ave just finished
up Jones and am going into Ewelling; many prisoners and guns.'

"The enemy made six assaults on Hanscom, which were repulsed. Broomfield
now reported that he had lost connection with Hanscom. Silent wrote him:
'Push the enemy; that is the best way to make connection.'

"Desultory fighting continued until midnight, when the enemy gave up the
task of re-taking their lost line and retreated. Thus ended the eighth
day of marching and most desperate fighting ever known.

"The next morning an assault was made in order to take possession of
high ground near the court-house, which was a success, without any
considerable resistance. The rain was now falling in torrents. The roads
became so muddy that they were impassable, which prevented any further
movement for the present. The collecting of the wounded and burying the
dead was a sight to behold. The whole country back for miles was one
continuous hospital. Our losses were over 20,000, and no one could ever
ascertain the loss of the enemy; but it could not have been less than
30,000--including prisoners.

"The howl that was set up by the Sons of Liberty and Copperheads
excelled anything that had ever been heard. Silent was a 'murderer,' a
'butcher,' a 'brute,' an 'inhuman monster.' The enemy, however, were all
right. They were 'humane friends,' 'good Christians,' etc. The hypocrisy
of this world is perfectly amazing.

"At this time take a glance at the rebel capital. Boutler was within ten
miles; Sherlin's troopers were, many of them, inside the works on the
north side of Richmond. Sherwood was forcing the rebel Army of the
Center. Gen. Crookerhad cut all railroads between Tennessee and
Richmond. All lines of communication with Richmond were severed,
and confusion and terror reigned in the rebel capital. Jeff Davis
contemplated flight, but was prevented by those surrounding him. With
all these evidences of our final success and failure on their part, the
anti-war party in the North could find no words of contumely too severe
for our successful commanders.

"Henry and I left for Washington, and in the confusion of everything I
finally found a surgeon by the name of Bliss, who informed me where I
could find my son Jackson. He had been brought to Washington and placed
in the Stone Mansion Hospital, on Meridian Hill. We lost no time in
visiting that place, and by permission of the surgeon in charge visited
Jackson. We found him with a high fever and some evi