September 18, Thursday. The last two or three days have been pregnant with rumors and speculations of an exciting character. Some officials on the watch-towers, sentinels and generals, have been alarmed; but on the whole the people have manifested a fair degree of confidence and composure.
We have authentic news that a long and sanguinary battle has been fought.[1] McClellan telegraphs that the fight between the two armies was for fourteen hours. The Rebels must have been in strong position to have maintained such a fight against our large army. He also telegraphs that our loss is heavy, particularly in generals, but gives neither names nor results. His dispatches are seldom full, clear, or satisfactory. “Behaved splendidly,” “performed handsomely,” but wherein or what was accomplished is never told. Our anxiety is intense.
We have but few and foggy dispatches of any kind these troublesome days. Yesterday and day before there were conflicting accounts about Harper’s Ferry, which, it is now admitted, was thrown to the Rebels with scarcely a struggle. Miles[2], who was in command, is reported mortally wounded. . . .
General Mansfield is reported slain. He was from my State and almost a neighbor. He called on me last week, on his way from Norfolk to join the army above. When parting he once shook hands, there then was a farther brief conversation and he came back from the door after he left and again shook hands. “Farewell,” said I, “success attend you.” He remarked, with emphasis, and some feeling, “We may never meet again.”
[1] The Battle of Antietam was fought on the 16th and 17th.
[2] Colonel Dixon S. Miles. He died of his wounds, Sept. 10, 1862.
