Monday morning, July 7, 1862.
A great variety of reports from Richmond since 
Friday, but no                   reliable intelligence as to the state 
of affairs.  At one time we had heard                   that the greater 
part of the Federal army was is surrounded and would will 
 certainly be captured [there was a rumor yesterday that 
50,000 had been                   taken], and immediately afterwards 
it is asserted that they have                   effected their escape.  The 
latter I believe to be true.                    McClelland has at last, 
no doubt, got to a position on James                   River, where 
his transports and gunboats are, his columns a 
good deal                   shattered, but not seriously reduced in 
numbers.  We have about 5000                   prisoners (besides 
the wounded) including one Major General and four 
or                   five Brigadiers.  No estimates have yet been 
made of the numbers slain.                    Although we have not 
routed the Federal army, we have gained a great 
 success.  The North had no expectation of a repulse. 
The following                   extract from "Harpers Weekly," pub-
lished early last week, shows the                   confident feeling of 
the people in that region.
John Seddon, of Stafford, Maj. commanding                   the 
Irish Battalion, went home with me to dinner yes-
terday, and                   remained till seven o'clock.  Dr. Arch. Gra-
ham came up after                   supper.  Mrs. McC. and Miss A. re-
mained with him, while the rest of us went to                   church.
MSS 38-258
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