November 10th. It is a curious thing how frequently the same ground is fough over in war times. Here we are to-day for the third time in the vicinity of the Bull Run and Rappahannock river. In fact we ocupy to-day the exact position that Pope held last August. There are certain strategic positions in all countries about which all the great battles are fought, as for instance the Low Countries in Europe, which have been the battlefield in numberless wars for generations. It seems the neighborhood of Bull Run is the great strategic position in the State of Virginia, and who knows but what we may have to fight the last battle here, as well as the first.
There is nothing to report, the Second, Third and Fifth corps are all here around Warrenton, and the Ninth is on the Rappahannock. The Eleventh, I understand, is at Thoroughfare Gap and Gainsville, which we hope is true, as that is the weak spot in our present position. Lee’s army is reported at Culpeper, freshly recruited and equipped, and again on the defensive, which is its strong point.
