Tuesday, 22d—There were quite a number of visitors from Tipton today—friends of the boys from that place. The weather is cloudy and disagreeable.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
22d—Went to Washington to see off a friend who has been spending a few weeks with me, as mess-mate. I felt sadly at the parting, and being lonely to-night, I cannot help thinking of home, of home! Where is it? One child in Connecticut, the other in Wisconsin, my wife in New York, and I in Virginia. This separation—disintegration of my family saddens me, and I wish it were otherwise. But the maintenance of government demands war, and war demands sacrifices, to which all patriots must yield. The whisperings of yesterday that we were repulsed at Ball’s Bluff, or Edward’s Ferry, are more than confirmed, and another good man is sacrificed on the altar of his country. General Baker fell in the battle. The particulars have not reached us, but I fear that we have been sorely defeated, notwithstanding General McClellan’s promise, a short time since, that we should meet with no more defeats. Shall we have this proclaimed through telegraph and press, as another “Great Victory?” I regret that McClellan made that foolish speech. It has lost him the confidence of many of his friends.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1861.
Col E D Baker was killed yesterday in the fight near Leesburgh. The event has thrown a general gloom over the City especialy at the “White House” where he was esteemed as an intimate friend. Saw Judge McCook today in the office of the Sec’y of the Interior. The Judge came out of the fight at “Bolivar” unhurt with the exception of the graze of a ball across his forehead. I did not see the Sec’y today. My health is improving but cough some yet. The weather is Damp and chilly. I have only been to the Pat office today.
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The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865, are available online at The Library of Congress.
Oct. 22, 1861.—When I came to breakfast this morning Rob was capering over another victory—Ball’s Bluff. He would read me, “We pitched the Yankees over the bluff,” and ask me in the next breath to go to the theater this evening. I turned on the poor fellow: “Don’t tell me about your victories. You vowed by all your idols that the blockade would be raised by October 1, and I notice the ships are still serenely anchored below the city.”
“G., you are just as pertinacious yourself in championing your opinions. What sustains you when nobody agrees with you?”
I would not answer.
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Note: To protect Mrs. Miller’s job as a teacher in New Orleans, the diary was published anonymously, edited by G. W. Cable, names were changed and initials were often used instead of full names — and even the initials differed from the real person’s initials.
October 22nd.—Rain falling in torrents. As I write, in come reports of a battle last night, some forty miles up the river, which by signs and tokens I am led to believe was unfavourable to the Federals. They crossed the river intending to move upon Leesburg—were attacked by overwhelming forces and repulsed, but maintained themselves on the right bank till General Banks reinforced them and enabled them to hold their own. McClellan has gone or is going at once to the scene of action. It was three o’clock before I heard the news, the road and country were alike unknown, nor had I friend or acquaintance in the army of the Upper Potomac. My horse was brought round however, and in company with Mr. Anderson, I rode out of Washington along the river till the falling evening warned us to retrace our steps, and we returned in pelting rain as we set out, and in pitchy darkness, without meeting any messenger or person with news from the battle-field. Late at night the White House was placed in deep grief by the intelligence that in addition to other losses, Brigadier and Senator Baker of California was killed. The President was inconsolable, and walked up and down his room for hours lamenting the loss of his friend. Mrs. Lincoln’s grief was equally poignant. Before bed-time I told the German landlord to tell my servant I wanted my horse round at seven o’clock.
OCTOBER 22D.—We have news of a victory at Leesburg. It appears that the head of one of the enemy’s columns, 8000 strong, attempted a passage of the Potomac yesterday, at that point pursuant to the programme furnished by the lady from Washington. That point had been selected by the enemy because the spies had reported that there were only three Confederate regiments there. But crossing a river in boats in the face of a few Southern regiments, is no easy matter. And this being the People’s War, although Gen. Evans, in command, had received orders to fall back if the enemy came in force, our troops decided for themselves to fight before retreating. Therefore, when seven or eight regiments of Yankees landed on this side of the river, two or three of our regiments advanced and fired into them with terrible effect. Then they charged; and ere long such a panic was produced that the enemy rushed in disorder into the river, crowding their boats so much that several went to the bottom, carrying down hundreds. The result was that the head of the serpent received a tremendous bruising, and the whole body recoiled from the scene of disaster. We had only some 1500 men engaged, and yet captured 1000 muskets; and the enemy’s loss, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, amounted to 2000 men. This battle was fought, in some respects, by the privates alone—much of the time without orders, and often without officers.
October 22.—Flag-officer Craven, of the Potomac flotilla, arrived at Washington, and reported the Potomac River effectually closed, rebel batteries commanding it at every point below Alexandria.
—A letter from Richmond, of this date, says: Bad news from the forces under General Lee at Big Sewall Mountain. A gentleman of this city, occupying a high position in the Government, has just reached Richmond from General Lee’s head-quarters. The enemy, under Rosecrans, was in full retreat toward the Ohio, but pursuit was impossible. The roads were in the most awful condition. Dead horses and mules that had perished in their tracks, broken wagons, and abandoned stores, lined the road to Lewisbnrg. There was no such thing as getting a team or wagon through uninjured. The road beyond Big Sewall was if any thing worse than on this side of it. To be sure, the difficulties were quite as great—perhaps even greater—for the Yankees, in their flight, as for our troops in pursuing them. But General Lee was entirely out of provision, and had not the wherewith to cook the next meal for himself or to serve the next ration to his soldiers. The General was not in the best health, and it may well be imagined, not in the best spirits. The splendid horse that was presented to him just before he left this city had been lamed in two legs, and was unfit for service. It will be absolutely necessary for General Lee to abandon hi position in a very short time as uninhabitable for his army, and go into winter-quarters. Where this will be—whether in the Kanawha Valley or on the line of the Central Railroad— is uncertain, but much depends on the choice as to the footing the Yankees will have in Western Virginia next spring.
