[from the diary of Joseph A. Waddell, civilian employee of the Quartermaster Dept.
Thursday, Sept. 4, 1862.
It was stated yesterday evening that the Federalists
had evacuated Fredericksburg, destroying their stores, persons
from the army state that Jackson had to destroy an
immense amount of stores captured from the enemy, about
the middle of last week, not being able to remove them. It
was when he first got in their rear, before anything
decisive had occurred. There is a report now that Gen.
Burnside + Staff have been captured. The report that Pope
was wounded is doubted. I insert a slip (on next page)
giving a Northern account of things up to Saturday Friday, the 29th. It will
be interestinghas as a contemporary narrative, and so far as
I know accurate in its details: it explains some things
not understood by us heretofore:
had evacuated Fredericksburg, destroying their stores, persons
from the army state that Jackson had to destroy an
immense amount of stores captured from the enemy, about
the middle of last week, not being able to remove them. It
was when he first got in their rear, before anything
decisive had occurred. There is a report now that Gen.
Burnside + Staff have been captured. The report that Pope
was wounded is doubted. I insert a slip (on next page)
giving a Northern account of things up to S
be interesting
I know accurate in its details: it explains some things
not understood by us heretofore:
“The Battles in Northern Virginia—Interesting Accounts from Northern Papers—Conflicting Statements, &c, &c,” Image 1
“The Battles in Northern Virginia—Interesting Accounts from Northern Papers—Conflicting Statements, &c, &c,” Image 2
Did Jackson come into the Valley?
Thursday evening. — We
hear of the death of
Wm. Patrick, from a
wound received in one
of the recent battles. —
Gen. Ewell also died
a mistake
yesterday ^, a mistake. A report
comes from Harrison-
burg that the Federal-
ists have abandoned
Winchester, burning a
third of the town, and
that Gen. McClelland
was killed. Intelligence
from the army is ve-
ry meagre and unre-
liable. Letters state
that the enemy was at Fairfax C.H. +
that another battle would take place
yesterday. Among the rumors are
that our cavalry was on the other side
of them, and that they (the enemy)
had burnt or blown up the Long Bridge
across the Potomac at Washington.
The inspecting surgeon pronounced
Legh unfit to bear arms, but recommended him for
service in some other department. Upon the arrival
of the cars this evening, the town was all alive. Many
persons leaving for Winchester. Peyton was starting
to buy supplies, and I engaged him to get me a
pound of tea, if possible. It has been selling here
at $12! Coffee $2. Sugar from 75c to $1.00. —
Wherever the Yankee army go their sutters and others
being in large supplies of all sorts, and whenever
a place is evacuated our people make a rush to
procure necessary articles.
hear of the death of
Wm. Patrick, from a
wound received in one
of the recent battles. —
Gen. Ewell also died
a mistake
yesterday ^, a mistake. A report
comes from Harrison-
burg that the Federal-
ists have abandoned
Winchester, burning a
third of the town, and
that Gen. McClelland
was killed. Intelligence
from the army is ve-
ry meagre and unre-
liable. Letters state
that the enemy was at Fairfax C.H. +
that another battle would take place
yesterday. Among the rumors are
that our cavalry was on the other side
of them, and that they (the enemy)
had burnt or blown up the Long Bridge
across the Potomac at Washington.
The inspecting surgeon pronounced
Legh unfit to bear arms, but recommended him for
service in some other department. Upon the arrival
of the cars this evening, the town was all alive. Many
persons leaving for Winchester. Peyton was starting
to buy supplies, and I engaged him to get me a
pound of tea, if possible. It has been selling here
at $12! Coffee $2. Sugar from 75c to $1.00. —
Wherever the Yankee army go their sutters and others
being in large supplies of all sorts, and whenever
a place is evacuated our people make a rush to
procure necessary articles.
[transcript by the Valley of the Shadow project]
MSS 38-258