Monday, July 9, 2012

1862 July 7 Staunton, Va.

[from the diary of Joseph Addison Waddell, civilian employee of the Quartermaster Dept.]



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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