January 4.—We have had another battle—fought on Friday, the 2d. I believe we made the attack, and were repulsed with heavy loss. It is reported that our army is falling back. I hope this is not true, although we can scarcely expect to cope successfully with the enemy, as, comparatively speaking, our army is small, and we have the very flower of the northern army and one of their best generals to contend with. From what I have heard judges say, we ought to be satisfied if we can only hold our own.
We have about five hundred wounded prisoners in the hospital. They have their own surgeons with them. I saw some of the latter dressing their wounded, and was not a little shocked at the roughness with which they did it. Neither Mrs. W. or myself have visited any of them, as we are totally unable to go into the wards. They receive exactly the same food and attention that our men do. 1 have spoken to some who were walking about. They were Germans, and I am told the majority of them here are.
