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be ordered off any moment. We met a number of ambulances conveying the sick from the other side of the river. Every thing seems to indicate a speedy movement of the troops.

Sunday 9th    Saw Com. Subrick on my way to church in the afternoon. he was excited by the news that the iron clad steamer Merrimac which has been fitting up in Norfolk harbor had sunk one of the vessels of the blockading squadron destroyed a second while a third was aground.

Monday 10th    The time [[strikethough]] looked [[strikethrough]] anticipated by some with eager beating hearts by others with sad forebodings has come at last. The grand movement of the troop took place to day. We did not see them go but Dr Cox told us this evening that the procession was three hours in passing the hotel where he was staying. He said there was no shouting. The faces of the men were determined as though they meant to do their duty but grave with the thought of the severe struggle before them. The Southerners are said to have evacuated Manasses for fear of being attacked in the rear. Poor Gen. Casey I am glad to learn has not been obliged to leave his wife. 

Capt. Davis is in Baltimore on his way to Wash. as [[became?]] of dispatches from Capt Dupent he telegraphs that St Simons & Brunswick Ga. & Fort Clinch & St Mary's Florida are taken by the fleet.
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Leesburg has been evacuated by the Southerners.

Tuesday 11th. Manassas has been evacuated. The immense Southern Army is gone. Where, no one knows. Our troops last night were at Centreville. Gen. McClellan at Fairfax Court House. News has been received from Roanoke Island that Gen. Burnside is preparing for another expedition to the main land. It is thought by some that the Southern army has gone to meet him. The cities of Fernandina on the Georgia coast & St Marys Florida, have been taken by the expedition under Capt DuPont. or rather have been evacuated by the Southerners. The town of Fernandina was particularly well defended & the possession of its batteries commanding all the windings of the ship channel rendered the approach of an enemy vessels almost impossible  had the courage of the Southerners equaled their advantage of position. They fled precipitately without attempting any resistance.

Com. Buchanan is said to have been the commander of the Merrimac in her attack upon the Government vessels.

Wed. 12th.  It is rumoured to day that the Burnside expedition has been surrounded by the army lately at Manassas & entirely destroyed but there does not seem to be much foundation for the statement. The President & organizers the Army of the Patomac into 4 corps. 1st corps of 4 divisions. Gen. McDowell commander. 2nd of 3 div. Brig. Gen. Sumner
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