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March 11, 1862
Fairfax Courthouse, Va.
We reached here yesterday
afternoon about 4 oclk. As we ascended
the high hill just outside of the
town and caught the first glimpse
of the rebel earthworks the men
broke into cheers.
Off to our right we could
see other troops filing into the town
and this morning I learn that
Porter’s Division is also here. A
contraband rode into camp last
evening bringing intelligence that
both Centerville and Manassas
were evacuated. The former may
be but I don’t believe the latter is.
We had a rough night of it.
Jimmie carried his pack very
well and stands the exposure much
better than I expected he would.
Immediately after pitching our
tent last evening I started out
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to bathe my feet. Not a long
distance from camp I found
a stream of water and this
morning I feel the good effects
of that wash.
After breakfast this morning
I started out in company with Lt. Lyon
to see the town. We visited the Court
House and a few other buildings.
I also visited the rebel earthworks
and from both places brought away
souvenirs.
Major Scammon could not
find a canteen when he left camp
but this morning he got one which
is marked 14th Miss, Vols.
Have been talking with the
contraband who came in last
evening. He is very intelligent and
replies promptly to all questions. While conversing with him 18 other
contrabands passed up the road
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Kearny is ahead with his brigade.
McClellan just rode by with his staff.
Official report is said to have come
this morning from McDowell who
is at Manassas of the evacuation
of that place by the enemy.
March 12th 1869
We still remain at
Fairfax Court House. The evacu-
ation of Manassas by the enemy
is confirmed and our pickets, it
is said now extend fifteen
miles beyond. This is great
news. Manassas has indeed
been made a second Bowling
Green as I predicted a few
weeks since. Now everything
is at a stand still and fears
are beginning to be expressed
for the safety of Burnside.
Relief will undoubtedly be
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sent to him at once.
The news of Genl. Curtises [sic]
victory in Arkansas has reached
us and all of course feel
rejoiced. Ben McCullough is dead
and without doubt Secession
has received its death blow in
the South West. It is all in
vain that Beauregard repairs
to Island No. 10. His ablest efforts
cannot win for the cause of
the rebellion [Carrot: any substantial success] so long as Buel [?]
and Grant pierce the centre
and Curtis and Sigel turn their
left wing.
This Rebellion is on its
last legs. Nothing can make
it prosper. Firey [sic] Southerners may
talk of being exterminated,
but they like to live as well
as any other people and they
have too much judgement
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to pour out their lives for nothing.
* * * * *
While conversing with a young
man yesterday who resides on
the street where the Court House
stands I learned many interesting
facts concerning the rebels, their
number, their purpose, and their
spirit.
He said that the rebels
maintained and a large number
firmly believed that we were
going to free their negroes. And
so they felt as though they were
fighting for their homes and
their all. These two impressions
I labored to convince him were
entirely wrong. And it is plain
they are the cause of the stout
resistance which is made against
our arms.
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March 12
Fairfax Court Hse. cont’d
Lieut Atwood has just
loaned me some ink and
so I will try once more to
write with the ordinary appliances.*[Written in margin:The pencillings (sic) on the previous 6 pages having become quite dim have been written over with ink. (R.C.S.)]
There is much speculation as
to what is to be done with us
some maintaining that we shall
soon return to camp, and others
that we shall push forward
tomorrow.
What will really be done
with us is I think extremely
doubtful.
One of our company (H),
picked up a roll of skin plasters [?]
in the rebel entrenchments
yesterday.
This morning a flock
of geese passed over us flying
pretty low. It was not many
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seconds before they were seen.
Then the soldiers began to shout
and pretty soon a rifle was
discharged, and as the flock
passed over a cavalry troop
as many as a dozen shots
were fired at them. But not
one took effect.
Reports continue to reach
us of the evacuation of Centerville
and Manassas. It hardly seems
possible.
* * *
Thereis no doubt of it now.
Hundreds of our troops have visited
the old battle grounds, and returned
to camp. |
