Rumors spread through camps

[caller]

As I was searching through my Gr-g-g-grandfather's civil war journal, I noted a few instances where rumor and reality did not make acquaintances. Perhaps some, such as the following was more wishful thinking on their parts. (As background, this is from John Gordon Morrison, 30th NY VI when he was stationed in the area of Arlington, VA). My quest is to find many of these types of rumors (and how they were started and spread) - victory's that were defeats, great battles that didn't happen, miracles/wonders that didn't happen, etc...

September 4th, Wednesday (1861).

Went making roads through the woods. Received a letter from home. Heard through the papers that Jeff Davis was dead. Don't believe it, though. Reason why - the Devil is good to his own. Expected a fight all day, holding ourselves in readiness to march at a moment's notice. Had orders to fill our canteens with water and to stow away 2 days' provision in our haversacks and to be ready to [march] at a moment's notice through the night, Had orders to have two days' cooked provisions on hand. I think there is a fight looming up on the horizon and I think it will burst up pretty soon.​

 

[caller]

More from John G. Morrison - This is the initial quote that piqued my interest - seeing that there could be such confusion and misinformation - at a time when the telephone game hadn't even been invented.

Hunters Chapel
Fairfax County
Virginia
July - 1861


Saturday, July 20th.

Received orders yesterday to hold our selves in readiness to march after McDowell's army, which left for Richmond this last week. Everthing was ready and all hands in a fever of expectation. The sound of a horse's hoof was surely a-coming, but we were doomed to dissapointment time and again. I being on guard had every thing in readiness for an immediate start, but no order came. ​

Sunday, July 21st.

Came off guard at 9 A.M. Had divine service at 11. During service heavy cannonading was to be heard in the direction of Faifax. About noon an orderly came with orders for us to fall in at 3 P.M. and march across the long Bridge into Virginia. Three, four and five came but no march yet. At last about 8 the orders came for us to fall in, and we started for Washington. Arrived at the Long Bridge. A mounted officer rode up to the Colonel and handed him an order for us to return to our camp, as McDowell had fought a great battle at Manassas and had completely routed them, and so there was no occasion for us. At the news of the victory we gave three hearty cheers and counter marched and arrived back about 11 1/2 P.M. ​

Monday, July 22nd.

Raining hard, as it did all night. Strange rumours began to come concerning the fight of yesterday. It is being whispered around that in place of a victory that we were most disgracefully beaten and that our whole army panicstricken and, utterly demoralized, had fled in all directions. Every hour through the day the news became worse as fresh bands of stragglers keep arriving and of course adding something to the thousand and one stories of the defeat and subsequent plight. In the afternoon the rebels took possession of Centreville. The street of Washington were filled with stragling soldiers seeking their companies and regiments. ​

Tuesday, July 23rd.

More yarns concerning the fight. Barney Corrigan came to see us today. He was at the fight. He belongs to Ellsworth's Zouaves. He says he fired six rounds and their the Regiment broke and run. Today the enemy is in possession of Fairfax and Munson's hill. ​