1862 September 21 Upton's Farm

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


                             Upton’s Farm, Sept. 21.
     The armies of Pope & McDowell having,
on Saturday been badly defeated, fell back,
and today arrived here and encamped.  It
would be untruth to say they were com=
=pletely demoralized, but truth demands that
the statement should be made that effect of
bad generalship is plainly perceptible throughout
the ranks.  Not one who has served under
McDowell have the least confidence in him,
and his bad planning and gross mistakes
have become so common that the matter
ought to be seen to.  It is reported that
he is under arrest.  If true, it grieves no one
but himself. ---Our troops fought bravely
on Saturday, and on the identical ground where
McDowell was defeated thirteen months ago.
The forces engaged on our side were of the
right material; conspicuous among them
were the broad-shouldered, hardy sons of the
West, who, on more than one occasion, have
proved superior to vaunting Southern chivalry.
But the best of instruments are ineffective, when improperly

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handled.  I do not speak thus to
disparage the merits of troops from other
portions of the country, I only repeat
what has almost become @ by-word.
     Our forces were compelled to aban=
=don the field, together with hundreds of
our dead and wounded, to the mercies
of the foe.
     The “Army of the Potomac,” after
a six months’ arduous campaign, have
gained nothing, and suffered much.
All the territory they have fought for
and won in Eastern Virginia they have
had to yield, and withdraw under cover
of the defenses around Washington.
But they have labored, and have suffered.
They have accomplished wonders, but all
in vain, they are now where they started,
and in a much worse condition.
     Somebody must be to blame.  His
own army does not condemn McClellan, but is
enthusiastic in his praise.  He has had to contend
with Northern politicians as well as Southern fire-eaters.

This is the last entry in the diary of Charles Hay.  


[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13925