Mr. Seward to Mr. Adams.
Sir: The failure of our assault upon the fortifications at Petersburg, which I mentioned in my last military summary, proved to be more complete and more disastrous than I had then learned. We retained none of the ground gained, and our loss Was 3,500 men which greatly exceeded that of the enemy. The result protracts the siege, but is not otherwise discouraging. The enemy recently sprang a mine in front of our works, but absolutely without effect.
You will find in the public papers very full reports of the operations of General Sherman. They have been eminently successful and very injurious to the enemy. It seems reasonable to expect a consummation of the siege of Atlanta in a few days. Our cavalry have met with severe losses in cutting off the military communications of the insurgents, but it is understood that these losses are counterbalanced by the strategic advantages gained.
The public mind has been kept highly excited by the recent movements of the insurgent column which lately visited Maryland. It is understood, however, that their operations have been chiefly cavalry movements, and that the damage they have done is confined to the destruction of a considerable portion of Chambersburg. What is believed an adequate force is now advancing against the enemy in the valley of Virginia, under command of General Sheridan. There is at least a significant cessation of the aggressive operations of the insurgents in that quarter, and at the moment I am writing we have official information that the force which destroyed Ohambersburg has already been, in effect, destroyed.
We have information, through the insurrectionary press, that Admiral Farragut, after a successful naval battle in the bay of Mobile, has passed the two lower insurgent forts and gone up to that city. We expect decisive news from that quarter without delay.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
[Same, mutatis mutandis, to other ministers in Europe.]