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diff --git a/31087.txt b/31087.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e0e77cc --- /dev/null +++ b/31087.txt @@ -0,0 +1,37973 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the +Confederate States Capital, by John Beauchamp Jones + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital + +Author: John Beauchamp Jones + +Release Date: January 26, 2010 [EBook #31087] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Stephanie Eason, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. + + + + + + + + + + A + REBEL WAR CLERK'S + DIARY + AT THE + CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. + + + BY + J. B. JONES, + + CLERK IN THE WAR DEPARTMENT OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES GOVERNMENT; + AUTHOR OF "WILD WESTERN SCENES," ETC. ETC. + + + VOLS. I and II. + + + PHILADELPHIA: + J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO. + 1866. + + + + Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, by + J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO., + + In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the + Eastern District of Pennsylvania. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +This Diary was written with the knowledge of the President and the +Secretary of War. I informed them of it by note. They did not deprecate +criticism on their official conduct; for they allowed me still to +execute the functions of a very important position in the Government +until the end of its career. + +My discriminating friends will understand why I accepted the poor title +of a clerkship, after having declined the _Chargeship_ to Naples, +tendered by Mr. Calhoun during the administration of President Polk. + +J. B. J. + +ONANCOCK, Accomac Co., Va., + +_March_, 1866. + + + + +CONTENTS. + +VOLUME I. + +CHAPTER I. + + My flight from the North and escape into Virginia.-- + Revolutionary scene at Richmond.--The Union Convention + passes the Ordinance of Secession.--Great excitement + prevails in the South. 13 + +CHAPTER II. + + Depart for Montgomery.--Interview with President Davis.-- + My position in the Government.--Government removed to + Richmond.--My family. 30 + +CHAPTER III. + + Troops pour into Richmond.--Beginning of hostilities.-- + Gen. Lee made a full general.--Major-Gen. Polk.--A battle + expected at Manassas. 47 + +CHAPTER IV. + + My family in North Carolina.--Volunteers daily rejected.-- + Gen. Winder appears upon the stage.--Toombs commissioned.-- + Hunter Secretary of State.--Duel prevented.--Col. B. + Secretary for a few hours.--Gen. Garnett killed.--Battle of + Manassas.--Great excitement.--Col. Bartow. 57 + +CHAPTER V. + + My son Custis appointed clerk in the War Department.--N. Y. + Herald contains a pretty correct army list of the C. S.-- + Appearance of the "Plug Uglies."--President's rupture with + Beauregard.--President sick.--Alien enemies ordered away.-- + Brief interview with the President.--"Immediate."--Large + numbers of cavalry offering.--Great preparations in the + North. 69 + +CHAPTER VI. + + Four hundred thousand troops to be raised.--Want of arms.-- + Yankees offer to sell them to us.--Walker resigns.-- + Benjamin succeeds.--Col. J. A. Washington killed.--Assigned, + temporarily, to the head of the passport office. 77 + +CHAPTER VII. + + An order for the publication of the names of alien + enemies.--Some excitement.--Efforts to secure property.-- + G. A. Myers, lawyer, actively engaged.--Gen. Price gains a + victory in Missouri.--Billy Wilson's cut-throats cut to + pieces at Fort Pickens.--A female spy arrives from + Washington.--Great success at Leesburg or Ball's Bluff. 82 + +CHAPTER VIII. + + Quarrel between Gen. Beauregard and Mr. Benjamin.--Great + naval preparations in the North.--The loss of Port Royal, + S. C., takes some prestige.--The affair at Belmont does not + compensate for it.--The enemy kills an old hare.--Missouri + secedes.--Mason and Slidell captured.--French Consul and the + actresses.--The lieutenant in disguise.--Eastern Shore of + Virginia invaded.--Messrs. Breckinridge and Marshall in + Richmond. 89 + +CHAPTER IX. + + Gen. Lee ordered South.--Gen. Stuart ambuscaded at + Drainsville.--W. H. B. Custis returns to the Eastern + Shore.--Winder's detectives.--Kentucky secedes.--Judge + Perkins's resolution.--Dibble goes North.--Waiting for + Great Britain to do something.--Mr. Ely, the Yankee M. C. 96 + +CHAPTER X. + + Seward gives up Mason and Slidell.--Great preparations of + the enemy.--Gen. Jackson betrayed.--Mr. Memminger's + blunders.--Exaggerated reports of our troops in Kentucky + and Tennessee. 103 + + +CHAPTER XI. + + Fall of Fort Henry.--Of Fort Donelson.--Lugubrious + Inauguration of the President in the Permanent + Government.--Loss of Roanoke Island. 108 + +CHAPTER XII. + + Nashville evacuated.--Martial law.--Passports.--Com. + Buchanan's naval engagement.--Gen. Winder's blunders.--Mr. + Benjamin Secretary of State.--Lee commander-in-chief.--Mr. + G. W. Randolph Secretary of War. 112 + +CHAPTER XIII. + + Gen. Beauregard succeeds Gen. Sydney Johnston.--Dibble, the + traitor.--Enemy at Fredericksburg.--They say we will be + subdued by the 15th of June.--Lee rapidly concentrating at + Richmond.--Webster, the spy, hung. 118 + +CHAPTER XIV. + + Disloyalists entrapped.--Norfolk abandoned.--Merrimac blown + up.--Army falling back.--Mrs. Davis leaves Richmond.-- + Preparing to burn the tobacco.--Secretary of War trembles + for Richmond.--Richmond to be defended.--The tobacco.-- + Winking and blinking.--Johnston's great battle.--Wounded + himself.--The wounded.--The hospitals. 122 + +CHAPTER XV. + + Huger fails again.--A wounded boy.--The killed and + wounded.--Lee assumes command.--Lee prepares to attack + McClellan.--Beauregard watches the gold.--Our generals + scattered.--Hasty letter from Gen. Lee.--Opening of grand + battle.--First day, 26th June.--Second, etc.--Lee's + consummate skill.--Every day for a week it rages.--Streets + crowded with Blue Jackets.--McClellan retires. 131 + +CHAPTER XVI. + + Terrific fighting.--Anxiety to visit the battle-field.-- + Lee prepares for other battles.--Hope for the Union + extinct.--Gen. Lee brings forward conscripts.--Gen. Cobb + appointed to arrange exchange of prisoners.--Mr. Ould as + agent.--Pope, the braggart, comes upon the stage.--Meets a + braggart's fate.--The war transferred to Northern Virginia. 140 + +CHAPTER XVII. + + Vicksburg shelled.--Lee looks toward Washington.--Much + manoeuvring in Orange County.--A brigade of the enemy + annihilated.--McClellan flies to Washington.--Cretans.--Lee + has a mighty army.--Missouri risings.--Pope's coat and + papers captured.--Cut up at Manassas.--Clothing captured of + the enemy. 147 + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + Lee announces a victory.--Crosses the Potomac.--Battle of + Sharpsburg.--McClellan pauses at the Potomac.--Lee moves + mysteriously.--The campaign a doubtful one in its material + results.--Horrible scene near Washington.--Conscription + enlarged.--Heavy loss at Sharpsburg.--10,000 in the + hospitals here. 151 + +CHAPTER XIX. + + McClellan has crossed the Potomac.--Another battle + anticipated.--I am assured here that Lee had but 40,000 men + engaged at Sharpsburg.--He has more now, as he is defending + Virginia.--Radicals of the North want McClellan removed.-- + Our President has never taken the field.--Lee makes + demonstrations against McClellan.--A Jew store robbed last + night.--We have 40,000 prisoners excess over the enemy.-- + My family arrived from Raleigh.--My wife's substitute for + coffee.--Foul passports.--My friend Brooks dines and wines + with members of Congress.--The Herald and Tribune tempt us + to return to the Union.--Lee writes, no immediate advance + of McClellan.--Still a rumor of Bragg's victory in + Kentucky.--Enemy getting large reinforcements.--Diabolical + order of Governor Baylor.--Secretary's estimate of + conscripts and all others, 500,000.--Bragg retreating from + Kentucky.--Bickering between Bragg and Beauregard.--Lee + wants Confederate notes made a legal tender.--There will be + no second Washington. 160 + +CHAPTER XX. + + Gen. Lee in Richmond: beard white.--First proposition to + trade cotton to the enemy.--Secretary in favor of it.--All + the letters come through my hands again.--Lee falling + back.--5000 negroes at work on the fortifications.--Active + operations looked for.--Beauregard advises non-combatants to + leave the city.--Semmes's operations.--Making a nation.-- + Salt works lost in Virginia.---Barefooted soldiers.-- + Intrigues of Butler in New Orleans.--Northern army advancing + everywhere.--Breach between the President and Secretary of + War.--President's servant arrested for robbing the + Treasury.--Gen. J. E. Johnston in town.--Secretary has + resigned.--Hon. J. A. Seddon appointed Secretary of War.-- + The enemy marching on Fredericksburg.--Lee writes that he + will be ready for them.--Kentuckians will not be hog + drivers.--Women and children flying from the vicinity of + Fredericksburg.--Fears for Wilmington.--No beggars.--Quiet + on the Rappahannock.--M. Paul, French Consul, saved the + French tobacco.--Gen. Johnston goes West.--President gives + Gov. Pettit full authority to trade cotton to France. 179 + +CHAPTER XXI. + + The great crisis at hand.--The rage for speculation raises + its head.--Great battle of Fredericksburg.--The States + called on for supplies.--Randolph resigns as + brigadier-general.--South Carolina honor.--Loss at + Fredericksburg.--Great contracts.--Lee's ammunition + bad.--Small-pox here. 199 + +CHAPTER XXII. + + Lee in winter quarters.--Bragg's victory in the + Southwest.--The President at Mobile.--Enemy withdraw from + Vicksburg.--Bragg retreats as usual.--Bureau of + Conscription.--High rents.--Flour contracts in Congress.-- + Efforts to escape conscription.--Ships coming in freely.-- + Sneers at negro troops.--Hopes of French intervention.-- + Gen. Rains blows himself up.--Davis would be the last to + give up.--Gov. Vance protests against Col. August's + appointment as commandant of conscripts.--Financial + difficulties in the United States. 228 + +CHAPTER XXIII. + + Proposed fixture of prices.--Depreciation in the North.-- + Gen. Hooker in command of the U. S. forces.--Lee thinks + Charleston will be attacked.--Congress does nothing.-- + Some fears for Vicksburg.--Pemberton commands.--Wise + dashes into Williamsburg.--Rats take food from my + daughter's hand.--Lee wants the meat sent from Georgia + to Virginia, where the fighting will be.--Gen. Winder + uneasy about my Diary.--Gen. Johnston asks to be relieved + in the West. 252 + +CHAPTER XXIV. + + Removed into Clay Street.--Gen. Toombs resigned.--Lincoln + dictator.--He can call 3,000,000 of men.--President is + sick.--His office is not a bed of roses.--Col. Gorgas sends + in his oath of allegiance.--Confederate gold $5 for $1.-- + Explosion of a laboratory.--Bad weather everywhere.-- + Fighting on the Mississippi River.--Conflict of views in + the Conscription Bureau.--Confederate States currency $10 + for $1.--Snow a foot deep, but melting.--We have no negro + regiments in our service.--Only 6000 conscripts from East + Tennessee.--How seven were paroled by one.--This is to be + the crisis campaign.--Lee announces the campaign open. 265 + +CHAPTER XXV. + + Symptoms of bread riots.--Lee forming depots of provisions + near the Rappahannock.--Beauregard ready to defend + Charleston.--He has rebuffed the enemy severely.--French and + British advancing money on cotton.--The Yankees can beat us + in bargaining.--Gen. Lee anxious for new supplies.--The + President appeals to the people to raise food for man and + beast.--Federal and Confederate troops serenading each other + on the Rappahannock.--Cobbler's wages $3000 per annum.-- + Wrangling in the Indian country.--Only 700 conscripts per + month from Virginia.--Longstreet at Suffolk.--The + President's well eye said to be failing.--A + "reconnoissance!"--We are planting much grain.--Picking up + pins.--Beautiful season.--Gen. Johnston in Tennessee.-- + Longstreet's successes in that State.--Lee complains that + his army is not fed.--We fear for Vicksburg now.--Enemy + giving up plunder in Mississippi.--Beauregard is busy at + Charleston.--Gen. Marshall, of Kentucky, fails to get + stock and hogs.--Gen. Lee calls for Longstreet's corps.-- + The enemy demonstrating on the Rappahannock. 284 + +CHAPTER XXVI. + + Lee snuffs a battle in the breeze.--Hooker's army supposed + to be 100,000 men.--Lee's perhaps 55,000 efficient.--I am + planting potatoes.--Part of Longstreet's army gone up.-- + Enemy makes a raid.--Great victory at Chancellorville.-- + Hot weather.--Our poor wounded coming in streams, in + ambulances and on foot.--Hooker has lost the game.-- + Message from the enemy.--They ask of Lee permission to bury + their dead.--Granted, of course.--Hooker fortifying.--Food + getting scarce again.--Gen. Lee's thanks to the army.-- + Crowds of prisoners coming in.--Lieut.-Gen. Jackson dead.-- + Hooker's raiders "hooked" a great many horses.--Enemy + demand 500,000 more men.--Beauregard complains that so many + of his troops are taken to Mississippi.--Enemy at Jackson, + Miss.--Strawberries.--R. Tyler.--My cherries are coming on + finely.--Ewell and Hill appointed lieutenant-generals.-- + President seems to doubt Beauregard's veracity.--Hon. + D. M. Lewis cuts his wheat to-morrow, May 28th.--Johnston + says our troops are in fine spirits around Vicksburg.-- + Grant thunders on.--Plan of servile insurrection. 303 + +CHAPTER XXVII. + + Vicksburg refuses to surrender to Grant.--Spiritualism at + the White House.--Lee is pushing a little northward.--It is + said Grant has lost 40,000 men.--He is still pounding + Vicksburg.--Petty military organizations.--Mr. Randolph + busy.--Foolish passport rules.--Great battle imminent, but + speculation may defeat both sides.--Early's victory.--We + have only supplies of corn from day to day.--Chambersburg + struck.--Col. Whiting complains of blockade-running at + Wilmington.--False alarm.--Grant still before Vicksburg. 338 + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + + Enemy threatening Richmond.--The city is safe.--Battle of + Gettysburg.--Great excitement.--Yankees in great trouble.-- + Alas! Vicksburg has fallen.--President is sick.--Grant + marching against Johnston at Jackson.--Fighting at that + place.--Yankees repulsed at Charleston.--Lee and Meade + facing each other.--Pemberton surrenders his whole army.-- + Fall of Port Hudson.--Second class conscripts called for.-- + Lee has got back across the Potomac.--Lincoln getting + fresh troops.--Lee writes that he cannot be responsible if + the soldiers fail for want of food.--Rumors of Grant coming + East.--Pemberton in bad odor.--Hon. W. L. Yancey is dead. 366 + + +VOLUME II. + +CHAPTER XXIX. + + Some desertion.--Lee falling back.--Men still foolishly look + for foreign aid.--Speculators swarming.--God helps me + to-day.--Conscripts.--Memminger shipping gold to Europe.-- + Our women and children making straw bonnets.--Attack on + Charleston.--Robert Tyler as a financier.--Enemy throw large + shells into Charleston, five and a half miles.--Diabolical + scheme.--Gen. Lee has returned to the army. 3 + +CHAPTER XXX. + + Situation at Wilmington.--Situation at Charleston.--Lincoln + thinks there is hope of our submission.--Market prices.-- + Ammunition turned over to the enemy at Vicksburg.--Attack + on Sumter.--Stringent conscription order.--Disaffection in + North Carolina.--Victory announced by Gen. Bragg.--Peril of + Gen. Rosecrans.--Surrender of Cumberland Gap.--Rosecrans + fortifying Chattanooga.--Mr. Seward on flag of truce boat.-- + Burnside evacuating East Tennessee.--The trans-Mississippi + army.--Meade sending troops to Rosecrans.--Pemberton in + Richmond.--A suggestion concerning perishable tithes. 30 + +CHAPTER XXXI. + + Suffering of our wounded at Gettysburg.--Prisoners from the + battle of Chickamauga.--Charleston.--Policy in the + Southwest.--From Gen. Bragg.--Letter from President Davis.-- + Religious revival.--Departure of the President for the + Southwest.--About General Bragg.--Movement of mechanics and + non-producers.--About "French" tobacco.--The markets.-- + Outrage in Missouri.--Speculations of government agents.-- + From Gen. Lee.--Judge Hastings's scheme.--Visit to our + prisons.--Letter from Gen. Kirby Smith.--President Davis + at Selma.--Gen. Winder's passports.--The markets.-- + Campbellites and Methodists.--From Gen. Lee.--From the + Southwest. 57 + +CHAPTER XXXII. + + Letters from various sections.--The President and Gen. + Bragg.--State of the markets.--Causes of the President's + tour.--Gen. Duff Green.--Return of the President.--Loss of + Hoke's and Haye's brigades.--Letter from Gen. Howell + Cobb.--Dispatch from Gen. Lee.--State of the markets.-- + Letter from A. Moseley.--Mrs. Todd in Richmond.-- + Vice-President Stephens on furloughs.--About Gen. Bragg and + the battle of Lookout Mountain. 85 + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + + Assembling of Congress.--President's message.--The + markets.--No hope for the Confederate currency.--Averill's + raid.--Letter from Gov. Vance.--Christmas.--Persons having + furnished substitutes still liable to military duty. 110 + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + + Hospitalities of the city to Gen. Morgan.--Call for a + Dictator.--Letter from Gen. Lee.--Letters from Gov. + Vance.--Accusation against Gen. Winder.--Treatment of + Confederate prisoners (from the _Chicago Times_).-- + Change of Federal policy.--Efforts to remove Col. + Northrop.--Breach between the President and Congress.-- + Destitution of our prisoners.--Appeal of Gen. Lee to the + army.--New Conscription Act.--Letter from Gen. Cobb. 122 + +CHAPTER XXXV. + + Gen. Lovell applies for a command.--Auspicious opening of + 1864.--Mr. Wright's resolutions.--Rumored approach of Gen. + Butler.--Letter from Gov. Brown.--Letter from Gen. Lee.-- + Dispatches from Gen. Beauregard.--President Davis's + negroes.--Controversy between Gen. Winder and Mr. Ould.-- + Robbery of Mr. Lewis Hayman.--Promotion of Gen. Bragg, + and the _Examiner_ thereon.--Scarcity of provisions + in the army.--Congress and the President. 140 + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + + Attempt to capture Richmond.--Governor Vance and Judge + Pearson.--Preparations to blow up the "Libby" prisoners.-- + Letter from General Lee.--Proposal to execute Dahlgren's + raiders.--General Butler on the Eastern Shore.--Colonel + Dahlgren's body.--Destitution of the army.--Strength of + the Southwestern army.--Destitution of my family.--Protest + from South Carolina.--Difficulty with P. Milmo & Co.--Hon. + J. W. Wall. 162 + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + + Return of Mr. Ould and Capt. Hatch from Fortress Monroe.-- + Quarrel between Mr. Memminger and Mr. Seddon.--Famine.--A + victory in Louisiana.--Vice-President Stephens's speech.-- + Victory of Gen. Forrest.--Capture of Plymouth, N. C.--Gen. + Lee's bill of fare. 179 + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + + Dispatch from Gen. J. E. Johnston.--Dispatch from Gen. + Lee.--Mr. Saulsbury's resolution in the U. S. Senate.-- + Progress of the enemy.--Rumored preparations for the + flight of the President.--Wrangling of high officials.-- + Position of the armies. 196 + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + + Beauregard's plan.--The battle.--Defeat near Staunton.-- + Fight at Petersburg.--Decision about Marylanders.-- + Beauregard in disgrace.--Dispatch from Gen. J. E. Johnston. 223 + +CHAPTER XL. + + Gen. Lee's dispatch announcing Gen. Hampton's victory.--Cost + of a cup of coffee.--From Gens. Johnston and S. D. Lee.-- + Gen. Early in Maryland.--Rumored capture of Baltimore.-- + Letter from Gen. Lee.--Dispatch from Gen. Hood.--Status of + the local troops. 241 + +CHAPTER XLI. + + From the Northern papers.--Letter from J. Thompson, + Canada.--From Mr. McRae, our foreign agent.--Dispatch from + Major-Gen. Maury.--"General Order No. 65."--Battle of + Reams's Station. 258 + +CHAPTER XLII. + + The Federal Presidency.--The Chicago Convention.--Fall of + Atlanta.--Bureau of Conscription.--From Gen. Hood.-- + Vice-President Stephens on the situation.--Letter from + Mrs. Mendenhall.--Dispatch from Gen. Lee.--Defeat of Gen. + Early.--From Gov. Vance.--From Gov. Brown, of Georgia.-- + Gen. Lee's indorsement of Col. Moseby.--Hon. Mr. Foote.-- + Attack on Fort Gilmer.--Indiscriminate arrest of civilians. 275 + +CHAPTER XLIII. + + Attempt to retake Fort Harrison.--A false alarm.--Dispatches + from Gen. Lee.--Impressments.--Gen. Butler's generosity.-- + Matters in and about the city.--Beverly Tucker's contract + with a New York firm for supplies. 297 + +CHAPTER XLIV. + + Proclamation for a day of public worship.--Gov. Allen, of + Louisiana.--Letter from Gen. Beauregard.--Departure for + Europe.--Congress assembles.--Quarrel between Gens. Kemper + and Preston.--Gen. Forrest doing wonders.--Tennessee.--Gen. + Johnston on his Georgia campaign.--John Mitchel and Senator + Foote.--Progress of Sherman.--From Gov. Brown, of + Georgia.--Capture of Gen. Pryor. 320 + +CHAPTER XLV. + + Desertions.--Bragg and Kilpatrick.--Rents.--Gen. Winder's + management of prisoners.--Rumored disasters in + Tennessee.--Prices.--Progress of Sherman.--Around + Richmond.--Capture of Fort McAlister.--Rumored death of the + President.--Yankee line of spies.--From Wilmington and + Charleston.--Evacuation of Savannah. 343 + +CHAPTER XLVI. + + Waning confidence in the President.--Blockade-running.--From + the South.--Beauregard on Sherman.--The expeditions against + Wilmington.--Return of Mr. Pollard.--The Blairs in + Richmond.--Arrest of Hon. H. S. Foote.--Fall of Fort + Fisher.--Views of Gen. Cobb.--Dismal.--Casualties of the + war.--Peace commissioners for Washington. 371 + +CHAPTER XLVII. + + Gen. Lee appointed General-in-Chief.--Progress of + Sherman.--The markets.--Letter from Gen. Butler.--Return of + the peace commissioners.--The situation.--From Gen. Lee.-- + Use of negroes as soldiers.--Patriotism of the women.-- + Pardon of deserters.--The passport system.--Oh for peace!-- + Gen. Lee on negro soldiers.--Conventions in Georgia and + Mississippi. 405 + +CHAPTER XLVIII. + + From the North.--Rumored defeat of Gen. Early.--Panic among + officials.--Moving the archives.--Lincoln's inaugural.-- + Victory in North Carolina.--Rumored treaty with France.-- + Sheridan's movements.--Letter from Lord John Russell.-- + Sherman's progress.--Desperate condition of the + government.--Disagreement between the President and + Congress.--Development of Grant's combination.--Assault at + Hare's Hill.--Departure of Mrs. President Davis. 436 + +CHAPTER XLIX. + + Rumors of battles.--Excitement in the churches.--The South + Side Road captured by the enemy.--Evacuation of + Richmond.--Surrender of Gen. Lee.--Occupation of Richmond by + Federal forces.--Address to the people of Virginia by J. A. + Campbell and others.--Assassination of President Lincoln. 464 + + + + +A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +My flight from the North and escape into Virginia.--Revolutionary scene at + Richmond.--The Union Convention passes the Ordinance of Secession.-- + Great excitement prevails in the South. + + +APRIL 8TH, 1861. BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY.--The expedition sails to-day +from New York. Its purpose is to reduce Fort Moultrie, Charleston +harbor, and relieve Fort Sumter, invested by the Confederate forces. +Southern born, and editor of the _Southern Monitor_, there seems to be +no alternative but to depart immediately. For years the _Southern +Monitor_, Philadelphia, whose motto was "The Union as it was, the +Constitution as it is," has foreseen and foretold the resistance of the +Southern States, in the event of the success of a sectional party +inimical to the institution of African slavery, upon which the welfare +and existence of the Southern people seem to depend. And I must depart +immediately; for I well know that the first gun fired at Fort Sumter +will be the signal for an outburst of ungovernable fury, and I should be +seized and thrown into prison. + +I must leave my family--my property--everything. My family cannot go +with me--but they may follow. The storm will not break in its fury for a +month or so. Only the most obnoxious persons, deemed dangerous, will be +molested immediately. + +8 O'CLOCK P.M.--My wife and children have been busy packing my trunk, +and making other preparations for my departure. They are cheerful. They +deem the rupture of the States a _fait accompli_, but reck not of the +horrors of war. They have contrived to pack up, with other things, my +fine old portrait of Calhoun, by Jarvis. But I must leave my papers, the +accumulation of twenty-five years, comprising thousands of letters from +predestined rebels. My wife opposes my suggestion that they be burned. +Among them are some of the veto messages of President Tyler, and many +letters from him, Governor Wise, etc. With the latter I had a +correspondence in 1856, showing that this blow would probably have been +struck then, if Fremont had been elected. + +APRIL 9TH.--My adieus over, I set out in the broad light of day. When +the cars arrived at Camden, I proceeded, with the rest of the _through_ +passengers, in the boat to the navy yard, without going ashore in the +city. The passengers were strangers to me. Many could be easily +recognized as Southern men; but quite as many were going only as far as +Washington, for their reward. They were bold denouncers of the +rebellion; the others were silent, thoughtful, but in earnest. + +The first thing which attracted my attention, as the cars left the +Delaware depot, was a sign-board on my left, inscribed in large letters, +"UNION CEMETERY." My gaze attracted the notice of others. A mocking +_bon-mot_ was uttered by a Yankee wit, which was followed by laughter. + +For many hours I was plunged in the deepest abstraction, and spoke not a +word until we were entering the depot at Washington, just as the veil of +night was falling over the scene. + +Then I was aroused by the announcement of a conductor that, failing to +have my trunk rechecked at Baltimore, it had been left in that city! +Determined not to lose it, I took the return train to Baltimore, and put +up at Barnum's Hotel. Here I met with Mr. Abell, publisher of the +Baltimore _Sun_, an old acquaintance. Somewhat contrary to my +expectations, knowing him to be a native of the North, I found him an +ardent secessionist. So enthusiastic was he in the cause, that he +denounced both Maryland and Virginia for their hesitancy in following +the example of the Cotton States; and he invited me to furnish his paper +with correspondence from Montgomery, or any places in the South where I +might be a sojourner. + +APRIL 10TH.--Making an early start this morning, I once more arrived at +Washington City. I saw no evidences of a military force in the city, and +supposed the little army to be encamped at the west end of the Avenue, +guarding the Executive Mansion. + +We took an omnibus without delay and proceeded to the steamer. As soon +as we left the shore, I fancied I saw many of the passengers breathing +easier and more deeply. Certainly there was more vivacity, since we were +relieved of the presence of Republicans. And at the breakfast table +there was a freer flow of speech, and a very decided manifestation of +secession proclivities. + +Among the passengers was Major Holmes, who had just resigned his +commission in the U. S. army. He had been ordered to proceed with the +expedition against Charleston; but declined the honor of fighting +against his native land. The major is a little deaf, but has an +intellectual face, the predominant expression indicating the discretion +and prudence so necessary for success in a large field of operations. In +reply to a question concerning the military qualities of Beauregard and +Bragg, he said they were the flower of the young officers of the U. S. +army. The first had great genius, and was perhaps the most dashing and +brilliant officer in the country; the other, more sedate, nevertheless +possessed military capacities of a very high order. President Davis, in +his opinion, had made most excellent selections in the appointment of +his first generals. The major, however, was very sad at the prospect +before us; and regarded the tenders of pecuniary aid to the U. S. by the +Wall Street capitalists as ominous of a desperate, if not a prolonged +struggle. At this time the major's own State, North Carolina, like +Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Missouri, yet remains in +the Union. + +We were delayed several hours at Aquia Creek, awaiting the arrival of +the cars, which were detained in consequence of a great storm and flood +that had occurred the night before. + +APRIL 10TH AND 11TH.--These two days were mainly lost by delays, the +floods having swept away many bridges, which had not yet been repaired. +As we approached Richmond, it was observed that the people were more and +more excited, and seemed to be pretty nearly unanimous for the immediate +secession of the State. Everywhere the Convention then in session was +denounced with bitterness, for its adherence to the Union; and Gov. +Letcher was almost universally execrated for the chocks he had thrown +under the car of secession and Southern independence. I heard very many +who had voted for him, regret that they had ever supported the clique of +politicians who managed to secure his nomination. And now I learned +that a People's Spontaneous Convention would assemble in Richmond on the +16th of the month, when, if the other body persisted in its opposition +to the popular will, the most startling revolutionary measures would be +adopted, involving, perhaps, arrests and executions. Several of the +members of this body with whom I conversed bore arms upon their persons. + +APRIL 12TH.--To-day I beheld the first secession flag that had met my +vision. It was at Polecat Station, Caroline County, and it was greeted +with enthusiasm by all but the two or three Yankees in the train. One of +these, named Tupps, had been questioned so closely, and his presence and +nativity had become so well known, that he became alarmed for his +safety, although no one menaced him. He could not sit still a moment, +nor keep silence. He had been speculating in North Carolina the year +before, and left some property there, which, of course, he must save, if +needs be, at the risk of his life. But _he_ cared nothing for slavery, +and would never bear arms against the South, if she saw fit to "set up +Government business for herself." He rather guessed war was a +speculation that wouldn't pay. His volubility increased with his +perturbation, and then he drank excessively and sang Dixie. When we +reached Richmond, he was beastly drunk. + +Arrived at the Exchange Hotel, Richmond. A storm rages above, and below +in the minds of men; but the commotion of the elements above attracts +less attention than the tempest of excitement agitating the human +breast. The news-boys are rushing in all directions with extras +announcing the bombardment of Fort Sumter! This is the irrevocable blow! +Every reflecting mind here should know that the only alternatives now +are successful revolution or abject subjugation. But they do not lack +for the want of information of the state of public sentiment in the +North. It is in vain that the laggards are assured by persons just from +the North, that the Republican leaders now composing the cabinet at +Washington were prepared to hail the event at Charleston as the most +auspicious that could have happened for the accomplishment of their +designs; and that their purpose is the extinction of slavery, at least +in the border States; the confiscation of the estates of rebels to +reimburse the Federal Government for the expenses of the war which had +been deliberately resolved on; and to gratify the cupidity of the +"Wide-Awakes," and to give employment to foreign mercenaries. + +But it is not doubtful which course the current of feeling is rapidly +taking. Even in this hitherto Union city, secession demonstrations are +prevalent; and the very men who two days ago upheld Gov. Letcher in his +_conservatism_, are now stricken dumb amid the popular clamor for +immediate action. I am now resolved to remain in Richmond for a season. + +After tea I called upon Gov. Wise, who occupied lodgings at the same +hotel. He was worn out, and prostrated by a distressing cough which +threatened pneumonia. But ever and anon his eagle eye assumed its wonted +brilliancy. He was surrounded by a number of his devoted friends, who +listened with rapt attention to his surpassing eloquence. A test +question, indicative of the purpose of the Convention to adjourn without +action, had that day been carried by a decided majority. The governor +once rose from his recumbent position on the sofa and said, whatever the +majority of Union men in the Convention might do, or leave undone, +Virginia must array herself on one side or the other. She must fight +either Lincoln or Davis. If the latter, he would renounce her, and +tender his sword and his life to the Southern Confederacy. And although +it was apparent that his _physique_ was reduced, as he said, to a mere +"bag of bones," yet it was evident that his spirit yet struggled with +all its native fire and animation. + +Soon after President Tyler came in. I had not seen him for several +years, and was surprised to find him, under the weight of so many years, +unchanged in activity and energy of body and mind. He was quite as +ardent in his advocacy of prompt State action as Wise. Having recently +abandoned the presidency of the Peace Congress at Washington, in despair +of obtaining concessions or guarantees of safety from the rampant powers +then in the ascendency, he nevertheless believed, as did a majority of +the statesmen of the South, that, even then, in the event of the +secession of all the Southern States, presenting thus a united front, no +war of great magnitude would ensue. I know better, from my residence in +the North, and from the confessions of the Republicans with whom I have +been thrown in contact; but I will not dissent voluntarily from the +opinions of such statesmen. I can only, when my opinion is desired, +intimate my conviction that a great war of the sections might have been +averted, if the South had made an adequate _coup d'etat_ before the +inauguration of Lincoln, and while the Democratic party everywhere was +yet writhing under the sting and mortification of defeat. _Then_ the arm +of the Republican party would have been paralyzed, for the attitude of +the Democratic party would at least have been a menacing one; but _now_, +the Government has been suffered to fall into the possession of the +enemy, the sword and the purse have been seized, and it is _too late_ to +dream of peace--in or out of the Union. Submission will be dishonor. +Secession can only be death, which is preferable. + +Gov. Wise, smiling, rose again and walked to a corner of the room where +I had noticed a bright musket with a sword-bayonet attached. He took it +up and criticised the sword as inferior to the _knife_. Our men would +require long drilling to become expert with the former, like the French +Zouaves; but they instinctively knew how to wield the bowie-knife. The +conversation turning upon the probable deficiency of a supply of +improved arms in the South, if a great war should ensue, the governor +said, with one of his inevitable expressions of feeling, that it was not +the improved _arm_, but the improved _man_, which would win the day. Let +brave men advance with flint locks and old-fashioned bayonets, on the +popinjays of the Northern cities--advance on, and on, under the fire, +reckless of the slain, and he would answer for it with his life, that +the Yankees would break and run. But, in the event of the Convention +adjourning without decisive action, he apprehended the first conflict +would be with _Virginians_--the Union men of Virginia. He evidently +despaired, under repeated defeats, of seeing an ordinance of secession +passed immediately, and would have preferred "resistance" to +"secession." + +APRIL 13TH.--After breakfast I accompanied Gov. Wise to his room. He +advised me to remain a few days before proceeding elsewhere. He still +doubted, however, whether Virginia would move before autumn. He said +there was a majority of 500 Union men then in the city. But the _other_ +Convention, to meet on the 16th, might do something. He recommended me +to a friend of his who distributed the tickets, who gave me a card of +admission. + +APRIL 14TH.--Wrote all day for several journals. + +APRIL 15TH.--Great demonstrations made throughout the day, and hundreds +of secession flags are flying in all parts of the city. At night, while +sitting with Captain O. Jennings Wise in the editorial room of the +_Enquirer_, I learned from the Northern exchange papers, which still +came to hand, that my office in Philadelphia, "_The Southern Monitor_," +had been sacked by the mob. It was said ten thousand had visited my +office, displaying a rope with which to hang me. Finding their victim +had escaped, they vented their fury in sacking the place. I have not +ascertained the extent of the injury done; but if they injured the +building, it belonged to H. B., a rich Republican. They tore down the +signs (it was a corner house east of the Exchange), and split them up, +putting the splinters in their hats, and wearing them as trophies. They +next visited the mansion of Gen. P., who had made his fortune dealing in +cotton, and had been a bold Northern champion of Southern rights. But +the general flinched on this trying occasion. He displayed the stars and +stripes, and pledged "the boys" to lead them in battle against the +secessionists. + +During the evening, a procession with banners and torch-lights came up +the street and paused before the _Enquirer_ office. They called for +Captain Wise, and I accompanied him to the iron balcony, where he made +them a soul-stirring speech. At its conclusion, he seized me by the arm +and introduced me to the crowd. He informed them of the recent +proceedings in Philadelphia, etc., and then ceased speaking, leaving me +to tell my own story to the listening multitude. That was not my fault; +I had never attempted to make a public speech in my life; and I felt +that I was in a predicament. Wise knew it, and enjoyed my embarrassment. +I contrived, however, to say to the people that the time for speaking +had gone by, and there was no time left for listening. They proceeded up +the street, growing like a snow-ball as they rolled onward. At every +corner there were cheers uttered for Davis, and groans for Lincoln. + +Upon returning to my boarding-house (the hotel being found too +expensive), kept by Mrs. Samuels, and her sister, Miss Long, I found the +ladies making secession flags. Indeed, the ladies everywhere seem imbued +with the spirit of patriotism, and never fail to exert their influence +in behalf of Southern independence. + +APRIL 15TH.--To-day the secession fires assumed a whiter heat. In the +Convention the Union men no longer utter denunciations against the +disunionists. They merely resort to pretexts and quibbles to stave off +the inevitable ordinance. They had sent a deputation to Washington to +make a final appeal to Seward and Lincoln to vouchsafe them such +guarantees as would enable them to keep Virginia to her moorings. But in +vain. They could not obtain even a promise of concession. And now the +Union members as they walk the streets, and even Gov. Letcher himself, +hear the indignant mutterings of the impassioned storm which threatens +every hour to sweep them from existence. Business is generally +suspended, and men run together in great crowds to listen to the news +from the North, where it is said many outrages are committed on Southern +men and those who sympathize with them. Many arrests are made, and the +victims thrown into Fort Lafayette. These crowds are addressed by the +most inflamed members of the Convention, and never did I hear more +hearty responses from the people. + +APRIL 16TH.--This day the Spontaneous People's Convention met and +organized in Metropolitan Hall. The door-keeper stood with a drawn sword +in his hand. But the scene was orderly. The assembly was full, nearly +every county being represented, and the members were the representatives +of the most ancient and respectable families in the State. David +Chalmers, of Halifax County, I believe, was the President, and +Willoughby Newton, a life-long Whig, among the Vice-Presidents. P. H. +Aylett, a grandson of Patrick Henry, was the first speaker. And his +eloquence indicated that the spirit of his ancestor survived in him. But +he was for moderation and delay, still hoping that the other Convention +would yield to the pressure of public sentiment, and place the State in +the attitude now manifestly desired by an overwhelming majority of the +people. He was answered by the gallant Capt. Wise, who thrilled every +breast with his intrepid bearing and electric bursts of oratory. He +advocated action, without reference to the other Convention, as the best +means of bringing the Unionists to their senses. And the so-called +Demosthenean Seddon, and G. W. Randolph (grandson of Thomas Jefferson), +Lieut.-Gov. Montague, James Lyons, Judge Robertson, etc., were there. +Never, never did I hear more exalted and effective bursts of oratory. +And it was apparent that messages were constantly received from the +other Convention. What they were, I did not learn at the moment; but it +was evident that the Unionists were shaking in their shoes, and they +certainly begged one--just one--day's delay, which was accorded them. +The People's Convention agreed to adjourn till 10 o'clock A.M. the next +day. But before we separated a commotion was observed on the stage, and +the next moment a Mr. P., from Gov. Wise's old district, rushed forward +and announced that he had just arrived from Norfolk, where, under +instructions, and _with the acquiescence of Gov. Letcher_, he had +succeeded in blocking the channel of the river; and this would either +secure to us, or render useless to the United States, certain ships of +the navy, stores, armament, etc., of the value of millions of dollars. +This announcement was received with the wildest shouts of joy. Young men +threw up their hats, and old men buttoned their coats and clapped their +hands most vigorously. It was next hinted by some one who seemed to know +something of the matter, that before another day elapsed, Harper's Ferry +would fall into the hands of the secessionists. + +At night the enthusiasm increases in intensity, and no further +opposition is to be apprehended from the influence of Tim Rives, +Baldwin, Clemens, etc. etc. It was quite apparent, indeed, that if an +ordinance of secession were passed by the new Convention, its validity +would be recognized and acted upon by the majority of the people. But +this would be a complication of the civil war, now the decree of fate. + +Perhaps the occurrence which has attracted most attention is the raising +of the Southern flag on the capitol. It was hailed with the most +deafening shouts of applause. But at a quiet hour of the night, the +governor had it taken down, for the Convention had not yet passed the +ordinance of secession. Yet the stars and stripes did not float in its +stead; it was replaced by the flag of Virginia. + +APRIL 17TH.--This was a memorable day. When we assembled at Metropolitan +Hall, it could be easily perceived that we were on the threshold of +momentous events. All other subjects, except that of a new political +organization of the State, seemed to be momentarily delayed, as if +awaiting action elsewhere. And this plan of political organization +filled me with alarm, for I apprehended it would result in a new +conflict between the old parties--Whig and Democrat. The ingenious +discussion of this subject was probably a device of the Unionists, two +or three of them having obtained seats in the Revolutionary Convention. +I knew the ineradicable instincts of Virginia politicians, and their +inveterate habit of public speaking, and knew there were well-grounded +fears that we should be launched and lost in an illimitable sea of +argument, when the business was Revolution, and death to the coming +invader. Besides, I saw no hope of unanimity if the old party +distinctions and designations were not submerged forever. + +These fears, however, were groundless. The Union had received its +_blessure mortelle_, and no power this side of the Potomac could save +it. During a pause in the proceedings, one of the leading members arose +and announced that he had information that the vote was about being +taken in the other Convention on the ordinance of secession. "Very +well!" cried another member, "we will give them another chance to save +themselves. But it is the last!" This was concurred in by a vast +majority. Not long after, Lieut.-Gov. Montague came in and announced the +passage of the ordinance by the other Convention! This was succeeded by +a moment too thrilling for utterance, but was followed by tears of +gladness and rapturous applause. Soon after, President Tyler and Gov. +Wise were conducted arm-in-arm, and bare-headed, down the center aisle +amid a din of cheers, while every member rose to his feet. They were led +to the platform, and called upon to address the Convention. The +venerable ex-President of the United States first rose responsive to the +call, but remarked that the exhaustion incident to his recent incessant +labors, and the nature of his emotions at such a momentous crisis, +superadded to the feebleness of age, rendered him physically unable to +utter what he felt and thought on such an occasion. Nevertheless, he +seemed to acquire supernatural strength as he proceeded, and he spoke +most effectively for the space of fifteen minutes. He gave a brief +history of all the struggles of our race for freedom, from _Magna +Charta_ to the present day; and he concluded with a solemn declaration +that at no period of our history were we engaged in a more just and holy +effort for the maintenance of liberty and independence than at the +present moment. The career of the dominant party at the North was but a +series of aggressions, which fully warranted the steps we were taking +for resistance and eternal separation; and if we performed our whole +duty as Christians and patriots, the same benign Providence which +favored the cause of our forefathers in the Revolution of 1776, would +again crown our efforts with similar success. He said he might not +survive to witness the consummation of the work begun that day; but +generations yet unborn would bless those who had the high privilege of +being participators in it. + +He was succeeded by Gov. Wise, who, for a quarter of an hour, +electrified the assembly by a burst of eloquence, perhaps never +surpassed by mortal orator. During his pauses a silence reigned, pending +which the slightest breathing could be distinctly heard, while every eye +was bathed in tears. At times the vast assembly rose involuntarily to +their feet, and every emotion and expression of feature seemed +responsive to his own. During his speech he alluded to the reports of +the press that the oppressors of the North had probably seized one of +his children sojourning in their midst. "But," said he, "if they suppose +hostages of my own heart's blood will stay my hand in a contest for the +maintenance of sacred rights, they are mistaken. Affection for kindred, +property, and life itself sink into insignificance in comparison with +the overwhelming importance of public duty in such a crisis as this." He +lamented the blindness which had prevented Virginia from seizing +Washington before the Republican hordes got possession of it--but, said +he, we must do our best under the circumstances. It was now Independence +or Death--although he had preferred fighting in the Union--and when the +mind was made up to die rather than fail, success was certain. For +himself, he was eager to meet the ordeal, and he doubted not every +Southern heart pulsated in unison with his own. + +Hon. J. M. Mason, and many other of Virginia's distinguished sons were +called upon, and delivered patriotic speeches. And finally, _Gov. +Letcher_ appeared upon the stage. He was loudly cheered by the very men +who, two days before, would gladly have witnessed his execution. The +governor spoke very briefly, merely declaring his concurrence in the +important step that had been taken, and his honest purpose, under the +circumstances, to discharge his whole duty as Executive of the State, in +conformity to the will of the people and the provisions of the +Constitution. + +Before the _sine die_ adjournment, it was suggested that inasmuch as the +ordinance had been passed in secret session, and it was desirable that +the enemy should not know it before certain preparations could be made +to avert sudden injury on the border, etc., that the fact should not be +divulged at present. + +APRIL 18TH.--In spite of every precaution, it is currently whispered in +the streets to-day that Virginia has seceded from the Union; and that +the act is to be submitted to the people for ratification a month hence. +This is perhaps a blunder. If the Southern States are to adhere to the +old distinct sovereignty doctrine, God help them one and all to achieve +their independence of the United States. Many are inclined to think the +safest plan would be to obliterate State lines, and merge them all into +an indivisible nation or empire, else there may be incessant conflicts +between the different sovereignties themselves, and between them and the +General Government. I doubt our ability to maintain the old cumbrous, +complicated, and expensive form of government. A national executive and +Congress will be sufficiently burdensome to the people without the +additional expense of governors, lieutenant-governors, a dozen +secretaries of State, as many legislatures, etc. etc. It is true, State +rights gave the States the right to secede. But what is in a name? +Secession by any other name would smell as sweet. For my part, I like +the name of Revolution, or even Rebellion, better, for they are +sanctified by the example of Washington and his compeers. And +separations of communities are like the separations of bees when they +cannot live in peace in the same hive. The time had come apparently for +us to set up for ourselves, and we should have done it if there had been +no such thing as State sovereignty. It is true, the Constitution adopted +at Montgomery virtually acknowledges the right of any State to secede +from the Confederacy; but that was necessary in vindication of the +action of its fathers. That Constitution, and the _permanent_ one to +succeed it, will, perhaps, never do. They too much resemble the +governmental organization of the Yankees, to whom we have bid adieu +forever in disgust. + +APRIL 19TH.--Dispatches from Montgomery indicate that President Davis is +as firm a States right man as any other, perfectly content to bear the +burdens of government six years, and hence I apprehend he will not budge +in the business of guarding Virginia until after the ratification of the +secession ordinance. Thus a month's precious time will be lost; and the +scene of conflict, instead of being in Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, +will be in Virginia. From the ardor of the volunteers already beginning +to pour into the city, I believe 25,000 men could be collected and armed +in a week, and in another they might sweep the whole Abolition concern +beyond the Susquehanna, and afterward easily keep them there. But this +will not be attempted, nor permitted, by the Convention, so recently +composed mostly of Union men. + +To-night we have rumors of a collision in Baltimore. A regiment of +Northern troops has been assailed by the mob. No good can come of mob +assaults in a great revolution. + +Wrote my wife to make preparations with all expedition to escape into +Virginia. Women and children will not be molested for some weeks yet; +but I see they have begun to ransack their baggage. Mrs. Semple, +daughter of President Tyler, I am informed, had her plate taken from her +in an attempt to get it away from New York. + +APRIL 20TH.--The news has been confirmed. It was a brickbat "Plug Ugly" +fight--the result of animal, and not intellectual or patriotic +instincts. Baltimore has better men for the strife than bar-room +champions. The absence of dignity in this assault will be productive of +evil rather than good. Maryland is probably lost--for her fetters will +be riveted before the secession of Virginia will be communicated by the +senseless form of ratification a month hence. Woe, woe to the +politicians of Virginia who have wrought this delay! It is now +understood that the very day before the ordinance was passed, the +members were gravely splitting hairs over proposed amendments to the +Federal Constitution! + +Guns are being fired on Capitol Hill in commemoration of secession, and +the Confederate flag now floats unmolested from the summit of the +capitol. I think they had better save the powder, etc. + +At night. We have a gay illumination. This too is wrong. We had better +save the candles. + +APRIL 21ST.--Received several letters to-day which had been delayed in +their transmission, and were doubtless opened on the way. One was from +my wife, informing me of the illness of Custis, my eldest son, and of +the equivocal conduct of some of the neighbors. The Rev. Mr. D., son of +the late B----p, raised the flag of the Union on his church. + +The telegraphic wires are still in operation. + +APRIL 22D.--Early a few mornings since, I called on Gov. Wise, and +informed him that Lincoln had called out 70,000 men. He opened his eyes +very widely and said, emphatically, "I don't believe it." The greatest +statesmen of the South have no conception of the real purposes of the +men now in power in the United States. They cannot be made to believe +that the Government at Washington are going to wage war immediately. But +when I placed the President's proclamation in his hand, he read it with +deep emotion, and uttered a fierce "Hah!" Nevertheless, when I told him +that these 70,000 were designed to be merely the videttes and outposts +of an army of 700,000, he was quite incredulous. He had not witnessed +the Wide-Awake gatherings the preceding fall, as I had done, and +listened to the pledges they made to subjugate the South, free the +negroes, and hang Gov. Wise. I next told him they would blockade our +ports, and endeavor to cut off our supplies. To this he uttered a most +positive negative. He said it would be contrary to the laws of nations, +as had been decided often in the Courts of Admiralty, and would be +moreover a violation of the Constitution. Of course I admitted all this; +but maintained that such was the intention of the Washington Cabinet. +Laws and Courts and Constitutions would not be impediments in the way of +Yankees resolved upon our subjugation. Presuming upon their superior +numbers, and under the pretext of saving the Union and annihilating +slavery, they would invade us like the army-worm, which enters the green +fields in countless numbers. The real object was to enjoy our soil and +climate by means of confiscation. He poohed me into silence with an +indignant frown. He had no idea that the Yankees would _dare_ to enter +upon such enterprises in the face of an enlightened world. But I know +them better. And it will be found that they will learn how to fight, and +will not be afraid to fight. + +APRIL 23D.--Several prominent citizens telegraphed President Davis +to-day to hasten to Virginia with as many troops as he can catch up, +assuring him that his army will grow like a snow-ball as it progresses. +I have no doubt it would. I think it would swell to 50,000 before +reaching Washington, and that the people on the route would supply the +quartermaster's stores, and improvise an adequate commissariat. I +believe he could drive the Abolitionists out of Washington even yet, if +he would make a bold dash, and that there would be a universal uprising +in all the border States this side of the Susquehanna. But he does not +respond. Virginia was too late moving, and North Carolina, Tennessee, +Arkansas, Kentucky, and Missouri have not seceded yet--though all of +them will soon follow Virginia. Besides, the vote on the ratification in +this State is to take place a month hence. It would be an infringement +of State rights, and would be construed as an _invasion of Virginia_! +Could the Union men in the Convention, after being forced to pass the +ordinance, have dealt a more fatal blow to their country? But that is +not all. The governor is appointing his Union partisans to military +positions. Nevertheless, as time rolls on, and eternal separation is +pronounced by the events that must be developed, they may prove true to +the best interests of their native land. + +Every hour there are fresh arrivals of organized companies from the +country, tendering their services to the governor; and nearly all the +young men in the city are drilling. The cadets of the Military Institute +are rendering good service now, and Professor Jackson is truly a +benefactor. I hope he will take the field himself; and if he does, I +predict for him a successful career. + +APRIL 24TH.--Martial music is heard everywhere, day and night, and all +the trappings and paraphernalia of war's decorations are in great +demand. The ladies are sewing everywhere, even in the churches. But the +gay uniforms we see to-day will change their hue before the advent of +another year. All history shows that fighting is not only the most +perilous pursuit in the world, but the _hardest_ and the roughest work +one can engage in. And many a young man bred in luxury, will be killed +by exposure in the night air, lying on the damp ground, before meeting +the enemy. But the same thing may be said of the Northmen. And the +arbitrament of war, and war's desolation, is a foregone conclusion. How +much better it would have been if the North had permitted the South to +depart in peace! With political separation, there might still have +remained commercial union. But they would not. + +APRIL 25TH.--Ex-President Tyler and Vice-President Stephens are +negotiating a treaty which is to ally Virginia to the Confederate +States. + +APRIL 26TH.--To-day I recognize Northern merchants and Jews in the +streets, busy in collecting the debts due them. The Convention has +thrown some impediments in the way; but I hear on every hand that +Southern merchants, in the absence of legal obligations, recognize the +demands of honor, and are sending money North, even if it be used +against us. This will not last long. + +APRIL 27TH.--We have had a terrible alarm. The tocsin was sounded in the +public square, and thousands have been running hither and thither to +know its meaning. Dispatches have been posted about the city, purporting +to have been received by the governor, with the startling information +that the U. S. war steamer Pawnee is coming up the James River for the +purpose of shelling the city! + +All the soldiery, numbering some thousands, are marching down to +Rocketts, and forming in line of battle on the heights commanding the +approaches. The howitzers are there, frowning defiance; and two long +French bronze guns are slowly passing through Main Street in the same +direction. One of them has just broken down, and lies abandoned in front +of the Post-Office. Even civilians, by hundreds, are hurrying with +shot-guns and pistols to the scene of action, and field officers are +galloping through the streets. Although much apprehension is apparent on +many faces, it is but just to say that the population generally are +resolved to make a determined defense. There is no fear of personal +danger; it is only the destruction of property that is dreaded. But, in +my opinion, the Pawnee is about as likely to attempt the navigation of +the River Styx, as to run up this river within shelling distance of the +city. + +I walked down to the lower bridge, without even taking a pocket-pistol, +and saw the troops drawn up in line of battle awaiting the enemy. Toward +evening the howitzers engaged in some unprofitable practice, shelling +the trees on the opposite side. + +It was a false alarm, if not something worse. I fear it is an invention +of the enemy to divert us from the generally conceived policy of +attacking Washington, and rousing up Maryland in the rear of Lincoln. + +Met with, and was introduced to, Gov. Letcher, in the evening, at the +_Enquirer_ office. He was revising one of his many proclamations; and is +now undoubtedly as zealous an advocate of secession as any man. He said +he would be ready to fight in _three or four days_; and that he would +soon have arrangements completed to blockade the Potomac by means of +formidable batteries. + +APRIL 28TH.--Saw Judge Scarburg, who has resigned his seat in the Court +of Claims at Washington. I believe he brought his family, and abandoned +his furniture, etc. Also Dr. Garnett, who left most of his effects in +the hands of the enemy. He was a marked man, being the son-in-law of +Gov. Wise. + +Many clerks are passing through the city on their way to Montgomery, +where they are sure to find employment. Lucky men, some of them! They +have eaten Lincoln bread for more than a month, and most of them would +have been turned out of office if there had been no secession. And I +observe among them some who have left their wives behind _to take care +of their homes_. + +APRIL 29TH.--I wrote to my agent on the Eastern Shore to send me the +last year's rent due on the farm. But I learn that the cruisers in the +bay are intercepting the communications, and I fear remittances will be +impracticable. I hope my family are ready by this to leave Burlington. +Women and children have not yet been interfered with. What if they +should be compelled to abandon our property there? Mrs. Semple had her +plate seized at New York. + +At fifty-one, I can hardly follow the pursuit of arms; but I will write +and preserve a DIARY of the revolution. I never held or sought office in +my life; but now President Tyler and Gov. Wise say I will find +employment at Montgomery. The latter will prepare a letter to President +Davis, and the former says he will draw up a paper in my behalf, and +take it through the Convention himself for signatures. I shall be +sufficiently credentialed, at all events--provided old partisan +considerations are banished from the new confederacy. To make my DIARY +full and complete as possible, is now my business. And, + + "When the hurly-burly's done, + When the battle's lost and won," + +if the South wins it, I shall be content to retire to my farm, provided +it falls on the Southern side of the line, and enjoy sweet repose "under +my own vine and fig-tree." + +APRIL 30TH.--Gen. Kearney has been brought here, having been taken on +his way to Washington from Missouri. He manifested surprise at his +captivity, and says that he is no enemy; being, I believe, Southern +born. I learn it is the purpose of the governor to release him. And this +may be a blunder. I fear about as much from ill-timed Southern +magnanimity as from Northern malignity. + +The Pawnee "scare" turned out just as I thought it would. She merely +turned her nose up the river, and then put about and steamed away again. +It may do good, however, if it stimulates the authorities to due +preparation against future assaults from that quarter. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +Depart for Montgomery.--Interview with President Davis.--My position in + the Government.--Government removed to Richmond.--My family. + + +MAY 1ST.--Troops are coming in from all directions, cavalry and +infantry; but I learn that none scarcely are accepted by the State. This +is great political economy, with a vengeance! How is Gov. Letcher to be +ready to fight in a few days? Oh, perhaps he thinks the army will +spontaneously spring into existence, march without transportation, and +fight without rations or pay! But the Convention has passed an act +authorizing the enlistment of a regular army of 12,000 men. If I am not +mistaken, Virginia will have to put in the field ten times that number, +and the confederacy will have to maintain 500,000 in Virginia, or lose +the border States. And if the border States be subjugated, Mr. Seward +probably would grant a respite to the rest _for a season_. + +But by the terms of the (Tyler and Stephens) treaty, the Confederate +States will reimburse Virginia for all her expenses; and therefore I see +no good reason why this State, of all others, being the most exposed, +should not muster into service every well-armed company that presents +itself. There are arms enough for 25,000 men now, and that number, if it +be too late to take Washington, might at all events hold this side of +the Potomac, and keep the Yankees off the soil of Virginia. + +MAY 2D.--There are vague rumors of lawless outrages committed on +Southern men in Philadelphia and New York; but they are not well +authenticated, and I do not believe them. The Yankees are not yet ready +for retaliation. They know that game wouldn't pay. No--they desire time +to get their money out of the South; and they would be perfectly willing +that trade should go on, even during the war, for they would be the +greatest gainers by the information derived from spies and emissaries. I +see, too, their papers have extravagant accounts of imprisonments and +summary executions here. Not a man has yet been molested. It is true, we +have taken Norfolk, without a battle; but the enemy did all the burning +and sinking. + +MAY 3D.--No letters from my wife. Probably she has taken the children to +the Eastern Shore. Her farm is there, and she has many friends in the +county. On that narrow peninsula it is hardly to be supposed the Yankees +will send any troops. With the broad Atlantic on one side and the +Chesapeake Bay on the other, it is to be presumed there will be no +military demonstration by the inhabitants, for they could neither escape +nor receive reinforcements from the mainland. In the war of the first +Revolution, and the subsequent one with Great Britain, this peninsula +escaped the ravages of the enemy, although the people were as loyal to +the government of the United States as any; but the Yankees are more +enterprising than the British, and may have an eye to "truck farms" in +that fruitful region. + +MAY 4TH.--Met Wm. H. B. Custis, Esq., to-day in the square, and had a +long conversation with him. He has made up his mind to sign the +ordinance. He thinks secession might have been averted with honor, if +our politicians at Washington had not been ambitious to figure as +leaders in a new revolution. Custis was always a Democrat, and supported +Douglas on the ground that he was the regular nominee. He said his negro +property a month before was worth, perhaps, fifty thousand dollars; now +his slaves would not bring probably more than five thousand; and that +would be the fate of many slaveowners in Virginia. + +MAY 5TH.--President Tyler has placed in my hands a memorial to President +Davis, signed by himself and many of the members of the Convention, +asking appropriate civil employment for me in the new government. I +shall be content to obtain the necessary position to make a full and +authentic Diary of the transactions of the government. I could not hope +for any commission as a civil officer, since the leaders who have +secured possession of the government know very well that, as editor, I +never advocated the pretensions of any of them for the Presidency of the +United States. Some of them I fear are unfit for the positions they +occupy. But the cause in which we are embarked will require, to be +successful, the efforts of every man. Those capable of performing +military duty, must perform it; and those physically incapable of +wielding the bayonet and the sword, must wield the pen. It is no time to +stand on ceremony or antecedents. The post of duty is the post of honor. +In the mighty winnowing we must go through, the wheat will be separated +from the chaff. And many a true man who this day stands forth as a +private, will end as a general. And the efficient subordinate in the +departments may be likewise exalted if he deserves it, provided the +people have rule in the new confederacy. If we are to have a monarchy +for the sake of economy and stability, I shall submit to it in +preference to the domination of the Northern radicals. + +MAY 6TH.--To-day a Yankee was caught in the street questioning some +negroes as to which side they would fight on, slavery or freedom. He was +merely rebuked and ordered out of the country. Another instance of +Southern magnanimity! It will only embolden the insidious enemy. + +MAY 7TH.--Col. R. E. Lee, lately of the United States army, has been +appointed major-general, and commander-in-chief of the army in Virginia. +He is the son of "Light Horse Harry" of the Revolution. The North can +boast no such historic names as we, in its army. Gov. Wise is sick at +home, in Princess Ann County, but has sent me a strong letter to +President Davis. I fear the governor will not survive many months. + +MAY 8TH.--The Convention has appointed five members of Congress to go to +Montgomery: Messrs. Hunter, Rives, Brockenborough, Staples, and ----. I +have not yet seen Mr. Hunter; he has made no speeches, but no doubt he +has done all in his power to secure the passage of the ordinance, in his +quiet but effective way. To-day President Tyler remarked that the +politicians in the Convention had appointed a majority of the members +from the old opposition party. The President would certainly have been +appointed, if it had not been understood he did not desire it. +Debilitated from a protracted participation in the exciting scenes of +the Convention, he could not bear the fatigue of so long a journey at +this season of the year. + +MAY 9TH.--The _Examiner_ still fires shot and shell at Gov. Letcher and +the dominant majority in the Convention, on account of recent +appointments. It is furious over the selection of Mr. Baldwin, recently +a leading Union man, for inspector-general; and seems to apprehend bad +results from thrusting Union men forward in the coming struggle. The +_Enquirer_ is moderate, and kind to Gov. Letcher, whose nomination and +subsequent course were so long the theme of bitter denunciation. It is +politic. The _Whig_ now goes into the secession movement with all its +might. Mr. Mosely has resumed the helm; and he was, I believe, a +secessionist many years ago. The _Dispatch_, not long since neutral and +conservative, throws all its powers, with its large circulation, into +the cause. So we have perfect unanimity in the press. _Per contra_, the +New York _Herald_ has turned about and leap-frogged over the head of the +_Tribune_ into the front ranks of the Republicans. No doubt, when we win +the day, the _Herald_ will leap back again. + +MAY 10TH.--The ladies are postponing all engagements until their lovers +have fought the Yankees. Their influence is great. Day after day they go +in crowds to the Fair ground where the 1st S. C. Vols. are encamped, +showering upon them their smiles, and all the delicacies the city +affords. They wine them and cake them--and they deserve it. They are +just from taking Fort Sumter, and have won historic distinction. I was +introduced to several of the privates by their captain, who told me they +were worth from $100,000 to half a million dollars each. The _Tribune_ +thought all these men would want to be captains! But that is not the +only hallucination the North labors under, judging from present +appearances; by closing our ports it is thought we can be subdued by the +want of accustomed luxuries. These rich young men were dressed in coarse +gray homespun! We have the best horsemen and the best marksmen in the +world, and these are the qualities that will tell before the end of the +war. We fight for existence--the enemy for Union and the freedom of the +slave. Well, let the Yankees see if this "new thing" will pay. + +MAY 11TH.--Robert Tyler has arrived, after wonderful risks and +difficulties. When I left Mr. Tyler in the North, the people were +talking about electing him their representative in Congress. They +tempted him every way, by threats and by promises, to make them a speech +under the folds of the "star spangled banner" erected near his house. +But in vain. No doubt they would have elected him to Congress, and +perhaps have made him a general, if he had fallen down and worshiped +their Republican idol, and fought against his father. + +MAY 12TH.--To-day I set out for Montgomery. The weather was bright and +pleasant. It is Sunday. In the cars are many passengers going to tender +their services, and all imbued with the same inflexible purpose. The +corn in the fields of Virginia is just becoming visible; and the trees +are beginning to disclose their foliage. + +MAY 13TH.--We traveled all night, and reached Wilmington, N. C., early +in the morning. There I saw a Northern steamer which had been seized in +retaliation for some of the seizures of the New Yorkers. And there was a +considerable amount of ordnance and shot and shell on the bank of the +river. The people everywhere on the road are for irremediable, eternal +separation. Never were men more unanimous. And North Carolina has passed +the ordinance, I understand, without a dissenting voice. Better still, +it is not to be left to a useless vote of the people. The work is +finished, and the State is out of the Union without contingency or +qualification. I saw one man, though, at Goldsborough, who looked very +much like a Yankee, and his enthusiasm seemed more simulated than real; +and some of his words were equivocal. His name was Dibble. + +To-day I saw rice and cotton growing, the latter only an inch or so +high. The pine woods in some places have a desolate appearance; and +whole forests are dead. I thought it was caused by the scarifications +for turpentine; but was told by an intelligent traveler that the +devastation was produced by an insect or worm that cut the inner bark. + +The first part of South Carolina we touched was not inviting. Swamps, +with cane, and cypress knees, and occasionally a plunging aligator met +the vision. Here, I thought the Yankees, if they should carry the war +into the far south, would fare worse than Napoleon's army of invasion in +Russia. + +But railroads seldom run through the fairest and richest portions of the +country. They must take the route where there is the least grading. We +soon emerged, however, from the marshy district, and then beheld the +vast cotton-fields, now mostly planted in corn. A good idea. And the +grain crops look well. The corn, in one day, seems to have grown ten +inches. + +In the afternoon we were whisked into Georgia, and the face of the +country, as well as the color of the soil, reminded me of some parts of +France between Dieppe and Rouen. No doubt the grape could be profitably +cultivated here. The corn seems to have grown a _foot_ since morning. + +MAY 14TH.--The weather is very warm. Day before yesterday the wheat was +only six or eight inches high. To-day it is two or three feet in height, +headed, and almost ripe for the scythe. + +At every station [where I can write a little] we see crowds of men, and +women, and boys; and during our pauses some of the passengers, often +clergymen, and not unfrequently Northern born, address them in +soul-stirring strains of patriotic eloquence. If Uncle Abe don't find +subjugation of this country, and of such a people as this, is truly a +"big job" on his hands, I am much mistaken. + +Passed the Stone Mountain at 11 o'clock A.M. It appears at a distance +like a vast artificial formation, resembling the pictures of the +pyramids. + +Arrived at Montgomery 10 o'clock P.M., and put up at the Montgomery +House. The mosquitoes bled me all night. Mosquitoes in the middle of +May! And as they never cease to bite till killed by the frost, the pest +here is perennial. + +MAY 15TH.--From my window at the top of the house, I see corn in silk +and tassel. Three days ago the corn I saw was not three inches high. And +blackberries are in season. Strawberries and peas are gone. + +This city is mostly situated in a bottom on the Alabama River. + +Being fatigued I did not visit the departments to-day, but employed +myself in securing lodgings at a boarding-house. Here I met, the first +time, with my friend Dr. W. T. Sawyer, of Hollow Square, Alabama. A +skillful surgeon and Christian gentleman, his mission on earth seems to +be one of pure beneficence. He had known me before we met, it appears; +and I must say he did me many kind offices. + +In the afternoon I walked to the capitol, a fine structure with massive +columns, on a beautiful elevation, where I delivered several letters to +the Virginia delegation in Congress. They were exceedingly kind to me, +and proffered their services very freely. + +MAY 16TH.--Met John Tyler, Jr., to-day, who, with his native cordiality, +proffered his services with zeal and earnestness. He introduced me at +once to Hon. L. P. Walker, Secretary of War, and insisted upon +presenting me to the President the next day. Major Tyler had recently +been commissioned in the army, but is now detailed to assist the +Secretary of War in his correspondence. The major is favorably known in +the South as the author of several Southern essays of much power that +have been published in a Review, signed "Python." + +The principal hotel is the Exchange, as in Richmond; the entrance to the +bar, reading-room, etc. is by a flight of stairs from the street to the +second story, with stores underneath. Here there is an incessant influx +of strangers coming from all directions on business with the new +government. But the prevalent belief is that the government itself will +soon travel to Richmond. The buildings here will be insufficient in +magnitude for the transaction of the rapidly increasing business. + +MAY 17TH.--Was introduced to the President to-day. He was overwhelmed +with papers, and retained a number in his left hand, probably of more +importance than the rest. He received me with urbanity, and while he +read the papers I had given him, as I had never seen him before, I +endeavored to scrutinize his features, as one would naturally do, for +the purpose of forming a vague estimate of the character and +capabilities of the man destined to perform the leading part in a +revolution which must occupy a large space in the world's history. His +stature is tall, nearly six feet; his frame is very slight and seemingly +frail; but when he throws back his shoulders he is as straight as an +Indian chief. The features of his face are distinctly marked with +character; and no one gazing at his profile would doubt for a moment +that he beheld more than an ordinary man. His face is handsome, and his +thin lip often basks a pleasant smile. There is nothing sinister or +repulsive in his manners or appearance; and if there are no special +indications of great grasp of intellectual power on his forehead and on +his sharply defined nose and chin, neither is there any evidence of +weakness, or that he could be easily moved from any settled purpose. I +think he has a clear perception of matters demanding his cognizance, and +a nice discrimination of details. As a politician he attaches the utmost +importance to _consistency_--and here I differ with him. I think that to +be consistent as a politician, is to change with the circumstances of +the case. When Calhoun and Webster first met in Congress, the first +advocated a protective tariff and the last opposed it. This was told me +by Mr. Webster himself, in 1842, when he was Secretary of State; and it +was confirmed by Mr. Calhoun in 1844, then Secretary of State himself. +Statesmen are the physicians of the public weal; and what doctor +hesitates to vary his remedies with the new phases of disease? + +When the President had completed the reading of my papers, and during +the perusal I observed him make several emphatic nods, he asked me what +I wanted. I told him I wanted employment with my pen, perhaps only +temporary employment. I thought the correspondence of the Secretary of +War would increase in volume, and another assistant besides Major Tyler +would be required in his office. He smiled and shook his head, saying +that such work would be only temporary indeed; which I construed to mean +that even _he_ did not then suppose the war was to assume colossal +proportions. + +MAY 18TH.--To-day I had another interview with the President. He advised +me to see the Secretary of the Treasury without delay; but the Treasury +would not answer so well for my Diary. + +MAY 19TH.--The Secretary of War sent for me this morning, and said he +required more assistance in his correspondence, then increasing daily; +but the act of Congress limiting salaries would prevent him from +offering me an adequate compensation. He could only name some ten or +twelve hundred dollars. I told him my great desire was employment, and +facilities to preserve interesting facts for future publication. I was +installed at once, with Major Tyler, in the Secretary's own office. It +was my duty to open and read the letters, noting briefly their contents +on the back. The Secretary would then indicate in pencil marks the +answers to be written, which the major and I prepared. These were signed +by the Secretary, copied in another room, and mailed. I was happy in the +discharge of these duties, and worked assiduously day and night. + +MAY 20TH.--Mr. Walker, the Secretary of War, is some forty-seven or +eight years of age, tall, thin, and a little bent; not by age, but by +study and bad health. He was a successful lawyer, and having never been +in governmental employment, is fast working himself down. He has not yet +learned how to avoid unnecessary labor; being a man of the finest +sensibilities, and exacting with the utmost nicety all due deference to +the dignity of his official position. He stands somewhat on ceremony +with his brother officials, and accords and exacts the etiquette natural +to a sensitive gentleman who has never been broken on the wheel of +office. I predict for him a short career. The only hope for his +continuance in office is unconditional submission to the President, who, +being once Secretary of War of the United States, is familiar with all +the wheels of the department. But soon, if I err not, the President will +be too much absorbed in the fluctuations of momentous campaigns, to give +much of his attention to any one of the departments. Nevertheless Mr. +Walker, if he be an apt scholar, may learn much before that day; and +Congress may simplify his duties by enacting a uniform mode of filling +the offices in the field. The applications now give the greatest +trouble; and the disappointed class give rise to many vexations. + +MAY 21ST.--Being in the same room with the Secretary, and seen by all +his visitors, I am necessarily making many new acquaintances; and quite +a number recognize me by my books which they have read. Among this class +is Mr. Benjamin, the Minister of Justice, who, to-day, informed me that +he and Senator Bayard had been interested, at Washington, in my "Story +of Disunion." Mr. Benjamin is of course a Jew, of French lineage, born I +believe in Louisiana, a lawyer and politician. His age may be sixty, and +yet one might suppose him to be less than forty. His hair and eyes are +black, his forehead capacious, his face round and as intellectual as one +of that shape can be; and Mr. B. is certainly a man of intellect, +education, and extensive reading, combined with natural abilities of a +tolerably high order. Upon his lip there seems to bask an eternal smile; +but if it be studied, it is not a smile--yet it bears no unpleasing +aspect. + +MAY 22D.--To-day I had, in our office, a specimen of Mr. Memminger's +oratory. He was pleading for an installment of the claims of South +Carolina on the Confederacy; and Mr. Walker, always hesitating, argued +the other side, merely for delay. Both are fine speakers, with most +distinct enunciation and musical voices. The demand was audited and +paid, amounting, I believe, to several hundred thousand dollars. + +And I heard and saw Mr. Toombs to-day, the Secretary of State. He is a +portly gentleman, but with the pale face of the student and the marks of +a deep thinker. To gaze at him in repose, the casual spectator would +suppose, from his neglect of dress, that he was a planter in moderate +circumstances, and of course not gifted with extraordinary powers of +intellect; but let him open his mouth, and the delusion vanishes. At the +time alluded to he was surrounded by the rest of the cabinet, in our +office, and the topic was the policy of the war. He was for taking the +initiative, and carrying the war into the enemy's country. And as he +warmed with the subject, the _man_ seemed to vanish, and the _genius_ +alone was visible. He was most emphatic in the advocacy of his policy, +and bold almost to rashness in his denunciations of the merely defensive +idea. He was opposed to all delays, as fraught with danger; the enemy +were in the field, and their purposes were pronounced. Why wait to see +what they meant to do? If we did that, they would not only invade us, +but get a permanent foothold on our soil. We must invade or be invaded; +and he was for making the war as terrible as possible from the +beginning. It was to be no child's play; and nothing could be gained by +reliance upon the blunders and forbearance of the Yankees. News had been +received of the occupation of Alexandria and Arlington Heights, in +Virginia; and if we permitted them to build fortifications there, we +should not be able to expel them. He denounced with bitterness the +neglect of the authorities in Virginia. The enemy should not have been +permitted to cross the Potomac. During the month which had elapsed since +the passage of the ordinance in Virginia, nothing had been done, nothing +attempted. It was true, the vote on ratification had not been taken; and +although that fact might shield the provisional government from +responsibility, yet the delay to act was fraught with danger and perhaps +irreparable injury. Virginia alone could have raised and thrown across +the Potomac 25,000 men, and driven the Yankees beyond the Susquehanna. +But she, to avoid responsibility, had been telegraphing Davis to come to +the rescue; and if he (Toombs) had been in Davis's place, he would have +taken the responsibility. + +The Secretary of War well knew how to parry these thrusts; he was not +responsible. He was as ultra a man as any; and all he could do was to +organize and arm the troops authorized by Congress. Some thirty odd +thousand were mustered in already; and at least five thousand volunteers +were offering daily. Mr. Toombs said five hundred thousand volunteers +ought to be accepted and for the war. We wanted no six or twelve months' +men. To this the Secretary replied that the Executive could not +transcend the limits prescribed by Congress. + +These little discussions were of frequent occurrence; and it soon became +apparent that the Secretary of War was destined to be the most important +man among the cabinet ministers. His position afforded the best prospect +of future distinction--always provided he should be equal to the +position, and his administration attended with success. I felt convinced +that Toombs would not be long chafing in the cabinet, but that he would +seize the first opportunity to repair to the field. + +MAY 23D.--To-day the President took the cars for Pensacola, where it had +been said everything was in readiness for an assault on Fort Pickens. +Military men said it could be taken, and Toombs, I think, said it ought +to be taken. It would cost, perhaps, a thousand lives; but is it not the +business of war to consume human life? Napoleon counted men as so much +powder to be consumed; and he consumed millions in his career of +conquest. But still he conquered, which he could not have done without +the consumption of life. And is it not better to consume life rapidly, +and attain results quickly, than to await events, when all history shows +that a protracted war, of immobile armies, always engulfs more men in +the grave from camp fevers than usually fall in battle during the most +active operations in the field? + +To-day I saw Col. Bartow, who has the bearing and eye of a gallant +officer. He was attended by a young man named Lamar, of fine open +countenance, whom he desired to have as his aid; but the regulations +forbid any one acting in that capacity who was not a lieutenant; and +Lamar not being old enough to have a commission, he said he would attend +the colonel as a volunteer aid till he attained the prescribed age. I +saw Ben McCulloch, also--an unassuming but elastic and brave man. He +will make his mark. Also Capt. McIntosh, who goes to the West. I think I +saw him in 1846, in Paris, at the table of Mr. King, our Minister; but +I had no opportunity to ask him. He is all enthusiasm, and will rise +with honor or fall with glory. And here I beheld for the first time Wade +Hampton, resolved to abandon all the comforts of his great wealth, and +encounter the privations of the tented field in behalf of his menaced +country. + +Arkansas and Tennessee, as I predicted, have followed the example of +Virginia and North Carolina; and I see evidence daily in the mass of +correspondence, that Missouri and Kentucky will follow in good time. + +MAY 24TH.--Congress passed, in secret session, a resolution to remove +the seat of government to Richmond; but I learn it has been vetoed by +the President. There is a strong feeling against going thither among +some of the secessionists in the Cotton States. Those who do not think +there will be a great deal of fighting, have apprehensions that the +border States, so tardy in the secession movement, will strive to +monopolize the best positions and patronage of the new government. +Indeed, if it were quite certain that there is to be no war for +existence--as if a nation could be free without itself striking the blow +for freedom--I think there would be a party--among the politicians, not +the people--opposed to confederating with the border slave States. + +Some of his fellow-members tell many jokes on Mr. Hunter. They say every +time he passes the marble-yards going up to the capitol, and surveys the +tomb-stones, he groans in agony, and predicts that he will get sick and +die here. If this be true, I predict that he will get the seat of +government moved to Richmond, a more congenial climate. He has a way of +moving large bodies, which has rarely failed him; and some of his +friends at the hotels, already begin to hint that he is the proper man +to be the first President of the _permanent_ government. I think he will +be President some day. He would be a safe one. But this whisper at the +hotel has produced no little commotion. Some propose making him +Secretary of War, as a sure means of killing him off. I know a better +way than that, but I wouldn't suggest it for the world. I like him very +much. + +To-day the Secretary placed in my hands for examination and report, a +very long document, written by a deposed or resigned Roman priest. He +urged a plan to avert the horrors of war. He had been to see Lincoln, +Gov. Letcher, etc., and finally obtained an interview on "important +business" with President Davis. The President, not having leisure even +to listen to his exordium, requested him to make his communication +briefly in writing. And this was _it_--about twenty pages of foolscap. +It consisted chiefly of evidences of the exceeding wickedness of war, +and suggestions that if both belligerents would _only forbear to take up +arms_, the peace might be preserved, and God would mediate between them. +Of course I could only indorse on the back "demented." But the old man +hung round the department for a week afterward, and then departed, I +know not whither. I forget his name, but his paper is in the archives of +the government. I have always differed with the preachers in politics +and war, except the Southern preachers who are now in arms against the +invader. I think war is one of the providences of God, and certainly no +book chronicles so much fighting as the Bible. It may be to the human +race what pruning is to vegetation, a necessary process for the general +benefit. + +MAY 25TH.--There is to be no fight--no assault on Pickens. But we are +beginning to send troops forward in the right direction--to Virginia. +Virginia herself ought to have kept the invader from her soil. Was she +reluctant to break the peace? And is it nothing to have her soil +polluted by the martial tramp of the Yankees at Alexandria and Arlington +Heights? But the wrath of the Southern chivalry will some day burst +forth on the ensanguined plain, and then let the presumptuous foemen of +the North beware of the fiery ordeal they have invoked. The men I see +daily keeping time to the music of revolution are fighting men, men who +will conquer or die, and who prefer death to subjugation. But the Yankee +has no such motive to fight for, no thought of serious wounds and death. +He can go back to his own country; our men have no other country to go +to. + +MAY 26TH.--Was called on by the Episcopal minister to-day, Dr. Sawyer +having informed him that I was a member of the church--the doctor being +one also. He is an enthusiastic young man, and though a native of the +North, seems to sympathize with us very heartily. He prays for the +President of the Confederate States. The President himself attends very +regularly, and some intimate that he intends to become a candidate for +membership. I have not learned whether he has been baptized. Gen. +Cooper, the first on our list of generals in the regular army, is a +member of the church. The general was, I think, adjutant-general at +Washington. He is Northern born. Major Gorgas is likewise a native of +the North. He is Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance. The +Quartermaster-General, Major Myers, is said to be a Jew; while the +Commissary-General is almost a Jesuit, so zealous is he in the advocacy +of the Pope. + +Mr. Mallory, the Secretary of the Navy, I have seen but once; but I have +heard him soundly abused for not accepting some propositions and plans +from Mobile and elsewhere, to build iron-clad steam rams to sink the +enemy's navy. Some say Mr. M. is an Irishman born. He was in the United +States Senate, and embraced secession with the rest of the +"conspirators" at Washington. + +I saw the Vice-President to-day. I first saw Mr. Stephens at Washington +in 1843. I was behind him as he sat in the House of Representatives, and +thought him a boy, for he was sitting beside large members. But when I +got in front of him, it was apparent he was a man--every inch a man. + +There is some excitement in official circles here against Mr. Browne, +the Assistant Secretary of State, on the ground that he interfered in +behalf of a Mr. Hurlbut, a Northern man (probably arrested), a writer in +the English Reviews against slavery in the South, and a correspondent +for the New York Tribune. Mr. B. is an Englishman, who came from +Washington on the invitation of Mr. Toombs, and through his influence +was appointed Assistant Secretary of State, and the Southern gorge rises +at it. I doubt whether he will be molested. + +I saw Major Tochman to-day, also a foreigner. He is authorized to enlist +a regiment or two of Polanders in New Orleans, where I am told there are +none. + +And there are several Northern men here wanting to be generals. This +does not look much like Southern homogeneity. God save us, if we are not +to save ourselves! + +How hot it is! But I like hot weather better than cold, and would soon +become accustomed to this climate. This morning Mr. Hunter really seemed +distressed; but he has four inches on his ribs, and I not the eighth of +an inch. + +Since writing the foregoing, I have seen Mr. Hunter again, and although +there is no diminution of heat, he is quite cheerful: Congress has again +passed the resolution to remove the seat of government to Richmond, and +it is said the President will not veto it this time. The President +himself came into our office to-day and sat some time conversing with +Secretary Walker. He did not appear vexed at the determination of +Congress, which he must have been apprised of. + +MAY 26TH.--The President is sick to-day--having a chill, I believe. +Adjutant-General Cooper was in, comparing notes with the Secretary as to +the number of regiments in the field. The Secretary has a most +astonishing memory, and could easily number the forces without referring +to his notes. The amount is not large, it is true; but, from the +eagerness to volunteer, I believe if we had the arms there might soon be +organized an army of three or four hundred thousand men. And yet it +would seem that no one dreams of armies of such magnitude. Wait till we +sleep a little longer! A great many separate companies are accepted; all +indeed that offer for three years or the war, provided they have +arms--even double-barreled shot-guns and hunting rifles. What a deal of +annoyance and labor it will be to organize these into battalions, +regiments, brigades, and divisions! And then comes the appointment of +staff and field officers. This will be labor for the President. But he +works incessantly, sick or well. + +We have an agent in Europe purchasing arms. This was well thought on. +And Capt. Huse is thought to be a good selection. It will be impossible +for Lincoln to keep all our ports hermetically sealed. Hitherto +improvident, it is to be hoped the South will now go to work upon her +own resources. We have plunged into the sea of revolution, and must, +unaided, sink or swim. The Yankees say they are going to subdue us in +six months. What fools! + +I tasted green corn to-day, and, although very fond of it, I touched it +lightly, because it seemed so much out of season. The country around is +beautiful, and the birds are singing as merrily as if we were about to +enter upon a perennial Sabbath-day, instead of a desolating war. But the +gunpowder will be used to destroy the destroyer, man, and why should not +the birds sing? The china-trees are beautiful, and abundant about the +dwellings. + +MAY 27TH.--We leave Montgomery day after to-morrow. The President goes +to-day--but quietly--no one, not connected with the Government, to have +information of the fact until his arrival in Richmond. It is understood +that the Minister of Justice (Attorney-General) accompanies him. There +are a great number of spies and emissaries in the country--sufficient, +if it were known when the train would pass, to throw it off the track. +This precaution is taken by the friends of the President. + +The day is pretty much occupied in the packing of boxes. It is +astonishing how vast a volume of papers accumulates in a short space of +time--but when we consider the number of applications for office, the +wonder ceases. + +MAY 28TH.--Little or no business was done this day. The Secretary +announced that no more communications would be considered by him in +Montgomery. He placed in my charge a great many unopened letters, and a +special list of candidates for office, with annotations. These I packed +in my trunk. + +As I was to precede the Secretary, and having some knowledge of the +capacity of the public buildings in Richmond, I was charged with the +duty of securing, if possible, suitable offices for the Department of +War. I made hasty preparations for departure. + +Before starting, something prompted me to call once more at the +post-office, where, to my surprise and delight, I found a letter from my +wife. She was in Richmond, with all the children, _Tabby_ and the +parrot. She had left Burlington about the same time I had left Richmond. +At Havre-de-Grace, on the Susquehanna, which they crossed in the night, +my youngest daughter was compelled with difficulty to stride over the +sleeping bodies of Yankee soldiers. She writes that she deposited, very +carefully, our plate in the bank! The idea that all might have been +brought off if she had only known it, is the source of her wretchedness. +She writes that she had been materially assisted by Mr. Grubb and his +lady, prompted by personal friendship, by humanity, and by those +generous instincts of the true nobility of heart imparted by the +Creator. Mr. G. is true to the Constitution and the Government under +which he lives--and would doubtless never consent to a rupture of the +Union under any circumstances. He has a son in the army against us. And +Col. Wall, another personal friend, boldly shook hands with my family at +parting, while the Wide-Awake file leaders stood scowling by. I hope he +may not suffer for his temerity. + +These things occupied my thoughts during a sleepless night in the cars. +My abode in New Jersey had been a pleasant one. I had a fine yard and +garden, and many agreeable neighbors. I loved my garden, and cultivated +my own grapes, pears, peaches, apples, raspberries, currants, and +strawberries. I had fruits and vegetables in the greatest profusion. And +the thrushes and other migratory birds had come to know me well, and +sang me to sleep at night, and awakened me with their strains in the +morning. They built their nests near the windows, for the house was +embowered in trees, and half covered with ivy. Even my cats, for every +living thing was a pet to some one of the family,--when I think of them +now, wandering about unprotected, give rise to painful emotions. But +even my youngest child was willing to make any sacrifice for the sake of +her country. The South is our only home--we have been only temporary +sojourners elsewhere. + +MAY 29TH AND 30TH.--The remainder of the journey was without interest, +until we arrived at Wythville, Va., where it was discovered Gen. Floyd +was in the cars. He was called out and made a speech in vindication of +his conduct at Washington, as Secretary of War, wherein he had caused +the transfer of arms, etc., from the North to the South. He was then +organizing a brigade for the field, having been commissioned a +brigadier-general by the President. + +MAY 31ST.--I arrived in Richmond about 1 o'clock P.M. The meeting with +my family was a joyful scene. All were well. + +I lost no time in securing rooms for the department in the new +custom-house. Mr. Giles had been employed in this business by the +Congressional Committee, and I found him every way accommodating. I +succeeded without difficulty in convincing him that the War Department +was the most important one, and hence entitled to the first choice of +rooms. I therefore selected the entire suites on both sides of the hall +on the lower floor. The Treasury, the Executive office, Cabinet chamber, +and Departments of Justice and the Navy were located on the floor above. +This arrangement, however, was understood to be but a temporary one; +Mechanics Hall was leased for future purposes; and I was consulted on +the plan of converting it into suites of offices. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +Troops pour into Richmond.--Beginning of hostilities.--Gen. Lee made a + full general.--Major-Gen. Polk.--A battle expected at Manassas. + + +JUNE 1ST.--In the absence of the Secretary, I arranged the furniture as +well as I could, and took possession of the five offices I had selected. +But no business, of course, could be done before his arrival. Yet an +immense mass of business was accumulating--letters by the hundreds were +demanding attention. + +And I soon found, as the other Secretaries came in, that some +dissatisfaction was likely to grow out of the appropriation by the +Secretary of War of the best offices. Mr. Toombs said the "war office" +might do in any ordinary building; but that the Treasury should +appropriately occupy the custom-house, which was fireproof. For his own +department, he said he should be satisfied with a room or two anywhere. +But my arrangement was not countermanded by the President, to whom I +referred all objectors. His decision was to be final--and he did not +decide against it. I had given him excellent quarters; and I knew he was +in the habit of having frequent interviews both with the Secretary of +War and the Adjutant-General, and this would be inconvenient if they +were in different buildings. + +JUNE 2D.