Washington May 14/64
We hear nothing but confirmatory news today of what we had yesterday. At last accounts the rebel Army was fleeing before the Union troops. It is said that their retreat has become a rout. We hear today from Sherman in Georgia. He has taken Dalton and some 5000 prisoners and a large number of Cannon and small arms. Success attends our Armies everywhere as far as heard from since the Campaigns opened in V.A. [and] Georgia. Genl Banks has made a complete failure of his Expedition up the Red River and lost largely in men and Stores. But that is of little account compared with the importance of operations near to us here. We think that Lees army is crushed, or nearly so. Those who are somewhat more sanguine than myself believe that the War is nearly over. About Eight thousand Prisoners arrived here today and about four hundred Officers (rebel) have been sent to Fort Delaware for confinement. Those Prisoners that have been sent here I suppose will be sent further North. Over twelve thousand of our wounded soldiers have arrived and been placed in Hospital[s]. Most of them are but slightly wounded, and will be sent back to the Army in two or three weeks, probably two thirds of them or at least one half should never have left, for many are but slightly injured and some, not at all. Fredericksburg is one great Hospital. It is said that the inhabitants (rebel) are very kind to our wounded opening their houses voluntarily and nursing them. This report may not prove true. I hope it is true. I was on the Ave this afternoon. I thought I had never seen it so much Crowded with people and vehicles. The weather is delightfully Cool. No mud and no dust (as it rained yesterday) and everybody seemed to be out. The ladies were showing their spring dresses & hats and being gazed at by the loungers and criticized or admired as the “fixings” struck the fancy of the crowd. Great crowds were at the Bulletin boards gazing most intently at the big Capitals and astonishing announcements of Glorious Victories &c. Patriotic men were smiling and shaking hands and feeling well everywhere. I meet some men everyday whose countenances indicate the state of rebel prospects, with as much accuracy as the Barometer does the weather. Today some of them in their attempts to Smile at the good news only bitterly grined. No one dares openly to express disunion, or disloyal sentiment. The guard house or the old Capitol would be their portion at once if more summary punishment was not meted out on the spot. But in our midst and all around us are those whose hearts are with the South in this great contest. When treason could be talked aloud here they talked it. Policy, and self preservation now only keeps them silent. Many of them are shrewd mony making men, and strange as it may appear the Govt is frequently found to be their best customer. They are all doomed to be overwhelmed as regards their political influence here by the universal “Yankee.” Washington will soon be governed and purified by “Yankees” and the day is near at hand.