The reports from Halleck's command are that Gen. Pope has taken ten thousand prisoners and fifteen thousand stand of arms. It is said that the rebels are very much "demoralized", thousands of them throwing away their arms. I am glad our boys who fought so well and suffered so much at Pittsburg Landing or Shiloh have not again been called to the terrific scenes of the battlefield. Beauregard's retreat from Corinth is certainly a confession of inability on the part of the rebels to meet Halleck's forces, but I fear it will prolong the struggle for those who run away may life to fight another day. Our worthiest men cannot long endure the climate. One sickens to think how many of our young men will fall either on the battlefield or in the Hospitals into early graves. God pity us. We are a sinful nation and the divine chastisement is upon us. Let us humble ourselves and repent and turn unto the Lord if indeed he will have mercy upon us.
The battle before Richmond of May 31st and June 1st was a terrible one. The number of our killed and wounded is now placed at 7000, that of the rebels at 10,000. McClellan like Grant and Sherman tried to throw the blame of his blunders on his subordinates who suffered most by the lack of generalship. Casey's division mostly New Yorkers were made the scapegoats to save McClellan's reputation. But this won't work. The country will judge for itself. This is called the battle of Fair Oaks.
Dr. Frank Hart & his wife here to tea. He has just returned from Corinth.
Peggy's comments:
The reports that General Pope had taken 10,000 prisoners and fifteen thousand stand of arms was exaggerated. In actuality, Pope had destroyed an ammunition train and captured about 200 Confederate wounded. Halleck misunderstood Pope's communication and sent news to the war department that 10,000 prisoners had been captured as well as 15,000 stand of arms.
The Battle of Seven Pines--Fair Oaks near Richmond indeed was a terrible one. Final casualties were:
Federals: 5,031 (790 killed, 3,594 wounded, 647 captured or missing)
Confederates: 6,134 (980 killed, 4,749 wounded, 405 captured or missing)
After this battle, General Robert E. Lee was appointed commander of the Confederate Army.
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