--My wife had a little gold among her straightened finances; and +having occasion to purchase some article of dress, she obtained seven +and a half per cent. premium. The goods began to go up in price, as +paper money fell in value. At Montgomery I bought a pair of fine French +boots for $10 in gold--but packed my old ones in the top of my trunk. I +was under the necessity, likewise, of buying a linen coat, which cost +only $3.50. What will be the price of such commodities a year hence if +the blockade continues? It is fearful to contemplate! And yet it ought +to be considered. Boarding is rising rapidly, and so are the +blood-thirsty insects at the Carleton House. + +JUNE 3D.--The Secretary arrived to-day, sick; and was accompanied by +Major Tyler, himself unwell. And troops are beginning to arrive in +considerable numbers. The precincts of the city will soon be a series of +encampments. The regiments are drilled here, and these mostly forwarded +to Manassas, where a battle must soon occur, if the enemy, now in +overwhelming numbers, should advance. The Northern papers say the Yankee +army will celebrate the 4th of July in Richmond. _Nous verrons._ But no +doubt hostilities have commenced. We have accounts of frightful +massacres in Missouri, by German mercenaries. Hampton has been occupied +by the enemy, a detachment having been sent from Fortress Monroe for +that purpose. They also hold Newport News on the Peninsula. There are +rumors of a fight at Philippi. One Col. Potterfield was _surprised_. If +this be so, there is no excuse for him. I think the President will make +short work of incompetent commanders. Now a blunder is worse than a +crime. + +JUNE 4TH.--The Secretary is still sick. Having nothing better to do, and +seeing that eight-tenths of the letters received are merely applications +for commissions in the regular army--an organization without men--and +none being granted from civil life, I employed myself writing certain +articles for the press, hoping by this means to relieve the Secretary of +the useless and painful labor of dictating negative replies to +numberless communications. This had the sanction of both the President +and the Secretary, and produced, in some measure, the desired relief. + +JUNE 5TH.--There are rumors of a fight down at Pig's Point to-day; and +it is said our battery has torn the farthingale of the Harriet Lane +pretty extensively. The cannon was heard by persons not many miles east +of the city. These are the mutterings of the storm. It will burst some +of these days. + +JUNE 6TH.--We have hard work at the War Department, and some confusion +owing to the loss of a box of papers in transitu from Montgomery. I am +not a betting man, but I would wager a trifle that the contents of the +box are in the hands of some correspondent of the New York _Herald_ or +_Tribune_. Our careless people think that valor alone will win the day. +The Yankees desire, above all things, _information_ of our condition and +movements, of which they will take advantage. We must learn by +dear-bought experience. + +JUNE 7TH.--We have a Chief of the Bureau of War, a special favorite, it +is said, of Mr. Davis. I went into the Secretary's room (I now occupy +one adjoining), and found a portly gentleman in a white vest sitting +alone. The Secretary was out, and had not instructed the new officer +what to do. He introduced himself to me, and admitted that the Secretary +had not assigned him to duty. I saw at a glance how the land lay. It was +Col. A. T. Bledsoe, lately of the University of Virginia; and he had +been appointed by the President, _not_ upon the recommendation of the +Secretary. Here was a muss not larger than a mustard-seed; but it might +_grow_, for I knew well how sensitive was the nature of the Secretary; +and he had not been consulted. And so I took it upon myself to be +cicerone to the stranger. He was very grateful,--for a long time. Col. B. +had graduated at West Point in the same class with the President and +Bishop Polk, and subsequently, after following various pursuits, being +once, I believe, a preacher, became settled as a teacher of mathematics +at the University of Virginia. The colonel stayed near me, aiding in the +work of answering letters; but after sitting an hour, and groaning +repeatedly when gazing at the mass of papers constantly accumulating +before us, he said he believed he would take a number of them to his +lodging and answer them there. I saw nothing more of him during the day. +And once or twice, when the Secretary came in, he looked around for him, +but said nothing. Finally I informed him what I had done; and, without +signifying an assent, he merely remarked that there was no room in his +office for him. + +JUNE 8TH.--This morning Col. Bledsoe came in with his letters, some +fifty in number, looking haggard and worn. It was, indeed, a vast +number. But with one of his humorous smiles, he said they were short. He +asked me to look over them, and I found them mainly appropriate +responses to the letters marked for answer, and pretty closely in +accordance with the Secretary's dictation. In one or two instances, +however, he had been unable to decipher the Secretary's most difficult +chirography--for he had no idea of punctuation. In these instances he +had wholly misconceived the meaning, and the replies were exactly the +reverse of what they were intended to be. These he tore up, and wrote +others before submitting any to the Secretary. + +I had only written some thirty letters; but mine were longer--longer +than there was any necessity for. I told the colonel that the Secretary +had a partiality for "full" letters, especially when addressing any of +his friends; and that Major Tyler, who had returned, and was then +sitting with the Secretary, rarely dismissed one from his pen under less +than three pages. The colonel smiled, and said when there was nothing +further to say, it was economy to say nothing. He then carried his +letters into the Secretary's office, clearing his throat according to +custom on passing a door. I trembled for him; for I knew Mr. Walker had +an aversion to signing his name to letters of merely two or three lines. +He returned again immediately, saying the Secretary was busy. He left +the letters, however. + +Presently Major Tyler came out of the Secretary's room with several +voluminous letters in his own handwriting, duly signed. The major +greeted the colonel most cordially; and in truth his manners of a +gentleman are so innate that I believe it would be utterly impossible +for him to be clownish or rude in his address, if he were to make a +serious effort to be so. + +The major soon left us and re-entered the Secretary's office; but +returned immediately bearing the colonel's fifty letters, which he +placed before him and then retired. The very first one the colonel's eye +rested upon, brought the color to his face. Every line in it had been +effaced, and quite a different answer substituted in pencil marks +between the lines! "I wrote that," said the colonel, "according to his +own dictation." And as every letter carried in its fold the one to which +it was a reply, he exhibited the Secretary's words in pencil marks. The +colonel was right. The Secretary had omitted the little word "not"; and +hence the colonel had written to the Georgian: "Your company of cavalry +is accepted." The Secretary refused almost uniformly to accept cavalry, +and particularly Georgia cavalry. I took blame to myself for not +discovering this blunder previously. But the colonel, with his rapid +pen, soon wrote another answer. About one-half the letters had to be +written over again; and the colonel, smiling, and groaning, and +perspiring so extravagantly that he threw off his coat, and occupied +himself several hours in preparing the answers in accordance with the +Secretary's corrections. And when they were done, Mr. S. S. Scott, who +was to copy them in the letter-book, complimented the colonel on their +brevity. In response to this, the colonel said, unfortunately, he wished +he, Scott, were the secretary. Scott abused every one who wrote a long +letter. + +JUNE 9TH.--To-day the Secretary refused to sign the colonel's letters, +telling him to sign them himself--"by order of the Secretary of War." + +JUNE 10TH.--Yesterday the colonel did not take so many letters to +answer; and to-day he looked about him for other duties more congenial +to his nature. + +JUNE 11TH.--It is coming in earnest! The supposed thunder, heard down +the river yesterday, turns out to have been artillery. A fight has +occurred at Bethel, and blood--Yankee blood--has flowed pretty freely. +Magruder was assailed by some five thousand Yankees at Bethel, on the +Peninsula. His force was about nine hundred; but he was behind +intrenchments. We lost but one man killed and five wounded. The enemy's +loss is several hundred. That road to Richmond is a hard one to travel! +But I learn there is a panic about Williamsburg. Several young men from +that vicinity have shouldered their _pens_ and are applying for +clerkships in the departments. But most of the men of proper age in the +literary institutions are volunteering in defense of their native land. + +JUNE 12TH.--Gen. Lee has been or is to be created a full general in the +Confederate army, and will be assigned to duty here. He is third on the +list, Sydney Johnston being second. From all I can see and infer, we +shall make no attempt this year to invade the enemy's country. Our +policy is to be defensive, and it will be severely criticised, for a +vast majority of our people are for "carrying the war into Africa" +without a moment's delay. The sequel will show which is right, the +government or the people. At all events, the government will rule. + +JUNE 13TH.--Only one of the Williamsburg volunteers came into the +department proper; and he will make his way, for he is a flatterer. He +told me he had read my "Wild Western Scenes" twice, and never was so +much entertained by any other book. He went to work with hearty +good-will. + +JUNE 14TH.--Col. Bledsoe has given up writing almost entirely, but he +groans as much as ever. He is like a fish out of water, and unfit for +office. + +JUNE 15TH.--Another clerk has been appointed; a sedate one, by the name +of Shepherd, and a former pupil of the colonel's. + +I received several hints that the Chief of the Bureau was not at all a +favorite with the Secretary, who considered him utterly unfit for the +position; and that it could hardly be _good policy_ for me to be on +terms of such intimacy with him. Policy! A word I never appreciated, a +thing I never knew. All I know is that Col. Bledsoe has been appointed +by the President to fill an important position; and the same power +appoints the secretaries, and can unmake them. Under these circumstances +I find him permitted to sit for hours and days in the department with no +one to inform him of the condition of the business or to facilitate him +in the performance of his official duties. Not for any partiality in his +behalf, or prejudice against the Secretary, I step forward and endeavor +to discharge my own duty. I strive to serve the cause, whatsoever may be +the consequences to my personal interests. + +JUNE 16TH.--To-day, receiving dispatches from General Floyd, in Western +Virginia, that ten thousand Yankees were advancing through Fayette +County, and might intercept railroad communication between Richmond and +Chattanooga--the Secretary got me to send a telegraphic dispatch to his +family to repair hither without delay, for _military_ reasons. About +this time the Secretary's health gave way again, and Major Tyler had +another fit of indisposition totally disqualifying him for business. +Hence I have nearly all the correspondence of the department on my +hands, since Col. Bledsoe has ceased to write. + +JUNE 17TH.--To-day there was a rumor in the streets that Harper's Ferry +had been evacuated by Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, and, for the first time, +I heard murmurs against the government. So far, perhaps, no Executive +had ever such cordial and unanimous support of the people as President +Davis. I knew the motive of the evacuation, and prepared a short +editorial for one of the papers, suggesting good reasons for the +retrograde movement; and instancing the fact that when Napoleon's +capital was surrounded and taken, he had nearly 200,000 men in garrison +in the countries he had conquered, which would have been ample for the +defense of France. This I carried to the Secretary at his lodgings, and +he was so well pleased with it he wanted me to accompany him to the +lodgings of the President, in the same hotel, and show it to him. This +I declined, alleging it might be too late for the press. He laughed at +my diffidence, and disinclination on such occasions to approach the +President. I told him my desire was to serve the _cause_, and not +myself. I suppose he was incredulous. + +JUNE 18TH.--The city is content at the evacuation. The people have +unbounded confidence in the wisdom of the administration, and the +ability of our generals. Beauregard is the especial favorite. The +soldiers, now arming daily, are eager for the fray; and it is understood +a great battle must come off before many weeks; as it is the +determination of the enemy to advance from the vicinity of Washington, +where they are rapidly concentrating. But our people must curb their +impatience. And yet we dare not make known the condition of the +army,--the awful fact which may be stated here--and will not be known +until after-years,--that we have not enough ammunition at Manassas to +fight a battle. _There are not percussion caps enough in our army for a +serious skirmish._ It will be obviated in a few weeks; and until then I +pray there may be no battle. But if the enemy advance, our brave men +will give them the cold steel. We _must_ win the first battle at all +hazards, and at any cost; and, after that,--how long after?--we must win +the last! + +JUNE 19TH.--Yesterday I saw Colonel Bartow, still accompanied by young +Lamar, his aid. I wish all our officers were inspired by the same zeal +and determination that they are. And are they not? + +JUNE 20TH.--Gov. Wise has been appointed brigadier-general, of a +subsequent date to General Floyd's commission. He goes to the West, +where laurels grow; but I think it will be difficult to win them by any +one acting in a subordinate capacity, and especially by generals +appointed from civil life. They are the aversion of the West Pointers at +the heads of bureaus. + +JUNE 21ST.--A large, well-proportioned gentleman with florid complexion +and intellectual face, who has been whispering with Col. Bledsoe several +times during the last week, attracted my attention to-day. And when he +retired, Colonel B. informed me it was Bishop Polk, a classmate of his +and the President's at West Point. He had just been appointed a +_major_-general, and assigned to duty in the West, where he would rank +Gen. Pillow, who was exceedingly unpopular in Adjutant-Gen. Cooper's +office. I presume this arose solely from mistrust of his military +abilities; for he had certainly manifested much enthusiasm in the cause, +and was constantly urging the propriety of aggressive movements with his +command. All his purposed advances were countermanded. The policy of the +government is to be economical of the men. We have but a limited, the +enemy an inexhaustible number. + +JUNE 22D.--The Convention has appointed ten additional members to the +Provisional Congress--President Tyler among them. It will be observed +that my Diary goes on, including every day. Fighting for our homes and +holy altars, there is no intermission on Sunday. It is true, Mr. +Memminger came in the other day with a proposition to cease from labor +on Sunday, but our Secretary made war on it. The President, however, +goes to church very regularly--St. Paul's. + +On last Sunday the President surprised me. It was before church time, +and I was working alone. No one else was in the large room, and the +Secretary himself had gone home, quite ill. I thought I heard some one +approaching lightly from behind, but wrote on without looking up; even +when he had been standing some time at the back of my chair. At length I +turned my head, and beheld the President not three feet from me. He +smiled, and said he was looking for a certain letter referred by him to +the Secretary. I asked the name of the writer, which he told me. I said +I had a distinct recollection of it, and had taken it into the Secretary +with other papers that morning. But the Secretary was gone. We then +proceeded into the Secretary's office in search of it. The Secretary's +habit was to take the papers from his table, and after marking on them +with his pencil the disposition he wished made of them, he threw them +helter-skelter into a large arm-chair. This chair now contained half a +bushel; and the President and I set to work in quest of the letter. We +removed them one by one; and as we progressed, he said with an impatient +smile, "it is always sure to be the last one." And so it was. Having +found it, he departed immediately; and soon after I saw him on his way +to church. + +JUNE 23D.--Every day as soon as the first press of business is over, the +Secretary comes out of his office and taps me on the shoulder, and +invites me to ride with him in quest of a house. We go to those offered +for rent; but he cannot be suited. + +JUNE 24TH.--To-day I was startled by the announcement from Col. Bledsoe +that he would resign soon, and that it was his purpose to ask the +President to appoint _me_ chief of the bureau in his place. I said I +preferred a less conspicuous position--and less labor--but thanked him. +He said he had no influence with the Secretary--an incontrovertible +fact; and that he thought he should return to the University. While we +were speaking, the President's messenger came in with a note to the +colonel; I did not learn the purport of it, but it put the colonel in a +good humor. He showed me the two first words: "Dear Bledsoe." He said +nothing more about resigning. + +I must get more lucrative employment, or find something for my son to +do. The boarding of my family, alone, comes to more than my salary; and +the cost of everything is increasing. + +JUNE 25TH.--More accounts of battles and massacres in Missouri and +Kansas. I never thought the Yankees would be permitted to ascend the +Missouri River. What has become of the marksmen and deer hunters of +Missouri? There has been also a fight at Leesburg, and one near Romney, +Va. Blood has been shed in all of them. These are the pattering drops +that must inevitably be succeeded by a torrent of blood! + +JUNE 26TH.--The President revised one of my articles for the press +to-day, suggesting some slight modifications, which, perhaps, improved +it. It was not a political article; but designed exclusively to advance +the cause by inciting the people of Virginia and elsewhere to volunteer +_for the war_. Such volunteers are accepted, and ordered into active +service at once; whereas six and twelve months' men, unless they furnish +their own arms, are not accepted. + +It is certain the United States intend to raise a grand army, to serve +for three years or the war. Short enlistments constituted the bane of +Washington's army; and this fact is reiterated a thousand times in his +extant letters. + +There are a great many applications for clerkships in the departments by +teachers who have not _followed_ their _pupils_ to the army. Army and +naval officers, coming over at this late day, are commissioned in our +service. In regard to this matter, the President is supposed to know +best. + +JUNE 27TH.--We have, I think, some 40,000 pretty well armed men in +Virginia, sent hither from other States. Virginia has--I know not how +many; but she should have at least 40,000 in the field. This will enable +us to cope with the Federal army of 70,000 volunteers, and the regular +forces they may hurl against us. But so far as this department is aware, +Virginia has not yet _two_ regiments in the service for three years, or +the war. And here the war will be sure to rage till the end! + +JUNE 28TH.--We have a flaming comet in the sky. It comes unannounced, +and takes a northwestern course. I dreamed last night that I saw a great +black ball moving in the heavens, and it obscured the moon. The stars +were in motion, visibly, and for a time afforded the only light. Then a +brilliant halo illuminated the zenith like the quick-shooting +irradiations of the aurora borealis. And men ran in different +directions, uttering cries of agony. These cries, I remember distinctly, +came from _men_. As I gazed upon the fading and dissolving moon, I +thought of the war brought upon us, and the end of the United States +Government. My family were near, all of them, and none seemed alarmed or +distressed. I experienced no perturbation; but I awoke. I felt curious +to prolong the vision, but sleep had fled. I was gratified, however, to +be conscious of the fact that in this illusory view of the end of all +things sublunary, I endured no pangs of remorse or misgivings of the new +existence it seemed we were about to enter upon. + +JUNE 29TH.--I cannot support my family here, on the salary I receive +from the government; and so they leave me in a few days to accept the +tendered hospitality of Dr. Custis, of Newbern, N. C., my wife's cousin. + +JUNE 30TH.--My family engaged packing trunks. They leave immediately. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +My family in North Carolina.--Volunteers daily rejected.--Gen. Winder + appears upon the stage.--Toombs commissioned.--Hunter Secretary of + State.--Duel prevented.--Col B. Secretary for a few hours.--Gen. + Garnett killed.--Battle of Manassas.--Great excitement.--Col. Bartow. + + +JULY 1ST.--My family are gone. We have moved the department to +Mechanics' Hall, which will be known hereafter as the War Department. In +an evil hour, I selected a room to write my letters in, quite remote +from the Secretary's office. I thought Mr. Walker resented this. He had +likewise been piqued at the effect produced by an article I had written +on the subject of the difficulty of getting arms from Georgia with the +volunteers from that State. One of the spunky Governor's organs had +replied with acerbity, not only defending the Governor, but striking at +the Secretary himself, to whom the authorship was ascribed. My article +had been read and approved by the Secretary before its insertion; +nevertheless he now regretted it had been written--not that there was +anything improper in it, but that it should have been couched in words +that suggested the idea to the Southern editor that the Secretary might +be its author. I resolved to meddle with edged tools no more; for I +remembered that Gil Blas had done the same thing for the Duke of Lerma. +Hereafter I shall study Gil Blas for the express purpose of being his +antithesis. But I shall never rise until the day of doom brings us all +to our feet again. + +JULY 2D.--There has been some brilliant fighting by several brothers +named Ashby, who led a mounted company near Romney. One of the brothers, +Richard, was slain. Turner Ashby put half a dozen Yankees _hors du +combat_ with his own arm. He will make a name. We have accounts of an +extraordinary exploit of Col. Thomas, of Maryland. Disguised as a French +lady, he took passage on the steamer St. Nicholas at Baltimore en route +for Washington. During the voyage he threw off his disguise, and in +company with his accomplices, seized the steamer. Coming down the Bay, +he captured three prizes, and took the whole fleet into Fredericksburg +in triumph. Lieut. Minor, C. S. N., participated in this achievement. +Gen. Patterson, who conciliated the mob in Philadelphia, which had +intended to hang me, seems to be true to his pledge to fight the +Southern people. He is now advancing into Virginia at the head of a +brigade. + +JULY 3D.--The Secretary said to me to-day that he desired my young +friend, the classical teacher, to assist me in writing letters. I told +him I needed assistance, and Mr. Jacques was qualified. Major Tyler's +ill health keeps him absent half the time. There was abundance of work +for both of us. Mr. J. is an agreeable companion, and omitted no +opportunity to oblige me. But he trenches on the major's manor, and can +write as long letters as any one. I would never write them, unless the +subject-matter demanded it; and so, all the answers marked "full" by the +Secretary, when the sum and substance is to be merely an affirmative or +a negative, will fall to my co-laborer's share. + +JULY 4TH.--These simple things provoked some remarks from the young +gentlemen in the department, and gave rise to predictions that he would +soon supplant us all in the affections of the Secretary. And he is +nimble of foot too, and enters the Secretary's room twice to Col. B.'s +or Major T.'s once. I go not thither unless sent for; for in a cause +like this, personal advancement, when it involves catering to the +caprices of functionaries dressed in a little brief authority, should be +spurned with contempt. But Col. Bledsoe is shocked, and renews his +threats of resignation. Major Tyler is eager to abandon the pen for the +sword; but Congress has not acted on his nomination; and the West +Pointers, many of them indebted to his father for their present +positions, are inimical to his confirmation. + +JULY 5TH.--We have news of a fight at Gainesville between Gen. Patterson +and Col. Jackson; the latter, being opposed by overwhelming numbers, +fell back after punishing the Philadelphia general so severely that he +will not be likely to have any more stomach for fighting during the +remainder of the campaign. + +JULY 6TH.--Col. Bledsoe complains that the Secretary still has quite as +little intercourse with him, personal and official, as possible. The +consequence is that the Chief of the Bureau is drawing a fine salary +and performing no service. Still, it is not without the sweat of his +brow, and many groans. + +JULY 7TH.--Major Tyler's health has improved, but I do not perceive a +resumption of his old intimate relations with the Secretary. Yet he is +doing the heavy epistolary work, being a lawyer; and the correspondence +sometimes embracing diverse legal points. My intimacy with the colonel +continues. It seems he would do anything in the world for me. He has put +Mr. Shepherd to issuing passports to the camps, etc.--the form being +dictated by the Secretary. These are the first passports issued by the +government. I suggested that they should be granted by and in the name +of the Chief of the Bureau of War--and a few were so issued--but the +Secretary arrested the proceeding. The Secretary was right, probably, in +this matter. + +The President is appointing generals enough, one would suppose. I hope +we shall have men for them. From five to ten thousand volunteers are +daily offered--but not two thousand are accepted. Some have no arms; and +others propose to serve only for six or twelve months. Infantry will not +fight with hunting rifles or shot-guns; and the department will not +accept mounted men, on account of the expense of transportation, etc. +Oh, that I had power but for a week! There should then be accepted fifty +regiments of cavalry. These are the troops for quick marches, surprises, +and captures. And our people, even down to the little boys, are expert +riders. If it were to be a short war--or if it were to be a war of +invasion on our part--it might be good policy, economically, to +discourage cavalry organizations. But we shall want all our men; and +many a man would fight in the saddle who could not or would not march in +the infantry. And mounted men are content to use the double-barreled +shot-gun--one barrel for ball, the other for buck-shot and close +quarters. + +JULY 8TH.--There is a stout gray-haired old man here from Maryland +applying to be made a general. It is Major J. H. Winder, a graduate of +West Point, I believe; and I think he will be successful. He is the son, +I believe, of the Gen. Winder whose command in the last war with England +unfortunately permitted the City of Washington to fall into the hands of +the enemy. I have almost a superstitious faith in _lucky_ generals, and +a corresponding prejudice against unlucky ones, and their progeny. But +I cannot suppose the President will order this general into the field. +He may take the prisoners into his custody--and do other jobs as a sort +of head of military police; and this is what I learn he proposes. And +the French Prince, Polignac, has been made a colonel; and a great nephew +of Kosciusko has been commissioned a lieutenant in the regular army. +Well, Washington had his Lafayette--and I like the nativity of these +officers better than that of the Northern men, still applying for +commissions. + +JULY 9TH.--Mr. Toombs is to be a brigadier-general. That is what I +looked for. The two brothers Cobb are to be colonels; and Orr is to have +a regiment. + +Mr. Hunter succeeds Toombs in the State Department--and that disposes of +him, if he will stay there. It is to be an obscure place; and if he were +indolent, without ambition, it would be the very place for him. Wise is +done for. He has had several fights, always drawing blood; but when he +gets ready to make a great fight, he is ordered back for fear of his +"rashness." Exacting obedience in his own subordinates, of course he +will obey the orders of Adjt.-Gen. Cooper. In this manner I apprehend +that the three giants of Virginia, Wise, Hunter, and Floyd, will be +neutralized and dwarfed at the behest of West Point. Napoleon's marshals +were privates once--ours--but perhaps West Point may be killed off in +the end, since they rush in so eagerly at the beginning of the war. + +JULY 10TH.--There are indications of military operations on a large +scale on the Potomac. We have intelligence that McDowell is making +preparations to advance against our forces at Manassas. Gen. Johnston is +expected to be there in time; and for that purpose is manoeuvring Gen. +Patterson out of the way. Our men have _caps_ now--and will be found in +readiness. They have short-commons under the Commissary Department; but +even with empty stomachs, they can beat the Yankees at the ordeal of +dying. Fighting is a sport our men always have an appetite for. + +JULY 11TH.--The colonel tried his hand to-day at dictating answers to +certain letters. Together we pitched upon the proper replies, which, +after being marked with his pencil, I elaborated with the pen. These +were first approved by the Secretary, then signed by the Chief of the +Bureau, and copied by Mr. Scott. + +To-day the colonel essayed a flight with his own plumage. I followed his +dictation substantially in the answers. But the moment the Secretary's +eyes rested upon them, they were promptly _reversed_. The Secretary +himself, suspecting how it was, indeed he saw the colonel's pencil +marks, brought them to me, while a humorous smile played upon his +usually not very expressive lip. When the colonel came in, and beheld +what had been done, he groaned, and requested me to write the proper +answers. From that day he ceased to have anything more to do with the +correspondence than to sign his name to the letters I prepared for him. +He remarked to-day that if he was to have nothing to do, he would do +nothing. + +JULY 12TH.--The colonel's temper is as variable as an April day--now all +smiles and sunshine, but by-and-by a cloud takes all away. He becomes +impatient with a long-winded story, told by some business applicant--and +_storms_ whenever any one asks him if the Secretary is in. + +To-day, for the first time, I detected a smile on the lip of Col. Myers, +the Quartermaster-General, as he passed through the office. A moment +after, Gen. Walker, of Georgia, came in, and addressed the colonel thus: + +"Is the Secretary in?" + +_Col._ (_with a stare_). I don't know. + +_Gen. W._ (returning the stare). Could you not ascertain for me? I have +important business with him; and am here by appointment. + +_Col. B._ You can ascertain for yourself. I am not his door-keeper. +There is his door. + +_Gen. W._ (after a moment's reflection). I asked you a civil question in +a courteous manner, and have not deserved this harshness, and will not +submit to it. + +_Col. B._ It is not courteous to presume I am acting in the capacity of +a messenger or door-keeper. + +Just then the Secretary appeared at the door, having heard the loud +language, and Gen. W. immediately entered his office. + +Afterward the colonel fumed and fretted like an angry volcano. He +disliked Col. Myers, and believed he had sent the general in under +prompting to annoy him about the Secretary, whom he (Myers) really +hated. + +JULY 13TH.--The Secretary made peace yesterday between the general and +the colonel, or a duel might have transpired. + +To-day the colonel carried into the Secretary a number of applications +for commissions as surgeons. Among the applicants were some of the +colonel's friends. He returned soon after in a rage, slamming the door +after him, and then throwing down the papers violently on the floor. He +picked them up the next moment, however, and sitting down beside me, +became instantaneously as gentle as a dove. He said the men of science +were thrust aside to give way to quacks; but, laughing, he remarked that +the quacks would do well enough for the wounded ----. _Our_ men would +have too much sense to submit to their malpractice. + +JULY 14TH.--The Secretary is sick again. He has been recommended by his +physician to spend some days in the country; and to-morrow he will leave +with his family. What will be the consequence? + +JULY 15TH.--Early this morning, Major Tyler was seated in the +Secretary's chair, prepared to receive the visitors. This, I suppose, +was of course in pursuance of the Secretary's request; and accordingly +the door-keeper ushered in the people. But not long after Col. Bledsoe +arrived, and exhibited to me an order from the President for him to act +as Secretary of War _pro tem_. The colonel was in high spirits, and full +dress; and seemed in no measure piqued at Major Tyler for occupying the +Secretary's chair. The Secretary must have been aware that the colonel +was to _act_ during his absence--but, probably, supposed it proper that +the major, from his suavity of manners, was best qualified for the +reception of the visitors. He had been longer in the department, and was +more familiar with the routine of business. Yet the colonel was not +satisfied; and accordingly requested me to intimate the fact to Major +Tyler, of which, it seemed, he had no previous information, that the +President had appointed Col. Bledsoe to act as Secretary of War during +the absence of Mr. Walker. The major retired from the office +immediately, relinquishing his post with grace. + +JULY 16TH.--The Secretary was back again this evening. He could not +procure comfortable quarters in the country. He seemed vexed, but from +what cause, I did not learn. The colonel, however, had _rushed the +appointments_. He was determined to be _quick_, because Mr. W. was known +to be slow and hesitating. + +JULY 17TH.--The news is not so good to-day. Gen. Garnett's small command +has been defeated by the superior numbers of Gen. McClellan. But the +general himself was killed, fighting in the rear of his retreating men. +His example will not be without its effect. Our generals will resolve +never to survive a defeat. This will embolden the enemy to attack us at +Manassas, where their suddenly acquired confidence will be snuffed out, +or I am mistaken. + +JULY 18TH.--The major is sick again, and Jacques is away; therefore I +have too much work, and the colonel groans for me. He is proud of the +appointments he made with such rapidity, and has been complimented. And +in truth there is no reason why the thousands of applications should not +be acted on promptly; and there are many against delay. A large army +must be organized immediately, and it will be necessary to appoint +thousands of field and staff officers--unless all the governors are +permitted to do as Gov. Brown desires to do. The Secretary is in better +health, and quite condescending. My work pleases him; and I shouldn't be +astonished if he resented the sudden absence of Mr. Jacques. But he +should consider that Mr. J. is only an amateur clerk getting no pay, +rich, and independent of the government. + +JULY 19TH.--We had fighting yesterday in earnest, at Bull Run! Several +brigades were engaged, and the enemy were repulsed with the loss of +several hundred left dead and wounded on the field. That _was_ fighting, +and we shall soon have more of it. + +Brig.-Gen. Holmes, my friend and fellow-fugitive, now stationed near +Fredericksburg, has been ordered by Gen. Beauregard to be ready to march +at an hour's notice. And Col. Northrop's chin and nose have become +suddenly sharper. He is to send up fighting rations for three days, and +discerns the approach of sanguinary events. + +Mr. Hunter calls every evening, just as the dusky shades of eve descend, +to inquire if we have any news. + +JULY 20TH.--The Secretary works too much--or rather does not economize +his labor. He procrastinates final action; and hence his work, never +being disposed of, is always increasing in volume. _Why_ does he +procrastinate? Can it be that his hesitation is caused by the advice of +the President, in his great solicitude to make the best appointments? We +have talent enough in the South to officer millions of men. Mr. Walker +is a man of capacity, and has a most extraordinary recollection of +details. But I fear his nerves are too finely strung for the official +treadmill. I heard him say yesterday, with a sigh, that no _gentleman_ +can be fit for office. Well, Mr. Walker _is_ a gentleman by education +and instincts; and is fastidiously tenacious of what is due a gentleman. +Will his official life be a long one? I know one thing--there are +several aspiring dignitaries waiting impatiently for his shoes. But +those who expect to reach the Presidency by a successful administration +of any of the departments, or by the bestowal of patronage, are laboring +under an egregious error. None but generals will get the Imperial purple +for the next twenty years--if indeed the prematurely made "_permanent_" +government should be permanent. + +JULY 21ST.--The President left the city this morning for Manassas, and +we look for a battle immediately. I have always thought he would avail +himself of his prerogative as commander-in-chief, and direct in person +the most important operations in the field; and, indeed, I have always +supposed he was selected to be the Chief of the Confederacy, mainly with +a view to this object, as it was generally believed he possessed +military genius of a high order. In revolutions like the present, the +chief executive occupies a most perilous and precarious position, if he +be not a military chieftain, and present on every battle-field of great +magnitude. I have faith in President Davis, and believe he will gain +great glory in this first mighty conflict. + +Early in the evening Secretary Walker returned from tea in great +excitement. He strode to and fro in the room where we were sitting, +d----g his office. He said a great battle was then going on, and he +wished himself present participating in its perils. Again he denounced +the office he filled--and seemed, for a time, almost frantic with +anxiety. He said all young men ought to be in the field, and this was +understood by those present, who had merely shouldered their pens. + +Before long the hall of the department was filled with people eager to +hear the news; and as successive dispatches were received, the +excitement increased. All the cabinet were in our office; and Hon. +Howell Cobb, President of Congress, making deductions from the +dispatches, announced his belief that it was a drawn battle. This moved +the wrath of Col. Bledsoe, and he denounced Cobb. Mr. Hunter did nothing +but listen. It was night, now. Finally, Mr. Benjamin, who had gone to +the Spottswood Hotel, where Mrs. Davis resided, returned with news that +stopped every detracting tongue. Mrs. D. had just got a dispatch from +the President announcing a dearly-bought but glorious victory. Some of +the editors of the papers being present, and applying to me for a copy +of the dispatch, Mr. Benjamin said he could repeat it from memory, which +he did, and I wrote it down for the press. Then joy ruled the hour! The +city seemed lifted up, and every one appeared to walk on air. Mr. +Hunter's face grew shorter; Mr. Reagan's eyes subsided into their +natural size; and Mr. Benjamin's glowed something like Daniel Webster's +after taking a pint of brandy. The men in place felt that now they held +their offices for life, as the _permanent_ government would soon be +ratified by the people, and that the Rubicon had been passed in earnest. +We had gained a great victory; and no doubt existed that it would be +followed up the next day. If so, the Federal city would inevitably fall +into our hands; and this would soon be followed by the expulsion of the +enemy from Southern soil. All men seemed to think that the tide of war +would roll from that day northward into the enemy's country, until we +should win a glorious peace. + +JULY 22D.--Both Col. B. and I were in a passion this morning upon +finding that the papers had published a dispatch from their own agent at +Manassas, stating that the President did not arrive upon the field until +the victory was won; and therefore did not participate in the battle at +all. From the President's own dispatch, and other circumstances, we had +conceived the idea that he was not only present, but had directed the +principal operations in the field. The colonel intimated that another +paper ought to be established in Richmond, that would do justice to the +President; and it was conjectured by some that a scheme was on foot to +elect some other man to the Presidency of the permanent government in +the autumn. Nevertheless, we learned soon after that the abused +correspondent had been pretty nearly correct in his statement. The +battle had been won, and the enemy were flying from the field before the +President appeared upon it. It had been won by Beauregard, who, +however, was materially assisted by his superior in command, Gen. Joseph +E. Johnston. Gen. J. remained in the rear, and brought up the +reinforcements which gained the day. Beauregard is, to-day, the most +popular general in the service. Besides some 500 prisoners, the enemy, +it is said, had 4500 killed and wounded. The casualties would have been +much greater, if the enemy had not broken and fled. We lost some 2000 +men, killed and wounded. + +The President returned to-day and made a speech at the Spottswood Hotel, +wherein he uttered the famous words: "Never be haughty to the humble, or +humble to the haughty." And he said that no doubt the Confederate flag +then floated over Fairfax C. H., and would soon be raised at Alexandria, +etc. etc. Never heard I more hearty cheering. Every one believed our +banners would wave in the streets of Washington in a few days; that the +enemy would be expelled from the District and from Maryland, and that a +peace would be consummated on the banks of the Susquehanna or the +Schuylkill. The President had pledged himself, on one occasion, to carry +the war into the enemy's country, if they would not let us go in peace. +Now, in that belief, the people were well pleased with their President. + +JULY 23D.--Jacques is back and as busy as a bee; and, in truth, there is +work enough for all. + +JULY 24TH.--Yesterday we received a letter from Col. Bartow, written +just before the battle (in which he fell, his letter being received +after the announcement of his death), urging the appointment of his +gallant young friend Lamar to a lieutenancy. I noted these facts on the +back of his letter, with the Secretary's approbation, and also that the +request had been granted, and placed the letter, perhaps the last he +ever wrote, in the archives for preservation. + +JULY 25TH.--Bartow's body has arrived, and lies in state at the Capitol. +Among the chief mourners was his young friend Barton, who loved him as a +son loves his father. From Lamar I learned some interesting particulars +of the battle. He said when Bartow's horse was killed, he, Lamar, was +sent to another part of the field for another, and also to order up +certain regiments, Bartow then being in command of a brigade. Lamar +galloped through a hot cross-fire to the regiments and delivered the +order, but got no horse. He galloped back, however, through the +terrible fire, with the intention of giving his own horse to Bartow, if +none other could be had. On his return he encountered Col. Jones, of the +4th Alabama, wounded, his arms being around the necks of two friends, +who were endeavoring to support him in a standing attitude. One of these +called to Lamar, and asked for his horse, hoping that Col. Jones might +be able to ride (his thigh-bone was terribly shattered), and thus get +off the field. Lamar paused, and promised as soon as he could report to +Bartow he would return with that or another horse. Col. Jones thanked +him kindly, but cautioned him against any neglect of Bartow's orders, +saying he probably could not ride. Lamar promised to return immediately; +and putting spurs to his noble steed, started off in a gallop. He had +not gone fifty yards before his horse fell, throwing him over his head. +He saw that the noble animal had been pierced by as many as eight balls, +from a single volley. He paused a moment and turned away, when the poor +horse endeavored to rise and follow, but could not. He returned and +patted the groaning and tearful steed on his neck; and, while doing +this, _five more_ balls struck him, and he died instantly. Lamar then +proceeded on foot through a storm of bullets, and, untouched, rejoined +Bartow in time to witness his fall. + +Our prisons are filled with Yankees, and Brig.-Gen. Winder has +employment. There is a great pressure for passports to visit the +battle-field. At my suggestion, all physicians taking amputating +instruments, and relatives of the wounded and slain, have been permitted +by the Secretary to go thither. + +JULY 26TH.--Many amusing scenes occur daily between the Chief of the +Bureau and applicants for passports. Those not included specially in the +Secretary's instructions, are referred to the Chief of the Bureau; and +Col. Bledsoe cannot bear importunity. Sometimes he becomes so very +boisterous that the poor applicants are frightened out of the office. + +JULY 27TH.--A large number of new arrivals are announced from the North. +Clerks resigned at Washington, and embryo heroes having military +educations, are presenting themselves daily, and applying for positions +here. They represent the panic in the North as awful, and ours is +decidedly the winning side. These gentry somehow succeed in getting +appointments. + +Our army _does not advance_. It is said both Beauregard and Johnston are +anxious to cross the Potomac; but what is _said_ is not always true. The +capabilities of our army to cross the Potomac are not known; and the +policy of doing so if it were practicable, is to be determined by the +responsible authority. Of one thing I am convinced: the North, so far +from desisting from the execution of its settled purpose, even under +this disagreeable reverse, will be stimulated to renewed preparations on +a scale of greater magnitude than ever. + +JULY 28TH.--We have taken two prisoners in civilian's dress, Harris and +----, on the field, who came over from Washington in quest of the +remains of Col. Cameron, brother of the Yankee Secretary of War. They +claim a release on the ground that they are non-combatants, but admit +they were sent to the field by the Yankee Secretary. Mr. Benjamin came +to the department last night with a message for Secretary Walker, on the +subject. The Secretary being absent, he left it with me to deliver. It +was that the prisoners were not to be liberated without the concurrence +of the President. There was no danger of Secretary Walker releasing +them; for I had heard him say the authorities might have obtained the +remains, if they had sent a flag of truce. Disdaining to condescend thus +far toward a recognition of us as belligerents, they abandoned their +dead and wounded; and he, Walker, would see the prisoners, thus +surreptitiously sent on the field, in a very hot place before he would +sign an order for their release. I was gratified to see Mr. Benjamin so +zealous in the matter. + +JULY 29TH.--To-day quite a number of our wounded men on crutches, and +with arms in splints, made their appearance in the streets, and created +a sensation. A year hence, and we shall be accustomed to such +spectacles. + +JULY 30TH.--Nothing of importance to-day. + +JULY 31ST.--Nothing worthy of note. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +My son Custis appointed clerk in the War Department.--N. Y. Herald + contains a pretty correct army list of the C. S.--Appearance of "Plug + Uglies."--President's rupture with Beauregard.--President sick.-- + Alien enemies ordered away.--Brief interview with the President.-- + "Immediate."--Large numbers of cavalry offering.--Great preparations + in the North. + + +AUGUST 1ST.--Col. Bledsoe again threatens to resign, and again declares +he will get the President to appoint me to his place. It would not suit +me. + +AUGUST 2D.--After some brilliant and successful fights, we have a +dispatch to-day stating that Gen. Wise has fallen back in Western +Virginia, obeying peremptory orders. + +AUGUST 3D.--Conversed with some Yankees to-day who are to be released +to-morrow. It appears that when young Lamar lost his horse on the plains +of Manassas, the 4th Alabama Regiment had to fall back a few hundred +yards, and it was impossible to bear Col. Jones, wounded, from the +field, as he was large and unwieldy. When the enemy came up, some half +dozen of their men volunteered to convey him to a house in the vicinity. +They were permitted to do this, and to remain with him as a guard. Soon +after our line advanced, and with such impetuosity as to sweep +everything before it. Col. Jones was rescued, and his guard made +prisoners. But, for their attention to him, he asked their release, +which was granted. They say their curiosity to see a battle-field has +been gratified, and they shall be contented to remain at home in safety +hereafter. They regarded us as rebels, and believed us divided among +ourselves. If this should be true, the rebellion would yet be crushed; +but if we were unanimous and continued to fight as we did at Manassas, +it would be revolution, and our independence must some day be +acknowledged by the United States. But, they say, a great many Northern +men remain to be gratified as they had been; and the war will be a +terrible one before they can be convinced that a reduction of the +rebellion is not a practicable thing. + +AUGUST 4TH.--To-day Mr. Walker inquired where my son Custis was. I told +him he was with his mother at Newbern, N. C. He authorized me to +telegraph him to return, and he should be appointed to a clerkship. + +AUGUST 5TH.--Col. Bledsoe has a job directly from the President: which +is to adapt the volume of U. S. Army Regulations to the service of the +Confederate States. It is only to strike out U. S. and insert C. S., and +yet the colonel groans over it. + +AUGUST 6TH.--Custis arrived and entered upon the discharge of his +duties. + +AUGUST 7TH.--Saw Col. Pendleton to-day, but it was not the first time. I +have seen him in the pulpit, and heard him preach good sermons. He is an +Episcopal minister. He it was that plowed such destruction through the +ranks of the invaders at Manassas. At first the battery did no +execution; perceiving this, he sighted the guns himself and fixed the +range. Then exclaiming, "Fire, boys! and may God have mercy on their +guilty souls!" he beheld the lanes made through the regiments of the +enemy. Since then he has been made a colonel, and will some day be a +general; for he was a fellow-cadet at West Point with the President and +Bishop Polk. + +A tremendous excitement! The New York _Herald_ has been received, +containing a pretty accurate list of our military forces in the +different camps of the Confederate States, with names and grades of the +general officers. The Secretary told me that if he had required such a +list, a more correct one could not have been furnished him. Who is the +traitor? Is he in the Adjutant-General's office? Many suppose so; and +some accuse Gen. Cooper, simply because he is a Northern man by birth. +But the same information might be supplied by the Quartermaster's or +Commissary-General's office; and perhaps by the Ordnance Bureau; for all +these must necessarily be in communication with the different +organizations in the field. Congress was about to order an +investigation; but it is understood the department suggested that the +matter could be best searched into by the Executive. For my part, I have +no doubt there are many Federal spies in the departments. Too many +clerks were imported from Washington. And yet I doubt if any one in a +subordinate position, without assistance from higher authority, could +have prepared the list published in the _Herald_. + +AUGUST 8TH.--For some time past (but since the battle at Manassas) quite +a number of Northern and Baltimore policemen have made their appearance +in Richmond. Some of these, if not indeed all of them, have been +employed by Gen. Winder. These men, by their own confessions, have been +heretofore in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York, merely petty +larceny detectives, dwelling in bar-rooms, ten-pin alleys, and such +places. How can they detect political offenders, when they are too +ignorant to comprehend what constitutes a political offense? They are +illiterate men, of low instincts and desperate characters. But their low +cunning will serve them here among unsuspecting men. They will, if +necessary, give information to the enemy themselves, for the purpose of +convincing the authorities that a detective police is indispensable; and +it is probable a number of them will be, all the time, on the pay-rolls +of Lincoln. + +AUGUST 9TH.--Gen. Magruder commands on the Peninsula. President Tyler +had a villa near Hampton, which the Yankees despoiled in a barbarous +manner. They cut his carpets, defaced the pictures, broke the statues, +and made kindling wood of the piano, sofas, etc. + +AUGUST 10TH.--Mr. Benjamin is a frequent visitor at the department, and +is very sociable: some intimations have been thrown out that he aspires +to become, some day, Secretary of War. Mr. Benjamin, unquestionably, +will have great influence with the President, for he has studied his +character most carefully. He will be familiar not only with his "likes," +but especially with his "dislikes." It is said the means used by Mr. +Blair to hold Gen. Jackson, consisted not so much in a facility of +attaching strong men to him as his friends, but in aiming fatal blows at +the great leaders who had incurred the enmity of the President. Thus +Calhoun was incessantly pursued. + +AUGUST 11TH.--There is a whisper that something like a rupture has +occurred between the President and Gen. Beauregard; and I am amazed to +learn that Mr. Benjamin is inimical to Gen. B. I know nothing of the +foundation for the report; but it is said that Beauregard was eager to +pass with his army into Maryland, immediately after the battle, and was +prevented. It is now quite apparent, from developments, that a small +force would have sufficed to take Washington, a few days or weeks after +the battle. But was Beauregard aware of the fact, before the opportunity +ceased to exist? It is too late now! + +AUGUST 12TH.--There is trouble with Mr. Tochman, who was authorized to +raise a regiment or so of foreigners in Louisiana. These troops were +called (by whom?) the Polish Brigade, though, perhaps, not one hundred +Polanders were on the muster-rolls; Major Tochman being styled _General_ +Tochman by "everybody," he has intimated to the President his +expectation of being commissioned a brigadier. The President, on his +part, has promptly and emphatically, as is sometimes _his_ wont, +declared his purpose to give him no such commission. He never, for a +moment, thought of making him more than a colonel. To this the major +demurs, and furnishes a voluminous correspondence to prove that his +claims for the position of brigadier-general had been recognized by the +Secretary of War. + +AUGUST 13TH.--The President sent to the department an interesting letter +from Mr. Zollicoffer, in Tennessee, relating to the exposed condition of +the country, and its capacities for defense. + +AUGUST 14TH.--Zollicoffer has been appointed a brigadier-general; and +although not a military man by education, I think he will make a good +officer. + +AUGUST 15TH.--No clew yet to the spies in office who furnish the +Northern press with information. The matter will pass uninvestigated. +Such is our indifference to everything but desperate fighting. The enemy +will make good use of this species of information. + +AUGUST 16TH.--The President is sick, and goes to the country. I did not +know until to-day that he is blind of an eye. I think an operation was +performed once in Washington. + +AUGUST 17TH.--Some apprehension is felt concerning the President's +health. If he were to die, what would be the consequences? I should +stand by the Vice-President, of course, because "it is so nominated in +the bond," and because I think he would make as efficient an Executive +as any other man in the Confederacy. But others think differently; and +there might be trouble. + +The President has issued a proclamation, in pursuance of the act of +Congress passed on the 8th instant, commanding all alien enemies to +leave in forty days; and the Secretary of War has indicated Nashville as +the place of exit. This produces but little excitement, except among the +Jews, some of whom are converting their effects into gold and departing. + +Col. Bledsoe's ankles are much too weak for his weighty body, but he can +shuffle along quite briskly when in pursuit of a refractory clerk; and +when he catches him, if he resists, the colonel is sure to leave him. + +AUGUST 18TH.--Nothing worthy of note. + +AUGUST 19TH.--The Secretary has gone to Orange C. H., to see Col. Jones, +of the 4th Alabama, wounded at Manassas, and now in a dying condition. + +Meeting with Mr. Benjamin this morning, near the Secretary's door, I +asked him if he did not think some one should act as Secretary during +Mr. Walker's absence. He replied quickly, and with interest, in the +affirmative. There was much pressing business every hour; and it was +uncertain when the Secretary would return. I asked him if he would not +speak to the President on the subject. He assented; but, hesitating a +moment, said he thought it would be better for me to see him. I reminded +him of my uniform reluctance to approach the Chief Executive, and he +smiled. He then urged me to go to the presidential mansion, and in his, +Mr. B.'s name, request the President to appoint a Secretary _ad +interim_. I did so, for the President was in the city that day, and fast +recovering from his recent attack of ague. + +Arrived at the mansion in Clay Street, I asked the servant if I could +see the President. He did not know me, and asked my name, saying the +President had not yet left his chamber. I wrote my business on a card +with a pencil, not omitting to use the name of Mr. Benjamin, and sent it +up. A moment after the President came down, shook hands with me, and, in +his quick and rather pettish manner, said "send me the order." I retired +immediately, and finding Mr. Benjamin still in the hall of the +department, informed him of my success. Then, in conformity with his +suggestion, I repaired to Adjutant-General Cooper, who wrote the order +that A. T. Bledsoe discharge the duties of Secretary of War during the +absence of Mr. Walker. This I sent by a messenger to the President, who +signed it. + +Then I informed Col. Bledsoe of what had been done, and he proceeded +without delay to the Secretary's office. It was not long before I +perceived the part Mr. Benjamin and I had acted was likely to breed a +storm; for several of the employees, supposed to be in the confidence of +Mr. Walker, designated the proceeding as an "outrage;" and some went so +far as to intimate that Mr. Benjamin's motive was to have some of his +partisans appointed to lucrative places in the army during the absence +of the Secretary. I know not how that was; but I am sure I had no +thought but for the public service. The Secretary _ad in._ made but few +appointments this time, and performed the functions quietly and with all +the dignity of which he was capable. + +AUGUST 20TH.--Secretary Walker returned last night, having heard of the +death of Col. Jones before reaching his destination. I doubt whether the +Secretary would have thought a second time of what had been done in his +absence, if some of his friends had not fixed his attention upon it. He +shut himself up pretty closely, and none of us could see or hear whether +he was angry. But calling me into his room in the afternoon to write a +dispatch which he dictated, I saw, lying on his table, an envelope +directed in his own hand to the President. Hints had been circulated by +some that it was his purpose to resign. Could this communication be his +resignation? It was placed so conspicuously before me where I sat that +it was impossible not to see it. It was marked, too, "_immediate_." + +AUGUST 21ST.--Called in again by the Secretary to-day, I find the +ominous communication to the President still there, although marked +"_immediate_." And there are no indications of Mr. Walker's quitting +office that I can see. + +AUGUST 22D.--"_Immediate_" is still there; but the Secretary has not yet +been to the council board, though yesterday was cabinet day. Yet the +President sends Capt. Josselyn regularly with the papers referred to the +Secretary. These are always given to me, and after they are "briefed," +delivered to the Secretary. Among these I see some pretty _sharp_ pencil +marks. Among the rest, the whole batch of Tochman papers being returned +unread, with the injunction that "when papers of such volume are sent to +him for perusal, it is the business of the Secretary to see that a brief +abstract of their contents accompany them." + +AUGUST 23D.--No arms yet of any amount from Europe; though our agent +writes that he has a number of manufactories at work. The U. S. agent +has engaged the rest. All the world seems to be in the market buying +arms. Mr. Dayton, U. S. Minister in Paris, has bought 30,000 flint-locks +in France; and our agent wants authority to buy some too. He says the +French statisticians allege that no greater mortality in battle occurs +from the use of the percussion and the rifled musket than from the old +smooth-bore flint-lock musket. This may be owing to the fact that a +shorter range is sought with the latter. + +AUGUST 24TH.--We are resting on our oars after the victory at Manassas, +while the enemy is drilling and equipping 500,000 or 600,000 men. I hope +we may not soon be floating down stream! We know the enemy is, besides, +building iron-clad steamers--and yet we are not even erecting casemate +batteries! We are losing precious time, and, perhaps, the government is +saving money! + +AUGUST 25TH.---I believe the Secretary will resign; but "_immediate_" +still lies on his table. + +News of a battle near Springfield, Mo. McCulloch and Price defeat the +Federals, killing and wounding thousands. Gen. Lyon killed. + +AUGUST 26TH.--What a number of cavalry companies are daily tendered in +the letters received at this department. Almost invariably they are +refused; and really it is painful to me to write these letters. This +government must be aware, from the statistics of the census, that the +South has quite as many horses as the North, and twice as many good +riders. But for infantry, the North can put three men in the field to +our one. Ten thousand mounted men, on the border of the enemy's country, +would be equal to 30,000 of the enemy's infantry; not in combat; but +that number would be required to watch and guard against the inroads of +10,000 cavalry. It seems to me that we are declining the only proper +means of equalizing the war. But it is my duty to obey, and not to +deliberate. + +AUGUST 27TH.--We have news of a fight at Hawk's Nest, Western Virginia. +Wise whipped the Yankees there quite handsomely. + +AUGUST 28TH.--Beauregard offers battle again on the plains of Manassas; +but it is declined by the enemy, who retire behind their +fortifications. Our banners are advanced to Munson's Hill, in sight of +Washington. The Northern President and his cabinet may see our army, +with good glasses, from the roof of the White House. It is said they +sleep in their boots; and that some of them leave the city every night, +for fear of being captured before morning. + +Generals Johnston, Wise, and Floyd are sending here, daily, the Union +traitors they discover to be in communication with the enemy. We have a +Yankee member of Congress, Ely, taken at Manassas; he rode out to +witness the sport of killing rebels as terriers kill rats, but was +caught in the trap himself. He says his people were badly whipped; and +he hopes they will give up the job of subjugation as a speculation that +won't pay. Most of the prisoners speak thus while in confinement. + +AUGUST 29TH.--We have intelligence from the North that immense +preparations are being made for our destruction; and some of our people +begin to say, that inasmuch as we did not follow up the victory at +Manassas, it was worse than a barren one, having only _exasperated_ the +enemy, and stimulated the Abolitionists to renewed efforts. I suppose +these critics would have us forbear to injure the invader, for fear of +maddening him. _They_ are making this war; _we_ must make it _terrible_. +With them war is a _new thing_, and they will not cease from it till the +novelty wears off, and all their fighting men are sated with blood and +bullets. It must run its course, like the measles. We must both bleed +them and deplete their pockets. + +AUGUST 30TH.--Gen. Floyd has had a fight in the West, and defeated an +Ohio regiment. I trust they were of the Puritan stock, and not the +descendants of Virginians. + +AUGUST 31ST.--We have bad news to-day. My wife and children are the +bearers of it. They returned to the city with the tidings that all the +women and children were ordered to leave Newbern. The enemy have +attacked and taken Fort Hatteras, making many prisoners, and threaten +Newbern next. This is the second time my family have been compelled to +fly. But they are well. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +Four hundred thousand troops to be raised.--Want of arms.--Yankees offer + to sell them to us.--Walker resigns.--Benjamin succeeds.--Col. J. A. + Washington killed.--Assigned, temporarily, to the head of the + passport office. + + +SEPTEMBER 1ST.--The press and congressional critics are opening their +batteries on the Secretary of War, for _incompetency_. He is not to +blame. A month ago, Capt. Lee, son of the general, and a good engineer, +was sent to the coast of North Carolina to inspect the defenses. His +report was well executed; and the recommendations therein attended to +with all possible expedition. It is now asserted that the garrison was +deficient in ammunition. This was not the case. The position was simply +not tenable under the fire of the U. S. ships of war. + +SEPTEMBER 2D.--I voluntarily hunted up Capt. Lee's report, and prepared +an article for the press based on its statements. + +SEPTEMBER 3D.--My article on the defenses of North Carolina seems to +have silenced the censures of the cavilers. + +SEPTEMBER 4TH.--J. R. Anderson, proprietor of the iron-works here, has +been appointed brigadier-general by the President. He, too, was a West +Pointer; but does not look like a military genius. He is assigned to +duty on the coast of North Carolina. + +SEPTEMBER 5TH.--Our Congress has authorized the raising and organizing +of four hundred regiments. The Yankee Congress, 500,000 men. The enemy +will get theirs first; and it is said that between 600,000 and 700,000, +for three years or the war, have already been accepted by the U. S. +Government. Their papers boast that nearly a million volunteers were +tendered. This means mischief. How many will rush forward a year hence +to volunteer their services on the plains of the South? Full many +ensanguined plains will greet the horrific vision before this time next +year; and many a venal wretch coming to possess our land, will occupy +till the day of final doom a tract of six feet by two in some desolate +and unfrequented swamp. The toad will croak his requiem, and the viper +will coil beneath the thistle growing over his head. + +SEPTEMBER 6TH.--We are not increasing our forces as rapidly as might be +desired, for the want of arms. We had some 150,000 stand of small arms, +at the beginning of the war, taken from the arsenals; and the States +owned probably 100,000 more. Half of these were flint-locks, which are +being altered. None have been imported yet. Occasionally a letter +reaches the department from Nashville, offering improved arms at a high +price, _for gold_. These are Yankees. I am instructed by the Secretary +to say they will be paid for in gold on delivery to an agent in +Nashville. The number likely to be obtained in this manner, however, +must be small; for the Yankee Government is exercising much vigilance. +Is not this a fair specimen of Yankee cupidity and character? The New +England manufacturers are furnishing us, with whom they are at war, with +arms to fight with, provided we agree to pay them a higher price than is +offered by their own Government! The philosophical conclusion is, that +this war will end when it ceases to be a pecuniary speculation. + +SEPTEMBER 7TH.--The Jews are at work. Having no nationality, all wars +are harvests for them. It has been so from the day of their dispersion. +Now they are scouring the country in all directions, buying all the +goods they can find in the distant cities, and even from the country +stores. These they will _keep_, until the process of consumption shall +raise a greedy demand for all descriptions of merchandise. + +Col. Bledsoe _has resigned_, but says nothing now about getting me +appointed in his place. That matter rests with the President, and I +shall not be an applicant. + +SEPTEMBER 8TH.--Major Tyler has been appointed _acting_ Chief of the +Bureau of War. + +SEPTEMBER 9TH.--Matters in _statu quo_, and Major Tyler still acting +chief of the bureau. + +SEPTEMBER 10TH.--Col. Bledsoe is back again! He says the President +refuses to accept his resignation; and tells me in confidence, not to be +revealed for a few days, that Mr. Walker has tendered his resignation, +_and that it will be accepted_. + +SEPTEMBER 11TH.--The colonel enjoys a joke. He whispered me to-day, as +he beheld Major Tyler doing the honors of his office, that I might just +hint at the possibility of his resumption soon of the functions of chief +of the bureau. But he said he wanted a few days holiday. + +SEPTEMBER 12TH.--Gen. Pillow has advanced, and occupied Columbus, Ky. He +was ordered, by telegraph, to abandon the town and return to his former +position. Then the order was countermanded, and he remains. The +authorities have learned that the enemy occupies Paducah. + +SEPTEMBER 13TH.--The Secretary, after writing and tendering his +resignation, appointed my young friend Jaques a special clerk with $2000 +salary. This was allowed by a recent act. + +SEPTEMBER 14TH.--Some of Mr. Walker's clerks must know that he intends +giving up the seals of office soon, for they are engaged day and night, +and all night, _copying_ the entire letter-book, which is itself but a +copy of the letters I and others have written, with Mr. Walker's name +appended to them. Long may they be a monument of his epistolary +administrative ability, and profound statesmanship! + +SEPTEMBER 15TH.--And, just as I expected, Mr. Benjamin is to be Mr. +Walker's successor. Col. Bledsoe is back again; and it devolved on me to +inform Major Tyler that the _old_ chief of the bureau was now the _new_ +chief. Of course he resigned the seals of office with the grace and +courtesy of which he is so capable. And then he informed me (in +confidence) that the Secretary had resigned, and would be appointed a +brigadier-general in the army of the Southwest; and that he would +accompany him as his adjutant-general. + +SEPTEMBER 16TH.--Mr. Benjamin's hitherto perennial smile faded almost +away as he realized the fact that he was now the most important member +of the cabinet. He well knew how arduous the duties were; but then he +was robust in health, and capable of any amount of labor. + +It seems, after all, that Mr. Benjamin is only _acting_ Secretary of +War, until the President can fix upon another. Can that be the reason +his smile has faded almost away? But the President will appoint him. Mr. +Benjamin will please him; he knows how to do it. + +SEPTEMBER 17TH.--A man from Washington came into my office to-day, +saying he had important information from Washington. I went into the +Secretary's room, and found Mr. Benjamin surrounded by a large circle of +visitors, all standing hat in hand, and quite silent. I asked him if he +would see the gentleman from Washington. He said he "_didn't know who to +see_." This produced a smile. He seemed to be standing there waiting for +someone to speak, and they seemed to be waiting an invitation from him +to speak. I withdrew from the embarrassing scene, remarking that my +gentleman would call some other time. Meanwhile I wrote down the +information, and sent it to the President. + +SEPTEMBER 18TH.--Gen. Floyd has been attacked at Gauley, by greatly +superior numbers. But he was intrenched, and slew hundreds of the enemy +before he retreated, which was effected without loss. + +SEPTEMBER 19TH.--We hear of several splendid dashes of cavalry near +Manassas, under Col. Stuart; and Wise's cavalry in the West are doing +good service. + +SEPTEMBER 20TH.--Col. J. A. Washington has been killed in a skirmish. He +inherited Mount Vernon. This reminds me that Edward Everett is urging on +the war against us. The universal education, so much boasted of in New +England, like their religion, is merely a humbug, or worse than a +humbug, the fruitful source of crime. I shall doubt hereafter whether +superior intelligence is promotive of superior virtue. The serpent is +wiser than the dove, but never so harmless. Ignorance is bliss in +comparison with Yankee wisdom. + +SEPTEMBER 21ST.--The Secretary has authorized me to sign passports "for +the Secretary of War." My son attends to his letters. I have now an +opportunity of _seeing_ more. I have authority to order transportation +for the parents of soldiers, and for goods and provisions taken to the +camps. + +SEPTEMBER 22D.--Harris and Magraw, who were taken on the field of +Manassas, looking for the remains of Col. Cameron, have been liberated +by Gen. Winder, on the order of the acting Secretary of War. This is +startling; for Mr. Benjamin was the most decided man, at the time of +their capture, against their liberation. _Per contra_, a Mr. G., a rich +New York merchant, and Mr. R., a wealthy railroad contractor, whom I +feared would break through the meshes of the law, with the large sums +realized by them here, have been arrested by the Secretary's order, on +the ground that they have no right to transfer the sinews of war to the +North, to be used against us. + +SEPTEMBER 23D.--Thousands of dollars worth of clothing and provisions, +voluntary and patriotic contributions to the army, are arriving daily. + +SEPTEMBER 24TH.--The time is up for the departure of alien enemies. This +is the last day, according to the President's proclamation. We have had +no success lately, and never can have success, while the enemy know all +our plans and dispositions. Keep them in total ignorance of our +condition and movements, and they will no more invade us than they would +explore a vast cave, in which thousands of rattlesnakes can be heard, +without lights. Their spies and emissaries here are so many +torch-bearers for them. + +SEPTEMBER 25TH.--Mr. Benjamin and Gen. Winder, after granting a special +interview to Messrs. G. and R., have concluded to let them depart for +Pennsylvania and New York! Nor is this all. _I have an order from Mr. +Benjamin to give passports_, until further orders, _to leave the country +to all persons who avow themselves alien enemies, whether in person or +by letter_, provided they take no wealth with them. This may be a fatal +policy, or it may be a _trap_. + +SEPTEMBER 26TH.--Had a conversation with the Secretary to-day, on the +policy of sending Union men out of the Confederacy. I told him we had +15,000 sick in the hospitals at Manassas, and this intelligence might +embolden the enemy to advance, capture the hospitals, and make our sick +men prisoners. He said such prisoners would be a burden to them, and a +relief to us. I remarked that they would count as prisoners in making +exchanges; and to abandon them in that manner, would have a discouraging +effect on our troops. He said that sending unfriendly persons out of the +country was in conformity with the spirit of the act of Congress, and +recommended me to reperuse it and make explanations to the people, who +were becoming clamorous for some restriction on the egress of spies. + +SEPTEMBER 27TH.--To-day I prepared a leading editorial article for the +_Enquirer_, taking ground directly opposite to that advocated by Mr. +Benjamin. It was written with the law before me, which gave no warrant, +as I could perceive, for the assumption of the Secretary. + +SEPTEMBER 28TH.--I sent the paper containing my article to J. R. Davis, +Esq., nephew of the President, avowing its authorship, and requesting +him to ask the President's attention to the subject. + +SEPTEMBER 29TH.--To-day Mr. Benjamin issued several passports himself, +and sent several others to me with peremptory orders for granting them. + +SEPTEMBER 30TH.--A pretty general jail delivery is now taking place. +Gen. Winder, acting I suppose, of course, under the instructions of the +Secretary of War--and Mr. Benjamin is now Secretary indeed--is +discharging from the prisons the disloyal prisoners sent hither during +the last month by Gens. Johnston, Floyd, and Wise. Not only liberating +them, but giving them transportation to their homes, mostly within the +enemy's lines. Surely if the enemy reciprocates such magnanimous +courtesy, the war will be merely child's play, and we shall be spared +the usual horrors of civil war. We shall see how the Yankees will +appreciate this kindness. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +An order for the publication of the names of alien enemies.--Some + excitement.--Efforts to secure property.--G. A. Myers, lawyer, + actively engaged.--Gen. Price gains a victory in Missouri.--Billy + Wilson's cut-throats cut to pieces at Fort Pickens.--A female spy + arrives from Washington.--Great success at Leesburg or Ball's Bluff. + + +OCTOBER 1ST.--I find that only a few hundred alien enemies departed from +the country under the President's proclamation, allowing them forty +days, from the 16th of August, to make their arrangements; but under the +recent order of Mr. Benjamin, if I may judge from the daily +applications, there will be a large emigration. The persons now going +belong to a different class of people: half of them avowing themselves +friendly to our cause, and desiring egress through our lines on the +Potomac, or in the West, to avoid being published as alien enemies going +under flag of truce _via_ Norfolk and Fortress Monroe. Many of them +declare a purpose to return. + +OCTOBER 2D.--A day or two ago Col. Bledsoe, who visits me now very +seldom, sent an order by Mr. Brooks for me to furnish a list of the +names of alien enemies for publication. This was complied with +cheerfully; and these publications have produced some excitement in the +community. + +OCTOBER 3D.--The President not having taken any steps in the matter, I +have no alternative but to execute the order of the Secretary. + +OCTOBER 4TH.--Sundry applications were made to-day to leave the country +under flag of truce, _provided I would not permit the names to be +published_. The reason for this request is that these persons have +connections here who might be _compromised_. I refused compliance. In +one or two instances they intimated that they would not have their names +published for _thousands of dollars_. My response to this was such as to +cause them to withdraw their applications. + +OCTOBER 5TH.--To-day several Southern-born gentlemen, who have lived +long in the North, and have their fortunes and families there, applied +for passports. They came hither to save the investments of their parents +in Northern securities, by having them transferred to their children. +This seems legitimate, and some of the parties are old and valued +friends of mine. I know their sympathies are with their native land. Yet +why are they so late in coming? I know not. It is for me to send them +out of the country, for such is the order of the Secretary of War. The +loyalty of the connections of these gentlemen is vouched for in a note +(on file) written by Mr. Hunter, Secretary of State. Their names must be +published as alien enemies. They will take no part in the war. + +OCTOBER 6TH.--Nothing of importance. + +OCTOBER 7TH.--Nothing of note. + +OCTOBER 8TH.--Mr. Gustavus Myers, a lawyer of this city, seems to take +an active interest in behalf of parties largely engaged in business at +Baltimore. And he has influence with the Secretary, for he generally +carries his points over my head. The parties he engineers beyond our +lines may possibly do us no harm; but I learn they certainly do +themselves much _good_ by their successful speculations. And do they not +take gold and other property to the North, and thereby defeat the +object of the sequestration act? The means thus abstracted from the +South will certainly be taxed by the North to make war on us. + +OCTOBER 9TH.--Contributions of clothing, provisions, etc. are coming in +large quantities; sometimes to the amount of $20,000 in a single day. + +Never was there such a patriotic _people_ as ours! Their blood and their +wealth are laid upon the altar of their country with enthusiasm. + +I must say here that the South Carolinians are the _gentlest_ people I +ever met with. They accede to every requisition with cheerfulness; and +never have I known an instance where any one of them has used subterfuge +to evade a rule, however hard it might bear upon them. They are the soul +of honor, truth, and patriotism. + +OCTOBER 10TH.--A victory--but not in the East. I expect none here while +there is such a stream of travel flowing Northward. It was in Missouri, +at Lexington. Gen. Price has captured the town and made several thousand +prisoners, whom he dismissed on parole. + +OCTOBER 11TH.--And Wise has had bloody fighting with Rosecrans in +Western Virginia. He can beat the enemy at fighting; but they beat him +at manoeuvring, with the use of the guides Gen. Winder has sent them +from our prisons here. + +OCTOBER 12TH.--Col. Wright has had a race with the Yankees on the North +Carolina coast. They fled to their works before his single regiment with +such precipitation as to leave many of their arms and men behind. We +lost but one man: and he was fat, broke his wind, and died in the +pursuit. + +OCTOBER 13TH.--Another little success, but not in this vicinity. Gen. +Anderson, of South Carolina, in the night crossed to Santa Rosa Island +and cut up Billy Wilson's regiment of New York cut-throats and thieves; +under the very guns of Fort Pickens. + +OCTOBER 14TH.--Kissing goes by favor! Col. M----r, of Maryland, whose +published letter of objuration of the United States Government attracted +much attention some time since, is under the ban. He came hither and +tendered his services to this government, but failed to get the +employment applied for, though his application was urged by Mr. Hunter, +the Secretary of State, who is his relative. After remaining here for a +long time, vainly hoping our army would cross the Potomac and deliver +his native State, and finding his finances diminishing, he sought +permission of the Secretary to return temporarily to his family in +Maryland, expecting to get them away and to save some portion of his +effects. His fidelity was vouched for in strong language by Mr. Hunter, +and yet the application has been refused! I infer from this that Mr. +Benjamin is omnipotent in the cabinet, and that Mr. Hunter cannot remain +long in it. + +OCTOBER 15TH.--I have been requested by Gen. Winder to-day to refuse a +passport to Col. M----r to leave the city in any direction. So the +colonel is within bounds! I learn that he differed with Gen. Winder +(both from Maryland) in politics. But if he was a Whig, so was Mr. +Benjamin. Again, I hear that Col. M. had some difficulty with Col. +Northrop, Commissary-General, and challenged him. This is a horse of +another color. Col. N. is one of the special favorites of the President. + +OCTOBER 16TH.--Col. M. applied to me to-day for a passport to Maryland, +bringing a strong letter from Mr. Hunter, and also a note from Col. +Bledsoe, Chief of the Bureau of War. He seemed thunderstruck when I +informed him that Gen. Winder had obtained an order from the Secretary +of War to detain him. A few moments after Gen. Winder came with a couple +of his detectives (all from Baltimore) and arrested him. Subsequently he +was released on parole of honor, not to leave the city without Gen. +Winder's permission. I apprehend bad consequences from this proceeding. +It may prevent other high-toned Marylanders from espousing our side of +this contest. + +OCTOBER 17TH.--Hurlbut has been released from prison. Mr. Hunter has a +letter (intercepted) from Raymond, editor of the New York _Times_, +addressed to him since the battle of Manassas. + +OCTOBER 18TH.--I cannot perceive that our army increases much in +strength, particularly in Virginia. The enemy have now over 660,000 in +the field in various places, and seem to be preparing for a simultaneous +advance. + +It is said _millions_ of securities, the property of the enemy, are +transferred to the United States. It is even intimated that the men +engaged in this business have the protection of men in high positions +_on both sides_. Can it be possible that _we_ have men in power who are +capable of taking bribes from the enemy? If so, God help the country! + +OCTOBER 19TH.--Col. Ashby with 600 men routed a force of 1000 Yankees, +the other day, near Harper's Ferry. That is the cavalry again! The spies +here cannot inform the enemy of the movements of our mounted men, which +are always made with celerity. + +OCTOBER 20TH.--A lady, just from Washington, after striving in vain to +procure an interview with the Secretary of War, left with me the +programme of the enemy's contemplated movements. She was present with +the family of Gen. Dix at a party, and heard their purposes disclosed. +They meditate an advance immediately, with 200,000 men. The head of +Banks's column is to cross near Leesburg; and when over, a movement upon +our flank is intended from the vicinity of Arlington Heights. This is +truly a formidable enterprise, if true. We have not 70,000 effective men +in Northern Virginia. The lady is in earnest--and remains here. + +I wrote down the above information and sent it to the President; and +understood that dispatches were transmitted immediately to Gen. +Johnston, by telegraph. + +The lady likewise spoke of a contemplated movement by sea with +gun-boats, to be commanded by Burnside, Butler, etc. + +In the evening I met Mr. Hunter, and told him the substance of the +information brought by the lady. He seemed much interested, for he knows +the calm we have been enjoying bodes no good; and he apprehends that +evil will grow out of the order of the Secretary of War, permitting all +who choose to call themselves alien enemies to leave the Confederacy. +While we were speaking (in the street) Mr. Benjamin came up, and told me +he had seen the letter I sent to the President. He said, moreover, that +he did not doubt the enemy intended to advance as set forth in the +programme. + +OCTOBER 21ST.--The enemy's papers represent that we have some 80,000 men +in Kentucky, and this lulls us from vigilance and effort in Virginia. +The Secretary of War knows very well that we have not 30,000 there, and +that we are not likely to have more. We supposed Kentucky would rise. +The enemy knows this fact as well as we do; nevertheless, it has been +his practice from the beginning to exaggerate our numbers. It lulls us +into fancied security. + +OCTOBER 22D.--We have news of a victory at Leesburg. It appears that the +head of one of the enemy's columns, 8000 strong, attempted a passage of +the Potomac yesterday, at that point pursuant to the programme furnished +by the lady from Washington. That point had been selected by the enemy +because the spies had reported that there were only three Confederate +regiments there. But crossing a river in boats in the face of a few +Southern regiments, is no easy matter. And this being the _People's +War_, although Gen. Evans, in command, had received orders to fall back +if the enemy came in force, our troops decided for themselves to fight +before retreating. Therefore, when seven or eight regiments of Yankees +landed on this side of the river, two or three of our regiments advanced +and fired into them with terrible effect. Then they charged; and ere +long such a panic was produced, that the enemy rushed in disorder into +the river, crowding their boats so much that several went to the bottom, +carrying down hundreds. The result was that the head of the serpent +received a tremendous bruising, and the whole body recoiled from the +scene of disaster. We had only some 1500 men engaged, and yet captured +1600 muskets; and the enemy's loss, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, +amounted to 2000 men. This battle was fought, in some respects, by the +privates alone--much of the time without orders, and often without +officers. + +OCTOBER 23D.--The President is highly delighted at the result of the +battle of Leesburg; and yet some of the red-tape West Point gentry are +indignant at Gen. Evans for not obeying orders, and falling back. There +is some talk of a court-martial; for it is maintained that no commander, +according to strict military rules, should have offered battle against +such superior numbers. They may disgrace Gen. Evans; but I trust our +_soldiers_ will repeat the experiment on every similar occasion. + +OCTOBER 24TH.--We made a narrow escape; at least, we have a respite. If +the Yankee army had advanced with its 200,000 men, they would not have +encountered more than 70,000 fighting Confederate soldiers between the +Potomac and Richmond. It was our soldiers (neither the officers nor the +government) that saved us; and they fought contrary to rule, and even in +opposition to orders. Of course our officers at Leesburg did their duty +manfully; nevertheless, the soldiers had determined to fight, officers +or no officers. + +But as the man in the play said, "it will suffice." The Yankees are a +calculating people: and if 1500 Mississippians and Virginians at +Leesburg were too many for 8000 Yankees, what could 200,000 Yankees do +against 70,000 Southern soldiers? It made them pause, and give up the +idea of taking Richmond this year. But the enemy will fight better every +successive year; and this should not be lost sight of. They, too, are +Anglo-Saxons. + +OCTOBER 25TH.--Gen. Price, of Missouri, is too popular, and there is a +determination on the part of the West Pointers to "kill him off." I fear +he will gain no more victories. + +OCTOBER 26TH.--Immense amounts of patriotic contributions, in clothing +and provisions, are daily registered. + +OCTOBER 27TH.--Still the Jews are going out of the country and returning +at pleasure. They deplete the Confederacy of coin, and sell their goods +at 500 per cent. profit. They pay no duty; and Mr. Memminger has lost +hundreds of thousands of dollars in this way. + +The press everywhere is thundering against the insane policy of +permitting all who avow themselves enemies to return to the North; and I +think Mr. B. is beginning to wince under it. I tremble when I reflect +that those who made the present government, and the one to succeed it, +did not represent one-third of the people composing the inhabitants of +the Confederate States. + +OCTOBER 28TH.--The most gigantic naval preparations have been made by +the enemy; and they must strike many blows on the coast this fall and +winter. They are building great numbers of gun-boats, some of them +iron-clad, both for the coast and for the Western rivers. If they get +possession of the Mississippi River, it will be a sad day for the +Confederacy. And what are we doing? We have many difficulties to contend +against; and there is a deficiency in artisans and material. +Nevertheless, the government is constructing a monster at Norfolk, and +several similar floating batteries in the West. But we neglect to +construct casemated batteries! Our fortifications, without them, must +fall before the iron ships of the enemy. The battle of Manassas has +given us a long exemption from the fatigues and horrors of war; but this +calm will be succeeded by a storm. + +OCTOBER 29TH.--The election to take place during the ensuing month +creates no excitement. There will be less than a moiety of the whole +vote cast; and Davis and Stephens will be elected without opposition. No +disasters have occurred yet to affect the popularity of any of the great +politicians; and it seems no risks will be run. The battle of Manassas +made everybody popular--and especially Gen. Beauregard. If he were a +candidate, I am pretty certain he would be elected. + +OCTOBER 30TH.--I understand a dreadful quarrel is brewing between Mr. +Benjamin and Gen. Beauregard. Gen. B. being the only individual ever +hinted at as an opponent of Mr. Davis for the Presidency, the Secretary +of War fights him on vantage-ground, and likewise commends himself to +the President. Van Buren was a good politician in his day, and so is Mr. +Benjamin in _his_ way. I hope these dissensions may expend themselves +without injury to the country. + +OCTOBER 31ST.--Mr. Benjamin, it is understood, will be a candidate for a +seat in the C. S. Senate. And I have learned from several members of the +Louisiana legislature that he will be defeated. They charge him with +hob-nobbing too much with Northern friends; and say that he still +retains membership in several clubs in New York and Boston. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Quarrel between Gen. Beauregard and Mr. Benjamin.--Great Naval + preparations in the North.--The loss of Port Royal, S. C., takes some + prestige.--The affair at Belmont does not compensate for it.--The + enemy kills an old hare.--Missouri secedes.--Mason and Slidell + captured.--French Consul and the actresses.--The lieutenant in + disguise.--Eastern Shore of Virginia invaded.--Messrs. Breckinridge + and Marshall in Richmond. + + +NOVEMBER 1ST.--There is an outcry against the appointment of two +major-generals, recommended, perhaps, by Mr. Benjamin, Gustavus W. Smith +and Gen. Lovell, both recently from New York. They came over since the +battle of Manassas. Mr. Benjamin is perfectly indifferent to the +criticisms and censures of the people and the press. He knows his own +ground; and since he is sustained by the President, we must suppose he +knows his own footing in the government. If defeated in the legislature, +he may have a six years' tenure in the cabinet. + +NOVEMBER 2D.--It has culminated. Mr. Benjamin's quarrel with Beauregard +is openly avowed. Mr. Benjamin spoke to me about it to-day, and +convinced me at the time that Gen. B. was really in the wrong. He said +the general had sent in his report of the battle of Manassas, in which +he stated that he had submitted a plan to the department for the +invasion of Maryland; and no such plan having been received, as Mr. B. +says, and the matter being foreign to the business in hand, the +department had seen proper to withhold the report from publication. But +this did not concern him, Mr. B., because he was not the Secretary of +War when the alleged plan had been sent to Richmond. But his difference +with the general grew out of an attempt of the latter to organize troops +and confer commands without the sanction of the department. He had +rebuked the general, he said; and then the general had appealed to the +President, who sustained the Secretary. Mr. B. said that Gen. B. had +ascertained who was _strongest_ with the President. + +NOVEMBER 3D.--From this day forth, I hope Mr. Benjamin and I will be of +better accord. I have an official order, directed by him and written by +Col. Bledsoe, to the effect that no more alien enemies are to have +passports. On the contrary, when any one avows himself an alien enemy, +and applies for permission to leave the country, Gen. Winder is to take +him in charge. + +NOVEMBER 4TH.--Several were arrested yesterday. Still I doubt whether we +are dealing fairly, even with enemies. They have been _encouraged_ to +come into and go out of the country by the facilities afforded them; and +now, without any sort of notification whatever, they are to be arrested +when they present themselves. I hate all traps and stratagems for the +purpose of stimulating one to commit a wrong; and hence this business, +although it seems to afford employment, if not delight, to Gen. Winder +and his Baltimore detectives, is rather distasteful to me. And when I +reflect upon it, I cannot imagine how Mr. Benjamin may adjust the matter +with his conscience. It will soon cure itself, however; a few arrests +will alarm them all. + +NOVEMBER 5TH.--To my amazement, a man came to me to-day for a passport +to Norfolk, saying he had one from the Secretary to pass by flag of +truce to Fortress Monroe, etc. He wished me to give him one to show at +the cars, not desiring to exhibit the other, as it might subject him to +annoying looks and remarks. + +NOVEMBER 6TH.--All accounts from the North indicate that great +preparations are being made to crush us on the coast this winter. I see +no corresponding preparations on our side. + +NOVEMBER 7TH.--We hear of the resignation of Gen. Scott, as +Commander-in-Chief of the U. S. forces. + +NOVEMBER 8TH.--There are many applications for passports to leave the +country. I have declared my purpose to sign no more for the Secretary +without his official order. But he is signing them himself, as I find +out by the parties desiring the usual passports from me to leave the +city. They, like guilty men, dislike to exhibit their permits to leave +the country at the depots. And the Northern press bears testimony of the +fact that the spies in our midst are still at work, and from this I +apprehend the worst consequences. Why did Mr. Benjamin send the order +for every man to be arrested who applied for permission to leave the +country? Was it merely to deceive _me_, knowing that I had some +influence with certain leading journals? I am told he says, "no one +leaves the country now." + +NOVEMBER 9TH.--Gen. Winder and all his police and Plug Ugly gang have +their friends or agents, whom they continually desire to send to +Maryland. And often there comes a request from Gen. Huger, at Norfolk, +for passports to be granted certain parties to go out under flag of +truce. I suppose he can send whom he pleases. + +We have news of a bloody battle in the West, at Belmont. Gen. Pillow and +Bishop Polk defeated the enemy, it is said, killing and wounding 1000. +Our loss, some 500. + +Port Royal, on the coast of South Carolina, has been taken by the +enemy's fleet. We had no casemated batteries. Here the Yankees will +intrench themselves, and cannot be dislodged. They will take negroes and +cotton, and menace both Savannah and Charleston. + +NOVEMBER 10TH.--A gentleman from Urbana, on the Rappahannock, informs me +that he witnessed the shelling of that village a few days ago. There +are so few houses that the enemy did not strike any of them. The only +blood shed was that of an old _hare_, that had taken refuge in a hollow +stump. + +NOVEMBER 11TH.--Bad news. The Unionists in East Tennessee have burnt +several of the railroad bridges between this and Chattanooga. This is +one of the effects of the discharge of spies captured in Western +Virginia and East Tennessee. A military police, if properly directed, +composed of honest men, true Southern men, might do much good, or +prevent much evil; but I must not criticise Gen. Winder's inefficiency, +for he acts under the instructions of Mr. Benjamin. + +The burning of these bridges not only prevents the arrival of an immense +amount of clothing and provisions for the army, contributed by the +patriotic people, but it will embarrass the government in the +transmission of men and muniments of war, which an emergency may demand +at any moment. Until the avenues by which the enemy derives information +from our country are closed, I shall look for a series of disasters. + +NOVEMBER 12TH.--We have news of the enemy's gun-boats penetrating the +rivers of South Carolina. It is said they got some cotton. Why was it +not burnt? + +NOVEMBER 13TH.--Dry goods have risen more than a hundred per cent. since +spring, and rents and boarding are advancing in the same ratio. + +NOVEMBER 14TH.--The enemy, knowing our destitution of gun-boats, and +well apprised of the paucity of our garrisons, are sending expeditions +southward to devastate the coast. They say New Orleans will be taken +before spring, and communication be opened with Cairo, at the mouth of +the Ohio. They will not succeed so soon; but success is certain +ultimately, if Mr. Benjamin, Gen. Winder, and Gen. Huger do not cease to +pass Federal spies out of the country. + +NOVEMBER 15TH.--We have intelligence that Missouri has joined the +Confederacy. She will be scourged by the vengeful enemy; but will rise +some day and put her foot on the neck of the oppressor. Missouri is a +giant. + +NOVEMBER 16TH.--It is sickening to behold the corruption of the +commercial men, which so much wounds our afflicted country. There are +large merchants here who come over from Baltimore breathing vengeance +against the Northern "despots," and to make a show of patriotism they +subscribed liberally to equip some volunteer companies in the city; but +now they are sending their agents North and importing large amounts of +merchandise, which they sell to the government and the people at most +fabulous prices. I am informed that some of them realize $50,000 per +month profit! And this after paying officials on both sides bonuses to +wink at their operations. + +After the order of Mr. Benjamin for applicants for passports to leave +the country to be arrested, some of these men applied to me, and I +reported the facts to Gen. Winder; but they were not molested. Indeed, +they came to me subsequently and exhibited passports they had obtained +from the Secretary himself. + +NOVEMBER 17TH.--There are also quite a number of _letter-carriers_ +obtaining special passports to leave the Confederacy. They charge $1.50 +postage to Washington and Maryland, and as much coming hither. They take +on the average three hundred letters, and bring as many, besides diverse +articles they sell at enormously high prices. Thus they realize $1000 +per trip, and make two each month. They furnish the press with Northern +journals; but they give no valuable information: at least I have not +conversed with any who could furnish it. They seem particularly ignorant +of the plans and forces of the enemy. It is my belief that they render +as much service to the enemy as to us; and they certainly do obtain +passports on the other side. + +Gen. Winder and his _alien_ detectives seem to be on peculiar terms of +intimacy with some of these men; for they tell me they convey letters +for them to Maryland, and deliver them to their families. This is an +equivocal business. Why did they not bring their families away before +the storm burst upon them? + +NOVEMBER 18TH.