From the Knoxville Register
Munson’s Hill, in sight Washington City, August 31, 1861.
Dear Register:—Agreeable to my promise to you yesterday, I now write you a line from within full view of Washington City, Alexandria and all the encampments of Lincoln’s army this side of the Potomac. Since I wrote you last nothing has transpired on a large scale. We have had several skirmishes with their pickets; in a skirmish this morning, we killed two and took three prisoners.
We have now finished our fortifications on Munson’s Hill, also on Mason’s Hill, and we will commence fortifications to-morrow on Upton’s Hill, which will give us three strong positions some two miles apart, in plain view of Washington city, which we can hold against 40,000 Vandals with 15,000 Southern will-be freemen. We have been here since the morning of the 28th. We have been on picket duty and at work in the entrenchments all the time; but the East Tennessee boys can stand anything.
Col. Kemper’s Regiment of Virginia volunteers has been relieved to-day by Col. Preston’s regiment, We prefer remaining in front until a blow is struck; but I think we will be relieved against our own will. All our baggage is back at Fairfax Station. If we are ordered back, we will have to go, but will hate it very much.
11 o’clock, A. M. 31st.
I have just been ordered to send Lieutenant Col. Reese, with half of our regiment, three miles off to our left which will be one mile nearer Arlington Heights, on the North side of the Alexandria and Leesburg pike road. I sent companies A, B, C, D and K. I shall listen to hear of some hot work over between our pickets; but all their pickets and whole regiments are withdrawing near the Potomac.
A “good one” came off late last evening. They brought their balloon within three miles of our hill and raised it in plain view, to take a good look at us. Capt. Dawser, of the Washington Artillery, took one of his cannon (some half dozen of us mounted, accompanied him) to within about two miles of the balloon. He took two shots at it, and you never saw such a scattering among the troops that had it in charge. They got it down and away soon. It was only just above the tops of the timber; so I don’t think it will be raised in our reach soon again.
I am glad to say to you that Mrs. Colonel Stuart, Mrs. Mag. Morgan, Mrs. Capt. McElrath and Mrs. Vaughn, have all been here to-day, and took a fine view from within our entrenchments, of Washington, Alexandria, their camps, &c. They saw several shots exchanged by the pickets on both sides, who are all in plain view of us. Our entrenchments are surrounded by cleared fields, and in front of us to Baily’s Cross Roads, some fifteen hundred yards. It was quite interesting to the ladies. Mrs. Vaughn walked down the road with me some distance towards our pickets, when a shot was fired, which caused her to advance no further.
I must close, but will write again soon, as I know our friends will be anxious to hear from us.
Yours truly,
J.C. VAUGHN.
Daily Nashville Patriot, Nashville, TN
John Crawford Vaughn
J. C. Vaughn was a Confederate cavalry officer from East Tennessee. He served in the Mexican–American War, prospected in the California Gold Rush, and participated in American Civil War battles including First Manassas, Vicksburg, Piedmont and Saltville. He commanded the 3rd Tennessee Infantry Regiment (Provisional Army).