December 3, 1861 (Monday): Spies In the War Department?

HEADQUARTERS FIRST CORPS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Centerville, Va., December 3, 1861.

 Honorable J. P. BENJAMIN,
Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.:
    SIR: I inclose you herewith for your information two communications from our agents, which would seem to indicate an early advance of the enemy, probably on this place and the batteries along the Potomac. Trusting in Providence, the sanctity of our cause, and the valor of our troops, we hope that victory will once more crown our efforts, whatever may be the odds the enemy will bring to bear against us. I beg to call your attention specially to that part of the communication from Alexandria which reads as follows: "Rumor states that we have a traitor in the War Department at Richmond who transmits news to Washington." We have lately received several communications to the same effect, and also (from other sources) that McClellan is fully informed as to the exact number of our forces here, which is only known to a few of our staff officers. Whether the reported rumor be true or not, I have thought it advisable to call your attention to the subject in order to put you on your guard relative to the employes of the War Department who have access to its files.
I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. T. BEAUREGARD,

 
General, Commanding.

Official Records, Series I., Vol 51, Part 2, Page 403.

In early December of 1861 President Lincoln still had hopes of getting McClellan to advance.  It is possible the Confederates were hearing reports from inside the administration of desired Union movements, as opposed to actual preparations.  In any event, the advance did not materialize, as McClellan was already casting his eye eastward toward an advance up the James which would not occur until the next summer.  The rumor of a spy in the Confederate War Department has not been borne out in any postwar accounts.