--To-day the Secretary told me, in reply to my question, +that he had authentic information of the seizure of Messrs. Slidell and +Mason, our commissioners to Europe, by Capt. Wilkes, of the U. S. Navy, +and while on board the steamer Trent, a British vessel, at sea. _I said +I was glad of it._ He asked why, in surprise. I remarked that it would +bring the Eagle cowering to the feet of the Lion. He smiled, and said it +was, perhaps, the best thing that could have happened. And he cautions +me against giving passports to _French_ subjects even to visit Norfolk +or any of our fortified cities, for it was understood that foreigners at +Norfolk were contriving somehow to get on board the ships of their +respective nations. + +NOVEMBER 19TH.--To-day Monsieur Paul, French Consul, applied in person +for passports on behalf, I believe, of some French players (Zouaves) to +Norfolk. Of course I declined granting them. He grew enthusiastic, and +alleged that British subjects had enjoyed the privilege. He said he +cared nothing for the parties applying in this instance; but he argued +vehemently against British subjects being favored over French subjects. +I sent a note concerning our interview to the Secretary; and while +Monsieur Paul still sat in the office, the following reply came in from +the Secretary: "All you need do is to say to the French Consul, when he +calls, that you obey your instructions, and have no authority to discuss +with him the rights of French subjects. J. P. B." Monsieur Paul departed +with "a flea in his ear." But he received an invitation to dine with the +Secretary to-day. + +NOVEMBER 20TH.--I had a protracted and interesting interview to-day with +a gaudily dressed and rather diminutive lieutenant, who applied for a +passport to the Mississippi River, _via_ Chattanooga, and insisted upon +my giving him transportation also. This demand led to interrogatories, +and it appeared that he was not going under special orders of the +adjutant-general. It was unusual for officers, on leave, to apply for +transportation, and my curiosity was excited. I asked to see his +furlough. This was refused; but he told me to what company he belonged, +and I knew there was such a company in Bishop or Gen. Polk's command. +Finally he escaped further interrogatories by snatching up the passport +I had signed and departing hastily. But instead of the usual military +salute at parting, he _courtesied_. This, when I reflected on the +fineness of his speech, the fullness of his breast, his attitudes and +his short steps, led me to believe the person was a woman instead of a +lieutenant. Gen. Winder coming in shortly after, upon hearing my +description of the stranger, said he would ascertain all about the sex. + +NOVEMBER 21ST.--My mysterious lieutenant was arrested this morning, on +the western route, and proved, as I suspected, to be a woman. But Gen. +Winder was ordered by the Secretary to have her released. + +NOVEMBER 22D.--We have information that the enemy have invaded and taken +possession of the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Accomac and Northampton +Counties. They invaded the two counties with a force of 8000 men, and we +had only 800 to oppose them. Of course there could be no contest against +such odds. They carried my tenant to Drummondtown, the county seat, and +made him (I suppose) assist in raising the United States flag over the +court-house. + +NOVEMBER 23D.--J. C. Breckinridge and Humphrey Marshall, of Kentucky, +have been here; and both have been made brigadier-generals, and assigned +to duty in the West. Although the former retained his seat in the Senate +of the United States for many months after the war began, no one doubts +that he is now with us, and will do good service. + +NOVEMBER 24TH.--Gen. Floyd has retreated from Cotton Hill, and the enemy +threatens our western communications. Gen. Lee has been sent to Western +Virginia, but it is not an adequate field for him. He should have +command of the largest army in the service, for his is one of the most +capacious minds we have. + +NOVEMBER 25TH.--Yesterday Fort Pickens opened fire on our batteries at +Pensacola, but without effect. One of their ships was badly crippled. + +NOVEMBER 26TH.--The enemy occupy Tybee Island, and threaten Savannah. +Vice-President Stephens was in my office to-day, and he too deprecates +the passage of so many people to the North, who, from the admission of +the journals there, give them information of the condition of our +defenses. He thinks our affairs are not now in a prosperous condition, +and has serious apprehensions for the fate of Savannah. + +NOVEMBER 27TH.--Saw President Tyler to-day. He augurs the worst effects +from the policy of permitting almost unrestricted intercourse with the +enemy's country in time of war. + +NOVEMBER 28TH.--Nothing of importance to-day. There will be no such +quiet time after this year. + +NOVEMBER 29TH.--Gen. Sydney Johnston has command of the army in +Tennessee and Kentucky. I wish it were only as strong as the wily enemy +is in the habit of representing it! + +NOVEMBER 30TH.--Mr. Benjamin has been defeated for the C. S. Senate. Mr. +Hunter has been named as a candidate for the C. S. Senate from +Virginia. I thought he would not remain in the cabinet, after his +relative was arrested (with no reason assigned) by order of Mr. +Benjamin. Besides, the office is a sinecure, and may remain so for a +long time, if the powers at Washington should "stint, and say aye" to +the demands of England. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +Gen. Lee ordered South.--Gen. Stuart ambuscaded at Drainsville.--W. H. B. + Custis returns to the Eastern Shore.--Winder's detectives.--Kentucky + secedes.--Judge Perkins's resolution.--Dibble goes North.--Waiting + for Great Britain to do something.--Mr. Ely, the Yankee M. C. + + +DECEMBER 1ST.--The people here begin to murmur at the idea that they are +questioned about their loyalty, and often arrested, by Baltimore petty +larceny detectives, who, if they were patriotic themselves (as they are +all able-bodied men), would be in the army, fighting for the redemption +of Maryland. + +DECEMBER 2D.--Gen. Lee has now been ordered South for the defense of +Charleston and Savannah, and those cities are safe! Give a great man a +field worthy of his powers, and he can demonstrate the extent of his +abilities; but dwarf him in an insignificant position, and the veriest +fool will look upon him with contempt. Gen. Lee in the streets here bore +the aspect of a discontented man, for he saw that everything was going +wrong; but now his eye flashes with zeal and hope. Give him time and +opportunity, and he will hurl back the invader from his native land; +yes, and he will commend the chalice of invasion to the lips of the +North; but not this year--it is too late for that. + +DECEMBER 3D.--Several members of Congress came into my office and +denounced the policy which the government seemed to have adopted of +permitting Yankees, and those who sympathize with them, to be +continually running over to the enemy with information of our condition, +and thus inviting attacks and raids at points where we are utterly +defenseless. They seemed surprised when I told them that I not only +agreed with them entirely, but that I had really written most of the +articles they had read in the press denunciatory of the policy they +condemned. I informed them, moreover, that I had long since refused to +sign any such passports as they alluded to, at the risk of being +removed. They said they believed the President, in his multiplicity of +employments, was not aware of the extent of the practice, and the evil +effects it was certain to entail on the country; and it was their +purpose to wait upon him and remonstrate against the pernicious practice +of Mr. Benjamin. + +DECEMBER 4TH.--We are now tasting the bitter fruits of a too indulgent +treatment of our enemies. Yesterday Gen. Stuart's cavalry and the 6th +Regiment S. C. volunteers met with a bloody disaster at Drainsville. It +appears that several of the traitors arrested and sent hither by Gen. +Johnston were subsequently discharged by Gen. Winder, under the +instructions of Mr. Benjamin, and sent to their homes, in the vicinity +of Drainsville, at the expense of the government. These men, with +revenge rankling in their breasts, reported to Gen. Stuart that a large +amount of forage might be obtained in the vicinity of Drainsville, and +that but a few companies of the enemy were in the neighborhood. The +general believing these men to be loyal, since they seemed to have the +confidence of the War Department, resolved to get the forage; and for +that purpose started some 80 wagons early the next morning, escorted by +several regiments of infantry and 1000 cavalry, hoping to capture any +forces of the enemy in the vicinity. Meantime the Drainsville traitors +had returned to their homes the preceding evening, and sent off +intelligence to the headquarters of the enemy of the purpose of Gen. +Stuart to send out in that direction, early the next day, a foraging +party consisting of so many wagons, and small forces of infantry, +artillery, and cavalry. + +The enemy hastened away to Drainsville an overwhelming force, and +ambuscaded the road, where it entered the woods, with artillery and men +of all arms. Their line was the shape of a horseshoe, and completely +concealed from view. + +Gen. Stuart had not entered far into the jaws of this trap, before some +of his trusty scouts reported the presence of the enemy. Believing it to +be only the pickets of the few companies previously reported, the +general advanced still farther; but at the same time ordering the wagons +to retire. He was soon undeceived by a simultaneous and concentric fire +of artillery and musketry, which brought down many of his men. +Nevertheless, he charged through the lines in one or two places, and +brought his guns to bear with effect on such portions of the enemy's +line as were not wholly protected by the inequalities of the ground and +the dense growth of woods. He quickly ascertained, however, that he was +contending against vastly superior numbers, and drew off his forces in +good order, protecting his wagons. The enemy did not pursue, for Stuart +had rather more men than the informers reported to the enemy. But we +lost 200 men, while the enemy sustained but little injury; their killed +and wounded not exceeding 30. + +This is the first serious wound inflicted on the country by Mr. +Benjamin's policy. + +DECEMBER 5TH.--The account of the Drainsville massacre was furnished me +by an officer of the 6th S. C. Regiment, which suffered severely. The +newspaper accounts of the occurrence, upon which, perhaps, the history +of this war will be founded, give a different version of the matter. And +hence, although not so designed at first, this Diary will furnish more +authentic data of many of the events of the war than the grave histories +that will be written. Still, I do not aspire to be the Froissart of +these interesting times: but intend merely to furnish my children, and +such others as may read them, with reliable chronicles of the events +passing under my own observation. + +DECEMBER 6TH.--It is rumored to-day, I know not on what authority, that +the President mentioned the matter of the Drainsville disaster to the +Secretary of War, and intimated that it was attributed to the +machinations of the Union men discharged from prison here. It is said +Mr. Benjamin denied it--denied that any such men had been discharged by +Gen. Winder, or had been concerned in the affair at all. Of course the +President had no alternative but to credit the solemn assertions of his +confidential adviser. But my books, and the register of the prisons, +would show that the Drainsville prisoners sent hither by Gen. Joseph E. +Johnston were discharged by Gen. Winder, and that their expenses home +were paid by the government; and officers of unimpeachable veracity are +ready to testify that Gen. Stuart was misled by these very men. + +DECEMBER 7TH.--Quite a commotion has been experienced in official +circles by the departure of Mr. W. H. B. Custis, late Union member of +the Virginia Convention, without obtaining a passport to leave the city. +Some of his secession constituents being in the city, reported that they +knew it was his purpose to return to the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and +avow his adherence to the United States authorities, alleging that he +had signed the ordinance of secession under some species of duress, or +instruction. Under these representations, it seems Gen. Winder +telegraphed to Norfolk, whither it was understood Custis had gone, to +have him arrested. This was done; and it is said he had passports from +Gen. Huger to cross the Chesapeake Bay. I must doubt this. What right +has a military commander to grant such passports? + +DECEMBER 8TH.--I saw Mr. Benjamin to-day, and asked him what disposition +he intended to make of Mr. Custis. He was excited, and said with +emphasis that he was investigating the case. He seemed offended at the +action of Gen. Winder, and thought it was a dangerous exercise of +military power to arrest persons of such high standing, without the +clearest evidence of guilt. Mr. Custis had signed the ordinance of +secession, and that ought to be sufficient evidence of his loyalty. + +DECEMBER 9TH.--Gen. Winder informed me to-day that he had been ordered +to release Mr. Custis; and I learned that the Secretary of War had +transmitted orders to Gen. Huger to permit him to pass over the bay. + +DECEMBER 10TH.--Nothing new. + +DECEMBER 11TH.--Several of Gen. Winder's detectives came to me with a +man named Webster, who, it appears, has been going between Richmond and +Baltimore, conveying letters, money, etc. I refused him a passport. He +said he could get it from the Secretary himself, but that it was +sometimes difficult in gaining access to him. I told him to get it, +then; I would give him none. + +DECEMBER 12TH.--More of Gen. Winder's men came with a Mr. Stone, whom +they knew and vouched for, and who wanted a passport merely to Norfolk. +I asked if it was not his design to go farther. They said yes, but that +Gen. Winder would write to Gen. Huger to let him pass by way of Fortress +Monroe. I refused, and great indignation was manifested. + +DECEMBER 13TH.--One of the papers has a short account of the application +of Stone in its columns this morning. One of the reporters was present +at the interview. The article bore pretty severely upon the assumption +of power by the military commander of the department. Gen. Winder came +in during the day, and denied having promised to procure a passport for +Stone from Gen. Huger. + +DECEMBER 14TH.--Nothing. + +DECEMBER 15TH.--The President's private secretary, Capt. Josselyn, was +in to-day. He had no news. + +DECEMBER 16TH.--We hear to-day that the loyal men of Kentucky have met +in convention and adopted an ordinance of secession and union with our +Confederacy. + +DECEMBER 17TH.--Bravo, Col. Edward Johnson! He was attacked by 5000 +Yankees on the Alleghany Mountains, and he has beaten them with 1200 +men. They say Johnson is an energetic man, and swears like a trooper; +and instead of a sword, he goes into battle with a stout cane in his +hand, with which he belabors any skulking miscreant found dodging in the +hour of danger. + +DECEMBER 18TH.--Men escaped from the Eastern Shore of Virginia report +that Mr. Custis had landed there, and remains quiet. + +DECEMBER 19TH.--Judge Perkins came in to-day and denounced in bitter +terms the insane policy of granting passports to spies and others to +leave the country, when every Northern paper bore testimony that we were +betrayed by these people. He asked me how many had been permitted to go +North by Mr. Benjamin since the expiration of the time named in the +President's proclamation. This I could not answer: but suggested that a +resolution of inquiry might elicit the information. He desired me to +write such a resolution. I did so, and he departed with it. An hour +afterward, I learned it had been passed unanimously. + +DECEMBER 20TH.--A man by the name of _Dibble_, the identical one I +passed on my way to Montgomery last spring, and whom I then thought +acted and spoke like a Yankee, is here seeking permission to go North; +he _says_ to Halifax. He confesses that he is a Yankee born; but has +lived in North Carolina for many years, and has amassed a fortune. He +declares the South does not contain a truer Southern man than himself; +and he says he is going to the British Provinces to purchase supplies +for the Confederacy. He brought me an order from Mr. Benjamin, indorsed +on the back of a letter, for a passport. I declined to give it; and he +departed in anger, saying the Secretary would grant it. He knew this, +for he said the Secretary had promised him one. + +DECEMBER 21ST.--Col. Bledsoe was in to-day. I had not seen him for a +long time. He had not been sitting in the office two minutes before he +uttered one of his familiar groans. Instantly we were on the old footing +again. He said Secretary Benjamin had never treated him as Chief of the +Bureau, any more than Walker. + +DECEMBER 22D.--Dibble has succeeded in obtaining a passport from the +Secretary himself. + +DECEMBER 23D.--Gen. T. J. Jackson has destroyed a principal dam on the +Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. That will give the enemy abundance of +trouble. This Gen. Jackson is always doing something to vex the enemy; +and I think he is destined to annoy them more. + +It is with much apprehension that I see something like a general +relaxation of preparation to hurl back the invader. It seems as if the +government were waiting for England to do it; and after all, the capture +of Slidell and Mason may be the very worst thing that could have +happened. Mr. Benjamin, I learn, feels very confident that a rupture +between the United States and Great Britain is inevitable. War with +England is not to be thought of by Mr. Seward at this juncture, and he +will not have it. And we should not rely upon the happening of any such +contingency. Some of our officials go so far as to hint that in the +event of a war between the United States and Great Britain, and our +recognition by the former, it might be good policy for us to stand +neutral. The war would certainly be waged on our account, and it would +not be consistent with Southern honor and chivalry to retire from the +field and leave the friend who interfered in our behalf to fight it out +alone. The principal members of our government should possess the +highest stamp of character, for never did there exist a purer people. + +DECEMBER 24TH.--I am at work on the resolution passed by Congress. The +Secretary sent it to me, with an order to prepare the list of names, and +saying that he would explain the _grounds_ upon which they were +permitted to depart. I can only give the number registered in this +office. + +DECEMBER 25TH.--Mr. Ely, the Yankee member of Congress, who has been in +confinement here since the battle of Manassas, has been exchanged for +Mr. Faulkner, late Minister to France, who was captured on his return +from Europe. Mr. Ely smiled at the brown paper on which I had written +his passport. I told him it was Southern manufacture, and although at +present in a crude condition, it was in the process of improvement, and +that "necessity was the mother of invention." The necessity imposed on +us by the blockade would ultimately redound to our advantage, and might +injure the country inflicting it by diminishing its own products. He +smiled again, and said he had no doubt we should rise to the dignity of +_white paper_. + +DECEMBER 26TH.--I have been requested by several members of Congress to +prepare a bill, establishing a passport office by law. I will attempt +it; but it cannot pass, unless it be done in spite of the opposition of +the Secretary, who knows how to use his patronage so as to bind members +to his interest. He learned that at Washington. + +DECEMBER 27TH.--Notwithstanding the severe strictures, and the +resolution of Congress, there is an increase rather than a diminution of +the number of persons going North. Some of our officials seem to think +the war is over, or that England will do the balance of our fighting! + +DECEMBER 28TH.--The fathers and mothers and sisters of our brave +soldiers continue to send their clothing and provisions. _They_ do not +relax in the work of independence. + +DECEMBER 29TH.--Persons are coming here from that portion of Western +Virginia held by the enemy, with passports from Gen. Cox, the Yankee +commander. They applied to me to-day for passports to return to Kanawha, +which I refused. They obtained them from the Assistant Secretary of War, +Mr. Ould. + +DECEMBER 30TH.--Some of our officers on furlough complain of the +dullness of the war. The second year will be different. + +DECEMBER 31ST.--Northern papers, received in this city, show very +conclusively that the enemy are pretty accurately informed of the +condition of our defenses and the paucity of the numbers in our +regiments. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +Seward gives up Mason and Slidell.--Great preparations of the enemy.-- + Gen. Jackson betrayed.--Mr. Memminger's blunders.--Exaggerated + reports of our troops in Kentucky and Tennessee. + + +JANUARY 1ST, 1862.--Seward has cowered beneath the roar of the British +Lion, and surrendered Mason and Slidell, who have been permitted to go +on their errand to England. Now we must depend upon our own strong arms +and stout hearts for defense. + +JANUARY 2D.--The enemy are making preparations to assail us everywhere. +Roanoke Island, Norfolk, Beaufort, and Newbern; Charleston, Savannah, +Mobile, Pensacola, and New Orleans are all menaced by numerous fleets on +the sea-board, and in the West great numbers of iron-clad floating +batteries threaten to force a passage down the Mississippi, while +monster armies are concentrating for the invasion of Tennessee and the +Cotton States. Will Virginia escape the scourge? Not she; here is the +bull's-eye of the mark they aim at. + +JANUARY 3D.--The enemy have in the field, according to their official +reports, some three-quarters of a million of men; we, about 250,000, or +one-quarter of a million. This might answer for defense if we could only +know where their blows will fall; but then they have a strong navy and +thousands of transports, and we have next to nothing afloat to oppose to +them. And there is no _entente cordiale_ between Mr. Benjamin and any of +our best generals. + +JANUARY 4TH.--It is just as I feared. Gen. T. J. Jackson, supposing his +project to be a profound secret, marched on the 1st instant from +Winchester, intending to surprise a force of the enemy at Romney. But he +had not proceeded half the distance before he found a printed account of +his intended expedition in a Baltimore paper at an inn on the roadside. +This was treason of the blackest dye, and will cost us a thousand men. +The enemy, of course, escaped, and our poor soldiers, frost-bitten and +famished, must painfully retrace all steps of this fruitless march. + +JANUARY 5TH.--There are rumors of a court-martial, and I fear the +enterprising Jackson will be made to suffer for the crime of others. +That men sympathizing with the Union cause were daily leaving Richmond +for Baltimore was known to all, but how they gained intelligence of the +contemplated movement of Jackson is the mystery. + +JANUARY 6TH.--No news. + +JANUARY 7TH.--Brig-Gen. Wise is to command on Roanoke Island. It is not +far from Princess Ann County, where his place of residence is. If they +give him men enough, say half as many as the enemy, he _will_ defend it. + +JANUARY 8TH.--Dearth of news. + +JANUARY 9TH.--Butter is 50 cts. per pound, bacon 25 cts., beef has risen +from 13 cts. to 30 cts., wood is selling for $8 per cord, but flour is +abundant, and cheap enough to keep us from starving. + +JANUARY 10TH.--The President is rarely seen in the streets now, and it +is complained that he is not so accessible as formerly in his office. I +do not know what foundation there is for these reports, and see no +reason to credit them. I know he rides out in the afternoon, if the +weather be fair, after the labors of the day, and he is a regular +attendant at St. Paul's Church. I am rather inclined to credit the rumor +that he intends to join the church. All his messages and proclamations +indicate that he is looking to a mightier power than England for +assistance. There is a general desire to have the cabinet modified and +Christianized upon the inauguration of the permanent government. + +JANUARY 11TH.--We have three candidates in the field in this district +for Congress: President Tyler, James Lyons, and Wm. H. McFarland. The +first will, of course, walk over the track. + +JANUARY 12TH.--Gen. Wise, whose headquarters are to be fixed at Nag's +Head on the beach near Roanoke Island, reports that the force he +commands is altogether inadequate to defend the position. Burnside is +said to have 20,000 men, besides a numerous fleet of gun-boats; and Gen. +Wise has but 3000 effective men. + +JANUARY 13TH.--The department leaves Gen. Wise to his superior officer, +Gen. Huger, at Norfolk, who has 15,000 men. But I understand that Huger +says Wise has ample means for the defense of the island, and refuses to +let him have more men. This looks like a man-trap of the "Red-tapers" +to get rid of a popular leader. I hope the President will interfere. + +JANUARY 14TH.--All calm and quiet to-day. + +JANUARY 15TH.--I forgot to mention the fact that some weeks ago I +received a work in manuscript from London, sent thither before the war, +and brought by a bearer of dispatches from our Commissioner, Hon. +Ambrose Dudley Mann, to whom I had written on the subject. I owe him a +debt of gratitude for this kindness. When peace is restored, I shall +have in readiness some contributions to the literature of the South, and +my family, if I should not survive, may derive pecuniary benefit from +them. I look for a long war, unless a Napoleon springs up among us, a +thing not at all probable, for I believe there are those who are +constantly on the watch for such dangerous characters, and they may +possess the power to nip all embryo emperors in the bud. + +Some of our functionaries are not justly entitled to the great positions +they occupy. They attained them by a species of _snap-judgement_, from +which there may be an appeal hereafter. It is very certain that many of +our _best_ men have no adequate positions, and revolutions are mutable +things. + +JANUARY 16TH.--To-day, Mr. Benjamin, whom I met in the hall of the +department, said, "I don't grant any passports to leave the country, +except to a few men on business for the government. I have ceased to +grant any for some time past." I merely remarked that I was glad to hear +it. + +Immediately on returning to my office I referred to my book, and counted +the names of fifty persons to whom the Secretary had granted passports +within thirty days; and these were not all agents of the government. Mr. +Benjamin reminded me of Daniel Webster, when he used to make solemn +declarations that his friends in office were likewise the partisans of +President Tyler. + +JANUARY 17TH.--A Mr. O. Hendricks, very lately of the U. S. Coast +Survey, has returned from a tour of the coast of North Carolina, and has +been commissioned a lieutenant by the Secretary of War. He says Burnside +will take Roanoke Island, and that Wise and all his men will be +captured. It is a _man-trap_. + +JANUARY 18TH.--Gen. L. P. Walker, the first Secretary of War, is +assigned to duty in the Southwest under Gen. Bragg. How can he obey the +orders of one who was so recently under his command? I think it +probable he will resign again before the end of the campaign. + +JANUARY 19TH.--There has been a storm on the coast, sinking some of the +enemy's ships. Col. Allen, of New Jersey, was lost. He was once at my +house in Burlington, and professed to be friendly to the Southern cause. +I think he said he owned land and slaves in Texas. + +JANUARY 20TH.--Mr. Memminger advertises to pay interest on certain +government bonds in _specie_. That won't last long. He is paying 50 per +cent. premium in treasury notes for the specie, and the bonds are given +for treasury notes. What sort of financiering is this? + +JANUARY 21ST.--A great number of Germans and others are going to +Norfolk, thinking, as one remarked, if they can't go to the United +States the United States will soon come to them. Many believe that +Burnside will get Norfolk. I think differently, but I may be mistaken. + +JANUARY 22D.--Some of the letter-carriers' passports from Mr. Benjamin, +which have the countenance of Gen. Winder, are now going into Tennessee. +What is this for? We shall see. + +JANUARY 23D.--Again the Northern papers give the most extravagant +numbers to our army in Kentucky. Some estimates are as high as 150,000. +I know, and Mr. Benjamin knows, that Gen. Johnston has not exceeding +29,000 effective men. And the Secretary knows that Gen. J. has given him +timely notice of the inadequacy of his force to hold the position at +Bowling Green. The Yankees are well aware of our weakness, but they +intend to claim the astounding feat of routing 150,000 men with 100,000! +And they suppose that by giving us credit for such a vast army, we shall +not deem it necessary to send reinforcements. Well, _reinforcements are +not sent_. + +JANUARY 24TH.--Beauregard has been ordered to the West. I knew the doom +was upon him! But he will make his mark even at Columbus, though the +place seems to me to be altogether untenable and of no practicable +importance, since the enemy may attack both in front and rear. It would +seem that some of the jealous functionaries would submit to any +misfortune which would destroy Beauregard's popularity. But these are +exceptions: they are few and far between, thank Heaven! + +JANUARY 25TH.--The French players have been permitted by the Secretary +to leave the country. But _British_ subjects are now refused passports. + +JANUARY 26TH.--President Tyler has been elected to Congress by an +overwhelming majority. + +JANUARY 27TH.--The Secretary of War has issued such a peremptory order +to Gen. Wise, that the latter has no alternative but to attempt the +defense of Roanoke Island with 3000 men against 15,000 and a fleet of +gun-boats. The general is quite sick, but he will fight. His son, Capt. +O. Jennings Wise, who has been under fire many times already, commands a +company on the island. He will _deserve_ promotion. The government seems +to have proscribed the great men of the past and their families, as if +_this government was the property of the few men who happen to wield +power at the present moment_. Arrogance and presumption in the South +must, sooner or later, have a fall. The great men who were the leaders +of this revolution may be ignored, but they cannot be kept down by the +smaller fry who aspire to wield the destinies of a great and patriotic +people. Smith and Lovell, New York politicians and Street Commissioners, +have been made _major_-generals, while Wise and Breckinridge are +brigadiers. + +JANUARY 28TH.--There must soon be collisions in the West on a large +scale; but the system of lying, in vogue among the Yankees, most +effectually defeats all attempts at reliable computation of numbers. +They say we have 150,000 men in Tennessee and Kentucky, whereas we have +not 60,000. Their own numbers they represent to be not exceeding 50,000, +but I suspect they have three times that number. The shadows of events +are crowding thickly upon us, and the events will speak for +themselves--and that speedily. + +JANUARY 29TH.--What we want is a military man capable of directing +operations in the field everywhere. I think Lee is such a man. But can +he, a modest man and a Christian, aspire to such a position? Would not +Mr. Benjamin throw his influence against such a suggestion? I trust the +President will see through the mist generated around him. + +JANUARY 30TH.--Some of the mysterious letter-carriers, who have just +returned from their jaunt into Tennessee, are applying again for +passports to Baltimore, Washington, etc. I refuse them, though they are +recommended by Gen. Winder's men; but they will obtain what they want +from the Secretary himself, or his Assistant Secretary. + +JANUARY 31ST.--What if these men (they have passports) should be going +to Washington to report the result of their reconnoissances in +Tennessee? The Tennessee River is high, and we have no casemated +batteries, or batteries of any sort, on it above Fort Henry. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +Fall of Fort Henry.--Of Fort Donelson.--Lugubrious Inauguration of the + President in the Permanent Government.--Loss of Roanoke Island. + + +FEBRUARY 1ST.--We had a startling rumor yesterday that New Orleans had +been taken by the enemy, without firing a gun. I hastened to the +Secretary and asked him if it could be true. He had not heard of it, and +turned pale. But a moment after, recollecting the day on which it was +said the city had fallen, he seized a New Orleans paper of a subsequent +date, and said the news could not be true, since the paper made no +mention of it. + +FEBRUARY 2D.--The rumor of yesterday originated in the assertion of a +Yankee paper that New Orleans _would_ be taken without firing a gun. +Some of our people fear it may be so, since Mr. Benjamin's friend, Gen. +Lovell, who came from New York since the battle of Manassas, is charged +with the defense of the city. He delivered lectures, it is said, last +summer on the defenses of New York--_in that city_. Have we not Southern +men of sufficient genius to make generals of, for the defense of the +South, without sending to New York for military commanders? + +FEBRUARY 3D.--We have intelligence of the sailing of an expedition from +Cairo for the reduction of Fort Henry on the Tennessee River. + +FEBRUARY 4TH.--Burnside has entered the Sound at Hatteras with his fleet +of gun-boats and transports. The work will soon begin. + +FEBRUARY 5TH.--I am sorry to hear that Gen. Wise is quite ill. But, on +his back, as on his feet, he will direct operations, and the enemy will +be punished whenever he comes in reach of him. + +FEBRUARY 6TH.--The President is preparing his Inaugural Message for the +22d, when he is to begin his new administration of six years. He is to +read it from the Washington Monument in Capitol Square. + +FEBRUARY 7TH.--We have vague rumors of fighting at Roanoke. Nothing +reliable. + +FEBRUARY 8-20TH.--Such astounding events have occurred since the 8th +instant, such an excitement has prevailed, and so incessant have been my +duties, that I have not kept a regular journal. I give a running account +of them. + +Roanoke has fallen before superior numbers, although we had 15,000 idle +troops at Norfolk within hearing of the battle. The government would not +interfere, and Gen. Huger refused to allow the use of a few thousand of +his troops. + +But Gen. Wise is safe; Providence willed that he should escape the +"man-trap." When the enemy were about to open fire on his headquarters +at Nag's Head, knowing him to be prostrated with illness (for the island +had then been surrendered after a heroic defense), Lieutenants Bagly and +Wise bore the general away in a blanket to a distance of ten or fifteen +miles. The Yankees would have gladly exchanged all their prisoners for +Gen. Wise, who is ever a terror to the North. + +Capt. O. Jennings Wise fell, while gallantly cheering his men, in the +heat of the battle. A thousand of the enemy fell before a few hundred of +our brave soldiers. We lost some 2500 men, for there was no alternative +but to surrender. + +Capt. Wise told the Yankee officers, who persisted in forcing themselves +in his presence during his dying moments, that the South could never be +subjugated. They might exterminate us, but every man, woman, and child +would prefer death to abject subjugation. And he died with a sweet smile +on his lip, eliciting the profound respect of his most embittered +enemies. + +The enemy paroled our men taken on the island; and we recovered the +remains of the heroic Capt. Wise. His funeral here was most impressive, +and saddened the countenances of thousands who witnessed the pageant. +None of the members of the government were present; but the ladies threw +flowers and evergreens upon his bier. He is dead--but history will do +him justice; and his example will inspire others with the spirit of true +heroism. + +And President Tyler is no more on earth. He died after a very brief +illness. There was a grand funeral, Mr. Hunter and others delivering +orations. They came to me, supposing I had written one of the several +biographies of the deceased which have appeared during the last twenty +years. But I had written none--and none published were worthy of the +subject. I could only refer them to the bound volumes of the MADISONIAN +in the State library for his messages and other State papers. The +originals are among my papers in the hands of the enemy. His history is +yet to be written--and it will be read centuries hence. + +Fort Henry has fallen. Would that were all! The catalogue of disasters I +feared and foretold, under the policy adopted by the War Department, may +be a long and a terrible one. + +The mission of the spies to East Tennessee is now apparent. Three of the +enemy's gun-boats have ascended the Tennessee River to the very head of +navigation, while the women and children on its banks could do nothing +more than gaze in mute despair. No batteries, no men were there. The +absence of these is what the traitors, running from here to Washington, +have been reporting to the enemy. Their boats would no more have +ventured up that river without the previous exploration of spies, than +Mr. Lincoln would dare to penetrate a cavern without torch-bearers, in +which the rattle of venomous snakes could be heard. They have ascended +to Florence, and may get footing in Alabama and Mississippi! + +And Fort Donelson has been attacked by an immensely superior force. We +have 15,000 men there to resist, perhaps, 75,000! Was ever such +management known before? Who is responsible for it? If Donelson falls, +what becomes of the ten or twelve thousand men at Bowling Green? + +FEBRUARY 21ST.--All our garrison in Fort Henry, with Gen. Tilghman, +surrendered. I think we had only 1500 men there. Guns, ammunition, and +stores, all gone. + +No news from Donelson--and that is _bad_ news. Benjamin says he has no +definite information. But prisoners taken say the enemy have been +reinforced, and are hurling 80,000 against our 15,000. + +FEBRUARY 22D.--Such a day! The heavens weep incessantly. Capitol Square +is black with umbrellas; and a shelter has been erected for the +President to stand under. + +I walked up to the monument and heard the Inaugural read by the +President. He read it well, and seemed self-poised in the midst of +disasters, which he acknowledged had befallen us. And he admitted that +there had been errors in our war policy. We had attempted operations on +too extensive a scale, thus diffusing our powers which should have been +concentrated. I like these candid confessions. They augur a different +policy hereafter, and we may hope for better results in the future. We +must all stand up for our country. + +Mr. Hunter has resigned, and taken his place in the Senate. + +FEBRUARY 23D.--At last we have the astounding tidings that Donelson has +fallen, and Buckner, and 9000 men, arms, stores, everything are in +possession of the enemy! Did the President know it yesterday? Or did the +Secretary keep it back till the new government (permanent) was launched +into existence? Wherefore? The Southern _people_ cannot be daunted by +calamity! + +Last night it was still raining--and it rained all night. It was a +lugubrious reception at the President's mansion. But the President +himself was calm, and Mrs. Davis seemed in spirits. For a long time I +feared the bad weather would keep the people away; and the thought +struck me when I entered, that if there were a Lincoln spy present, we +should have more ridicule in the Yankee presses on the paucity of +numbers attending the reception. But the crowd came at last, and filled +the ample rooms. The permanent government had its birth in storm, but it +may yet flourish in sunshine. For my own part, however, I think a +provisional government of few men, should have been adopted "for the +war." + +FEBRUARY 24TH.--Gen. Sydney Johnston has evacuated Bowling Green with +his _ten or twelve_ thousand men! Where is his mighty army now? It never +did exist! + +FEBRUARY 25TH.--And Nashville must fall--although no one seems to +anticipate such calamity. We must run the career of disasters allotted +us, and await the turning of the tide. + +FEBRUARY 26TH.--Congress, in secret session, has authorized the +declaration of martial law in this city, and at some few other places. +This might be well under other circumstances; but it will not be well if +the old general in command should be clothed with powers which he has no +qualifications to wield advantageously. The facile old man will do +_anything_ the Secretary advises. + +Our army is to fall back from Manassas! The Rappahannock is not to be +our line of _defense_. Of course the enemy will soon strike at Richmond +from some direction. I have given great offense to some of our people by +saying the policy of permitting men to go North at will, will bring the +enemy to the gates of the city in ninety days. Several have told me that +the prediction has been marked in the Secretary's tablets, and that I am +marked for destruction if it be not verified. I reply that I would +rather be destroyed than that it should be fulfilled. + +FEBRUARY 27TH.--Columbus is to be evacuated. Beauregard sees that it is +untenable with Forts Henry and Donelson in possession of the enemy. He +will not be caught in such a trap as that. But he is erecting a battery +at Island No. 10 that will give the Yankees trouble. I hope it may stay +the catalogue of disasters. + +FEBRUARY 28TH.--These calamities may be a wholesome chastening for us. +We shall now go to work and raise troops enough to defend the country. +Congress will certainly pass the Conscription Act recommended by the +President. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +Nashville evacuated.--Martial law.--Passports.--Com. Buchanan's naval + engagement.--Gen. Winder's blunders.--Mr. Benjamin Secretary of + State.--Lee commander-in chief.--Mr. G. W. Randolph Secretary of + War. + + +MARCH 1ST.--It is certain that the City of Nashville has been evacuated, +and will, of course, be occupied by the enemy. Gen. Johnston, with the +remnant of his army, has fallen down to Murfreesborough, and as that is +not a point of military importance, will in turn be abandoned, and the +enemy will drop out of the State into Alabama or Mississippi. + +MARCH 2D.--Gen. Jos. E. Johnston has certainly made a skillful +retrograde movement in the face of the enemy at Manassas. He has been +keeping McClellan and his 210,000 men at bay for a long time with about +40,000. After the abandonment of his works it was a long time before the +enemy knew he had retrograded. They approached very cautiously, and +found that they had been awed by a few _Quaker guns--logs of wood_ in +position, and so painted as to resemble cannon. Lord, how the Yankee +press will quiz McClellan! + +MARCH 3D.--But McClellan would not advance. He could not drag his +artillery at this season of the year; and so he is embarking his army, +or the greater portion of it, for the Peninsula. + +MARCH 4TH.--We shall have stirring times here. Our troops are to be +marched through Richmond immediately, for the defense of Yorktown--the +same town surrendered by Lord Cornwallis to Washington. But its fall or +its successful defense now will signify nothing. + +MARCH 5TH.--Martial law has been proclaimed. + +MARCH 6TH.--Some consternation among the citizens--they dislike martial +law. + +MARCH 7TH.--Gen. Winder has established a guard with fixed bayonets at +the door of the passport office. They let in only a few at a time, and +these, when they get their passports, pass out by the rear door, it +being impossible for them to return through the crowd. + +MARCH 8TH.--Gen. Winder has appointed Capt. Godwin Provost Marshal. + +MARCH 9TH.--Gen. Winder has appointed Col. Porter Provost +Marshal,--Godwin not being high enough in rank, I suppose. + +MARCH 10TH.--One of the friends of the Secretary of War came to me +to-day, and proposed to have some new passports printed, with the +likeness of Mr. Benjamin engraved on them. He said, I think, the +engraving had already been made. I denounced the project as absurd, and +said there were some five or ten thousand printed passports on hand. + +MARCH 11TH.--I have summed up the amounts of patriotic contributions +received by the army in Virginia, and registered on my book, and they +amount to $1,515,898.[1] + +The people of the respective States contributed as follows: + + North Carolina $325,417 + Alabama 317,600 + Mississippi 272,670 + Georgia 244,885 + South Carolina 137,206 + Texas 87,800 + Louisiana 61,950 + Virginia[1] 48,070 + Tennessee 17,000 + Florida 2,350 + Arkansas 950 + +MARCH 12TH.--Gen. Winder moved the passport office up to the corner of +Ninth and Broad Streets. + +The office at the corner of Ninth and Broad Streets was a filthy one; it +was inhabited--for they slept there---by his rowdy clerks. And when I +stepped to the hydrant for a glass of water, the tumbler repulsed me by +the smell of whisky. There was no towel to wipe my hands with, and in +the long basement room underneath, were a thousand garments of dead +soldiers, taken from the hospitals and the battle-field, and exhaling a +most disagreeable, if not deleterious, odor. + +MARCH 13TH.--Nevertheless, I am (temporarily) signing my name to the +passports, yet issued by the authority of the Secretary of War. They are +filled up and issued by three or four of the Provost Marshal's clerks, +who are governed mainly by my directions, as neither Col. Porter nor the +clerks, nor Gen. Winder himself, have the slightest idea of the +geography of the country occupied by the enemy. The clerks are all +Marylanders, as well as the detectives, and the latter intend to remain +here to my great chagrin. + +MARCH 14TH.--The Provost Marshal, Col. Porter, has had new passports +printed, to which his own name is to be appended. I am requested to sign +it for him, and to instruct the clerks generally. + +MARCH 15TH.--For several days troops have been pouring through the city, +marching down the Peninsula. The enemy are making demonstrations against +Yorktown. + +MARCH 16TH.--I omitted to note in its place the gallant feat of +Commodore Buchanan with the iron monster Merrimac in Hampton Roads. He +destroyed two of the enemy's best ships of war. My friends, Lieutenants +Parker and Minor, partook of the glory, and were severely wounded. + +MARCH 17TH.--Col. Porter has resigned his provost marshalship, and is +again succeeded by Capt. Godwin, a _Virginian_, and I like him very +well, for he is truly Southern in his instincts. + +MARCH 18TH.--A Mr. MacCubbin, of Maryland, has been appointed by Gen. +Winder the Chief of Police. He is wholly illiterate, like the rest of +the policemen under his command. + +MARCH 19TH.--Mr. MacCubbin, whom I take to be a sort of Scotch-Irishman, +though reared in the mobs of Baltimore, I am informed has given some +passports, already signed, to some of his friends. This interference +will produce a rupture between Capt. Godwin and Capt. MacCubbin; but as +the former is a Virginian, he may have the worst of it in the bear +fight. + +MARCH 20TH.--There is skirmishing everyday on the Peninsula. We have not +exceeding 60,000 men there, while the enemy have 158,000. It is fearful +odds. And they have a fleet of gun-boats. + +MARCH 21ST.--Gen. Winder's detectives are very busy. They have been +forging prescriptions to _catch_ the poor Richmond apothecaries. When +the brandy is thus obtained it is confiscated, and the money withheld. +They drink the brandy, and imprison the apothecaries. + +MARCH 22D.--Capt. Godwin, the Provost Marshal, was swearing furiously +this morning at the policemen about their iniquitous _forgeries_. + +MARCH 23D.--Gen. Winder was in this morning listening to something +MacCubbin was telling him about the Richmond _Whig_. It appears that, in +the course of a leading article, enthusiastic for the cause, the editor +remarked, "we have arms and ammunition now." The policemen, one and all, +interpreted this as a violation of the order to the press to abstain +from speaking of the arrivals of arms, etc. from abroad. Gen. Winder, +without looking at the paper, said in a loud voice, "Go and arrest the +editor--and close his office!" Two or three of the policemen started +off on this errand. But I interposed, and asked them to wait a moment, +until I could examine the paper. I found no infraction of the order in +the truly patriotic article, and said so to Gen. Winder. "Well," said +he, "if he has not violated the order, he must not be arrested." He took +the paper, and read for himself; and then, without saying anything more, +departed. + +When he was gone, I asked MacCubbin what was the phraseology of the +order that "had been served on the editors." He drew it from his pocket, +saying it had been shown to them, _and not left with them_. It was in +the handwriting of Mr. Benjamin, and signed by Gen. Winder. And I +learned that all the orders, sumptuary and others, had been similarly +written and signed. Mr. Benjamin used the pencil and not the pen in +writing these orders, supposing, of course, they would be copied by Gen. +W.'s clerks. But they were not copied. The policemen threaten to stop +the _Examiner_ soon, for that paper has been somewhat offensive to the +_aliens_ who now have rule here. + +MARCH 24TH.--Gen. Walker, of Georgia--the same who had the scene with +Col. Bledsoe--has resigned. I am sorry that the Confederate States must +lose his services, for he is a brave man, covered with honorable scars. +He has displeased the Secretary of War. + +MARCH 25TH.--Gen. Bonham, of South Carolina, has also resigned, for +being overslaughed. His were the _first_ troops that entered Virginia to +meet the enemy; and because some of his three months' men were +reorganized into fresh regiments, his brigade was dissolved, and his +commission canceled. + +Price, Beauregard, Walker, Bonham, Toombs, Wise, Floyd, and others of +the brightest lights of the South have been somehow successively +obscured. And Joseph E. Johnston is a doomed fly, sooner or later, for +he said, not long since, that there could be no hope of success as long +as Mr. Benjamin was Secretary of War. These words were spoken at a +dinner-table, and will reach the ears of the Secretary. + +MARCH 26TH.--The apothecaries arrested and imprisoned some days ago have +been tried and acquitted by a court-martial. Gen. Winder indorsed on the +order for their discharge: _"Not approved, and you may congratulate +yourselves upon escaping a merited punishment."_ + +MARCH 27TH.--It is said Mr. Benjamin has been dismissed, or resigned. + +MARCH 28TH.--Mr. Benjamin has been promoted. He is now Secretary of +State. + +His successor in the War Department is G. W. Randolph, a lawyer of +modest pretensions, who, although he has lived for several years in this +city, does not seem to have a dozen acquaintances. But he inherits a +name, being descended from Thomas Jefferson, and, I believe, likewise +from the Mr. Randolph in Washington's cabinet. Mr. Randolph was a +captain at Bethel under Magruder; and subsequently promoted to a +colonelcy. Announcing his determination to quit the military service +more than a month ago, he entered the field as a competitor for the seat +in Congress left vacant by the death of President Tyler. Hon. James +Lyons was elected, and Col. Randolph got no votes at all. + +MARCH 30TH.--Gen. Lee is to have command of all the armies--but will not +be in the field himself. He will reside here. Congress passed an act to +create a commanding general; but this was vetoed, for trenching on the +executive prerogative--or failed in some way. The proceedings were in +secret session. + +MARCH 31ST.--Gen. Joseph E. Johnston is to command on the Peninsula. The +President took an affectionate leave of him the other day; and Gen. Lee +held his hand a long time, and admonished him to take care of his life. +There was no necessity for him to endanger it--as had just been done by +the brave Sydney Johnston at Shiloh, whose fall is now universally +lamented. This Gen. Johnston (Joseph E.) I believe has the misfortune to +be wounded in most of his battles. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +Gen. Beauregard succeeds Gen. Sydney Johnston.--Dibble, the traitor.-- + Enemy at Fredericksburg.--They say we will be subdued by the 15th of + June.--Lee rapidly concentrating at Richmond.--Webster, the spy, hung. + + +APRIL 1ST.--Gen. Sydney Johnston having fallen in battle, the command in +the West devolved on Gen. Beauregard, whose recent defense at Island No. +10 on the Mississippi, has revived his popularity. But, I repeat, he is +a doomed man. + +APRIL 2D.--Gen. Wise is here with his report of the Roanoke disaster. + +APRIL 3D.--Congress is investigating the Roanoke affair. Mr. Benjamin +has been denounced in Congress by Mr. Foote and others as the sole cause +of the calamities which have befallen the country. + +I wrote a letter to the President, offering to show that I had given no +passport to Mr. Dibble, the traitor, and also the evidences, in his own +handwriting, that Mr. Benjamin granted it. + +APRIL 4TH.--The enemy are shelling our camp at Yorktown. I can hear the +reports of the guns, of a damp evening. We are sending back defiance +with our guns. + +The President has not taken any notice of my communication. Mr. Benjamin +is too powerful to be affected by such proofs of such small matters. + +APRIL 5TH.--Newbern, N. C., has fallen into the hands of the enemy! Our +men, though opposed by greatly superior numbers, made a brave +resistance, and killed and wounded 1000 of the invaders. + +The enemy were piloted up the river to Newbern by the same _Mr. Dibble_ +to whom I refused a passport, but to whom the Secretary of War granted +one. + +The press everywhere is commenting on the case of Dibble--_but Mordecai +still sits at the gate_. + +APRIL 6TH.--Two spies (Lincoln's detective police) have been arrested +here, tried by court-martial, and condemned to be hung. There is an +awful silence among the Baltimore detectives, which bodes no harm to the +condemned. They will not be executed, though guilty. + +APRIL 7TH.--R. G. H. Kean, a young man, and a connection of Mr. +Randolph, has been appointed Chief of the Bureau of War in place of Col. +Bledsoe, resigned at last. Mr. Kean was, I believe, a lieutenant when +Mr. Randolph was colonel, and acted as his adjutant. + +APRIL 8TH.--Col. Bledsoe has been appointed Assistant Secretary of War +by the President. Now he is in his glory, and has forgotten me. + +APRIL 9TH.--There are several young officers who have sheathed the +sword, and propose to draw the pen in the civil service. + +To-day I asked of the department a month's respite from labor, and +obtained it. But I remained in the city, and watched closely, still +hoping I might serve the cause, or at least prevent more injury to it, +from the wicked facility hitherto enjoyed by spies to leave the country. + +APRIL 10TH.--The condemned spies have implicated _Webster_, the +letter-carrier, who has had so many passports. He will hang, probably. +Gen. Winder himself, and his policemen, wrote home by him. I don't +believe him any more guilty than many who used to write by him; and I +mean to tell the Judge Advocate so, if they give me an opportunity. + +APRIL 11TH.--The enemy are at Fredericksburg, and the Yankee papers say +it will be all over with us by the 15th of June. I doubt that. + +APRIL 12TH.--The committee (Congressional) which have been investigating +the Roanoke Island disaster have come to the conclusion, unanimously, +and the House has voted accordingly, and with unanimity, that the blame +and guilt of that great calamity rest solely upon "Gen. Huger and Judah +P. Benjamin." + +APRIL 13TH.--Gen. Wise now resolved to ask for another command, to make +another effort in defense of his country. But, when he waited upon the +Secretary of War, he ascertained that there was no brigade for him. +Returning from thence, some of his officers, who had escaped the trap at +Roanoke, crowded round him to learn the issue of his application. + +"There is no Secretary of War!" said he. + +"What is Randolph?" asked one. + +"He is not Secretary of War!" said he; "he is merely a _clerk_, an +underling, and cannot hold up his head in his humiliating position. He +never will be able to hold up his head, sir." + +APRIL 14TH.--There will soon be hard fighting on the Peninsula. + +APRIL 15TH.--Gen. Beauregard has written to Gen. Wise, offering him a +command in his army, if the government will consent to it. It will not +be consented to. + +APRIL 16TH.--Troops are being concentrated rapidly in Virginia by Gen. +Lee. + +APRIL 17TH.--To-day Congress passed an act providing for the termination +of martial law within thirty days after the meeting of the next session. +This was as far as they could _venture_; for, indeed, a majority seem to +be intimidated at the glitter of bayonets in the streets, wielded by the +authority of martial law. The press, too, has taken the alarm, and +several of the publishers have confessed a fear of having their offices +closed, if they dare to speak the sentiments struggling for utterance. +It is, indeed, a reign of terror! Every Virginian, and other loyal +citizens of the South--members of Congress and all--must now, before +obtaining Gen. Winder's permission to leave the city for their homes, +bow down before the _aliens_ in the Provost Marshal's office, and +subscribe to an oath of allegiance, while a file of bayonets are pointed +at his back! + +APRIL 18TH.--The President is thin and haggard; and it has been +whispered on the street that he will immediately be baptized and +confirmed. I hope so, because it may place a great gulf between him and +the descendant of those who crucified the Saviour. Nevertheless, some of +his enemies allege that professions of Christianity have sometimes been +the premeditated accompaniments of usurpations. It was so with Cromwell +and with Richard III. Who does not remember the scene in Shakspeare, +where Richard appears on the balcony, with prayer book in hand and a +priest on either side? + +APRIL 19TH.--All believe we are near a crisis, involving the possession +of the capital. + +APRIL 21ST.--A calm before the storm. + +APRIL 22D.--Dibble, the traitor, has been captured by our soldiers in +North Carolina. + +APRIL 23D.--The North Carolinians have refused to give up Dibble to Gen. +Winder. And, moreover, the governor has demanded the rendition of a +citizen of his State, who was arrested there by one of Gen. Winder's +detectives, and brought hither. The governor says, if he be not +delivered up, he will institute measures of retaliation, and arrest +every alien policeman from Richmond caught within the limits of his +jurisdiction. + +Is it not shameful that martial law should be playing such fantastic +tricks before high heaven, when the enemy's guns are booming within +hearing of the capital? + +APRIL 24TH.--Webster has been tried, condemned, and _hung_. + +APRIL 25TH.--Gen. Wise, through the influence of Gen. Lee, who is a +Christian gentleman as well as a consummate general, has been ordered +into the field. He will have a brigade, but not with Beauregard. The +President has unbounded confidence in Lee's capacity, modest as he is. + +Another change! Provost Marshal Godwin, for rebuking the Baltimore chief +of police, is to leave us, and to be succeeded by a Marylander, Major +Griswold, whose family is now in the enemy's country. + +APRIL 26TH.--Gen. Lee is doing good service in bringing forward +reinforcements from the South against the day of trial--and an awful day +awaits us. It is understood that he made fully known to the President +his appreciation of the desperate condition of affairs, and demanded +_carte blanche_ as a condition of his acceptance of the position of +commanding general. The President wisely agreed to the terms. + +APRIL 27TH.--Gen. Lee is calm--but the work of preparation goes on night +and day. + +APRIL 28TH.--We have rumors of an important cabinet meeting, wherein it +was resolved to advise or command Gen. Johnston to evacuate Yorktown and +retire toward Richmond! Also that Norfolk is to be given up! I don't +believe it; Lee's name is not mentioned. + +APRIL 29TH.--Major Griswold is here, and so is a new batch of +Marylanders. + +APRIL 30TH.--Troops from the South are coming in and marching down the +Peninsula. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +Disloyalists entrapped.--Norfolk abandoned.--Merrimac blown up.--Army + falling back.--Mrs. Davis leaves Richmond.--Preparing to burn the + tobacco.--Secretary of War trembles for Richmond.--Richmond to be + defended.--The tobacco.--Winking and blinking.--Johnston's great + battle.--Wounded himself.--The wounded.--The hospitals. + + +MAY 1ST.--The ladies shower loaves of bread and slices of ham on the +passing troops. + +MAY 2D.--An iniquitous-looking prisoner was brought in to-day from +Orange C. H., by the name of Robert Stewart. The evidence against him is +as follows: He is a Pennsylvanian, though a resident of Virginia for a +number of years, and owns a farm in Orange County. Since the series of +disasters, and the seeming downward progress of our affairs, Stewart has +cooled his ardor for independence. He has slunk from enrollment in the +militia, and under the Conscription Act. And since the occupation of +Fredericksburg by the enemy he has made use of such equivocal language +as to convince his neighbors that his sympathies are wholly with the +Northern invader. + +A day or two since, near nightfall, three troopers, weary and worn, +halted at Stewart's house and craved food and rest for themselves and +horses. Stewart, supposing them to be Confederate soldiers, declared he +had nothing they wanted, and that he was destitute of every description +of refreshments. They said they were sorry for it, as it was a long ride +to Fredericksburg. + +"Are you _Union_ soldiers?" asked Stewart, quickly. + +"Yes," said they, "and we are on scouting duty." + +"Come in! Come in! I have everything you want!" cried Stewart, and when +they entered he embraced them. + +A sumptuous repast was soon on the table, but the soldiers refused to +eat! Surprised at this, Stewart demanded the reason; the troopers rose, +and said they were Confederate soldiers, and it was their duty to arrest +a traitor. They brought him hither. Will he, too, escape merited +punishment? + +MAY 3D.--I fear there is something in the rumor that Norfolk and +Portsmouth and Yorktown and the Peninsula will be _given_ up. The +Secretaries of War and Navy are going down to Norfolk. + +MAY 4TH.--The Yankees on the Peninsula mean to fight. Well, that is what +our brave army pants for. + +MAY 5TH.--The prospect of battle produces a joyous smile on every +soldier's face to-day. + +MAY 6TH, 7TH.--We have not yet reached the lowest round of the ladder. +The Secretary is at Norfolk, and the place is to be evacuated. I would +resign first. + +MAY 8TH.--Norfolk and Portsmouth are evacuated! Our army falling back! +The Merrimac is to be, or has been, blown up! + +MAY 9TH.--My family, excepting my son Custis, started to-day for +Raleigh, N. C., where our youngest daughter is at school. But it is in +reality another flight from the enemy. No one, scarcely, supposes that +Richmond will be defended. But it must be! + +MAY 10TH.--The President's family have departed for Raleigh, and the +families of most of the cabinet to their respective homes, or other +places of refuge. The President has been baptized (at home) and +privately confirmed in St. Paul's Church. + +MAY 11TH.--The Baltimore detectives are the lords of the ascendant. They +crook a finger, and the best carriages in the street pause, turn round, +and are subject to their will. They loll and roll in glory. And they +ride on horseback, too--government horses, or horses _pressed_ from +gentlemen's stables. One word of remonstrance, and the poor victim is +sent to Castle Godwin. + +MAY 12TH.--I suggested to the Provost Marshal several days ago that +there was an act of Congress _requiring_ the destruction of tobacco, +whenever it might be in danger of falling into the hands of the enemy. +He ran to Gen. Winder, and he to some one else, and then a hundred or +more negroes, and as many wagons, were "pressed" by the detectives. They +are now gathering the weed from all quarters, and piling it in "pressed" +warehouses, mixed with "combustibles," ready for the conflagration. + +And now the consuls from the different nations are claiming that all +bought on foreign account ought to be spared the torch. Mr. Myers, the +little old lawyer, has been employed to aid them. He told me to-day that +none ought to be burnt, that the Yankees having already the tobacco of +Missouri, Kentucky, and Maryland, if we burn ours it will redound to +their benefit, as it will enhance the price of that in their hands. That +is a Benjamite argument. He hastened away to see the Secretary of State, +and returned, saying, in high glee (supposing I concurred with him, of +course), Mr. B. agreed with him. I told him, very gravely, that it +mattered not who agreed with him; so soon as the enemy came to Richmond +all the tobacco would be burned, as the retiring army would attend to +it; several high officers were so resolved. He looked astounded, and +departed. + +MAY 13TH.--This morning I learned that the consuls had carried the day, +and were permitted to collect the tobacco _alleged_ to be bought on +foreign account in separate warehouses, and to place the flags of their +respective nations over them. This was saving the property claimed by +foreigners whose governments refused to recognize us (these consuls are +accredited to the United States), and destroying that belonging to our +own citizens. I told the Provost Marshal that the act of Congress +included _all_ tobacco and cotton, and he was required by _law_ to see +it all destroyed. He, however, acknowledged only martial law, and was, +he said, acting under the instructions of the Secretary of State. What +has the Secretary of State to do with _martial law_? Is there really no +Secretary of War? + +Near the door of the Provost Marshal's office, guarded by bayoneted +sentinels, there is a desk presided over by Sergeant Crow, who orders +_transportation_ on the cars to such soldiers as are permitted to rejoin +their regiments. This Crow, a Marylander, keeps a little black-board +hung up and notes with chalk all the regiments that go down the +Peninsula. To-day, I saw a man whom I suspected to be a Yankee spy, copy +with his pencil the list of regiments; and when I demanded his purpose, +he seemed confused. This is the kind of information Gen. McClellan can +afford to pay for very liberally. I drew the Provost Marshal's attention +to this matter, and he ordered a discontinuance of the practice. + +MAY 14TH.--Our army has fallen back to within four miles of Richmond. +Much anxiety is felt for the fate of the city. Is there no turning point +in this long lane of downward progress? Truly it may be said, our +affairs at this moment are in a critical condition. I trust in God, and +the chivalry and patriotism of the South _in the field_. + +The enemy's fleet of gun-boats are ascending James River, and the +obstructions are not completed. We have but one or two casemated guns in +battery, but we have brave men there. + +MAY 15TH.--The enemy's gun-boats, Monitor, Galena, etc. are at Drewry's +Bluff, eight miles below the city, shelling our batteries, and our +batteries are bravely shelling them. The President rode down to the +vicinity this morning, and observed the firing. + +The guns are heard distinctly in the city, and yet there is no +consternation manifested by the people. If the enemy pass the +obstructions, the city will be, it is true, very much at their mercy. +They may shell us out of it, and this may occur any hour. South of the +city the enemy have no forces, and we can find refuge there. I suppose +the government would go to Lynchburg. I shall remain with the army, _and +see that the tobacco be burnt, at all hazards, according to law_. I have +seen some of our generals, and am convinced that the Baltimore rabble, +and those that direct them, will be suppressed, or exterminated, if they +attempt to throw impediments in the way of our soldiers in the work of +destroying the tobacco, as enjoined by Congress. + +Our marksmen will keep up an incessant fire into the port-holes of the +gun-boats; and if it be at all practicable, we will board them. So hope +is by no means extinct. But it is apprehended, if the enemy get within +shelling distance of the city, there will be an attack along our lines +by McClellan. We must beat him there, as we could never save our guns, +stores, etc. retreating across the river. And we _will_ beat him, for we +have 80,000 men, and more are coming. + +Joyful tidings! the gun-boats have been repulsed! A heavy shot from one +of our batteries ranged through the Galena from stem to stern, making +frightful slaughter, and disabling the ship; and the whole fleet turned +about and steamed down the river! We have not lost a dozen men. We +breathe freely; and the government will lose no time in completing the +obstructions and strengthening the batteries. + +MAY 16TH.--McClellan is intrenching--that is, at least, significant of a +respite, and of apprehension of attack. + +MAY 17TH.--Gen. Lee has admonished Major Griswold on the too free +granting of passports. Will it do any good? + +MAY 18TH.--All quiet to-day except the huzzas as fresh troops arrive. + +MAY 19TH.--We await the issue before Richmond. It is still believed by +many that it is the intention of the government and the generals to +evacuate the city. If the enemy were to appear in force on the south +side, and another force were to march on us from Fredericksburg, we +should be inevitably taken, in the event of the loss of a battle--an +event I don't anticipate. Army, government, and all, might, it is true, +be involved in a common ruin. Wrote as strong a letter as I could to the +President, stating what I have every reason to believe would be the +consequences of the abandonment of Richmond. There would be +demoralization and even insubordination in the army. Better die here! +With the exception of the business portion of the city, the enemy could +not destroy a great many houses by bombardment. But if defeated and +driven back, our troops would make a heroic defense in the streets, in +the walled grave-yards, and from the windows. Better electrify the world +by such scenes of heroism, than surrender the capital and endanger the +cause. I besought him by every consideration not to abandon Richmond to +the enemy short of the last extremity. + +The legislature has also passed resolutions calling upon the C. S. +Government to defend Richmond at all hazards, relieving the Confederate +authorities, in advance, of all responsibility for any damage sustained. + +This will have its effect. It would be pusillanimous to retire now. + +But every preparation had been made to abandon it. The archives had been +sent to Columbia, S. C. and to Lynchburg. The tracks over the bridges +had been covered with plank, to facilitate the passage of artillery. Mr. +Randolph had told his page, and cousin, "you must go with my wife into +the country, for to-morrow the enemy will be here." Trunks were packed +in readiness--for what? Not one would have been taken on the cars! The +Secretary of the Treasury had a special locomotive and cars, constantly +with steam up, in readiness to fly with the treasure. + +Nevertheless, many of the _old_ secessionists have resolved not to leave +their homes, for there were no other homes for them to fly to. They say +they will never take the oath of allegiance to the despised government +of the North, but suffer whatever penalties may be imposed on them. +There is a sullen, but generally a calm expression of inflexible +determination on the countenances of the people, men, women, and +children. But there is no consternation; we have learned to contemplate +death with composure. It would be at least an effectual escape from +dishonor; and Northern domination is dishonor. + +MAY 20TH.--The President, in response to the Legislative Committee, +announced that Richmond would be defended. A thrill of joy electrifies +every heart, a smile of triumph is on every lip. The inhabitants seem to +know that their brave defenders in the field will prove invincible; and +it is understood that Gen. Lee considers the city susceptible of +successful defense. The ladies are in ecstasies. + +MAY 21ST.--There are skirmishes every day, and we can hear both the +artillery and musketry from the hills on the outskirts of the city, +whither some of us repair every afternoon. + +But the Provost Marshal's administration is abominable. Mr. Garnett, M. +C., told me that in an interview with the President, the latter informed +him that he had just received a letter from Gen. Johnston, stating that +the enemy not only knew everything going on within our lines, but seemed +absolutely to know what we intended doing in the future, as if the most +secret counsels of the cabinet were divulged. + +Count Mercier, the French Minister residing at Washington, has been here +on a mysterious errand. They said it referred to our recognition. He had +prolonged interviews with Mr. Benjamin. I think it was concerning +tobacco. There are $60,000,000 worth in Richmond, at French prices. For +$1,000,000, Mr. Seward might afford to wink very hard; and, after +distributing several other millions, there would be a grand total profit +both to the owners and the French Emperor. I smile at their golden +expectations, for I know they will not be realized. If one man can +prevent it, the South shall never be betrayed for a crop of tobacco. +This is a holy cause we are embarked in, worthy to die for. + +The British Minister, Lord Lyons, has embarked for England, to report to +his government that "the rebellion is on its last legs," and must +speedily succumb. He is no prophet, or the son of a prophet. + +MAY 22D.--There is lightning in the Northwest, and the deep thunder of +avenging guns is heard at Washington! Gen. Jackson, sent thither by Gen. +Lee, is sweeping everything before him, defeating Shields, Banks, +Fremont, and one or two other Yankee major-generals, with his little +_corps d'armee_! And his coadjutor, Ewell, is worthy of his +companionship. He has swept them out of the valley, scattering their +hosts like quails before the fowler! They fly in every direction; and +the powers at Washington are trembling for the safety of their own +capital. Glorious Jackson! and he gives, as is justly due, the glory to +God. + +MAY 23D.--Oh, the extortioners! Meats of all kinds are selling at 50 +cts. per pound; butter, 75 cts.; coffee, $1.50; tea, $10; boots, $30 per +pair; shoes, $18; ladies' shoes, $15; shirts, $6 each. Houses that +rented for $500 last year, are $1000 now. Boarding, from $30 to $40 per +month. Gen. Winder has issued an order fixing the maximum prices of +certain articles of marketing, which has only the effect of keeping a +great many things out of market. The farmers have to pay the merchants +and Jews their extortionate prices, and complain very justly of the +partiality of the general. It does more harm than good. + +MAY 24TH.--Every day the two armies are shelling each other, more or +less; and every gun can be heard from the Hospital Hill, north of the +city, whither many repair to listen. + +MAY 25TH.--The enemy send up several balloons every day. Sometimes three +can be seen at once. They are stationary, being fastened by ropes to +trees; and give us an idea of the extent of his lines. But with glasses +they can not only see our camps around the city, but they can view every +part of the city itself. + +MAY 26TH.--Gen. Lee is still strengthening the army. Every day +additional regiments are coming. We are now so strong that no one fears +the result when the great battle takes place. McClellan has delayed too +long, and he is doomed to defeat. The tobacco savers know it well, and +their faces exhibit chagrin and disappointment. Their fortunes will not +be made this year, and so their reputations may be saved. + +MAY 27TH.--More troops came in last night, and were marched to the camp +at once, so that the Yankees will know nothing of it. + +MAY 28TH.--Prisoners and deserters from the enemy say the Yankees get +the Richmond papers, every day, almost as soon as we do. This is a +great advantage they possess; and it demonstrates the fact that the +Provost Marshal has interposed no effectual barriers between us and the +enemy. + +MAY 29TH.--More troops are marching into the city, and Gen. Lee has them +sent out in such manner and at such times as to elude the observations +of even the spies. + +MAY 30TH.--It is said some of the enemy's mounted pickets rode through +the city last night! Northern papers manifest much confidence in the +near approach of the downfall of Richmond, and the end of the +"rebellion." The 15th of June is the utmost limit allowed us for +existence. A terrific storm arose yesterday; and as our scouts report +the left wing of the enemy on this side of the Chickahominy, Gen. +Johnston has determined to attack it to-morrow. Thank God, we are strong +enough to make the attack! + +MAY 31ST.--Everybody is upon the tip-toe of expectation. It has been +announced (in the streets!) that a battle would take place this day, and +hundreds of men, women, and children repaired to the hills to listen, +and possibly to see, the firing. The great storm day before yesterday, +it is supposed, has so swollen the Chickahominy as to prevent +McClellan's left wing from retreating, and reinforcements from being +sent to its relief. The time is well chosen by Gen. Johnston for the +attack, but it was bad policy to let it be known where and when it would +be made; for, no doubt, McClellan was advised of our plans an hour or so +after they were promulged in the streets. Whose fault is this? Johnston +could hardly be responsible for it, because he is very reticent, and +appreciates the importance of keeping his purposes concealed from the +enemy. Surely none of his subordinates divulged the secret, for none but +generals of division knew it. It must have been found out and proclaimed +by some one in the _tobacco_ interest. It is true, Mr. Randolph told Mr. +Jacques a great battle would begin at 8 A.M., to-day; but he would not +propagate such news as that! + +But the battle did not occur at the time specified. Gen. Huger's +division was not at the allotted place of attack at the time fixed upon. +His excuse is that there was a stream to cross, and understanding Gen. +Longstreet was his senior in command (which is not the fact, however), +he permitted his division to have _precedence_. All the divisions were +on the ground in time but Huger's, but still no battle. Thousands of +impatient spectators are venting their criticisms and anathemas, like +an audience at a theater when some accident or disarrangement behind the +scenes prevents the curtain from rising. + +At last, toward noon, a few guns are heard; but it was not till 4 P.M. +that Huger's division came upon the field. Nevertheless, the battle +began in earnest before that hour; and we could hear distinctly not only +the cannon but the musketry. + +The hearts of our soldiers have been inspired with heroic resolution, +and their arms nerved with invincible power to overcome the difficulties +known to be in the way. Every one is aware that the camp of the enemy, +on this side of the Chickahominy, is almost impregnably intrenched; and +in front of the works trees have been cut down and the limbs sharpened, +so as to interpose every obstacle to our advance. + +Ever and anon after rapid firing of cannon, and a tremendous rattle of +musketry, a pause would ensue; and we knew what this meant! A battery +had been taken at the point of the bayonet, and we cheered accordingly. +One after another, we could in this manner perceive the strongholds of +the enemy fall into our hands. + +Toward sundown it was apparent that the intrenched camp had been taken; +and as the deep booming of cannon became more distant, and the rattle of +musketry less distinct, we felt certain that the foe was flying, and +that our men were pursuing them. But we _knew_ that our men would take +everything they were ordered to take. _They_ care not for wounds and +death. This is their only country. But the enemy have a country to run +to, and they hope to live, even if defeated here. If they kill all our +young men, the old men and women, and even our children, will seize +their arms and continue the conflict. + +At night. The ambulances are coming in with our wounded. They report +that all the enemy's strong defenses were stormed, just as we could +perceive from the sounds. They say that our brave men suffered much in +advancing against the intrenchments, exposed to the fire of cannon and +small arms, without being able to see the foe under their shelter; but +when they leaped over the breastworks and turned the enemy's guns on +them, our loss was more than compensated. Our men were shot in front; +the enemy in the back--and terrible was the slaughter. We got their +tents, all standing, and a sumptuous repast that had just been served +up when the battle began. Gen. Casey's headquarters were taken, and his +_plate_ and smoking viands were found on his table. His papers fell into +our hands. We got a large amount of stores and refreshments, so much +needed by our poor braves! There were boxes of lemons, oranges, brandies +and wines, and all the luxuries of distant lands which enter the +unrestricted ports of the United States. These things were narrated by +the pale and bleeding soldiers, who smiled in triumph at their +achievement. Not one in the long procession of ambulances uttered a +complaint. Did they really suffer pain from their wounds? This question +was asked by thousands, and the reply was, "not much." Women and +children and slaves are wending to the hospitals, with baskets of +refreshments, lint, and bandages. Every house is offered for a hospital, +and every matron and gentle daughter, a tender nurse. + +But how fares it with the invader? Unable to recross the swollen +Chickahominy, the Yankees were driven into an almost impenetrable swamp, +where they must pass the night in water up to their knees. The wounded +borne off by them will have no ministrations from their sisters and +mothers, and their dead are abandoned on the field. If Huger had come up +at the time appointed, the enemy would have been ruined. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +Huger fails again.--A wounded boy.--The killed and wounded.--Lee assumes + command.--Lee prepares to attack McClellan--Beauregard watches the + gold.--Our generals scattered.--Hasty letter from Gen. Lee.--Opening + of grand battle.--First day, 26th June.--Second, etc.--Lee's + consummate skill.--Every day for a week it rages.--Streets crowded + with Blue Jackets.--McClellan retires. + + +JUNE 1ST.--The ambulances are now bringing in the enemy's wounded as +well as our own. It is the prompting of humanity. They seem truly +grateful for this magnanimity, as they call it; a sentiment hitherto +unknown to them. + +The battle was renewed to-day, but not seriously. The failure of Gen. +Huger to lead his division into action at the time appointed, is +alleged as the only reason why the left wing of the enemy was not +completely destroyed. But large masses of the enemy did cross the river, +on bridges constructed for the purpose, and they had 50,000 men engaged +against a much less number on our part; and their batteries played upon +us from the north bank of the Chickahominy. The flying foe kept under +shelter of this fire--and these guns could not be taken, as the pontoon +bridge was defended by heavy artillery. + +All day the wounded were borne past our boarding-house in Third Street, +to the general hospital; and hundreds, with shattered arms and slight +flesh wounds, came in on foot. I saw a boy, not more than fifteen years +old (from South Carolina), with his hand in a sling. He showed me his +wound. A ball had entered between the fingers of his left hand and +lodged near the wrist, where the flesh was much swollen. He said, +smiling, "I'm going to the hospital just to have the ball cut out, and +will then return to the battle-field. I can fight with my right hand." + +The detectives are jubilant to-day. They say one of their number, ----, +did heroic feats of arms on the field, killing a Yankee colonel, and a +private who came to the rescue. At all events, they brought in a +colonel's sword, pistols, and coat, as trophies. This story is to be in +the papers to-morrow! + +JUNE 2D.--Great indignation is expressed by the generals in the field at +the tales told of the heroism of the amateur fighters. They say ---- +stripped a dead colonel, and was never in reach of the enemy's guns. +Moreover, the civilians in arms kept at such a distance from danger that +their balls fell among our own men, and wounded some of them! An order +has been issued by one of the major-generals, that hereafter any +stragglers on the field of battle shall be shot. No civilians are to be +permitted to be there at all, unless they go into the ranks. + +Gen. Johnston is wounded--badly wounded, but not mortally. It is his +misfortune to be wounded in almost every battle he fights. Nevertheless, +he has gained a glorious victory. Our loss in killed and wounded will +not exceed 5000; while the enemy's killed, wounded, and prisoners will +not fall short of 13,000. They lost, besides, many guns, tents, and +stores--all wrung from them at the point of the bayonet, and in spite of +their formidable abattis. Prisoners taken on the field say: "The +Southern soldiers would charge into hell if there was a battery before +them--and they would take it from a legion of devils!" The moral effect +of this victory must be great. The enemy have been taught that none of +the engines of destruction that can be wielded against us, will prevent +us from taking their batteries; and so, hereafter, when we charge upon +them, they might as well run away from their own guns. + +JUNE 3D.--Gen. Lee henceforth assumes command of the army in person. +This may be hailed as the harbinger of bright fortune. + +JUNE 4TH.--Col. Bledsoe sent word to me to-day by my son that he wished +to see me. When I met him he groaned as usual, and said the department +would have to open another passport office, as the major-generals in the +field refused to permit the relatives of the sick and wounded in the +camps to pass with orders from Brig.-Gen. Winder or his Provost Marshal. + +JUNE 5TH.--I reopened my office in the department. + +JUNE 6TH.--Gen. Winder getting wind of what was going on, had an +interview, first with Mr. Benjamin, who instructed him what to say; and +then bringing forward the Provost Marshal, they had a rather stormy +interview with Mr. Randolph, who, as usual, yielded to their +protestations against having _two_ passport offices, while martial law +existed. + +And so Col. Bledsoe came in and told me to "shut up shop." The Secretary +had revoked his order. + +JUNE 7TH.--But business is in a great measure suspended, and so I have +another holiday. + +JUNE 8TH.--I learn that Col. Bledsoe has to grant passports to the army, +as the pickets have been instructed to let no one pass upon the order of +Gen. Winder or his Provost Marshal. + +JUNE 9TH.--It is now apparent that matters were miserably managed on the +battle-field, until Gen. Lee assumed command in person. Most of the +trophies of the victory, and thousands of arms, stores, etc. were +pillaged by the promiscuous crowds of aliens and Jews who purchased +passports thither from the Provost Marshal's detectives. + +JUNE 10TH.--Col. Bledsoe sent for me again. This time he wanted me to +take charge of the letter room, and superintend the young gentlemen who +briefed the letters. This I did very cheerfully; I opened all the +letters, and sent to the Secretary the important ones immediately. +These, for want of discrimination, had sometimes been suffered to remain +unnoticed two or three days, when they required instant action. + +JUNE 11TH, 12TH.--Gen. Smith, the New York street commissioner, had been +urged as commander-in-chief. + +JUNE 13TH.--Gen. Lee is satisfied with the present posture of +affairs--and McClellan has no idea of attacking us now. He don't say +what he means to do himself. + +JUNE 14TH.--The wounded soldiers bless the ladies, who nurse them +unceasingly. + +JUNE 15TH.--What a change! No one now dreams of the loss of the capital. + +JUNE 17TH.--It is not yet ascertained what amount of ordnance stores we +gained from the battle. + +JUNE 18TH.--Lee is quietly preparing to attack McClellan. The President, +who was on the battle-field, is very cheerful. + +JUNE 19TH.--To-day so many applications were made to the Secretary +himself for passports to the armies, and beyond the lines of the +Confederate States, that, forgetting the revocation of his former order, +he sent a note into the Assistant Secretary, saying he thought a +passport agent had been appointed to attend to such cases; and he now +directed that it be done. Bledsoe came to me immediately, and said: +"Jones, you'll have to open a passport office again--I shall sign no +more." + +JUNE 20TH.--Moved once more into the old office. + +JUNE 21ST.--Gen. Beauregard is doubly doomed. A few weeks ago, when the +blackness of midnight brooded over our cause, there were some +intimations, I know not whether they were well founded, that certain +high functionaries were making arrangements for a flight to France; and +Gen. Beauregard getting intimation of an order to move certain sums in +bullion in the custody of an Assistant Treasurer in his military +department, forbid its departure until he could be certain that it was +not destined to leave the Confederacy. I have not learned its ultimate +destination; but the victory of the Seven Pines intervening, Gen. +Beauregard has been relieved of his command, "on sick leave." But I know +his army is to be commanded permanently by Gen. Bragg. There are charges +against Beauregard. It is said the Yankee army might have been +annihilated at Shiloh, if Beauregard had fought a little longer. + +JUNE 23D.--And Gen. Johnston, I learn, has had his day. And Magruder is +on "sick leave." He is too open in his censures of the late Secretary of +War. But Gen. Huger comes off scotfree; he has always had the confidence +of Mr. Benjamin, and used to send the flag of truce to Fortress Monroe +as often as could be desired. + +JUNE 24TH.--Gen. Lee's plan works like a charm! Although I have daily +orders from Mr. Randolph to send persons beyond our lines, yet the +precautions of Lee most effectually prevent any spies from knowing +anything about his army. Even the Adjutant-General, S. Cooper, don't +know how many regiments are ordered into Virginia, or where they are +stationed. Officers returning from furlough, cannot ascertain in the +Adjutant-General's office where their regiments are! They are referred +to me for passports to Gen. Lee's headquarters. No man with a passport +from Gen. Winder, or from his Provost Marshal, can pass the pickets of +Gen. Lee's army. This is the harbinger of success, and I predict a +career of glory for Lee, and for our country! There are some vague +rumors about the approach of Stonewall Jackson's army; but no one knows +anything about it, and but few believe it. Recent Northern papers say he +is approaching Winchester, and I see they are intrenching in the valley +to guard against his terrible blows. This is capital! And our people are +beginning to _fear_ there will be no more fighting around Richmond until +McClellan _digs_ his way to it. The moment fighting ceases, our people +have fits of gloom and despondency; but when they snuff battle in the +breeze, they are animated with confidence. They regard victory as a +matter of course; and are only indignant at our long series of recent +reverses, when they reflect that our armies have so seldom been led +against the embattled hosts of the enemy. + +JUNE 25TH.--The people of Louisiana are protesting strongly against +permitting Gen. Lovell to remain in command in that State, since the +fall of New Orleans (which I omitted to note in regular order in these +chronicles), and they attribute that disgraceful event, some to his +incompetency, and others to treason. These remonstrances come from such +influential parties, I think the President must listen to them. Yes, a +Massachusetts man (they say Gen. L. came from Boston) was in command of +the troops of New Orleans when that great city surrendered without +firing a gun. And this is one of the Northern generals who came over to +our side _after_ the battle of Manassas. + +JUNE 26TH.--To-day a letter, hastily written by Gen. Lee to the +Secretary of War, stated that his headquarters would be at ----, or +_beyond_ that point, whence couriers could find him if there should be +anything of importance--the Secretary might desire to communicate during +the day. _This is the day of battle!_ Jackson is in the rear of +McClellan's right wing! I sent this note to the Secretary at once. I +_suppose_ Mr. Randolph had been previously advised of Gen. Lee's +intention to fight to-day; but I do not _know_ it. I know some of the +brigadier-generals in the army do not know it; although they have all +been ordered to their commands. This is no uncommon order; but it is +characteristic of Lee's secretiveness to keep _all_ of his officers in +profound ignorance of his intentions, except those he means to be +engaged. The _enemy_ cannot possibly have any intimation of his purpose, +because the spies here have no intelligence; and none are permitted to +pass the rear pickets in sight of the city without my passport. What a +change since the last battle! + +To-day, in compliance with an intimation of the President, all in the +departments, who felt so disposed, formed a military organization for +the defense of the city, and especially of the archives, which had been +brought back since the assumption of command by Gen. Lee. Col. Bledsoe +denounced the organization as a humbug! Defending the government, or +readiness to defend it, in such times as these, is no humbug! In the +fluctuations of a great battle, almost in the suburbs of the city, a +squadron of the enemy's horse might penetrate even to the office of the +Chief Executive, when a few hundred muskets, in the hands of old men and +boys, might preserve the papers. + +After dinner I repaired, with Custis and a few friends, to my old stand +on the hill north of the Jews' Cemetery, and sat down in the shade to +listen. Many persons were there as usual--for every day some firing +could be heard--who said, in response to my inquiries, that distant guns +had been heard in the direction of the Pamunky River. + +"That is _Jackson_!" I exclaimed, as the sounds were distinctly +discerned by myself; "and he is in their rear, behind their right wing!" + +All were incredulous, and some doubted whether he was within a hundred +miles of us. But the sounds grew more distinct, and more frequent, and I +knew he was advancing. But how long could he advance in that direction +without being overwhelmed? Everywhere else along the line a deathlike +silence reigned, that even the dropping fire of the pickets, usually so +incessant, could be heard. + +This suspense continued only a few minutes. Two guns were then heard +northeast of us, and in such proximity as to startle some of the anxious +listeners. These were followed by three or four more, and then the fire +continued with increasing rapidity. This was Gen. A. P. Hill's division +in _front_ of the enemy's right wing, and Lee's plan of battle was +developed. Hill was so near us as to be almost in sight. The drums and +fifes of his regiments, as they marched up to the point of attack, could +be easily heard; how distinctly, then, sounded his cannon in our ears! +And the enemy's guns, pointed in the direction of the city, were as +plainly discerned. I think McClellan is taken by surprise. + +One gentleman, who had been incredulous on the subject of a battle +to-day, held his watch in his hand ten minutes, during which time one +hundred and ninety guns were heard. Saying he believed a battle was in +progress, he replaced the watch in his pocket, and sat down on the +ground to listen. + +Another hour, and the reports come with the rapidity of seconds, or 3600 +per hour! And now, for the first time, we hear the rattle of small arms. +And lo! two guns farther to the right,--from Longstreet's division, I +suppose. And they were followed by others. This is Lee's grand plan of +battle: Jackson first, then Hill, then Longstreet--time and distance +computed with mathematical precision! The enemy's balloons are not up +now. They _know_ what is going on, without further investigations up in +the air. The business is upon earth, where many a Yankee will breathe +his last this night! McClellan must be thunderstruck at this unexpected +opening of a decisive battle. Our own people, and even our own general +officers, except those who were to participate in the attack, were +uninformed of Lee's grand purpose, until the booming of Jackson's guns +were heard far on our left. + +As the shades of evening fall, the fire seems to increase in rapidity, +and a gentle breeze rising as the stars come out, billows of smoke are +wafted from the battle-field. And now, occasionally, we can distinctly +see the bursting of shells in the air, aimed too high by the enemy, and +exploding far this side of our line of battle. + +Darkness is upon us, save the glimmer of the stars, as the sulphurous +clouds sink into the humid valleys. But the flashes of the guns are +visible on the horizon, followed by the deep intonations of the mighty +engines of destruction, echoing and reverberating from hill to hill, and +through the vast valley of the James in the rear. + +Hundreds of men, women, and children were attracted to the heights +around the city to behold the spectacle. From the Capitol and from the +President's mansion, the vivid flashes of artillery could be seen; but +no one doubted the result. It is only silence and inaction we dread. The +firing ceased at nine o'clock P.M. The President was on the field, but +did not interfere with Lee. + +JUNE 27TH.--At the first dawn of day, the battle recommenced, farther +round to the east. This was enough. The enemy had drawn in his right +wing. And courier after courier announced the taking of his batteries by +our brave defenders! But the battle rages loud and long, and the troops +of Jackson's corps, like the march of Fate, still upon McClellan's right +flank and rear. Jackson's horse, and the gallant Stuart, with his +irresistible cavalry, have cut the enemy's communications with their +base on the Pamunky. It is said they are burning their stores! + +What genius! what audacity in Lee! He has absolutely taken the greater +portion of his army to the north side of the Chickahominy, leaving +McClellan's center and left wing on the south side, with apparently easy +access to the city. This is (to the invaders) impenetrable strategy. The +enemy believes Lee's main forces are _here_, and will never think of +advancing. We have so completely closed the avenues of intelligence that +the enemy has not been able to get the slightest intimation of our +strength or the dispositions of our forces. + +JUNE 28TH.--The President publishes a dispatch from Lee, announcing a +victory! The enemy has been driven from all his intrenchments, losing +many batteries. + +Yesterday the President's life was saved by Lee. Every day he rides out +near the battle-field, in citizen's dress, marking the fluctuations of +the conflict, but assuming no direction of affairs in the field. Gen. +Lee, however, is ever apprised of his position; and once, when the enemy +were about to point one of their most powerful batteries in the +direction of a certain farm-house occupied by the President, Lee sent a +courier in haste to inform him of it. No sooner had the President +escaped than a storm of shot and shell riddled the house. + +Some of the people still think that their military President is on the +field directing every important movement in person. A gentleman told me +to-day, that he met the President yesterday, and the day before, alone, +in the lanes and orchards, near the battle-field. He issued no orders; +but awaited results like the rest of us, praying fervently for abundant +success. + +To-day some of our streets are crammed with thousands of +bluejackets--Yankee prisoners. There are many field officers, and among +them several generals. + +General Reynolds, who surrendered with his brigade, was thus accosted by +one of our functionaries, who knew him before the war began: + +"General, this is in accordance with McClellan's prediction; you are in +Richmond." + +"Yes, sir," responded the general, in bitterness; "and d--n me, if it is +not precisely in the manner I anticipated." + +"Where is McClellan, general?" + +"I know not exactly; his movements have been so frequent of late. But I +think it probable he too may be here before night!" + +"I doubt that," said his fellow-prisoner, Gen. McCall; "beware of your +left wing! Who commands there?" + +"Gen. Jackson." + +"Stonewall Jackson? Is he in this fight? Was it really Jackson making +mince-meat of our right? Then your left wing is safe!" + +Four or five thousand prisoners have arrived. + +JUNE 29TH.--The battle still rages. But the scene has shifted farther to +the east. The enemy's army is now entirely on _this_ side of the +Chickahominy. McClellan is doggedly retiring toward the James River. + +JUNE 30TH.--Once more all men are execrating Gen. Huger. It is alleged +that he _again_ failed to obey an order, and kept his division away from +the position assigned it, which would have prevented the escape of +McClellan. If this be so, who is responsible, after his alleged +misconduct at the battle of the Seven Pines? + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +Terrific fighting.--Anxiety to visit the battle-field.--Lee prepares for + other battles.--Hope for the Union extinct.--Gen. Lee brings forward + conscripts.--Gen. Cobb appointed to arrange exchange of prisoners.-- + Mr. Ould as agent.--Pope, the braggart, comes upon the stage.--Meets + a braggart's fate.--The war transferred to Northern Virginia. + + +JULY 1ST.--To-day Gen. Magruder led his division into action at Malvern +Hill, it is said, contrary to the judgment of other commanders. The +enemy's batteries commanded all the approaches in most advantageous +position, and fearful was the slaughter. A wounded soldier, fresh from +the field to-night, informs me that our loss in killed in this +engagement will amount to as many as have fallen in all the others +combined. + +JULY 2D.--More fighting to-day. The enemy, although their batteries were +successfully defended last night at Malvern Hill; abandoned many guns +after the charges ceased, and retreated hastily. The grand army of +invasion is now some twenty-five miles from the city, and yet the +Northern papers claim the victory. They say it was a masterly strategic +movement of McClellan, and a premeditated change of base from the +Pamunky to the James; and that he will certainly take Richmond in a week +and end the rebellion. + +JULY 3D.--Our wounded are now coming in fast, under the direction of the +Ambulance Committee. I give passports to no one not having legitimate +business on the field to pass the pickets of the army. There is no +pilfering on this field of battle; no "Plug Ugly" detectives stripping +dead colonels, and, Falstaff like, claiming to be made "either Earl or +Duke" for killing them. + +So great is the demand for vehicles that the brother of a North Carolina +major, reported mortally wounded, paid $100 for a hack to bring his +brother into the city. He returned with him a few hours after, and, +fortunately, found him to be not even dangerously wounded. + +I suffer no physicians not belonging to the army to go upon the +battle-field without taking amputating instruments with them, and no +private vehicle without binding the drivers to bring in two or more of +the wounded. + +There are fifty hospitals in the city, fast filling with the sick and +wounded. I have seen men in my office and walking in the streets, whose +arms have been amputated within the last three days. The realization of +a great victory seems to give them strength. + +JULY 4TH.