new battery, in process of erection in the rear of the position of their old battery at Freestone Point.  The rebels were forced to evacuate.

Special to the World.

Mrs. Wm. Norris and Mrs. Rogers, occupying a high social position, ladies of Baltimore, were brought here to-day and placed in prison, on a charge of supplying the enemy with aid, and giving them important information.  Both have sons in the rebel army, and were prominently connected with an association in Baltimore for the manufacture of clothing for the rebel soldiers.

The city has been excited recently with rumors respecting the movements of the troops at Manassas.  It is said they have concentrated a much larger army at that point than has generally been supposed. – As it is impossible to save anything at the West, what troops were there have been hurried into Va.  It is even said Beauregard is back again at his old post.

WASHINGTON, March 6.

The President has nominated Col. Harvey Brown, of Fort Pickens, as Brig. Gen. by brevet.

Capts. Bell, McKean, Dupont, Goldsboro and Farragut, were today Confirmed by the Senate as flag officers of the Navy.

The following were confirmed surveyors of customs:

W. Thornburry, Paducah, Ky.; J. R. Meeker, Nesqually, Washington Territory.

The following were also confirmed:

C. W. Chatterton, Indian Agent, Cherokee agency; C. H. Hale, superintendent of Indian affairs, Washington Territory; Thos. Nelson recorder of land titles in Missouri; S. K. Janeson, receiver of public monies for Nebraska; H. Stout, attorney and G. L. Gibbs, Marshal of Utah; E. D. Shatterch, attorney for Oregon; W. Wasson, Marshal for Nevada.

In addition to the above, a large number of army nominations were confirmed, but none of field officers.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 8, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.

The railroad operations of the War Department require that there should be a just and efficient system of railroad transport, that would secure to the Government energetic action with a fair tariff of charges.  The Secretary of War, believing that he may safely appeal to the practical experience of the officers of the railroad companies and their patriotic feelings for aid in devising such a system, invites the chief officers of the respective railroad companies of the loyal States to meet and confer with him on this subject at Washington on Thursday, the 20th day of February, 1862.  Hon. Erastus Corning and N. L. Wilson, now in this city are requested to act as a committee of arrangements.

Signed,

EDWIN M. STANTON.

Secretary of War.

Tribune Correspondence.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.

Senator Latham will to-morrow introduce a bill for the survey of a telegraph line from San Francisco to the northwest coast overland, via Behring’s Straights and Asiatic Russia to the mouth of the Amoor river as proposed by McDonald Collins.

The military committee asks for an appropriation of $100,000 and two small vessels, in order to make the preliminary survey.  The enterprise will be under the direction of the President, and other nations will be invited to participate in it.

A board of officers convened to investigate the quality of clothing furnished by contractors, have discovered that at least one third now on hand is entirely worthless.  The facts being reported to the Secretary of War he ordered that payments to the contractors be at once suspended.

Gen. Segwick [sic], a Brigadier-General in General Heintzleman’s division, has been assigned to the command of Gen. Stone’s division.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.

Chief justice Tanney [sic] this morning delivered the opinion in the case of Gordon, the slave trader, denying the motion made by Judge Dean for a writ of probation to prevent his execution, on the ground of a want of power in the Court to review proceedings in criminal cases to restrain the action of a ministerial officer.  The application was based on alleged irregularity in the New York Circuit Court.  Application will be made to the President in behalf of Gordon, on the same grounds.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 18, 1862, p. 1

The newspaper accounts of . . .

