Part of the truth
relating to the story of yesterday's fight has come to light. The fact is,
these "great fights," "great victories,” “great number of
prisoners," "great numbers killed," are the greatest humbugs of
the times, and as a specimen I put on record here the stories with the facts of
yesterday. At 8 o'clock A. M. a body of soldiers passed up the turnpike. They
were followed by batteries of artillery, and a few companies of cavalry. What
does all this mean? was asked. And everyone wishing to be wise, an answer was
soon manufactured satisfactory "to all concerned." "Four
thousand infantry and artillery had passed (Lie No. 1, there were only 2,000),
to take a fort about seven miles off.” (Lie No. 2, there was no fort near.)
About 12 o'clock we began to hear frequent reports of artillery, and by 2 P. M.
the firing was brisk, and we could see the smoke of the shells exploding in the
air from four to five miles away. About 3 o'clock we got orders to march on
double-quick to the support of our troops, who were said to be retreating.
(Truth No. 1.) Off we went on a full run, all vieing to see who could get there
first. We had gone about a mile, when we were told to push forward, that one of
our regiments was surrounded and being cut to pieces. (Lie No. 3.) On we went
for another half mile, when "Halt, the rebels are retreating," (lie
No. 4,) and in a few minutes, "We must change our position, for the rebels
were flanking us." (Lie No. 5.) A few minutes later, our officers ordered
us back to camp; we had gained a great victory. (Lie No. 6.)
Now these are the
generalities of statements of the "great victory" of yesterday, which
are being proclaimed to-day loud-mouthed. Let me put here the particulars, that
in future when I hear of our great victories, I may refer to these, and draw
some conclusion as to the probability of their truth.
In the morning,
about two thousand men from Gen. Smith's division, with a few pieces of
artillery, passed up the pike to reconnoitre, in other words to examine the
country and to ascertain what they could of the whereabouts of the enemy. They
made their reconnoissance and started for camp. When they had marched about a
quarter of a mile on their return, the rebels opened fire on them from a masked
battery. Our artillery replied quickly and with spirit, our shot and shell
mowing down hazels, oak grubs and saplings. These were all the enemy they saw.
But above the heavy brush, in which the enemy's batteries were masked, the
smoke from their guns could be distinctly seen, and into this brush we fired
without knowing the effects of our shot, though it is said that we silenced
their battery. After about an hour thus spent our force retired, with the loss
of some twenty or thirty men in killed and wounded, without capturing the
battery which they had silenced, or without taking time to bring away even our
own killed and wounded! What a "glorious victory!" So glorious that
we must rush back to camp to announce it, leaving the enemy to look after our
killed and wounded! A few "such victories would ruin us." Gen.
McClellan visited us to-day; made a speech, and promised us the luxury of a
fight soon unless the rebels run. The appreciation of his kind promise was
manifested by most unmistakable signs of joy.
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. 28-30