--Lee does not follow up his blows on the whipped enemy, and +some sage critics censure him for it. But he knows that the fatal blow +has been dealt this "grand army" of the North. The serpent has been +killed, though its tail still exhibits some spasmodic motions. It will +die, so far as the Peninsula is concerned, after sunset, or when it +thunders. + +The commanding general neither sleeps nor slumbers. Already the process +of reorganizing Jackson's corps has been commenced for a blow at or near +the enemy's capital. Let Lincoln beware the hour of retribution. + +The enemy's losses in the seven days' battles around Richmond, in +killed, wounded, sick, and desertions, are estimated at 50,000 men, and +their losses in cannon, stores, etc., at some $50,000,000. Their own +papers say the work is to be begun anew, and subjugation is put off six +months, which is equivalent to a loss of $500,000,000 inflicted by Lee's +victory. + +By their emancipation and confiscation measures, the Yankees have made +this a war of extermination, and added new zeal and resolution to our +brave defenders. All hope of a reconstruction of the Union is +relinquished by the few, comparatively, in the South, who still clung to +the delusion. It is well. If the enemy had pursued a different course we +should never have had the same unanimity. If they had made war only on +men in arms, and spared private property, according to the usages of +civilized nations, there would, at least, have been a _neutral_ party in +the South, and never the same energy and determination to contest the +last inch of soil with the cruel invader. Now they will find that +3,000,000 of troops cannot subjugate us, and if subjugated, that a +standing army of half a million would be required to keep us in +subjection. + +JULY 5TH.--Gen. Lee is bringing forward the conscript regiments with +rapidity; and so large are his powers that the Secretary of War has but +little to do. He is, truly, but a mere clerk. The correspondence is +mostly referred to the different bureaus for action, whose experienced +heads know what should be done much better than Mr. Randolph could tell +them. + +JULY 6TH.--Thousands of fathers, brothers, mothers, and sisters of the +wounded are arriving in the city to attend their suffering relations, +and to recover the remains of those who were slain. + +JULY 7TH.--Gen. Huger has been relieved of his command. He retains his +rank and pay as major-general "of ordnance." + +Gen. Pope, Yankee, has been assigned to the command of the army of +invasion in Northern Virginia, and Gen. Halleck has been made commanding +general, to reside in Washington. Good! The Yankees are disgracing +McClellan, the best general they have. + +JULY 8TH.--Glorious Col. Morgan has dashed into Kentucky, whipped +everything before him, and got off unharmed. He had but little over a +thousand men, and captured that number of prisoners. Kentucky will rise +in a few weeks. + +JULY 9TH.--Lee has turned the tide, and I shall not be surprised if we +have a long career of successes. Bragg, and Kirby Smith, and Loring are +in motion at last, and Tennessee and Kentucky, and perhaps Missouri, +will rise again in "Rebellion." + +JULY 10TH.--I forgot to note in its place a feat of Gen. Stuart and his +cavalry, before the recent battles. He made a complete girdle around the +enemy, destroying millions of their property, and returned without loss. +He was reconnoitering for Jackson, who followed in his track. This made +Stuart major-general. + +I likewise omitted to note the death of the brave Gen. Ashby, who fell +in one of Jackson's brilliant battles in the Valley. But history will do +him justice. [My chronicles are designed to assist history, and to +supply the smaller incidents and details which the grand historian would +be likely to omit.] + +JULY 11TH.--Gen. Howell Cobb has been sent down the river under flag of +truce to negotiate a cartel with Gen. Dix for the exchange of prisoners. +It was decided that the exchange should be conducted on the basis agreed +to between the United States and the British Government during the war +of 1812, and all men taken hereafter will be released on parole within +ten days after their capture. We have some 8000 prisoners in this city, +and altogether, I dare say, a larger number than the enemy have of our +men. + +JULY 12TH.--Mr. Ould has been appointed agent to effect exchanges of +paroled men. He is also acting as judge advocate. + +JULY 13TH.--We have some of Gen. Pope's proclamations and orders. He is +simply a braggart, and will meet a braggart's fate. He announces his +purpose to subsist his army in our country, and moreover, he intends to +shoot or hang our non-combating citizens that may fall into his hands, +in retaliation for the killing of any of his thieving and murdering +soldiers by our avenging guerrillas. He says his headquarters will be on +his horse, and that he will make no provision for retreat. That he has +been accustomed to see the _backs_ of his enemies! Well, we shall see +how he will face a Stonewall! + +JULY 14TH.--Jackson and Ewell and Stuart are after Pope, but I learn +they are not allowed to attempt any enterprise for some weeks yet. Fatal +error, I fear. For we have advices at the department that Pope has not +now exceeding 20,000 men, but that all the rolling stock of the +Baltimore and Ohio Railroad is ordered West to bring reinforcements. +Besides, the United States Government is calling for 600,000 additional +men. Then again, McClellan and Burnside will form a junction with Pope, +and we will be outnumbered. But the President and Gen. Lee know best +what is to be done. We have lost many of the flower of Southern chivalry +in the late conflicts. + +JULY 15TH.--Gen. Pendleton has given McClellan a scare, and might have +hurt him if he had fired lower. He planted a number of batteries +(concealed) on the south side of the river, just opposite the enemy's +camp. The river was filled with gun-boats and transports. At a signal, +all the guns were fired, at short range, too, for some minutes with +great rapidity, and then the batteries were withdrawn. I happened to be +awake, and could not conjecture what the rumpus meant. But we fired too +high in the dark, and did but little execution. Our shells fell beyond +the enemy's camp on the opposite side of the river. We lost a few men, +by accident, mostly. But hereafter in "each bush they fear an officer." + +JULY 16TH.--Gen. Lee is hurrying up reinforcements from the South, old +regiments and conscripts, and pays very little attention to McClellan on +the Peninsula, knowing no further enterprises will be attempted by the +enemy in that quarter for some time to come. + +JULY 17TH.--The people are too jubilant, I fear, over our recent +successes near the city. A great many _skulkers_ from the army are seen +daily in the streets, and it is said there are 3000 men here subject to +conscript duty, who have not been enrolled. The business of purchasing +substitutes is prevailing alarmingly. + +JULY 18TH.--To-day several ladies applied in person to the Secretary of +War for passports to Norfolk and Baltimore, and he sent me written +orders to grant them. They next applied to Gen. Winder to go with the +flag of truce, exhibiting their passports. He repudiated them, however, +and sent the ladies back to me, saying he wanted something with the +Secretary's signature, showing me to be authorized to sign them. I wrote +such a note as I supposed he wanted, and the Secretary signed it as +follows: + + "RICHMOND, July 18th, 1862. + + "BRIG.-GEN. J. H. WINDER. + + "SIR:--The passports issued by J. B. Jones from this Department to + pass the lines of the Confederate armies, and the lines of the + Confederate States, are granted by my direction, evidences of which + are on file in the Passport Office. + + "Respectfully, + + "G. W. RANDOLPH, + + "_Secretary of War_." + +This, one of the ladies delivered to him. I hope I am now done with Gen. +Winder and his "Plug Ugly" dynasty. + +JULY 19TH.--This morning early, while congratulating myself on the +evidence of some firmness and independence in the new Secretary, I +received the following note: + + "RICHMOND, July 19th, 1862. + + "Mr. J. B. JONES. + + "SIR:--I have just been directed by the Secretary of War that he + has turned over the whole business of passports to Gen. Winder, and + that applications for passports will not be received at this office + at all. + + "Very respectfully, + + "A. G. BLEDSOE, + + "_Asst. Sec. War_." + +Of course I ceased operations immediately. So large a concourse of +persons now accumulated in the hall, that it was soon necessary to put +up a notice that Gen. Winder would grant them passports. But the current +set back again. Gen. Winder _refused_ to issue passports to the +relatives of the sick and wounded in the camps, well knowing the +generals, his superiors in rank, would not recognize his authority. He +even came into the department, and tore down the notice with his own +hands. + +JULY 20TH.--I am back again, signing passports to the army. But +yesterday, during the _interregnum_, the Beaverdam Depot was burnt by +the enemy, information of its defenseless condition having been given by +a Jew peddler, who obtained no passport from me. + +JULY 21ST.--A Marylander, a lieutenant employed by Gen. Winder to guard +the prisoners (the generals and other high Yankee officers), came to me +to-day, with a friend who had just arrived from Baltimore, and demanded +passports to visit Drewry's Bluff, for the purpose of inspecting the +defenses. I refused, fearing he might (I did not like his face) have +been corrupted by his prisoners. He said very significantly that he +would go in spite of me. This I reported to the Assistant +Adjutant-General, and also wrote a note to Gen. Wise, to examine him +closely if he came within his lines. + +JULY 22D.--To-day Gen. Winder came into my office in a passion with a +passport in his hand which I had given, a week before, to Mr. Collier, +of Petersburg, on the order of the Assistant Secretary of +War--threatening me with vengeance and the terrors of Castle Godwin, his +Bastile! if I granted any more passports to Petersburg where he was +military commander, that city being likewise under martial law. I +simply uttered a defiance, and he departed, boiling over with rage. + +JULY 23D.--To-day I received the following note from the Secretary: + + "JULY 23D, 1862. + + "J. B. JONES, ESQ. + + "SIR:--You will not issue passports except to persons going to the + camps near Richmond. + + "Passports elsewhere will be granted by Brig.-Gen. Winder. + + "Respectfully, + + "GEO. W. RANDOLPH, + + "_Secretary of War_." + +JULY 24TH.--Already the flood-gates of treasonable intelligence flowing +North seem to be thrown wide open. The Baltimore papers contain a vast +amount of information concerning our condition, movements in progress, +and projected enterprises. And to crown all, these rascals publish in +the same papers _the passports given them by Gen. Winder_. I doubt not +they are sold by the detectives, Winder being ignorant. + +JULY 25TH.--More Northern papers received to-day, containing news from +the South. Most fortunately, they can know nothing reliable of what is +passing within Gen. Lee's lines. The responsibility of keeping his gates +closed against spies rests in a great measure on myself, and I endeavor +to keep even our own people in profound ignorance of what transpires +there. + +JULY 26TH.--There is a pause in the depreciation of C. S. securities. + +JULY 27TH.--Gen. Lovell, it is said, will be tried by a court-martial. +The same has been said of Generals Magruder and Huger. But I doubt it. + +JULY 28TH.--The Examining Board of Surgeons, established by the +Secretary of War, has been abolished by order of Gen. Lee. It was the +only idea of the Secretary yet developed, excepting the "handing over" +of the "whole business of passports to Gen. Winder." + +JULY 29TH.--Pope's army, greatly reinforced, are committing shocking +devastations in Culpepper and Orange Counties. His brutal orders, and +his bragging proclamations, have wrought our men to such a pitch of +exasperation that, when the day of battle comes, there will be, must be +terrible slaughter. + +JULY 30TH.--Both Gen. Jackson and Gen. Stuart were in the department +to-day. Their commands have preceded them, and must be near Orange C. H. +by this time. These war-worn heroes (neither of them over forty years of +age) attracted much attention. Everybody wished to see them; and if they +had lingered a few minutes longer in the hall, a crowd would have +collected, cheering to the echo. This they avoided, transacting their +business in the shortest possible space of time, and then escaping +observation. They have yet much work to do. + +JULY 31ST.--Gen. Breckinridge has beaten the Yankees at Baton Rouge, but +without result, as we have no co-operating fleet. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +Vicksburg shelled.--Lee looks toward Washington.--Much manoeuvring in + Orange County.--A brigade of the enemy annihilated.--McClellan flies + to Washington.--Cretans.--Leo has a mighty army.--Missouri risings.-- + Pope's coat and papers captured.--Cut up at Manassas.--Clothing + captured of the enemy. + + +AUGUST 1ST.--Vicksburg has triumphantly withstood the shelling of the +enemy's fleet of gun-boats. This proves that New Orleans might have been +successfully defended, and could have been held to this day by Gen. +Lovell. So, West Point is not always the best criterion of one's fitness +to command. + +AUGUST 2D.--The Adjutant-General, "by order" (I suppose of the +President), is annulling, one after another, all Gen. Winder's despotic +orders. + +AUGUST 3D.--There is a rumor that McClellan is "stealing away" from his +new base! and Burnside has gone up the Rappahannock to co-operate with +Pope in his "march to Richmond." + +AUGUST 4TH.--Lee is making herculean efforts for an "on to Washington," +while the enemy think he merely designs a defense of Richmond. Troops +are on the move, all the way from Florida to Gordonsville. + +AUGUST 5TH.--The enemy have postponed drafting, that compulsory mode of +getting men being unpopular, _until after the October elections_. I hope +Lee will make the most of his time, and annihilate their drilled and +seasoned troops. He can put more _fighting_ men in Virginia than the +enemy, during the next two months. "Now's the day, and now's the hour!" + +AUGUST 6TH.--Jackson is making preparations to fight. I know the +symptoms. He has made Pope believe he's afraid of him. + +AUGUST 7TH.--Much incomprehensible manoeuvring is going on in Orange +County. + +AUGUST 8TH.--We hear of skirmishing in Orange County, and the enemy seem +as familiar with the paths and fords as our own people; hence some +surprises, attempted by our cavalry, have failed. + +AUGUST 9TH.--Jackson and Ewell are waiting and watching. Pope will +expose himself soon. + +AUGUST 10TH.--Jackson struck Pope yesterday! It was a terrible blow, for +the numbers engaged. Several thousand of the enemy were killed, wounded, +and taken prisoners. Among the latter is Gen. Prince, who arrived in +this city this morning. He affected to be ignorant of Pope's brutal +orders, and of the President's retaliatory order concerning the +commissioned officers of Pope's army taken in battle. When Prince was +informed that he and the fifty or sixty others taken with him were not +to be treated as prisoners of war, but as _felons_, he vented his +execrations upon Pope. They were sent into close confinement. + +AUGUST 11TH.--Our killed, wounded, and captured did not amount to more +than 600. We might have captured a whole brigade at one time during the +battle, but _did not_. They charged our batteries, not perceiving a +brigade of our own lying concealed just in the rear of the guns: so, +when they advanced, shouting, to within _thirty yards_ of our troops, +they rose and "let them have it." Nine-tenths of the enemy fell, and the +rest were soon dispatched, before they could get away. One of their +dying officers said they would have surrendered to us, if we had +demanded it. He was reminded of Pope's beastly orders, and died with a +horrible groan. + +AUGUST 12TH.--Pope claims a victory! So did McClellan. But truth will +rise, in spite of everything. I will not quote Bryant literally, because +he is an enemy in this war, and falsifies his own precepts. + +AUGUST 13TH.--McClellan is gone, bag and baggage, abandoning his +"_base_;" to attain which, he said he had instituted his magnificent +strategic movements, resulting in an unmolested retreat from the +Peninsula and flight to Washington, for the defense of his own capital. +So the truth they crushed to earth on the Chickahominy has risen again, +and the Yankees, like the Cretans, are to be known henceforth as a +nation of liars. + +AUGUST 14TH.--Lee has gone up the country to command in person. Now let +Lincoln beware, for there _is_ danger. A mighty army, such as Napoleon +himself would have been proud to command, is approaching his capital. +This is the triumph Lee has been providing for, while the nations of the +earth are hesitating whether or not to recognize our independence. + +AUGUST 15TH.--Moved my office to an upper story of the Bank of Virginia, +where the army intelligence office is located--an office that keeps a +list of the sick and wounded. + +AUGUST 16TH.--We have intelligence from the West of a simultaneous +advance of several of our columns. This is the work of Lee. May God +grant that our blows be speedy and effectual in hurling back the invader +from our soil! + +AUGUST 17TH.--We have also news from Missouri of indications of an +uprising which will certainly clear the State of the few Federal troops +remaining there. The _draft_ will accelerate the movement. And then if +we get Kentucky, as I think we must, we shall add a hundred thousand to +our army! + +AUGUST 18TH.--From Texas, West Louisiana, and Arkansas, we shall soon +have tidings. The clans are gathering, and 20,000 more, half mounted on +hardy horses, will soon be marching for the _prairie_ country of the +enemy. Glorious Lee! and glorious Jackson! They are destined to roll the +dark clouds away from the horizon. + +AUGUST 19TH.--Day and _night_ our troops are marching; they are now +_beyond_ the right wing of Pope, and will soon be accumulated there in +such numbers as to defy the combined forces of Pope, Burnside, and +McClellan! + +AUGUST 20TH.--We have now a solution of the secret of Pope's familiarity +with the country. _His guide and pilot is the identical Robt. Stewart +who was sent here to the Provost Marshal--a prisoner._ How did he get +out? They say money did it. + +AUGUST 21ST.--Some apprehensions are felt by a few for the safety of +this city, as it is supposed that _all_ the troops have been withdrawn. +This is not so, however. From ten to fifteen _thousand_ men could be +concentrated here in twenty-four hours. Richmond is not in half the +danger that Washington is. + +AUGUST 22D.--Saw Vice-President Stephens to day, as cordial and +enthusiastic as ever. + +AUGUST 23D.--Members of Congress are coming to my office every day, +getting passports for their constituents. Those I have seen (Senator +Brown, of Mississippi, among the rest) express a purpose not to renew +the act, to expire on the 18th September, authorizing martial law. + +AUGUST 24TH.--In both Houses of Congress they are thundering away at +Gen. Winder's Provost Marshal and his Plug Ugly alien policemen. Senator +Brown has been very bitter against them. + +AUGUST 25TH.--Mr. Russell has reported a bill which would give us +martial law in such a modified form as to extract its venom. + +AUGUST 26TH.--Mr. Russell's bill will not pass. The machinery of +legislation works too slowly. + +Fredericksburg has been evacuated by the enemy! It is said the Jews +rushed in and bought boots for $7.00, which they now demand $25.00 for, +and so with various other articles of merchandise. They are now +investing money in real estate for the first time, which is evidence +that they have no faith in the ultimate redemption of Confederate money. + +AUGUST 27TH.--Huzza for Gen. Stuart! He has made another _circumvention_ +of the enemy, getting completely in Pope's rear, and destroying many +millions worth of stores, etc. + +AUGUST 28TH.--Pope's coat was captured, and all his papers. The braggart +is near his end. + +AUGUST 29TH.--Bloody fighting is going on at Manassas. All the news is +good for us. It appears that Pope, in his consummate egotism, refused to +believe that he had been outwitted, and "pitched into" our corps and +divisions, believing them to be merely brigades and regiments. He has +been terribly cut up. + +AUGUST 30TH.--Banks, by the order of Pope, has burnt 400 Yankee cars +loaded with quartermaster's and commissary stores. But our soldiers have +fared sumptuously on the enemy's provisions, and captured clothing +enough for half the army. + +AUGUST 31ST.--Fighting every day at Manassas. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +Lee announces a victory.--Crosses the Potomac.--Battle of Sharpsburg.-- + McClellan pauses at the Potomac.--Lee moves mysteriously.--The + campaign a doubtful one in its material results.--Horrible scene near + Washington.--Conscription enlarged.--Heavy loss at Sharpsburg.-- + 10,000 in the hospitals here. + + +SEPTEMBER 1ST.--Official dispatches from Lee, announcing a "signal +victory," by the blessing of God, "over the combined forces of the +enemy." That is glory enough for a week. When _Lee_ says "signal +victory," we know exactly what it means, and we breathe freely. _Our_ +generals _never_ modify their reports of victories. They see and know +the extent of what has been done before they speak of it, and they never +mislead by exaggerated accounts of successes. + +SEPTEMBER 2D.--Winchester is evacuated! The enemy fled, and left enough +ordnance stores for a campaign! It was one of their principal depots. + +SEPTEMBER 3D.--We lament the fall of _Ewell_--not killed, but his leg +has been amputated. The enemy themselves report the loss, in killed and +wounded, of _eight generals_! And Lee says, up to the time of writing, +he had paroled 7000 prisoners, taken 10,000 stand of small arms, 50 odd +cannon, and immense stores! + +SEPTEMBER 4TH.--The enemy's loss in the series of battles, in killed, +wounded, and prisoners, is estimated at 30,000. Where is the braggart +Pope now? Disgraced eternally, deprived of his command by his own +government, and sent to Minnesota to fight the Indians! Savage in his +nature, he is only fit to fight with savages! + +SEPTEMBER 5TH.--Our army knows no rest. But I fear this incessant +marching and fighting may prove too much for many of the tender boys. + +SEPTEMBER 6TH.--We have authentic accounts of our army crossing the +Potomac without opposition. + +SEPTEMBER 7TH.--We see by the Northern papers that Pope claimed a great +victory over Lee and Jackson! It was too much even for the lying editors +themselves! The Federal army being hurled back on the Potomac, and then +compelled to cross it, it was too transparently ridiculous for the press +to contend for the victory. And now they confess to a series of defeats +from the 26th June to the culminating calamity of the 30th August. They +acknowledge they have been beaten--badly beaten--_but they will not +admit that our army has crossed into Maryland_. Well, Lee's dispatch to +the President is dated "Headquarters, Frederick City." We believe him. + +SEPTEMBER 8TH.--But the Marylanders have not risen _yet_. Some of our +divisions have touched the soil of _Pennsylvania_. And I believe the +whole Yankee host would leave Washington, escaping by the Potomac, if it +were not for the traitors here, who go to Norfolk and Baltimore by flag +of truce, and inform the Lincoln Government (for pay) that we have no +troops here--none between this and Manassas, none all the way to Lee, +while thousands in the army are prostrated with physical exhaustion. + +SEPTEMBER 9TH.--Lord, what a scare they are having in the North! They +are calling everybody to arms for the defense of _Philadelphia_, and +they are removing specie, arms, etc., from Harrisburg and all the +intervening towns. This is the chalice so long held by them to our lips. + +SEPTEMBER 10TH.--On the very day that Lee gained the signal victory at +Manassas, Kirby Smith gained one at Richmond, Kentucky, capturing +thousands of prisoners. This is not chance--it is God, to whom all the +glory is due. + +SEPTEMBER 11TH.--And Cincinnati is trembling to its center. That +abolition city, half foreign and half American, is listening for the +thunder of our avenging guns. + +SEPTEMBER 12TH.--The ranks of the enemy are broken everywhere in the +West. Buell is flying to Nashville as a city of refuge, but we have +invincible columns interposed between him and his country. + +SEPTEMBER 13TH.--Buell has impressed 10,000 slaves, and is fortifying +Nashville. + +SEPTEMBER 14TH.--Our army has entered the City of Lexington, and the +population hail our brave soldiers as deliverers. Three regiments were +organized there in twenty-four hours, and thirty thousand recruits, it +is thought, will flock to our standard in Kentucky. + +SEPTEMBER 15TH.--Our flag floats over the Capitol at Frankfort! And Gen. +Marshall, lately the exile and fugitive, is encamped with his men on his +own farm, near Paris. + +SEPTEMBER 16TH.--Intelligence from Missouri states that the Union +militia have rallied on the side of the South. + +SEPTEMBER 17TH.--Everything seems to indicate the "breaking up" of the +armies of our enemies, as if our prayers had been answered, and the +hosts of Lincoln were really to be "brought to confusion." + +SEPTEMBER 18TH.--To-day, in response to the President's proclamation, we +give thanks to Almighty God for the victories HE has blessed us with. + +SEPTEMBER 19TH.--And God has blessed us even more abundantly than we +supposed. The rumor that our invincible Stonewall Jackson had been sent +by Lee to Harper's Ferry, and had taken it, is TRUE. Nearly 12,000 men +surrendered there on the 15th inst., after the loss of two or three +hundred on their side, and only _three_ killed and a few wounded on +ours. We got 90 guns, 15,000 stand of small arms, 18,000 fine horses, +200 wagons, and stores of various kinds, worth millions. + +SEPTEMBER 20TH.--While Jackson was doing his work, McClellan, who has +been restored to command, marched at the head of 100,000 men to the +rescue of Harper's Ferry, but D. P. Hill, with his single division, kept +him at bay for many hours, until Longstreet came to his assistance, and +night fell upon the scene. + +But Lee soon concentrated his weary columns at Sharpsburg, near +Shepherdstown, and on the 17th inst. gave battle. We got the first news +of this battle from a Northern paper--the _Philadelphia Inquirer_--which +claimed a great victory, having killed and taken 40,000 of our men, +made Jackson prisoner, and wounded Longstreet! But the truth is, we lost +5000 and the enemy 20,000. At the next dawn Lee opened fire again--but, +lo! the enemy had fled! + +SEPTEMBER 21ST.--We have one day of gloom. It is said that our army has +retreated back into Virginia. + +SEPTEMBER 22D.--There are rumors that only Jackson's corps recrossed the +Potomac to look after a column of the enemy sent to recapture Harper's +Ferry and take Winchester, our grand depot. + +SEPTEMBER 23D.--Jackson, the ubiquitous and invincible, fell upon +Burnside's division and annihilated it. This intelligence has been +received by the President. + +We have, also, news from Kentucky. It comes this time in the _New York +Herald_, and is true, as far as it goes. A portion of Buell's army, +escaping from Nashville, marched to Mumfordsville, where Bragg cut them +to pieces, taking 5000 prisoners! It cannot be possible that this is +more than half the truth. + +The newsboys are selling extras in the streets containing these glorious +accounts. + +SEPTEMBER 24TH.--The papers this morning are still in doubt whether Lee +has returned to the Virginia side of the Potomac, or remains in +Maryland. My theory is that he is _perdue_ for the present, hoping all +the enemy's forces will enter Virginia, from Washington--when he will +pounce upon that city and cut off their retreat. + +The Northern papers contain intimations of the existence of a conspiracy +to _dethrone_ Lincoln, and put a military Dictator at the head of the +government. Gen. Fremont is named as the man. It is alleged that this +movement is to be made by the Abolitionists, as if Lincoln were not +sufficiently radical for them! + +A call has been made by Congress for explanations of the arrest of a +citizen of Virginia, by Gen. Winder, for procuring a substitute for a +relative. Gen. W., supposing his powers ample, under martial law, had +forbidden agents to procure substitutes. This was in contravention of an +act of Congress, legalizing substitutes. If Winder be sustained, it is +said we shall have inaugurated a military despotism. + +I have just seen persons from the Eastern Shore of Virginia. They say +my farm there has not been disturbed[2] by the enemy. I think it +probable they knew nothing about its ownership, or it would have been +devastated. My agent sent me a little money, part of the rent of year +before last. My tenant is getting rich. After peace I shall reside there +myself. How I long for the independent life of a farmer! + +Wood is selling at $16 per cord, and coal at $9 per load. How can we +live here, unless our salaries are increased? The matter is under +consideration by Congress, and we _hope_ for favorable action. + +Col. Bledsoe has resigned and gone back to his school at +Charlottesville. + +SEPTEMBER 25TH.--Blankets, that used to sell for $6, are now $25 per +pair; and sheets are selling for $15 per pair, which might have been had +a year ago for $4. Common 4.4 bleached cotton shirting is selling at $1 +a yard. + +Gen. Lee's locality and operations, since the battle of Sharpsburg or +Shepherdstown, are still enveloped in mystery. + +About one hundred of the commissioned officers of Pope's army, taken +prisoners by Jackson, and confined as felons in our prisons, in +conformity to the President's retaliatory order, were yesterday released +on parole, in consequence of satisfactory communications from the United +States Government, disavowing Pope's orders, I presume, and stating +officially the fact that Pope himself has been relieved from command. + +We have taken, and paroled, within the last twelve or fifteen weeks, no +less than _forty odd thousand prisoners_! The United States must _owe_ +us some thirty thousand men. This does not look like progress in the +work of subjugation. + +Horrible! I have seen men just from Manassas, and the battle-field of +the 30th August, where, they assure me, hundreds of dead Yankees still +lie unburied! They are swollen "as large as cows," say they, "and are as +black as crows." No one can now undertake to bury them. When the wind +blows from that direction, it is said the scent of carrion is distinctly +perceptible at the _White House in Washington_. It is said the enemy +are evacuating Alexandria. I do not believe this. + +A gentleman (Georgian) to whom I gave a passport to visit the army, +taking two substitutes, over forty-five years of age, in place of two +sick young men in the hospitals, informs me that he got upon the ground +just before the great battle at Sharpsburg commenced. The substitutes +were mustered in, and in less than an hour after their arrival, one of +them was shot through the hat and hair, but his head was untouched. He +says they fought as well as veterans. + +SEPTEMBER 26TH.--The press here have no knowledge of the present +locality of Gen. Lee and his army. But a letter was received from Gen. L. +at the department yesterday, dated on this side of the Potomac, about +eighteen miles above Harper's Ferry. + +It is stated that several hundred prisoners, taken at Sharpsburg, are +paroled prisoners captured at Harper's Ferry. If this be so (and it is +said they will be here to-night), I think it probable an example will be +made of them. This unpleasant duty may not be avoided by our government. + +After losing in killed and wounded, in the battle of Sharpsburg, ten +generals, and perhaps twenty thousand men, we hear no more of the +advance of the enemy; and Lee seems to be lying _perdue_, giving them an +opportunity to ruminate on the difficulties and dangers of +"subjugation." + +I pray we may soon conquer a peace with the North; but then I fear we +shall have trouble among ourselves. Certainly there is danger, after the +war, that Virginia, and, perhaps, a sufficient number of the States to +form a new constitution, will meet in convention and form a new +government. + +Gen. Stark, of Mississippi, who fell at Sharpsburg, was an acquaintance +of mine. His daughters were educated with mine at St. Mary's Hall, +Burlington, N. J.--and were, indeed, under my care. Orphans now! + +SEPTEMBER 27TH.--The papers this morning contain accounts of the landing +of Yankees at White House, York River; and of reinforcements at +Williamsburg and Suffolk. They might attempt to take Richmond, while +Lee's army is away; for they know we have no large body of troops here. + +A battery passed through the city this morning early, at _double-quick_, +going eastward. + +Yesterday Congress passed an act, supplemental and amendatory to the +Conscription Act of last April, authorizing the President to call into +the military service all residents between the ages of thirty-five and +forty-five. The first act included only those between the ages of +eighteen and thirty-five. + +By the 1st of January there will be $300,000,000 Treasury notes in +circulation. It is proposed in Congress to make a forced loan of +one-fifth of the incomes of the people. + +It is said Lincoln has issued a proclamation declaring the slaves of +Rebels free, on and after the 1st of January, 1863. This will only +intensify the war, and add largely to our numbers in the field. + +A letter was received from General Lee to-day, dated at Martinsburg, +giving a sad account of the army. It seems that without some additional +power given the President by Congress to enforce discipline, he fears +the army will melt away. He suggests that incompetent officers be +reduced to the ranks, and that more stringent regulations be adopted. He +is in no condition to advance now, since so many thousands of his men +are permitted to wander away. We shall be afflicted with fresh +invasions--and that, if nothing else, may cause the stragglers to +return. + +The substance of Lee's letter has been communicated to Congress, and +that body, I understand, has postponed the day of adjournment until the +6th October. + +In future times, I wonder if it will be said that we had great men in +this Congress? Whatever may be _said_, the truth is, there are not a +dozen with any pretensions to statesmanship. + +SEPTEMBER 29TH.--We have Lincoln's proclamation, freeing all the slaves +from and after the 1st January next. And another, declaring martial law +throughout the United States! Let the Yankees ruminate on that! Now for +a _fresh_ gathering of our clans for another harvest of blood. + +On Saturday the following resolutions were reported by Mr. Semmes, from +the Committee of the Judiciary, in the Senate: + +"1st. That no officer of the Confederate Government is by law empowered +to vest Provost Marshals with any authority whatever over citizens of +the Confederate States not belonging to the land and naval forces +thereof, or with general police powers and duties for the preservation +of the peace and good order of any city, town, or municipal district in +any State of this Confederacy, and any such exercise of authority is +illegal and void. + +"2d. That no officer of the Confederate Government has constitutional or +other lawful authority to limit or restrict, or in any manner to +control, the exercise of the jurisdiction of the civil judicial +tribunals of the States of this Confederacy, vested in them by the +Constitution and laws of the States respectively; and all orders of any +such officer tending to restrict or control or interfere with the full +and normal exercise of the jurisdiction of such civil judicial tribunals +are illegal and void." + +We shall see what further action will follow. This is in marked contrast +to the despotic rule in the Yankee nation. Nevertheless, the Provost +Marshal here keeps his establishment in full blast. He was appointed by +Gen. Winder, of Maryland, who has been temporarily subordinated by +Major-Gen. Smith, of New York. + +Since Gen. Smith has been in command, the enemy has made raids to +Leesburg, Manassas, and even Warrenton, capturing and paroling our sick +and wounded men. Who is responsible? + +Accounts from Nashville state that our cavalry is beleaguering that +city, and that both the United States forces there, and the inhabitants +of the town, are reduced nearly to starvation. + +Buell, it is said, has reached Louisville. We hope to hear soon of +active operations in Kentucky. Bragg, and Smith, and Price, and Marshall +are there with abundant forces to be striking heavy blows. + +Beauregard is assigned to the defense of South Carolina and Georgia. + +Harper's Ferry is again occupied by the enemy--but we have removed +everything captured there. The Northern papers now admit that the +sanguinary battle of Sharpsburg was without result. + +I sent my wife money to-day, and urged her to return to Richmond as soon +as possible, as the enemy may cut the communications--being within forty +miles of the railroad. How I should like to think they were cut to +pieces! Then they would let us alone. + +Hitherto 100,000 sick and wounded patients have been admitted into the +army hospitals of this city. Of these, about 10,000 have been +furloughed, 3000 discharged from the service, and only 7600 have died. +At present there are 10,000 in the hospitals. There is not so much +sickness this year as there was last, nor is it near so fatal. + +Many of the Northern papers seem to dissent from the policy of Lincoln's +proclamation, and _hope_ that evil consequences may not grow out of it. +But how can it be possible for the people of the North to submit to +martial law? The government which directs and enforces so obnoxious a +tyranny cannot be sure of its stability. And when the next army of +invasion marches southward, it will be likely to have enemies in its +rear as well as in its front. The _Tribune_ exclaims "God bless Abraham +Lincoln." Others, even in the North, will pray for "God to ---- him!" + +SEPTEMBER 30TH.--Lincoln's proclamation was the subject of discussion in +the Senate yesterday. Some of the gravest of our senators favor the +raising of the _black flag_, asking and giving no quarter hereafter. + +The yellow fever is raging at Wilmington, North Carolina. + +The President, in response to a resolution of inquiry concerning Hyde, +the agent who procured a substitute and was arrested for it, sent +Congress a letter from the Secretary of War, stating that the action of +Gen. Winder had not been approved, and that Mr. Hyde had been +discharged. The Secretary closes his letter with a _sarcasm_, which, I +think, is not his own composition. He asks, as martial law is still +existing, though the writ of _habeas corpus_ is not suspended, for +instructions as to the power of the military commander, Winder, to +_suppress tippling shops_! Several members declared that martial law +existed in this city without any constitutional warrant. There is much +bad feeling between many members and the Executive. + +No fighting has occurred on the Peninsula, and I believe Gen. Wise has +returned with his forces to Chaffin's Bluff. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +McClellan has crossed the Potomac.--Another battle anticipated.--I am + assured here that Lee had but 40,000 men engaged at Sharpsburg.--He + has more now, as he is defending Virginia.--Radicals of the North + want McClellan removed.--Our President has never taken the field.-- + Lee makes demonstrations against McClellan.--A Jew store robbed last + night.--We have 40,000 prisoners excess over the enemy.--My family + arrived from Raleigh.--My wife's substitute for coffee.--Foul + passports.--My friend Brooks dines and wines with members of + Congress.--The Herald and Tribune tempt us to return to the Union.-- + Lee writes, no immediate advance of McClellan.--Still a rumor of + Bragg's victory in Kentucky.--Enemy getting large reinforcements.-- + Diabolical order of Governor Baylor.--Secretary's estimate of + conscripts and all others, 500,000.--Bragg retreating from + Kentucky.--Bickering between Bragg and Beauregard.--Lee wants + Confederate notes made a legal tender.--There will be no second + Washington. + + +OCTOBER 1ST.--They are still striking at martial law in the Senate, as +administered by Gen. Winder. A communication from the Secretary of War +admits that Gen. W. was authorized to suppress substitute agencies--"but +this did not justify impressment and confiscation." It appears that Gen +Winder ordered the agents to be impressed into the service, and the +money paid for substitutes to be confiscated! Notwithstanding his +blundering ignorance is disavowed, he is still retained in command. + +The enemy are at Warrenton; and McClellan's army has crossed the Upper +Potomac. Another battle is imminent--and fearful will be the slaughter +this time. Lee had but little if any more than 40,000 in the battle of +Sharpsburg; the Northern papers said McClellan had 200,000! a fearful +odds. But Lee now has 70,000--and, besides, he will be defending +Virginia. McClellan, with his immense army, _must_ advance, or else +relinquish command. The Abolitionists of the North have never liked him, +and they wield the power at present. A defeat of Lee near Winchester +would produce consternation here. + +There are, as usual, thousands of able-bodied men still in our streets. +It is probable every man, able to march, will be required on the field +of battle. If we can get out _all_, we shall certainly gain the day, and +establish our independence. + +How shall we subsist this winter? There is not a supply of wood or coal +in the city--and it is said there are not adequate means of transporting +it hither. Flour at $16 per barrel, and bacon at 75 cts. per pound, +threaten a famine. And yet there are no beggars in the streets. We must +get a million of men in arms and drive the invader from our soil. We are +capable of it, and we must do it. Better die in battle than die of +starvation produced by the enemy. + +The newspapers are printed on half sheets--and I think the publishers +make money; the extras (published almost every day) are sold to the +newsboys for ten cents, and often sold by them for twenty-five cents. +These are mere slips of paper, seldom containing more than a +column--which is reproduced in the next issue. The _matter_ of the +extras is mostly made up from the Northern papers, brought hither by +persons running the blockade. The supply is pretty regular, and dates +are rarely more than three or four days behind the time of reception. We +often get the first accounts of battles at a distance in this way, as +our generals and our government are famed for a prudential reticence. +When the Northern papers simply say they have gained a victory, we +rejoice, knowing their Cretan habits. The other day they announced, for +European credulity, the capture and killing of 40,000 of our men: this +staggered us; but it turned out that they did capture 700 of our +stragglers and 2000 wounded men in field hospitals. _Now_ they are under +the necessity of admitting the truth. Truth, like honesty, is always the +best policy. + +OCTOBER 2D.--News from the North indicate that in Europe all expectation +of a restoration of the Union is at an end; and the probability is that +we shall soon be recognized, to be followed, possibly, by intervention. +Nevertheless, we must rely upon our own strong arms, and the favor of +God. It is said, however, an iron steamer is being openly constructed in +the Mersey (Liverpool), for the avowed purpose of opening the blockade +of Charleston harbor. + +Yesterday in both Houses of Congress resolutions were introduced for +the purpose of retaliating upon the North the barbarities contemplated +in Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. + +The Abolitionists of the North want McClellan removed--I hope they may +have their will. The reason assigned by his friends for his not +advancing farther into Virginia, is that he has not troops enough, and +the Secretary of War has them not to send him. I hope this may be so. +Still, I think he must fight soon if he remains near Martinsburg. + +The yellow fever is worse at Wilmington. I trust it will not make its +appearance here. + +A resolution was adopted yesterday in the Senate, to the effect that +martial law does not apply to civilians. But it _has_ been applied to +them here, and both Gen. Winder and his Provost Marshal threatened to +apply it to me. + +Among the few measures that may be attributed to the present Secretary +of War, is the introduction of the telegraph wires into his office. It +may possibly be the idea of another; but it is not exactly original; and +it has not been productive of good. It has now been in operation several +weeks, all the way to Warrenton; and yet a few days ago the enemy's +cavalry found that section of country undefended, and took Warrenton +itself, capturing in that vicinity some 2000 wounded Confederates, in +spite of the Secretary's expensive vigilance. Could a Yankee have been +the inventor of the Secretary's plaything? One amused himself +telegraphing the Secretary from Warrenton, that all was quiet there; +_and that the Yankees had not made their appearance in that +neighborhood, as had been rumored_! If we had imbeciles in the field, +our subjugation would be only pastime for the enemy. It is well, +perhaps, that Gen. Lee has razeed the department down to a second-class +bureau, of which the President himself is the chief. + +I see by a correspondence of the British diplomatic agents, that their +government have decided no reclamation can be made on us for burning +cotton and tobacco belonging to British subjects, where there is danger +that they may fall into the hands of the enemy. Thus the British +government do not even claim to have their subjects in the South favored +above the Southern people. But Mr. Benjamin is more liberal, and he +directed the Provost Marshal to save the tobacco bought on foreign +account. So far, however, _the grand speculation has failed_. + +OCTOBER 3D.--Gen. Wise was countermanded in his march against +Williamsburg, by Major-Gen. Gustavus W. Smith. He had 2700 men, the +enemy 1500, and he would have captured and slain them all. Gen. Wise was +the trusted and revered Governor of Virginia, while Smith was the Street +Commissioner in New York. + +A strong letter from Vice-President Stephens is published to-day, in +which it is successfully maintained that no power exists, derived either +from the Constitution or acts of Congress, for the declaration of +martial law. He says all punishments inflicted by military governors on +civilians are clearly illegal. + +There is a rumor that we have Louisville, but it does not seem to be +authentic. We have nothing from Lee, and know not exactly where +McClellan is. + +Many people thought the President himself would take the field. I doubt +not he would have done so if the Provisional Government had continued in +existence until independence was achieved. + +OCTOBER 4TH.--A splendid aurora borealis last night. + +Yesterday, most of the delegation in Congress from Kentucky and +Tennessee petitioned the President to order Gen. Breckinridge, at +Knoxville, to march to the relief of Nashville, and expel the enemy, +without waiting for orders from Gen. Bragg, now in Kentucky. The +President considers this an extraordinary request, and will not, I +suppose, grant it. + +It is said Gen. Lee is advancing against Gen. McClellan at Martinsburg. +If Lee attacks him, and beats him, he will probably be ruined, for the +Potomac will be in his rear. + +The enemy's paper, printed at Nashville, thinks Bragg has taken +Louisville. I hope so. I think we shall get Nashville soon. + +Gen. Butler, the Yankee commander in New Orleans, has issued an order to +all the inhabitants of that city, sympathizing with the Southern +Confederacy, to present themselves immediately, and take the oath of +allegiance, when they will be recommended for _pardon_. If they do not +comply with the order, they will be arrested by his police, cast into +prison, and their property confiscated. These are the orders which rally +our men and make them fight like heroes. How many Yankees will bleed and +die in consequence of this order? And Lincoln's Emancipation +Proclamation will seal the doom of one hundred thousand of his own +people! + +A letter from Gen. Lee, dated October 1st, says that McClellan has not +crossed the Potomac. Some of his scouts have been at Martinsburg, or in +its vicinity. It is not to be supposed that Lee can be _amused_ by +McClellan, while a force of any magnitude is sent against Richmond. Some +fear this, but I don't. + +OCTOBER 6TH, MONDAY.--A Jew store, in Main Street, was robbed of $8000 +worth of goods on Saturday night. They were carted away. This is +significant. The prejudice is very strong against the extortionists, and +I apprehend there will be many scenes of violence this winter. And our +own people, who ask four prices for wood and coal, may contribute to +produce a new Reign of Terror. The supplies necessary for existence +should not be withheld from a suffering people. It is dangerous. + +There is great diversity of opinion yet as to the locality of +McClellan's army and Lee's intentions. + +A dispatch from Gen. Van Dorn, in West Tennessee, indicates that we are +_gaining_ a victory over Rosecrans. The battle was in _progress_, not +completed. + +OCTOBER 7TH.--Nothing further has been heard from Corinth. A great +battle is looked for in Kentucky. All is quiet in Northern Virginia. + +Some 2500 Confederate prisoners arrived from the North last evening. +They are on parole, and will doubtless be exchanged soon, as we have +taken at least 40,000 more of the enemy's men than they have captured of +ours. + +Yesterday, Congress, which has prolonged the session until the 13th +instant, passed a bill increasing the pay of soldiers four dollars per +mouth. I hope they will increase _our_ pay before they adjourn. Congress +also, yesterday, voted down the proposition of a _forced loan_ of +one-fifth of all incomes. But the Committee of Ways and Means are +instructed to bring forward another bill. + +This evening Custis and I expect the arrival of my family from Raleigh, +N. C. We have procured for them one pound of sugar, 80 cents; one quart +of milk, 25 cents; one pound of sausage-meat, 37-1/2 cents; four loaves +of bread, as large as my fist, 20 cents each; and we have a little +coffee, which is selling at $2.50 per pound. In the morning, some one +must go to market, else there will be short-commons. Washing is $2.50 +per dozen pieces. Common soap is worth 75 cents per pound. + +OCTOBER 8TH.--At last we have definite accounts of the battle of +Corinth, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday last. We have been defeated, +and fearful has been the slaughter on both sides. The enemy had +overwhelming numbers. We have no particulars, further than that our army +retreated. This is bad for Van Dorn and Price. + +My family arrived last night, well, and pleased with the cottage, which +they call Robin's Nest. But we were saddened by the loss of a trunk--the +most valuable one--containing some heavy spoons, forks, and other plate, +saved from the wreck at Burlington; my wife's velvet cloak, satin dress +(bought in Paris), my daughter's gold watch, and many other things of +value. Twelve trunks, the right number, were delivered; but one did not +belong to us. + +OCTOBER 9TH.--Early this morning I was at the depot. The superintendent +suggested that I should send some one to Weldon in search of the trunk. +He proffered to pass him free. This was kind; but I desired first to +look among the baggage at the depot, and the baggage-master was called +in. Only two were unclaimed last night; but he said a gentleman had been +there early in the morning looking for his trunk, who stated that by +some mistake he had got the _wrong_ one last night. He said he stopped +at the Exchange, and I repaired thither without delay, where I found my +trunk, to the mutual joy of the traveler and myself. It was sent to the +cottage, and the stranger's taken to the hotel. Had it not been for my +lucky discovery, we should have had no spoons, forks, etc. + +My wife has obviated one of the difficulties of the blockade, by a +substitute for coffee, which I like very well. It is simply _corn meal, +toasted like coffee_, and served in the same manner. It costs five or +six cents per pound--coffee, $2.50. + +I heard a foolish North Carolinian abusing the administration to-day. He +said, among other things, that the President himself, and his family, +had Northern proclivities. That the President's family, when they fled +from Richmond, in May, took refuge at St. Mary's Hall, Raleigh, the +establishment of the Rev. Dr. Smedes, a Northern man of open and avowed +partiality for the Union; and that the Rev. Dr. Mason of the same place, +with whom they were in intimate association, was a Northern man, and an +open Unionist. That the President's aid, and late Assistant Secretary of +State, was an Englishman, imported from the North; Gen. Cooper, the +highest in rank of any military officer, was a Northern man; Col. +Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance, was also a Northern man; Gen. Lovell, who was +in the defeat at Corinth, and who had surrendered New Orleans, was from +Pennsylvania; Gen. Smith, in command of Virginia and North Carolina, +from New York; and Gen. Winder, commanding this metropolis, a +Marylander, and his detectives strangers and aliens, who sold passports +to Lincoln's spies for $100 each. He was furious, and swore all the +distresses of the people were owing to a Nero-like despotism, +originating in the brain of Benjamin, the Jew, whose wife lived in +Paris. + +The Senate, yesterday, passed the following resolutions, almost +unanimously: + +_1st. Resolved by the Congress of the Confederate States of America_, +That no officer of the Confederate Government is _by law_ empowered to +vest Provost Marshals with any authority whatever over citizens of the +Confederate States not belonging to the land or naval forces thereof or +with general police powers and duties for the preservation of the peace +and good order of any city, town, or municipal district in any State of +this Confederacy, and any such exercise of authority _is illegal and +void_. + +_2d. Resolved_, That no officer of the Confederate Government has +constitutional or other lawful authority to limit or restrict, or in any +manner to control the exercise of the jurisdiction of the civil judicial +tribunals of the States of this Confederacy, vested in them by the +constitutions and laws of the States respectively, and all orders of any +such officer, tending to restrict or control or interfere with the full +and normal exercise of the jurisdiction of such civil judicial tribunals +_are illegal and void_. + +_3d. Resolved_, That the military law of the Confederate States is, by +the courts and the enactments of Congress, limited to the land and naval +forces and the militia when in actual service, and to such other persons +as are within the lines of any army, navy, corps, division or brigade of +the army of the Confederate States. + +Yesterday, the _Dispatch_ contained an article, copied from the +_Philadelphia Inquirer_, stating that a certain person who had been in +prison here, arrested by order of Gen. Winder, for disloyalty, and for +attempting to convey information to the enemy, had succeeded in +obtaining his release; and, for a _bribe_ of $100, a passport to leave +the Confederacy had been procured from Gen. Winder's alien detectives. +The passport is printed in the Philadelphia paper, and the bearer, the +narrative says, has entered the United States service. + +This must have been brought to the attention of the President; for a +lady, seeking a passport to go to her son, sick and in prison in the +North, told me that when she applied to Gen. Winder to-day, he said _the +President had ordered him to issue no more passports_. And subsequently +several parties, government agents and others, came to me with orders +from the Secretary (which I retain on file), to issue passports for +them. I hope this may be the end of Winder's reign. + +A letter from Gen. Lee states that, in view of certain movements, he +had, without waiting for instructions, delivered the sword, horse, etc. +of Gen. Kearney, lately killed, to his wife, who had made application +for them. The _movements_ referred to we shall know more about in a few +days. + +Gen. Van Dorn dispatches the department that his army is safe; that he +took thirteen guns and 700 prisoners. So it was not so disastrous a +defeat. But the idea of charging five times his number! + +OCTOBER 10TH.--Mr. Brooks called this morning to get me to draft a +passport bill, which he said he would get Congress to pass. I doubt it. +I wrote the bill, however. He says fifteen or twenty members of Congress +visit his house daily. They dine with him, and drink his old whisky. +Mr. B. has a superb mansion on Clay Street, which he bought at a +sacrifice. He made his money at trade. In one of the rooms Aaron Burr +once dined with Chief Justice Marshall, and Marshall was assailed for it +afterward by Mr. Jefferson. It was during Burr's trial, and Marshall was +his judge. Mr. Wickham, who was Burr's counsel, then occupied the house, +and gave a dinner party. Marshall did not know Burr was to be one of the +guests. I got these facts from Mr. Foote, whom I met there the other +evening. + +A letter from Gen. Bragg to the President, indicates but too clearly +that the people of Kentucky hesitate to risk the loss of property by +joining us. Only one brigade has been recruited so far. The general says +50,000 more men are requisite. Can he have them? None! + +OCTOBER 11TH.--There are rumors of Abolition gun-boats in the York and +James Rivers. A battery of long range guns was sent down yesterday. + +It is said that an army of raw Abolitionists, under Sigel, has marched +from Alexandria toward Culpepper County. If this be so, we shall soon +have more fighting, and more running, I hope. Lee keeps his own +counsel--_wisely_. + +OCTOBER 13TH.--Northern papers, received last night, speak of a battle +at Perryville, Kentucky, on the 9th instant, in which the Abolitionists +lost, by their own confession, 2000 killed and wounded, which means +10,000. They say Bragg's forces held a _portion_ of the field after the +battle. If this prove not a glorious victory for our arms, I don't know +how to read Abolition journals. + +I see that our Congress, late on Saturday night (they adjourn to-day), +passed an act increasing the salaries of officers and employees in the +departments residing at Richmond. This will make the joint compensation +of my son and myself $3000; this is not equal to $2000 a year ago. But +Congress failed to make the necessary appropriation. The Secretary might +use the contingent fund. + +Another act authorizes the President to appoint twenty additional +brigadier-generals, and a number of lieutenant-generals. + +The _New York Herald_, and even the _Tribune_, are _tempting_ us to +return to the Union, by promises of _protecting slavery_, and an offer +of a convention to alter the Constitution, giving us such guarantees of +safety as we may demand. _This is significant._ We understand the sign. + +Letters from Gen. Lee do not indicate an immediate purpose to retire +from the Potomac; on the contrary, he has ordered Gen. Loring, if +practicable, to menace Wheeling and Pennsylvania, and form a junction +with him _via_ the Monongahela and Upper Potomac. But Loring does not +deem it safe to move all his forces (not more than 6000) by that route; +he will, however, probably send his cavalry into Pennsylvania. + +And Gen. Lee does not want any more raw conscripts. They get sick +immediately, and prove a burden instead of a benefit. He desires them +to be kept in camps of instruction, until better _seasoned_ (a term +invented by Gen. Wise) for the field. + +Senator Brown, of Mississippi, opposed the bill increasing our salaries, +on the ground that letters from himself, indorsed by the President, +applying for clerkships for his friends, _remained unanswered_. He did +not seem to know that this was exclusively the fault of the head clerk, +Mr. Randolph, who has the title of Secretary of War. + +And the _Examiner_ denounces the bill, because it seems to sanction a +depreciation of our currency! What statesmanship! What logic! + +OCTOBER 14TH.--Congress adjourned yesterday at five o'clock P.M. I have +heard nothing of Mr. Brooks and the Passport Bill I drafted. The truth +is that, with few exceptions, the members of this Congress are very +weak, and very subservient to the heads of departments. + +Congress has given him (the President) power to suspend the writ of +_habeas corpus_ anywhere, until thirty days after the reassembling of +Congress--and they have failed to pass the joint resolution declaring no +power exists under the Constitution to institute martial law. They voted +it separately, but _flinched_ when put to the test to act conjointly; +and martial law still exists in this city. + +We have Northern accounts of a dash into Pennsylvania by Gen. Stuart and +1500 of his cavalry. He went as far as Chambersburg, which surrendered; +and he was gathering horses, etc., for the use of the army, paying for +them in Confederate notes. They say he did not disturb any other +description of private property without paying for it. I hope he is +safely back again by this time. The Northern papers claim a victory in +Kentucky--but I shall wait until we hear from Bragg. + +Gen. Magruder has been assigned to duty in Texas. What Gen. Johnston is +to do, does not yet appear. A great many new assistant adjutants and +inspector-generals are to be appointed for the generals, +lieutenant-generals, majors, and brigadier-generals, having rank and pay +of colonels, majors, captains, and lieutenants of cavalry. Like the +Russian, perhaps, we shall have a purely military government; and it may +be as good as any other. + +Gold, in the North, is selling at 28 per cent. premium; and Exchange on +England at $1.40. This is an indication that the Abolitionists are +bringing distress upon their own country. + +The financial bill did not pass--so there is to be no forced loan. +Neither did a bill, making Confederate notes a legal tender--so there +will be a still greater depreciation. + +Gen. Hardee is a lieutenant-general. + +OCTOBER 15TH.--A young man showed me a passport to-day to return to +Washington. It appears that Secretary Randolph has adopted another plan, +which must be a rare stroke of genius. The printed passport is "by order +of the Secretary of War," and is signed by "J. H. Winder, Brig.-Gen." +But this is not all: on the back it is "_approved_--by order of +Major-Gen. Gustavus W. Smith," and signed by one of Smith's "adjutants." +So the command of the Secretary of War is approved by the New Yorker, +Smith, after being first manipulated by Winder. It is an improvement, at +all events, on the late mode of sending out spies--they cannot get +passports for bribes now, without Smith's adjutant knowing something +about it. Heretofore the "Plug Uglies" might take the bribe, and by +their influence with Gen. Winder, obtain his signature to a blank +passport. + +The following was received yesterday: + + "WINCHESTER, VA., Oct. 14, 1862. + + "HON. G. W. RANDOLPH. + + "The cavalry expedition to Pennsylvania has returned safe. They + passed through Mercersburg, Chambersburg, Emmetsburg, Liberty, New + Market, Syattstown, and Burnesville. The expedition crossed the + Potomac above Williamsport, and recrossed at White's Ford, making + the entire circuit, cutting the enemy's communications, destroying + arms, etc., and obtaining many recruits. + + "R. E. LEE, General." + +Thus, Gen. Stuart has made another circle round the enemy's army; and +hitherto, every time he has done so, a grand battle followed. Let +McClellan beware! + +A letter, just received from Gen. Lee, says there is no apprehension of +an immediate advance of McClellan's army. This he has ascertained from +his scouts sent out to obtain information. He says the enemy is in no +condition to advance. Will they go into winter quarters? Or will Lee +beat them up in their quarters? + +But the government has desired Lee to fall back from the Potomac; and +Lee, knowing best what he should do at present, declines the _honor_. He +says he is now subsisting his army on what, if he retreated, would +subsist the enemy, as he has but limited means of transportation. He +says, moreover, that our cavalry about Culpepper and Manassas (belonging +to the command of Gen. Gustavus W. Smith), should be more _active_ and +_daring_ in dashing at the enemy; and then, a few weeks hence, McClellan +would go into winter quarters. That would insure the safety of Richmond +until spring. + +There is a rumor, generally credited, that Bragg has led the enemy, in +Kentucky, into an ambuscade, and slaughtered 25,000. A traveler from the +West reports having read an account to this effect in the Louisville +_Journal_. If the _Journal_ really says so--that number won't cover the +loss. The Abolitionist journals are incorrigible liars. And, indeed, so +are many of those who bring us news from the West. + +OCTOBER 16TH.--There is no confirmation of the reported victory in +Kentucky. + +An Englishman, who has been permitted to go North, publishes there a +minute and pretty accurate description of our river defenses. + +I have written a leading article for the _Whig_ to-morrow, on "Martial +Law and Passports." My plan is to organize committees in all the border +counties to examine the passports of strangers seeking egress from the +country; and to permit loyal citizens, not desiring to pass our borders, +or the lines of the armies, to travel without passports. An officer and +a squad of soldiers at the depots can decide what soldiers are entitled +to pass on the roads. + +OCTOBER 17TH.--The article in the _Whig_ is backed by one of a similar +character in the _Examiner_. We shall see what effect they will have on +the policy adopted by the Secretary of War. + +Although still unofficial, we have confirmatory accounts of Bragg's +victory in Kentucky. The enemy lost, they say, 25,000 men. Western +accounts are generally exaggerated. + +The President has appointed the following lieutenant-generals: Jackson, +Longstreet, (Bishop) Polk, Hardee, Pemberton, Holmes, and Smith (Kirby). + +The raid of Stuart into Pennsylvania was a most brilliant affair. He +captured and destroyed much public property--respecting that of +individuals. The Abolitionists are much mortified, and were greatly +frightened. The plan of this expedition was received at the department +to-day--just as conceived and prepared by Lee, and it was executed by +Stuart in a masterly manner. + +Advices from Winchester inform the government that McClellan is +receiving large reinforcements. He may be determined to cross the +Potomac and offer battle--as nothing less will satisfy the rabid +Abolitionists. Gen. Lee is tearing up the rails on the road from +Harper's Ferry. + +Our improvident soldiers lose a great many muskets. We should not have +arms enough on the Potomac, were it not for those captured at Harper's +Ferry. An order will be issued, making every man responsible for the +safe-keeping of his gun. + +OCTOBER 18TH.--Major-Gen. Jones telegraphs from Knoxville, Tenn., that a +wounded officer arrived from Kentucky, reports a victory for Bragg, and +that he has taken over 10,000 prisoners. We shall soon have positive +news. + +A letter from Admiral Buchanan states that he has inspected the defenses +of Mobile, and finds them satisfactory. + +I traversed the markets this morning, and was gratified to find the +greatest profusion of all kinds of meats, vegetables, fruits, poultry, +butter, eggs, etc. But the prices are enormously high. If the army be +kept away, it seems the supply must soon be greater than the demand. +Potatoes at $5 per bushel, and a large crop! Half-grown chickens at $1 +each! Butter at $1.25 per pound! And other things in the same +proportion. + +Here is a most startling matter. Gov. Baylor, appointed Governor of +Arizona, sent an order some time since to a military commander to +assemble the Apaches, under pretense of a treaty--_and when they came, +to kill every man of them, and sell their children to pay for the +whisky_. This order was sent to the Secretary, who referred it to Gen. +Sibley, of that Territory, to ascertain if it were genuine. To-day it +came back from Gen. S. indorsed a _true bill_. Now it will go to the +President--and we shall see what will follow. He cannot sanction such a +perfidious crime. I predict he will make Capt. Josselyn, his former +private Secretary, and the present Secretary of the Territory, Governor +in place of Baylor. + +OCTOBER 20TH.--The news from Kentucky is very vague. It seems there has +been a battle, which resulted favorably for us, so far as the casualties +are concerned. But then Bragg has fallen back forty miles, and is +probably retiring toward Cumberland Gap, that he may not be taken in the +rear by the enemy's forces lately at Corinth. + +The President intends suspending the Conscription Act in Western +Virginia, for the purpose, no doubt, of organizing an army of Partisan +Rangers in that direction. + +It seems, from recent Northern papers received in this city, that the +elections in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana have gone against the +Abolitionists. What then? If the war should be waged by the Democrats +for the restoration of the Union, and waged according to the rules of +civilized nations, respecting non-combatants, and exempting private +property from pillage, it would be a still more formidable war than that +now waged against us. + +I have just received the following note from the Secretary: + + "OCTOBER 17th, 1862. + + "MR. J. B. JONES will hereafter refer all applicants for passports + to Gen. Smith's Adjutant-General, and grant none from the + department. + + "GEORGE W. RANDOLPH, + + "_Sec. of War_." + +Neither the acting Assistant Secretary, nor Mr. Kean, with his whole +alphabet of initials, could be certain whether the order referred merely +to applicants to go out of the Confederacy, or all applicants of +whatever kind. If the latter, I am _functus officio_, so far as +passports are concerned. But Capt. Kean says there is plenty of work for +me to do; and I presume I will not be entirely out of employment. + +I took a good look at Mr. Randolph to-day. He is thin, frail. His face +is pale, and will soon be a mass of wrinkles, although he is not over +forty. His eyes are extremely small, blue, and glisten very much. + +OCTOBER 21ST.--Still nothing definite from Kentucky, more than the +retreat of Bragg. Gen. Loring is here--he would not act upon the +suggestions of Lee, and so he is recalled. + +The government is uneasy about Richmond. They want a portion of Lee's +army sent hither. But Lee responds, that although he is not advised of +the condition of things on the south side of James River, yet, if he +detaches a portion of his army, he may be too weak to encounter +McClellan, if he should advance. + +I saw the Secretary again this morning; he wished me to turn over all +the passport business to the military. I said I was glad to be rid of +that business, and would never touch it again. + +OCTOBER 22D.--Back at the department at work, but not much to do yet. +The mails are not heavy. + +We have Bragg's report of the battle of Perryville. He beat the enemy +from his positions, driving him back two miles, when night set in. But +finding overwhelming masses accumulating around him, he withdrew in good +order to Bryattsville. Thus Kentucky is given up for the present! + +McClellan has retired back into Maryland, hoping, I suppose, Lee will +follow and fall into his ambuscade. + +The President will call out, under the Conscription Act, all between the +ages of eighteen and forty. This will furnish, according to the +Secretary's estimate, 500,000, after deducting the exempts. A great +mistake. + +A letter from Gen. Lee indicates that he is in favor of making Treasury +notes a legal tender. It was so with Washington concerning Continental +money--but Congress pays no attention to the subject. Why does not the +President recommend it? It would then pass--for, at present, he is +master. + +The paper from the Provost Marshal, referred by the latter to the +President, came back to-day. The Secretary, in referring it, seems to +incline to the opinion that the writ of _habeas corpus_ not being +suspended, there was no remedy for the many evils the Provost Marshal +portrayed. The President, however, did not wholly coincide in that +opinion. He says: "The introduction and sale of liquors must be +prevented. Call upon the city authorities to withhold licenses, and to +abate the evil in the courts, _or else an order will be issued, such as +the necessity requires_." + +Judge Campbell, late of the United States Supreme Court, has been +appointed Assistant Secretary of War. + +OCTOBER 23D.--The Gov. of Florida calls for aid, or he thinks his State +will fall. + +Albert Pike, writing from Texas, says if the Indian Territory be not +attended to "_instantly_," it will be lost. + +Per contra, we have a rumor that Lee is recrossing the Potomac into +Maryland. + +OCTOBER 24TH.--Bragg is in full retreat, leaving Kentucky, and racing +for Chattanooga--the point of interest now. But Beauregard, from whom +was taken the command of the Western army, day before yesterday repulsed +with slaughter a large detachment of the Yankees that had penetrated to +the Charleston and Savannah Railroad. Thus, in spite of the fantastic +tricks of small men here, the _popular_ general is destined to rise +again. + +OCTOBER 25TH.--Many severe things are alleged against the President for +depriving Beauregard of the command of the Western army. It is alleged +that Bragg reported that the enemy would have been annihilated at +Shiloh, if Beauregard had fought an hour longer. Now, it appears, that +Bragg would have annihilated the enemy at Perryville, if he had fought +an hour longer! And just at the moment of his flying out of Kentucky, +news comes of Beauregard's victory over the enemy in the South. Nor is +this all. The enemy some time since intercepted a letter from Beauregard +to Bragg (a copy of which was safely sent to the government here), +detailing his plan of the campaign in the West, if he had not been +unjustly deprived of the command. But Bragg chose to make a plan of his +own, or was directed to disregard Beauregard's advice. No one doubts +that Beauregard's plan would have been successful, and would have given +us Cincinnati and Louisville; but that of Bragg, as the one sent him by +the government, has resulted in the loss of Kentucky, and, perhaps, +Tennessee! + +Brig.-Gen. Edward Johnson is recommended by Gen. Lee for promotion to +major-general, and to be placed in command of the army in Western +Virginia. + +OCTOBER 27TH.--From information (pretty direct from Washington), I +believe it is the purpose of the enemy to make the most strenuous +efforts to capture Richmond and Wilmington this fall and winter. It has +been communicated to the President that if it takes their last man, and +all their means, these cities must fall. Gen. Smith is getting negroes +to work on the defenses, and the subsistence officers are ordered to +accumulate a vast amount of provisions here. + +Letters from Beauregard show that the Commissary-General, because _he_ +thinks Charleston cannot be defended, opposes the provisioning the forts +as the general would have it done! The general demands of the government +to know whether he is to be overruled, and if so, he must not be held +responsible for the consequences. We shall see some of these days which +side the President will espouse. Beauregard is _too popular_, I fear, to +meet with favor here. But it is life or death to the Confederacy, and +danger lurks in the path of public men who endanger the liberties of the +people. + +OCTOBER 28TH.--Gen. Bragg is here, but will not probably be deprived of +his command. He was opposed by vastly superior numbers, and succeeded in +getting away with the largest amount of provisions, clothing, etc., ever +obtained by an army. He brought out 15,000 horses and mules, 8000 +beeves, 50,000 barrels of pork, a great number of hogs, 1,000,000 yards +of Kentucky cloth, etc. The army is now at Knoxville, Tennessee, in good +condition. But before leaving Kentucky, Morgan made still another +capture of Lexington, taking a whole cavalry regiment prisoners, +destroying several wagon trains, etc. It is said Bragg's train of wagons +was forty miles long! A Western _tale_, I fear. + +Letters from Lee urge the immediate completion of the railroad from +Danville to Greenville, North Carolina, as of _vital importance_. He +thinks the enemy will cut the road between this and Weldon. He wants +Confederate notes made a legal tender; and the President says that, as +the courts cannot enforce payment in anything else, they are +substantially a legal tender already. And he suggests the withholding of +pay from officers during their absence from their regiments. A good +idea. + +Everything indicates that Richmond will be assailed this fall, and that +operations in the field are not to be suspended in the winter. + +Polk, Bragg, Cheatham, etc. are urging the President to make Col. +Preston Smith a brigadier-general. Unfortunately, Bragg's letter +mentioned the fact that Beauregard had given Smith command of a brigade +at Shiloh; and this attracting the eye of the President, he made a sharp +note of it with his pencil. "What authority had he for this?" he asked; +and Col. Smith will not be appointed. + +OCTOBER 29TH.--There was a rumor yesterday that the enemy were marching +on Weldon; but we have no confirmation of it to-day. + +Loring, after all, did not send his cavalry into Pennsylvania, I +presume, since nothing has been heard of it. + +The _Charleston Mercury_ has some strictures on the President for not +having Breckinridge in Kentucky, and Price in Missouri, this fall. They +would doubtless have done good service to the cause. The President is +much absorbed in the matter of appointments. + +Gen. Wise was again ordered down the Peninsula last Saturday; and again +ordered back when he got under way. They will not let him fight. + +OCTOBER 30TH.--The Commissary-General is in hot water on account of some +of his contracts, and a board of inquiry is to sit on him. + +The President has delayed the appointment of Gen. E. Johnson, and Gen. +Echols writes that several hundred of his men have deserted; that the +enemy, 10,000 or 15,000 strong, is pressing him, and he must fall back, +losing Charleston, Virginia, the salt works, and possibly the railroad. +He has less than 4000 men! + +But we have good news from England--if it be true. The New York +_Express_ says Lord Lyons is instructed by England, and perhaps on the +part of France and other powers, to demand of the United States an +armistice; and in the event of its not being acceded to, the governments +will recognize our independence. One of the President's personal +attendants told me this news was regarded as authentic by our +government. I don't regard it so. + +Yesterday the whole batch of "Plug Ugly" policemen, in the Provost +Marshal's "department," were summarily dismissed by Gen. Winder, for +"malfeasance, corruption, bribery, and incompetence." These are the +branches: the roots should be plucked up, and Gen. Winder and his +Provost Marshal ought to resign. I believe the President ordered the +removal. + +OCTOBER 31ST.--If it be not a Yankee electioneering trick to operate at +the election in New York, on the fourth of November, the Northern +correspondence with Europe looks very much like speedy intervention in +our behalf. + +Winder has really dismissed all his detectives excepting Cashmeyer, +about the worst of them. + +If we gain our independence by the valor of our people, or assisted by +European intervention, I wonder whether President Davis will be regarded +by the world as a second Washington? What will his own country say of +him? I know not, of course; but I know what quite a number here say of +him now. They say he is a small specimen of a statesman, and no military +chieftain at all. And worse still, that he is a capricious tyrant, for +lifting up Yankees and keeping down great Southern men. Wise, Floyd, +etc. are kept in obscurity; while Pemberton, who commanded the +Massachusetts troops, under Lincoln, in April, 1861, is made a +lieutenant-general; G. W. Smith and Lovell, who were office-holders in +New York, when the battle of Manassas was fought, are made +major-generals, and the former put in command over Wise in Virginia, and +all the generals in North Carolina. Ripley, another Northern general, +was sent to South Carolina, and Winder, from Maryland, has been allowed +to play the despot in Richmond and Petersburg. Washington was maligned. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +General Lee in Richmond: beard white.--First proposition to trade cotton + to the enemy.--Secretary in favor of it.--All the letters come + through my hands again.--Lee falling back.--5000 negroes at work on + the fortifications.--Active operations looked for--Beauregard advises + non-combatants to leave the city.--Semmes's operations.--Making a + nation.--Salt works lost in Virginia.--Barefooted soldiers.-- + Intrigues of Butler in New Orleans.--Northern army advancing + everywhere.--Breach between the President and Secretary of War.-- + President's servant arrested for robbing the Treasury.--Gen. J. E. + Johnston in town.--Secretary has resigned.--Hon. J. A. Seddon + appointed Secretary of War.--The enemy marching on Fredericksburg.-- + Lee writes that he will be ready for them.--Kentuckians will not be + hog drivers.--Women and children flying from the vicinity of + Fredericksburg.--Fears for Wilmington.--No beggars.--Quiet on the + Rappahannock.--M. Paul, French Consul, saved the French tobacco.-- + Gen. Johnston goes West.--President gives Gov. Pettit full authority + to trade cotton to France. + + +NOVEMBER 1ST.--Gen. Winder's late policemen have fled the city. Their +monstrous crimes are the theme of universal execration. But I reported +them many months ago, and Gen. Winder was cognizant of their forgeries, +correspondence with the enemy, etc. The Secretary of War, and the +President himself, were informed of them, but it was thought to be a +"small matter." + +Gen. Lee made his appearance at the department to-day, and was hardly +recognizable, for his beard, now quite white, has been suffered to grow +all over his face. But he is quite robust from his exercises in the +field. His appearance here, coupled with the belief that we are to have +the armistice, or recognition and intervention, is interpreted by many +as an end of the war. But I apprehend it is a symptom of the falling +back of our army. + +I have been startled to-day by certain papers that came under my +observation. The first was written by J. Foulkes, to L. B. Northrop, +Commissary-General, proposing to aid the government in procuring meat +and bread for the army _from ports in the enemy's possession_. _They +were to be paid for in cotton._ The next was a letter from the +Commissary-General to G. W. Randolph, Secretary of War, urging the +acceptance of the proposition, and saying without it, it would be +impossible to subsist the army. He says the cotton proposed to be used, +in the Southwest will either be burned or fall into the hands of the +enemy; and that more than two-thirds is never destroyed when the enemy +approaches. But to effect his object, it will be necessary for the +Secretary to sanction it, and to give orders for the cotton to pass the +lines of the army. The next was from the Secretary to the President, +dated October thirtieth, which not only sanctioned Colonel Northrop's +scheme, but went further, and embraced shoes and blankets for the +Quartermaster-General. This letter inclosed both Foulkes's and +Northrop's. They were all sent back to-day by the President, with his +remarks. He hesitates, and does not concur. But says the Secretary will +readily see the propriety of _postponing_ such a resort until +January--and he hopes it may not be necessary then to depart from the +settled policy of the government--to forbear trading cotton to the +Yankees, etc. etc. + +Mr. Benjamin, Secretary of State, has given Mr. Dunnock permission to +sell cotton to the Yankees and the rest of the world on the Atlantic and +Gulf coast. Can it be that the President knows nothing of this? It is +obvious that the cotton sold by Mr. Dunnock (who was always licensed by +Mr. Benjamin to trade with people in the enemy's country beyond the +Potomac) will be very _comfortable_ to the enemy. And it may aid Mr. +Dunnock and others in accumulating a fortune. The Constitution defines +_treason_ to be giving aid and comfort to the enemy. I never supposed +Mr. Randolph would suggest, nay _urge_, opening an illicit trade with +"Butler, the Beast." This is the first really dark period of our +struggle for independence. + +We have acres enough, and laborers enough, to subsist 30,000,000 of +people; and yet we have the spectacle of high functionaries, under Mr. +Davis, urging the necessity of bartering cotton to the enemy for stores +essential to the maintenance of the army! I cannot believe it is a +necessity, but a destitution of that virtue necessary to achieve +independence. If they had any knowledge of these things in Europe, they +would cease their commendations of President Davis. + +Mr. Randolph says, in his letter to the President, that trading with +ports in possession of the enemy is forbidden to citizens, and not to +the government! The archives of the department show that this is not the +first instance of the kind entertained by the Secretary. He has granted +a license to _citizens_ in Mobile to trade cotton in New Orleans for +certain supplies in exchange, in exact compliance with Gen. Butler's +proclamation. Did Pitt ever practice such things during his contest with +Napoleon? Did the Continental Government ever resort to such equivocal +expedients? A member of Washington's cabinet (and he, too, was a +Randolph) once violated the "settled policy of the government," but he +was instantly deprived of the seals of office. He acted under the advice +of Jefferson, who sought to destroy Washington; and the present +Secretary Randolph is a grandson of Jefferson. Washington, the +inflexible patriot, frowned indignantly upon every departure from the +path of rectitude. + +I can do nothing more than record these things, and WATCH! + +NOVEMBER 2D, SUNDAY.--I watch the daily orders of Adjutant and +Inspector-Gen. Cooper. These, when "by command of the Secretary of War," +are intelligible to any one, but not many are by his command. When +simply "by order," they are promulgated by order of the President, +without even consulting the Secretary; and they often annul the +Secretary's orders. They are _edicts_, and sometimes thought very +arbitrary ones. One of these orders says liquor shall not be introduced +into the city; and a poor fellow, the other day, was sentenced to the +ball-and-chain for trying to bring hither his whisky from Petersburg. On +the same day Gov. Brown, of Georgia, seized liquor in his State, in +transitu over the railroad, belonging to the government! + +Since the turning over of the passports to Generals Smith and Winder, I +have resumed the position where all the letters to the department come +through my hands. I read them, make brief statements of their contents, +and send them to the Secretary. Thus all sent by the President to the +department go through my hands, being epitomized in the same manner. + +The new Assistant Secretary, Judge Campbell, has been ordering the +Adjutant-General too peremptorily; and so Gen. Cooper has issued an +order making Lieut.-Col. Deas an Acting Assistant Secretary of War, thus +creating an office in defiance of Congress. + +NOVEMBER 3D.--The right wing of Lee's army has fallen back as far as +Culpepper County, and the enemy advances. Active movements are speedily +looked for; many suppose a desperate attempt to take Richmond. + +Our government has decided that _no one_ shall be permitted to go North +for thirty days. + +A requisition for heavy guns to defend Cumberland Gap, elicited from the +Inspector of Ordnance a statement of the fact that we are "short" of +guns for the defense of Richmond. + +There was a rumor yesterday that the enemy was marching in force on +Petersburg. This, at all events, was premature. + +A letter from Hon. C. C. Clay, Senator, says there is much defection in +North Alabama, and that many people are withdrawing themselves to avoid +conscription. + +Just at this time, if it were not for Lincoln's proclamation, if the war +were conducted according to the rules of civilized nations, I verily +believe a very formidable party in favor of RECONSTRUCTION might spring +up in the South. With a united South, two million of Abolitionists could +not subjugate us. + +NOVEMBER 4TH.--An expose of funds in the hands of disbursing agents +shows there are nearly seventy millions of dollars not accounted for! + +The members of the legislature are fearful of an attack on the Southern +Railroad, and asks that Gen. Mahone be sent to Petersburg. + +The government is impressing flour at $12 per barrel, when it is selling +at $24; and as the railroads are not allowed to transport any for +private use, _it may be hoped we shall have our bread cheaper some of +these days_. But will the government make itself popular with the +people? + +The _Examiner_ says a clerk in the War Department is making money in the +substitute business. If this be true, it is rank corruption! But, then, +what is the cotton business? + +The Chief of Ordnance Bureau, Col. J. Gorgas (Northern by birth), +recommends the Secretary of War to remove the lighter guns, some sixty +in number, from the lower tiers of Forts Sumter, Moultrie, and Morgan, +for the defense of the rivers likely to be ascended by the enemy's +gun-boats. + +I saw, to-day, the President's order to revoke the authority heretofore +given Gov. Baylor to raise a brigade, and in regard to his conduct as +governor (ordering the massacre of the Indians after collecting them +under pretense of forming a treaty of peace). The President suggests +that nothing be done until the Governor _be heard in his own defense_. +It was diabolical! If it had been consummated, it would have affixed the +stigma of infamy to the government in all future time, and might have +doomed us to merited subjugation. + +NOVEMBER 5TH.--Major Ruffin, in the Commissary Department, says the army +must go on half rations after the 1st of January next. + +It is alleged that certain favorites of the government have a monopoly +of transportation over the railroads, for purposes of speculation and +extortion! + +NOVEMBER 6TH.--I believe the commissaries and quartermasters are +cheating the government. The Quartermaster-General sent in a paper, +to-day, saying he did not need the contributions of clothes tendered by +the people of Petersburg, but still would pay for them. They were +offered for nothing. + +The Commissary-General to-day says there is not wheat enough in Virginia +(when a good crop was raised) for Gen. Lee's army, and unless he has +millions in money and cotton, the army must disband for want of food. I +don't believe it. + +There are 5000 negroes working on the fortifications near the city, and +2500 are to work on the Piedmont Railroad. + +We are all hoping that New York and other States declared against the +Republicans, at the elections in the United States, on Tuesday last. +Such a communication would be regarded as the harbinger of peace. We are +all weary of the war, but _must_ and _will_ fight on, for no other +alternative remains. Everything, however, indicates that we are upon the +eve of most interesting events. This is the time for England or France +to come to the rescue, and enjoy a commercial monopoly for many years. I +think the Secretary of War has abandoned the idea of trading cotton to +the enemy. It might cost him his head. + +NOVEMBER 7TH.--Yesterday I received from the agent of the City Councils +fourteen pounds of salt, having seven persons in my family, including +the servant. One pound to each member, per month, is allowed at 5 cts. +per pound. The extortionists sell it at 70 cts. per pound. One of _them_ +was drawing for his family. He confessed it; but said he paid 50 cts. +for the salt he sold at 70 cts. Profit $10 per bushel! I sent an article +to-day to the _Enquirer_, suggesting that fuel, bread, meat, etc. be +furnished in the same manner. We shall soon be in a state of siege. + +Last night there was a heavy fall of _snow_. + +The authorities of Charleston, with the concurrence of Beauregard, +advise all the non-combating population to leave the city, and remove +their personal property. The city will be defended to the last +extremity. + +What a change in the Executive Department! Before the election, the +President was accessible to all; and even a member of Congress had no +preference over the common citizen. But now there are _six_ aids, +cavalry colonels in rank and pay, and one of them an Englishman, who see +the people, and permit only certain ones to have access to the +President. This looks like the beginning of an imperial court. But what +may not its ending be? + +I see that Mr. Hurlbut, incarcerated once as a spy, or as a writer for +an Abolition paper in New York, and a Northern man himself, after being +protected by Mr. Browne (the English A.D.C. of the President) and +released by Mr. Benjamin from prison, has escaped to the North, and is +out in a long article in the _Times_! He says he got a passport from +Gen. Winder's Provost Marshal. Mr. James Lyons thought he had made H. a +Southern man; what does he think now? + +The "290" or Alabama, the ship bought in Europe, and commanded by Capt. +Semmes, C. S. N., is playing havoc with the commerce of the United +States. If we had a dozen of them, our foes would suffer incalculably, +for they have an immense amount of shipping. I see Semmes had captured +the Tonawanda, that used to lie at the foot of Walnut Street, +Philadelphia; but he released her, first putting the master under bond +to pay President Davis $80,000 after the war. I hope he will pay it, for +I think the President will want the money. + +NOVEMBER 8TH.--The European statesmen, declining intervention in our +behalf, have, nevertheless, complimented our President by saying he has, +at all events, "made a nation." He is pleased with this, I understand. +But it is one of the errors which the wise men over the water are ever +liable to fall into. The "nation" was made before the President existed: +indeed, the nation made the President. + +We have rumors of fighting near the mouth of the Shenandoah, and that +our arms were successful. It is time both armies were in winter +quarters. Snow still lies on the ground here. + +We have tidings from the North of the triumph of the Democrats in New +York, New Jersey, etc. etc. This news produces great rejoicing, for it +is hailed as the downfall of Republican despotism. Some think it will be +followed by a speedy peace, or else that the European powers will +recognize us without further delay. I should not be surprised if Seward +were now to attempt to get the start of England and France, and cause +our recognition by the United States. I am sure the Abolitionists cannot +now get their million men. The drafting must be a failure. + +The Governor of Mississippi (Pettus) informs the President that a +Frenchman, perhaps a Jew, proposes to trade salt for cotton--ten sacks +of the first for one of the latter. The Governor says he don't _know_ +that he has received the consent of "Butler, the Beast" (but he knows +the trade is impossible without it), but that is no business of his. He +urges the traffic. And the President has consented to it, and given him +power to conduct the exchange in spite of the military authorities. The +President says, however, that twenty sacks of salt ought to be given for +one of cotton. Salt is worth in New Orleans about one dollar a sack, +cotton $160 per bale. The President informed the Secretary of what had +been _done_, and sends him a copy of his dispatch to Gov. Pettus. He +don't even ask Mr. Randolph's _opinion_. + +NOVEMBER 9TH.--It is too true that Charleston, Va., and the great +Kanawha salt works have been abandoned by Gen. Echols for the want of an +adequate force to hold them. If the President had only taken Gen. Lee's +advice a month ago, and ordered a few thousand more men there, under the +command of Gen. Ed. Johnson, we should have kept possession of the +works. The President may seem to be a good nation-maker in the eyes of +distant statesmen, but he does not seem to be a good salt-maker for the +nation. The works he has just relinquished to the enemy manufacture 7000 +bushels of salt per day--two million and a half a year--an ample supply +for the entire population of the Confederacy, and an object adequate to +the maintenance of an army of 50,000 in that valley. Besides, the troops +necessary for its occupation will soon be in winter quarters, and quite +as expensive to the government as if in the valley. A Caesar, a +Napoleon, a Pitt, and a Washington, all great nation-makers, would have +deemed this work worthy their attention. + +Only three days ago the President wrote to the Secretary that the idea +of trading cotton to the enemy must be postponed until the first of +January, and perhaps indefinitely, but now he informs Mr. Randolph that +he has sent the requisite authority to his friend, Gov. Pettus, to +launch out in that trade. + +No, the people have made the nation. It is a people's war, and it is the +momentum of a united, patriotic people, which carries everything with +it. Our brave men win victories under adverse circumstances, and often +under incompetent officers, and the people feed and clothe the armies in +spite of the shortcomings of dishonest commissaries and quartermasters. +They are now sending ten thousand pairs of shoes to Lee's army in +opposition to the will of the Jew Myers, Quartermaster-General, who says +everything must be contracted and paid for by his agents, according to +red-tape rule and regulation. + +The weather continues cold, 38 deg., and snow still lies on the ground. This +_must_ produce a cessation of hostilities, and afford Lincoln's drafted +recruits opportunity for meditation. + +If it be true that the Democrats have carried the day in the North, I +think the war is approaching a termination. + +NOVEMBER 10TH.--A day or two ago some soldiers marched through the city +without shoes, _in the snow_. A committee of citizens to-day obtained an +order from the War Department, for the impressment of all the boots, +shoes, blankets, and overcoats in the shops. What a commotion among the +Jews! + +It is _certain_ that the enemy are advancing upon Culpepper, on the way +to Richmond, in great force. This we have in letters from Gen. Lee, +dated 7th inst., near Culpepper C. H. He says the enemy's cavalry is +very numerous, while our horses have the "sore tongue," and tender +hoofs. Lee has ordered the stores, etc. from Gordonsville to Lynchburg. +He says Jackson may possibly march through one of the gaps and fall upon +the enemy's flank, and intimates that an opportunity may be offered to +strike the invaders "a blow." + +Yesterday, Sunday, a cavalry company dashed into Fredericksburg, and +after robbing the stores, and reporting that the Democrats had swept +the North, that England and France had recognized us, etc., they dashed +out again. + +The President sent to the department to-day, _without comment_, a +defense by Col. Baylor of his atrocious order for the massacre of the +Indians. It was in a Texas paper. Baylor acknowledges its genuineness, +and says the Apaches murdered our people invited to make a treaty with +them, and he says it is his intention to retaliate by extermination of +them. + +Another proposition was received by the government to-day from a French +firm of _New Orleans_ merchants, to furnish us salt, meat, shoes, +blankets, etc., in unlimited quantities, _and guarantee their delivery_, +if we will allow them, with the proceeds of salt, the privilege of +buying cotton on the Mississippi River, and they will, moreover, freight +French ships above New Orleans, and guarantee that not a bale shall be +landed in any U. S. port. Is it not _certain_ that "Butler, the Beast," +is a party to the speculation? This is a strong temptation, and we shall +see what response our government will make to this proposition to +violate an act of Congress. + +NOVEMBER 11TH.--More projects from the Southwest. Mr. Jno. A. S. has +_just_ arrived from _New Orleans_, where, he states in his communication +to the government, he had interviews and correspondence with the U. S. +authorities, Butler, etc., and they had given him positive assurances +that he will be permitted to take any supplies to the planters +(excepting arms and ammunition) in exchange for cotton, which may be +shipped to any part of the world. S. says that Butler will let us have +_anything_ for a bribe. No doubt! And Mr. L., President of the L. Bank, +writes that he will afford facilities to Mr. S. It remains to be seen +what our government will do in these matters. They smack of treason. + +It is said heavy firing was heard yesterday in the direction of +Culpepper C. H., and it is supposed a battle is in progress to-day. No +danger of it. + +NOVEMBER 12TH.--The heavy firing heard did no execution. Letters from +Gen. Lee indicate no battle, unless the enemy should make an egregious +blunder. He says he has _not half men enough_ to resist McClellan's +advance with his mighty army, and prefers manoeuvring to risking his +army. He says three-fourths of our cavalry horses are sick with +sore-tongue, and their hoofs are falling off, and the soldiers are not +fed and clad as they should be. He urges the sending of supplies to +Gordonsville. + +And we have news of a simultaneous advance of Northern armies +everywhere; and everywhere we have the same story of deficiency of men +and provisions. North and south, east and west of us, the enemy is +reported advancing. + +Soon we shall have every one blaming the Secretary of War for the +deficiency of men, and of quartermaster and commissary stores. + +The Commissary-General, backed by the Secretary of War, made another +effort to-day to obtain the President's permission to trade cotton with +"Butler, the Beast." But the President and Gov. Pettus will manage that +_little_ matter without their assistance. + +Major Ruffin's (Commissary's Bureau) statement of the alarming prospects +ahead, unless provisions be obtained outside of the Confederacy (for +cotton), was induced by reports from New Orleans. A man was in the +office to-day exhibiting Butler's passport, and making assurances that +all the Yankee generals are for sale--for cotton. Butler will make a +fortune--and so will some of our great men. Butler says the reason he +don't send troops into the interior is that he is afraid we will burn +the cotton. + +It is reported that a fleet of the enemy's gun-boats are in the James +River. + +NOVEMBER 13TH.