. . . the battles, skirmishes, sieges and marches are most unjust and unfair in three cases out of five.  We have had it well illustrated in the West, in the accounts of the various battles given to the public through the medium of Chicago papers.  The real heroes were never heard of through these mendacious historians.  The praise was uniformly bestowed upon some favorite Regiment or Division and upon [officers] who had bought and paid for their favors.  At the recent battle of Williamsburgh the same thing occurred.  The public were led to believe that Gen. Hancock did all the fighting, which consisted simply in one gallant bayonet charge.  This is very unjust and unfair, and the correspondents who wrote these lying accounts ought to be kicked out of the army, – drummed out of camp.  The truth is Hancock had only between twenty and thirty killed and wounded, and only four regiments engaged.  His affair was but a skirmish.  On the left, Heintzelman was compelled to fight a great battle, of vastly more consequence than Bull Run, and he won it, too.  He had seventeen regiments engaged from first to last – twelve of Hooker’s and five of Kearney’s; and his loss in killed, wounded and missing, was two thousand and forty-six!  The facts are that the courage of our men enabled Heintzelman to fight for six hours against the odds of three to one, and against other and greater odds than disciplined troops ever before encountered. – And wider and wider spreads the opinion through the army every hour that it only needed that Sumner should have spared Heintzelman a third or half his force standing idle in the woods, only have a mile off, to have enabled him to crush the enemy right at Williamsburgh, and have taken or dispersed the great force which we may now have to fight again in the Chickahominy swamp.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 1

Evacuation of Yorktown

FURTHER PARTICULARS

PHILADELPHIA, May 5. – the Enquirer has a special dispatch from Fortress Monroe giving the following particulars in regard to the evacuation of Yorktown.

One mile beyond Yorktown,

Sunday 10 o’clock A. M.

All day yesterday the rebels kept up a fire on Gen. Porter’s division.  No one was hurt.  Our Parrott guns at Farnhal Court House occasionally answered them.  All last evening and up to midnight lively firing – was kept up, about that time the fire slackened considerably, at 2 o’clock stopped altogether.  We fired one or two more batteries at them by got no answer.  About 3 o’clock this morning a building at Yorktown was fired and Prof. Lowe and Gen. Heintzelman went up in a balloon and found it was their store house at Yorktown wharf at daylight they reported the forts empty, at 7 o’clock we occupied Yorktown without being again fired at.

Of the guns of the enemy nearly all remaining were spiked and dismounted.  By the side of the river batteries were large piles of ammunition, powder, balls and shells.  Eighty guns were in Yorktown which is surrounded by a semicircle, the earthworks were all constructed to cover one another in every position but they must have eventually yielded could we have got around them.

The gun we dismounted the other day killed and wounded four rebels.

The fort had been occupied by the First battalion New Orleans Artillery, the 8^th and 30^th Alabama regiments, the 10^th and 14^th Louisiana and 13^th & 45^th Georgia regiments.  These troops were ordered to report at Howard’s Grove four miles from Richmond and left the fort at midnight.  A rear guard was left who waited for appearances and then retired in the greatest haste.

Two deserters who left their regiment in Williamsburgh at daylight, says the whole rebel army was in a panic.

Prof. Lowe’s balloon reconnaissance discovered their rearguard at 9 A. M. to be four miles out.  Gen. McClellan immediately ordered out the artillery and cavalry and is pushing after them at full speed.

All our gunboats came up at 9 o’clock and landed some marines at Gloucester who raised the U. S. flag amid cheering that could be heard across the river.  The boats all then left and are now running up the York river shelling the banks on both sides.

A number of mines had been prepared for our troops by placing Prussian shells under ground on the roadways and entrances to the forts.  No whites were to be found and only a few negro women and babies.  The town was squalid and dirty.  A few days of rain would have been a specific.  A large quantity of meat, salt and fish was left.  All the tents were left but no horses or wagons.

Reports concur that the rebels consist of a mob of about 100,000 men ill fed, dirty and disheartened.  The road from Yorktown to Hampton on which they were encamped was guarded by Fort Magruder mounting a large number of guns part of which are taken away and part spiked and some of their works were well laid out, others were wretched contrivances.  The work upon them was finished on Friday night and the slaves sent to the rear under guard.  The rebels have nothing behind on which they can make a stand.  Last night their camp fires all along were the same as usual – the dense wood along the peninsula enabled them to leave without being seen by the balloon.

The large guns of the rebels are mostly columbiads taken from the Norfolk Navy Yard – Some of them have been recently mounted – The _____ although of the roughest character were very formidable being surrounded by deep gorges almost impassable.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 4