1862 August 28 Alexandria,Va.

[from the diary of Charles Hay of the 23rd Ohio]


      

                        Alexandria, Va., Aug. 28. 1862.
     Yesterday afternoon, Paymaster Newell gave
us a visit, and, before leaving presented
all of us with some “green backs,” which
come very convenient just now.
     McClellan’s grand army, direct from the
Peninsula, landed at Alexandria today, and
marched out in front of town, in the
direction of Manassas.  They look as though
they had seen hard service, as their thinned
ranks will testify.  The “Grand Army” which
was, six months ago, our pride and boast,
comes back to us after a hard summer’s
campaign among the malarious swamps of the
Chickahominy, a mere remnant; defeated, but
not conquered. – In searching for some
acquaintances, I walked over three miles
directly out of the city, and camps, as
thick as they could be, lined the road on either
side, the entire way, and as far as I could see.
     The 11th. & 12th. O.V.I. had a fight at Manassas yes=
=terday with a superior force, and retired after obstinate
fighting nearly all day, with a loss of over 100, all told.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13925