--The President has rebuked the Secretary of War in round +terms for ordering Gen. Holmes to assume the command on _this_ side the +Mississippi. Perhaps Mr. Randolph has resolved to be really Secretary. +This is the first thing I have ever known him to do without previously +obtaining the President's sanction--and it must be confessed, it was a +matter of some gravity and importance. Of course it will be +countermanded. I have not been in the Secretary's office yet, to see if +there is an envelope on his table directed to the President marked +"_Immediate_." But he has not been to see the President--and that may be +significant, as this is the usual day. + +A gentleman, arrived to-day from Maryland, reports that Gen. McClellan +has been removed, and the command given to Burnside! He says, moreover, +that this change has given umbrage to the army. This may be our +deliverance; for if McClellan had been let alone two weeks longer +(provided he ascertained our present condition), he might have captured +Richmond, which would be holding all Eastern and much of Central +Virginia. This blunder seems providential. + +We learn, also, that the Democracy have carried Illinois, Mr. Lincoln's +own State, by a very large majority. This is hailed with gladness by our +people; and if there should be a "rebellion in the North," as the +_Tribune_ predicts, this intervention of the Democrats will be regarded +altogether in our favor. Let them put down the radical Abolitionists, +and then, no doubt, they will recover some of our trade. It will mortify +the Republicans, hereafter, when the smoke clears away, to learn that +Gen. Butler was trading supplies for our army during this November, +1862--and it will surprise our secessionists to learn that our +government is trading him cotton! + +NOVEMBER 14TH.--An order has gone forth to-day from the Secretary of +War, that no more flour or wheat shall leave the States. This order was +given some time ago--then relaxed, and now reissued. How soon will he +revoke it again? + +Never before did such little men rule such a great people. Our rulers +are like children or drunken men riding docile horses, that absolutely +keep the riders from falling off by swaying to the right and left, and +preserving an equilibrium. There is no rule for anything, and no +stability in any policy. + +To-day more propositions from Frenchmen (in New Orleans) have been +received. Butler is preparing to do a great business--and no objection +to the illicit traffic is filed by the Secretaries of State or Treasury. + +Yesterday one of the President's servants was arrested for stealing +Treasury notes. The Treasury Department is just under the Executive +Department; and this negro (slave) has been used by the President to +take important papers to the departments. The amount abstracted was +$5000--unsigned--but some one, perhaps the negro, for he is educated, +forged the Register's and Treasurer's names. + +I saw Gen. J. E. Johnston standing idle in the street to-day. + +NOVEMBER 15TH.--"Now, by St. George, the work goes bravely on!" Another +letter on my desk from the President to the Secretary. Well, being in an +official envelope, it was my duty to open it, note its contents, and +send it to the Secretary. The Secretary has been responding to the short +espistle he received yesterday. It appears he could not clearly +understand its purport. But the President has used such plain language +in this, that it must be impossible to misunderstand him. He says that +the transferring of generals commanding important military districts, +without conference with him and his concurrence; and of high disbursing +officers; and, above all, the making of appointments without his +knowledge and consent, are prerogatives that do not pertain to the +Secretary of War in the first instance; and can only be exercised by him +under the direction of the Chief Executive. In regard to _appointments_, +especially, the President has no constitutional authority nor any +disposition to transfer the power. He discussed their relative +duties,--for the benefit of all future Secretaries, I suppose. + +But it looks like a rupture. It seems, then, after acting some eight +months merely in the humble capacity of clerk, Mr. Randolph has all at +once essayed to act the PRESIDENT. + +The Secretary of War did not go to the President's closet to-day. This +is the third day he has absented himself. Such incidents as these +preceded the resignation of Mr. Walker. It is a critical time, and the +Secretary of War ought to confer freely with the President. + +NOVEMBER 16TH, SUNDAY.--Yesterday the Secretary of War resigned his +office, and his resignation was promptly accepted by the President. + +NOVEMBER 17TH.--A profound sensation has been produced in the outside +world by the resignation of Mr. Randolph; and most of the people and the +press seem inclined to denounce the President, for they know not what. +In this matter the President is not to blame; but the Secretary has +acted either a very foolish or a very desperate part. It appears that he +wrote a note in reply to the last letter of the President, stating that +as no discretion was allowed him in such matters as were referred to by +the President, he begged respectfully to tender his resignation. The +President responded, briefly, that inasmuch as the Secretary declined +acting any longer as one of his constitutional advisers, and also +declined a personal conference, no alternative remained but to accept +his resignation. + +Randolph's friends would make it appear that he resigned in consequence +of being restricted in his action; but he knows very well that the +latitude allowed him became less and less circumscribed; and that, +hitherto, he was well content to operate within the prescribed limits. +Therefore, if it was not a silly caprice, it was a deliberate purpose, +to escape a cloud of odium he knew must sooner or later burst around +him. + +A letter from Gen. Magruder, dated 10th inst., at Jackson, Mississippi, +intimates that we shall lose Holly Springs. He has also been in Mobile, +and doubts whether that city can be successfully defended by Gen. +Forney, whose liver is diseased, and memory impaired. He recommends that +Brig.-Gen. Whiting be promoted, and assigned to the command in place of +Forney, relieved. + +A letter from Gen. Whiting, near Wilmington, dated 13th. inst., +expresses serious apprehensions whether that place can be held against a +determined attack, unless a supporting force of 10,000 men be sent there +immediately. It is in the command of Major-Gen. G. A. Smith. + +More propositions to ship cotton in exchange for the supplies needed by +the country. The President has no objection to accepting them all, +provided the cotton don't go to any of the enemy's ports. How _can_ it +be possible to avoid this liability, if the cotton be shipped from the +Mississippi River? + +NOVEMBER 18TH.--Well, the President is a bold man! He has put in +Randolph's place, temporarily at least, Major-Gen. Gustavus W. +Smith--who was Street Commissioner in the City of New York, on the day +that Capt. G. W. Randolph was fighting the New Yorkers at Bethel! + +Gen. Wise is out in a card, stating that in response to a requisition +for shoes for his suffering troops, Quartermaster-Gen. A. C. Myers said, +"Let them suffer." + +The enemy attacked Fredericksburg yesterday, and there was some +skirmishing, the result of which we have not heard. It is rumored they +are fighting there to-day. We have but few regiments between here and +Fredericksburg. + +NOVEMBER 19TH.--Hon. James A. Seddon (Va.) has been appointed Secretary +of War. He is an able man (purely a civilian), and was member of our +Revolutionary Convention, at Metropolitan Hall, 16th April, 1861. But +some thought him then rather inclined to restrain than to urge decisive +action. He is an orator, rich, and frail in health. He will not remain +long in office if he attempts to perform all the duties. + +Two letters were received from Gen. Lee to-day. Both came unsealed and +open, an omission of his adjutant-general, Mason. The first inclines to +the belief that Burnside intends to embark his army for the south side +of James River, to operate probably in Eastern North Carolina. + +The second, dated 17th inst. 6-1/2 P.M., says the scouts report large +masses advancing on Fredericksburg, and it may be Burnside's purpose to +make that town his base of operations. (Perhaps for a pleasant excursion +to Richmond.) Three brigades of the enemy had certainly marched to +Fredericksburg. A division of Longstreet's corps were marched thither +yesterday, 18th, at early dawn. Lee says if the reports of the scouts be +confirmed, the entire corps will follow immediately. And he adds: +"Before the enemy's trains can leave Fredericksburg (for Richmond) this +whole army will be in position." These letters were sent immediately to +the President. + +A letter from Gen. Holmes calls for an immediate supply of funds +($24,000,000) for the trans-Mississippi Department. A letter from Gen. +Pike says if Gen. Hindman (Ark.) is to control there, the Indian Country +will be lost. + +We shall soon have a solution of Burnside's intentions. Lee is in +spirits. He knows Burnside can be easily beaten with greatly inferior +numbers. + +We hear of sanguinary acts in Missouri--ten men (civilians) being shot +in retaliation for one killed by our rangers. These acts exasperate our +people, and will stimulate them to a heroic defense. + +The cars this afternoon from the vicinity of Fredericksburg were crowded +with negroes, having bundles of clothing, etc., their owners sending +them hither to escape the enemy. A frightened Jew, who came in the +train, said there was an army of 100,000 near Fredericksburg, and we +should hear more in a few days. I doubt it not. + +Salt sold yesterday at auction for $1.10 per pound. Boots are now +bringing $50 per pair; candles (tallow) 75 cts. per pound; butter $2.00 +per pound. Clothing is almost unattainable. We are all looking shabby +enough. + +Mr. K., the young Chief of the Bureau, who came in with Mr. Randolph, +declines the honor of going out with him, to the great chagrin of +several anxious applicants. It is an office "for life." + +I shall despair of success unless the President puts a stop to Gen. +Winder's passport operations, for, if the enemy be kept advised of our +destitute condition, there will be no relaxation of efforts to subjugate +us. And Europe, too, will refuse to recognize us. I believe there are +traitors in high places here who encourage the belief in the North and +in Europe that we must soon succumb. And some few of our influential +great men might be disposed to favor reconstruction of the Union on the +basis of the Democratic party which has just carried the elections in +the North. + +Everything depends upon the result of approaching military operations. +If the enemy be defeated, and the Democrats of the North should call for +a National Convention--but why anticipate? + +NOVEMBER 20TH.--A letter from Brig. H. Marshall, Abingdon, Ky., in reply +to one from the Secretary, says his Kentuckians are not willing to be +made Confederate _hog-drivers_, but they will protect the commissary's +men in collecting and removing the hogs. Gen. M. criticises Gen. Bragg's +campaign very severely. He says the people of Kentucky looked upon their +fleeting presence as a _horse-show_, or military pageantry, and not as +indicating the stern reality of war. Hence they did not rise in arms, +and hence their diffidence in following the fortunes of the new +Confederacy. Gen. M. asks if it is the purpose of the government to +_abandon_ Kentucky, and if so, is he not _functus officio_, being a +Kentucky general, commanding Kentucky troops? + +Col. Myers has placed on file in the department a denial of having said +to Gen. Wise's quartermaster, "Let them suffer." + +Several ladies, near relatives of Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary of +War, came over yesterday under flag of truce. They lived, I believe, in +Alexandria. + +Another requisition has been made by the engineer for 5000 negroes to +work on the fortifications of Richmond. + +No letters were received from Gen. Lee to-day, and he may be busy in the +field. Accounts say the enemy is planting batteries on the heights +opposite Fredericksburg. + +It has been raining occasionally the last day or two. I hope the ground +is _soft_, and the mud deep; if so, Burnside cannot move on Richmond, +and we shall have time to prepare for "contingencies." + +Yesterday salt sold at auction for $1.30 per pound. We are getting into +a pretty extreme condition. + +NOVEMBER 21ST.--It rained all night, which may extinguish Burnside's +ardent fire. He cannot drag his wagons and artillery through the melting +snow, and when it dries we may look for another rain. + +The new Secretary is not yet in his seat. It is generally supposed he +will accept. + +President Davis hesitates to retaliate life for life in regard to the +Missouri military executions. + +Common shirting cotton, and Yankee calico, that used to sell at 12-1/2 +cts. per yard, is now $1.75! What a temptation for the Northern +manufacturers! What a _rush_ of trade there would be if peace should +occur suddenly! And what a party there would be in the South for peace +(and unity with Northern Democrats) if the war were waged somewhat +differently. The excesses of the Republicans _compel_ our people to be +almost a unit. This is all the better for us. Still, we are in quite a +bad way now, God knows! + +The passengers by the cars from Fredericksburg this morning report that +Gen. Patrick (Federal) came over under a flag of truce, demanding the +surrender of the town, which was refused by Gen. Lee, in compliance with +the unanimous sentiments of the people. Gen. Patrick, it is stated, said +if it were not surrendered by 9 A.M. to-day, it would be shelled. + +Mr. Dargan, M. C., writes to the President from Mobile that the +inhabitants of that city are in an awful condition. Meal is selling for +$3.50 per bushel, and wood at $15 per cord, and that the people are +afraid to bring supplies, apprehending that the government agents will +seize them. The President (thanks to him!) has ordered that interference +with domestic trade must not be permitted. + +Mr. Seddon has taken his seat. He has, at least, a manly appearance--his +predecessor was said to look like a m----y. + +The President has ordered our generals in Missouri, if the Yankee +accounts of the executions of our people be true, to execute the next +ten Federal officers taken in that State. + +The _Enquirer_, to-day, publishes Col. Baylor's order to execute the +Indians in Arizona, coupled with Mr. Randolph's condemnation of the act. +Who furnished this for publication? + +It is rumored that Fredericksburg is in flames, shelled by the enemy. We +will know how true this is before night. + +NOVEMBER 23D.--The cars which came in from the North last night brought +a great many women, children, and negroes from Fredericksburg and its +vicinity. The benevolent and patriotic citizens here had, I believe, +made some provision for their accommodation. But the enemy had not yet +shelled the town. + +There is a rumor that Jackson was to appear somewhere in the rear of the +enemy, and that the Federal stores which could not be moved with the +army had been burnt at Manassas. + +Yesterday the President remitted the sentence of a poor lad, sentenced +to ball-and-chain for six months, for cowardice, etc. He had endured the +penalty three months. I like this act, for the boy had enlisted without +the consent of his parents, and was only sixteen years of age. + +J. R. Anderson & Co. (having drawn $500,000 recently on the contract) +have failed to furnish armor for the gun-boats--the excuse being that +iron could not be had for their rolling-mills. The President has ordered +the Secretaries of the Navy and War to consult on the propriety of +taking railroad iron, on certain tracks, for that purpose. + +NOVEMBER 24TH.--Fredericksburg not shelled yet; but the women and +children are flying hither. The enemy fired on a train of women and +children yesterday, supposing the cars (baggage) were conveying military +stores. The Northern press says Burnside is determined to force his way, +directly from the Rappahannock to Richmond, by virtue of superior +numbers. The thing Lee desires him to attempt. + +The enemy are landing troops at Newport News, and we shall soon hear of +gun-boats and transports in the James River. But no one is dismayed. We +have supped on horrors so long, that danger now is an accustomed +condiment. Blood will flow in torrents, and God will award the victory. + +Another letter from Gen. Whiting says there is every reason to suppose +that Wilmington will be attacked immediately, and if reinforcements +(10,000) be not sent him, the place cannot be defended against a land +assault. Nor is this all: for if the city falls, with the present force +only to defend it, none of our men can escape. There is no repose for +us! + +NOVEMBER 25TH.--Fredericksburg is not shelled yet; and, moreover, the +enemy have apologized for the firing at the train containing women and +children. Affairs remain in _statu quo_--the mayor and military +authorities agreeing that the town shall furnish neither aid nor comfort +to the Confederate army, and the Federals agreeing not to shell it--for +the present. + +Gen. Corcoran, last year a prisoner in this city, has landed his Irish +brigade at Newport News. It is probable we shall be assailed from +several directions simultaneously. + +_No beggars can be found in the streets of this city._ No cry of +distress is heard, although it prevails extensively. High officers of +the government have no fuel in their houses, and give nearly $20 per +cord for wood for cooking purposes. And yet there are millions of tons +of coal almost _under_ the very city! + +NOVEMBER 26TH.--No fighting on the Rappahannock yet, that I hear of; and +it is said the enemy are moving farther down the river. Can they mean to +cross? Nothing more is heard of Gen. Corcoran, with his Irish +bogtrotters, on the Peninsula. + +The government has realized 50,000 pounds of leather from two counties +in Eastern North Carolina, in danger of falling into the hands of the +enemy. This convinces me that there is abundance of leather in the +South, if it were properly distributed. It is held, like everything +else, by speculators, for extortioners' profits. The government might +remedy the evils, and remove the distresses of the people; but instead +of doing so, the bureaus aggravate them by capricious seizures, and +tyrannical restrictions on transportation. Letters are coming in from +every quarter complaining of the despotic acts of government agents. + +Mr. J. Foulkes writes another letter to the department on his cotton +scheme. He says it must be embraced now or never, as the enemy will soon +make such dispositions as would prevent his getting supplies _through +their lines_. The Commissary-General approves, and the late Secretary +approved; but what will the new one do? The President is non-committal. + +What a blunder France and England made in hesitating to espouse our +cause! They might have had any commercial advantages. + +NOVEMBER 27TH.--Some of the late Secretary's friends are hinting that +affairs will go amiss now, as if he would have prevented any disaster! +Who gave up Norfolk? That was a calamitous blunder! Letters from North +Carolina are distressing enough. They say, but for the influence of Gov. +Vance, the _legislature_ would favor reconstruction! + +Gen. Marshall writes lugubriously. He says his men are all barefoot. + +Gen. Magruder writes that Pemberton has only 20,000 men, and should have +50,000 more at once--else the Mississippi Valley will be lost, and the +cause ruined. He thinks there should be a concentration of troops there +immediately, no matter how much other places might suffer; the enemy +beaten, and the Mississippi secured at all hazards. If not, Mobile is +lost, and perhaps Montgomery, as well as Vicksburg, Holly Springs, etc. + +One of our paroled men from Washington writes the President that, on the +6th instant, Burnside had but seventy regiments; and the President +seemed to credit it! The idea of Burnside advancing with seventy +regiments is absurd. But how many absurd ideas have been entertained by +the government, and have influenced it! _Nous verrons._ + +NOVEMBER 28TH.--All is quiet on the Rappahannock; the enemy reported to +be extending his line up the river some twenty miles, intending to find +a passage. He _might_ have come over last week but for a _ruse_ of Gen. +Lee, who appeared near Fredericksburg twenty-four hours in advance of +the army. His presence deceived Burnside, who took it for granted that +our general was at the head of his army! + +M. Paul carried the day yesterday, in the Confederate Court, in the +matter of $2,000,000 worth of tobacco, which, under pretense of its +belonging to French citizens (though bought by Belmont, of New York, an +alien enemy), is rescued from sequestration. In other words, the +recognition of M. Paul as Consul, and the validity of his demands, +deprives the Confederate Government of two millions; and really +acknowledges the _exequatur_ of the United States, as M. Paul is not +Consul to the Confederate States but to the United States. This looks +like submission; and a great fee has been realized by somebody. If the +enemy were to take Richmond, this tobacco would be destroyed by the +_military_. + +Gen. Joseph E. Johnston is assigned to the command of the army of the +West. + +To-day we have a dispatch from Gov. Pettus, saying authority to pass +cotton through the lines of the army, and for salt to have ingress, must +be given immediately. The President directs the Secretary to transmit +orders to the generals to that effect. He says the cotton is to go to +France without touching any port in the possession of the enemy. + +NOVEMBER 29TH.--The Quartermaster-General publishes a notice that _he_ +will receive and distribute contributions of clothing, etc. to the army, +and even _pay_ for the shirts $1 each! Shirts are selling at $12. The +people will not trust him to convey the clothing to their sons and +brothers, and so the army must suffer on. But he is getting in bad odor. +A gentleman in Alabama writes that his agents are speculating in food: +the President tells the Secretary to demand explanations, and the +Secretary does so. Col. Myers fails, I think, to make the exhibit +required, and it may be the worse for him. + +I see by the papers that another of Gen. Winder's police has escaped to +Washington City, and is now acting as a _Federal_ detective. And yet +many similar traitors are retained in service here! + +The Governor of North Carolina writes the President that his State +intends to organize an army of 10,000 men for its own defense, besides +her sixty regiments in the Confederate States service; and asks if the +Confederate States Government can furnish any arms, etc. The President +sends this to the Secretary of War, for his _advice_. He wants to know +Mr. Seddon's views on the subject--a delicate and embarrassing +predicament for the new Secretary, truly! He must know that the +President frowns on all military organizations not under his own +control, and that he counteracted all Gen. Floyd's efforts to raise a +division under State authority. Beware, Mr. Seddon! The President is a +little particular concerning his prerogatives; and by the advice you now +give, you stand or fall. What is North Carolina to the Empire? You +tread on dangerous ground. Forget your old State-Rights doctrine, or off +goes your head. + +NOVEMBER 30TH.--It is said there is more concern manifested in the +government here on the indications that the States mean to organize +armies of non-conscripts for their own defense, than for any +demonstration of the enemy. The election of Graham Confederate States +Senator in North Carolina, and of H. V. Johnson in Georgia, causes some +uneasiness. These men were not original secessionists, and have been the +objects of aversion, if not of proscription, by the men who secured +position in the Confederate States Government. Nevertheless, they are +able men, and as true to Southern independence as any. But they are +opposed to despotic usurpation--and their election seems like a rebuke +and condemnation of military usurpation. + +From all sections of the Confederacy complaints are coming in that the +military agents of the bureaus are oppressing the people; and the belief +is expressed by many, that a sentiment is prevailing inimical to the +government itself. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +The great crisis at hand.--The rage for speculation raises its head.-- + Great battle of Fredericksburg.--The States called on for supplies.-- + Randolph resigns as Brigadier-General.--South Carolina honor.--Loss + at Fredericksburg.--Great contracts.--Lee's ammunition bad.-- + Small-pox here. + + +DECEMBER 1ST, MONDAY.--There is a rumor to-day that we are upon the eve +of a great battle on the Rappahannock. I doubt it not. + +I am sorry to see that Col. McRae, a gallant officer, has resigned his +commission, charging the President with partiality in appointing junior +officers, and even his subordinates, brigadiers over his head. +Nevertheless, he tenders his services to the Governor of his State, and +will be made a general. But where will this end? I fear in an issue +between the State and Confederate authorities. + +The news from Europe is not encouraging. France is willing to +interfere, and Russia is ready to participate in friendly mediation to +stay the effusion of blood--but England seems afraid of giving offense +to the United States. They refer to the then approaching elections in +the North, and lay some stress on the anticipated change in public +opinion. Popular opinion! What is it worth in the eyes of European +powers? If it be of any value, and if the voice of the people should be +allowed to determine such contests, why not leave it to a vote of the +Southern people to decide under which government they will live? But why +make such an appeal to monarchies, while the Republican or Democratic +government of the North refuses to permit 8,000,000 of people to have +the government they unanimously prefer? Can it be possible that the +United States are ignorant of popular sentiment here? I fear so; I fear +a few traitors in our midst contrive to deceive even the Government at +Washington. Else why a prolongation of the war? They ought to know that, +under almost any conceivable adverse circumstances, we can maintain the +war twenty years. And if our lines should be everywhere broken, and our +country overrun--it would require a half million soldiers to _hold us +down_, and this would cost the United States $500,000,000 per annum. + +God speed the day of peace! Our patriotism is mainly in the army and +among the ladies of the South. The avarice and cupidity of the men at +home, could only be excelled by ravenous wolves; and most of our +sufferings are fully deserved. Where a people will not have mercy on one +another, how can they expect mercy? They depreciate the Confederate +notes by charging from $20 to $40 per bbl. for flour; $3.50 per bushel +for meal; $2 per lb. for butter; $20 per cord for wood, etc. When we +shall have peace, let the extortionists be remembered! let an indelible +stigma be branded upon them. + +A portion of the people look like vagabonds. We see men and women and +children in the streets in dingy and dilapidated clothes; and some seem +gaunt and pale with hunger--the speculators, and thieving quartermasters +and commissaries only, looking sleek and comfortable. If this state of +things continue a year or so longer, they will have their reward. There +will be governmental bankruptcy, and all their gains will turn to dust +and ashes, dust and ashes! + +And I learn they are without shirts in the North--cotton being +unattainable. A universal madness rules the hour! Why not throw aside +the instruments of death, and exchange commodities with each other? +Subjugation is an impossibility. Then why not strive for the possible +and the good in the paths of peace? The Quakers are the wisest people, +after all. I shall turn Quaker after this war, in one sense, and strive +to convince the world that war is the worst remedy for evils ever +invented--and man the most dangerous animal ever created. + +DECEMBER 2D.--There was skirmishing this morning on the line of the +Rappahannock. The Chief of Ordnance is ordering arms and ammunition to +Gen. Pemberton, in Mississippi. This indicates a battle in the +Southwest. + +A writer in the London _Times_, who is from Nashville, Tenn., says the +South is willing to go into Convention with the North, and be bound by +its decisions. I doubt that. + +But the _Enquirer_ to-day contains a communication from T. E. Chambliss, +not the Virginia member of Congress, proposing the election of +Commissioners from North and South, to put an end to the war. What can +this mean but reconstruction on the old Democratic basis? It will not +meet with favor, unless we meet great reverses this winter. Still, but +few have faith in foreign intervention, to terminate the war; and there +is a growing party both in the North and the South opposed to its +indefinite prolongation. If we beat Burnside, _I_ think it will be the +last battle of magnitude. If he beats us, no one can see the end of the +struggle. But from every State complaints are made against the military +agents of the Confederate Government, for their high-handed oppressions. +We may split up into separate States, and then continue the war--but it +will be a sad day for us! The President ought to change his cabinet +immediately, and then change his policy. He should cultivate the +friendship and support of the people, and be strong in their affections, +if he would rule with a strong hand. If he offends and exasperates them, +they will break his power to pieces. And he should not attempt to +destroy, nor permit others to destroy, the popular leaders. That way +lies his own destruction. + +DECEMBER 3D.--One of the President's Aids, Mr. Johnston, has asked the +Secretary's permission for Mrs. E. B. Hoge, Mrs. M. Anderson, Miss +Judith Venable, and Mrs. R. J. Breckinridge, with children and servants, +to leave Richmond by flag of truce, and proceed to their homes in +Kentucky. Of course it will be granted--the President sanctions it, but +does not commit himself by ordering it. + +There was no fighting on the Rappahannock yesterday, and no rumors +to-day. + +Letters were received from Gen. Lee to-day. He says several thousand of +his men are barefoot! He suggests that shoes be _taken_ from the +extortioners at a _fair price_. That is right. He also recommends a rule +of the department putting cavalry on foot when they cannot furnish good +horses, and mounting infantry that can and will procure them. This would +cause better care to be taken of horses. Gen. Lee also writes for more +arms--which may indicate a battle. But the weather is getting bad again, +and the roads will not admit of marching. + +Mr. Gastrell, M. C., writes to the Secretary of War for permission for +Messrs. Frank and Gernot, a Jew firm of Augusta, Ga., to bring through +the lines a stock of goods they have just purchased of the Yankees in +Memphis. Being a member of Congress, I think his request will be +granted. And if all such applications be granted, I think money-making +will soon _absorb_ the war, and bring down the prices of goods. + +We are a confident people. There are no symptoms of trepidation, +although a hostile army of 150,000 men is now within two day's march of +our capital. A few of guilty consciences, the extortioners, may feel +alarm--but not the women and children. They reflect that over one +hundred thousand of the enemy were within four miles of the city last +spring and summer--and were repulsed. + +The negroes are the best-clad people in the South. They have their +Sunday clothing, and the half-worn garments of their masters and +mistresses; and having worn these but once a week, they have a decidedly +fresher aspect than the dresses of their owners. They are well fed, too, +at any cost, and present a happy appearance. And they are happy. It is a +great mistake of the Abolitionists, in supposing the slaves hail their +coming with delight; on the contrary, nearly all the negroes regard +their approach with horror. + +It might be well for the South if 500,000 of the slaves were suddenly +emancipated. The loss would not be felt--and the North would soon be +conscious of having gained nothing! My friend, Dr. Powell, near the +city, abandoned his farm last summer, when it was partly in possession +of the enemy, leaving fifty negroes on it--which he could have sold for +$50,000. They promised not to leave him, and they kept their word. Judge +Donnell, in North Carolina, has left his plantation with several hundred +thousand dollars worth on it--rather risking their loss than to sell +them. + +DECEMBER 4TH.--All is quiet (before the storm) on the Rappahannock, Gen. +Jackson's corps being some twenty miles lower down the river than +Longstreet's. It is said Burnside has been removed already and Hooker +given the command. + +Gen. S. Cooper takes sides with Col. Myers against Gen. Wise. Gen. W.'s +letter of complaint of the words, "Let them suffer," was referred to +Gen. C., who insisted upon sending the letter to the Quartermaster-General +before either the Secretary or the President saw it,--and it was done. +Why do the Northern men _here_ hate Wise? + +Gen. Lee dispatches to-day that there is a very large amount of corn in +the Rappahannock Valley, which can be procured, if wagons be sent from +Richmond. What does this mean? That the enemy will come over and get it +if we do not take it away? + +A letter from the President of the Graniteville Cotton Mills, complains +that only 75 per ct. profit is allowed by Act of Congress, whose +operatives are exempted from military duty, if the law be interpreted to +include sales to individuals as well as to the government, and +suggesting certain modifications. He says he makes 14,000 yards per day, +which is some 4,000,000 per annum. It costs him 20 cts. per yard to +manufacture cotton cloth, including, of course, the cotton, and 75 per +ct. will yield, I believe, $500,000 profits, which would be equivalent +to 32 cts. per yard. But the market price, he says, is 68 cts. per yard, +or some $2,000,000 profits! This war is a great encourager of domestic +manufacturers, truly! + +The Governor sends out a proclamation to-day, saying the President has +called on him and other governors for assistance, in returning absent +officers and men to their camps; in procuring supplies of food and +clothing for the army; in drafting slaves to work on fortifications; +and, finally, to put down the extortioners. The Governor invokes the +people to respond promptly and fully. But how does this speak for the +government, or rather the efficiency of the men who by "many indirect +ways" came into power? Alas! it is a sad commentary. + +The President sent a hundred papers to the department to-day, which he +has been diligently poring over, as his pencil marks bear ample +evidence. They were nearly all applications for office, and _this_ +business constitutes much of his labor. + +DECEMBER 5TH.--Yesterday there was some little skirmishing below +Fredericksburg. But it rained last night, and still rains. Lee has only +30,000 or 40,000 effective men. + +We have the Federal President's Message to-day. It is moderate in tone, +and is surprising for its argument on a _new proposition_ that Congress +pass resolutions proposing amendments to the Constitution, allowing +compensation for all slaves emancipated between this and the year 1900! +He argues that slaves are property, and that the South is no more +responsible for the existence of slavery than the North! The very +argument I have been using for twenty years. He thinks if his +proposition be adopted that "several of the border States will embrace +its terms, and that the Union will be reconstructed." He says the money +expended in this way will not amount to so much as the cost of a war of +subjugation. He is getting sick of the war, and therein I see the +"beginning of the end" of it. It is a good sign for us, perhaps. I +should not be surprised if his proposition had advocates in the South. + +Lt.-Col. T. C. Johnson sent in a communication, to-day. He alludes to an +interview with the Secretary, in which the latter informed him that the +government intended to exchange cotton for supplies for the army, and +Lt.-Col. J. suggests that it be extended to embrace all kinds of +merchandise for the people, and informs him that New York merchants are +willing to send merchandise to our ports if we will permit their ships +to return laden with cotton, at 50 cts. per pound, and pledging +themselves to furnish goods at 50 per cent. advance on cost. He +advocates a trade of this nature to the extent of $100,000,000, our +government (and not individuals) to sell the cotton. The goods to be +sold by the government to the merchants here. I know not what answer the +Secretary will make. But I know our people are greedy for the +merchandise. + +The enemy have shelled Port Royal, below Fredericksburg, in retaliation +for some damage done their gun-boats in the river by one of our land +batteries. And we have news of the evacuation of Winchester by the +enemy. The Northern papers say Burnside (who is not yet removed) will +beat Lee on the Rappahannock, and that their army on the James River +will occupy Richmond. When Lee is beaten, perhaps Richmond will fall. + +A large number of our troops, recruited in Kentucky, have returned to +their homes. It is said, however, that they will fight the enemy there +as guerrillas. + +The President has appointed his nephew, J. R. Davis, a +brigadier-general. I suppose no president could escape denunciation, +nevertheless, it is to be regretted that men of mind, men who wrought up +the Southern people, with their pens, to the point of striking for +national independence, are hurled into the background by the men who +arranged the programme of our government. De Bow was offered a lower +clerkship by Mr. Secretary Memminger, which he spurned; Fitzhugh +accepted the lower class clerkship Mr. M. offered him after a prolonged +hesitation; and others, who did more to produce the revolution than any +one of the high functionaries now enjoying its emoluments, are to be +found in the lowest subordinate positions; while Tom, Dick, and Harry, +never heard of before, young, and capable of performing military +service, rich, and able to live without office, are heads of bureaus, +chief clerks of departments, and staff-officers flourishing their stars! +Even this is known in the North, and they exult over it as a just +retribution on those who were chiefly instrumental in fomenting +revolution. But they forget that it was ever thus, and that our true +patriots and bold thinkers who furnish our lesser men, in greater +positions, with ideas, are still true and steadfast in the cause they +have advocated so long. + +DECEMBER 7TH.--Last night was bitter cold, and this morning there was +ice on my wash-stand, within five feet of the fire. Is this the "sunny +South" the North is fighting to possess? How much suffering must be in +the armies now encamped in Virginia! I suppose there are not less than +250,000 men in arms on the plains of Virginia, and many of them who +survive the war will have cause to remember last night. Some must have +perished, and thousands, no doubt, had frozen limbs. It is terrible, and +few are aware that the greatest destruction of life, in such a war as +this, is not produced by wounds received in battle, but by disease, +contracted from exposure, etc., in inclement seasons. But the deadly +bullet claims its victims. A friend just returned from the battle-field +of June, near the city, whither he repaired to recover the remains of a +relative, says the scene is still one of horror. So great was the +slaughter (27th June) that we were unable to bury our own dead for +several days, for the battle raged a whole week, and when the work was +completed, the weather having been extremely hot, it was too late to +inter the enemy effectually, so the earth was merely thrown over them, +forming mounds, which the rains and the wind have since leveled. And now +the ground is thickly strewn with the bleaching bones of the invaders. +The flesh is gone, but their garments remain. He says he passed through +a wood, not a tree of which escaped the missiles of the contending +hosts. Most of the trees left standing are dead, being often perforated +by scores of Minie-balls, but thousands were prostrated by cannon-balls +and shells. It will long remain a scene of desolation, a monument of the +folly and wickedness of man. + +And what are we fighting for? What does the Northern Government propose +to accomplish by the invasion? Is it supposed that six or eight million +of free people can be exterminated? How many butchers would be required +to accomplish the beneficent feat? More, many more, than can be sent +hither. The Southern people, in such a cause, would fight to the last, +and when the men all fell, the women and children would snatch their +arms and slay the oppressors. Without complete annihilation, it is the +merest nonsense to suppose our property can be confiscated. + +But if a forced reconstruction of the Union were consummated, does the +North suppose any advantage would result to that section? In the Union +we could not be compelled to trade with them again. Nor would +intercourse of any kind be re-established. Their ships would be +destroyed, and their people could never come among us but at the risk of +ill treatment. They could not maintain a standing army of half a +million, and they could not disarm us in such an extensive territory. + +The best plan, the only plan, to redeem the past and enjoy blessings in +the future, is to cease this bootless warfare and be the first to +recognize our independence. We are exasperated with Europe, and like +the old colonel in Bulwer's play, we can like a brave foe after fighting +him. Let the North do this, and we will trade with its people, I have no +doubt, and a mutual respect will grow up in time, resulting, probably, +in combinations against European powers in their enterprises against +governments on this continent. + +DECEMBER 8TH.--A letter from Gen. Lee, received to-day, states that, in +the recent campaigns, he has experienced the effects of having inferior +artillery and fixed ammunition. But this discrepancy is rapidly +disappearing, from captures of the enemy's batteries, etc. He recommends +that our 12-pounder howitzers and 6-pounder smooth bores be recast into +12-pounder Napoleons, 10-pounder Parrott guns, and 3-inch rifle cannon. +He wants four 12-pounder Napoleons sent him immediately, for a _special +purpose_. _His next battle will be principally with artillery._ + +Gov. Vance sends a letter, referring to an order of the government that +all cotton not removed west of the Weldon and Williamsburg Railroad, by +the 16th instant, is to be destroyed. He says his State is purchasing +15,000 to 20,000 bales, to establish a credit in Europe, and asks that +the Confederate Government authorities will respect the cotton designed +for this purpose. He says he will destroy it himself, when the enemy +approaches. He says, moreover, that the order will have an unhappy +effect; that many of the people have already lost their slaves, grain, +etc. from the inroads of the enemy, and have nothing to live on but +their cotton. If it remains where it is, how can they subsist on it +without selling it to the enemy? And that would be treason, pretty +nearly. But why does the government issue such an order in North +Carolina, when the government itself is selling, not destroying, the +cotton of Mississippi? + +The President of the Central Railroad says that Messrs. Haxhall, +Crenshaw & Co., who have the gigantic contract with the government to +furnish flour, and who have a preference of transportation by the +contract, are blocking up their depots, and fail to remove the grain. +They keep whole trains waiting for days to be unladen; and thus hundreds +of thousands of bushels, intended for other mills and the people are +delayed, and the price kept up to the detriment of the community. Thus +it is that the government contractors are aiding and abetting the +extortioners. And for this reason large amounts of grain may fall into +the hands of the enemy. + +DECEMBER 9TH.--W----l, another of Provost Marshal Griswold's policemen, +has arrived in Washington. I never doubted he was secretly in the Yankee +service here, where many of his fellows still remain, betraying the hand +that feeds them. Gen. Winder and the late Secretaries of War must be +responsible for all the injury they may inflict upon the country. + +Yesterday, the President received a letter from a gentleman well known +to him, asserting that if Mississippi and Alabama be overrun by the +enemy, a large proportion of the people of those States will certainly +submit to the Government of the United States. The President sent this +letter to the Secretary of War "for his information." + +A letter from W. P. Harris, Jackson, Mississippi, urges the government +to abandon the cities and eastern seaboard, and concentrate all the +forces in the West, for the defense of the Mississippi Valley and River, +else the latter must be lost, which will be fatal to the cause, etc. + +Hon. J. H. Reagan has written a savage letter to the Secretary of War, +withdrawing certain papers relating to an application for the discharge +from service of his brother-in-law, on account of feeble health. He says +he will not await the motions (uncertain) of the circumlocution office, +and is unwilling to produce evidence of his statements of the disability +of his relative. Mr. Seddon will doubtless make a spirited response to +this imputation on his office. + +We have a rumor that Morgan has made another brilliant raid into +Kentucky, capturing 1800 of the enemy. + +The small-pox is spreading in this city to an alarming extent. This is +the feast to which Burnside is invited. They are vaccinating the clerks +in the departments. + +Gen. Floyd writes the government that, as the enemy cannot advance from +the West before spring, Echol's and Marshall's forces (10,000) might be +used on the seaboard. I wish they were here. + +The United States forces in the field, by their own estimates, amount to +800,000. We have not exceeding 250,000; but they are not aware of that. + +DECEMBER 10TH.--Not a word from the Rappahannock. But there soon will +be. + +Official dispatches from Gen. Bragg confirm the achievement of Col. +Morgan, _acting_ as brigadier-general. There was a fight, several +hundred being killed and wounded on both sides; but Morgan's victory was +complete, his captures amounting to 1800 men, a battery, wagon train, +etc. + +We have also a dispatch that _Major-Gen. Lovell_, the Yankee, had a +battle with the enemy, killing, wounding, and capturing 34! + +A characteristic letter was received to-day from Mr. Sanford, Alabama, +recommending Col. Dowdell for a brigadiership. I hope he may get it, as +he is a gallant _Southerner_. Mr. S. has some hard hits at the +government; calling it a government of chief clerks and subordinate +clerks. He hopes Mr. Seddon will not be merely a clerk. + +Gen. Jos. E. Johnston has written from the West a gloomy letter to Mr. +Wigfall, Texan Senator. He says he is ordered to reinforce Lieut.-Gen. +Pemberton (another Northern general) from Bragg's army. Pemberton is +retreating on Grenada, Mississippi, followed by 40,000 of the enemy. How +is he, Gen. J., to get from Tennessee to Grenada with reinforcements, +preceded by one army of the enemy, and followed by another? + +Mr. Wigfall recommends the Secretary (as if _he_ could do it!) to +concentrate all the armies of the West, and beat the enemy out of the +Mississippi Valley. Gen. Johnston says Lieut.-Gen. Holmes _has_ been +ordered to reinforce Pemberton. Why, this is the very thing Mr. Randolph +did, and lost his _clerkship_ for it! The President must have changed +his mind. + +Gen. Randolph sent in his resignation as brigadier-general to-day. The +younger brigadiers, Davis (the President's nephew) and Pryor, have been +recently assigned to brigades, and this may have operated on Randolph as +an emetic. + +There are two war steamers at Charleston from abroad; one a Frenchman, +the other an Englishman. Gen. Beauregard entertained the officers of the +first the other day. + +Gen. Banks has sailed down the coast on an expedition, the nature of +which, no doubt, will be developed soon. + +DECEMBER 11TH.--Gen. Lee dispatched this morning early that the enemy +were constructing three pontoon bridges, and that firing had commenced +on both sides. At nine o'clock A.M. the firing increased, and Gen. Lee +dispatched for ammunition, looking to the contingency of a prolonged +battle. + +At three P.M., Gen. Lee says, the enemy had been repulsed in two of +their attempts to throw bridges over the river; but the third attempt +_would probably succeed_, as it was under cover of batteries which +commanded the river, and where his sharpshooters could not reach the +workmen. But, he says, _his batteries command the plain_ where the enemy +must debouch. We may speedily hear of a most sanguinary conflict. + +Burnside must have greatly superior numbers, or else he is a great fool +to precipitate his men into a plain, where every Southern soldier is +prepared to die, in the event of failure to conquer! There is no +trepidation here; on the contrary, a settled calm on the faces of the +people, which might be mistaken for indifference. They are confident of +the success of Lee, and really seem apprehensive that Burnside will not +come over and fight him in a decisive battle. We shall soon see, now, of +what stuff Burnside and his army are made. I feel some anxiety; because +the destruction of our little army on the Rappahannock might be the fall +of Richmond. + +It is rumored that the President started two days ago for the +West--Tennessee and Mississippi. No papers have been sent in by him +since Tuesday, and it may be true. If so, he means to return speedily. I +think we shall soon have news from the lower James River. + +A letter from the Governor of Alabama calls urgently for heavy guns, and +a reserve force, for the defense of Mobile. + +Major Hause, the government's agent in Europe, has purchased, up to this +time, 157,000 stand of arms, besides many cannon, much ammunition, +quartermaster's stores, etc. A portion was lost in transitu, however, +but not a large amount. Besides the large sums he has expended, he has +obtained credit to the extent of $6,000,000! + +They are calling for a guard at Petersburg against incendiaries. A +factory was burned the other night. This is bad. + +Scully and Lewis, condemned to die as spies, have been pardoned by the +President, and are to be sent North. + +Another dispatch from Gen. Lee, dated 3-1/2 P.M., says the enemy has +nearly completed his bridge, and will probably commence crossing this +evening or in the morning. The bulletin boards in the city purport to +give intelligence of the passage having been effected in part; but I do +not see how the editors could have obtained their information. + +At 6 P.M., passengers by the Fredericksburg train (which left at 1 P.M.) +report the shelling of the town, and a great battle in progress on this +side of the river. I doubt both; and I saw but one excited man (a Jew) +who said he was in Fredericksburg when the shelling began. I do not +believe it. The cars were not within four miles of the town, and perhaps +merely _conjectured_ the cannonading they heard to be directed at the +town. There were no ladies or children in the cars. But doubtless the +enemy _will_ cross the river, and there will be a battle, which must +result in a great mortality. + +DECEMBER 12TH.--The enemy have possession of Fredericksburg, and +succeeded in crossing a large portion of their force three miles below, +on their pontoon bridge. Up to 3 P.M. to-day, we have no other +intelligence but that "they are fighting." We shall know more, probably, +before night. + +The President has passed through East Tennessee on his way to +Mississippi. + +Lieut.-Col. Nat Tyler, publisher of the _Enquirer_, the organ of the +government, was in my office this morning, denouncing Mr. Memminger, +Secretary of the Treasury. He says Mr. M.'s head is as worthless as a +pin's-head. He also denounced the rules of admission to our Secretary, +adopted by Mr. R. G. H. Kean, Chief of the Bureau, and asked for a copy +of them, that he might denounce them in his paper. It appears that Mr. +Jacques is to say _who_ can see the Secretary; and to do this, he must +catechize each applicant as to the nature of his business. This is +deemed insulting by some of the hot bloods, and will make friend Mr. +J.'s position rather a disagreeable and derogatory one. + +DECEMBER 13TH.--After all, Fredericksburg was severely shelled--whether +designedly or incidentally in the fight, does not yet appear. + +Our army has fallen back a little--for a purpose. Lee knows every inch +of the ground. + +Again we have rumors of a hostile fleet being in the river; and +Major-Gen. G. W. Smith has gone to Petersburg to see after the means of +defense, if an attack should be made in that quarter. Some little gloom +and despondency are manifested, for the first time, in this community. + +Major-Gen. S. Jones writes that although the Federal Gen. Cox has left +the valley of the Kanawha, 5000 of his men remain; and he deems it +inexpedient, in response to Gen. Lee's suggestion, to detach any portion +of his troops for operations elsewhere. He says Jenkins's cavalry is in +a bad condition. + +Here is an instance of South Carolina honor. During the battle of +Williamsburg, last spring, W. R. Erwin, a private in Col. Jenkins's +Palmetto sharpshooters, was detailed to take care of the wounded, and +was himself taken prisoner. The enemy supposing him to be a surgeon, he +was paroled. He now returns to the service; and although the mistake +could never be detected, he insists on our government exchanging a +private of the enemy's for himself. With the assurance that this will be +done, he goes again to battle. + +Yesterday flour and tobacco had a fall at auction. Some suppose the +bidders had in view the contingency of the capture of the city by the +enemy. + +In the market-house this morning, I heard a man speaking loudly, +denounce a farmer for asking about $6 a bushel for his potatoes, and +hoping that the Yankees would take them from him for nothing! + +DECEMBER 14TH, SUNDAY.--Yesterday was a bloody day. Gen. Lee telegraphs +that the enemy attacked him at 9 A.M., and as the fog lifted, the fire +ran along the whole line, and the conflict raged until darkness (6 P.M.) +put an end to the battle. The enemy was repulsed at all points, he +continued, thanks be to God! But we have to mourn, as usual, a heavy +loss. Lee expects another blow at Burnside to-day. + +It is understood that Gens. Hood, Texas, was wounded; T. R. R. Cobb, +Georgia, and a brigadier from South Carolina were killed. A dispatch +says that where our generals fell, the colonels could no longer restrain +their regiments; and the men ran into the ranks of the enemy, and, +animated with a spirit of desperation, slaughtered the foe in great +numbers with their bayonets, pistols, and knives. + +Preparations are being made here for the reception of the wounded. The +request was to provide for a large number. + +Last night, at nine o'clock, a number of regiments which had been +encamped among the fortifications northwest of the city, were marched +down to Drewry's Bluff. It is probable Gen. Smith has heard of the +enemy's approach from that quarter. I hope he may prove the right man in +the right place. + +It is rumored that we were repulsed yesterday, this side of Suffolk. + +At this critical moment the President is away. + +A dispatch from Gen. Lee says Gen. Wade Hampton dashed _into Dumfries_, +the other side of the Rappahannock, and in the _rear of the enemy_, +capturing some wagons, and taking a few men. This seems most +extraordinary. If he be not taken himself, the diversion must have a +good effect; but if he be taken, it will be considered a wild and +desperate sally, boding no good to the cause. But Lee knows what he is +about. + +From the dispositions of our troops (few in number) in the vicinity of +Richmond, at this moment, it seems to me that Gen. Smith is putting the +city to great hazard. There are not a thousand men to guard the approach +from the head of York River; and if a dozen of the enemy's swift +transports were to dash up that river, the city could be surprised by +5000 men! + +Ten o'clock A.M. No dispatches from Lee have come over the wires to-day. +He may have interdicted others. We got no intelligence whatever. From +this I infer the battle was resumed at early dawn, and the general deems +it best to have no announcements but _results_. If this be so, it is a +day big with events--and upon its issue may depend the fate of +governments. And yet our people exhibited no trepidation. The foreign +portion of the population may be seen grouped on the pavements indulging +in speculation, and occasionally giving vent to loud laughter, when a +Jew is asked what will be the price of his shoes, etc. to-morrow. They +care not which side gains the day, so they gain the profits. + +But our women and children are going to church as usual, to pray for the +success of the cause, and not doubting but that our army will triumph as +usual on the field of combat. It is a bright and lovely Sabbath morning, +and as warm as May. + +DECEMBER 15TH.--Yesterday evening several trains laden with wounded +arrived in the city. The remains of Brig.-Gen. T. R. R. Cobb, of +Georgia, were brought down. Brig.-Gen. Gregg, of South Carolina, is said +to be mortally wounded. It is now believed that Major-Gen. Hood, of +Texas, did not fall. The number of our killed and wounded is estimated, +by a surgeon who came with the wounded, to be not over a thousand. + +To-day, stragglers from the battle-field say that our loss in killed and +wounded is 3000. It is all conjecture. + +There was heavy skirmishing all day yesterday, and until to-day at noon, +when the telegraph operator reports that the firing had ceased. We know +not (yet) what this means. We are still sending artillery ammunition to +Gen. Lee. + +Gen. Evans dispatches from Kinston, N. C., that on the 14th, yesterday, +he repulsed the enemy, 15,000 strong, and drove them back to their boats +in Neuse River. A portion of Gen. R. A. Pryor's command, in Isle of +Wight County, was engaged with the enemy's advance the same day. They +have also landed at Gloucester Point. This is pronounced a simultaneous +attack on our harbors and cities in Virginia and North Carolina. Perhaps +we shall have more before night. Our people seem prepared for any event. + +Another long train of negroes have just passed through the city, +singing, to work on the fortifications. + +DECEMBER 16TH.--To-day the city is exalted to the skies! Gen. Lee +telegraphed that the enemy had disappeared from his front, _probably +meditating a design to cross at some other place_. Such were his words, +which approach nearer to a practical joke, and an inkling of exultation, +than anything I have seen from his pen. He has saved the capital. Before +the enemy could approach Richmond from "some other place;" Lee would be +between him and the city, and if he could beat him on the Rappahannock +he can beat him anywhere. + +Doubtless Burnside has abandoned his heavy stores, siege guns, etc., and +at this moment our army must occupy the town. Lee _allowed_ the invaders +to cross the river, and, in exact accordance with his promise, made a +month ago, before they could advance from Fredericksburg, his "whole +army _was_ in position." They could not debouch without passing through +our crescent line, the extreme ends of which touched the river above and +below them. They attempted this on Saturday, and met with a bloody +defeat, and until last night, when they retraced their steps, were +confined to an exceedingly narrow and uncomfortable strip of land along +the south bank of the river. + +Our loss in the battle will not exceed, perhaps, 2000 men, not more than +500 being slain. It is estimated that the enemy's loss is over 10,000, +and it may greatly exceed that number, as our positions were strong and +our batteries numerous. The enemy fought well, charging repeatedly over +the plain swept completely by our guns, and leaving the earth strewn +with their dead. We have many prisoners, but I have heard no estimate of +the number. + +The enemy have taken Kinston, N. C., having overwhelming numbers, and a +letter from Gen. Bragg, dated at Raleigh, yesterday, says it is probable +Goldsborough will fall into their hands. This will cut our railroad +communication with Wilmington, which may likewise fall--but not without +its price in blood. + +Why not let the war cease now? It is worse than criminal to prolong it, +when it is apparent that subjugation is an impossibility. + +There were no stragglers from Lee's army, and never were men in better +spirits and condition. They are well clad and fed, and exceedingly +anxious for Burnside to resume his "On to Richmond" after the _skirmish_ +of Saturday. They call it but a skirmish, for not a brigade was blown, +not a regiment fatigued. + +Although men shake hands over this result, they all say they never +looked for any other termination of Burnside. The ladies say he is now +charred all over. Well, he _may_ come again by some other route, but I +have doubts. The rigors of winter are sufficient punishment for his +troops. It is said Burnside intended to resume the battle on Sunday +morning, but his generals reported that their men could not be relied +upon to approach our batteries again. I shall look with interest for the +next Northern papers. + +DECEMBER 17TH.--A dispatch from Gen. G. W. Smith, last night, says we +have repulsed the enemy from Kinston, N. C., but a dispatch this morning +says a cavalry force has cut the railroad near Goldsborough, broken down +the wires, and burnt the bridge. We had no letters from beyond that +point this morning. + +Last night large quantities of ammunition and some more regiments were +sent to North Carolina. This is done because Richmond is relieved by +the defeat and retreat of Burnside. But suppose it should _not_ be +relieved, and a force should be sent suddenly up the James and York +Rivers? + +We have not a word from Fredericksburg, and it is probable Burnside's +batteries still command the town. Lee is content and has no idea of +crossing the river. + +There are two notable rumors in the streets: first, that we have gained +a great battle in Tennessee; and, second, that the government at +Washington has arrested John Van Buren and many other Democratic leaders +in the North, which has resulted in a riot, wherein 1000 have fallen, +making the gutters in New York run with blood! + +Gen. Lee's official report says our loss in the battle of the 13th in +killed and wounded did not exceed 1200, whereas our _papers_ said 2050 +wounded have already been brought to this city. + +Well, our government must have spies at Washington as an offset to +Federal spies here among Gen. Winder's policemen; for we knew _exactly_ +when the enemy would begin operations in North Carolina, and ordered the +cotton east of the Weldon Railroad to be burnt on the 16th inst., +yesterday, and yesterday the road was cut by the enemy. I have not heard +of the cotton being burnt--_and I don't believe it was destroyed_. Nor +do I believe Gen. Smith knew that Burnside would be defeated in time to +send troops from here to North Carolina. + +Elwood Fisher died recently in Georgia, and his pen, so highly prized by +the South for its able vindication of her rights, was forgotten by the +politicians who have power in the Confederate Government. All Mr. +Memminger would offer him was a lowest class clerkship. He died of a +broken heart. He was more deserving, but less fortunate, than Mr. M. + +It was Mr. _Memminger_, it seems, who refused to contribute anything to +supply the soldiers with shoes, and the press is indignant. They say he +is not only not a native South Carolinian, but Hessian born. + +DECEMBER 18TH.--We have more accounts of the battle of Fredericksburg +now in our possession. Our loss in killed and wounded will probably be +more than the estimate in the official report, while Federal prisoners +report theirs at 20,000. This may be over the mark, but the _Examiner's_ +correspondent at Fredericksburg puts down their loss at 19,000. The +Northern papers of the 14th inst. (while they supposed the battle still +undecided) express the hope that Burnside will fight his last man and +fire his last cartridge on that field, rather than not succeed in +destroying Lee's army! Lee's army, after our victory, is mostly +uninjured. The loss it sustained was not a "flea-bite." + +The enemy, in their ignominous flight on Saturday night, left their dead +propped up as sentinels and pickets, besides 3000 on the plain. + +Accounts from North Carolina indicate the repulse of the enemy, though +they have burnt some of the railroad bridges. We shall hear more anon. +Reinforcements are flying to the scene of action. + +DECEMBER 19TH.--Gen. Burnside acknowledges a loss of upwards of 5000, +which is good evidence here that his loss was not less than 15,000. The +Washington papers congratulate themselves on the _escape_ of their army, +and say it might have been easily captured by Lee. They propose, now, +going into winter quarters. + +We have nothing further from North Carolina or Mississippi. Gen. Banks's +expedition had passed Hilton Head. + +A Mr. Bunch, British Consul, has written an impudent letter to the +department, alleging that an Irishman, unnaturalized, is forcibly +detained in one of our camps. He says his letters have not been +answered, which was great discourtesy, and he means to inform Lord John +Russell of it. This letter _was_ replied to in rather scathing terms, as +the Irishman had enlisted and then deserted. Besides, we are out of +humor with England now, and court a French alliance. + +The President was at Chattanooga on the 15th instant; and writes the +Secretary that he has made some eight appointments of brigadiers, and +promotions to major-generals. Major-Gen. Buckner is assigned to command +at Mobile. + +We are straightened for envelopes, and have taken to turning those we +receive. This is economy; something new in the South. My family dines +four or five times a week on _liver_ and rice. We cannot afford anything +better; others do not live so well. + +Custis and I were vaccinated to-day, with the rest of the officers of +the department. + +The Northern papers now want the Federal army to go into winter +quarters. This was, confessedly, to be the final effort to take +Richmond. It failed. Many of the people regard the disaster of Burnside +as the harbinger of peace. + +An officer from the field informs me that all our generals were sadly +disappointed, when it was discovered that Burnside had fled. They wanted +one more blow at him, and he would have been completely destroyed. + +DECEMBER 20TH.--Last accounts from Fredericksburg state that the enemy +are retiring toward the Potomac and Washington. We have got some of +their pontoon bridges, and other things left behind. It is now very +cold, with a fair prospect of the Potomac freezing over. Let them +beware! + +But we were in a bad way: our army, instead of numbering 200,000 as the +Federal journals report, did not exceed 50,000 men; and not half that +number went into action. The Secretary of War had ordered several +regiments from Gen. S. Jones, in Western Virginia; now sent to North +Carolina. + +There is no mail yet from beyond Goldsborough, and the news from North +Carolina seems vague and unsatisfactory. They say we beat the enemy at +Kinston; yet they have destroyed a portion of the railroad between +Goldsborough and Wilmington. They say the Federals are retreating on +Newbern; yet we know they made 500 of our men prisoners after they +crossed the Neuse. It is reported that our loss is small, and the +enemy's large; and that our 3000 men fought successfully their 18,000. +However, we have sent some 15,000 reinforcements. + +It is reported that the Federals are evacuating Nashville; but reports +from the West are not always reliable. + +A communication has been received by Secretary Seddon from S. B. M., of +Vicksburg, proposing to purchase shoes, blankets, etc. in the United +States, and sell them to the government for cotton or for Confederate +notes. This was referred to the Quartermaster-General, who favors it. +Now what will Mr. Secretary do? Better wait till the President returns! + +The late Secretary of War, Mr. Randolph, has formed a partnership with +Mr. G. A. Myers. To-day a paper was sent in by them to the new +Secretary, containing the names of ten clients, all Jews and +extortioners, who, it appears, at the beginning of the war, and before +Virginia had fully seceded, joined several Virginia companies of +artillery, but did not drill with them. They hired substitutes for a +small sum, all, as the memorial sets forth, being foreigners of the +class subsequently exempted by act of Congress. And these counselors +demand the exemption of the Jew extortioners on the ground that they +once furnished substitutes, now out of the service! And it is probable +they will carry their point, and gain large fees. Substitutes now are +worth $2000--then, $100. + +A dispatch from Charleston to-day says: "Iron steamer Columbia, formerly +the Giraffe, of Liverpool, with cargo of shoes, blankets, Whitworth +guns, and ammunition, arrived yesterday." I suppose cargoes of this +nature have been arriving once a week ever since the war broke out. This +cargo, and the ship, belong to the government. + +9 O'CLOCK P.M.--After a very cold day, it has become intensely frigid. I +have two fires in our little Robin's Nest (frame) on the same floor, and +yet ice forms rapidly in both rooms, and we have been compelled to empty +the pitchers! This night I doubt not the Potomac will be closed to +Burnside and his transports! During the first Revolution, the Chesapeake +was frozen over. If we have a winter like that, we shall certainly have +an armistice in Virginia without the intervention of any other than the +Great Power above. But we shall suffer for the want of fuel: wood is $18 +per cord, and coal $14 per cart load. + +Gen. Bonham, who somehow incurred the dislike of the authorities here, +and was dropped out of the list of brigadiers, has been made Governor of +South Carolina. + +And Gen. Wise, who is possessed of perhaps the greatest mind in the +Confederacy, is still fettered. They will not let him fight a battle, +because he is "ambitious!" When Norfolk was (wickedly) given up, his +home and all his possessions fell into the hands of the enemy. He is now +without a shelter for his head, bivouacing with his devoted brigade at +Chaffin's farm, below the city. He is the senior brigadier in the army, +and will never be a major-general. + +DECEMBER 21ST, SUNDAY.--Nothing, yet, has been done by the immense +Federal fleet of iron-clad gun-boats which were to devastate our coast +this winter. But the winter is not over yet, and I apprehend something +will be attempted. However, we shall make a heroic defense of every +point assailed. + +I omitted to state, in connection with the partnership formed between +Mr. Myers and Mr. Randolph, that the former had already succeeded, when +the latter was Secretary of War, in getting the substitutes of the Jew +extortioners out of the army, on the ground that they were not domiciled +in this country; and now both are intent on procuring the exemption of +the principals. This may be good practice, but it is not good service. +Every man protected and enriched by the government, owes service to the +country in its hour of peril. + +I am glad to hear that W. H. B. Custis, of the Eastern Shore of +Virginia, takes no part in the war. This is the proper course for him +under the circumstances. It is said he declined a high position tendered +by the Federal Government. No doubt he has been much misrepresented: his +principles are founded on the Constitution, which is violated daily at +Washington, and therefore he can have no sympathy with that government. + +DECEMBER 22D.--We shall never arrive at the correct amount of casualties +at the battle of Fredericksburg. The _Enquirer_ to-day indicates that +our loss in killed, wounded, and missing (prisoners), amounted to nearly +4000. On the other hand, some of the Federal journals hint that their +loss was 25,000. Gen. Armstrong (Confederate), it is said, counted 3500 +of their dead on the field; and this was after many were buried. There +are five wounded to one killed. But where Burnside is now, or what he +will attempt next, no doubt Lee knows; but the rest of our people are +profoundly ignorant in relation thereto. The New York _Herald_ says: +"The finest and best appointed army the world ever saw, has been beaten +by a batch of Southern ragamuffins!" And it advises that the shattered +remains of the army be put into winter quarters. + +The weather has greatly moderated. I hope, now, it will continue +moderate! + +Mr. Crenshaw, who has the gigantic flour contract with the War +Department, effected with Mr. Randolph, has just (in the President's +absence) made another contract with Mr. Seddon. The department becomes a +partner with him, and another party in England, in a huge commercial +transaction, the object of which is to run goods in, and cotton out. We +shall have our Girards, as well as the United States. Mr. Crenshaw +proceeds to England immediately, bearing letters of credit to Mr. +Mason, our Minister, etc. + +An immense sum is to be sent West to pay for stores, etc., and Mr. +Benjamin recommends the financial agent to the department. The illicit +trade with the United States has depleted the country of gold, and +placed us at the feet of the Jew extortioners. It still goes on. Mr. +Seddon has granted passports to two agents of a Mr. Baumgartien--and how +many others I know not. These Jews have the adroitness to carry their +points. They have injured the cause more than the armies of Lincoln. +Well, if we gain our independence, instead of being the vassals of the +Yankees, we shall find all our wealth in the hands of the Jews. + +The accounts from North Carolina are still conflicting. It is said the +enemy have retired to Newbern; but still we have no letters beyond +Goldsborough. From Raleigh we learn that the legislature have postponed +the array bill until the 20th of January. + +DECEMBER 23D.--The battle of Fredericksburg is still the topic, or the +wonder, and it transpired more than nine days ago. It will have its page +in history, and be read by school-boys a thousand years hence. The New +York _Times_ exclaims, "God help us--for man cannot." This is another +war sheet. The _Tribune_ is bewildered, and knows not what to say. The +_Herald_ says "everything by turns, and nothing long." Its sympathies +are ever with the winning party. But it is positively asserted that both +Seward and his son have resigned, to be followed by the rest of the +cabinet. That example might be followed here without detriment to our +cause. And it is said Burnside has resigned. I doubt that--but no doubt +he will be removed. It is said Fremont has been appointed his successor. +That would be good news. I think Halleck will be removed, and McClellan +will be recalled. No matter. + +It is said our President will command in Mississippi himself--the army +having no confidence in Pemberton, because he is a Yankee. + +We have a letter to-day from Gen. Pike (another Yankee), saying the +Indian country is lost--lost, because Gens. Holmes and Hindman--Southern +men--won't let him have his own way! + +The news from North Carolina is still cloudy. Gen. G. W. Smith is there +(another Northern man). + +Gen. Elzey has been appointed to command this department during Gen. +L.'s absence. Gen. E. is a Marylander. In the President's absence, it is +said this appointment was made by Gen. S. Cooper (another Yankee) to +insult Virginia by preventing the capital from being in the hands of a +Virginian. The Richmond papers occasionally allude to the fact that the +general highest in rank in the Confederacy is a Yankee--Gen. S. Cooper. + +Gen. Lee says his ammunition is bad in quality, and that his new guns +burst in the late battle--all under charge of the chief of the Bureau of +Ordnance--another Yankee. Gen. D. H. Hill writes a scathing letter to +the department in response to a rebuke from the new Secretary, +occasioned by some complaints of Major Palfrey in Gen. Cooper's (A. and +I. General) office. I do not know where Major P. came from; but the fact +that he was not in the field, gave the general occasion to rasp him +severely. It must have been caused by an order transferring, +furloughing, or discharging some soldier in Gen. H.'s division--and his +patience vanished at the idea of having his men taken out of the ranks +without consulting him, by carpet knights and civilian lawyers. He says +8000 are now absent from his command--and that Gen. Johnston's army, +last spring, was reduced from the same cause to 40,000 men, where he had +to oppose 138,000 of the "rascally Yankees." He concludes, however, by +saying it is the duty of subordinate generals in the field to submit in +all humility to the behests of their superiors comfortably quartered in +Richmond. But if justice were done, and the opinions of the generals in +the field were regarded in the matter of discharges, etc., the lawyers, +who have grown fat on fees by thinning our ranks, would be compelled to +resort to some more laudable means of making a living. + +A letter from Gov. Shorter, of Alabama, introduces Judge Rice, agent for +P. S. Gerald and J. R. Powell, who propose to bring goods into the +Confederate States through Mexico, to be paid for in cotton, etc. This +was referred by the Secretary to the Quartermaster-General--who protests +against it on the ground that it might interfere with _his agents +already engaged in the business_. + +The President publishes a retaliatory proclamation to-day against Gen. +Butler, for hanging Mr. Munford, of New Orleans, who took down the +United States flag before the city had surrendered. He declares Butler +to be out of the pale of civilization; and orders any commander who may +capture him, to hang him as an outlaw. And all commissioned officers +serving under Butler, and in arms with negroes, to be reserved for +execution. + +There is a rumor that an agent of the Federal Government has arrived in +the city, to propose an armistice. No armistice, unless on the basis of +_uli possidetis ante bellum_! + +Bethel, Leesburg, and Fredericksburg are victories memorable for our +great success when fighting in advantageous positions. They teach a +lesson to generals; and it will be apparent that no necessity exists for +so great an expenditure of life in the prosecution of this war. The +disparity of numbers should be considered by our generals. I fear the +flower of our chivalry mostly perished in storming batteries. It is true +a _prestige_ was gained. + +DECEMBER 24TH.--The _Louisville Journal_ says the defeat of Burnside is +"sickening," and that this sad condition of affairs cannot be borne +long. + +It is said that Confederate bonds are bringing quite as much in New York +as in Richmond; and that the bonds of Southern men are freely discounted +in the North. These, if true, are _indications_ of approaching peace. +Cotton at 50 cents per pound, and our capacity to produce five million +bales per annum, must dazzle the calculating Yankees. A single crop +worth $1,000,000,000! What interest or department of industry in the +United States can promise such results? + +Letters were received to-day from Nassau, dated 12th December. Mr. L. +Heyliger, our agent, reports a number of steamers sailing, and about to +sail, with large amounts of stores and goods of all kinds, besides +_plates for our navy_. A Mr. Wiggs has several steamers engaged in this +business. Our government own some, and private individuals (foreign +speculators) are largely engaged in the trade. Most of these steamers +run sixteen miles an hour. + +A Mr. Hart, agent for S. Isaac Campbell & Co., London, proposes to +clothe and equip 100,000 men for us, and to receive certificates for +specific amounts of cotton. This same house has, on this, it is said, +advanced as much as $2,000,000 on our account. This looks cheering. We +have credit abroad. But they are Jews. + +Mr. Heyliger says he has seen letters from the United States, conveying +information that Charleston is to be attacked about the holidays--the +ensuing week--by four iron-clad gun-boats. Well, I believe _we_ have +three there; so let them come! + +Every day we have propositions to supply the army and the country with +goods, for cotton; and they succeed in delivering stores, etc., in spite +of the vigilance of the Federal blockading squadrons. There is a +prospect that we shall have abundance of everything some of these days. +But there is some wrangling. The Quartermaster-General complains to-day +that Lieut.-Gen. Pemberton has interfered with his agents, trading +cotton for stores. Myers is a Jew, and Pemberton a Yankee--so let them +fight it out. + +DECEMBER 25TH, CHRISTMAS DAY.--Northern papers show that there is much +distraction in the North; that both Seward and Chase, who had resigned +their positions, were with difficulty persuaded to resume them. This +news, coupled with the recent victory, and some reported successes in +the West (Van Dorn's capture of Holly Springs), produces some effect on +the spirits of the people here; and we have a merrier Christmas than the +last one. + +It is said the Federal Congress is about to provide for the organization +of 100 regiments of negroes. This does not occasion anxiety here. The +slaves, once armed, would cut their way back to their masters. The only +possible way to restore the Union--if indeed it be possible--is to +withdraw all the Federal troops, and maintain an _effective_ blockade. +There might possibly ensue dissensions among our politicians and States, +detrimental to any required unity of purpose. But the Yankees, with all +their smartness, cannot perceive this. They can never appal us with +horrors, for we have fed upon nothing else for so long a period, that we +have become accustomed to them. And they have not men enough to +subjugate us and hold us in subjugation. Two millions would not suffice! + +The boys are firing Chinese crackers everywhere, and no little gunpowder +is consumed in commemoration of the day. + +But turkeys are selling at $11 each! Shoes for $25 per pair. Salt, +however, has fallen from $1.50 to 33 cents per pound. Fresh meats sell +at from 35 to 50 cents per pound. + +A silver (lever) watch, which had been lying in my trunk for two years, +and which cost me $25, sold at auction yesterday for $75. This sufficed +for fuel for a month, and a Christmas dinner. At the end of another +month, my poor family must be scattered again, as this house will be +occupied by its owner. I have advertised for boarding in the country, +but get no response. It would require $300 per month to board my family +here, and that is more than my income. What shall we do? Trust in God! + +DECEMBER 26TH.--We have no news to-day--not even a rumor. We are ready +for anything that may come. No doubt the assailants of Mobile, +Wilmington, or Charleston, will meet with determined resistance. + +The President will be in Richmond about the first day of January. I saw +a man who traveled with him in Alabama. + +Vicksburg, I understand, cannot be taken by water. And Grant, the +Federal general, is said to be retreating out of Mississippi. + +DECEMBER 27TH.--The successes in the West have been confirmed. Morgan +captured 2000 and Van Dorn 1500 prisoners at Holly Springs. They +likewise destroyed a large amount of stores. + +We have intelligence of a great armament, under Gen. Sherman, sailing +from Memphis against Vicksburg. At the last accounts the President was +at Vicksburg; and he may be witness of this decisive struggle for the +possession of the Mississippi River, the result of which involves +immense interests. We await with much anxiety the issue of the naval +operations during the ensuing month. We are content with the land +achievements of this year; and if we should be equally successful in +resisting the enemy's fleets, we shall deem ourselves fortunate indeed. + +The agents of the Commissary and Quartermaster-General make grievous +complaints against Lieut.-Gen. Pemberton, at Grenada, Mississippi; they +say he interferes with their arrangements to procure supplies--for +cotton; and it is intimated that he has some little arrangements of his +own of that nature. This illicit trade is very demoralizing in its +nature. + +Oh, that peace would return! But with INDEPENDENCE! + +DECEMBER 28TH.--We have no news to-day from the West. If the great +battle has been fought at Vicksburg, we ought to know it to-day or +to-morrow; and if the enemy be beaten, it should be decisive of the +war. It would be worse than madness to continue the contest for the +Union. + +Several fine brass batteries were brought down from Fredericksburg last +night, an indication that the campaign is over for the winter in that +direction. + +If we should have disasters in the West, and on the Southern seaboard, +the next session of Congress, to begin a fortnight hence, will be a +stormy one. + +DECEMBER 29TH.--We have a dispatch from Vicksburg at last. The enemy, +25,000 strong, were repulsed three times yesterday, and finally driven +back seven miles, to their gun-boats. It was no battle, for our loss was +only 30, and that of the enemy 400. It will be fought to-day, probably. + +It is said an attempt will be made this week on Weldon, as well as +Charleston. + +Our Morgan has been in Kentucky again, and captured 1200 men. Glorious +Morgan! + +The accounts from the United States are rather cheering. The _Herald_ +proposes a convention of all the "loyal States," that reconstruction may +be tried in that way. A dispatch from Tennessee says, even the New York +_Tribune_ expresses the opinion that our independence must be +recognized. The Philadelphia _Press_ proposes another route to Richmond +_via_ the rivers, and thinks Richmond may be taken yet, and the +rebellion crushed. + +The surgeon in charge of the Howard Hospital reports that the small-pox +is greatly on the increase, and terminating fatally in almost every +case. He says men die of it without eruptions on the surface, the +disease striking inward. It is proposed to _drive_ away the strangers +(thousands in number), if they will not leave voluntarily. There are too +many people here for the houses, and the danger of malignant diseases +very great. + +My vaccination was not a success; very little inflammation and a small +scab being the only evidences. But I have a cough, and much lassitude. + +DECEMBER 30TH.--We have another crisis. Dispatches from Murfreesborough +state the hostile armies are facing each other, and not a mile apart; +the skirmishing increases, and a decisive battle may occur at any +moment. + +From Vicksburg we have no further intelligence; but from the +Rappahannock we learn that both artillery and infantry were distinctly +heard yesterday in the direction of Dumfries. Is Stuart there? + +DECEMBER 31ST.--There were more skirmishes near Vicksburg yesterday; and +although several of the Louisiana regiments are said to have +immortalized themselves (having lost only two or three men each), I +suppose nothing decisive was accomplished. I have not implicit faith in +Western dispatches; they are too often exaggerations. And we have +nothing further from Murfreesborough. + +But there is reliable intelligence from Albemarle Sound, where a large +fleet of the enemy's transports appeared yesterday. We must look now for +naval operations. Perhaps Weldon is aimed at. + +Gen. Wise writes a remarkable letter to the department. His son, just +seventeen years old, a lieutenant in 10th Virginia Cavalry, was detailed +as ordnance officer of the general's brigade, when that regiment was +taken from his father. Now Gen. Cooper, the Northern head of the +Southern army, orders him to the 10th Cavalry. The general desires his +son to remain with him, or that the lieutenant may be permitted to +resign. He says he asks no favors of the administration, and has never +received any. His best blood (Capt. O. J. W.) has been given to the +country, and his home and property lost by the surrender of Norfolk, +etc. + +To-day, Gen. Winder's account for disbursement of "secret service" money +was sent in. Among the persons who were the recipients of this money, I +noticed _Dr. Rossvally_, a notorious spy, and S----w, one of his +policemen, who, with W----ll, very recently fled to the enemy, and is +now in the service of the United States, at Washington! + +Gen. Lee has given the command in Northwestern Virginia to Gen. W. E. +Jones; and he asks the Secretary to hold a major he has captured as a +hostage for the good conduct of the Federal Gen. Milroy, who is +imitating Gen. Pope in his cruelties to civilians. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +Lee in winter quarters.--Bragg's victory in the Southwest.--The President + at Mobile.--Enemy withdraw from Vicksburg.--Bragg retreats as + usual.--Bureau of Conscription.--High rents.--Flour contracts in + Congress.--Efforts to escape conscription.--Ships coming in freely.-- + Sneers at negro troops.--Hopes of French intervention.--Gen. Rains + blows himself up.--Davis would be the last to give up.--Gov. Vance + protests against Col. August's appointment as commandant of + conscripts.--Financial difficulties in the United States. + + +JANUARY 1ST, 1863.--This first day of the year dawned in gloom, but the +sun, like the sun of Austerlitz, soon beamed forth in great splendor +upon a people radiant with smiles and exalted to the empyrean. + +A letter from Gen. H. Marshall informed the government that Gen. Floyd +had seized slaves in Kentucky and refused to restore them to their +owners, and that if the government did not promptly redress the wrong, +the Kentuckians would at once "take the law into their own hands." + +We had a rumor (not yet contradicted) that the enemy, or traitors, had +burned the railroad bridge between Bristol and Knoxville, cutting our +communication with the West. + +Then it was said (and it was true) that Gen. Lee had sent his artillery +back some 30 miles this side of the Rappahannock, preparatory to going +into winter quarters. But this was no occasion for gloom. Lee always +knows what is best to be done. + +Next there was a rumor (not yet confirmed, but credited) that Stuart had +made another of his wonderful reconnoissances, capturing prisoners and +destroying much of the enemy's stores beyond the Rappahannock. + +Then came a dispatch from Bragg which put us almost "beside" ourselves +with joy, and caused even enemies to pause and shake hands in the +street. Yesterday he attacked Rosecrans's army near Murfreesborough, and +gained a great victory. He says he drove him from all his positions, +except on the extreme left, and after ten hours' fighting, occupied the +whole of the field except (those exceptions!) the point named. We had, +as trophies, thirty-one guns, two generals, 4000 prisoners, and 200 +wagons. This is a _Western_ dispatch, it is true, but it has Bragg's +name to it, and he does not willingly exaggerate. Although I, for one, +shall await the next dispatches with anxiety, there can be no question +about the victory on the last day of the bloody year 1862. Bragg says +the loss was heavy on both sides. + +I noticed that one of the brass pieces sent down by Lee to go to North +Carolina had been struck by a ball just over the muzzle, and left a +glancing mark toward the touch-hole. That ball, probably, killed one of +our gunners. + +JANUARY 2D.--A dispatch from Gov. Harris gives some additional +particulars of the battle near Murfreesborough, Tenn. He says the enemy +was driven back six miles, losing four generals killed and three +captured, and that we destroyed $2,000,000 commissary and other stores. +But still we have no account of what was done yesterday on the "extreme +left." + +Gen. Stuart has been near Alexandria, and his prisoners are coming in by +every train. He captured and destroyed many stores, and, up to the last +intelligence, without loss on his side. He is believed, now, _to be in +Maryland_, having crossed the Potomac near Leesburg. + +The mayor of our city, Jos. Mayo, meeting two friends last night, whom +he recognized but who did not recognize him, playfully seized one of +them, a judge, and, garroter fashion, demanded his money or his life. +The judge's friend fell upon the mayor with a stick and beat him +dreadfully before the joke was discovered. + +The President was at Mobile on the 30th December, having visited both +Murfreesborough and Vicksburg, but not witnessing either of the battles. + +We are in great exaltation again! Dispatches from Gen. Bragg, received +last night, relieve us with the information that the stronghold of the +enemy, which he failed to carry on the day of battle, was abandoned the +next day; that Forrest and Morgan were operating successfully far in the +rear of the invader, and that Gen. Wheeler had made a circuit of the +hostile army after the battle, burning several hundred of their wagons, +capturing an ordnance train, and making more prisoners. Bragg says the +enemy's telegraphic and railroad communications with his rear have been +demolished, and that he will follow up the defeated foe. I think we will +get Nashville now. + +JANUARY 3D.--To-day we have a dispatch from Vicksburg stating that the +enemy had re-embarked, leaving their intrenching instruments, etc., +apparently abandoning the purpose of assaulting the city. This is +certainly good news. + +Gen. Stuart did not cross the Potomac, as reported in the Northern +press, but, doubtless, the report produced a prodigious panic among the +Yankees. But when Stuart was within eight miles of Alexandria, he +telegraphed the government at Washington that if they did not send +forward larger supplies of stores to Burnside's army, he (Stuart) would +not find it worth while to intercept them. + +Capt. Semmes, of the Alabama, has taken another prize--the steamer +Ariel--but no gold being on board, and having 800 passengers, he +released it, under bonds to pay us a quarter million dollars at the end +of the war. + +A large meeting has been held in New York, passing resolutions in favor +of peace. They propose that New Jersey send a delegation hither to +induce us to meet the United States in convention at Louisville, to +adopt definitive terms of peace, on the basis of the old Union, or, that +being impracticable, separation. Too late! + +JANUARY 4TH.--We have nothing additional from Murfreesborough, but it is +ascertained that the bridges burned by the enemy on the Virginia and +Tennessee Railroad cannot be repaired in a month. + +It really does seem that some potent and malign influence, resident at +the capital, some high functionary, by some species of occultation, +controlling the action of the government, a Talleyrand in the pay of +both governments, and balancing or equalizing disasters between them to +magnify his importance and increase his reward, has been controlling +many events since the beginning of this war, and is still engaged in the +diabolical work. It now appears that several regiments were withdrawn +from the vicinity of Bristol, whose presence there was necessary for the +protection of the railroad and the bridges. They were brought hither +_after Lee's defeat of Burnside_, for the protection of the capital! The +President was away, and Mr. Seddon was now in the War Office. But Gen. +Cooper is _old_ in office, and should have known better; and Gen. G. W. +Smith certainly must have known better. Just suppose we had been beaten +at Murfreesborough, and our communications cut, west and east and south! +There would have been no escape. + +It had even been proposed to take a large portion of Lee's men from him, +so that he must be inevitably defeated on the Rappahannock, but Lee's +resignation would have shocked the people unbearably. Great injury was +done him by abstracting some 20,000 of his men by discharges, transfers, +and details. Nothing but his generalship and the heroism of his men +saved us from ruin. The disasters of Donelson, Newbern, Nashville, +Memphis, Roanoke, New Orleans, Norfolk, etc. may be traced to the same +source. But all new governments have been afflicted by a few +evil-disposed leaders. + +Our people in arms have upheld the State; they have successfully +resisted the open assaults of the invader, and frustrated the occult +machinations of the traitors in our midst. We have great generals, but +what were they without great men to obey them? Generals have fallen, and +divisions and brigades have fought on without them. Regiments have lost +their field officers and continued the fight, and companies have +maintained their position after all their commissioned officers were +stricken down. The history which shall give the credit of their +achievements to others will be a vile calumny. Our cause would have been +ruined if it had not been for the bravery and heroism of the +people--_the privates in our armies_. + +There is a rumor this morning that the enemy are advancing toward +Petersburg from Suffolk. If this be so, some spy, under the protection +of martial law, has informed the Yankees of our defenseless condition at +that place, being alarmed at the success of our brave and patriotic men +in the West. + +JANUARY 5TH.--We learn from Gen. Bragg that the enemy did not retire far +on the 2d inst., but remain still in the vicinity of Murfreesborough. He +says, however, that our cavalry are still circling the Yankees, taking +prisoners and destroying stores. During the day an absurd rumor was +invented, to the effect that Bragg had been beaten. We are anxious to +learn the precise particulars of the battle. It is to be feared that too +many of Bragg's men were ordered to reinforce Pemberton. If that +blunder should prove disastrous, the authorities here will have a +hornet's nest about their ears. The President arrived yesterday, and his +patriotic and cheering speech at Jackson, Miss., appeared in all the +papers this morning. + +We hear of no fighting at Suffolk. But we have dispatches from North +Carolina, stating that a storm assailed the enemy's fleet off Hatteras, +_sinking the Monitor with all on board_, and so crippling the Galena +that her guns were thrown overboard! This is good news--if it be +confirmed. + +A letter from Major Boyle, in command at Gordonsville, gives information +that the smugglers and extortioners are trading tobacco (contraband) +with the enemy at Alexandria. He arrested B. Nussbaum, E. Wheeler, and +S. Backrack, and sent them with their wagons and goods to Gen. Winder, +Richmond. But instead of being dealt with according to law, he learns +that Backrack is back again, and on his way to this city _with another +wagon load of goods from Yankee-land_, and will be here to-day or +to-morrow. I sent the letter to the Secretary, and hope it will not be +intercepted on its way to him from the front office. The Secretary never +sees half the letters addressed him, or knows of one-half the attempts +of persons to obtain interviews. The Assistant Secretary's duty is to +dispose of the less important communications, but to exhibit his +decisions. + +JANUARY 6TH.--To-day we are all _down_ again. Bragg has _retreated_ from +Murfreesborough. It is said he saved his prisoners, captured cannon, +etc., but it is _not_ said what became of his own wounded. The Northern +papers say they captured 500 prisoners in the battle, which they claim +as a victory. I do not know how to reconcile Bragg's first dispatches, +and particularly the one saying he had the whole field, and would +_follow_ the enemy, with this last one announcing his withdrawal and +retirement from the field. + +Eight thousand men were taken from Bragg a few days before the battle. +It was not done at the suggestion of Gen. Johnston; for I have seen an +extract of a letter from Gen. J. to a Senator (Wigfall), deprecating the +detachment of troops from Bragg, and expressing grave apprehensions of +the probable consequences. + +A letter was received from R. R. Collier, Petersburg, to-day, in favor +of civil liberty, and against the despotism of martial law. + +Senator Clark, of Missouri, informed me to-day that my nephew, R. H. +Musser, has been made a colonel (under Hindman or Holmes), and has a +fine regiment in the trans-Mississippi Department. + +Lewis E. Harvie, president of the railroad, sends a communication to the +Secretary (I hope it will reach him) inclosing a request from Gen. +Winder to permit liquors to be transported on his road to Clover Hill. +Mr. Harvie objects to it, and asks instructions from the Secretary. He +says Clover Hill is the point from which the smuggling is done, and that +to place it there, is equivalent to bringing it into the city. + +JANUARY 7TH.--To-day I was requested to aid, temporarily, in putting in +operation a new bureau, created by the military authorities, not by law, +entitled the Bureau of Conscription. From conscription all future +recruits must be derived. I found Gen. Rains, the chief, a most affable +officer; and Lieut.-Col. Lay, his next officer, was an acquaintance. I +shall not now, perhaps, see so much of the _interior_ of this moving +picture of Revolution; my son, however, will note important letters. It +is said that Sumner's corps (of Burnside's army) has landed in North +Carolina, to take Wilmington. We shall have news soon. + +We are sending troops rapidly from Virginia to North Carolina. + +The Northern papers say the following dispatch was sent to Washington by +our raiding Stuart: "Gen. Meigs will in future please furnish better +mules; those you have furnished recently are very inferior." He signed +his own name. + +A large body of slaves passed through the city to-day, singing happily. +They had been working on the fortifications north of the city, and go to +work on them south of it. They have no faith in the efficacy of +Lincoln's Emancipation. + +But it is different in Norfolk; 4000 enfranchised slaves marched in +procession through the town the other day in a sort of frantic jubilee. +They will bewail their error; and so will the Abolitionists. They will +consume the enemy's commissary stores; and if they be armed, we shall +get their arms. + +Lee and Beauregard were telegraphed to-day in relation to the movement +on Wilmington; and the President had the cabinet with him many hours. + +Gen. Rains is quite certain that the fall of New Orleans was the result +of treachery. + +By the emancipation, Gen. Wise's county, Princess Ann, is excepted--and +so are Accomac and Northampton Counties; but I have no slaves. All I ask +of the invaders is to spare my timber, and I will take care of the +land--and I ask it, knowing the request will never be known by them +until the war is over. + +JANUARY 8TH.--Gen. French writes that the enemy at Suffolk and Newbern +amounted to 45,000; and this force now threatens Weldon and Wilmington, +and we have not more than 14,000 to oppose them. With generalship that +should suffice. + +All the Virginia conscripts are ordered to Gen. Wise, under Major-Gen. +Elzey. The conscripts from other States are to be taken to Gen. Lee. If +the winter should allow a continuance of active operations, and the +enemy should continue to press us, we might be driven nearly to the +wall. We must help ourselves all we can, and, besides, invoke the aid of +Almighty God! + +We have nothing fresh from Bragg--nothing from Vicksburg--and that is +_bad news_. + +I like Gen. Rains. He comes in and sits with me every day. Col. Lay is +the active business man of the bureau. The general is engaged in some +experiments to increase the efficiency of small arms. + +He is very affable and communicative. He says he never witnessed more +sanguinary fighting than at the battle of the Seven Pines, where his +brigade retrieved the fortunes of the day; for at one time it was lost. +He was also at Yorktown and Williamsburg; and he cannot yet cease +condemning the giving up of the Peninsula, Norfolk, etc. Gen. Johnston +did that, backed by Randolph and Mallory. + +We have all been mistaken in the number of troops sent to the rescue of +North Carolina; but four or five regiments, perhaps 3000 men, have gone +thither from Virginia. A letter from Gen. Lee, dated the 5th inst., says +he has not half as many men as Burnside, and cannot spare any. He thinks +North Carolina, herself, will be able to expel the Federals, who +probably meditate only a marauding expedition. And he supposes Bragg's +splendid victory (what did he suppose the next day?) may arrest the +inroads of the enemy everywhere for a season. At this moment I do not +believe we have 200,000 men in the field against 800,000! But what of +that, after seeing Lee beat 150,000 with only 20,000 in action! True, it +was an ambuscade. + +JANUARY 9TH.--The Northern papers say the Federals have taken Vicksburg; +but we are incredulous. Yet we have no reliable intelligence from +thence; and it may be so. It would be a terrible blow, involving, for a +time, perhaps, the loss of the Mississippi River. + +But we have cheering news from Galveston, Texas. Several of our +improvised gun-boats attacked the enemy's war vessels in the harbor, and +after a sanguinary contest, hand to hand, our men captured the Harriet +Lane, a fine United States ship of war, iron clad. She was boarded and +taken. Another of the enemy's ships, it is said, was blown up by its +officers, rather than surrender, and many perished. If this be +Magruder's work, it will make him famous. + +Our public offices are crowded with applicants for clerkships, mostly +wounded men, or otherwise unfit for field duty. + +How can we live here? Boarding is $60 per month, and I have six to +support! They ask $1800 rent for a dwelling--and I have no furniture to +put in one. Gen. Rains and I looked at one to-day, thinking to take it +jointly. But neither of us is able to furnish it. Perhaps we shall take +it, nevertheless. + +JANUARY 10TH.--We have news from the West, which is believed to be +reliable, stating that Bragg captured 6000 prisoners altogether in his +late battles; took 30 cannon, 800 stand of arms, and destroyed 1500 +wagons and many stores. The estimated loss of the enemy in killed and +wounded is put down at 12,000. Our loss in killed and wounded not more +than half that number. + +To-day we have official intelligence confirming the brilliant +achievement at Galveston; and it was Magruder's work. He has men under +him fitted for desperate enterprises; and he has always had a penchant +for desperate work. So we shall expect to hear of more gallant exploits +in that section. He took 600 prisoners. + +We have news also from Vicksburg, and the city was not taken; on the +contrary, the enemy had sailed away. I trust this is reliable; but the +Northern papers persist in saying that Vicksburg has fallen, and that +the event took place on the 3d inst. + +Six hundred women and children--refugees--arrived at Petersburg +yesterday from the North. They permit them to come now, when famine and +pestilence are likely to be added to the other horrors of war! We are +doomed to suffer this winter! + +JANUARY 11TH.--The message of Gov. Seymour, of New York, if I am not +mistaken in its import and purposes, will have a distracting effect on +the subjugation programme of the government at Washington. I shall look +for riots, and perhaps rebellions and civil wars in the North. + +Mr. Stanley, ycleped Governor of North Carolina, has written a letter +(dated 31st December) to Gen. French, complaining that our soldiery have +been guilty of taking slaves from their humane and _loyal_ masters in +Washington County, against their will; and demanding a restoration of +them to their kind and beneficent owners, to whom they are anxious to +return. Gen. French replies that he will do so very cheerfully, provided +the United States authorities will return the slaves they have taken +from masters loyal to the Confederate States. These may amount to +100,000. And he might have added that on the next day all--4,000,000--were +to be emancipated, so far as the authority of the United States could +accomplish it. + +The enemy's gun-boats (two) came up the York River last week, and +destroyed an oyster boat. Beyond the deprivation of oysters, pigs, and +poultry, we care little for these incursions. + +JANUARY 12TH.--The news of the successful defense of Vicksburg is +confirmed by an official dispatch, to the effect that the enemy had +departed up the Mississippi River. By the late Northern papers, we find +they confess to a loss of 4000 men in the several attacks upon the town! +Our estimate of their loss did not exceed that many hundred. They lost +two generals, Morgan and another. We did not lose a hundred men, +according to our accounts. The _Herald_ (N. Y.) calls it "another +Fredericksburg affair." + +The estimate of the enemy's loss, at Murfreesborough, from 12,000 to +20,000, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, and ours at from four to nine +thousand. Bragg says he will fight again near the same place, and his +men are in high spirits. + +Our men fight to _kill_ now, since the emancipation doom has been +pronounced. But we have had a hard rain and nightly frosts, which will +put an end to campaigning during the remainder of the winter. The +fighting will be on the water, or near it. + +The legislature is in session, and resolutions inimical to the passport +system have already been introduced. But where are State Rights now? + +Congress meets to-morrow. + +JANUARY 13TH.--The generals in North Carolina are importunate for +reinforcements. They represent the enemy as in great force, and that +Weldon, Goldsborough, Raleigh, and Wilmington are in extreme peril. Lee +cannot send any, or, if he does, Richmond will be threatened again, and +possibly taken. + +How shall we live? Boarding ranges from $60 to $100 per month. Our +landlord says he will try to get boarding in the country, and if he +succeeds, probably we may keep the house we now occupy, furnished, at a +rent of $1200, for a mere robin's nest of four rooms! But I hope to get +the house at the corner of First and Casey, in conjunction with Gen. +Rains, for $1800. It has a dozen rooms. + +JANUARY 14TH.--Gen. Beauregard, some of whose forces have been taken +from him and sent to the defense of Wilmington, is apprehensive that +they may be lost, in the event of the enemy making a combined naval and +land attack, and then Charleston and Savannah would be in great peril. +Gens. Smith and Whiting call lustily for aid, and say they have not +adequate means of defense. + +Some 4000 more negroes have been called for to work on the +fortifications near Richmond. I believe 10,000 are at work now. + +A letter "by order" of the Secretary of War to Col. Godwin, in King and +Queen County, written by Judge Campbell, says that blockaders are +allowed to run through, provided they be not suspicious parties. The +government takes what it wants at seventy-five per cent. and releases +the rest. The parties are liable to have their goods confiscated by the +Secretary of the Treasury, who, however, the letter proceeds to say, has +never molested any one in the illicit trade--smuggling. + +In Congress, yesterday, Mr. Foote called for a committee to investigate +the commissary's contract with Haxhall, Crenshaw & Co., and was +particularly severe on Major Ruffin, in the commissary's office, whom he +understood was a partner in the flour concern. + +Mr. Foote introduced a series of resolutions to-day, tempting the +Northern States to make peace with us separately, excluding the New +England States, and promising commercial advantages, etc. But we must +treat as independent States, pledging a league with those that abandon +the United States Government--offensive and defensive--and guaranteeing +the navigation of the Mississippi River to the Northwestern States. They +were referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations, of which he is the +chairman. This is nothing. + +But neither yesterday nor the day before was there a quorum of both +houses; a sad spectacle in such a season of gloom. It was enlivened, +however, by a communication from the Surgeon-General, proposing to send +surgeons to vaccinate all the members. They declined the honor, though +the small-pox is raging frightfully. + +To-day a quorum was found in each house, and the President's message was +sent in. I have not read it yet. + +JANUARY 15TH.--The President's message is highly applauded. It is well +written; but I do not perceive much substance in it, besides some +eloquent reproaches of England and France for the maintenance of their +neutrality, which in effect is greatly more beneficial to the United +States than to us. The President essays to encourage the people to +continued effort and endurance--and such encouragement is highly +judicious at this dark epoch of the struggle. He says truly we have +larger armies, and a better supply of arms, etc., now, than we have had +at any time previously. + +The President says he will, unless Congress directs differently, have +all Federal officers that we may capture, handed over to the States to +be dealt with as John Brown was dealt with. The Emancipation +Proclamation, if not revoked, may convert the war into a most barbarous +conflict. + +Mr. Foote, yesterday, introduced a resolution requesting the recall of +our diplomatic agents; and, after a certain time, to notify the foreign +consuls to leave the country, no longer recognizing them in an official +capacity. + +A bill was introduced making Marylanders subject to conscription. + +JANUARY 16TH.--Gen. Lee is in the city, doubtless to see about the +pressure upon him for reinforcements in North Carolina. Gen. Smith still +writes from Goldsborough for more men, with doleful forebodings if they +be refused. + +From Eastern Tennessee, we have bad accounts of outrages by the disloyal +inhabitants, who have fled, to escape conscription, to the mountains and +caves, many of them taking their families. At night they emerge from +their hiding-places, and commit depredations on the secessionists. + +It has been blowing a gale for two days, and there are rumors of more +losses of the enemy's ships on the coast of North Carolina. + +A letter was received by the government to-day from Arizona, justifying +Col. Baylor for his policy of dealing with the Indians. I do not hear of +any steps yet on the part of the President. + +A report of the commandant at Camp Holmes, Raleigh, N. C., states that +12,000 conscripts have been received there altogether; 8000 have been +sent off to regiments, 2000 detailed on government work, 500 deserted, +etc. + +The _Enquirer_ to-day publishes the fact that a ship, with stores, +merchandise, etc., has just arrived at Charleston; that six more are on +the way thither, and that a steamer has successfully run the blockade +from Wilmington with cotton. This notification may increase the +vigilance of the blockading fleet. The _Enquirer_ is also perpetually +tilting with the Raleigh _Standard_. I doubt the policy of charging the +leading journals in North Carolina with predilections for the Union. I +believe the _Enquirer_ has no settled editor now. + +Mr. Foote favors the conscription of Marylanders. If such an act should +be likely to pass, Gen. Winder will be beset with applications to leave +the Confederacy. + +JANUARY 17TH.--Gen. Lee has left the city. His troops, encamped thirty +miles north of Richmond, marched northward last night. So it is his +determination to cross the Rappahannock? Or is it a demonstration of the +enemy to prevent him from sending reinforcements to North Carolina? We +shall know speedily. + +North Carolina, one would think, is soon to be the scene of carnage; and +it is asked what can 16,000 men do against 60,000? + +The enemy began the attack on Fort Caswell yesterday; no result. But +one of his blockaders went ashore in the storm, and we captured the +officers and crew. + +All the conscripts in the West have been ordered to Gen. Bragg. + +Shall we starve? Yesterday beef was sold for 40 cts. per pound; to-day +it is 60 cts. Lard is $1.00. Butter $2.00. They say the sudden rise is +caused by the prisoners of Gen. Bragg, several thousand of whom have +arrived here, and they are subsisted from the market. Thus they injure +us every way. But, _n'importe_, say some; if Lincoln's Emancipation be +not revoked, _but few more prisoners will be taken on either side_. That +would be a barbarous war, without quarter. + +I see that Col. J. W. Wall, of New Jersey, has been nominated, and I +suppose will be elected, U. S. Senator. He was confined for months in +prison at Fort Lafayette. I imagine the colonel is a bold, able man. + +JANUARY 18TH.--It was bitter cold last night, and everything is frozen +this morning; there will be abundance of ice next summer, if we keep our +ice-houses. + +In these times of privation and destitution, I see many men, who were +never prominent secessionists, enjoying comfortable positions, and +seeking investments for their surplus funds. Surely there must be some +compensation in this world or the next for the true patriots who have +sacrificed everything, and still labor in subordinate positions, with +faith and patient suffering. These men and their families go in rags, +and upon half-rations, while the others fare most sumptuously. + +We are now, in effect, in a state of siege, and none but the opulent, +often those who have defrauded the government, can obtain a sufficiency +of food and raiment. Calico, which could once be bought for 12-1/2 cts. +per yard, is now selling at $2.25, and a lady's dress of calico costs +her about $30.00. Bonnets are not to be had. Common bleached cotton +shirting brings $1.50 per yard. All other dry goods are held in the same +proportion. Common tallow candles are $1.25 per pound; soap, $1.00; +hams, $1.00; oppossum $3.00; turkeys $4 to $11.00; sugar, brown, $1.00; +molasses $8.00 per gallon; potatoes $6.00 per bushel, etc. + +These evils might be remedied by the government, for there is no great +scarcity of any of the substantials and necessities of life in the +country, if they were only equally distributed. The difficulty is in +procuring transportation, and the government monopolizes the railroads +and canals. + +Our military men apprehend no serious consequences from the army of +negroes in process of organization by the Abolitionists at Washington. +Gen. Rains says the negro cannot fight, and will always run away. He +told me an anecdote yesterday which happened under his own observation. +An officer, when going into battle, charged his servant to stay at his +tent and take care of his property. In the fluctuations of the battle, +some of the enemy's shot fell in the vicinity of the tent, and the +negro, with great white eyes, fled away with all his might. After the +fight, and when the officer returned to his tent, he was vexed to learn +that his slave had run away, but the boy soon returned, confronting his +indignant master, who threatened to chastise him for disobedience of +orders. Caesar said: "Massa, you told me to take care of your property, +and dis property" (placing his hand on his breast) "is worf fifteen +hundred dollars." He escaped punishment. + +Some 200,000 of the Abolition army will be disbanded in May by the +expiration of their terms of enlistment, and we have every reason to +believe that their places cannot be filled by new recruits. If we hold +out until then, we shall be able to resist at all vital points. + +JANUARY 19TH.--We have rumors of fighting this morning on the +Rappahannock; perhaps the enemy is making another advance upon Richmond. + +There was a grand funeral to-day,--Gen. D. R. Jones's; he died of heart +disease. + +Gen. Bragg dispatches that Brig.-Gen. Wheeler, with his cavalry, got in +the rear of Rosecrans a few days ago, and burned a railroad bridge. He +then penetrated to the Cumberland River, and destroyed three large +transports and bonded a fourth, which took off his paroled prisoners. +After this he captured and destroyed a _gun-boat_ and its armament sent +in quest of him. + +We have taken Springfield, Missouri. + +Rosecrans sends our officers, taken at Murfreesborough, to Alton, Ill., +to retaliate on us for the doom pronounced in our President's +proclamation, and one of his generals has given notice that if we burn +a railroad bridge (in our own country) all private property within a +mile of it shall be destroyed. The black flag next. + +We have no news from North Carolina. + +Mr. Caperton was elected C. S. Senator by the Virginia Legislature on +Saturday, in place of Mr. Preston, deceased. + +An intercepted letter from a Mr. Sloane, Charlotte, N. C., to A. T. +Stewart & Co., New York, was laid before the Secretary of War yesterday. +He urged the New York merchant, who has contributed funds for our +subjugation, to send merchandise to the South, now destitute, and he +would act as salesman. The Secretary indorsed "conscript him," and yet +the Assistant Secretary has given instructions to Col. Godwin, in the +border counties, to wink at the smugglers. This is consistency! And the +Assistant Secretary writes "by order of the Secretary of War!" + +JANUARY 20TH.--The rumor of fighting on the Rappahannock is not +confirmed. But Gen. Lee writes that his beeves are so poor the soldiers +won't eat the meat. He asks the government to send him salt meat. + +From Northern sources we learn that Arkansas Post has fallen, and that +we have lost from 5000 to 7000 men there. If this be true, our men must +have been placed in a man-trap, as at Roanoke Island. + +Mr. Perkins, in Congress, has informed the country that Mr. Memminger, +the Secretary of the Treasury, has hitherto opposed and defeated the +proposition that the government buy all the cotton. Mr. M. should never +have been appointed. He is headstrong, haughty, and tyrannical when he +imagines he is dealing with inferiors, and he deems himself superior to +the rest of mankind. But he is no Carolinian by birth or descent. + +We see accounts of public meetings in New Jersey, wherein the government +at Washington is fiercely denounced, and peace demanded, regardless of +consequences. Some of the speakers openly predicted that the war would +spread into the North, if not terminated at once, and in that event, the +emancipationists would have foes to fight elsewhere than in the South. +Among the participants I recognize the names of men whom I met in +convention at Trenton in 1860. They clamor for the "Union as it was, the +Constitution as it is," adopting the motto of my paper, the "_Southern +Monitor_," the office of which was sacked in Philadelphia in April, +1861. Our government will never agree to anything short of independence. +President Davis will be found inflexible on that point. + +There was a rumor yesterday that France had recognized us. The news of +the disaster of Burnside at Fredericksburg having certainly been deemed +very important in Europe. But France has not yet acted in our behalf. We +all pray for the Emperor's intervention. We suffer much, and but little +progress is made in conscription. Nearly all our resources are in the +field. Another year of war, and ----! + +JANUARY 21ST.--Last night the rain fell in torrents, and to-day there is +a violent storm of wind from the N. W. This may put an end, for a +season, to campaigning on land, and the enemy's fleet at sea may be +dispersed. Providence may thus intervene in our behalf. + +It is feared that we have met with a serious blow in Arkansas, but it is +not generally believed that so many (5000 to 7000 men) surrendered, as +is stated in the Northern papers. Gen. Holmes is responsible for the +mishap. + +Conscription drags its slow length along. It is not yet adding many to +the army. The Assistant Secretary of War, and several others, "by order +of the Secretary of War," are granting a fearful number of exemptions +daily. Congress, I hope, will modify the exemption bill immediately. It +is believed enrolling officers, surgeons, and others are permitting +thousands to remain at home "for a price." Even clerks in the War +Department, it is said, are driving a lucrative business in "getting men +off," who should be on duty, in this war of independence. _Young_ men in +the departments, except in particular cases, will not stand in good +repute "when the hurly burly's done, when the battle's lost and won." + +Congress is at work projecting the organization of a Supreme Court. + +JANUARY 22D.--We have reliable intelligence of the sinking of the U. S. +gun-boat Hatteras, in the Gulf, by the Alabama. She was iron-clad, and +all the officers and crew, with the exception of five, went down. + +Gen. Whiting telegraphs to-day for the use of conscripts near +Wilmington, in the event of an _emergency_. Several ships have just come +in safely from abroad, and it is said a large number are on the way. + +Mr. Miles yesterday reported, from the Military Committee, a bill +repealing the existing exemption law, and embracing all male residents +between the ages of 18 and 45 years. The President, or Secretary of War, +to have authority to grant exemptions in certain cases, if deemed +expedient. This _ought_ to give us 200,000 more men. And they will be +required. + +A resolution was passed demanding of the Commissary and +Quartermaster-General the number of their employees capable of +performing military duty. It would be well to extend the inquiry to the +War Department itself. + +A letter from Norfolk states that at a grand ball, in celebration of the +emancipation of the negroes, Gen. Vieille opened the dance with a +mulatto woman of bad character as his partner; and Mrs. V. had for her +partner a negro barber. + +JANUARY 23D.--The Northern papers are filled with what purports to be +the intercepted correspondence of Mr. Benjamin with Messrs. Mason and +Slidell. Lord John Russell is berated. The Emperor of France is charged +with a design to seize Mexico as a colony, and to recognize Texas +separately, making that State in effect a dependency, from which cotton +may be procured as an offset to British India. He says the French +Consuls in Texas are endeavoring to detach Texas from the Confederacy. +If this be a genuine correspondence, it will injure the South; if it be +false (if the allegations be false), it will still injure us. I have no +doubt of its genuineness; and that Mr. Sanders, once the correspondent +of the New York _Tribune_, was the bearer. If Texas leaves us, so may +Louisiana--and the gigantic Houmas speculation may turn out well at +last. + +Mr. Curry has brought forward a copyright bill; Mr. Foster, of Alabama, +has introduced a bill to abolish the passport system--leaving the matter +to railroad conductors. + +A dispatch from Gen. Bragg assures us that our cavalry are still +capturing and destroying large amounts of Rosecrans's stores on the +Cumberland River. + +Col. Wall has been elected Senator from New Jersey. They say he is still +pale and ill from his imprisonment, for opinion sake. I hope he will +speak as boldly in the Senate as out of it. + +I met Gen. Davis to-day (the President's nephew), just _from_ +Goldsborough, where his brigade is stationed. He is in fine +_plumage_--and I hope he will prove a game-cock. + +Major-Gen. French, in command at Petersburg, is a Northern man. Our +_native_ generals are brigadiers. It is amazing that all the superior +officers in command near the capital should be Northern men. Can this be +the influence of Gen. Cooper? It may prove disastrous! + +JANUARY 24TH.--Gen. Smith writes that he deems Wilmington in a condition +to resist any attacks. + +The exposition of Mr. Benjamin's dispatches has created profound +mortification in the community. + +Another transport has been taken from the enemy in the Cumberland River. +No further news from Arkansas. + +There is a white flag (small-pox) within seventy yards of our house. But +it is probable we must give up the house soon, as the owner is desirous +to return to it--being unable to get board in the country. + +Gen. Rains, who has been making a certain sort of primer, met with an +accident this morning; one of them exploded in his hand, injuring his +thumb and finger. He was scarcely able to sign his name to official +documents to-day. + +Mr. Hunter has brought forward a measure for the funding of Treasury +notes, the redundant circulation having contributed to produce the +present fabulous prices in the market. + +In the New Jersey Legislature petitions are flowing in denunciatory of +Lincoln's Emancipation scheme, which would cast into the free States a +large excess of profitless population. + +JANUARY 25TH.--Gen. Lee mentions, in his recent correspondence, an +instance of the barbarity of some of the Yankee soldiers in the +Abolition Army of the Potomac. They thrust into the Rappahannock River a +poor old negro man, whom they had taken from his master, because he had +the small-pox; and he would have been drowned had he not been rescued by +our pickets. It is surmised that this dreadful disease prevails to an +alarming extent in the Yankee army, and probably embarrasses their +operations. Our men have all been vaccinated; and their recklessness of +disease and death is perhaps a guarantee of exemption from affliction. +Their health, generally, is better than it has ever been before. + +The government at Washington has interdicted the usual exchange of +newspapers, for the present. This gives rise to conjecture that Lincoln +experiences grave difficulties from the adverse sentiment of his people +and his armies regarding his Emancipation Proclamation. And it is likely +he has met with grave losses at sea, for the invading army in North +Carolina has retired back on Newbern. But the season for naval +enterprises is not over, and we are prepared to expect some heavy blows +before April. + +The revelations in the intercepted dispatches captured with Mr. Sanders, +whose father is a notorious political adventurer, may be most +unfortunate. They not only show that we even were negotiating for six +war steamers, but give the names of the firms in Europe that were to +furnish them. The project must now be abandoned. And Louis Napoleon will +be enraged at the suspicions and imputations of our Secretary of State +regarding his occult policy. + +Gen. Rains has invented a new primer for shell, which will explode from +the slightest pressure. The shell is buried just beneath the surface of +the earth, and explodes when a horse or a man treads upon it. He says he +would not use such a weapon in ordinary warfare; but has no scruples in +resorting to any means of defense against an army of Abolitionists, +invading our country for the purpose, avowed, of extermination. He tried +a few shell on the Peninsula last spring, and the explosion of only four +sufficed to arrest the army of invaders, and compelled them to change +their line of march. + +JANUARY 26TH.--The _Northern_ papers say Hooker's grand division crossed +the Rappahannock, ten miles above Falmouth, several days ago. + +Burnside has issued an address to his army, promising them another +battle immediately. + +Gen. Lee advises the government to buy all the grain in the counties +through which the canal runs. He says many farmers are hoarding their +provisions, for extortionate prices. + +I have no house yet. Dr. Wortham had one; and although I applied first, +he let Mr. Reagan, the Postmaster-General, have it. He is a member of +President Davis's cabinet--and receives $6000 salary. + +There is much indignation expressed by the street talkers against Mr. +Benjamin and Mr. Sanders, in the matter of the intercepted dispatches: +against Mr. Benjamin for casting such imputations on Napoleon and his +consular agents, and for sending his dispatches by such a messenger, in +the absence of the President; against Sanders for not destroying the +dispatches. Many think the information was _sold_ to the United States +Government. + +Col. Wall has made a speech in Philadelphia. He said he should take his +seat in the United States Senate as an advocate of peace; and he boldly +denounced the Lincoln administration. + +Our official report shows that our military authorities, up to this +time, have burnt 100,000 bales of cotton in Arkansas. I have not learned +the amount destroyed in other States--but it is large. Gen. Lee thinks +the object of the expeditions of the enemy on the Southern coast is to +procure cotton, etc. The slaves can do them no good, and the torch will +disappoint the marauders. + +Strong and belligerent resolutions have been introduced in the United +States Congress against France, for her alleged purpose to obtain +dominion in Mexico. It is violative of the Monroe doctrine. And Mr. +Benjamin's accusation against the consuls (embracing a French design on +Texas) might seem like a covert purpose to unite both the Confederate +and the United States against France--and that might resemble +premeditated reconstruction. But diplomatists _must_ be busy--always at +their webs. President Davis would be the last man to abandon the ship +Independence. + +JANUARY 27TH.--It is too true that several thousand of our men were +captured at Arkansas Post, and that Little Rock is now in danger. + +There seems to be no probability, after all, of an immediate advance of +the enemy across the Rappahannock. + +But there are eight iron-clad gun-boats and ninety sail at Beaufort, +North Carolina, and, it is reported, 52,000 men. Wilmington will +probably be assailed. + +Mr. Foote said, yesterday, if Indiana and Illinois would recede from the +war, he should be in favor of aiding them with an army against Lincoln. +And all the indications from the North seem to exhibit a strong +sentiment among the people favoring peace. But the people are not the +government, and they sink peace and reconstruction together. + +Yesterday Mr. Crockett, of Kentucky, said, in the House of +Representatives, that there was a party in favor of forming a Central +Confederacy (of free and slave States) between the Northern and Southern +extremes. Impracticable. + +To-day we have news of the bombardment of Fort McAlister, near Savannah. +No result known. Now we shall have tidings every few days of naval +operations. Can Savannah, and Charleston, and Wilmington be successfully +defended? They may, if they will emulate the example of Vicksburg. If +they fall, it will _stagger_ this government--before the peace party in +the North can operate on the Government of the United States. But it +would not "crush the rebellion." + +JANUARY 28TH.--The bombardment of Fort McAlister continued five hours +yesterday, when the enemy's boats drew off. The injury to the fort can +be repaired in a day. Not a man was killed or a gun dismounted. The +injury done the fleet is not known. But the opinion prevails here that +if the bombardment was continued to-day, the elongated shot of the enemy +probably demolished the fort. + +Last night and all this day it snowed incessantly--melting rapidly, +however. This must retard operations by land in Virginia and probably in +North Carolina. + +JANUARY 29TH.--It appears from the Northern press that the enemy _did_ +make three attempts last week to cross the Rappahannock; but as they +advanced toward the stream, the _elements_ successfully opposed them. It +rained, it snowed, and it froze. The gun carriages and wagons sank up to +the hubs, the horses to their bodies, and the men to their knees; and so +all stuck fast in the mud. + +I saw an officer to-day from the army in North Carolina. He says the +prospect for a battle is good, as soon as the roads admit of marching. + +We have nothing further from the bombardment near Savannah. The wires +may not be working--or the fort may be taken. + +Gov. Vance has sent to the department a strong protest against the +appointment of Col. August as commandant of conscripts in Northern +Tennessee. Col. A. is a Virginian--that is the only reason. Well, Gen. +Rains, who commands all the conscripts in the Confederate States, is a +North Carolinian. But the War Department has erred in putting so many +strangers in command of localities, where natives might have been +selected. Richmond, for instance, has never yet been in the command of a +Southern general. + +There are indications of a speedy peace, although we are environed by +sea and by land as menacingly as ever. The _Tribune_ (New York) has an +article which betrays much desperation. It says the only way for the +United States Government to raise $300,000,000, indispensably necessary +for a further prosecution of the war, is to guarantee (to the +capitalists) that it will be the _last_ call for a loan, and that +subjugation will be accomplished in ninety days, or never. It says the +war must then be urged on _furiously_, and negro soldiers sent among the +slaves to produce an insurrection! If this will not suffice, then let +peace be made on the best possible terms. The New York _World_ denounces +the article, and is for peace at once. It says if the project +(diabolical) of the _Tribune_ fails, it may not be possible to make +peace on any terms. In this I see indications of a foregone conclusion. +All over the North, and especially in the Northwest, the people are +clamoring for peace, and denouncing the Lincoln Emancipation +Proclamation. I have no doubt, if the war continues throughout the year, +we shall have the spectacle of more Northern men fighting against the +United States Government than slaves fighting against the South. + +Almost every day, now, ships from Europe arrive safely with merchandise: +and this is a sore vexation to the Northern merchants. We are likewise +getting, daily, many supplies from the North, from blockade-runners. No +doubt this is winked at by the United States military authorities, and +perhaps by some of the civil ones, too. + +If we are not utterly crushed before May (an impracticable thing), we +shall win our independence. + +JANUARY 30TH.--There is a rumor that Kentucky has voted to raise an army +of 60,000 men to resist the execution of Lincoln's Emancipation +Proclamation. + +Fort Caswell, below Wilmington, has been casemated with iron; but can it +withstand elongated balls weighing 480 pounds? I fear not. There are, +however, submarine batteries; yet these may be avoided, for Gen. Whiting +writes that the best pilot (one sent thither some time ago by the enemy) +escaped to the hostile fleet since Gen. Smith visited North Carolina, +which is embraced within his command. This pilot, no doubt, knows the +location of all our torpedoes. + +Nothing further from Savannah. + +Mr. Adams, the United States Minister at London, writes to Mr. Seward, +Secretary of State, dated 17th of October, 1862, that if the Federal +army shall not achieve decisive successes by the month of February +ensuing, it is probable the British Parliament will recognize the +Confederate States. To-morrow is the last day of January. + +I cut the following from yesterday's _Dispatch_: + +"_The Results of Extortion and Speculation._--The state of affairs +brought about by the speculating and extortion practiced upon the public +cannot be better illustrated than by the following grocery bill for one +week for a small family, in which the prices before the war and those of +the present are compared: + + 1860. 1863. + + Bacon, 10 lbs. at 12-1/2c $1 25 Bacon, 10 lbs. at $1 $10 00 + Flour, 30 lbs. at 5c 1 50 Flour, 30 lbs. at 12-1/2c 3 75 + Sugar, 5 lbs. at 8c 40 Sugar, 5 lbs. at $1 15 5 75 + Coffee, 4 lbs. at 12-1/2c 50 Coffee, 4 lbs. at $5 20 00 + Tea (green), 1/2 lb. at $1 50 Tea (green), 1/2 lb. at $16 8 00 + Lard, 4 lbs. at 12-1/2c 50 Lard, 4 lbs. at $1 4 00 + Butter, 3 lbs. at 25c 75 Butter, 3 lbs. at $1 75 5 25 + Meal, 1 pk. at 25c 25 Meal, 1 pk. at $1 1 00 + Candles, 2 lbs. at 15c 30 Candles, 2 lbs. at $1 25 2 50 + Soap, 5 lbs. at 10c 50 Soap, 5 lbs. at $1 10 5 50 + Pepper and salt (about) 10 Pepper and salt (about) 2 50 + ---- ---- + Total $6 55 Total $68 25 + +"So much we owe the speculators, who have stayed at home to prey upon +the necessities of their fellow-citizens." + +We have just learned that a British steamer, with cannon and other +valuable cargo, was captured by the enemy, two days ago, while trying to +get in the harbor. Another, similarly laden, got safely in yesterday. We +can afford to lose one ship out of three--that is, the owners can, and +then make money. + +Cotton sells at _seventy-five cents_ per pound in the United States. So +the blockade must be felt by the enemy as well as ourselves. War is a +two-edged sword. + +JANUARY 31ST.--We have dispatches from Charleston, to-day, which +reconcile us to the loss of the cargo captured by the blockading +squadron early in the week. An artillery company captured a fine +gun-boat in Stone River (near Charleston) yesterday evening. She had +eleven guns and 200 men. + +But this morning we did better still. Our little fleet of two iron-clads +steamed out of Charleston harbor, and boldly attacked the blockading +fleet. We crippled two of their ships, and sunk one, completely raising +the blockade, for the time being. This will frustrate some of their +plans, and may relieve Wilmington. + +The attack on Fort McAlister was a failure. The monitor which assaulted +the fort sustained so much injury, that it had to retire for repairs. + +Several blockade-runners between this and Williamsburg were arrested and +sent to Gen. Winder to-day by Lieut. G. D. Wise. Gen. W. sent them to +Gen. Rains. Mr. Petit and Mr. James Custis (from Williamsburg) came with +them to endeavor to procure their liberation. Gen. Rains sent them back +to Gen. W., with a note that he had no time to attend to such matters. +Such business does not pertain to his bureau. I suppose they will be +released. + +Major Lear, of Texas, who was at the capture of the Harriet Lane, met on +the captured steamer his mortally-wounded son, the lieutenant. + +A few days ago, Lieut. Buchanan was killed on a United States gun-boat +by our sharpshooters. He was the son of Admiral Buchanan, in the +Confederate service, now at Mobile. Thus we are reminded of the wars of +the roses--father against son, and brother against brother. God speed +the growth of the Peace Party, North and South; but we must have +independence. + +Mr. Hunter was in our office to-day, getting the release of a son of the +Hon. Jackson Morton, who escaped from Washington, where he had resided, +and was arrested here as a conscript. The Assistant Secretary of War +ruled him entitled to exemption, although yesterday others, in the same +predicament, were ruled into the service. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +Proposed fixture of prices.--Depreciation in the North.--Gen. Hooker in + command of the U. S. forces.--Lee thinks Charleston will be + attacked.--Congress does nothing.--Some fears for Vicksburg.-- + Pemberton commands.--Wise dashes into Williamsburg.--Rats take food + from my daughter's hand.--Lee wants the meat sent from Georgia to + Virginia, where the fighting will be.--Gen. Winder uneasy about my + Diary.--Gen. Johnston asks to be relieved in the West. + + +FEBRUARY 1ST.--The Virginia Legislature, now in session, has a bill +under discussion for the suppression of extortion. One of the members, +Mr. Anderson, read the following table of the prices of + + AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE. + + _Before the war._ _Now._ + + White wheat, per bushel $1 50 White wheat, per bushel $4 50 + Flour, per barrel 7 50 Flour, per barrel 22 00 + Corn, per bushel 70 Corn, per bushel 3 50 + Hay, per hundred 1 00 Hay, per hundred 3 50 + Hides, per pound 7 Hides, per pound 40 + Beef, per pound 8 Beef, per pound 50 + Bacon, per pound 13 Bacon, per pound 60 + Lard, per pound 15 Lard, per pound 1 00 + Butter, per pound 30 Butter, per pound 1 50 + Irish potatoes 1 00 Irish potatoes 5 00 + Sweet potatoes 1 00 Sweet potatoes 6 00 + Apple brandy 1 00 Apple brandy 15 00 + Wool, per pound 30 Wool, per pound 2 00 + + + MANUFACTURES. + + Bar iron, per pound 4 Bar iron, per pound 20 + Nails, per pound 4 Nails, per pound 60 + Leather, sole, per pound 25 Leather, sole, per pound 2 50 + " upper, per pound 33 " upper, per pound 3 50 + + + COTTON GOODS. + + Osnaburgs, per yard 10 Osnaburgs, per yard 75 + Brown cotton, per yard 10 Brown cotton, per yard 75 + Sheeting, per yard 15 Sheeting, per yard 1 25 + + + WOOLEN GOODS. + + Coarse jeanes 45 Coarse jeanes 4 00 + Crenshaw's gray 2 00 Crenshaw's gray 28 00 + + + MISCELLANEOUS. + + Coarse shoes $1 50 Coarse shoes $15 00 + High-quartered shoes 3 50 High-quartered shoes 25 00 + Boots 7 50 Boots 60 00 + Wool hats, per dozen 7 00 Wool hats, per dozen 50 00 + + + STOCKS. + + Dividends on stocks in cotton companies, worth in May, 1861, $25 to $50 + per share, now from $112 to $140. + +It is doubtful whether the bill will pass, as most of the members are +agriculturists. + +It is said and believed that several citizens from Illinois and Indiana, +now in this city, have been sent hither by influential parties, to +consult our government on the best means of terminating the war; or, +that failing, to propose some mode of adjustment between the +Northwestern States and the Confederacy, and new combination against the +Yankee States and the Federal administration. + +Burnside has at last been removed; and Franklin and Sumner have +resigned. Gen. Hooker now commands the Federal Army of the Potomac--if +it may be still called an army. Gen. R----, who knows Hooker well, says +he is deficient in talent and character; and many years ago gentlemen +refused to associate with him. He resigned from the army, in California, +and worked a potatoe patch, Yankee like, on speculation--and failed. + +FEBRUARY 2D.--After the feat at Charleston, Gen. Beauregard and +Commodore Ingraham invited the consuls resident to inspect the harbor, +and they pronounced the blockade raised, no United States ship being +seen off the coast. Then the general and the commodore issued a +proclamation to the world that the port was open. If this be recognized, +then the United States will have to give sixty days' notice before the +port can be closed again to neutral powers; and by that time we can get +supplies enough to suffice us for a year. Before night, however, some +twenty blockaders were in sight of the bar. It is not a question of +right, or of might, with France and England--but of inclination. +Whenever they, or either of them, shall be disposed to relieve us, it +can be done. + +There was a fight near Suffolk yesterday, and it is reported that our +troops repulsed the enemy. + +The enemy's gun-boats returned to the bombardment of Fort McAlister, and +met no success. They were driven off. But still, I fear the fort must +succumb. + +Senator Saulsbury, of Delaware, has been arrested by the +Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate, for his denunciation of Lincoln as an +"imbecile." And a Philadelphia editor has been imprisoned for alleged +"sympathy with secessionists." These arrests signify more battles--more +blood. + +FEBRUARY 3D.--It appears that Gen. Pryor's force, 1500 strong, was +attacked by the enemy, said to be 5000 in number, on the Blackwater. +After some shelling and infantry firing, Gen. P. retired some eight +miles, and was not pursued. Our loss was only fifty; _it is said_ the +enemy had 500 killed and wounded; but I know not how this was +ascertained. + +Gold in the North now brings 58-1/2 cents premium. Exchange sells at +$1.75. Cotton at 96 cents per pound! + +They are getting up a fine rumpus in the North over the imprisonment of +an editor. + +To-day, when conversing with Judge Perkins in relation to having a +passport system established by law, he admitted the necessity, but +despaired of its accomplishment. "For," said he, "nothing can be done in +Congress which has not the sanction of the Executive." He meant, I +thought, from his manner and tone, that the Executive branch of the +government was omnipotent, having swallowed up the functions of the +other co-ordinate branches. I cannot understand this, for the Executive +has but little appointing patronage, the army being completely +organized, having supplementary generals, and all officers, under the +grade of brigadiers, being promoted as vacancies occur. + +FEBRUARY 4TH.--One of the enemy's iron-clad gun-boats has got past our +batteries at Vicksburg. Gen. Pemberton says it was struck "three times." +But it is through. + +The enemy's presses reiterate the assertion that Gen. Longstreet is in +Tennessee with his corps; and that the detachments from Gen. Lee's army +amount to 75,000 men. This is evidently for the purpose to encourage +Hooker's army to cross the Rappahannock. These presses must know that +Gen. Lee's whole army was less than 75,000 men; that Longstreet is still +with him, and that only one small brigade has been sent away to North +Carolina. Well, let them come! They will be annihilated. But is it not +diabolical in the New York _Post_, _Times_, etc. to urge their own +people on to certain destruction? If Hooker had 300,000, he could not +now come to Richmond! + +We have extremely cold weather now; and, probably, the rivers in +Virginia will be frozen over to-night. + +FEBRUARY 5TH.--It snowed again last night. Tuesday night the mercury was +8 deg. below zero. + +A dispatch from Gen. Beauregard says sixty sail of the enemy have left +Beaufort, N. C., for Charleston. A British frigate (Cadmus) has arrived +at Charleston with intelligence that the Federal fleet of gun-boats will +attack the city immediately; and that the British consul is ordered away +by the Minister at Washington. The attack will be by sea and land. God +help Beauregard in this fearful ordeal! + +FEBRUARY 6TH.--Gen. Lee thinks Charleston will be assailed, and suggests +that all the troops in North Carolina be concentrated near Wilmington, +and he will undertake the defense of the rest of the State. +Nevertheless, if the government deems it more important to have his +troops sent to North Carolina, than to retain them for the defense of +Richmond, he must acquiesce. But he thinks Hooker will attempt the +passage of the Rappahannock, at an early day, if the weather will admit +of it. In regard to the last attempt of Burnside to cross his army (when +he stuck in the mud), Gen. Lee says it was fortunate for the Federals +that they failed to get over. No doubt he was prepared for their +reception. + +Congress is doing nothing but voting money for themselves. The President +(some of the members say) is their master, and they await his nod. These +are his enemies. + +FEBRUARY 7TH.--We have a dispatch from Texas, of another success of Gen. +Magruder at Sabine Pass, wherein he destroyed a large amount of the +enemy's stores. + +But we are calmly awaiting the blow at Charleston, or at Savannah, or +wherever it may fall. We have confidence in Beauregard. + +We are more anxious regarding the fate of Vicksburg. Northern man as he +is, if Pemberton suffers disaster by any default, he will certainly +incur the President's eternal displeasure. Mississippi must be +defended, else the President himself may feel the pangs of a refugee. + + "That mercy I to others show, + That mercy show to me!" + +FEBRUARY 8TH.--From intelligence received yesterday evening, it is +probable the Alabama, Harriet Lane, and Florida have met off the West +Indies, and turned upon the U. S. steamer Brooklyn. The account says a +large steamer was seen on fire, and three others were delivering +broadsides into her. The United States press thought the burning steamer +was the Florida. + +From Charleston or Savannah we shall soon have stirring news. They may +overpower our forces, but our power there will be completely exhausted +before resistance ceases. There will be no more "giving up," as with New +Orleans, Norfolk, etc. Yet there is a feverish anxiety regarding +Vicksburg. Pemberton permitted one iron-clad gun-boat to pass, and all +our boats below are now at its mercy. + +The House of Representatives, at Washington, has passed the "negro +soldier bill." This will prove a "Pandora's Box," and the Federals may +rue the day that such a measure was adopted. + +FEBRUARY 9TH.--Gen. Lee requests that all dispatches passing between his +headquarters and the War Department be in cipher. He says everything of +importance communicated, he has observed, soon becomes the topic of +public conversation; and thence is soon made known to the enemy. + +The iron-clad gun-boat, which got past Vicksburg, has been up the Red +River spreading devastation. It has taken three of our steamers, forty +officers on one, and captured large amounts of stores and cotton. + +Gen. Wise made a dash into Williamsburg last night, and captured the +place, taking some prisoners. + +Custis (my son) received a letter to-day from Miss G., Newbern, _via_ +underground railroad, inclosing another for her sweet-heart in the army. +She says they are getting on tolerably well in the hands of the enemy, +though the slaves have been emancipated. She says a Yankee preacher +(whom she calls a white-washed negro) made a _speculation_. He read the +Lincoln Proclamation to the negroes: and then announced that none of +them had been legally married, and might be liable to prosecution. To +obviate this, he proposed to marry them over, charging _only_ a dollar +for each couple. He realized several thousand dollars, and then returned +to the North. This was a legitimate Yankee speculation; and no doubt the +preacher will continue to be an enthusiastic advocate of a war of +subjugation. As long as the Yankees can make money by it, and escape +killing, the war will continue. + +FEBRUARY 10TH.--No stirring news yet. The enemy's fleet is at Port +Royal, S. C. Everywhere we are menaced with overwhelming odds. Upon God, +and our own right arms, we must rely, and we do rely. + +To-day, in cabinet council, it is believed it was decided to call out +all conscripts under forty-five years of age. The President might have +done it without consulting the cabinet. + +Yesterday Mrs. Goddin, the owner or wife of the owner of the house I +occupy, failing to get board in the country, and we having failed to get +another house, took possession of one room of the little cottage. We +have temporarily the rest: parlor, dining-room, and two chambers--one of +them 8 by 11--at the rate of $800 per annum. This is low, now; for +ordinary dwellings, without furniture, rent for $1800. Mr. G. has an +hereditary (I believe) infirmity of the mind, and is confined by his +father in an asylum. Mrs. G. has four little children, the youngest only +a few weeks old. She has a white nurse, who lost her only child (died of +scarlet fever) six days ago; her husband being in the army. It is a sad +spectacle. + +To-day beef was selling in market at _one dollar_ per pound. And yet one +might walk for hours in vain, in quest of a _beggar_. Did such a people +ever exist before? + +FEBRUARY 11TH.--There is a rumor that Major-Gen. Gustavus W. Smith has +tendered his resignation. + +Some idea may be formed of the scarcity of food in this city from the +fact that, while my youngest daughter was in the kitchen to-day, a young +rat came out of its hole and seemed to beg for something to eat; she +held out some bread, which it ate from her hand, and seemed grateful. +Several others soon appeared, and were as tame as kittens. Perhaps we +shall have to eat them! + +FEBRUARY 12TH.--Congress has not yet restricted the class of exempts, +and the work of conscription drags heavily along. All under forty-five +must be called, else the maximum of the four hundred regiments cannot be +kept up. It reminds me of Jack Falstaff's mode of exemption. The +numerous employees of the Southern Express Co. have been let off, after +transporting hither, for the use of certain functionaries, sugars, etc. +from Alabama. And so in the various States, enrolling and other officers +are letting thousands of conscripts slip through their hands. + +FEBRUARY 13TH.--There is a rumor in the papers that something like a +revolution is occurring, or has occurred, in the West; and it is stated +that the Federal troops demand the recall of the Emancipation +Proclamation. They also object to serving with negro troops. + +But we ought to look for news of terrific fighting at Savannah or +Charleston. No doubt all the troops in the field (Federal) or on the +water will be hurled against us before long, so as to effect as much +injury as possible before defection can spread extensively, and before +the expiration of the enlistments of some 200,000 men in May. + +And what are we doing? But little. The acceptance of substitutes who +desert, and the exemption of thousands who should be fighting for the +country, employ hundreds of pens daily in this city. Alas, that so many +dishonest men have obtained easy places! The President has been grossly +imposed upon. + +FEBRUARY 14TH.--A beautiful day. Yet Gen. Lee is giving furloughs, two +to each company. If the weather should be dry, perhaps Hooker will +advance: a thing desired by our people, being confident of his +destruction. + +The papers issued extras to-day with news from the Northwest, based upon +the account of a "reliable gentleman," who has just run the blockade. He +says Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois have resolved to meet in +convention, at Frankfort, Ky., for the purpose of _seceding from the +United States, and setting up a confederacy for themselves, or joining +the Southern Confederacy_. I fear the "reliable gentleman" is not to be +relied upon. Yet it would be well for the Western States, a just +retribution to New England, _and a very great relief to us_. + +Gen. Lee is urging the department to have the meat at Atlanta brought to +his army without delay. It is _here_ the army will be wanted. + +I saw pigs to-day, not six weeks old, selling in market at $10 a piece. + +I met Col. Bledsoe to-day, on a visit to the city, who told me Fenelon +never tasted meat, and lived to be ninety years old. I am no Fenelon, +but I shall probably have to adopt his regimen. I would barter, however, +some of his years for a good supply of food. We must have peace soon, or +a famine. + +FEBRUARY 15TH.--Already, as if quite certain that the great Northwest +would speedily withdraw from the Eastern United States, our people are +discussing the eventualities of such a momentous occurrence. The most +vehement opposition to the admission of any of the non-slaveholding +States, whose people have invaded our country and shed the blood of our +people, into this Confederacy, is quite manifest in this city. But +Virginia, "the Old Mother," would, I think, after due hesitation, take +back her erring children, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and perhaps one or +two more, if they earnestly desired to return to her parental +protection. + +Some of the Cotton States might revolt at such a project, and even the +cabinet might oppose the scheme of adding several powerful free States +to the Confederacy; but it would not all suffice to prevent it, if they +desire to join us. It is true, the constitution would have to be +modified, for it is not to be supposed that slaves would be held in any +of the States referred to; but then slavery would be recognized by its +proper term, and ample guarantees would be agreed upon by the great free +States which abandon the United States on the issue of emancipation. + +Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, added to the thirteen Confederate States, +would speedily constitute us a people of sufficient military power to +defy the menaces of the arms of the greatest powers of the earth; and +the commercial and agricultural prosperity of the country would amaze +the world. + +I am of the opinion that Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky, North +Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri would form a league of union +with Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana, even if the rest of the Southern +States were to reject the alliance. But who can foresee the future +through the smoke of war, and amid the clash of bayonets? Nevertheless, +division and subdivision, would _relieve all of the burden of debt, for +they would repudiate the greater part, if not the whole, of the +indebtedness of both the present governments, which has been incurred +in ravaging the country and cutting each other's throats_. The cry will +be: "We will not pay the price of blood--for the slaughter of our +brothers!" + +FEBRUARY 16TH.--Another gun-boat has got past Vicksburg. But three +British steamers have run into Charleston with valuable cargoes. + +Gen. Lee is now sending troops to Charleston, and this strengthens the +report that Hooker's army is leaving the Rappahannock. They are probably +crumbling to pieces, under the influence of the peace party growing up +in the North. Some of them, however, it is said, are sent to Fortress +Monroe. + +Our Bureau of Conscription ought to be called the Bureau of Exemption. +It is turning out a vast number of exempts. The Southern Express Company +bring sugar, partridges, turkeys, etc. to the potential functionaries, +and their employees are exempted during the time they may remain in the +employment of the company. It is too bad! + +I have just been reperusing Frederick's great campaigns, and find much +encouragement. Prussia was not so strong as the Confederate States, and +yet was environed and assailed by France, Austria, Russia, and several +smaller powers simultaneously. And yet Frederick maintained the contest +for seven years, and finally triumphed over his enemies. The +preponderance of numbers against him in the field was greater than that +of the United States against us; and Lee is as able a general as +Frederick. Hence we should never despair. + +FEBRUARY 17TH.--Gen. Lee is _not_ sending troops to Charleston. He is +sending them _here_ for the defense of Richmond, which is now supposed +to be the point of attack, by land and by water, and on both sides of +the James River. Well, they have striven to capture this city from every +point of the compass but one--the south side. Perhaps they will make an +attempt from that direction; and I must confess that I have always +apprehended the most danger from that quarter. But we shall beat them, +come whence they may! + +FEBRUARY 18TH.--Mr. H----s, another of Gen. Winder's detectives, has +gone over to the enemy. He went on a privateering cruise from +Wilmington; the vessel he sailed in captured a brig, and H----s was put +in command of the prize, to sail into a Confederate port. Instead of +this, however, H----s sailed away for one of the West India islands, and +gave up his prize to Com. Wilkes, of the United States Navy. + +One or two of the regiments of Gen. Lee's army were in the city last +night. The men were pale and haggard. They have but a quarter of a pound +of meat per day. But meat has been ordered from Atlanta. I hope it is +abundant there. + +All the necessaries of life in the city are still going up higher in +price. Butter, $3 per pound; beef, $1; bacon, $1.25; sausage-meat, $1; +and even liver is selling at 50 cents per pound. + +By degrees, quite perceptible, we are approaching the condition of +famine. What effect this will produce on the community is to be seen. +The army must be fed or disbanded, or else the city must be abandoned. +How we, "the people," are to live is a thought of serious concern. + +Gen. Lee has recommended that an appeal be made to the people to bring +food to the army, to feed their sons and brothers; but the +Commissary-General opposes it; probably it will not be done. No doubt +the army could be half fed in this way for months. But the "red tape" +men are inflexible and inscrutable. Nevertheless, the commissaries and +quartermasters are getting rich. + +FEBRUARY 19TH.--The resignation of Gen. Gustavus W. Smith has been +accepted by the President. It was well done--the acceptance, I mean. Who +will Gen. Winder report to now? Gen. Winder has learned that I am +keeping a diary, and that some space in it may be devoted to the history +of martial law. He said to Capt. Warner, his commissary of prisons, that +he would patronize it. The captain asked me if Gen. Winder's rule was +not dwelt upon in it. I said doubtless it was; but that I had not yet +revised it, and was never in the habit of perusing my own works until +they were completed. Then I carefully corrected them for the press. + +Major-Gen. Pickett's division marched through the city to-day for +Drewry's Bluff. Gen. Lee writes that this division can beat the army +corps of Hooker, supposed to be sent to the Peninsula. It has 12,000 +men--an army corps 40,000. Brig.-Gen. Hood's division is near the city, +on the Chickahominy. Gen. Lee warns the government to see that Gens. +French and Pryor be vigilant, and to have their scouts closely watching +the enemy at Suffolk. He thinks, however, the main object of the enemy +is to take Charleston; and he suggests that every available man be sent +thither. The rest of his army he will keep on the Rappahannock, to watch +the enemy still remaining north of that river. + +I sent a communication to the President to-day, proposing to reopen my +register of "patriotic contributions" to the army, for they are +suffering for meat. I doubt whether he will agree to it. If the war be +prolonged, the appeal must be to the people to feed the army, or else it +will dissolve. + +FEBRUARY 20TH.--We have exciting news from the West. The iron-shod +gun-boat, Queen of the West, which run past Pemberton's batteries some +time since, captured, it appears, one of our steamers in Red River, and +then compelled our pilot to steer the Queen of the West farther up the +river. The heroic pilot ran the boat under our masked batteries, and +then succeeded in escaping by swimming. The Queen of the West was forced +to surrender. This adventure has an exhilarating effect upon our +spirits. + +Hon. James Lyons sent to the President to-day a petition, signed by a +majority of the members of Congress, to have me appointed major in the +conscription service. + +FEBRUARY 21ST.--Major-Gen. Hood's division passed through the city +to-day, and crossed over the river. I hope an attack will be made at +Suffolk. It is too menacing a position to allow the invader to occupy it +longer. + +No attack on Charleston yet, and there is a rumor that the command of +the expedition is disputed by Foster and Hunter. If it hangs fire, it +will be sure to miss the mark. + +FEBRUARY 22D.--This is the anniversary of the birth of Washington, and +of the inauguration of President Davis, upon the installation of the +permanent government of the Confederate States. It is the ugliest day I +ever saw. Snow fell all night, and was falling fast all day, with a +northwest wind howling furiously. The snow is now nearly a foot deep, +and the weather very cold. + +My communication to the President, proposing an appeal to the people to +furnish the army with meat and clothing (voluntary contributions), was +transmitted to the Secretary of War yesterday, without remark, other +than the simple reference. The plan will not be adopted, in all +probability, for the Secretary will consult the Commissary and +Quartermaster-General, and they will oppose any interference with the +business of their departments. Red tape will win the day, even if our +cause be lost. Our soldiers must be fed and clothed according to the +"rules and regulations," or suffer and perish for the want of food and +clothing! + +I have some curiosity to learn what the President has indorsed, or may +indorse, on the paper sent him by Mr. Lyons, signed by half the members +of Congress. Will he simply refer it to the Secretary? Then what will +the Secretary do? My friends in Congress will likewise be curious to +learn the result. + +FEBRUARY 23D.--I saw a letter from Gen. Lee to-day, suggesting to the +government on appeal to the Governors of the States to aid more directly +in recruiting the armies. He says the people habitually expect too much +from the troops now in the field; that because we have gained many +victories, it does not follow that we shall always gain them; that the +legitimate fruits of victory have hitherto been lost, for the want of +numbers on our side; and, finally, that all those who fail to go to the +field at such a momentous period as this, are guilty of the blood of the +brave soldiers who perish in the effort to achieve independence. + +This would be contrary to the "rules and regulations" as understood by +the Adjutant and Inspector-General (a Northern man), and no doubt the +Secretary of War and the President will reject the plan. + +The petition of forty members of Congress in my behalf came from Mr. +Seddon, the Secretary, to our bureau to-day. He asks the superintendent +if there is a necessity for such an officer, one whose rank is equal to +that of a commandant of a camp of instruction. He says important +services only should require the appointment of such an officer. Well, +Gen. Rains recommended it. I know not whether he can say more. I shall +not get it, for Congress has but little influence, just now. + +FEBRUARY 24TH.--Gen. Longstreet is now in command of Gen. Smith's late +department, besides his own corps. Richmond is safe. + +Our papers contain a most astonishing speech purporting to have been +delivered by Mr. Conway, in the United States Congress. Mr. C. is from +Kansas, that hot-bed of Abolitionism. He is an avowed Abolitionist; and +yet he advocates an immediate suspension of hostilities, or at least +that the Federal armies and fleets be ordered to act on the defensive; +that the independence of the Confederate States be recognized, upon the +basis of a similar tariff; free-trade between the North and South; free +navigation of the Mississippi, and co-operation in the maintenance of +the Monroe doctrine. I like the indications apparent in this speech. Let +us have a suspension of hostilities, and then we can have leisure to +think of the rest. No doubt the peace party is growing rapidly in the +United States; and it may be possible that the Republicans mean to beat +the Democrats in the race, by going beyond them on the Southern +question. The Democrats are for peace and Union; the Republicans may +resolve to advocate not only peace, _but secession_. + +FEBRUARY 25TH.--On the 18th inst. the enemy's battery on the opposite +side of the Mississippi River opened on Vicksburg. The damage was not +great; but the front of the town is considered untenable. + +The Conscription bill has passed the United States Senate, which will +empower the President to call for 3,000,000 men. "Will they come, when +he does call for them?" That is to be seen. It may be aimed at France; +and a war with the Emperor might rouse the Northern people again. Some +of them, however, have had enough of war. + +To-day I heard of my paper addressed to the President on the subject of +an appeal to the people to send food to the army. He referred it to the +Commissary-General, Col. Northrop, who sent it to the War Department, +with an indorsement that as he had no acquaintance with that means of +maintaining an army (the patriotic contributions of the people), he +could not recommend the adoption of the plan. Red tape is mightier than +patriotism still. There may be a change, however, for Gen. Lee approves +the plan. + +FEBRUARY 26TH.--We have good news from Vicksburg to-day. The Queen of +the West, lately captured by us, and another gun-boat, attacked the +Indianola, the iron-clad Federal gun-boat which got past our batteries +the other day, and, after an engagement, sunk her. We captured all the +officers and men. + +FEBRUARY 27TH.--No news from any quarter to-day. + +Gen. Joseph E. Johnston is discontented with his command in the West. +The armies are too far asunder for co-operative action; and, when +separated, too weak for decisive operations. There is no field there for +him, and he desires to be relieved, and assigned to some other command. + +I was surprised to receive, to-day, the following very official letter +from the Secretary of War: + + "RICHMOND, VA., Feb. 27th, 1863. + + "J. B. JONES, ESQ. + + "SIR:--The President has referred your letter of the 19th inst. to + this department. + + "In reply, you are respectfully informed that it is not deemed + judicious, unless in the last extremity, to resort to the means of + supply suggested. The patriotic motives that dictated the + suggestion are, however, appreciated and acknowledged. + + "Your obedient servant, + + "JAMES A. SEDDON, + + "_Secretary of War_." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +Removed into Clay Street.--Gen. Toombs resigned.--Lincoln dictator.--He + can call 3,000,000 of men.--President is sick.--His office is not a + bed of roses.--Col. Gorgas sends in his oath of allegiance.-- + Confederate gold $5 for $1.--Explosion of a laboratory.--Bad weather + everywhere.--Fighting on the Mississippi River.--Conflict of views in + the Conscription Bureau.--Confederate States currency $10 for $1.-- + Snow a foot deep, but melting.--We have no negro regiments in our + service.--Only 6000 conscripts from East Tennessee.--How seven were + paroled by one.--This is to be the crisis campaign.--Lee announces + the campaign open. + + +MARCH 1ST.--To-morrow we remove to new quarters. The lady's husband, +owning cottage, and who was confined for seven months among lunatics, +has returned, and there is not room for two families. Besides, Mrs. G. +thinks she can do better taking boarders, than by letting the house. +What a mistake! Beef sold yesterday for $1.25 per pound; turkeys, $15. +Corn-meal $6 per bushel, and all other articles at the same rates. No +salaries can board families now; and soon the expense of boarding will +exceed the incomes of unmarried men. Owners and tenants, unless engaged +in lucrative business, must soon vacate their houses and leave the city. + +But we have found a house occupied by three widows in Clay Street. They +have no children. They mean to board soon among their relatives or +friends, and then we get the house; in the mean time, they have fitted +up two rooms for us. We should have gone yesterday, but the weather was +too bad. The terms will not exceed the rent we are now paying, and the +house is larger. I espied several fruit trees in the back yard, and a +space beyond, large enough for a smart vegetable garden. How delighted I +shall be to cultivate it myself! Always I have visions of peas, beans, +radishes, potatoes, corn, and tomatoes of my own raising! God bless the +widows sent for our relief in this dire necessity! + +Met Judge Reagan yesterday, just from the Council Board. I thought he +seemed dejected. He said if the enemy succeeded in getting command of +the Mississippi River, the Confederacy would be "cut in two;" and he +intimated his preference of giving up Richmond, if it would save Texas, +etc. for the Confederacy. Texas is his adopted State. + +MARCH 2D.--The enemy burnt the steamship Nashville on Saturday near +Savannah. She was employed taking provisions to Fort McAlister. I think +it was destroyed by an incendiary shell. + +There is a rumor to-day of the burning of railroad bridges between this +and Fredericksburg. + +I signed an agreement to-day with Mr. Malsby to publish my new "Wild +Western Scenes." He is to print 10,000 copies, which are to retail at +$2; on this he pays me 12-1/2 per cent. or 25 cents for every copy sold; +$2500 if the whole are sold. He will not be able to get it out before +May. + +We moved into the west end of Clay Street to-day, and like the change. +There are no children here except our own. The house is a brick one, and +more comfortable than the frame shell we abandoned. + +MARCH 3D.--We like our new quarters--and the three Samaritan widows, +without children. They lend us many articles indispensable for our +comfort. It is probable they will leave us soon in the sole occupancy +of the house. There is ground enough for a good many vegetables--and +meat is likely to be scarce enough. Bacon is now $1.37-1/2 cts. per +pound, and flour $30 per barrel. The shadow of the gaunt form of famine +is upon us! But the pestilence of small-pox is abating. + +We have now fine March weather; but the floods of late have damaged the +railroad bridges between this and Fredericksburg. The Secretary of War +requested the editors, yesterday, to say nothing of this. We have no +news from the West or from the Southeast--but we shall soon have enough. + +The United States Congress has passed the Conscription Act. We shall see +the effect of it in the North; I predict civil war there; and that will +be our "aid and comfort." + +Gen. Toombs has resigned; and it is said Pryor has been made a +major-general. Thus we go up and down. The President has issued a +proclamation for prayer, fasting, etc., on the twenty-seventh of this +month. There will certainly be fasting--and prayer also. And God _has_ +helped us, or we should have been destroyed ere this. + +MARCH 4TH.--The enemy bombarded Fort McAlister again yesterday, several +gun-boats opening fire on it. It lasted all day; during which one of the +iron-clads retired, perhaps injured. We had only two men wounded and one +gun (8 in. columbiad) dismounted. The fort was but little injured. + +Recent Northern papers assert that their gun-boats have all passed +through the canal opposite Vicksburg. This is not true--yet. + +Lincoln is now Dictator, his Congress having given him power to call out +all the male population between the ages of twenty and thirty-five +years, and authority to declare martial law whenever he pleases. The +_Herald_ shouts for Lincoln--of course. We must fight and pray, and hope +for revolution and civil war in the North, which may occur any day. + +Our cavalry, under Gen. Jones, has done some brilliant skirmishing +recently in the vicinity of Winchester; and as soon as the March winds +dry the earth a little, I suppose Hooker will recommence the "On to +Richmond." We shall be weaker the next campaign, but our men are brave. + +MARCH 5TH.--Yesterday the government seized the flour in the mills and +warehouses; and now the price has risen from $30 to $40 per barrel. I +wrote to the Commissary, in view of the dissatisfaction of the people, +and to prevent disturbances, advising him to seize the 5000 barrels in +the hands of the small speculators, and to allow so many pounds per +month to each inhabitant, at the rate paid by government. This would be +beneficent and popular, confining the grumblers to the extortioners. But +he will not do it, as the Constitution only provides for impressments +for the public use. + +Our dinner to-day (for seven, for the servant has an equal share) +consisted of twelve eggs, $1.25; a little corn bread, some rice and +potatoes. How long shall we have even this variety and amount? Bad beef +in market, this morning, sold at $1.25 per pound. + +After bombarding Fort McAlister on the 3d inst. and all night, the +enemy's fire ceased. The fort was not much injured, says the dispatch. +There is a rumor to-day that the fort has been reduced--but no one +believes it. + +Gen. Van Dorn has had a fight in Tennessee, killing and wounding 1000 +and capturing 2600 prisoners. Our loss is said to have been heavy. + +Gen. Lee writes that now, since Lincoln may call out 3,000,000 men, and +has $900,000,000 voted him, we must put out all our strength, if we +expect to keep the field. We shall certainly have an exciting time. But +there may be use for some of the Federal troops in the North! If not, I +apprehend that Richmond must withstand another siege and assault. It is +said they have dropped the "Constitution and the Union" in the United +States, and raised the cry of the "NATION" and the "FLAG." This alarms +me. If they get up a new sensation, they will raise new armies. + +Gold is selling at a premium of $4.25 in Confederate notes. + +We bought a barrel of flour to-day (that is, my wife paid for one not +yet delivered), from a dealer who was not an extortioner, for the +moderate sum of $28.00. This, with what we have on hand, ought to +suffice until the growing wheat matures. + +For _tea_ we had meal coffee, and corn cakes without butter. But we had +a _half-pint_ of molasses (for seven) which cost 75 cts. The gaunt +specter is approaching nearer every day! + +Every morning there is a large crowd of Irish and Germans besieging Gen. +Winder's office for passports to go North. Is it famine they dread, or +a desire to keep out of the war? Will they not be conscripted in the +North? They say they can get consular protection there. + +MARCH 6TH.--I have meditated on this day, as the anniversary of my +birth, and the shortening lapse of time between me and eternity. I am +now fifty-three years of age. Hitherto I have dismissed from my mind, if +not with actual indifference, yet with far more unconcern than at +present, the recurring birthdays which plunged me farther in the vale of +years. But now I cannot conceal from myself, if so disposed, that I am +getting to be an old man. My hair is gray--but nevertheless my form is +still erect, and my step is brisk enough. My fancies, tastes, and +enjoyments have not changed perceptibly; and I can and often do write +without glasses. I desire to live after this war is over, if it be the +will of God--if not, I hope to exist in a better world. + +We have no news of interest to-day. A letter says the non-combatants, +even the women and children, heedless of danger, were voluntary +spectators of the bombardment of Vicksburg the other day. The shells +often exploded near them, and behind them, but the fascination was so +great that they remained on the ground; even one had an arm carried away +by a ball! Can such a people be subjugated? + +Houses (furnished) are beginning to be offered more plentifully than +ever before; their occupants and owners finding their ordinary incomes +insufficient for subsistence. I suppose they mean to find in the country +an escape from famine prices prevailing in the city. + +There is a rumor this evening of the fall of Vicksburg; but that rumor +has been whispered here several times during the last few months. No one +believes it. When Vicksburg falls, many an invader will perish in its +ruins. + +MARCH 7TH.--The President is sick, and has not been in the Executive +Office for three days. Gen. Toombs, resigned, has published a farewell +address to his brigade. He does not specify of what his grievance +consists; but he says he cannot longer hold his commission with honor. +The President must be aware of his perilous condition. When in +adversity, some of those he has trusted, discuss the bases of +reconstruction; and when we are prosperous, others, in similar +positions, agitate the question of reorganization--the motive of both +being his ruin. But I suppose he has calculated these contingencies, and +never anticipated paving a bed of roses to recline upon during the +terrible, and sometimes doubtful struggle for independence. + +The rumor that Vicksburg had fallen is not confirmed; on the contrary, +the story that the Indianola, captured from the enemy, and reported to +have been blown up, was unfounded. We have Gen. Pemberton's official +assurance of this. + +Col. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance, a Pennsylvanian, sent into the +department to-day, with a request that it be filed, his oath of +allegiance to this government, and renunciation of that of the United +States, and of his native State. This would indicate that the location +of his nativity has been the subject of remark. What significance is to +be attributed to this step at this late day, I know not, and care not. +An error was committed in placing Northern men in high positions to the +exclusion of Southern men, quite as capable of filling them. + +MARCH 8TH.--Judge Meredith's opinion, that foreigners, Marylanders, and +others, who have served in the army, have become domiciled, and are +liable to conscription, has produced a prodigious commotion. Gen. +Winder's door is beset with crowds of eager seekers of passports to +leave the Confederacy; and as these people are converting their +Confederate money into gold, the premium on specie has advanced. + +Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary of War, has decided that Judge +Meredith's opinion is not authority; and hence his son-in-law, +Lieut.-Col. Lay, who at present wields the Conscription Bureau, acts +accordingly. But Gen. Rains has a contrary opinion; and he intended to +see the President yesterday, who is understood to coincide with Judge +Meredith. It is also alleged that Secretary Seddon concurs in this +opinion; and if this be the case, an explosion is imminent--for Judge +Campbell must have given instructions "by order of the Secretary," +without the Secretary's knowledge or consent. + +I advised the general to see the President and Secretary once a week, +and not rely upon verbal instructions received through a subordinate; he +said the advice was good, and he should follow it. But he is much +absorbed in his subterrene batteries. + +MARCH 9TH.--We have no news to-day. But the next act of this terrible +drama is near at hand. The Northern papers have reports of the fall of +Vicksburg and Charleston. Unfounded. They also say 22,000 men have +deserted from the Army of the Potomac. This is probably true. + +There is much denunciation of the recent seizure of flour; but this is +counteracted by an appalling intimation in one of the papers that unless +the army be subsisted, it will be withdrawn from the State, and Virginia +must fall into the hands of the enemy. The loss of Virginia might be the +loss of the Confederacy. + +MARCH 10TH.--No war news of importance. + +Just at this time there is a large number of persons passing to and from +the North. They are ostensibly blockade-runners, and they do succeed in +bringing from the enemy's country a large amount of goods, on which an +enormous profit is realized. The Assistant Secretary of War, his +son-in-law, Lt.-Col. Lay, the controlling man in the Bureau of +Conscription, and, indeed, many heads of bureaus, have received +commodities from Maryland, from friends running the blockade. Gen. +Winder himself, and his Provost Marshal Griswold (how much that looks +like a Yankee name!), and their police detectives, have reaped benefit +from the same source. But this intercourse with the enemy is fraught +with other matters. Communications are made by the disloyal to the +enemy, and our condition--bad enough, heaven knows!--is made known, and +hence the renewed efforts to subjugate us. This illicit intercourse, +inaugurated under the auspices of Mr. Benjamin, and continued by +subsequent Ministers of War, may be our ruin, if we are destined to +destruction. Already it has unquestionably cost us thousands of lives +and millions of dollars. I feel it a duty to make this record. + +To-day we have a violent snow-storm--a providential armistice. + +It has been ascertained that Hooker's army is still near the +Rappahannock, only some 20,000 or 30,000 having been sent to the +Peninsula and to Suffolk. No doubt he will advance as soon as the roads +become practicable. If Hooker has 150,000 men, and advances soon, Gen. +Lee cannot oppose his march; and in all probability we shall again hear +the din of war, from this city, in April and May. The fortifications are +strong, however, and 25,000 men may defend the city against +100,000--provided we have subsistence. The great fear is famine. But +hungry men will fight desperately. Let the besiegers beware of them! + +We hope to have nearly 400,000 men in the field in May, and I doubt +whether the enemy will have over 500,000 veterans at the end of that +month. Their new men will not be in fighting condition before July. We +may cross the Potomac again. + +MARCH 11TH.--Gen. Fitzhugh Lee has made a dash into Fairfax (near +Washington) a day or two ago, and captured the Federal Gen. Slaughter +and other officers, in their beds. + +Last night one of the government warehouses in this city was burnt. It +is supposed to have been the work of an incendiary traitor; perhaps in +retaliation for the recent impressment of flour. Yesterday the lower +house of Congress passed a resolution restricting impressments. This has +a bad aspect. + +The Bureau of Conscription, to-day, under the direction of Col. Lay, +decided that all clerks in the departments, appointed subsequent to the +eleventh of October last, are liable to be enrolled for service. Yet the +colonel himself has a clerk appointed in January last. + +Gold sells at $5 in Confederate States notes for one; U. S. Treasury +notes are at a premium here of $2.50. Even the notes of our State banks +are at 60 per cent. premium over Confederate notes. This is bad for Mr. +Memminger. An abler financier would have worked out a different result. + +All the patriotism is in the army; out of it the demon avarice rages +supreme. Every one seems mad with speculation; and the extortioners prey +upon every victim that falls within their power. Nearly all who sell are +extortioners. We have at the same time, and in the same community, +spectacles of the most exalted virtue and of the most degrading vice. + +Col. Mattel, the former commandant of conscripts for North Carolina, who +was wounded at Kinston, and yet was superseded by Col. Lay's friend, +Col. August, is now to be restored, and Col. A. relieved. Upon this Col. +L. has fallen sick. + +Mr. Duffield, whom Col. Lay and Mr. Jacques had appointed A. A. G. over +me, has not yet, for some cause, got his commission. The Secretary or +some one else may have "intervened." + +MARCH 12TH.--To-day we have no army news. + +Mr. Richard Smith issued the first number of _The Sentinel_ yesterday +morning. Thus we have five daily morning papers, all on half sheets. +_The Sentinel_ has a biography of the President, and may aspire to be +the "organ." + +John Mitchel, the Irishman, who was sentenced to a penal colony for +disturbances in Ireland, some years ago, is now the leading editor of +the _Enquirer_. He came hither from the North recently. His +"compatriot," Meagher, once lived in the South and advocated our +"institutions." He now commands a Federal brigade. What Mitchel will do +finally, who knows? My friend R. Tyler, probably, had something to do +with bringing him here. As a politician, however, he must know there is +no Irish element in the Confederate States. I am sorry this Irish editor +has been imported. + +The resignation of Gen. Toombs is making some sensation in certain +circles. He was among the foremost leaders of the rebellion. He was +Secretary of State, and voluntarily resigned to enter the army. I know +not precisely what his grievance is, unless it be the failure of the +President to promote him to a higher position, which he may have deemed +himself entitled to, from his genius, antecedents, wealth, etc. But it +is probable he will cause some disturbance. Duff Green, who is +everywhere in stormy times, told me to-day that Gen. Toombs would be +elected Governor of Georgia this fall, and said there were intimations +that Georgia might make peace with the United States! This would be +death to the government--and destruction to Toombs. It must be a +mistake. He cannot have any such design. If he had, it would be defeated +by the people of Georgia, though they sighed for peace. Peace is what +all most desire--but not without independence. Some there are, in all +the States, who would go back into the Union, for the sake of repose and +security. But a majority would not have peace on such terms. + +Still, it behooves the President to be on his guard. He has enemies in +the South, who hate him much. + +MARCH 13TH.--To-day a great calamity occurred in this city. In a large +room of one of the government laboratories an explosion took place, +killing instantly five or six persons, and wounding, it is feared +fatally, some thirty others. Most of them were little indigent girls! + +MARCH 14TH.--Gen. Pemberton writes that he has 3000 hogs-heads of sugar +at Vicksburg, which he retains for his soldiers to subsist on when the +meat fails. Meat is scarce there as well as here. Bacon now sells for +$1.50 per pound in Richmond. Butter $3. I design to cultivate a little +garden 20 by 50 feet; but fear I cannot get seeds. I have sought in vain +for peas, beans, corn, and tomatoes seeds. Potatoes are $12 per bushel. +Ordinary chickens are worth $3 a piece. My youngest daughter put her +earrings on sale to-day--price $25; and I think they will bring it, for +which she can purchase a pair of shoes. The area of subsistence is +contracting around us; but my children are more enthusiastic for +independence than ever. Daily I hear them say they would gladly embrace +death rather than the rule of the Yankee. If all our people were of the +same mind, our final success would be certain. + +This day the leading article in the _Examiner_ had a striking, if not an +ominous conclusion. Inveighing against the despotism of the North, the +editor takes occasion likewise to denounce the measure of impressment +here. He says if our Congress should follow the example of the Northern +Congress, and invest our President with dictatorial powers, a +reconstruction of the Union might be a practicable thing; for our people +would choose to belong to a strong despotism rather than a weak one--the +strong one being of course the United States with 20,000,000, rather +than the Confederate States with 8,000,000. There may be something in +this, but we shall be injured by it; for the crowd going North will take +it thither, where it will be reproduced, and stimulate the invader to +renewed exertions. It is a dark hour. But God disposes. If we deserve +it, we shall triumph; if not, why should we? + +But we cannot fail without more great battles; and who knows what +results may be evolved by them? Gen. Lee is hopeful; and so long as we +keep the field, and he commands, the foe must bleed for every acre of +soil they gain. + +MARCH 15TH.--Another cold, disagreeable day. March so far has been as +cold and terrible as a winter month. + +MARCH 16TH.--Gen. Hill is moving toward Newbern, N. C., and may attack +the enemy there. + +The weather continues dreadful--sleeting; and movements of armies must +perforce be stayed. But the season of slaughter is approaching. + +There was an ominous scantiness of supply in the market this morning, +and the prices beyond most persons--mine among the rest. + +Col. Lay got turkeys to-day from Raleigh; on Saturday partridges, by the +Express Company. Fortunate man! + +MARCH 17TH.--On Saturday, the enemy's lower Mississippi fleet attacked +our batteries at Port Hudson. The result reported is that only one of +their gun-boats got past, and that in a damaged condition. The frigate +Mississippi, one of the best war steamers of the United States, was +burned, and the rest retired down the river, badly repulsed. We +sustained no loss. + +To-day, the Secretary of War sent in a paper indorsing Judge Meredith's +opinion in regard to foreigners who have accepted service in our +country, viz., that they are liable to conscription. This is in the +teeth of the decision of the Assistant Secretary, Judge Campbell, Col. +Lay's father-in-law, and upon which the bureau has been acting, although +Gen. Rains, the Superintendent, permitted it with reluctance, upon the +assurance of Col. L. that such was the will of the department. This +business may produce an explosion. + +I walked with Gen. Rains this afternoon in Capitol Square. He is annoyed +at the action of Col. Lay in following the instructions of the Assistant +Secretary of War in regard to foreigners. The decision had not the +sanction of the Secretary of War, Mr. Seddon. He thinks _several +thousand_ men may have been permitted to escape military service by it. +He intended to lay Judge Campbell's decision before the President, but +it disappeared very mysteriously from his desk. And to-day it reappeared +just as mysteriously. And, simultaneously, and quite as mysteriously, a +paper appeared, signed by Mr. Seddon, Secretary of War, suggesting that +the bureau act in conformity with Judge Meredith's opinion, directly in +the teeth of Mr. Assistant Secretary Campbell's decision! And it was +dated March 13th, full four days before. What delayed it, and who +brought it, no one seemed to know. Col. Lay suggested that it be sent +back, with an indorsement that the bureau had been already acting under +the decision of Judge Campbell (just the reverse of the opinion), +Assistant Secretary of War, "by order of the Secretary of War." + +To this Gen. R. demurred, and said the bureau would conform its action +to Mr. Seddon's suggestions; and he charged a clerk to preserve _that_ +paper. Col. L. grumbled awfully at Mr. Seddon's off-hand decision, +without mature reflection. + +Gen. Stewart (of Maryland) was at the office a short time before, and +advocated Mr. Seddon's views; for he knew how many Marylanders would be +embraced in the decision, as well as other foreigners. + +Lieut.-Col. A. C. Jones, Assistant Adjutant-General, had, in the name of +the bureau, notified Gen. Winder, this morning, that Marylanders, etc. +were not liable to bear arms for the South after being in the service +two years! + +The general says he will have all the commandants of conscripts written +to immediately; and that he will have an interview with the Secretary of +War in relation to the matter. + +Every man we can put in the field is demanded; and many fear we shall +not have a sufficient number to oppose the overwhelming tide soon to be +surging over the land. At such a crisis, and in consideration of all the +circumstances attending this matter, involving the loss of so many men, +one is naturally startled at Judge Campbell's conduct. + +MARCH 18TH.--I sent an extract from my Diary of yesterday to the Hon. T. +H. Watts, Minister of Justice. I know not whether he will appreciate its +importance; but he has professed friendship for me. + +The city is in some excitement to-day, for early this morning we had +intelligence of the crossing of the Rappahannock by a portion of the +Federal army. During the day the division of Hood defiled through the +streets, at a quick pace, marching back to Lee's army. But the march of +troops and the rumbling of artillery have ceased to be novel spectacles +to our community. Some aged ladies ran out as they passed, calling the +bronzed Texans their "children," and distributed loaves of bread and +other food among them. I never saw a merrier set than these brave +soldiers, who have been through the "fire and the flood" numberless +times. Some of them had three or four loaves on their bayonets. + +Gen. Lee himself left early this morning, on an extra train, having been +"caught napping" here, the first time. The enemy crossed the river +yesterday. + +But during the day a dispatch was received from Gen. J. E. B. Stuart +(cavalry), stating that he had attacked the enemy on this side of the +river, and beaten him back, forcing him to recross with loss. The +particulars of the fight were not stated; but it is believed we lost a +brigadier-general, killed. + +MARCH 19TH.--Snowing. It is estimated that we lost 250 men, killed, +wounded, and taken, in the fight on the Rappahannock; the enemy's loss +is not known, but certainly was heavy, since they were defeated, and +fled back, hotly pursued. + +Confederate money still depreciates, in spite of the funding act. Some +of the brokers are demanding ten dollars Confederate notes for one in +gold! That is bad, and it may be worse. + +The enemy are advancing from Corinth, and there are not sufficient +troops to resist them. Gen. Johnston says if men are taken from Bragg, +his army may be destroyed; and none can be ordered from Mobile, where +there are only 2500 for land defense. + +MARCH 20TH.--The snow is eight inches deep this morning, and it is still +falling fast. + +Not a beggar is yet to be seen in this city of 100,000 inhabitants! + +Hood's division, mostly Texans, whose march to the Rappahannock was +countermanded when it was ascertained that the enemy had been beaten +back across the river, were all the morning defiling through Main +Street, in high spirits, and merrily snowballing each other. And these +men slept last night out in the snow without tents! Can such soldiers be +vanquished? + +Yesterday Floyd's division of State troops were turned over to the +Confederacy--only about 200! + +We have no further particulars of the fight on the Rappahannock; we +know, however, that the enemy were beaten, and that this snow-storm must +prevent further operations for many days. Several Eastern Shore +families, I learn, are about to return to their homes. This is no place +for women and children, who have homes elsewhere. We are all on +quarter-rations of meat, and but few can afford to buy clothing at the +present prices. + +MARCH 21ST.--The snow is nearly a foot deep this morning, as it +continued to fall all night, and is falling still. It grows warmer, +however. + +But we now learn that the Indianola _was_ destroyed in the Mississippi +by the officers, upon the appearance of a simulated gun-boat sent down, +without a crew! This was disgraceful, and some one should answer for it. + +Col. Godwin writes from King and Queen County, that many of the people +there are deserting to the enemy, leaving their stock, provisions, +grain, etc., and he asks permission to seize their abandoned property +for the use of the government. Mr. Secretary Seddon demands more +specific information before that step be taken. He intimates that they +may have withdrawn to avoid conscription. + +MARCH 22D.--It was thawing all night, and there is a heavy fog this +morning. The snow will disappear in a few days. + +A very large number of slaves, said to be nearly 40,000, have been +collected by the enemy on the Peninsula and at adjacent points, for the +purpose, it is supposed, of co-operating with Hooker's army in the next +attempt to capture Richmond. + +The snow has laid an embargo on the usual slight supplies brought to +market, and all who had made no provision for such a contingency are +subsisting on very short-commons. Corn-meal is selling at from $6 to $8 +per bushel. Chickens $5 each. Turkeys $20. Turnip greens $8 per bushel. +Bad bacon $1.50 per pound. Bread 20 cts. per loaf. Flour $38 per +barrel,--and other things in proportion. There are some pale faces seen +in the streets from deficiency of food; but no beggars, no complaints. +We are all in rags, especially our underclothes. This for liberty! + +The Northern journals say we have negro regiments on the Rappahannock +and in the West. This is utterly untrue. We have no armed slaves to +fight for us, nor do we fear a servile insurrection. We are at no loss, +however, to interpret the meaning of such demoniac misrepresentations. +It is to be seen of what value the negro regiments employed against us +will be to the invader. + +MARCH 23D.--The snow has nearly disappeared, and the roads are very bad. +No food is brought to the market, and such as may be found in the city +is held at famine prices. + +I saw a letter to-day from Bishop Lay, in Arkansas. He says affairs in +that State wear a dark and gloomy aspect. He thinks the State is lost. + +Gen. Beauregard writes the Hon. Mr. Miles that he has not men enough, +nor heavy guns enough, for the defense of Charleston. If this were +generally known, thousands would despair, being convinced that those +charged with the reins of power are incompetent, unequal to the crisis, +and destined to conduct them to destruction rather than independence. + +MARCH 24TH.--Judge Lyons has granted an injunction, arresting the +impressment of flour by the Secretary of War, and Congress is debating a +bill which, if passed, will be a marked rebuke to the government. + +Notwithstanding the wishes of the Secretary of War, the President, and +Gen. Rains, Lt.-Col. Lay is _still_ exempting Marylanders, and even +foreigners who have bought real estate, and resided for years in this +country, if they have "not taken the oath of domicile." + +In Eastern Tennessee, 25,500 conscripts were enrolled, and yet only 6000 +were added to the army. The rest were exempted, detailed, or deserted. +Such is the working of the Conscription Act, fettered as it is by the +Exemption Law, and still executed under Judge Campbell's decision. Gen. +Rains has the title, but does not execute the functions of +Superintendent of the Bureau of Conscription. The President has been +informed of everything. + +MARCH 25TH.--We have no news to-day, excepting the falling back of +Rosecrans from Murfreesborough, and a raid of Morgan and capture of a +train of cars. Rosecrans means, perhaps, to aid in the occupation of the +Mississippi River. It will be expensive in human life. + +Although our conscription is odious, yet we are collecting a thousand +per week. The enemy say they will crush the rebellion in ninety days. In +sixty days half their men will return to their homes, and then we may +take Washington. God knows, but man does not, what will happen. + +MARCH 26TH.--We have dispatches (unofficial) from the West, stating that +one of the enemy's gun-boats has been sunk in attempting to pass +Vicksburg, and another badly injured. Also that an engagement has +occurred on the Yazoo, the enemy having several gun-boats sunk, the rest +being driven back. + +It snowed a little this morning, and is now clear and cold. + +Mr. Seddon is vexed at the unpopularity of the recent impressments by +his order. It was an odious measure, because it did not go far enough +and take all, distributing enough among the people to crush the +extortioners. + +MARCH 27TH.--This is the day appointed by the President for fasting and +prayers. Fasting in the midst of famine! May God save this people! The +day will be observed throughout the Confederacy. + +The news from the West, destruction of more of the enemy's gun-boats, +seems authentic. So far we have sustained no disasters this spring, the +usual season of success of the enemy by water. + +Mr. G. W. Randolph was the counsel of the speculators whose flour was +impressed, and yet this _man_, when Secretary of War, ordered similar +impressments repeatedly. "Oh, man! dressed in a little brief authority," +etc. + +Mr. Foote has brought forward a bill to prevent trading with the enemy. +Col. Lay even gets his pipes from the enemy's country. Let Mr. Foote +smoke that! + +A gentleman said, to-day, if the Yankees only knew it, they might derive +all the benefits they seek by the impracticable scheme of subjugation, +without the expenditure of human life, by simply redoubling the blockade +of our ports, withdrawing their armies to the borders, and facilitating +trade between the sections. We would not attack them in their own +country, and in a month millions of their products would be pouring into +the South, and cotton, tobacco, etc. would go to the North in vast +quantities. I wonder the smart Yankee never thinks of this! Let both +sides give passports freely, and an unlimited intercourse would be +immediately established. + +MARCH 28TH.--We have nothing additional or confirmatory from the West. A +letter from Gen. Beauregard states that he has but 17,000 men in South +Carolina, and 10,000 in Georgia, 27,000 in all. He asks more, as he will +be assailed, probably, by 100,000 Federals. The President refers this +important letter to the Secretary of War, simply with the indorsement, +"this is an exact statement of affairs in South Carolina and Georgia." + +Col. Lay predicts that we shall be beaten in thirty days, or else we +shall then be in the way of beating the enemy. A safe prediction--but +what is his belief? This deponent saith not. There will be fearful odds +against us, and yet our men in the field fear nothing. + +We are sending Napoleons up to Lee. But the weather, which has been fine +for the last two days, is wet again. If Hooker makes a premature +advance, he will be sure to "march back again." + +An amusing letter was received from an officer in Tennessee to-day. He +was taken prisoner by seven Federals when straying some distance from +camp, and subsequently hearing the men express some anxiety to be at +home again with their families, gave them some brandy which he happened +to possess. He then suggested a plan by which they might return to their +homes, viz., to become his prisoners, and being paroled by him. After +consultation, they agreed to it, and released him. He then paroled them, +giving them the usual certificates to exhibit to their officer, and so, +taking another drink, they pursued their different ways. If this +disposition prevails extensively among the Western Federals, we may look +for speedy results in that quarter. Rosecrans may lose his laurels in a +most unexpected manner. + +MARCH 29TH.--No news. Yet a universal expectation. What is expected is +not clearly defined. Those who are making money rapidly no doubt desire +a prolongation of the war, irrespective of political consequences. But +the people, the majority in the United States, seem to have lost their +power. And their representatives in Congress are completely subordinated +by the Executive, and rendered subservient to his will. President +Lincoln can have any measure adopted or any measure defeated, at +pleasure. Such is the irresistible power of enormous executive +patronage. He may extend the sessions or terminate them, and so, all +power, for the time being, reposes in the hands of the President. + +A day of reckoning will come, for the people of the United States will +resume the powers of which the war has temporarily dispossessed them, or +else there will be disruptions, and civil war will submerge the earth in +blood. The time has not arrived, or else the right men have not arisen, +for the establishment of despotisms. + +Everything depends upon the issues of the present campaign, and upon +them it may be bootless to speculate. No one may foretell the fortunes +of war--I mean where victory will ultimately perch in this frightful +struggle. We are environed and invaded by not less than 600,000 men in +arms, and we have not in the field more than 250,000 to oppose them. But +we have the advantage of occupying the interior position, always +affording superior facilities for concentration. Besides, our men +_must_ prevail in combat, or lose their property, country, freedom, +everything,--at least this is their conviction. On the other hand, the +enemy, in yielding the contest, may retire into their own country, and +possess everything they enjoyed before the war began. Hence it may be +confidently believed that in all the battles of this spring, when the +numbers are nearly equal, the Confederates will be the victors, and even +when the enemy have superior numbers, the armies of the South will fight +with Roman desperation. The conflict will be appalling and sanguinary +beyond example, provided the invader stand up to it. That much is +certain. And if our armies are overthrown, we may be no nearer peace +than before. The paper money would be valueless, and the large fortunes +accumulated by the speculators, turning to dust and ashes on their lips, +might engender a new exasperation, resulting in a regenerated patriotism +and a universal determination to achieve independence or die in the +attempt. + +MARCH 30TH.--Gen. Bragg dispatches the government that Gen. Forrest has +captured 800 prisoners in Tennessee, and several thousand of our men are +making a successful raid in Kentucky. + +Gen. Whiting makes urgent calls for reinforcements at Wilmington, and +cannot be supplied with many. + +Gen. Lee announces to the War Department that the spring campaign is now +open, and his army may be in motion any day. + +Col. Godwin (of King and Queen County) is here trying to prevail on the +Secretary of War to put a stop to the blockade-runners, Jews, and spies, +daily passing through his lines with passports from Gens. Elzey and +Winder. He says the persons engaged in this illicit traffic are all +extortioners and spies, and $50,000 worth of goods from the enemy's +country pass daily. + +Col. Lay still repudiates Judge Meredith's decision in his instructions +to the Commandants of Camps of Instruction. Well, if we have a +superabundance of fighting men in the field, the foreign-born denizens +and Marylanders can remain at home and make money while the country that +protects them is harried by the invader. + +The gaunt form of wretched famine still approaches with rapid strides. +Meal is now selling at $12 per bushel, and potatoes at $16. Meats have +almost disappeared from the market, and none but the opulent can afford +to pay $3.50 per pound for butter. _Greens_, however, of various kinds, +are coming in; and as the season advances, we may expect a diminution of +prices. It is strange that on the 30th of March, even in the "sunny +South," the fruit-trees are as bare of blossoms and foliage as at +mid-winter. We shall have fire until the middle of May,--six months of +winter! + +I am spading up my little garden, and hope to raise a few vegetables to +eke out a miserable subsistence for my family. My daughter Ann reads +Shakspeare to me o' nights, which saves my eyes. + +MARCH 31ST.--Another stride of the grim specter, and corn-meal is +selling for $17 per bushel. Coal at $20.50 per ton, and wood at $30 per +cord. And at these prices one has to wait several days to get either. +Common tallow candles are selling at $1 per pound. I see that some +furnished houses are now advertised for rent; and I hope that all the +population that can get away, and subsist elsewhere, will leave the +city. + +The lower house of Congress has passed a most enormous tax bill, which I +apprehend cannot be enforced, if it becomes a law. It will close half +the shops--but that may be beneficial, as thousands have rushed into +trade and become extortioners. + +I see some batteries of light artillery going toward Petersburg. This is +to be used against the enemy when he advances in that direction from +Suffolk. No doubt another attempt will be made to capture Richmond. But +Lee knows the programme, I doubt not. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +Symptoms of bread riots.--Lee forming depots of provisions near the + Rappahannock.--Beauregard ready to defend Charleston.--He has + rebuffed the enemy severely.--French and British advancing money on + cotton.--The Yankees can beat us in bargaining.--Gen. Lee anxious for + new supplies.--The President appeals to the people to raise food for + man and beast.--Federal and Confederate troops serenading each other + on the Rappahannock.--Cobbler's wages $3000 per annum.--Wrangling in + the Indian country.--Only 700 conscripts per month from Virginia.-- + Longstreet at Suffolk.--The President's well eye said to be + failing.--A "reconnoissance!"--We are planting much grain.--Picking + up pins.--Beautiful season.--Gen. Johnston in Tennessee.-- + Longstreet's successes in that State.--Lee complains that his army is + not fed.--We fear for Vicksburg now.--Enemy giving up plunder in + Mississippi.--Beauregard is busy at Charleston.--Gen. Marshall, of + Kentucky, fails to get stock and hogs.--Gen. Lee calls for + Longstreet's corps.--The enemy demonstrating on the Rappahannock. + + +APRIL 1ST.--It is said we have taken Washington, a village in North +Carolina. And it is represented that large supplies of meat, etc. can be +taken from thence and the adjacent counties. + +Every day we look for important intelligence from Charleston, and from +the West. + +Mr. Seddon, the Secretary of War, has receded from his position in +regard to resident aliens. + +APRIL 2D.--This morning early a few hundred women and boys met as by +concert in the Capitol Square, saying they were hungry, and must have +food. The number continued to swell until there were more than a +thousand. But few men were among them, and these were mostly foreign +residents, with exemptions in their pockets. About nine A.M. the mob +emerged from the western gates of the square, and proceeded down Ninth +Street, passing the War Department, and crossing Main Street, increasing +in magnitude at every step, but preserving silence and (so far) good +order. Not knowing the meaning of such a procession, I asked a pale boy +where they were going. A young woman, seemingly emaciated, but yet with +a smile, answered that they were going to find something to eat. I could +not, for the life of me, refrain from expressing the hope that they +might be successful; and I remarked they were going in the right +direction to find plenty in the hands of the extortioners. I did not +follow, to see what they did; but I learned an hour after that they +marched through Cary Street, and entered diverse stores of the +speculators, which they proceeded to empty of their contents. They +impressed all the carts and drays in the street, which were speedily +laden with meal, flour, shoes, etc. I did not learn whither these were +driven; but probably they were rescued from those in charge of them. +Nevertheless, an immense amount of provisions, and other articles, were +borne by the mob, which continued to increase in numbers. An eye-witness +says he saw a boy come out of a store with a hat full of money (notes); +and I learned that when the mob turned up into Main Street, when all the +shops were by this time closed, they broke in the plate-glass windows, +demanding silks, jewelry, etc. Here they were incited to pillage +valuables, not necessary for subsistence, by the class of residents +(aliens) exempted from military duty by Judge Campbell, Assistant +Secretary of War, in contravention of Judge Meredith's decision. Thus +the work of spoliation went on, until the military appeared upon the +scene, summoned by Gov. Letcher, whose term of service is near its +close. He had the Riot Act read (by the mayor), and then threatened to +fire on the mob. He gave them five minutes' time to disperse in, +threatening to use military force (the city battalion being present) if +they did not comply with the demand. The timid women fell back, and a +pause was put to the devastation, though but few believed he would +venture to put his threat in execution. If he had done so, he would have +been hung, no doubt. + +About this time the President appeared, and ascending a dray, spoke to +the people. He urged them to return to their homes, so that the bayonets +there menacing them might be sent against the common enemy. He told them +that such acts would bring _famine_ upon them in the only form which +could not be provided against, as it would deter people from bringing +food to the city. He said he was willing to share his last loaf with the +suffering people (his best horse had been stolen the night before), and +he trusted we would all bear our privations with fortitude, and continue +united against the Northern invaders, who were the authors of all our +sufferings. He seemed deeply moved; and indeed it was a frightful +spectacle, and perhaps an ominous one, if the government does not remove +some of the quartermasters who have contributed very much to bring about +the evil of scarcity. I mean those who have allowed transportation to +forestallers and extortioners. + +Gen. Elzey and Gen. Winder waited upon the Secretary of War in the +morning, asking permission to call the troops from the camps near the +city, to suppress the women and children by a summary process. But Mr. +Seddon hesitated, and then declined authorizing any such absurdity. He +said it was a municipal or State duty, and therefore he would not take +the responsibility of interfering in the matter. Even in the moment of +aspen consternation, he was still the politician. + +I have not heard of any injuries sustained by the women and children. +Nor have I heard how many stores the mob visited; and it must have been +many. + +All is quiet now (three P.M.); and I understand the government is +issuing rice to the people. + +APRIL 3D.--Gen. D. H. Hill writes from North Carolina that the business +of conscription is miserably mismanaged in that State. The whole +business, it seems, has resolved itself into a machine for making money +and putting pets in office. + +No account of yesterday's riot appeared in the papers to-day, for +obvious reasons. The mob visited most of the shops, and the pillage was +pretty extensive. + +Crowds of women, Marylanders and foreigners, were standing at the street +corners to-day, still demanding food; which, it is said, the government +issued to them. About midday the City Battalion was marched down Main +Street to disperse the crowd. + +Congress has resolved to adjourn on the 20th April. The tax bill has not +passed both Houses yet. + +Gen. Blanchard has been relieved of his command in Louisiana. He was +another general from Massachusetts. + +APRIL 4TH.--It is the belief of some that the riot was a premeditated +affair, stimulated from the North, and executed through the +instrumentality of emissaries. Some of the women, and others, have been +arrested. + +We have news of the capture of another of the enemy's gun-boats, in +Berwick Bay, Louisiana, with five guns. It is said to have been done by +_cavalry_. + +A dispatch just received from Charleston states that the enemy's +monitors were approaching the forts, seven in number, and that the +attack was commencing. This is _joyful_ news to our people, so confident +are they that Gen. Beauregard will beat them. + +APRIL 5TH.--Snow fell all night, and a depth of several inches covers +the earth this morning. It will soon melt, however, as it is now +raining. The Northern invaders who anticipate a pleasant sojourn during +the winter and spring in this climate, have been very disagreeably +disappointed in these expectations. + +A surgeon was arrested yesterday for saying there was "a power behind +the throne greater than the throne." Upon being asked by the mayor what +power he alluded to, he answered "the people." He was released. + +APRIL 6TH.--It seems that it was a mistake about the enemy's monitors +approaching the forts in Charleston harbor; but the government has +dispatches to the effect that important movements are going on, not very +distant from Charleston, the precise nature of which is not yet +permitted to transpire. + +Generals Johnston and Bragg write that Gen. Pillow has secured ten times +as many conscripts, under their orders, as the bureau in Richmond would +have done. Judge Campbell, as Assistant Secretary of War, having +arrested Gen. P.'s operations, Generals J. and B. predict that our army +in Tennessee will begin, immediately, to diminish in numbers. + +The rails of the York River Railroad are being removed to-day toward +Danville, in view of securing a connection with the N. C. Central Road. +It seems that the government thinks the enemy will again possess the +York River Railroad, but it cannot be possible a retreat _out of +Virginia_ is meditated. + +APRIL 7TH.--Nothing definite has transpired at Charleston, or if so, we +have not received information of it yet. + +From the West, we have accounts, from Northern papers, of the failure of +the Yankee Yazoo expedition. That must have its effect. + +Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary of War, has decided in one instance +(page 125, E. B. Conscript Bureau), that a paroled political prisoner, +returning to the South, is not subject to conscription. This is in +violation of an act of Congress, and general orders. It appears that +grave judges are not all inflexibly just, and immaculately legal in +their decisions. Col. Lay ordered the commandant of conscripts (Col. +Shields) to give the man a protection, without any reason therefor. + +It is now said large depots of provisions are being formed on the +Rappahannock. This does not look like an indication of a retrograde +movement on the part of Gen. Lee. Perhaps he will _advance_. + +This afternoon dispatches were received from Charleston. Notwithstanding +all the rumors relative to the hostile fleet being elsewhere, it is now +certain that all the monitors, iron-clads, and transports have succeeded +in passing the bar, and at the last accounts were in readiness to begin +the attack. And Beauregard was prepared to receive it. To-morrow we +shall have exciting intelligence. If we are to believe what we hear from +South Carolinians, recently from Charleston (I do believe it), +_Charleston_ will not be taken. If the ground be taken, it will not be +Charleston. If the forts fall, and our two rams be taken or destroyed, +the defenders will still resist. Rifle-pits have been dug in the +streets; and if driven from these, there are batteries beyond to sweep +the streets, thus involving the enemy and the city in one common ruin. + +APRIL 8TH.--We learn to-day that the enemy bombarded our forts at +Charleston, yesterday, two hours and a half. But few of our men were +injured, and the forts sustained no damage of consequence. On the other +hand, several of the iron-clads and monitors of the enemy were badly +crippled; one of the latter, supposed to be the Keokuk, was sunk. Since +then the bombardment has not been renewed. But no doubt the enemy will +make other efforts to reduce a city which is the particular object of +their vengeance. Every one is on the _qui vive_ for further news from +Charleston. Success there will make Beauregard the most popular man in +the Confederacy, Lee excepted. + +Speculation is running wild in this city; and the highest civil and +military officers are said to be engaged, directly or indirectly, in the +disgraceful business of smuggling. Mr. Memminger cannot be ignorant of +this; and yet these men are allowed to retain their places. + +APRIL 9TH.--Nothing additional has occurred at Charleston, the enemy not +having renewed the attack. At Vicksburg all was quiet, and the enemy +abandoning their canal. Such news must have a depressing effect upon the +North. They will see that their monitors and iron-clads have lost their +terrors. They have lost some twenty war steamers within the last few +months; and how many of their merchantmen have been destroyed on the +ocean, we have no means of knowing. + +British and French capitalists have taken a cotton loan of $15,000,000, +which is now selling at a premium of four per cent. in those countries. +Our government can, if it will, soon have a navy of Alabamas and +Floridas. + +But we are in danger of being sold to the enemy by the blockade-runners +in this city. High officers, civil and military, are said, perhaps +maliciously, to be engaged in the unlawful trade hitherto carried on by +the Jews. It is said that the flag of truce boats serve as a medium of +negotiations between official dignitaries here and those at Washington; +and I have no doubt many of the Federal officers at Washington, for the +sake of lucre, make no scruple to participate in the profits of this +treasonable traffic. They can beat us at this game: cheat us in +bargaining, and excel us in obtaining information as to the number and +position of troops, fortifications, etc. + +APRIL 10TH.--We are not informed of a renewal of the attack on +Charleston. It is said our shot penetrated the turret of the Keokuk, +sunk. + +In New York they have been exulting over the capture of Charleston, and +gold declined heavily. This report was circulated by some of the +government officials, at Washington, for purposes of speculation. + +Col. Lay announced, to-day, that he had authority (oral) from Gen. +Cooper, A. and I. G., to accept Marylanders as substitutes. Soon after +he ordered in two, in place of Louisianian sutlers, whom he accompanied +subsequently--I know not whither. But this verbal authority is in the +teeth of published orders. + +APRIL 11TH.--Gen. Beauregard telegraphs that Gen. Walker has destroyed +another Federal gun-boat in Coosa River. They are looking for a renewal +of the attack on Charleston, and are ready for it. + +Gen. Lee writes that he is about sending a cavalry brigade into Loudon +County to bring off commissary's and quartermaster's stores. This will +frighten the people in Washington City! He also writes that, unless the +railroads be repaired, so as to admit of speedier transportation of +supplies, he cannot maintain his present position much longer. + +The President has published a proclamation, to-day, appealing to the +patriotism of the people, and urging upon them to abstain from the +growth of cotton and tobacco, and raise food for man and beast. Appended +to this is a plan, "suggested by the Secretary of War," to obtain from +the people an immediate supply of meat, etc. in the various counties and +parishes. This is _my_ plan, so politely declined by the Secretary! +Well, if it will benefit the government, the government is welcome to +it; and Mr. Seddon to the credit of it. + +APRIL 12TH.--Gen. Van Dorn, it is reported, has captured or destroyed +another gun-boat in the West. + +Night before last another riot was looked for in this city by the mayor, +and two battalions of Gen. Elzey's troops were ordered into the city. If +the President could only see the necessity of placing this city under +the command of a native Southern general, he might avoid much obloquy. +The Smiths, Winders, and Elzeys, who are really foreigners, since the +men from their States are not liable to conscription (vide Judge +Campbell's decision), are very obnoxious to the people. Virginians can +never be reconciled to the presence of a mercenary Swiss guard, and will +not submit to imported masters. + +Notwithstanding the _Enquirer_ urges it, and Mr. Barksdale, of +Mississippi, persistently advocates it, Congress still refuses to confer +additional powers on the President. Twice, within the last week, +Congress has voted down the proposition to clothe the President with +power to suspend the writ of _habeas corpus_. Congress has likewise +refused to reconsider the vote postponing the consideration of the bill +to create a Court of Claims. Judge S----was here, working for it; but +was doomed to disappointment. + +A few nights since a full Federal band came within a hundred yards of +our men, the Rappahannock only separating them, and played "Dixie." Our +men cheered them lustily. Then they played "Yankee Doodle," when the +Yankees cheered. After this they played "Home, sweet Home!" and all +parties cheered them. There may be something significant in this. The +pickets have orders not to fire on each other, when no demonstration is +in progress. + +Our members of Congress get salaries of $2750. A cobbler (free negro), +who mends shoes for my family, told me yesterday that he earned $10 per +day, or $3000 per annum. + +A pair of pantaloons now costs $40; boots, $60; and so on. + +We have warm weather at last, and dry. Armies will soon be in motion. + +Our government and people seem now to despair of European intervention. +But the President says our armies are more numerous, and better armed +and disciplined than at any period during the war. Hence the contest +will be maintained indefinitely for independence. With these feelings +the third year of the war opens. May God have mercy on the guilty men +who determine more blood shall be shed. The South would willingly cease +the sanguinary strife, if the invader would retire from our territory; +but just as willingly will she fight hereafter as heretofore, so long as +a foeman sets foot upon her soil. It must soon be seen with what +alacrity our people will rush to the battle-field! + +APRIL 13TH.--The Federal monitors, gun-boats, and transports no more +menace the City of Charleston! The fleet has sailed away, several of the +iron-clads towed out of the harbor being badly damaged. But before +leaving that part of the coast, the Yankees succeeded in intercepting +and sinking the merchant steamer Leopard, having 40,000 pairs of shoes, +etc. on board for our soldiers. It is supposed they will reappear before +Wilmington; our batteries there are ready for them. + +Gen. Wise assailed the enemy on Saturday, at Williamsburg, captured the +town, and drove the Federals into their fort--Magruder. + +The President was ill and nervous on Saturday. His wife, who lost her +parent at Montgomery, Ala., a month ago, and who repaired thither, is +still absent. + +Congress still refuses to clothe the President with dictatorial powers. + +Senator Oldham, of Texas, made a furious assault on the Secretary of +War, last Saturday. He says Senators, on the most urgent public +business, are subjected to the necessity of writing their names on a +slate, and then awaiting the pleasure of some lackey for permission to +enter the Secretary's office. He was quite severe in his remarks, and +moved a call on the President for certain information he desired. + +The _Sentinel_ abuses Congress for differing with the President in +regard to the retention of diplomatic agents in London, etc. And the +_Enquirer_, edited by John Mitchel, the fugitive Irishman, opens its +batteries on the _Sentinel_. So we go. + +APRIL 14TH.--We have nothing additional from Gen. Wise's expedition +against Williamsburg; but it was deprecated by our people here, whose +families and negroes have been left in that vicinity. They argue that we +cannot hold the town, or any portion of the Peninsula in the +neighborhood; and when the troops retire, the enemy will subject the +women and children to more rigorous treatment, and take all the slaves. + +We have news from Tennessee, which seems to indicate that Gen. Van Dorn +has been beaten, losing a battery, after a sanguinary battle of several +hours. Van Dorn had only cavalry--7000. This has a depressing effect. It +seems that we lose all the battles of any magnitude in the West. This +news may have been received by the President in advance of the public, +and hence his indisposition. We shall have news now every day or so. + +Albert Pike is out in a pamphlet against Gens. Holmes and Hindman. He +says their operations in Arkansas have resulted in reducing our forces, +in that State, from forty odd thousand to less than 17,000. It was +imprudent to publish such a statement. Albert Pike is a native Yankee, +but he has lived a long time in the South. + +Gov. Vance is furious at the idea of conscribing magistrates, +constables, etc. in North Carolina. He says it would be an annihilation +of State Rights--nevertheless, being subject to militia duty by the laws +of the State, they are liable under the Act of Conscription. + +Well, we are getting only some 700 conscripts per month in Virginia--the +largest State! At this rate, how are we to replenish the ranks as they +become thinned in battle? It is to be hoped the enemy will find the same +difficulty in filling up their regiments, else we have rather a gloomy +prospect before us. But God can and will save us if it be His pleasure. + +APRIL 15TH.--There is a dispatch, unofficial, from the West, +contradicting the news of the defeat of Van Dorn. On the Cumberland +River, another dispatch says, we have met with new successes, capturing +or destroying several more gun-boats. And Wheeler has certainly captured +a railroad train in the rear of the enemy, containing a large sum of +Federal money, and a number of officers. + +We have nothing from the South, except a letter from Gen. Whiting, in +regard to some demonstration at Bull Bay, S. C. + +Major Griswold, Provost Marshal, is now himself on trial before a +court-martial, for allowing 200 barrels of spirits to come into the +city. He says he had an order from the Surgeon-General; but what right +had he to give such orders? It is understood he will resign, +irrespective of the decision of the court. + +Congress, yesterday (the House of Representatives), passed a series of +resolutions, denying the authority of the government to declare martial +law, such as existed in this city under the administration of Gen. +Winder. It was a great blunder, and alienated thousands. + +We have a seasonable rain to-day. + +APRIL 16TH.--The Federal papers have heard of the failure to take +Charleston, and the sinking of the Keokuk; and yet they strive to +mollify the disaster, and represent that but little damage was sustained +by the rest of the fleet. Those that escaped, they say, have proved +themselves invulnerable. The Keokuk had ninety shots on the water line. +No wonder it sunk! + +Gen. Longstreet has invested Suffolk, this side of Norfolk, after +destroying one gun-boat and crippling another in the Nansemond River. +Unless the enemy get reinforcements, the garrison at Suffolk may be +forced to surrender. Perhaps our general may storm their works! + +I learn, to-day, that the remaining eye of the President is failing. +Total blindness would incapacitate him for the executive office. A +fearful thing to contemplate! + +APRIL 17TH.--From the Northern papers we learn that the defeat at +Charleston is called by the enemy a RECONNOISSANCE. This causes us much +merriment here; McClellan's defeat was called a "strategical movement," +and "change of base." + +We have some rumors to-day, to the effect that Gen. Hill is likely to +take Washington and Newbern, N. C.; Gen. Longstreet, Suffolk; and Gen. +Wise, Fort Magruder, and the Peninsula--he has not troops enough. + +Gold advanced 7 per cent. in New York when the news of the +"reconnoissance" reached that city. + +We are planting almost every acre in grain, to the exclusion of cotton +and tobacco--resolved never to be _starved_, nor even feel a scarcity of +provisions in future. We shall be cutting wheat in another month in +Alabama and other States. + +Among the other rumors, it is said Hooker is falling back toward +Washington, but these are merely rumors. + +The President is in a very feeble and nervous condition, and is really +threatened with the loss of sight altogether. But he works on; and few +or no visitors are admitted. He remains at his dwelling, and has not +been in the executive office these ten days. + +Col. Lay was merry again to-day. He ordered in another foreign +substitute (in North Carolina). + +Pins are so scarce and costly, that it is now a pretty general practice +to stoop down and pick up any found in the street. The boarding-houses +are breaking up, and rooms, furnished and unfurnished, are rented out to +messes. One dollar and fifty cents for beef, leaves no margin for +profit, even at $100 per month, which is charged for board, and most of +the boarders cannot afford to pay that price. Therefore they take rooms, +and buy their own scanty food. I am inclined to think provisions would +not be deficient, to an alarming extent, if they were equally +distributed. Wood is no scarcer than before the war, and yet $30 per +load (less than a cord) is demanded for it, and obtained. + +The other day Wilmington _might_ have been taken, for the troops were +sent to Beauregard. Their places have since been filled by a brigade +from Longstreet. It is a monstrous undertaking to attempt to subjugate +so vast a country as this, even with its disparity of population. We +have superior facilities for concentration, while the invader must +occupy, or penetrate the outer lines of the circumference. Our danger is +from within, not from without. We are distressed more by the +extortioners than by the enemy. Eternal infamy on the heads of +speculators in articles of prime necessity! After the war, let them be +known by the fortunes they have amassed from the sufferings of the +patriots and heroes!--the widows and orphans! + +This day is the anniversary of the secession of Virginia. The government +at Washington did not believe the separation would last two years! Nor +do they believe now, perhaps, that it will continue two years longer. + +APRIL 18TH.--We have nothing more from the Peninsula, Suffolk, N. C., or +South Carolina; but it is rumored that the enemy's gun-boats (seven or +eight) have passed down the Mississippi in spite of our batteries at +Vicksburg, which sunk one of them. If this be true, it is bad news. + +We have lovely weather now, and vegetation shows signs of the return of +the vernal season. We shall soon have blossoms and roses in abundance, +and table vegetables too, to dispel the fears of famine. But we shall +also have the horrid sounds of devastating war; and many a cheerful dame +and damsel to-day, must soon put on the weeds of mourning. + +Gen. Jos. E. Johnston has assumed the command of the army of Tennessee. +Gen. Howell Cobb is preparing for the defense of Florida. We do not hear +a word from Lee or Jackson--but this is the ominous silence preceding +their decisive action. + +Bacon fell to-day from $2 to $1.50 per pound, and butter from $3.50 to +$3.25; potatoes are $16 per bushel. And yet they say there is no +scarcity in the country. Such supplies are hoarded and hidden to extort +high prices from the destitute. An intelligent gentleman from North +Carolina told me, to-day, that food was never more abundant in his +State; nevertheless, the extortioners are demanding there very high +prices. + +This evening we have dispatches (unofficial) confirmatory of the passing +of Vicksburg by the enemy's gun-boats. One of them was destroyed, and +two disabled, while five got by uninjured. This is not cheering. No +doubt an attack by land will be made, by superior numbers, and blood +will gush in streams! + +It is now said that Longstreet has captured two gun-boats in the +Nansemond, and taken 600 prisoners; and that the Yankees in Norfolk have +been thrown into great commotion. The general in command there, Veille, +has adopted very stringent measures to keep the people sympathizing +with our cause in subjection. Perhaps he fears an outbreak. + +The weather continues fine, and we must soon have important operations +in the field. + +APRIL 19TH, SUNDAY.--It is now said Longstreet captured two transports, +instead of gun-boats, and 600 prisoners. + +_Mr. Benjamin_ reports that the enemy's gun-boats, which passed +Vicksburg, have recaptured the Queen of the West! It must be so, since +he says so. + +Mr. Baldwin, the other day, in Congress, asserted a fact, on his own +knowledge, that an innocent man had been confined in prison nearly two +years, in consequence of a mistake of one of Gen. Winder's subordinates +in writing his name, which was Simons; he wrote it Simmons! + +APRIL 20TH.--We have nothing definite from Suffolk, or from Washington, +N. C. + +But we have Northern accounts of their great disaster at Charleston. It +appears that during the brief engagement on the 7th inst., all their +monitors were so badly damaged that they were unable to prolong or to +renew the contest. They will have to be taken to New York for repairs; +and will not go into service again before autumn. Thus, after nearly a +year's preparation, and the expenditure of $100,000,000, all their +hopes, so far as Charleston is concerned, have been frustrated in a few +brief hours, under the fire of Beauregard's batteries. They complain +that England furnished us with the steel-pointed balls that penetrated +their iron turrets. To this there can be no objection; indeed it may be +productive of good, by involving the Abolitionists in a new quarrel: but +it is due to candor to state that the balls complained of were +manufactured in this city. + +It was a Federal account of the retaking the Queen of the West, reported +by Mr. Benjamin; and hence, it is not generally believed. + +It is thought by many that Hooker will change his base from the +Rappahannock to the Pamunky, embarking his army in transports. If this +be so, we shall again have the pleasure of hearing the thunders of +battle, this summer, in Richmond. + +Gen. Lee has been quite ill, but is now recovering. + +APRIL 21ST.--Gen. Longstreet lost, it is said, two 32-pounder guns +yesterday, with which he was firing on the enemy's gun-boats. A force +was landed and captured the battery. + +Gen. Lee writes that his men have each, daily, but a quarter pound of +meat and 16 ounces of flour. They have, besides, 1 pound of rice to +every ten men, two or three times a week. He says this may keep them +_alive_; but that at this season they should have more generous food. +The scurvy and the typhoid fever are appearing among them. Longstreet +and Hill, however, it is hoped will succeed in bringing off supplies of +provision, etc.--such being the object of their demonstrations. + +Gen. Wise has fallen back, being ordered by Gen. Elzey not to attempt +the capture of Fort Magruder--a feat he could have accomplished. + +APRIL 22D.--The President is reported to be very ill to-day--dangerously +ill--with inflammation of the throat, etc. While this is a source of +grief to nearly all, it is the subject of secret joy to others. I am +sure I have seen some officers of rank to-day, not _fighting_ officers, +who sincerely hope the President will not recover. He has his faults, +but upon the whole is no doubt well qualified for the position he +occupies. I trust he will recover. + +The destruction of the Queen of the West, and of another of our +steamers, is confirmed. Is not Pemberton and Blanchard responsible? + +The loss of two guns and forty men the other day, on the Nansemond, is +laid at the door of Major-Gen. French, a Northern man! Can it be Gen. +Cooper (Northern) who procures the appointment of so many Northern +generals in our army? + +I cut the following from the _Dispatch_ of yesterday: + +_Produce, etc._--Bacon has further declined, and we now quote $1.25 to +$1.30 for hog-round; butter, $2.25 to $3 per pound; beans in demand at +$20 per bushel. Corn is lower--we quote at $6 to $6.50 per bushel; corn +meal, $7 to $9 per bushel--the latter figure for a limited quantity; +candles, $3.50 to $3.75 per pound; fruit--dried apples, $10 to $12; +dried peaches, $15 to $18 per bushel; flour--superfine, $31 to $32; +extra, $34; family, $36; hay is in very small supply--sales at $15 per +cwt.; lard, $1.65 to $1.70 per pound; potatoes--Irish, $3 to $10; sweet, +$10 to $11 per bushel; rice, 25 to 33 cents per pound; wheat, $6.50 to +$7 per bushel. + +_Groceries._--Sugars have a declining tendency: we quote brown at $1.15 +to $1.25; molasses, $9 to $10 per gallon; coffee, $4 to $4.50; salt, 45 +cents per pound; whisky, $28 to $35; apple brandy, $24 to $25; French +brandy, $65 per gallon. + +APRIL 23D.--The President's health is improving. His eye is better; and +he would have been in his office to-day (the first time for three weeks) +if the weather (raining) had been fine. + +The expenses of the war amount now to $60,000,000 per month, or +$720,000,000 per annum. This enormous expenditure is owing to the absurd +prices charged for supplies by the farmers, to save whose slaves and +farms the war is waged, in great part. They are charging the government +$20 per hundred weight, or $400 per ton for hay! Well, we shall soon see +if they be reluctant to pay the taxes soon to be required of +them--one-tenth of all their crops, etc. If they refuse to pay, then +what will they deserve? + +APRIL 24TH.--We lost five fine guns and over a hundred men on the +Nansemond; and we learn that more of the enemy's gun-boats and +transports have passed Vicksburg! These are untoward tidings. Gens. +Pemberton and French are severely criticised. + +We had a tragedy in the street to-day, near the President's office. It +appears that Mr. Dixon, Clerk of the House of Representatives, recently +dismissed one of his under clerks, named Ford, for reasons which I have +not heard; whereupon the latter notified the former of an intention to +assault him whenever they should meet. About two P.M. they met in Bank +Street; Ford asked Dixon if he was ready; and upon an affirmative +response being given, they both drew their revolvers and commenced +firing. Dixon missed Ford, and was wounded by his antagonist, but did +not fall. He attempted to fire again, but the pistol missed fire. Ford's +next shot missed D. and wounded a man in Main Street, some seventy paces +beyond; but his next fire took effect in Dixon's breast, who fell and +expired in a few moments. + +Many of our people think that because the terms of enlistment of so many +in the Federal army will expire next month, we shall not have an active +spring campaign. It may be so; but I doubt it. Blood must flow as freely +as ever! + +APRIL 25TH.--We have bad news from the West. The enemy (cavalry, I +suppose) have penetrated Mississippi some 200 miles, down to the +railroad between Vicksburg and Meridian. This is in the rear and east +of Vicksburg, and intercepts supplies. They destroyed two trains. This +dispatch was sent to the Secretary of War by the President without +remark. The _Enquirer_ this morning contained a paragraph stating that +Gen. Pemberton was exchanging civilities with Gen. Sherman, and had sent +him a beautiful bouquet! Did he have any conception of the surprise the +enemy was executing at the moment? Well, Mississippi is the President's +State, and if he is satisfied with Northern generals to defend it, he is +as likely to be benefited as any one else. + +Gen. Beauregard is urging the government to send more heavy guns to +Savannah. + +I saw an officer to-day just from Charleston. He says none of the +enemy's vessels came nearer than 900 yards of our batteries, and that +the Northern statements about the monitors becoming entangled with +obstructions are utterly false, for there were no obstructions in the +water to impede them. But he says one of the monitors was directly over +a torpedo, containing 4000 pounds of powder, which we essayed in vain to +ignite. + +APRIL 26TH.--This being Sunday I shall hear no news, for I will not be +in any of the departments. + +There is a vague understanding that notwithstanding the repulse of the +enemy at Charleston, still the Federal Government collects the duties on +merchandise brought into that port, and, indeed, into all other ports. +These importations, although purporting to be conducted by British +adventurers, it is said are really contrived by Northern merchants, who +send hither (with the sanction of the Federal Government, by paying the +duty in advance) British and French goods, and in return ship our cotton +to Liverpool, etc., whence it is sometimes reshipped to New York. The +duties paid the United States are of course paid by the consumers in the +Confederate States, in the form of an additional per centum on the +prices of merchandise. Some suppose this arrangement has the sanction of +certain members of our government. The plausibility of this scheme (if +it really exists) is the fact that steamers having munitions of war +rarely get through the blockading fleet without trouble, while those +having only merchandise arrive in safety almost daily. Gen. D. Green +intimates that Mr. Memminger, and Frazer & Co., Charleston, are +personally interested in the profits of heavy importations. + +APRIL 27TH.--A dispatch from Montgomery, Ala., states that the enemy +have penetrated as far as Enterprise, Miss., where we had a small body +of troops, conscripts. If this be merely a raid, it is an extraordinary +one, and I feel some anxiety to learn the conclusion of it. It is hard +to suppose a small force of the enemy would evince such temerity. But if +it be supported by an army, and the position maintained, Vicksburg is +doomed. We shall get no more sugar from Louisiana. + +APRIL 28TH.--The enemy's raid in Mississippi seems to have terminated at +Enterprise, where we collected a force and offered battle, but the +invaders retreated. It is said they had 1600 cavalry and 5 guns, and the +impression prevails that but few of them will ever return. It is said +they sent back a detachment of 200 men some days ago with their booty, +watches, spoons, jewelry, etc. rifled from the habitations of the +non-combating people. + +I saw Brig.-Gen. Chilton to-day, Chief of Gen. Lee's Staff. He says, +when the time comes, Gen. Lee will do us all justice. I asked him if +Richmond were safe, and he responded in the affirmative. + +I am glad the Secretary of War has stopped the blockade-running +operations of Gen. Winder and Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary of +War. Until to-day, Gen. W. issued many passports which were invariably +approved by Judge Campbell, but for some cause, and Heaven knows there +is cause enough, Mr. Secretary has ordered that no more passports be +granted Marylanders or foreigners to depart from the Confederacy. I hope +Mr. S. will not "back down" from this position. + +To-day I returned to the department from the Bureau of Conscription, +being required at my old post by Mr. Kean, Chief of the Bureau of War, +my friend, Jacques, being out of town with a strangury. Thus it is; when +Congress meets I am detailed on service out of the department, and when +Congress adjourns they send for me back again. Do they object to my +acquaintance with the members? + +A few weeks ago I addressed the President a letter suggesting that an +alphabetical analysis be made of letter and indorsement books, embracing +principles of decisions, and not names. This I did for the Bureau of +Conscription, which was found very useful. Precedents could thus be +readily referred to when, as was often the case, the names of parties +could not be recollected. It happened, singularly enough, that this +paper came into my hands with forty-nine others to-day, at the +department, where I shall wholly remain hereafter. The President seemed +struck with the idea, and indorsed a reference on it to the "State, +Treasury, War, and Navy Departments," and also to the Attorney General. +I shall be curious to know what the Secretary thinks of this plan. No +matter what the Secretary of War thinks of it; he declined my plan of +deriving supplies directly from the people, and then adopted it. + +APRIL 29TH.--Gen. Beauregard is eager to have completed the "Torpedo +Ram," building at Charleston, and wants a "great gun" for it. But the +Secretary of the Navy wants all the iron for _mailing_ his gun-boats. +Mr. Miles, of South Carolina, says the ram will be worth two gun-boats. + +The President of the Manassas Gap Railroad says his company is bringing +all its old iron to the city. Wherefore? + +The merchants of Mobile are protesting against the impressment by +government agents of the sugar and molasses in the city. They say this +conduct will double the prices. So Congress did not and cannot restrain +the military authorities. + +Gen. Humphrey Marshall met with no success in Kentucky. He writes that +none joined him, when he was led to expect large accessions, and that he +could get neither stock nor hogs. Alas, poor Kentucky! The brave hunters +of former days have disappeared from the scene. + +The Secretary of War was not _permitted_ to see my letter which the +President referred to him, in relation to an alphabetical analysis of +the decisions of the departments. The _Assistant_ Secretary, Judge +Campbell, and the young Chief of the Bureau of War, sent it to the +Secretary of the Navy, who, of course, they knew had no decisions to be +preserved. Mr. Kean, I learn, indorsed a hearty approval of the plan, +and said he would put it in operation in the War Office. But he said +(with his concurrence, no doubt) that _Judge Campbell_ had suggested it +some time before. Well, that may be; but I first suggested it a year +ago, and before either Mr. K. or Judge Campbell were in office. Office +makes curious changes in men! Still, I think Mr. Seddon badly used in +not being permitted to see the communications the President sends him. I +have the privilege, and will use it, of sending papers directly to the +Secretary. + +Gen. Lee telegraphs the President to-day to send troops to Gordonsville, +and to hasten forward supplies. He says Lt.-Gen. Longstreet's corps +might now be sent from Suffolk to him. Something of magnitude is on the +tapis, whether offensive or defensive, I could not judge from the +dispatch. + +We had hail this evening as large as pullets' eggs. + +The Federal papers have accounts of brilliant successes in Louisiana and +Missouri, having taken 1600 prisoners in the former State and defeated +Price at Cape Girardeau in the latter. Whether these accounts are +authentic or not we have no means of knowing yet. We have nothing +further from Mississippi. + +It is said there is some despondency in Washington. + +Our people will die in the last ditch rather than be subjugated and see +the confiscation of their property. + +APRIL 30TH.--The enemy are advancing across the Rappahannock, and the +heavy skirmishing which precedes a battle has begun. We are sending up +troops and supplies with all possible expedition. Decisive events are +looked for in a few days. But if all of Longstreet's corps be sent up, +we leave the southern approach to the city but weakly defended. Hooker +must have overwhelming numbers, else he would not venture to advance in +the face of Lee's army! Can he believe the silly tale about our troops +being sent from Virginia to the Carolinas? If so, he will repent his +error. + +We hear of fighting in Northwestern Virginia and in Louisiana, but know +not the result. The enemy have in possession all of Louisiana west of +the Mississippi River. This is bad for us,--sugar and salt will be +scarcer still. At Grand Gulf our batteries have repulsed their +gun-boats, but the battle is to be renewed. + +The railroad presidents have met in this city, and ascertained that to +keep the tracks in order for military purposes, 49,500 tons of rails +must be manufactured per annum, and that the Tredegar Works here, and +the works at Atlanta, cannot produce more than 20,000 tons per annum, +even if engaged exclusively in that work! They say that neither +individual nor incorporated companies will suffice. The government must +manufacture iron or the roads must fail! + +A cheering letter was received from Gov. Vance to-day, stating that, +upon examination, the State (North Carolina) contains a much larger +supply of meat and grain than was supposed. The State Government will, +in a week or so, turn over to the Confederate Government 250,000 pounds +of bacon, and a quantity of corn; and as speculators are driven out of +the market, the Confederate States agents will be able to purchase large +supplies from the people, who really have a considerable surplus of +provisions. He attributes this auspicious state of things to the +cessation of arbitrary impressments. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +Lee snuffs a battle in the breeze.--Hooker's army supposed to be 100,000 + men.--Lee's perhaps 55,000 efficient.--I am planting potatoes.--Part + of Longstreet's army gone up.--Enemy makes a raid.--Great victory at + Chancellorville.--Hot weather.--Our poor wounded coming in streams, + in ambulances and on foot.--Hooker has lost the game.--Message from + the enemy.--They ask of Lee permission to bury their dead.--Granted, + of course.--Hooker fortifying.--Food getting scarce again.--Gen. + Lee's thanks to the army.--Crowds of prisoners coming in.-- + Lieut.-Gen. Jackson dead.--Hooker's raiders "hooked" a great many + horses.--Enemy demand 500,000 more men.--Beauregard complains that so + many of his troops are taken to Mississippi.--Enemy at Jackson, + Miss.--Strawberries.--R. Tyler.--My cherries are coming on finely.-- + Ewell and Hill appointed lieutenant-generals.--President seems to + doubt Beauregard's veracity.--Hon. D. M. Lewis cuts his wheat + to-morrow, May 28th.--Johnston says our troops are in fine spirits + around Vicksburg.--Grant thunders on.--Plan of servile insurrection. + + +MAY 1ST.--Gov. Vance writes that Gen. Hill desires him to call out the +militia, believing the enemy, balked in the attempt on Charleston, will +concentrate their forces against North Carolina. But the Governor is +reluctant to call the non-conscripts from the plow in the planting +season. He thinks the defense of North Carolina has not been adequately +provided for by the government, and that his State has been neglected +for the benefit of others. He asks heavy guns; and says half the +armament hurled against Charleston would suffice for the capture of +Wilmington. + +A protest, signed by the thousands of men taken at Arkansas Post, now +exchanged, against being kept on this side of the Mississippi, has been +received. The protest was also signed by the members of Congress from +Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Missouri. + +Capt. Causey, of the Signal Corps, writes that there are only a few +battalions of the enemy on the Peninsula; but that rations for 40,000 +men are sent to Suffolk. + +Gen. Lee announces the crossing of the Rappahannock at Port Royal (which +the Yankees pillaged) and at places above Fredericksburg. Gen. Stuart is +hovering on their flank. A great battle may happen any moment. + +L. E. Harvey, president of Richmond and Danville Railroad, asks for +details to repair locomotives, else daily trains (freight) must be +reduced to tri-weekly trains--and then the army cannot be sustained in +Virginia. + +Hon. Mr. Garnett asked (and obtained) permission for a Mr. Hurst (Jew?) +to pass our lines, and bring Northern merchandise to Richmond for sale. +He vouches for his loyalty to Virginia. Congress has before it a bill +rendering this traffic criminal. + +MAY 2D.--The awful hour, when thousands of human lives are to be +sacrificed in the attempt to wrest this city from the Confederate +States, has come again. Now parents, wives, sisters, brothers, and +little children, both in the North and in the South, hold their breath +in painful expectation. At the last accounts the two armies, yesterday, +were drawn up in battle array, facing each other. No water flowed +between them, the Northern army being on this side of the Rappahannock. +We have no means of knowing their relative numbers; but I suspect Gen. +Hooker commands more than 100,000 men, while Gen. Lee's army, perhaps, +does not exceed 55,000 efficients. + +Accounts by passengers, and reports from the telegraph operators at the +northern end of the line, some ten or twelve miles this side of the +armies, indicate that the battle was joined early this morning. +Certainly heavy cannonading was heard. Yet nothing important transpired +up to 3 P.M., when I left the department, else I should have known it. +Still, the battle may be raging, without, as yet, decisive result, and +the general may not have leisure to be dictating dispatches. + +Yet the heavy artillery may be only the preliminary overture to the +desperate engagement; and it seems to me that several days might be +spent in manoeuvring into position before the shock of arms occurs, +which will lay so many heads low in the dust. + +But a great battle seems inevitable. All the world knows the fighting +qualifications of Gen. Lee, and the brave army he commands; and Gen. +Hooker will, of course, make every effort to sustain his reputation as +"fighting Joe." Besides, he commands, for the first time, an army: and +knows well that failure to fight, or failure to win, will consign him to +the same disgrace of all his predecessors who have hitherto commanded +the "Army of the Potomac." + +It is certain that a column of Federal cavalry, yesterday, cut the +Central Railroad at Trevillian's depot, which prevents communication +with Gordonsville, if we should desire to send heavy stores thither. And +some suppose Lee is manoeuvring to get in the rear of Hooker, which +would place the enemy between him and Richmond! He could then cut off +his supplies, now being drawn by wagons some twenty or thirty miles, and +spread alarm even to Washington. But, then, how would it be with +Richmond, if Hooker should accept the position, and if the force at +Suffolk should advance on the south side of the river, and gun-boats and +transports were to come, simultaneously, up the York and James? Has +Hooker the genius to conceive such a plan? Suppose it were so, and that +he has shipped his supplies from the Potomac--the supplies which Stuart +expects to capture--with the desperate resolution, abandoning his base +on the Rappahannock, to force a junction with the heavy detachments +south and east of this city? A Napoleon would get Richmond--_but then +Lee might get Washington_! Longstreet's corps is somewhere in transitu +between Petersburg and Gordonsville, and would no doubt be ordered here, +and it might arrive in time. Our defenses are strong; but at this moment +we have only Gen. Wise's brigade, and a few battalions at the batteries, +to defend the capital--some 5000 in all. + +This is mere speculation, to be succeeded speedily by awful facts. The +inhabitants here do not doubt the result, although there is a feverish +anxiety to get intelligence. There is no such thing as fear, in this +community, of personal danger, even among the women and children; but +there is some alarm by the opulent inhabitants, some of whom, for the +sake of their property, would submit to the invader. One thing is pretty +certain, Richmond will not fall by assault without costing the lives of +50,000 men, which is about equal to its population in ordinary times. + +Well, I am planting potatoes in my little garden, and hope to reap the +benefit of them. I pay 50 cts. per quart for seed potatoes, and should +be chagrined to find my expenditure of money and labor had been for the +benefit of the invader! Yet it may be so; and if it should be, still +there are other little gardens to cultivate where we might fly to. We +have too broad and too long a territory in the revolted States to be +overrun and possessed by the troops of the United States. + +MAY 3D.--We have no further news from the army, except the usual +skirmishing. A number of our wounded arrived last evening. An officer +reports that, from what he could see of the enemy's conduct, the +soldiers do not come to the point with alacrity. He thinks they fight +with reluctance, and are liable to be routed any hour by inferior +numbers. + +Troops were sent up in special trains last night, and also this morning. +These are some of the regiments which Gen. D. P. Hill had in North +Carolina; and hence the complaints of Gov. Vance, that his State did not +have its just proportion of the protection of the government. Of +Longstreet's movements, I am not advised. But there will be news enough +in a few days. + +The President's health is still precarious, and he is still threatened +with the loss of his remaining eye. + +The Vice-President was in my office yesterday, and told me his health is +quite as good as usual. One would suppose him to be afflicted with all +manner of diseases, and doomed to speedy dissolution; but, then, he has +worn this appearance during the last twenty years. His eyes are +magnificent, and his mind is in the meridian of intellectual vigor. + +There has been some commotion in the city this afternoon and evening, +but no painful alarm, produced by intelligence that the enemy's cavalry, +that cut the road at Trevillian's depot, had reached Ashland and +destroyed the depot. Subsequent rumors brought them within eight miles +of the city; and we have no force of any consequence here. The account +was brought from Ashland by a Mr. Davis, who killed his horse in riding +eighteen miles in one hour and a half. + +Later in the day a young man, sixteen years old (Shelton), reached the +city from Hanover on a United States horse, the enemy having foraged on +his father's farm and taken his blooded steed. He says, when he escaped +from them (having been taken prisoner this morning) 1500 were at his +father's place, and three times as many more, being 6000 in all, were +resting a short distance apart on another farm; but such ideas of +numbers are generally erroneous. They told him they had been in the +saddle five days, and had burnt all the bridges behind them to prevent +pursuit. It was after this that they cut the road at Ashland. They +professed to have fresh horses taken from our people, leaving their own. +I think they will disappear down the Pamunky, and of course will cut the +Central and York River Roads, and the wires. Thus communication with +Lee's army is interrupted! + +The Fredericksburg train, of course, failed to arrive to-day at 6 P.M.; +and it is rumored there were 700 of our wounded in it, and that a great +battle was fought yesterday by Lee. These are rumors. + +MAY 4TH.--This morning early the _tocsin_ sounded, and the din, kept up +for several hours, intensified the alarm. The presence of the enemy +would not have produced a greater effect. But, in truth, the enemy were +almost in sight of the city. Hon. James Lyons told me they were within a +mile and a half of his house, which is about that distance from the +city. Thousands of men, mostly old men and employees of the government, +were instantly organized and marched to the batteries. + +But the alarm subsided about 10 A.M. upon information being received +that the enemy were flying before Gen. Wise down the Peninsula. + +After this the following dispatch was received from Gen. Lee: + + "MILFORD, May 3d, 1863. + + "PRESIDENT DAVIS. + + "Yesterday Gen. Jackson, with three of his divisions, penetrated to + the rear of the enemy, and drove him from all his positions, from + the Wilderness to within one mile of Chancellorville. He was + engaged at the same time, in front, by two of Longstreet's + divisions. This morning the battle was renewed. He was dislodged + from all his positions around Chancellorville, and driven back + toward the Rappahannock, over which he is now retreating. + + "Many prisoners were taken, and the enemy's loss, in killed and + wounded, large. + + "We have again to thank Almighty God for a great victory. + + "I regret to state that Gen. Paxton was killed. Gen. Jackson + severely, and Generals Heth and A. P. Hill slightly, wounded. + + "(Signed) R. E. LEE, _General_." + +Enough is known to raise the spirits of all. Gen. Lee gives thanks to +God "for a great victory;" and he never misleads, never exaggerates. + +My son Custis got a musket and marched in one of the companies--I have +not learned which--for the defense of the city. It is a sultry day, and +he will suffer. + +The President was driven out in a light open carriage after the +reception of Gen. Lee's dispatch, and exhibited the finest spirits. He +was even diverted at the zeal of the old men and boys marching out with +heavy muskets to the batteries. + +Brig.-Gen. Pryor, who has been under arrest (I know not for what +offense), volunteered in a company of horse, and galloped away with the +rest in pursuit of the enemy. + +MAY 5TH.--To-day the excitement was quite as great as ever, for bodies +of the enemy are still in the vicinity. They are like frightened quails +when the hawks are after them, skurrying about the country in battalions +and regiments. Fitzhugh Lee defeated one of their parties, and reports +that the entire cavalry force of Hooker, in anticipation of certain +victory, had been detached in the rear of Lee's army. This force +comprises twenty-eight regiments, or 15,000 mounted men! Now that Hooker +is defeated--our operator at Guiney's station dispatches to-day that it +is reported there, and believed, that Hooker and his staff are +prisoners--it may be reasonably doubted whether one-half of this wild +cavalry will escape. It was the mad pranks of a desperate commander. +Hooker cast all upon the hazard of the die--and lost. + +Among the mad pranks of the enemy, they sent a message over the wires +to-day from Louisa County, I believe, to this purport: "For Heaven's +sake, come and take us. We are broken down, and will surrender." + +They captured an engine sent out yesterday to repair the road. The white +men escaped, leaving two free negroes. The Yankees made the negroes put +on a full head of steam, and run the locomotive into the river. + +One of the enemy was taken sleeping at one of our city batteries near +the river. + +My friend, Dr. Powell, on the Brooke Turnpike, sent his little son, +mounted on his finest horse, on an errand to a neighbor. The lad fell +in with, as he called, them, "some Yankee Dutchmen," who presented their +pistols and made him dismount. They took his horse and allowed him to +return. + +At the hour we were dining yesterday, the enemy were within two and a +half miles of us on the Brooke road, and might have thrown shell into +this part of the city. + +Col. D. J. Godwin writes a long letter to the Secretary of War, from +King and Queen Counties, concerning the great number of suspicious +persons continually passing our lines into those of the enemy, with +passports from this city; and the great injury done by the information +they give. Unquestionably they have not only given information, but have +furnished guides to the many regiments of cavalry now skurrying through +the country. But the Baltimore Plug Uglies, under the protection of Gen. +Winder, are the masters, now Mr. Secretary Seddon has yielded again. + +A letter was received from Gen. J. E. Johnston to-day. He is too unwell +to take the field, and suggests, if it be desirable to be in regular +communication with Gen. Bragg, that the President send out a +_confidential_ officer. He says the army is suffering for meat, and if +it retires into East Tennessee, supplies must be obtained from its +flanks instead of from its rear, which would be dangerous. The letter +was dated a week ago, and gives no indications of a battle. The general +says he is exchanging sugar for bacon; but condemns the practice of +allowing our people to sell cotton to the enemy for supplies. In my +opinion none but government cotton should be exchanged for subsistence. +He says the people are subjugated by trade. He suggests that our men +when paroled, and not exchanged, may do duty otherwise than in arms--as +is practiced by the enemy. + +H. D. Bird, general superintendent of the railroad, writes from +Petersburg that the movements of cars with ammunition, etc. are thrown +into confusion by the neglect of telegraph agents in giving timely +notice. _This_ is an unfortunate time for confusion. I sent the letter +to the Secretary, and know that it was not "filed" on the way to him. + +A communication came in to-day from the Committee of Safety at Mobile, +Ala., charging that J. S. Clark, Wm. G. Ford, and ---- Hurt, have been +shipping cotton to New Orleans, after pretending to clear it for Nassau. +It says Mr. Clarke was an intimate crony of Gen. Butler's speculating +brother. It also intimates that the people believe the government here +winks at these violations of the act of Congress of April, 1862. + +Very curiously, a letter came from the Assistant Secretary's room to-day +for "file," which was written April 22d, 1861, by R. H. Smith to Judge +Campbell--a private letter--warning him not to come to Mobile, as +nothing was thought of but secession, and it was believed Judge C. had +used his influence with Mr. Seward to prevent secession. The writer +deprecates civil war. And quite as curiously, the _Examiner_ to-day +contains what purports to be Admiral Buchanan's correspondence with the +Lincoln government, two letters, the first in April, 1861, tendering his +resignation, and the last on May 4th, begging, if it had not been done +already, that the government would not accept his resignation. + +MAY 6TH.--The excitement has subsided, as troops come pouring in, and +many improvised cavalry companies go out in quest of the fox--who has +vanished we know not exactly whither. + +It is believed we have taken 15,000 or 20,000 prisoners, and that the +enemy's killed, wounded, and prisoners must reach the appalling number +of 40,000. + +On Sunday, the enemy opposite Fredericksburg sent over a flag, asking +permission to bury their dead. This was granted. But when they came--two +corps under Gen. Sedgwick came over and fell upon our few regiments in +the vicinity. So goes the story. Then, it is said, when Gen. Lee ordered +two of our divisions to drive Sedgwick back, the men, learning the enemy +with the flag of truce had given no quarter to their comrades, refused +to fight unless permitted to retaliate in _kind_. This was promised +them; and then their charge was irresistible, never pausing until the +Yankees were hurled back across the river. No prisoners were taken. +However this may be, Gen. Lee sends the following to the President: + + "[Received by telegraph from Guiney's Depot.] + + "HEADQUARTERS, 10 o'clock A.M., + + "May 5, 1863. + + "TO HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT DAVIS. + + "At the close of the battle of Chancellorville, on Sunday, the + enemy was reported advancing from Fredericksburg in our rear. + + "Gen. McLaws was sent back to arrest his progress, and repulsed him + handsomely that afternoon. Learning that this force consisted of + two corps, under Gen. Sedgwick, I determined to attack it, and + marched back yesterday with Gen. Anderson, and uniting with Gens. + McLaws and Early in the afternoon, succeeded by the blessing of + Heaven in driving Gen. Sedgwick over the river. We have reoccupied + Fredericksburg, and no enemy remains south of the Rappahannock in + its vicinity. + + "(Signed) R. E. LEE, _General_." + +Another dispatch from Gen. Lee says Hooker is still on this side of the +river, at United States Ford, _fortifying_. + +Gen. Longstreet is now closeted with the Secretary of War. No doubt his +entire corps will immediately rejoin Lee. + +Jackson was wounded (his arm has been amputated) before the great battle +was fought, by our own men, in the gloom of the evening, supposing him a +Federal officer. He was reconnoitering in front of the line. + +S. S. H---- writes to the department, proposing to send an emissary to +the North, to organize secret societies to destroy the enemy's stores, +ships, railroad bridges, etc. by an unexplained process. + +Tillman, Griffin & Co. write to Judge Campbell to obtain them permission +to trade with Mexico. Does this mean trading cotton with the enemy? I +know not whether the request was granted. + +Mr. Benjamin, Secretary of State, writes to the Secretary to-day for +permission for some of his Louisiana friends to leave the country in a +government steamer. + +It is said that the government at Washington is ordering their troops +from North Carolina and other places on the Southern seaboard towards +Washington, and to reinforce Hooker--or Hooker's army. I think Hooker +himself will go the way of all general flesh that fails. + +The President sent to the War Department fifty-five letters to-day, +written to him on various subjects, but mostly asking appointments. He +had read them, and several had indorsed on them, in his own hand, what +he wished done in the premises. So he has not lost his sight. He still +attends to business at his dwelling, and has not been in his office for +more than a month. + +Secretary Seddon is gaunt and emaciated, with long straggling hair, +mingled gray and black. He looks like a dead man galvanized into +muscular animation. His eyes are sunken, and his features have the hue +of a man who had been in his grave a full month. But he is an orator, +and a man of fine education--but in bad health, being much afflicted +with neuralgia. His administrative capacity will be taxed by the +results. + +MAY 7TH.--A scout came in to-day with the vexatious intelligence that a +body of hostile cavalry is still in Louisa County. And later in the day +we have information that the Mattapony bridge was burned last night! +Thus again is communication interrupted between Gen. Lee and the city! +Our wounded cannot be brought to the hospitals here, nor supplies sent +to them! It really does seem as if an organization of Union men here +were co-operating with the enemy, else they never could disappear and +reappear so often with impunity. Every one is asking what Gens. Elzey +and Winder are doing--and echo answers, WHAT? + +There is a great pressure for passports to leave the country. Mr. +Benjamin writes an indignant letter to the Secretary against Gen. +Whiting, at Wilmington, for detaining a Mr. Flanner's steamer, laden +with cotton for some of the nationalities--Mr. B. intimates a foreign or +neutral power. But when once away from our shore, many of these vessels +steer for New York, depositing large sums "for those whom it may +concern." + +Mr. J. B. Campbell, attorney for J. E. Hertz (Jew), writes a long letter +to "J. A. Campbell, Assistant Secretary of War," urging the payment of +the slight sum of $25,200 for ninety kegs of bicarbonate of soda seized +by the agent of the department! The true value is about $250! + +At two o'clock this afternoon a note was received by the Secretary of +War from Lieut.-Gen. Longstreet (still in the city), stating that the +President last night desired him to go to Gen. Lee immediately; but the +general, during the day, has become convinced that he should not leave +the city until communications are re-established with Gen. Lee, and the +city in a condition of defense against the sudden dash of one or two +columns of the enemy--an event, he thinks, meditated by the Yankees! And +the persistency of the Federal cavalry in hanging round the city in +spite of all the generals here, and the many companies, battalions, and +regiments vainly sent out in quest of them, would seem to indicate such +purpose. + +But the raids in the West don't seem to flourish so well. We have an +official dispatch from Gen. Bragg, stating that Gen. Forrest has +captured 1600 of the enemy's cavalry in a body, near Rome, Georgia. + +There are amusing scenes among the horrors of war, as the following, +taken from a paper to-day, shows: + +"_Taking the Oath under Protest._--A few weeks ago a laughable incident +occurred in the neighborhood of Nashville, which is worthy of record. A +saucy, dashing young girl, of the Southern persuasion, was, with a +number of other ladies, brought into the presence of Gen. Rosecrans, in +order that their Southern ardor might be checked by the administration +of the oath of loyalty. The bold, bright-eyed Juno in question, objected +to take the oath, saying that her mother had taught her that it was +unlady-like to swear; her sense of morality forbid her to swear, and +swear she could and would not. The officer insisted that the lady _must_ +take an oath before she left his presence. + +"'Well, general,' said bright eyes, 'if I must swear, I will; but all +sins of the oath must rest on your shoulders, for I swear on your +compulsion: "G--d d--m every Yankee to h--l!'" + +"And the defiant beauty tossed her dark curls and swept out of the +presence unmolested."--_Nashville Union._ + +7 O'CLOCK P.M. The report that the bridge over the Mattapony had been +burned by the enemy was false--invented probably by a spy or emissary, +who has enjoyed the freedom of the city under the Dogberrys and Vergises +imported hither to preserve the government. A number of trains +containing our wounded men, guarded by a detachment of troops, have +arrived at the Fredericksburg depot. An officer just arrived from the +army says we have taken 15,000 prisoners. If this be so, the loss of the +enemy during the week in Virginia will not be less than 40,000. Our loss +in killed and wounded is estimated at from 8 to 10,000--we lost a few +hundred prisoners. We have taken, it is said, 53 guns, and lost 14. + +I think the reports to-day of squadrons of the enemy's cavalry seen in +the surrounding counties are not reliable--they were probably our own +men in quest of the enemy. + +MAY 8TH.--To-day the city is in fine spirits. Hooker had merely thrown +up defenses to protect his flight across the river. The following +dispatch was received last night from Gen. Lee: + + "CHANCELLORVILLE, May 7th, 1863. + + "TO HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT DAVIS. + + "After driving Gen. Sedgwick across the Rappahannock, on the night + of the 4th inst., I returned on the 5th to Chancellorville. The + march was delayed by a storm, which continued all night and the + following day. In placing the troops in position on the morning of + the 6th, to attack Gen. Hooker, it was ascertained he had abandoned + his fortified position. The line of skirmishers was pressed forward + until they came within range of the enemy's batteries, planted + north of the Rappahannock, which, from the configuration of the + ground, completely commanded this side. His army, therefore, + escaped with the loss of a few additional prisoners. + + "(Signed) R. E. LEE, _General_." + +Thus ends the career of Gen. Hooker, who, a week ago, was at the head of +an army of 150,000 men, perfect in drill, discipline, and all the +muniments of war. He came a confident invader against Gen. Lee at the +head of 65,000 "butternuts," as our honest poor-clad defenders were +called, and we see the result! An active campaign of less than a week, +and Hooker is hurled back in disgrace and irreparable disaster! Tens of +thousands of his men will never live to "fight another day"--and +although the survivors did "run away," it is doubtful whether they can +be put in fighting trim again for many a month. + +And the raiding cavalry have not been heard from to-day. If they be not +back on the north side of the Rappahannock by this time, it is probable +they will reach Richmond in a few days without arms, and on foot. + +Gens. Hood's and Pickett's divisions (Longstreet's corps) are now +passing through the city--perhaps 15,000 of the best fighting men in the +South. Oh, what wisdom and foresight were evinced by Gen. Lee, when, +some ten days ago, he telegraphed the President to send him Longstreet's +corps, via Gordonsville! It was referred to the Secretary of War, who +consulted with Gen. Cooper--and of course it was not done. This corps +was not in the battle. If it had been on the field, Hooker's destruction +would have been speedy and complete; and his routed regiments would have +been followed to the very gates of the Federal capital. As it was, Lee +lost a day in driving Sedgwick back--and then Hooker "escaped," as Lee +expresses it. + +I do not understand the Assistant Secretary of War's official +correspondence. He sent in the other day a letter addressed to him two +years ago to be filed--and to-day an envelope addressed to him as +Assistant Secretary by Mr. Benjamin, Secretary of State, merely covering +a letter (sealed) for R. S. Bunkee, Mobile, Alabama. Well, it is filed. + +The pressure for permits to leave the Confederacy is not renewed to-day. +Judge Campbell will not have so many passports to "approve," and I trust +confidence in the permanency of the Confederacy will be unshaken. How +must they feel who, in anticipation of Lee's defeat, had received, in +advance, a pardon from the powers at Washington! + +Col. Lay was in to-day; he thinks the North will be cheered a little by +their capture of Grand Gulf, in the West. But that is not Vicksburg, or +Charleston, or Richmond. + +We have had short allowance of food yesterday and to-day; the country +people being afraid to come to market, lest their horses should be +seized to go in quest of the enemy's cavalry. My family dined to-day on +eight fresh herrings, which cost two dollars. + +The trains from Fredericksburg brought down several hundred Federal +officers; among them was a general, a large number of colonels, +lieutenant-colonels, majors, captains, etc. These, when exchanged, as I +suppose they will be--for victory makes our government magnanimous--may, +if they choose, deny the report that the raiding cavalry destroyed the +railroad. + +Now what will the _Tribune_ say? It did say, a few months ago, that if +the effort to crush the rebellion failed this spring, it would be +useless to prolong the war--and that peace should be made on the best +practicable terms. Since the beginning of the war, I doubt not 500,000 +men have been precipitated upon Virginia. Where are they now? In the +third year of the war, we see "the finest army the world ever saw," +overthrown by about half its numbers, and in full retreat toward its own +frontier. Perhaps 100,000 invaders have found bloody graves in +Virginia--and an equal number have died of their wounds, or from disease +contracted in this State. The number of maimed and disabled must also be +100,000--and yet Richmond is not taken, or likely to be. To invade and +subjugate a vast territory, inhabited by millions of warlike people, the +assailants must always have four times as many men as the assailed; +therefore we stand on an equal footing with the United States in this +war, and they may, if they be insane enough, protract it indefinitely, +and in the end reap no substantial benefit. On the contrary, the fortune +of war may shift the scene of devastation to their own homes. Perhaps +Lee may follow up this blow until he enters Pennsylvania. + +MAY 9TH.--The papers contain the following order from Gen. Lee: + + "HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, + + "May 7th, 1863. + + "GENERAL ORDERS NO. 59. + + "With heartfelt gratification, the General Commanding expresses to + the army his sense of the heroic conduct displayed by officers and + men, during the arduous operations in which they have just been + engaged. + + "Under trying vicissitudes of heat and storm, you attacked the + enemy, strongly intrenched in the depths of a tangled wilderness, + and again on the hills of Fredericksburg, fifteen miles distant, + and by the valor that has triumphed on so many fields, forced him + once more to seek safety beyond the Rappahannock. While this + glorious victory entitles you to the praise and gratitude of the + nation, we are especially called upon to return our grateful thanks + to the only Giver of victory for the signal deliverance He has + wrought. + + "It is, therefore, earnestly recommended that the troops unite on + Sunday next in ascribing to the Lord of hosts the glory due unto + His name. + + "Let us not forget in our rejoicing the brave soldiers who have + fallen in defense of their country; and while we mourn their loss, + let us resolve to emulate their noble example. + + "The army and the country alike lament the absence for a time of + one to whose bravery, energy, and skill they are so much indebted + for success. + + "The following letter from the President of the Confederate States + is communicated to the army as an expression of his appreciation of + its success: + + "'I have received your dispatch, and reverently unite with you in + giving praise to God for the success with which He has crowned our + arms. + + "'In the name of the people, I offer my cordial thanks to yourself + and the troops under your command for this addition to the + unprecedented series of great victories which your army has + achieved. + + "'The universal rejoicing produced by this happy result will be + mingled with a general regret for the good and the brave who are + numbered among the killed and wounded.' + + "R. E. LEE, _General_." + +The losses on either side are not yet relatively ascertained. Ours, in +killed, wounded, and prisoners, will probably reach 10,000. We have +taken about 10,000 prisoners; the enemy's killed and wounded is thought +to be 15,000 to 20,000. We have taken about fifty guns--and it is said +40,000 small arms, in good order. They did not have leisure to destroy +them as on former occasions. It was a complete and stunning defeat. + +Gen. Jackson remains near Fredericksburg, and is doing well since the +amputation of his (left) arm. The wound was received, during the battle +by moonlight, from his own men, who did not recognize their beloved +general. + +A letter was received to-day from Gen. Whiting at Wilmington, who +refuses to permit the "Lizzie" to leave the port, unless ordered to do +so. He intimates that she trades with the enemy. And yet Mr. Benjamin +urges the Secretary to allow her to depart! Commodore Lynch also writes +that the detention of the "Lizzie" is a prudential measure, as it is the +only steamer in port that could conduct our unfinished gun-boat to a +place of safety, should the enemy's fleet make a sudden attack on the +city. + +The President (who still absents himself from the Executive Office, his +health being precarious) writes the Secretary to consult Gen. Lee before +detaching Gen. Jenkins's cavalry brigade from the West. It would have +been better if Gen. Lee's advice had been taken in regard to Gen. +Longstreet. + +The men from the garrison at Drewry's Bluff, and the crew from the +steamer Richmond, were taken away to man the batteries around the city. +The President requests the Secretary to order them back at the earliest +moment practicable. It would be an ugly picture if our defenses at +Drewry's Bluff were surprised and taken by a sudden dash of the enemy up +James River. + +The raid of the enemy's cavalry, after all, did little or no permanent +injury to the roads or canal. They are all in operation again. + +It is said Lincoln has called for 500,000 more men. Numbers have now no +terror for the Southern people. They are willing to wage the war against +quadruple their number. + +MAY 10TH.--Detachments of Federal troops are now marching into the city +every few hours, guarded by (mostly) South Carolinians, dressed in +home-spun, died yellow with the bark of the butternut-tree. Yesterday +evening, at 7 o'clock, a body of 2000 arrived, being marched in by way +of the Brooke Pike, near to my residence. Only 200 Butternuts had them +in charge, and a less number would have sufficed, for they were +extremely weary. Some of them, however, attempted to be humorous. + +A young officer asked one of the spectators if the "Libby" (the prison) +was the best house in the city to put up at. He was answered that it was +the best _he_ would find. + +Another passed some compliment on a mulatto wench, who replied: "Go +long, you nasty Abolition Yankee." + +One of our soldiers taken at Arkansas Post, just exchanged, walked along +with the column, and kept repeating these words: "Now you know how _we_ +felt when you marched us through your cities." + +But generally a deep silence was maintained, and neither insult nor +indignity offered the fallen foe. Other columns are on the way--and how +they are to be subsisted is a vexatious question. + +The Washington papers of the day preceding the first battle contain +Hooker's address to his army--how different from Lee's! It is short, +though: + + "HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, + + "Camp near Falmouth, April 30th. + + "GENERAL ORDERS NO. 47. + + "It is with heartfelt satisfaction that the Commanding General + announces to the army that the operations of the last three days + have determined that our enemy must either ingloriously fly or come + out from behind his defenses and give us battle on our own ground, + where certain destruction awaits him. The operations of the 15th, + 11th, and 12th corps have been a succession of splendid + achievements. + + "By command of MAJ.-GEN. HOOKER. + + "S. WILLIAMS, _Ass't. Adj't.-Gen._" + +Another column of between twelve and fifteen hundred prisoners marched +in this afternoon. It is said a copy of the New York _Herald_ is in +town, which acknowledges Hooker's loss to be fully 40,000. There are +rumors, also, that our army in Tennessee has gained a great victory. +Rumors from the West have hitherto been so very unreliable, that I shall +wait patiently for the confirmation of any reports from that quarter. + +MAY 11TH.--Lieut.-Gen. J. T. Jackson died at 3 P.M. yesterday. His +remains will arrive in the city at 5 P.M. this afternoon. The flags are +at half-mast, and all the government offices and even places of business +are closed. A multitude of people, mostly women and children, are +standing silently in the streets, awaiting the arrival of the hero, +destined never again to defend their homes and honor. + +A letter from Gen. Lee says, emphatically, that if cavalry be not +brought from North Carolina and the South, the enemy's cavalry will be +enabled to make raids almost anywhere without molestation. I recollect +distinctly how he urged the Secretary of War (Randolph), months ago, to +send to Texas for horses, but it was not attended to--and now we see the +consequences. + +The exchanged prisoners here, taken at Arkansas Post, are ordered to the +Mississippi. Gen. Longstreet urged the Secretary to send them off, if +that were their destination, without a moment's delay, several days +ago--else they would be too late to participate in the campaign. + +Northern papers set down Hooker's loss at 20,000, a modest figure, +subject to revision. + +The Federal Secretary of War has issued a statement to mollify the +panic. He is bound to acknowledge that, whereas Hooker advanced upon Lee +across the river, he is now, after the battle, back again, where he +started from. But he says not more than a third of the army was engaged; +and as 30,000 reinforcements have been sent from Washington, and as many +from Suffolk, the army will soon be as strong as ever, and in condition +for another advance--and defeat. + +But what credit can we attach to such statements, since McClellan, under +oath, said that he had ninety odd thousand men at the battle of +Sharpsburg, 75,000 of whom only were actually engaged, while Lee had +100,000? We _know_ that he did not have 40,000 engaged! + +Gen. Van Dorn is dead--being killed by a man whose peace he had ruined. + +More applications for passports to leave the country are coming in--and +they are "allowed" by the Assistant Secretary of War. How could he +refuse, since his own family (at least a portion of it) have enjoyed the +benefits of sojourning in the North since the war began? + +A letter was received to-day from Mr. Ranney, president of the N. C., +Jackson, and Great Northern Railroad Co., asking the protection of +government from harm for violations of the Act of Congress of April +19th, 1862, prohibiting the transportation of cotton within the enemy's +lines. He incloses a number of peremptory orders from Lieut.-Gen. +Pemberton, dated January 19th, February 16th and 19th, to take large +amounts of cotton into the enemy's lines for S. J. Josephs (Jew?), and +for Messrs. Clarke, Ford, and Hust, etc. etc. He says Gen. P. threatened +to seize the road if he did not comply, and asserted that he had +authority from the Secretary of War to issue the orders. One of these +orders was from Gov. Pettus, for a small lot not more than fifty bales, +to be exchanged for salt. This was authorized by the President, who most +positively forbid the others. The letter from Gen. Johnston the other +day said this traffic was subjugating the people. Was that "allowed" to +reach the Secretary and the President? I know not; it has not yet passed +through my hands from the President back to the department. + +MAY 12TH.--The departments and all places of business are still closed +in honor of Gen. Jackson, whose funeral will take place to-day. The +remains will be placed in state at the Capitol, where the people will be +permitted to see him. The grief is universal, and the victory involving +such a loss is regarded as a calamity. + +The day is bright and excessively hot; and so was yesterday. + +Many letters are coming in from the counties in which the enemy's +cavalry replenished their horses. It appears that the government has +sent out agents to collect the worn-down horses left by the enemy; and +this is bitterly objected to by the farmers. It is the corn-planting +season, and without horses, they say, they can raise no crops. Some of +these writers are almost menacing in their remarks, and intimate that +they are about as harshly used, in this war, by one side as the other. + +To-day I observed the clerks coming out of the departments with chagrin +and mortification. Seventy-five per cent. of them ought to be in the +army, for they are young able-bodied men. This applies also to the +chiefs of bureaus. + +The funeral was very solemn and imposing, because the mourning was +sincere and heartfelt. There was no vain ostentation. The pall bearers +were generals. The President followed near the hearse in a carriage, +looking thin and frail in health. The heads of departments, two and two, +followed on foot--Benjamin and Seddon first--at the head of the column +of young clerks (who ought to be in the field), the State authorities, +municipal authorities, and thousands of soldiers and citizens. The +war-horse was led by the general's servant, and flags and black feathers +abounded. + +Arrived at the Capitol, the whole multitude passed the bier, and gazed +upon the hero's face, seen through a glass in the coffin. + +Just previous to the melancholy ceremony, a very large body of prisoners +(I think 3500) arrived, and were marched through Main Street, to the +grated buildings allotted them. But these attracted slight +attention,--Jackson, the great hero, was the absorbing thought. Yet +there are other Jacksons in the army, who will win victories,--no one +doubts it. + +The following is Gen. Lee's order to the army after the intelligence of +Gen. Jackson's death: + + "HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VA., + + "May 11th, 1863. + + "GENERAL ORDERS NO. 61. + + "With deep grief the Commanding General announces to the army the + death of Lieut.-Gen. T. J. Jackson, who expired on the 10th inst., + at 3-1/2 P.M. The daring, skill, and energy of this great and good + soldier, by the decree of an all-wise Providence, are now lost to + us. But while we mourn his death, we feel that his spirit still + lives, and will inspire the whole army with his indomitable courage + and unshaken confidence in God as our hope and our strength. Let + his name be a watchword to his corps, who have followed him to + victory on so many fields. Let officers and soldiers emulate his + invincible determination to do everything in the defense of our + beloved country. + + "R. E. LEE, _General_." + + +_The Letter of Gen. Lee to Gen. Jackson._ + +The letter written by Gen. Lee to Gen. Jackson before the death of the +latter is as follows: + + "CHANCELLORVILLE, May 4th. + + "GENERAL:-- + + "I have just received your note informing me that you were wounded. + I cannot express my regret at the occurrence. Could I have dictated + events, I should have chosen for the good of the country to have + been disabled in your stead. + + "I congratulate you upon the victory which is due to your skill and + energy. + + "Most truly yours, + + "R. E. LEE. + + "_To Gen. T. J. Jackson_." + +"The nation's agony," as it is termed in a Washington paper, in an +appeal for 500,000 more men, now demands a prompt response from the +people. And yet that paper, under the eye and in the interest of the +Federal Government, would make it appear that "the Army of the Potomac" +has sustained no considerable disaster. What, then, constitutes the +"nation's agony"? Is it the imminency of war with England? It may be, +judging from the debates in Parliament, relating to the liberties the +United States have been taking with British commerce. But what do they +mean by the "_nation_?" They have nothing resembling a homogeneous race +in the North, and nearly a moiety of the people are Germans and Irish. +How ridiculous it would have been even for a Galba to call his people +the Roman _nation_! An idiot may produce a conflagration, but he can +never rise to the dignity of a high-minded man. Yet that word "Nation" +may raise a million Yankee troops. It is a "new thing." + +The Northern papers say Charleston is to be assailed again immediately; +that large reinforcements are going to Hooker, and that they captured +_six or eight thousand prisoners_ in their flight on the Rappahannock. +All these fictions are understood and appreciated here; but they may +answer a purpose in the North, by deceiving the people again into the +belief that Richmond will certainly fall the next time an advance is +made. And really, where we see such extravagant statements in the +Federal journals, after a great battle, we are much rejoiced, because we +know them to be unfounded, and we are led to believe our victory was +even greater than we supposed it to be. + +MAY 13TH.--Col. Gorgas, Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance, sent in to-day +a report of the arms captured in the recent battle. It appears from his +statement that, so far, only eight guns have been found, taken from the +enemy, while we lost ten. Thus, it would appear, our papers have been +"lying," in regard to that item, as well as the Northern papers about +the number of prisoners lost and taken. But, so far, we have collected +12,000 of the enemy's small arms left upon the field, and 8000 of our +own, indicating the number of our killed and wounded. But the New York +journals say we captured only 1700 prisoners; whereas, up to this time, +more than 6000 have arrived in Richmond; 5000 of whom leave to-day, +paroled until exchanged. I doubt whether we lost 2000 prisoners in the +battle. + +The Philadelphia _Press_, just received, charges the government at +Washington with circulating false reports, and is now convinced Hooker +met with a most crushing defeat. + +It is rumored the enemy are disembarking troops at the White House, York +River. If this be so, it is to prevent reinforcements being sent to +Lee. + +The Governor of Alabama declares that Mobile is neglected, and says he +will continue to protest against the failure of the government to make +adequate preparations for the defense of the city. + +I saw Gen. Wise to-day. He seems weather-beaten, but hardy. + +MAY 14TH.--We have been beaten in an engagement near Jackson, Miss., +4000 retiring before 10,000. This is a dark cloud over the hopes of +patriots, for Vicksburg is seriously endangered. Its fall would be the +worst blow we have yet received. + +Papers from New York and Philadelphia assert most positively, and with +circumstantiality, that Hooker recrossed the Rappahannock since the +battle, and is driving Lee toward Richmond, with which his +communications have been interrupted. But this is not all: they say Gen. +Keyes marched a column up the Peninsula, and took Richmond itself, over +the Capitol of which the Union flag "is now flying." These groundless +statements will go out to Europe, and may possibly delay our +recognition. If so, what may be the consequences when the falsehood is +exposed? I doubt the policy of any species of dishonesty. + +Gov. Shorter, of Alabama, demands the officers of Forrest's captives for +State trial, as they incited the slaves to insurrection. + +Mr. S. D. Allen writes from Alexandria, La., that the people despair of +defending the Mississippi Valley with such men as Pemberton and other +hybrid Yankees in command. He denounces the action also of +quartermasters and commissaries in the Southwest. + +A letter from Hon. W. Porcher Miles to the Secretary of War gives an +extract from a communication written him by Gen. Beauregard, to the +effect that Charleston must at last fall into the hands of the enemy, if +an order which has been sent there, for nearly all his troops to proceed +to Vicksburg, be not revoked. There are to be left for the defense of +Charleston only 1500 exclusive of the garrisons! + +MAY 15TH.--The Tredegar Iron Works and Crenshou's woolen factory were +mostly destroyed by fire last night! This is a calamity. + +We have also intelligence of the occupation of Jackson, Miss., by the +enemy. Thus they cut off communication with Vicksburg, and that city may +be doomed to fall at last. The President is at work again at the +Executive Office, but is not fully himself yet. The Secretary of War +dispatched Gen. Lee a day or two ago, desiring that a portion of his +army, Pickett's division, might be sent to Mississippi. Gen. Lee +responds that it is a dangerous and doubtful expedient; _it is a +question between Virginia and Mississippi; he will send the division off +without delay, if still deemed necessary_. The President, in sending +this response to the Secretary, says it is just such an answer as he +expected from Lee, and he approves it. Virginia will not be abandoned. + +Gens. Lee, Stuart, and French were all at the War Department to-day. Lee +looked thinner, and a little pale. Subsequently he and the Secretary of +War were long closeted with the President. + +Gen. Schenck (Federal) has notified Gen. W. E. Jones, that our men taken +dressed in Federal uniform will not be treated as prisoners of war, but +will be tried and punished as spies, etc. The President directed the +Secretary of War to-day to require Gen. Lee to send an order to the +commander of the Federal army, that accouterments and clothing will be +deemed subjects of capture, and if our men are treated differently than +prisoners of war, when taken, we will retaliate on the prisoners in our +possession. + +Gen. Longstreet censured Gen. French for his conduct before Suffolk, and +the Secretary of War proposed that French be relieved, and sent before a +court of inquiry. The President vetoed this, saying such courts were +nuisances, and would not have him molested at this critical moment. + +Gen. D. H. Hill writes that desertions in North Carolina are alarmingly +frequent; that deserters will soon be in arms; that papers and factions +exist there in favor of reconstruction, laboring to convince the people +that the State has been neglected by the Confederate States Government, +and he suggests summary punishments. The President directs the Secretary +to correspond with Gov. Vance on the subject. + +Mr. Benjamin has had some pretty passports printed. He sends one to +Assistant Secretary Campbell for a Mr. Bloodgood and son to leave the +Confederate States. I hope there is no _bad_ blood in this incessant +intercourse with persons in the enemy's country. Just at this crisis, if +so disposed, any one going thither might inflict incalculable injury on +the cause of Southern independence. + +MAY 16TH.--It appears, after the consultation of the generals and the +President yesterday, it was resolved not to send Pickett's division to +Mississippi, and this morning early the long column march through the +city northward. Gen. Lee is now stronger than he was before the battle. +Gen. Pickett himself, with his long, black ringlets, accompanied his +division, his troops looking like fighting veterans, as they are. And +two fine regiments of cavalry, the 2d and 59th North Carolina Regiments, +passed through the city this morning likewise. + +A letter was received from Gen. Beauregard to-day, again protesting +against the movement of so many of his troops to Mississippi; 5000 on +the 5th, and more than 5000 on the 10th instant. He makes an exhibit of +the forces remaining in South Carolina and Georgia--about 4000 infantry, +5000 cavalry, and 6000 artillery, some 15,000 in all. He says the enemy +is still on the coast, in the rivers, and on the islands, and may easily +cut his communications with Savannah; and they have sufficient numbers +to take Charleston, in all probability, without passing the forts. He +says information of his weakness is sure to be communicated to the +enemy--and I think so too, judging from the number of passports +"allowed" by Judge Campbell and Mr. Benjamin! + +There is some purpose on the part of Gen. Lee to have a raid in the +enemy's country, surpassing all other raids. If he can organize two +columns of cavalry, 5000 each, to move in parallel lines, they may +penetrate to the Hudson River; and then the North will discover that it +has more to lose by such expeditions than the South. Philadelphia, even, +may be taken. + +To-day, the regular train on the Fredericksburg road came back to the +city, the conductor being in a terrible fright, and reporting that the +enemy were again at Ashland. But it turned out that the troops there +were our men! It is not probable the enemy's cavalry will soon approach +Richmond again. + +MAY 17TH.--The last few days have been cool and dry; fine weather for +campaigning. And yet we hear of no demonstrations apparently, though I +believe Lee's army is moving. + +Mr. Lamar, of Savannah (formerly president of the Bank of the Republic, +New York), writes that he and others are organizing an Exporting and +Importing Company, and desires the government to take an interest in it. +So far the heads of bureaus decline, and of course the Secretary will do +nothing. But the Secretary has already engaged with Mr. Crenshaw in a +similar enterprise, and so informed Mr. Mason, at London. + +About 10 A.M., some 2500 men of all arms arrived at "double quick," +having left Ashland, eighteen miles distant, at 5 o'clock this morning. +That was brisk marching. The guns were sent down on the railroad. The +government has information that Gen. Keyes, with a full division of +infantry and a brigade of cavalry, had marched up to West Point, to +threaten Richmond. The troops, however, which arrived from Ashland, had +been taken from the batteries here, and did not belong to Gen. Lee's +army. + +Messrs. Davenport & Co., Mobile, charge Gen. Buckner with permitting +1000 bales of cotton to be shipped to New Orleans. + +The president of the Fredericksburg Road states, in a letter to the +Secretary, that, after the battle, by military authority, the cars were +appropriated by the Federal officers (prisoners), while our wounded +soldiers had to remain and await the return of the trains. + +Hon. Mr. Dargin, of Alabama, writes to the Secretary, to procure from +the President a disavowal of the "organship" of the _Enquirer_, as that +paper, under the belief that it speaks for the government, is likely to +inflict much mischief on the country. He alluded to the bitter articles +against the Democrats and peace men of the North, who would soon have +been able to embarrass, if not to check the operations of the Republican +war party. He says now, that they will write against us, and deal +destruction wherever they penetrate the land. + +MAY 19TH.--A dispatch from Gen. Johnston says a battle has been fought +between Pemberton and Grant, between Jackson and Vicksburg, Mississippi, +which lasted nine hours. Pemberton was _forced back_. This is all we +know yet. + +Another letter, from Hon. W. Porcher Miles, remonstrating against the +withdrawal of Beauregard's troops, was received to-day. He apprehends +the worst consequences. + +The government is buying 5000 bales of cotton for the Crenshaw scheme. +Jas. R. Crenshaw, of this city, is at Charleston on this business. Why +not arrange with Lamar? + +Gov. Shorter forwards another strongly written memorial from Mobile, +against the traffic of cotton with the enemy, and, indeed, against all +blockade-running. + +Gov. Jno. Milton, of Florida, also writes a powerful denunciation of the +illicit traffic, which it seems the policy of the government has been to +encourage. They all say this traffic is doing the work of subjugation +more effectually than the arms of the enemy. + +The President is too ill again to come to the Executive Office. His +messenger, who brought me some papers this morning, says he is in a +"decline." I think he has been ill every day for several years, but this +has been his most serious attack. No doubt he is also worried at the +dark aspects in his own State--Mississippi. + +If Vicksburg falls, and the Valley be held by the enemy, then the +Confederacy will be curtailed of half its dimensions. Texas, Louisiana, +Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, Arizona, New Mexico, all the Indian +country, Kentucky, half of Tennessee, one-third of Virginia, Eastern +North Carolina, and sundry islands, etc. of South Carolina, Georgia, and +Florida, will be wrested from us. What will remain of the Confederacy? +Two-thirds of Virginia, half of Tennessee, the greater part of North +Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and the whole of Alabama,--less than +six States! But still the war will go on, as long as we have brave +armies and great generals, whether the President lives or dies. + +MAY 20TH.--Reports from the West say we lost 3000 and the enemy 6000 men +in the battle of the 15th inst., when Pemberton fell back over the Black +River. Our forces numbered only 12,000, Grant's three times that number. +Something decisive must occur before Vicksburg in a few days. + +Mr. J. W. Henry writes from New's Ferry, that parties of cavalry, going +about the country, professing to belong to our Gen. Stuart's corps, are +probably Yankee spies making observations preparatory for another raid. +The city councils are organizing the citizens for local defense, +thinking it probable another dash may be made. + +Gen. Dix threatens to hang the citizens of Williamsburg if they +co-operate with Gen. Wise in his frequent attacks on the Federals. Gen. +Wise replies, threatening to hang Gen. Dix if he carries his threat into +execution, and should fall into his hands, in a more summary manner than +John Brown was hung for making his raid in Virginia. + +Butter is worth $4 per pound. A sheep is worth $50. A cow $500. + +MAY 21ST.--There was a rumor on the street last night that Gen. Johnston +had telegraphed the President that it would be necessary to evacuate +Vicksburg. This has not been confirmed to-day, and I do not believe it. +It would be irremediably disastrous. + +Mr. N. S. Walker writes from Bermuda, May 11th, 1863, that seventeen +additional British regiments have been ordered to Canada. A large amount +of ordnance and ordnance stores, as well as several war steamers, have +likewise been sent thither. He states, moreover, that United States +vessels are having their registers changed. Does this really mean war? + +Strawberries were selling in market this morning at $4 for less than a +pint. Coal $25 per load, and wood $30 per cord. + +MAY 22D.--A letter from Gen. Howell Cobb, declining the offer of the +Secretary of War, of the position of Quartermaster-General, was received +to-day. His wife is ill, and he prefers to remain with her; besides, he +doubts his qualifications--he, who was Secretary of the Treasury of the +United States! He says, moreover, referring to the imperfect ordnance +stores of his brigade, that there can be no remedy for this so long as +Col. G. is the Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance. So Col. Myers is to be +disposed of at last, and Col. G. has but an uncertain tenure. + +We have sad rumors from Vicksburg. Pemberton, it is said, was flanked by +Grant, and lost 30 guns, which he abandoned in his retreat. Where +Johnston is, is not stated. But, it is said, Vicksburg is closely +invested, and that the invaders are closing in on all sides. There is +much gloom and despondency in the city among those who credit these +unofficial reports. It would be a terrible blow, but not necessarily a +fatal one, for the war could be prolonged indefinitely. + +I met with Robt. Tyler to-day, who offers to wager something that Gen. +Stuart will be in Philadelphia in a fortnight, and he said there was a +proposition to stop the publication of newspapers, if the President +would agree to it, as they gave information to the enemy, and at such a +time as this did no good whatever. He thinks they are on the eve of +revolution in the North, and referred to Gov. Seymour's letter, read at +a public meeting in New York. + +MAY 23D.--The reports from Mississippi have not been confirmed by +official dispatches, and it is understood that the President remarked +yesterday, at dinner, that he was satisfied with the condition of +affairs in that State. If this be so, Vicksburg must not only be still +in our possession, but likely to be held by us at the end of this +campaign. The President, I know, feels a peculiar interest in that +State, and I learn by a letter from Tennessee, that on the 9th inst. +troops left McMinnville for the rescue of Vicksburg--a Texas brigade. + +Cavalry continue to pass through this city from the south, while +infantry are passing to the south. These movements will puzzle the +spies, who are daily, and without difficulty, obtaining passports to +leave the Confederate States. + +We have Northern papers to-day, containing Gen. Hooker's grandiloquent +address to his army, a few days after his flight. I preserve it here for +the inspection of the future generation, and to deter other generals +from the bad policy of publishing false statements. + + "[Copy.] + + "HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, + + "May 6th, 1863. + + "GENERAL ORDERS NO 49. + + "The Major-General commanding tenders to this army his + congratulations on its achievements of the last seven days. If it + has not accomplished all that was expected, the reasons are well + known to the army. It is sufficient to say they were of a character + not to be foreseen or prevented by human sagacity or resources. In + withdrawing from the south bank of the Rappahannock, before + delivering a general battle to our adversaries, the army has given + renewed evidence of its confidence in itself, and its fidelity to + the principles it represents. + + "In fighting at a disadvantage we would have been recreant to our + trust, to ourselves, our cause, and our country. Profoundly loyal + and conscious of its strength, the Army of the Potomac will give or + decline battle whenever its interest or honor may demand. It will + also be the guardian of its own history and its own honor. By our + celerity and secrecy of movement our advance and passage of the + rivers were undisputed, and on our withdrawal not a rebel returned + to follow. The events of the last week may swell with pride the + hearts of every officer and soldier of this army. We have added new + laurels to its former renown. We have made long marches, crossed + rivers, surprised the enemy in his intrenchments, and whenever we + have fought we have inflicted heavier blows than we have received. + + "We have taken from the enemy five thousand prisoners and fifteen + colors, captured and brought off seven pieces of artillery, and + placed _hors du combat_ eighteen thousand of his chosen troops. We + have destroyed his depots filled with vast amounts of stores, + damaged his communications, captured prisoners within the + fortifications of his capital, and filled his country with fear and + consternation. We have no other regret than that caused by the + death of our brave companions; and in this we are consoled by the + conviction that they have fallen in the holiest cause ever + submitted to the arbitrament of battle. + + "By command of + + "(Signed) MAJOR-GENERAL HOOKER. + + "S. WILLIAMS, A.A.G." + +To-day we have another official report from the Chief of Ordnance of the +fruits of our victory, as far as they have been gathered, though the +whole field has not been carefully gleaned, which I append as a +commentary on the statements of Hooker. + +Five twelve-pounder Napoleons; 7 three-inch rifled guns; 1 Parrott gun, +ten-pounder; 9 caissons; 4 rear parts of caissons; 3 battery wagons; 2 +forges; 1500 rounds artillery ammunition; large lot of artillery +harness; large lot of wheels, axles, ammunition chests, etc.; 16,500 +muskets and rifles; 4000 cap pouches; 11,500 haversacks, and 300,000 +rounds infantry ammunition. The report says thousand of our soldiers +helped themselves on the field to better arms, etc., which cannot be +computed. + +Now for the prisoners. To-day the last lot taken by Hooker arrived by +flag of truce boat, making in all just 2700. We have already sent off +7000 prisoners taken from him, and 1000 are yet to go. Our killed, +wounded, and missing amount to but little over 8000. Hooker's killed and +wounded are admitted by the Northern papers to be 20,000, and some say +his entire loss was fully 40,000. So much for his march over the +Rappahannock and his flight back again. If he is not satisfied, Lee will +try him again. + +MAY 24TH, SUNDAY.--We have had a fortnight of calm, dry, and warm +weather. There is a hazy atmosphere, and the sun rises and sets wearing +a blood-red aspect. At night the moon, dimly and indistinctly seen (now +a crescent), has a somber and baleful appearance. This is strange at +this season of the year; it is like Indian summer in May. The ground is +dry and crusted, and apprehensions are felt for the crops, unless we +have rain in a few days. My poor little garden has suffered for +moisture, but the area is so small I am enabled to throw water over it +in the evening. My beets, tomatoes, early potatoes, and lettuce look +pretty well, though not so far advanced, in consequence of the late +spring, as I have seen them in Burlington. But they are a great comfort +to me. I work them, water them, and look at them, and this is what the +French would call a _distraction_. I have abundance of roses,--this is +the city of roses. And my cherries are coming on finely,--I know not yet +what kind they are; but it relieves the eye to gaze on them. And then my +neighbor has a pigeon-house, and the birds come into my yard and are fed +by my daughters, being pretty and tame. I sit for hours watching them. + +Alas! this cruel war! But independence will be ample compensation. Our +posterity will thank us for our sacrifices and sufferings. Yet all do +not suffer. The Gil Blases, by their servility and cringing to their +patrons, the _great_ men in power, and only great because they have +patronage to bestow, which is power, are getting rich. Even adroit +clerks are becoming wealthy. They procure exemptions, discharges, and +contracts for the speculators for heavy bribes, and invest the money +immediately in real estate, having some doubts as to its ultimate +redemption, and possibly indifferent as to the fate of the country, so +that their own prosperity be secure. After the war the rascals and +traitors will be rich, and ought to be marked and exposed. + +MAY 25TH.--Dispatches from the West inform us that three attempts to +carry the city of Vicksburg by assault have been repulsed with heavy +loss. Johnston is on the enemy's flank and rear, engendering a new army +with rapidity, and if the garrison can hold out a little while, the city +may be safe. + +Gens. Ewell and A. P. Hill have been made lieutenant-generals, and will +command Jackson's corps. It appears that the Senate has not yet +confirmed Hardee, Holmes, and Pemberton. + +The Washington correspondent of the New York _Commercial Advertiser_ +says Hooker's loss in killed and wounded amounted to "over 23,000 men, +and he left 24 guns on the other side of the Rappahannock." We got 8000 +prisoners, which will make the loss 31,000 men, and it is said the +stragglers, not yet collected, amount to 10,000 men! Only 13 guns fell +into our hands, the rest fell--into the river! + +MAY 26TH.--Reliable information of hard fighting at Vicksburg; but +still, so far as we know, the garrison of the invested city has repulsed +every assault made upon it. The enemy's losses are said to be very +heavy. Something decisive must occur there soon, and I hope something +calamitous to the enemy. + +The President and the cabinet have been in council nearly all day. Can +they have intelligence from the West, not yet communicated to the +public? + +We learn from Newbern, N. C., that gray-haired old men, women, and +children, who refused to take the oath of allegiance, have been driven +from their homes, on foot, despoiled of their property. Among these I +see the names of the Misses Custis, cousins of my wife. Gen. Daniels, +commanding our forces at Kinston, sent out wagons and ambulances to +convey them within our lines. They were on foot. + +MAY 27TH.--Gen. Beauregard's statement of the number of his troops, +after 10,000 had been ordered to Mississippi, with urgent appeals for +the order to be countermanded, came back from the President to-day, to +whom it had been referred by Mr. Secretary Seddon. The President +indorsed, characteristically, that the statement did not agree in +numbers with a previous one, and asked the Secretary to note the +discrepancy! This was all. + +The president of the Seaboard Railroad requests the Secretary to forbid +the common use of the bridge over the Roanoke at Weldon, the tracks +being planked, to be used in case of a hasty retreat; the loss might be +great, if it were rendered useless. It is 1760 feet long, and 60 feet +high. + +Mr. John Minor Botts is here in difficulty, a negro being detected +bearing a letter from him to the enemy's camp. The letter asked if no +order had come from Washington, concerning the restoration of his slaves +taken away (he lives on the Rappahannock) by Hooker's men; and stating +that it was hard for him to be insulted and imprisoned by the +Confederate States--and deprived of his property by the United +States--he a _neutral_. Gen. F. Lee thought he ought not to be +permitted to remain in proximity to the enemy, and so sent him on to +Richmond. He was to see the Secretary to-day. + +Hon. D. M. Lewis, Sparta, Ga., writes that he will cut his wheat on the +28th (to-morrow), and both for quality and quantity he never saw it +equaled. They have new flour in Alabama; and everywhere South the crops +are unprecedented in amount. + +To-morrow is election day. For Congress, Col. Wickham, who voted against +secession, opposes Mr. Lyons. But he has _fought_ since! + +We have a letter from Gen. Jos. E. Johnston, dated at Calhoun, Miss., +16th inst. He says the enemy on the railroad at Clinton numbered 25,000. +We got our baggage out of Jackson before it was abandoned. Pemberton +marched to Edward's Station with 17,000 men. Gen. Johnston himself had +7500, and some 15,000 more were on the way to him. We had 3000 at Port +Hudson--being over 40,000 which he meant to concentrate immediately. I +think Vicksburg ought to be safe. + +Our government has been notified that, if we execute the two officers +(selected by lot) in retaliation for the execution of two of our +officers in Kentucky, two men will be shot or hung by the enemy. Thus +the war will be still more terrible! + +Vallandigham has been sent to Shellbyville, within our lines. I think +our people ought to give him a friendly greeting. + +MAY 28TH.--There is some animation at the polls, this being election +day. It is said Mr. Wickham, who for a long time, in the Convention, +voted against the secession of Virginia, is leading Mr. Lyons, an +original secessionist, and will probably beat him. And Flournoy, an old +Whig politician, will probably be elected governor. + +A dispatch from Gen. Johnston, dated yesterday, says in every fight, so +far, around Vicksburg, our forces have been successful, and that our +soldiers are in fine spirits. + +Papers from the North have, in great headings, the word VICTORY, and +announce that the Stars and Stripes are floating over the City of +Vicksburg! They likewise said their flag was floating over the Capitol +in this city. If Vicksburg falls, it will be a sad day for us; if it +does not fall, it will be a sad day for the war party of the United +States. It may be decisive, one way or the other. If we beat them, we +may have peace. If they beat us--although the war will not and cannot +terminate--it may degenerate into a guerrilla warfare, relentless and +terrible! + +MAY 29TH.--A dispatch from Gen. Johnston, dated 27th inst., says +fighting at Vicksburg had been in progress ever since the 19th instant, +and that our troops have been invariably successful in repulsing the +assaults. Other dispatches say the unburied dead of the enemy, lying in +heaps near our fortifications, have produced such an intolerable stench +that our men are burning barrels of tar without their works. + +But still all is indefinite. Yet, from the persistent assaults of the +enemy it may be inferred that Grant is inspired with the conviction that +it is necessary for him to capture Vicksburg immediately, and before +Johnston collects an army in his rear. A few days may produce a decisive +result. + +Hon. E. S. Dargan, Mobile, Ala., writes that it is indispensable for our +government to stipulate for aid from Europe at the earliest moment +practicable, even if we must agree to the gradual emancipation of the +slaves. He says the enemy will soon overrun the Southwestern States and +prevent communication with the East, and then these States (Eastern) +cannot long resist the superior numbers of the invaders. Better (he +thinks, I suppose) yield slavery, and even be under the protection of a +foreign government, than succumb to the United States. + +The enemy, wherever they have possession in the South, have adopted the +policy of sending away (into the Confederate States) all the inhabitants +who refuse to take the oath of allegiance. This enables them to +appropriate their property, and, being destitute, the wanderers will aid +in the consumption of the stores of the Confederates. A Mr. W. E. +Benthuisen, merchant, sent from New Orleans, telegraphs the President +for passports for himself and family to proceed to Richmond. The +President intimates to the Secretary of War that many similar cases may +be looked for, and he thinks it would be better for the families to be +dispersed in the country than congregated in the city. + +The following are the _wholesale_ prices to-day: + +"PRODUCE, PROVISIONS, ETC.--The quotations given are wholesale. +Wheat--nothing doing--we quote it nominal at $6.50 to $7; corn, very +scarce, may be quoted at $9 to $10; oats, $6 to $6.50 per bushel; +flour--superfine, $32, extra, $34, family, $37 per barrel; corn-meal, +$11 per bushel; bacon, hoground, $1.45 to $1.50--a strictly prime +article a shade higher; butter, $2.50 to $3 per pound; lard, $1.50 to +$1.60; candles, $2.75 to $3 for tallow, $5 for adamantine; dried +fruit--apples, $10 to $12, peaches, $15 to $18 per bushel; eggs, $1.40 +to $1.50 per dozen; beans, $18 to $20; peas, $15 to $18 per bushel; +potatoes, $8 to $10 per bushel; hay and sheaf-oats, $10 to $12 per cwt.; +rice, 18 to 20 cents per pound; salt, 45 to 50 cents per pound; soap, 50 +to 60 cents per pound for hard country. + +"LEATHER.--Market unsettled. We quote as follows: Sole, $3.50 to $4 per +pound; harness, $4 to $4.25; russett and wax upper, $5 to $5.50; wax kip +skins, $6 per pound; calf skins, $300 to $325 per dozen. + +"LIQUORS.--We continue to quote apple brandy at $23 to $25; whisky, $28 +to $32; French brandy--common, $45, genuine, $80 per gallon. + +"GROCERIES.--Brown sugar, $1.40 to $1.55 per pound--no clarified or +crushed offering; molasses, $10.50 to $11 per gallon; coffee, $3.75 to +$4 per pound; tea, $8.50 to $10 per pound." + +MAY 30TH.--The newspapers have a dispatch, to-day, from Jackson, Miss., +which says the enemy have fallen back from the position lately occupied +by them in front of Vicksburg. It adds, that they will be forced to +retire to the Big Black River, for want of water. Gen. G. A. Smith, who +is here, and who resigned because he was not made lieutenant-general +instead of Pemberton, says he "don't know how to read this dispatch." +Nevertheless, it is generally believed, and affords much relief to those +who appreciate the importance of Vicksburg. + +Mr. Botts was offered $500 in Confederate States notes, the other day, +for a horse. He said he would sell him for $250 in gold, but would not +receive Confederate notes, as the South would certainly be conquered, +and it was merely a question of time. This information was communicated +to the Secretary of War to-day, but he will attach no importance to it. + +Among the papers sent in by the President, to-day, was a communication +from Gov. Vance, of North Carolina, inclosing a letter from Augustus S. +Montgomery, of Washington City, to Major-Gen. Foster, Newbern, N. C., +found in a steamer, captured the other day by our forces, in Albemarle +and Chesapeake Canal. It informed Gen. F. that a plan of servile +insurrection had been adopted, and urged his co-operation. All the +Yankee generals in the South would co-operate: they were to send smart +negroes from the camps among the slaves, with instructions to rise +simultaneously at night on the 1st August. They were to seize and +destroy all railroad bridges, cut the telegraph wires, etc., and then +retire into the swamps, concealing themselves until relieved by Federal +troops. It is said they were to be ordered to shed no blood, except in +self-defense, and they were not to destroy more private property than +should be unavoidable. The writer said the corn would be in the +roasting-ear, and the hogs would be running at large, so that the slaves +could easily find subsistence. + +The President thanked Gov. Vance for this information, and said our +generals would be made acquainted with this scheme; and he commended the +matter to the special attention of the Secretary of War, who sent it to +Gen. Lee. + +MAY 31ST.--The commissioners, appointed for the purpose, have agreed +upon the following schedule of prices for the State of Virginia, under +the recent impressment act of Congress; and if a large amount of +supplies be furnished at these prices--which are fifty, sometimes one +hundred per cent. lower than the rates private individuals are +paying--it will be good proof that all patriotism is not yet extinct: + +"Wheat, white, per bushel of 60 pounds, $4.50; flour, superfine, per +barrel of 196 pounds, $22.50; corn, white, per bushel of 56 pounds, $4; +unshelled corn, white, per bushel of 56 pounds, $3.95; corn-meal, per +bushel of 50 pounds, $4.20; rye, per bushel of 56 pounds, $3.20; cleaned +oats, per bushel of 32 pounds, $2; wheat-bran, per bushel of 17 pounds, +50 cents; shorts, per bushel of 22 pounds, 70 cents; brown stuff, per +bushel of 28 pounds, 90 cents; ship stuff, per bushel of 37 pounds, +$1.40; bacon, hoground, per pound, $1; salt pork, per pound, $1; lard, +per pound, $1; horses, first class, artillery, etc., average price per +head, $350; wool, per pound, $3; peas, per bushel of 60 pounds, $4; +beans, per bushel of 69 pounds, $4; potatoes, Irish, per bushel of 69 +pounds, $4; potatoes, sweet, per bushel of 69 pounds, $5; onions, per +bushel of 60 pounds, $5; dried peaches, peeled, per bushel of 38 pounds, +$8; dried peaches, unpeeled, per bushel of 38 pounds, $4.50; dried +apples, peeled, per bushel of 28 pounds, $3." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +Vicksburg refuses to surrender to Grant.--Spiritualism at the White + House.--Lee is pushing a little northward.--It, is said Grant has + lost 40,000 men.--He is still pounding Vicksburg.--Petty military + organizations.--Mr. Randolph busy.--Foolish passport rules.--Great + battle imminent, but speculation may defeat both sides.--Early's + victory.--We have only supplies of corn from day to day.-- + Chambersburg struck.--Col. Whiting complains of blockade running + at Wilmington.--False alarm.--Grant still before Vicksburg. + + +JUNE 1ST.--Nothing decisive from Vicksburg. It is said Northern papers +have been received, of the 29th May, stating that their Gen. Grant had +been killed, and Vicksburg (though at first prematurely announced) +captured. We are not ready to believe the latter announcement. + +Mr. Lyons has been beaten for Congress by Mr. Wickham. + +It is said the brigade commanded by Gen. Barton, in the battle near +Vicksburg, broke and ran twice. If that be so, and their conduct be +imitated by other brigades, good-by to the Mississippi Valley! + +Our people everywhere are alive to the expected raid of the enemy's +cavalry, and are organizing the men of non-conscript age for defense. + +One of our pickets whistled a horse, drinking in the Rappahannock, and +belonging to Hooker's army, over to our side of the river. It was a very +fine horse, and the Federal Gen. Patrick sent a flag demanding him, as +he was not captured in battle. Our officer sent back word he would do so +with pleasure, if the Yankees would send back the slaves and other +property of the South not taken in battle. There it ended--but we shall +probably soon have stirring news from that quarter. + +The Baltimore _American_ contains the proceedings of the City Council, +justifying the arrest of Vallandigham. + +JUNE 2D.--We have a dispatch from Mississippi, stating that on Thursday +last Grant demanded the surrender of Vicksburg in three days. He was +answered that fifteen minutes were not asked; that the men were ready to +die--but would never surrender. This was followed by another assault, in +which the enemy lost great numbers, and were repulsed--as they have been +in every subsequent attempt to take the town. + +A letter from our agent in London says H. O. Brewer, of Mobile, advanced +L10,000 in March last, to buy a steamer for the use of the Confederate +States. + +Gen. Whiting writes from Wilmington, that a captured mail furnishes the +intelligence that the enemy have thirty-one regiments at Newbern, and he +apprehends they will cut the railroad at Goldsborough, as we have but +two small brigades to resist them. Then they may march against +Wilmington, where he has not now sufficient forces to man his batteries. +The general says he is quite sure that individual blockade-runners +inform the enemy of our defenseless points, and inflict incalculable +injury. He desires the Secretary to lay his letter before the President. + +A circular from the Bureau of Conscription to the commandants of +conscripts says, the Assistant Secretary of War (Judge Campbell) +suggests that overseers and managers on farms be disturbed as little as +possible just at this time, for the benefit of the crops. But what good +will the crops do, if we be subjugated in the mean time? I thought every +man was needed, _just at this time_, on the field of battle. + +The President rides out (on horse) every afternoon, and sits as straight +as an English king could do four centuries ago. + +JUNE 3D.--Gen. Lee communicates to the department to-day his views of +the Montgomery letter to Gen. Forrest, a copy of which was sent him by +Governor Vance. He terms it "diabolical." It seems to have been an +official letter, superscribed by "C. Marshall, Major and A. A. G." Gen. +Lee suggests that it be not published, but that copies be sent to all +our generals. + +Hon. R. M. T. Hunter urges the Secretary, in a lengthy letter, to send a +cavalry brigade into Essex and the adjacent counties, to protect the +inhabitants from the incursions of the "Yankees." He says a government +agent has established a commissary department within six miles of his +house, and it will be sure to be destroyed if no force be sent there +adequate to its defense. He says, moreover, if our troops are to operate +only in the great armies facing the enemy, a few hostile regiments of +horse may easily devastate the country without molestation. + +Gov. Vance writes a most indignant reply to a letter which, it seems, +had been addressed to him by the Assistant Secretary of War, Judge +Campbell, in which there was an intimation that the judicial department +of the State government "lent itself" to the work of protecting +deserters, etc. This the Governor repels as untrue, and says the judges +shall have his protection. That North Carolina has been wronged by +calumnious imputations, and many in the army and elsewhere made to +believe she was not putting forth all her energies in the work of +independence. He declares that North Carolina furnished more than half +the killed and wounded in the two great battles on the Rappahannock, in +December and May last. + +By the Northern papers we see the President of the United States, his +wife, and his cabinet are amusing themselves at the White House with +Spiritualism. + +JUNE 4TH.--To-day we have characteristic unintelligible dispatches from +Mississippi. They say, up to third instant, yesterday, everything is +encouraging; but the Memphis papers say Grant's losses have not been so +large as was supposed. Then it is reported that Grant has retired to +Grand Gulf. Yet it is expected the town will be stormed in twenty-four +hours! + +When Grant leaves Vicksburg, our generals will pursue, and assume the +aggressive in more directions than one. Lee has some occult object in +view, which must soon be manifest. + +Major-Gen. D. H. Hill writes that if the enemy penetrates to the +railroad, a great many men in North Carolina will welcome them, and +return to their allegiance to the United States. The general wants +Ranseur's brigade sent him. He says Mr. Warren, one of the governor's +council, in a recent speech remarked, if the enemy got the railroad, it +would be a question whether they should adhere to the Confederate States +or to the United States. Does the general mean to alarm the authorities +here? + +After a month of dry weather, we have just had a fine rain, most +refreshing to the poor kitchen vegetables in my little garden, which I +am cultivating with careful assiduity in hopes of saving some dollars in +the items of potatoes, tomatoes, beets, etc. + +The crops of wheat, etc. south of Virginia, mature and maturing, are +_perfect_ in quality and unprecedented in quantity. + +JUNE 5TH.--More unofficial dispatches from the Mississippi. It is said +Kirby Smith has defeated the enemy at Port Hudson; but how could his +army get over the river? It is also stated that Grant's losses have been +40,000, and ours 5000. Who could have computed them? But they go on to +say nothing has been heard from Vicksburg since Sunday, four days +previously; and that heavy firing was heard still on Thursday. + +Lee's army is in motion--that means something; and it is generally +believed that Stuart is out on a raid into the enemy's country. + +Mr. M. A. Malsby, a Georgian, disabled by a wound in the first battle of +Manassas, has published _one-half_ of my new "Wild Western Scenes;" the +balance to appear when he can get paper. He publishes 5000 copies of +about 130 pages. The paper costs nearly one dollar per pound, over $40 +per ream. The printing costs $2 per 1000 ems. But then he retails the +pamphlet at $1.25, and pays me 12-1/2 cents copyright on each number +sold. + +JUNE 6TH.--We have not even a rumor to-day from Mississippi. The +_Examiner_ has made a pretty severe attack on Judge Campbell, Assistant +Secretary of War, for the great number of persons he has "allowed" to +pass into the enemy's country. It does not attribute the best motives to +the Judge, who was late coming over to the Confederacy. + +The British consul here, it seems, has been meddling with matters in +Mississippi, the President states, and has had his exequatur revoked. + +Gen. D. H. Hill recommends the abandonment of the line of the +Blackwater, for Gen. Martin informs him that the enemy are preparing +their expeditions to cut our railroads in North Carolina. Gen. Hill +fears if the present line be held we are in danger of a great disaster, +from the inability to transport troops from so remote a point, in the +event of a sudden emergency. Gen. Lee refuses to let him have Ranseur's +brigade. + +There are rumors of picket fighting near Fredericksburg, and Davis's +(the President's nephew) brigade, just from North Carolina, proceeded +through the city to-day in that direction. Shall we have _another_ +great battle on the Rappahannock? I think it a ruse. + +JUNE 7TH.--I saw yesterday a specimen of the President's elaborate +attention to the matter of appointments. Lieut.-Gen. A. P. Hill having +asked for a military court to his corps, and having recommended the +officers, the President, with his own hand, laid down the rule of +selection for the guidance of the Secretary, viz.: the State which had +the greatest number of regiments would be entitled to the choice of +positions, to be taken from the candidates of its citizens according to +qualifications, recommendations, etc. It appeared that North Carolina +stood first on the list, Virginia next, Georgia next, and so on. + +Oh that we could get something decisive from Vicksburg! If Grant's and +Banks's armies should be destroyed, I think there would be some prospect +of peace at an early day. For, if Lincoln should persist in a +prolongation of the war, the probabilities would be the expulsion of the +enemy from the Mississippi Valley and the recovery of New Orleans. After +the fifteenth of this month, operations must cease on the Carolina and +Georgia coasts--Charleston and Wilmington being still in our possession. +But we should not be idle. Lee, in disdaining the sheltered army of the +invaders, would be likely to invade in turn; and the public demand of +retaliation for the cruelties and destruction of private property +perpetrated by the enemy could not be resisted. His men would probably +apply the torch to the towns and cities of the Yankees, destroying their +crops, farming utensils, etc., as the invaders have done in Virginia and +elsewhere. + +To avoid these calamities, it is possible Lincoln would make peace. +Therefore we are so anxious to hear from Vicksburg, the turning-point of +the war. + +Besides, we shall not please England by our treatment of her consuls; +and this may stimulate the United States to concentrate its wrath upon +its ancient foe. + +JUNE 8TH.--Well, the enemy have thrown another column over the +Rappahannock, below Fredericksburg. This is probably a manoeuvre to +arrest Lee's advance in Culpepper County. But it won't do--Lee's plans +cannot be changed--and this demonstration was in his calculations. If +they think Richmond can be taken now, without Lee's army to defend it, +they may find their mistake. + +The clerks and employees in the departments are organizing to man the +fortifications, should their aid be needed. + +Hon. M. R. H. Garnett writes from Essex County that the enemy have had +Lawrence Washington, arrested in Westmoreland County, confined in a +prison-ship in the Potomac, until his health gave way. He is now in +Washington, on parole not to escape. + +About 140,000 bushels of corn have been sent to Lee's army in May, +which, allowing ten pounds per day to each horse, shows that there are +over 20,000 horses in this army. But the report says not more than +120,000 bushels can be forwarded this month. + +The press everywhere is opening its batteries on the blockade-runners, +who bring in nothing essential to the people, and nothing necessary for +the war. + +The arrivals and departures of steamers amount to one per day, and most +of the goods imported are of Yankee manufacture. Many cargoes (unsold) +are now held in Charleston--and yet the prices do not give way. + +JUNE 9TH.--There is rumor that the President has received bad news from +the West. This may be without foundation; but it is a little strange +that we are not in receipt of authentic accounts of transactions there. +Time, however, will reveal all things. + +Lee is "marching on," Northward, utterly regardless of the +demonstrations of Hooker on the Lower Rappahannock. This is a good omen; +for no doubt the demonstrations are designed merely to arrest his +advance. Lee has, perhaps, 70,000 fighting men with him--leaving some +15,000 behind to defend Richmond. + +The people in the "Northern Neck" have been much harassed by the +incursions of the invaders. I clip the following account from the _Whig_ +of this date: + +"Nearly every house was visited, and by deceptive artifices, such as +disguising themselves in Confederate gray clothes, stolen, or otherwise +surreptitiously obtained, they imposed themselves upon our credulous and +unsuspecting people; excited their sympathies by pretending to be +wounded Confederate soldiers--won their confidence, and offered to hide +their horses and take care of them for them, to prevent the Yankees +from taking them, who, they said, were coming on. They thus succeeded in +making many of our people an easy prey to their rapacity and cunning. In +this foray, they abducted about 1000 negroes, captured from 500 to 700 +horses and mules, a large number of oxen, carriages, buggies and +wagons--stole meat, destroyed grain, and robbed gentlemen, in the public +road, of gold watches and other property. There are some instances +related of personal indignity and violence. They returned with their +spoils to camp, after a week devoted by them in the Northern Neck, among +our unhappy people, to the highly civilized, brave, and chivalrous +exploits of theft, robbery, and almost every species of felony committed +upon a defenseless, unarmed, and helpless population--chiefly consisting +of women and children! It was an easy achievement--a proud conquest--the +more glorious to the noble and heroic Yankee, because stained with crime +and won without danger to his beastly carcass." + +This is but a fair specimen of their conduct whenever they have been +permitted to devastate the country with impunity. + +A few days ago I addressed a letter to the Secretary of War, suggesting +that the department encourage voluntary organizations of non-conscripts +for local defense, and that they be armed with every superfluous musket +that the government may possess. If this be done, the army will not be +so much embarrassed by vehement calls to protect the people from raids +everywhere; and in the event of serious disaster, the people would still +make resistance. But an unarmed people would have no alternative but +submission. This plan would also effectually prevent servile +insurrections, etc. + +To-day I received the reply, saying it would be done. But will the +_arms_ be distributed among them? + +JUNE 10TH.--We have news of a fight on the Rappahannock yesterday, above +Fredericksburg, the enemy having crossed again. They were driven back. + +There are also reports from Vicksburg, which still holds out. Accounts +say that Grant has lost 40,000 men so far. Where Johnston is, we have no +knowledge; but in one of his recent letters he intimated that the fall +of Vicksburg was a matter of time. + +JUNE 11TH.--It appears that the enemy design to attack us. The following +is Lee's dispatch: + + "CULPEPPER, June 9th, 1863. + + "TO GENERAL S. COOPER. + + "The enemy crossed the Rappahannock this morning at five o'clock + A.M., at the various fords from Beverly to Kelly's, with a large + force of cavalry, accompanied by infantry and artillery. After a + severe contest till five P.M., Gen. Stuart drove them across the + river. R. E. LEE." + +We have not received the details of this combat, further than that it +was a surprise, not creditable to our officers in command, by which a +portion of ten regiments and 600 horses were taken by the enemy. We +lost, killed, also a number of cavalry colonels. We, too, captured +several hundred prisoners, which have arrived in the city. Of the killed +and wounded, I have yet obtained no information--but it is supposed +several hundred fell on both sides. + +Still I do not think it probable this affair, coupled with the fact that +the enemy have effected a lodgment on this side of the Rappahannock +below Fredericksburg, and are still crossing, will frustrate any plan +conceived by Lee to invade their country. If, however, Lincoln +concentrates all his forces in the East for another attempt to capture +Richmond, and should bring 300,000 men against us--we shall have near +200,000 to oppose them. + +The Northern Democratic papers are filled with the proceedings of +indignation meetings, denouncing the Republican Administration and +advocating peace. + +JUNE 12TH.--A beautiful, bright warm summer day--and yet a little +somber. + +The surprise of Stuart, on the Rappahannock, has chilled every heart, +notwithstanding it does not appear that we lost more than the enemy in +the encounter. The question is on every tongue--have our generals +relaxed in vigilance? If so, sad is the prospect! + +But Vicksburg is the point of intensest interest and anxieties. Gen. +Johnston writes from Canton, Mississippi, on the 5th inst., in reply to +the Secretary, that he regrets such confidence is reposed in his ability +to save Vicksburg, and fears that such expectations will be +disappointed. Grant is receiving reinforcements daily--while he +(Johnston) is not to have more troops. He does not state the number he +has, but he says it seems to him that the relief of Vicksburg is +_impossible_. Pemberton will hold out as long as he can; but if Grant's +line be not broken, the fall of Vicksburg is only a question of time. +Grant's force (he continues) is more than treble his; and Grant has +constructed lines of circumvallation, and blocked up all the roads +leading to his position. To force his lines would be difficult with an +army twice as numerous as the one he (Johnston) commands. He will try to +do something in aid of the besieged--but it seems a _desperate case_. He +has not wagons and provisions enough to leave the railroads more than +four days. The track to Vicksburg is destroyed. It was his intention at +first to unite all the troops in his command--but it was impracticable. +So much for these lugubrious tidings. Nothing but a miracle can save +Vicksburg! + +The Governors of Alabama and Mississippi unite in urging the government +to suppress both the foreign and border traffic. I fear it is too late! + +There is a street rumor that the enemy have appeared on the +Chickahominy, and on the James River. If this be so, it may be to +embarrass Lee; or it may be a determined and desperate assault on this +city. We shall know very soon. But never before were we in such doubt as +to the designs of the enemy; and never before have they evinced such +apparent vigor and intrepidity. Yet, they know not what Lee is doing to +call them _home_. + +JUNE 13TH.--Col. Baylor, of Arizona, has been heard from again. He +confesses that he issued the order to slaughter the Apaches in cold +blood, and says it is the only mode of dealing with such savages. The +President indorses on it that it is "a confession of an infamous crime." + +Yesterday the enemy appeared on the Peninsula, in what numbers we know +not yet; but just when Gen. Wise was about to attack, with every +prospect of success, an order was received from Gen. Arnold Elzey to +fall back toward the city, pickets and all. + +A letter from Gen. Holmes, containing an account from one of his scouts, +shows that the enemy's militia in Arkansas and Missouri are putting to +death all the men, young or old, having favored the Confederate cause, +who fall into their hands. These acts are perpetrated by order of Gen. +Prentiss. The President suggests that they be published, both at home +and abroad. + +Mr. L. Heyliger, our agent at Nassau, sends an account of the firing +into and disabling the British steamer Margaret and Jessee by the United +States steamer Rhode Island, within a half mile of shore. Several +British subjects were wounded. This may make trouble. + +Mr. J. S. Lemmon applied by letter to-day for permission to leave a +Confederate port for Europe. Major-Gen. Arnold Elzey indorsed on it: +"This young man, being a native of Maryland, is not liable to military +service in the Confederate States." Well, Arnold Elzey is also a native +of Maryland. + +JUNE 14TH.--W----ll, one of the Winder _detectives_ that fled to +Washington last year, is back again. But the Mayor has arrested him as a +spy, and it is said a lady in the city can prove his guilt. Gen. Winder +wanted to bail him; but the Mayor was inexorable, and so W----ll is in +the jail, awaiting his trial. Two others, of Winder's police, have +likewise been arrested by the city authorities for some harsh treatment +of a citizen supposed to have a barrel of whisky in his house. The +justification offered is the jurisdiction of martial law, which Gen. +Winder still thinks exists, although annulled by Congress. + +The company (of 104) organized in the War Department as independent +volunteers for local defense, being objected to by Gen. Elzey, because +they would not be subject to his command, was rejected by the President, +who insisted that the officers of the departments (civil) should be +mustered into the service under the act of August 21st, 1861, and are +subject to _his_ control, and liable to be attached to battalions, +regiments, etc., he appointing the field and staff officers. This was +communicated to the lieutenant of the company by the Secretary of War, +who stated also that the President required the names of all refusing to +reorganize on that basis _to be reported to him_. + +There is an indefinable dread of conspiracy, and the President is right, +perhaps, to frown upon all military organizations not subject to his +orders. Mr. Randolph, late Secretary of War, has been very busy +organizing the second class militia of the city for "local defense," +under the supposition that he would command them; but the President has +made a requisition for 8000 of this class of men, for the same purpose, +which will put them under Confederate orders, perhaps. A jealousy, I +fear, is growing up between Confederate and State authority. This when +the common enemy is thundering at all our gates! + +JUNE 15TH.--The enemy have abandoned the vicinity of Fredericksburg, +falling back across the river, and probably retiring toward Alexandria, +or else they have taken to their transports, and intend making another +effort to capture Richmond. It is rumored that Gen. Ewell has taken +Winchester; but this, I think, is at least premature. + +Certainly the government is taking steps to guard against a blow at +Richmond. All the civil officers (subordinates, only, of course) are +being mustered into the service for "local defense or special duty;" but +Gen. Elzey, the Marylander, it is reported, has said the "d----d clerks +have given me so much trouble, that I intend to keep them on duty in +such a way that they cannot perform their functions in the departments, +and so others must be appointed in their places." This would be in +violation both of the Constitution and several acts of Congress. Yet +they are to be mustered in this evening "for three years, or the war." +And the Secretary of the Treasury has announced that all who refuse to +volunteer are to be reported, by the President's command, and will be +removed. The President has intimated no such thing. Of course they will +_volunteer_. There is much censure of the President for "bad +faith"--most of the clerks being refugees, with families to support. + +Mayor Mayo has refused to admit Gen. Winder's three policemen (all +imported) to bail, and they remain in prison; and Judge Meredith has +refused to discharge them on a writ of _habeas corpus_--resolving first +to test the validity of the martial law set up for them in their +defense. + +I believe the government is acting on my suggestion to Col. Johnston, +A. D. C., in regard to searching blockade-runners, caught in the lines, +bearing sealed letters to the North. To-day the Attorney-General sent to +the department, for Mr. Seddon's approval, instructions to Confederate +Attorneys and Marshals to aid and co-operate with _M. Greenwood_, a +detective agent of the government. I think about the first men he +detects in treasonable practices will be Gen. Elzey and Gen. Winder's +detectives. + +Mr. Vallandigham has been nominated for Governor of Ohio. + +The following are the conditions upon which women and children can come +to the South, or go to the North, published in Washington and Baltimore: + + "_First._--All applications for passes to go South must be made in + writing and verified by oath, addressed to Major L. C. Turner, + Judge Advocate, Washington, D. C., as follows: + + "I, A---- B----, applicant for a pass to go to City Point, + Virginia, and now residing at ----, do solemnly swear that, if said + pass be granted, I will not take any property excepting my wearing + apparel, and that all the articles to be taken with me are + contained in the trunk or package delivered or to be delivered to + the quartermaster on the transport steamer on which I am to go to + City Point. That I have not been in any insurgent State, nor beyond + the military lines of the United States, within thirty days last + past. That I will not return within the military lines of the + United States during the present war, and that I have not in my + trunk nor on my person any papers or writings whatsoever, nor any + contraband articles. + + "No person will be allowed to take more than one trunk or package + of female wearing apparel, weighing not over one hundred pounds, + and subject to inspection; and if anything contraband be found in + the trunk or on the person, the property will be forfeited and the + pass revoked. + + "_Second._--A passenger boat will leave Annapolis, Md., on the + first day of July next, to deliver those permitted to go South at + City Point, and the baggage of each applicant must be delivered to + the quartermaster on said boat, at least twenty-four hours previous + to the day of departure for inspection. + + "_Third._--Children will be allowed to accompany their mothers and + relatives, and take their usual wearing apparel; but the name and + age of each child must be given in the application. + + "_Fourth._--Ladies and children desiring to come North will be + received on the boat at City Point and taken to Annapolis, and + every adult person coming North will be required to take and + subscribe to the oath of allegiance to the Government of the United + States before the boat leaves Fortress Monroe. + + "L. C. TURNER, _Judge Advocate_." + +JUNE 16TH.--We have nothing from the West to-day. But it is believed +that Hooker is retiring toward Manassas--that fatal field--where another +(and the third) battle may be fought. Lee's army is certainly on the +march, and a collision of arms cannot be averted many days. It is +believed Gen. Ewell, successor of Jackson, has beaten Milroy at +Winchester. + +But, while terrible events are daily anticipated in the field, all the +civilians seem to have gone wild with speculation, and official +corruption runs riot throughout the land. J. M. Seixas, agent of the War +Department, writes from Wilmington that while the government steamers +can get no cotton to exchange abroad for ordnance stores, the steamers +of individuals are laden, and depart almost daily. This is said to be +partly the work of the "Southern Express Company," believed to be +Yankees (a portion of them), which contracts to deliver freight, and +bribes the railroads and monopolizes transportation. _This_ is the +company on whose application Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary of War, +granted so many exemptions and details! It takes a great number of +able-bodied men from the army, and then, by a peculiar process, +absolutely embarrasses, as Gen. Whiting says, the conduct of the war. + +Judge Dargan, of Alabama, writes that private blockade-runners are +ruining the country--supplying the enemy with cotton, and bringing in +liquors and useless gew-gaws. + +JUNE 17TH.--The city has been gladdened by the reception of this +dispatch from Gen. Lee: + + "JUNE 15th, 1863. + + "HIS EXCELLENCY, JEFFERSON DAVIS. + + "God has again crowned the valor of our troops with success. + Early's division stormed the enemy's intrenchments at Winchester, + capturing their artillery, etc. + + "(Signed) R. E. LEE, _General_." + +Subsequent reports to the press state that we captured some 6000 +prisoners, Gen. Milroy among them, 50 guns, and a large amount of +stores. If we caught Milroy, the impression prevails that he was hung +immediately, in accordance with the President's order some time since, +as a just punishment for the outrages inflicted by him on our helpless +old men, women, and children. + +A sealed envelope came in to-day, addressed by the President to the +Secretary of War, marked "Highly important and confidential," which, of +course, I sent to the Secretary immediately without breaking the seal, +as it is my duty to do to all letters not private or confidential. I can +as yet only conjecture what it referred to. It may be of good, and it +may be of bad import. It may relate to affairs in the West; or it may be +a communication from abroad, several steamers having just arrived. _Can_ +it be from the Government at Washington? I care not what it is, if we +hold Vicksburg. + +The Commissary-General reports that he has some 8,000,000 pounds of +bacon, and quite as much salt and fresh beef at the various depots, +besides some 11,000 head of cattle. This is not a large amount for such +armies as we have in the field; but in the fall we shall have 10 per +cent. of all the products in the Confederate States as tax in kind. The +Commissary-General, however, recommends the following reduction of +rations: for men in garrison or batteries, a quarter pound of bacon per +day; in camp, one-third of a pound; and marching, half a pound. + +Mr. James Spence, our financial agent in England, gives a somewhat +cheering account of money matters. He recommends the shipping of +$1,000,000 worth of cotton per week, which appears to be practicable. He +also advises the shipment of the few millions of gold the government +holds in this country to England; and Mr. Memminger approves it--in +boxes weekly, containing $75,000. If this were known, it could hardly be +accomplished, for such is the distrust of several members of the cabinet +that the people would revolt. They would believe the cabinet meant soon +to follow the gold. And some of our military commanders have no better +opinion of them than the people. Beauregard once stopped some bullion +ordered away by Mr. Memminger. + +There is a rumor that Gen. Wise had a combat yesterday on the Peninsula. +But the operations beyond the Rappahannock, and approaching the capital +of the United States, must relieve Richmond of all immediate danger. + +Mr. Lincoln says he is "making history;" forgetful of the execrable +figure he is likely to be in it. Our papers to-day contain the +following: + +"_Yankee Cruelty; Forty-three Negroes Drowned._--One of the most +atrocious incidents of the whole war was yesterday related to us by a +gentleman of this city, who obtained the facts from Capt. Jas. G. White, +of King William County, who vouches for the accuracy of the statement. +Some days ago, when the Yankees made their raid to Aylett's, they +visited the place of Dr. Gregg, living in the neighborhood, and took +from their comfortable homes forty-three negroes, who were hurried off +to York River and placed on board a vessel bound Northward. Along with +these negroes, as a prisoner, was a gentleman named Lee, a resident and +highly respectable citizen of King William, who has since been released +and allowed to return to his home. He states that when the vessel +arrived in Chesapeake Bay, the small-pox made its appearance among the +negroes, that disease having existed to some extent among the same +family before they were dragged from their homes in King William. The +captain of the Yankee vessel and his crew were greatly alarmed at the +appearance of the disease on board, and very soon determined to rid the +vessel of the presence of the negroes. Without attempting to make the +shore, and not considering for an instant the inhumanity of the cruel +deed, the whole negro cargo was thrown into the bay, and every one left +to perish by drowning. Not one, perhaps, escaped the cruel fate visited +upon them by those who profess to be their earnest friends and warmest +sympathizers." + +JUNE 18TH.--From Winchester we have many accounts, in the absence of +official reports (Gen. Lee being too busy in the saddle to write), which +have exalted our spirits most wonderfully. The number of prisoners +taken, by the lowest estimate is 5000,--the others say 9000,--besides 50 +guns, and an immense amount of stores. Our own loss in storming the +fortifications was only 100 killed and wounded! Milroy, they say, +escaped by flight--but may not have gotten off very far, as it seems +certain that our one-legged Lieut.-Gen. Ewell (fit successor of Jackson) +pushed on to the Potomac and surrounded, if he has not taken, Harper's +Ferry, where there is another large depot of supplies. The whole valley +is doubtless in our possession--the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad--and the +way is open into Maryland and Pennsylvania. It is believed Hooker's army +is utterly demoralized, and that Lee is _going on_. This time, perhaps, +no Sharpsburg will embarrass his progress, and the long longed-for day +of retributive invasion may come at last. + +Col. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance (Northern born), recommends that the +habit of issuing twenty cartridges extra to each of our men be +discontinued, and suggests that they be given three cartridges per +month, and all over that to be issued upon requisition of the commanding +general, on the eve of battle. But might they not, if this were adopted, +be liable to be caught sometimes without enough ammunition? He says +there is a deficiency of lead. + +There is a rumor that the Secretary of the Navy sent an iron-clad out +yesterday, at Savannah, to fight two of the enemy's blockading squadron, +and that after an engagement of thirty minutes, our ship struck her +colors. If this be so, the people will wish that the Secretary had been +on the boat that surrendered. + +A man by the name of Jackson a short time since obtained a passport +through our lines from Judge Campbell, and when a negro was rowing him +across the Potomac, drew a pistol and made him take him to a Federal +gun-boat in sight. He was heartily received, and gave such information +to the enemy as induced them to engage in a raid on the Northern Neck, +resulting in the devastation of several counties. These facts I got from +the President's special detective, Craddock. Craddock also informs me +that my communication to Col. Johnston was laid before the President, +who called in the Secretary of State and the Secretary of War, to +consult on some means of regulating the passport business, etc. He says +prompt measures will be adopted immediately. + +Craddock also informs me that a Jew named Cohen, in this city, has been +co-operating with his brother living in the North, obtaining passports +both ways for bribes--and bribing the officials that granted them, much +to our detriment. This, perhaps, has alarmed the President; but if the +business of selling passports be lucrative, I despair of his being able +to put an end to it. + +I see the enemy have destroyed the President's house, furniture, etc., +in Mississippi. + +I have good reason to suppose that the package marked "important," etc., +sent from the President's office yesterday to the Secretary of War, was +the substance of a conversation which took place between Mr. Ould and +Mr. Vallandigham. What Mr. V. revealed to Mr. O., perhaps supposing the +latter, although employed here, friendly to ultimate reconstruction, +there is no means of conjecturing. But it was deemed "highly +important." + +JUNE 19TH.--Gen. Lee telegraphs from _Culpepper Court House_ yesterday, +that Gen. Rhodes captured Martinsburg, Sunday, 14th inst., taking +several guns, over 200 prisoners, and a supply of ammunition and grain. +Our loss was only one killed and two wounded. + +The Secretary of the Navy is in bad odor for ordering out the Atlanta at +Savannah to fight _two_ Federal steamers, to whom she surrendered. + +There is nothing more definite or authentic from Winchester, except that +we certainly captured Milroy's army of not less than 5000 men. + +To-day the government issued musket and ball-cartridges (forty to each) +to the volunteer companies raised in the departments for home defense. +If this does not signify apprehension of an immediate attack, it proves +at all events that Lee's army is not to be around the city as it was a +year ago--and that signifies his purpose to advance. + +JUNE 20TH.--It has got out that the President intends to dispense with +the services of Mr. Myers, the Jew Quartermaster-General, and Mr. Miles, +member of Congress from South Carolina, who happens to be his friend, is +characteristically doing the part of a friend for his retention. But he +gives the President some severe raps for alleged contempt of the wishes +of Congress, that body having passed a bill (vetoed by the President) +conferring on Col. M. the rank and pay of brigadier-general. + +The operations of Gen. Lee have relieved the depot here, which was +nearly empty. Since the capture of Winchester and Martinsburg, only +about 1500 bushels of corn are sent to the army daily, whereas 5000 were +sent before, and there were rarely more than a day's supply on hand. + +To-day, about one o'clock, the city was thrown into a state of joyful +excitement, by the reception of news from the North. From this source it +was ascertained, what had hitherto been only a matter of conjecture, +that a portion of our forces, the same that captured Winchester and +Martinsburg, were in Pennsylvania! Gen. Jenkins, with his cavalry, had +taken Chambersburg on the 16th inst.--and the North, from the line of +Pennsylvania to the lakes, and from the seaboard to the western +prairies, was stricken with consternation. These are some of the +dispatches, as copied from Northern papers: + +"The Governor of Ohio calls for 30,000 troops. The Governor of +Pennsylvania calls for 50,000, to prevent the invasion of each State. + +"WASHINGTON, June 15th.--Lincoln has issued a proclamation for 100,000 +men, to repel the invasion of Maryland, Northern Virginia, Pennsylvania, +and Ohio. + +"HARRISBURG, June 15th.--Dispatches from Chambersburg and Hagerstown +state that the rebel cavalry are at Berryville and Martinsburg. A +dispatch dated 14th, says that hard fighting is going on. The rebels had +driven Reynolds from Berryville, and were advancing on the capital. The +towns and cities throughout Pennsylvania are in danger. + +"LATER.--Private dispatches state that on the 16th the rebels were at +Chambersburg in force. The Federals were removing the railroad +machinery, stock, and stores. Great excitement and alarm pervaded the +entire country." + +In the "hard fighting," Gen. Lee reports our loss as "one killed and two +wounded." Here's the second dispatch: + +"SHELBYVILLE, TENN., June 18th.--Nashville papers of the 17th inst. have +been received here. They contain Lincoln's proclamation, calling for +100,000 militia, for six months' service, and the following highly +interesting telegrams: + +"LOUDON, PA., June 16th.--The rebels are in heavy force in the +Cumberland Valley. + +"BEDFORD, PA., June 16th.--Scouts report 6000 rebels at Cumberland, +Maryland. The inhabitants are flying for safety from Harper's Ferry. + +"HARRISBURG, June 16th.--Business is suspended here. All the important +documents have been removed from the capital. + +"Milroy telegraphs officially his repulse from the fortifications at +Winchester by 15,000 rebels, with the loss of 2900 men. + +"Governor Curtin calls upon the people of Pennsylvania to defend the +State, saying that Philadelphia has not responded, while the enemy are +in Chambersburg. He reproaches Pennsylvania for sniffling about the +length of service when the exigency exists. + +"Dispatches state that everything looks gloomy, and there is no saving +the country south of the Susquehanna. + +"BALTIMORE, June 16th.--Governor Bradford calls on the people to rally +to the defense of Maryland. + +"PROVIDENCE, R. I., June 16th.--Governor Smith convenes the Legislature +on Thursday for the purpose of raising troops. + +"PHILADELPHIA, June 16th.--The Mayor has issued a proclamation closing +the stores in order that the occupants may join military organizations +to defend the city. + +"NEW YORK, June 16th.--All the regiments are getting ready under arms. +The Brooklyn bells were rung at midnight, summoning the men to the +regiments, which were to leave immediately for Philadelphia. + +"Governor Andrews, of Massachusetts, tenders Lincoln all the available +force of militia from that State." + +Milroy's statement in relation to the number of prisoners taken by us is +pretty fair, when compared with Hooker's official statements on similar +occasions. Some of the prisoners will probably arrive in Richmond +to-day--and the Agent of Exchange has been notified that 7000 would be +sent on. So Gen. Milroy told nearly _half_ the truth. + +Again: + +THIRD DISPATCH. + +"SHELBYVILLE, June 19th.--Other dispatches in the Nashville papers say +that the rebels advanced six miles beyond Chambersburg. On the 16th Gen. +Taylor telegraphs officially his retreat, and the capture of the Federal +forces at Winchester." + +Later in the day the New York _Herald_ of the 17th inst. was received by +the flag of truce boat. I now quote from it: + +"Fortifications are being rapidly erected all along the north bank of +the Susquehanna, and Gen. McClellan or Gen. Franklin has been called for +to head the State troops. + +REPORTS FROM HARRISBURG. + +"HARRISBURG, PA., June 16th.--Midnight.--Rebel cavalry to-day occupied +Littletown, eleven miles from Gettysburg, but at last accounts had not +advanced beyond that point. + +"The rebel officers at Chambersburg stated that they were only waiting +for infantry to move forward. The authorities are inclined to believe, +however, that they will not move farther North. + +"The farmers in the valley are sending their horses and cattle into the +mountains. + +"The rebels are gathering up all the negroes that can be found. + +"Private property has been respected. + +"They burned the railroad bridge across Scotland Creek, six miles this +side of Chambersburg. + +HARPER'S FERRY INVESTED. + +"BALTIMORE, June 16th.--Fugitives from Hagerstown report the rebels +picketing all the roads and not permitting any one to pass. + +"The force that passed through were all cavalry, under Jenkins and +Imboden, and did not exceed 2500. + +"All was quiet at Frederick up to five o'clock this evening, though the +people were greatly excited and hundreds were leaving. + +"HARRISBURG, June 17th.--The aspect of affairs, so far as can be judged +by the reports from the border, seems to be this: + +"The rebel force occupy Hagerstown and such other points as leave them +free to operate either against Harrisburg or Baltimore. + +"Apprehensions are entertained by the people of Altoona and other points +on the line of the Pennsylvania Railroad, that the rebels will strike +for the West, and then go back to their own soil by way of Pittsburg and +Wheeling. + +"The fortifications constructed on the hills opposite Harrisburg are +considered sufficient protection for the city, and an offensive movement +on our part is not unlikely." + +JUNE 21ST.--To-day we have an account of the burning of Darien, Ga. The +temptation is strong for our army to retaliate on the soil of +Pennsylvania. + +JUNE 22D.--To-day I saw the memorandum of Mr. Ould, of the conversation +held with Mr. Vallandigham, for file in the archives. He says if we _can +only hold out_ this year that the peace party of the North would sweep +the Lincoln dynasty out of political existence. He seems to have thought +that our cause was sinking, and feared we would submit, which would, of +course, be ruinous to his party! But he advises strongly against any +invasion of Pennsylvania, for that would unite all parties at the North, +and so strengthen Lincoln's hands that he would be able to crush all +opposition, and trample upon the constitutional rights of the people. + +Mr. V. said nothing to indicate that either he or the party had any +other idea than that the Union would be reconstructed under Democratic +rule. The President indorsed, with his own pen, on this document, that, +in regard to invasion of the North, experience proved the contrary of +what Mr. V. asserted. But Mr. V. is for restoring the Union, amicably, +of course, and if it cannot be so done, then possibly he is in favor of +recognizing our independence. He says any reconstruction which is not +voluntary on our part, would soon be followed by another separation, and +a worse war than the present one. + +The President received a dispatch to-day from Gen. Johnston, stating +that Lt.-Gen. Kirby Smith had taken Milliken's Bend. This is important, +for it interferes with Grant's communications. + +Gov. Shorter writes that a company near Montgomery, Ala., have invented +a mode of manufacturing cotton and woolen handcards, themselves making +the steel and wire, and in a few weeks will be turning out from 800 to +1000 pairs of cards per week. This will be a great convenience to the +people. + +Gen. Whiting writes that the river at Wilmington is so filled with the +ships of private blockade-runners that the defense of the harbor is +interfered with. These steamers are mostly filled with Yankee goods, for +which they take them cotton, in the teeth of the law. He pronounces this +business most execrable, as well as injurious to the cause. He desires +the President to see his letter, and hopes he may be instructed to seize +the steamers and cargoes arriving belonging to Yankees and freighted +with Yankee goods. + +It is a difficult matter to subsist in this city now. Beef is $1 and +bacon $1.65 per pound, and just at this time there are but few +vegetables. Old potatoes are gone, and the new have not yet come. A +single cabbage, merely the leaves, no head, sells for a dollar, and this +suffices not for a dinner for my family. + +My little garden has produced nothing yet, in consequence of the +protracted dry weather. But we have, at last, abundant rains. To-day I +found several long pieces of rusty wire, and these I have affixed +horizontally to the wood-house and to the fence, intending to lead the +lima beans up to them by strings, which I will fasten to switches stuck +between the plants. My beets will soon be fit to eat, and so will the +squashes. But the potatoes do not yet afford a cheering prospect. The +tomatoes, however, are coming on finely, and the cherries are nearly +ripe. A lady has sent me 50 cabbage plants to set out, and two dozen red +peppers. Every foot of my ground is occupied, and there is enough to +afford me some exercise every afternoon. + +JUNE 23D.--From the army on the Potomac we have a dispatch from Lee, +saying there have been several cavalry engagements during the last week, +wherein our arms were successful. Lee will soon electrify us with +another movement of his grand army,--such is the general belief. + +From the West we learn that on Saturday last, Grant, no doubt driven to +desperation by our occupation of Milliken's Bend cutting off his +supplies and reinforcements, made a more furious attempt than ever to +take Vicksburg by assault, and was repulsed disastrously. His loss is +estimated at between 7000 and 10,000 men. Pemberton is now greatly +praised by many people, while some of our officers shake their heads and +say he is fighting with the halter around his neck, and that if he were +_not_ to fight and hold out to the last, his own men would hang him. + +Notwithstanding the immense amount of goods brought in daily, the prices +keep high. + +JUNE 24TH.--We have nothing additional from Vicksburg or from the +Potomac, but there is a rumor of fighting near Leesburg. + +The first installment of Winchester prisoners reached the city +yesterday, 1600 in number, and there are over 4000 more on the way. So +much for Milroy's 2000 or 3000! + +To-day the President desired the Secretary of War to send him all the +correspondence with Gen. Johnston, as he intends to write him a +confidential letter touching reinforcements, and he wishes to inform him +of the military situation of affairs everywhere. + +This afternoon some excitement prevails in the city, caused by a +notification of the Governor placarded at the corner of the streets, +calling on the citizens to assemble at the Capitol Square at 7 o'clock +P.M., and announcing that reliable information has been received of the +landing of the enemy (how many is not stated) at Brandon, on the James +River, and at the White House, on the York, some thirty-five miles +below. There was also a meeting of the clerks of the departments, and +it was agreed that at the sounding of the tocsin they should assemble +(day or night) with arms at their respective offices. + +This may be another Pawnee alarm of the government, and it may be the +wolf. If some 30,000 of the enemy's troops make a dash at Richmond now, +they may take it. But it will, of course, be defended with what means we +have, to the last extremity. + +Still, I think it nothing more than a strategical movement to save +Washington or to embarrass Lee's operations, and it will fail to retard +his movement. We shall soon see what it is. + +JUNE 25TH.--The excitement has subsided. No doubt small detachments of +the enemy were seen at the places indicated, and Gen. Elzey (who some +say had been drinking) alarmed the Governor with a tale of horror. The +reports came through Gen. Winder's detectives, one-half of whom would +rather see the enemy here than not, and will serve the side that pays +most. Yet, we should be prepared. + +I saw an indorsement by the President to-day, that foreigners should +give guarantees of neutrality or be sent out of the city. + +Nothing from Lee. + +JUNE 27TH.--An officer of the Signal Corps reported, yesterday, the +force of Gen. Keyes, on the Peninsula, at 6000. To-day we learn that the +enemy is in possession of Hanover Junction, cutting off communication +with both Fredericksburg and Gordonsville. A train was coming down the +Central Road with another installment of the Winchester prisoners (some +4000 having already arrived, now confined on Belle Island, opposite the +city), but was stopped in time, and sent back. + +Gen. Elzey had just ordered away a brigade from Hanover Junction to +Gordonsville, upon which it was alleged another raid was projected. What +admirable manoeuvring for the benefit of the enemy! + +Gen. D. H. Hill wrote, yesterday, that we had no troops on the +Blackwater except cavalry. I hope he will come here and take command. + +Gen. Whiting has arrested the Yankee crew of the Arabian, at Wilmington. +It appears that she is owned by New Yorkers, sailed from New York, and +has a Yankee cargo! + +Capt. Maury writes from London that R. J. Walker, once a fire-and-fury +Mississippi Senator (but Yankee-born), is in Europe trying to borrow +L50,000,000 for the United States. Capt. Maury says the British +Government will not willingly let us have another "Alabama;" but that it +is also offended at the United States for the atrocities of Wilkes, and +this may lead to war. The war, however, would not be intended as a +diversion in our behalf. + +Nothing is heard to-day from Lee, except what appears in Northern papers +several days old, when our troops were occupying Hagerstown, Cumberland, +etc., in Maryland, and foraging pretty extensively in Pennsylvania. + +Nothing from Vicksburg. + +Just as I apprehended! The brigade ordered away from Hanover to +Gordonsville, upon a wild-goose chase, had not been gone many hours +before some 1200 of the enemy's cavalry appeared there, and burnt the +bridges which the brigade had been guarding! This is sottishness, rather +than generalship, in our local commanders. + +A regiment was sent up when firing was heard (the annihilation of our +weak guard left at the bridges) and arrived just two hours too late. The +enemy rode back, with a hundred mules they had captured, getting under +cover of their gun-boats. + +To-day, it is said, Gen. Elzey is relieved, and Gen. Ransom, of North +Carolina, put in command; also, that Custis Lee (son of Gen. R. E. Lee) +has superseded Gen. Winder. I hope this has been done. Young Lee has +certainly been commissioned a brigadier-general. His brother, Brig.-Gen. +W. H. F. Lee, wounded in a late cavalry fight, was taken yesterday by +the enemy at Hanover Court House. + +Gen. Whiting's letter about the "Arabian" came back from the President, +to-day, indorsed that, as Congress did not prohibit private +blockade-running, he wouldn't interfere. So, this is to be the settled +policy of the government. + +This morning the President sent a letter to the Secretary of War, +requesting him to direct all mounted officers--some fifty A. A. G.'s and +A. D.'s--to report to him for duty around the city. Good! These +gentlemen ought to be in the saddle instead of being sheltered from +danger in the bureaus. + +3 O'CLOCK P.M.--Three proclamations have just been issued! One (a joint +one) from the President and the Governor, calling upon everybody to +organize themselves into companies, battalions, and regiments, when they +will be armed. They say "no time is to be lost, the danger is great." +The Mayor, in his document, warns the people in time to avoid the fate +of New Orleans. He says the enemy is advancing on the city, and may +assail it before Monday morning. This is Saturday. The third +proclamation is by E. B. Robinson, one of my printers, twenty years ago, +at Washington. He calls upon all natives of Maryland and the District of +Columbia to report to him, and he will lead them against the enemy, and +redeem them from the imputation of skulking or disloyalty cast upon poor +refugees by the flint-hearted Shylocks of Richmond, who have extorted +all their money from them. + +Besides these inflammatory documents, the militia colonels have out +notices for all men under forty-five years of age to meet in Broad +Street to-morrow, Sunday. + +I learn, however, that there are some 25,000 or 30,000 of the enemy at +Yorktown; but if we can get together 12,000 fighting men, in the next +twenty-four hours, to man the fortifications, there will not be much use +for the militia and the clerks of the departments, more than as an +internal police force. But I am not quite sure we can get that number. + +JUNE 28TH.--By order of Brig.-Gen. G. W. Custis Lee, the department +companies were paraded to-day, armed and equipped. These, with the +militia in the streets (armed by the government to-day), amounted to +several thousand efficient men for the batteries and for guard duty. +They are to rendezvous, with blankets, provisions, etc., upon the +sounding of the tocsin. I learn that 8000 men in the hospitals within +convenient reach of the city, including those in the city, can be +available for defense in an emergency. They cannot march, but they can +fight. These, with Hill's division, will make over 20,000 men; an ample +force to cope with the enemy on the Peninsula. It has been a cool, +cloudy day (we have had copious rains recently), else the civilians +could not have stood several hours exercise so well. A little practice +will habituate them by degrees to the harness of war. No one doubts that +they will fight, when the time for blows arrives. Gen. Jenkins has just +arrived, with his brigade, from the south side of the James River. + +I was in the arsenal to-day, and found an almost unlimited amount of +arms. + +We get not a word from Gen. Lee. This, I think, augurs well, for bad +news flies fast. No doubt we shall soon hear something from the Northern +papers. They are already beginning to magnify the ravages of our army on +_their_ soil: but our men are incapable of retaliating, to the full +extent, such atrocities as the following, on the Blackwater, near +Suffolk, which I find in the Petersburg _Express_: + +"Mr. Smith resided about one mile from the town, a well-to-do farmer, +having around him an interesting family, the eldest one a gallant young +man in the 16th Virginia Regiment. When Gen. Longstreet invested Suffolk +a sharp artillery and infantry skirmish took place near Mr. Smith's +residence, and many balls passed through his house. The Yankees finally +advanced and fired the houses, forcing the family to leave. Mrs. Smith, +with her seven children, the youngest only ten months old, attempted to +escape to the woods and into the Confederate lines, when she was fired +upon by the Yankee soldiers, and a Minie-ball entering her limb just +below the hip, she died in thirty minutes from the loss of blood. The +children, frightened, hid themselves in the bushes, while Mr. Smith sat +down upon the ground by his wife, to see her breathe her last. After she +had been dead for some time, the Yankee commander permitted him to take +a cart, and, with no assistance except one of his children, he put the +dead body in the cart and carried it into the town. On his arrival in +town, he was not permitted to take the remains of his wife to her +brother's residence until he had first gone through the town to the +Provost Marshal's office and obtained permission. On his arrival at the +Provost Marshal's office, he was gruffly told to take his wife to the +graveyard and bury her. He carried her to her brother's, John R. Kilby, +Esq., and a few friends prepared her for burial; Mr. Kilby not being +allowed to leave the house, or to attend the remains of his sister to +the graveyard. + +"Nor did the cruelty of the fiends stop here. Mr. Smith was denied the +privilege of going in search of his little children, and for four days +and nights they wandered in the woods and among the soldiers without +anything to eat or any place to sleep. The baby was taken up by a +colored woman and nursed until some private in the Yankee army, with a +little better heart than his associates, took it on his horse and +carried it to town. Mr. Smith is still in the lines of the enemy, his +house and everything else he had destroyed, and his little children +cared for by his friends. + +"Will not the Confederate soldiers now in Pennsylvania remember such +acts of cruelty and barbarism? Will not the Nansemond companies remember +it? And will not that gallant boy in the 16th Regiment remember his +mother's fate, and take vengeance on the enemy? Will not such a cruel +race of people eventually reap the fruit of their doings? God grant that +they may." + +SUNDAY AFTERNOON.--There are two reports of important events current in +the streets: first, that Lee's army has taken and destroyed Harrisburg, +Pennsylvania; and second, that Vicksburg has fallen. I am not prepared +to credit either, although the first is said to be true by no less a +person than Gov. Letcher. And yet one or both may be confirmed +to-morrow; and if so, that is, if Vicksburg has fallen, and Lee should +retire, as he must sooner or later, there will be a dark and desponding +season in the Confederacy. But the war will go on. + +JUNE 29TH.--There is no confirmation of the report of the fall of +Vicksburg, but it may be so; nor is it certain that we have advanced to +Harrisburg, but it is probable. + +Gen. D. H. Hill writes (on Saturday) from Petersburg that 40,000 of the +enemy could not take Richmond; but this may be fishing for the command. +He says if Gen. Dix comes this way, he would make him a subject of the +cartel of exchange which he (Dix) had a hand in negotiating. + +J. M. Botts writes, from his farm in Culpepper, that our men are +quartered on his premises, and do as much injury as _a_ hostile army +could. _He_ is neutral. They pay him ten cents per day for the grazing +of each horse. + +The Commissary-General is again recommending the procuring of bacon from +within the enemy's lines, in exchange for cotton. Why not get meat from +the enemy's country for nothing? + +Hon. R. M. T. Hunter writes to the Secretary of War to let the +Quartermaster-General alone, that he is popular with Congress, and that +his friends are active. It might be dangerous to remove him; the +President had better commission him a brigadier-general. He says Judge +Campbell wants the President to go to Mississippi; this, Mr. H. is +opposed to. Mr. H. is willing to trust Johnston, has not lost confidence +in him, etc. And he tells the Secretary to inform the President how +much he (H.) esteems him (the President). + +The New York _Times_ publishes an account of one of their raids on the +Peninsula, below this city, as follows: + +"Within the past three days a most daring raid has been made into one of +the richest portions of the enemy's country, and the success was equal +to the boldness of the undertaking. + +"The expedition, which was conducted by both land and water, was +commanded by Col. Kilpatrick. It started from the headquarters of Gen. +Keyes on Wednesday, and returned yesterday. In the interim the Counties +of Matthews and Gloucester were scoured. All the warehouses containing +grain were sacked, the mills burned, and everything that could in any +way aid the rebels were destroyed or captured. Three hundred horses, two +hundred and fifty head of cattle, two hundred sheep, and one hundred +mules, together with a large number of contrabands, were brought back by +the raiders. + +"The rebel farmers were all taken by surprise. They had not expected a +demonstration of the kind. Not only were they made to surrender +everything that could be of the least use to us, but they were compelled +to be silent spectators to the destruction of their agricultural +implements." + +No doubt we shall soon have some account in the Northern papers of _our_ +operations in this line, in their country. + +JUNE 30TH.--Dispatches from the West show that we still held Vicksburg +at the last dates; and, moreover, Gen. Taylor (son of Zachary Taylor) +had stormed and taken the enemy's fortifications at Berwick's Bay, with +the bayonet. We took 1000 prisoners, 10 large cannon, and many stores. +Also that we had taken Thibbodauxville, and have thus cut off Banks from +New Orleans. + +5 O'CLOCK P.M.--The city is now in good humor, but not wild with +exultation. We have what seems pretty authentic intelligence of the +taking of HARRISBURG, the capital of Pennsylvania, the City of YORK, +etc. etc. This comes on the flag of truce boat, and is derived from the +enemy themselves. Lee will not descend to the retaliation instigated by +petty malice; but proclaim to the inhabitants that all we desire is +PEACE, not conquest. + +From Vicksburg we have further information that, in springing his mine, +Grant destroyed hundreds of his own men, and did us no injury. Also +that a battery we have above Vicksburg had fired into some passing +transports, doing great damage to life and boats. The troops landed, and +failed to take the battery by assault, losing hundreds in addition. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +Enemy threatening Richmond.--The city is safe.--Battle of Gettysburg.-- + Great excitement.--Yankees in great trouble.--Alas! Vicksburg has + fallen.--President is sick.--Grant marching against Johnston at + Jackson.--Fighting at that place.--Yankees repulsed at Charleston.-- + Lee and Meade facing each other.--Pemberton surrenders his whole + army.--Fall of Port Hudson.--Second class conscripts called for.-- + Lee has got back across the Potomac.--Lincoln getting fresh troops.-- + Lee writes that he cannot be responsible if the soldiers fail for + want of food.--Rumors of Grant coming East.--Pemberton in bad odor.-- + Hon. W. L. Yancey is dead. + + +JULY 1ST.--The intelligence of the capture of Harrisburg and York, Pa., +is so far confirmed as to be admitted by the officers of the Federal +flag of truce boat that came up to City Point yesterday. + +Of the movements of Hooker's army, we have the following information: + + "HEADQUARTERS, CAVALRY DIVISION, + + "June 27th, 1863. + + "GENERAL:--I took possession of Fairfax C. H. this morning at nine + o'clock, together with a large quantity of stores. The main body of + Hooker's army has gone toward Leesburg, except the garrison of + Alexandria and Washington, which has retreated within the + fortifications. + + "Very respectfully, + + "Your obedient servant, + + "J. E. B. STUART, _Major-General_." + +The Northern papers say that our cruiser Tacony, taken from them, has +destroyed twenty-two of their vessels since the 12th inst.; but that our +men burnt her at last. Her crew then entered Portland, Maine, and cut +out the steam cutter Caleb Cushing, which they subsequently blew up, and +then were themselves taken prisoner. + +The President has decided that the obstructions below the city shall not +be opened for the steam iron-clad Richmond to go out, until another +iron-clad be in readiness to accompany her. + +Capt. Maury, at Mobile, writes that the two iron-clads, Trent and +Nashville, now ready for sea, might take New Orleans and _keep it_. The +President directs the Secretary of War to consult the Secretary of the +Navy, and if they agreed, the attempt should be made without loss of +time. So, probably, we shall have news from that quarter soon. + +The militia and Department Guard (soon to be called the National Guard, +probably) were notified to-day to be in readiness at a minute's warning. +It is said positively that Dix is advancing toward the city. Well, let +him come. + +JULY 2D.--The President is unwell again; to what extent I have not +learned. But the Vice-President is ready, no doubt, to take his place in +the event of a fatal result; and some would rejoice at it. Such is the +mutability of political affairs! + +The Attorney-General Watts, being referred to, sends in a written +opinion that foreigners sojourning here, under the protection of the +Confederate States, are liable to military duty, in defense of their +homes, against any government but the one to which they claim to owe +allegiance. This I sent in to the Secretary of War, and I hope he will +act on it; but the Assistant Secretary and Mr. Benjamin were busy +to-day--perhaps combating the Attorney-General's opinion. Will Mr. +Seddon have the nerve to act? It is a trying time, and every man is +needed for defense. + +The enemy were drawn up in line of battle this morning below the +fortifications. The Department Guard (my son Custis among them) were +ordered out, and marched away; and so with the second class militia. A +battle is looked for to-morrow; and there has been skirmishing to-day. A +dispatch from Hanover Court House says the enemy is approaching likewise +from the north in large force--and 15 guns. This is his great blunder. +He cannot take Richmond, nor draw back Lee, and the detachment of so +many of his men may endanger Baltimore and Washington, and perhaps +Philadelphia. + +JULY 3D.--My son Custis stayed out all night, sleeping on his arms in +the farthest intrenchments. A little beyond, there was a skirmish with +the enemy. We lost eight in killed and wounded. What the enemy suffered +is not known, but he fell back, and ran toward the White House. + +This morning, Mr. Ould, agent for exchange of prisoners, reported that +"not a Yankee could be found on the face of the earth." And this induced +a general belief that the enemy had retired, finally, being perhaps +ordered to Washington, where they may be much needed. + +The Secretary of War, believing the same thing, intimated to Gen. Elzey +(who for some cause is unable to ride, and therefore remains in the +city) a desire to send several regiments away to some menaced point at a +distance. In response, Elzey writes that none can be spared with safety; +that the enemy had apparently divided his force into two bodies, one for +Hanover, and the other for the Chickahominy, and both _strong_; and he +advised against weakening the forces here. He said he had not yet +completed the manning of the batteries, the delay being in arming the +men--and he hoped "Hill could hold out." + +We have 3400 convalescents at Camp Lee, and as many more may be relied +on for the defense of the city; so we shall have not less than 22,000 +men for the defense of Richmond. The enemy have perhaps 35,000; but it +would require 75,000 to storm our batteries. Let this be remembered +hereafter, if the 35,000 sent here on a fool's errand might have saved +Washington or Baltimore, or have served to protect Pennsylvania--and +then let the press of the North bag the administration at Washington! +Gen. Lee's course is "right onward," and cannot be affected by events +here. + +My friend Jacques (clerk) marched out yesterday with the Department +Guard; but he had the diarrhoea, and was excused from marching as far +as the company. He also got permission to come to town this morning, +having slept pretty well, he said, apart from the company. No doubt he +did good service in the city to-day, having his rifle fixed (the ball, I +believe, had got down before the powder), and procuring a basket of +edibles and a canteen of strong tea, which he promised to share with the +mess. He said he saw Custis this morning, looking well, after sleeping +on the ground the first time in his life, and without a blanket. + +We have nothing further from the North or the West. + +JULY 4TH.--The Department Guard (my son with them) were marched last +night back to the city, and out to Meadow Bridge, on the Chickahominy, +some sixteen miles! The clerks, I understand, complain of bad meat (two +or three ounces each) and mouldy bread; and some of them curse the +authorities for fraudulent deception, as it was understood they would +never be marched beyond the city defenses. But they had no +alternative--the Secretaries would report the names of all who did not +_volunteer_. Most of the poor fellows have families dependent on their +salaries for bread--being refugees from their comfortable homes, for the +cause of _independence_. If removed, their wives and little children, or +brothers and sisters, must perish. They would be conscribed, and receive +only $12 per month. + +My friend Jacques did not return to the company yesterday, after all, +although I saw him get into an ambulance with a basket of food. He got +out again, sending the basket to Mr. K., the young chief of the bureau, +and Judge Campbell allowed him to remain. + +Mr. Myers the lawyer is much with Judge Campbell, working for his Jew +clients, who sometimes, I am told, pay $1000 each to be got out of the +army, and as high as $500 for a two months' detail, when battles are to +be fought. Mr. M. thinks he has law for all he does. + +A letter from Gen. D. H. Hill shows that it was his intention to bring +on a battle on the 2d inst., but the enemy fled. It was only a feint +below; but we may soon hear news from Hanover County. + +Col. Gorgas (ordnance) writes that as his men are marched out to defend +the city, he can't send much ammunition to Gen. Lee! + +A letter from Lieut.-Gen. E. Kirby Smith, dated June 15th, shows he was +at Shreveport, La., at that date. + +The poor militia were allowed to return to their homes to-day; but an +hour after the tocsin sounded, and they were compelled to assemble and +march again. This is the work of the Governor, and the Secretary of War +says there was no necessity for it, as Confederate troops here now can +defend the city, if attacked. + +JULY 5TH.--This morning the wires refused to work, being cut, no doubt, +in Hanover County. + +The presence of the enemy in this vicinity, I think, since they refuse +to fight, is designed to prevent us from sending more troops into +Pennsylvania. I trust the President will think of this matter, if he is +well enough; some of his generals here are incapable of thinking at all. + +_We have just received intelligence of a great battle at Gettysburg, +Pennsylvania._ I have not heard the day; but the news was brought by +flag of truce boat to City Point last night. The Yankee papers, I am +told, claim a victory, but acknowledge a loss of five or six generals, +among them Meade, commander-in-chief (vice Hooker), mortally wounded. +_But we still held the town_, and "_actions speak louder than words_." + +More troops are marching up into Hanover County. + +JULY 6TH.--Yesterday evening we received Baltimore and New York papers +with accounts (and loose ones) of the battle of Gettysburg. The Governor +of Pennsylvania says it was "_indecisive_," which means, as we read it, +that Meade's army was defeated. + +The forces (Federal) are withdrawing from the neighborhood of this city, +another indication that Lee has gained a victory. Dix has done but +little damage. In retreating from Hanover County, he burnt the bridges +to retard pursuit. + +The "War Department Guard" have returned, my son among them, sun-burnt +and covered with dust. They were out five days and four nights, sleeping +on the ground, without tents or blankets, and with little or nothing to +eat, although the Commissary-General had abundance. The President, +however, is better to-day, and able to get out of bed; but his health is +apparently gone, and it may be doubtful whether he will ever be quite +well again. + +The Vice-President went down to the flag of truce boat on Saturday, some +say to Fortress Monroe, and others to Washington. It is surmised that he +is authorized by the President to have a definitive understanding with +the Federal authorities, whether or not private property is to be +respected hereafter in the future progress of the war. If not, Gen. Lee +will have orders to desolate the Northern States, where he has the +power. Some, however, think he goes to Washington, to propose terms of +peace, etc. + +There is a rumor in the city, generally credited, that another battle +was fought in Pennsylvania on Friday, and that the enemy was +annihilated; these rumors sometimes assume form and substance, and this +one, as if by some sort of magnetism, is credited by many. It is certain +that Mr. Morris, superintendent of the telegraph office, has called upon +his friends for the largest Confederate flag in the city to hang out of +his window. He says nothing more; but he may have sent dispatches to the +President, which he is not at liberty to divulge. There may be later +news from Lee; or Vicksburg may be relieved; or New Orleans taken; or an +armistice; or nothing. + +I am glad my son's company were ordered in to-day; for, after a week of +fine fair weather, it is now raining furiously. This would have +prostrated the _tender_ boys with illness. + +JULY 7TH.--It appears that the fighting near Gettysburg began on +Wednesday, July 1st, continued until Sunday, the 5th, and perhaps +longer. Up to Friday the Northern papers claim the advantage. + +This morning at 1 P.M. another dispatch was received from the same +(unofficial) source, stating that on Sunday the enemy made a stand, and +A. P. Hill's corps fell back, followed by the enemy, when Longstreet's +and Ewell's corps closed in their rear and captured 40,000 +prisoners--who are now guarded by Pickett's division. It states that the +prisoners refused to be paroled. This might possibly be true. + +This account is credited. Col. Custis Lee, from the President's office, +was in my office at half-past two P.M. to-day, and said nothing had been +received from his father yet--but he did not deny that such accounts +might be substantially true. + +The President still keeps his eye on Gen. Beauregard. A paper from the +general to Gen. Cooper, and, of course, referred to the President, in +relation to the means of defense in his department, and a call for more +guns, was sent back to-day, indorsed by the President, that by an +examination of the report of Gen. Huger, he thought some discrepancies +would appear in the statements of Gen. B. Thus, it would seem, from a +repetition of similar imputations, the President has strong doubts of +Gen. B.'s accuracy of statements. He is quick to detect discrepancies. + +Gen. D. H. Hill sends in a characteristic letter. He says the rivers are +all swollen, and he can make no movement to-day in pursuit of Dix's army +of the Pamunky--or rather "the monkey army." He says that the Brooke +Pike outer defenses are so defective in design, that a force there +could be driven off in five minutes by the enemy's sharpshooters. He +wants them amended, and a certain grove cut down--and recommends that +engineers be put to work, with orders to leave their "kid gloves +behind." He thinks more is to be apprehended from an attack on +Petersburg than Richmond; and requests that Gen. Wise be ordered to +march thither from Chaffin's Bluff, on the first alarm. He had not heard +of the reported victory of Lee. + +JULY 8TH.--I am glad to copy the following order of Gen. Lee: + + "HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, + + "CHAMBERSBURG, PA., June 27th, 1863. + + "GENERAL ORDERS NO. 73. + + "The commanding general has observed with marked satisfaction the + conduct of the troops on the march, and confidently anticipates + results commensurate with the high spirit they have manifested. No + troops could have displayed greater fortitude, or better performed + the arduous marches of the past ten days. Their conduct in other + respects has, with few exceptions, been in keeping with their + character as soldiers, and entitles them to approbation and praise. + + "There have, however, been instances of forgetfulness on the part + of some, that they have in keeping the yet unsullied reputation of + the army, and that the duties exacted of us by civilization and + Christianity are not less obligatory in the country of the enemy + than in our own. + + "The commanding general considers that no greater disgrace could + befall the army, and through it, our whole people, than the + perpetration of the barbarous outrages upon the innocent and + defenseless, and the wanton destruction of private property, that + have marked the course of the enemy in our own country. Such + proceedings not only disgrace the perpetrators and all connected + with them, but are subversive of the discipline and efficiency of + the army and destructive of the ends of our present movements. It + must be remembered that we make war only upon armed men, and that + we cannot take vengeance for the wrongs our people have suffered + without lowering ourselves in the eyes of all whose abhorrence has + been excited by the atrocities of our enemy, and offending against + Him to whom vengeance belongeth, without whose favor and support + our efforts must all prove in vain. + + "The commanding general, therefore, earnestly exhorts the troops to + abstain with most scrupulous care from unnecessary or wanton injury + to private property; and he enjoins upon all officers to arrest and + bring to summary punishment all who shall in any way offend against + the orders on this subject. + + "R. E. LEE, _General_." + +We have no additional news from the battle-field, except the following +dispatch from Winchester: + +"Our loss is estimated at 10,000. Between 3000 and 4000 of our wounded +are arriving here to-night. Every preparation is being made to receive +them. + +"Gens. Scales and Pender have arrived here wounded, this evening. Gens. +Armistead, Barksdale, Garnett, and Kemper are reported killed. Gens. +Jones, Heth, Anderson, Pettigrew, Jenkins, Hampton, and Hood are +reported wounded. + +"The Yankees say they had only two corps in the fight on Wednesday, +which was open field fighting. The whole of the Yankee force was engaged +in the last three days' fighting. The number is estimated at 175,000. + +"The hills around Gettysburg are said to be covered with the dead and +wounded of the Yankee Army of the Potomac. + +"The fighting of these four days is regarded as the severest of the war, +and the slaughter unprecedented; especially is this so of the enemy. + +"The New York and Pennsylvania papers are reported to have declared for +peace." + +But the absence of dispatches from Gen. Lee himself is beginning to +create distrust, and doubts of decisive success at Gettysburg. His +couriers may have been captured, or he may be delaying to announce +something else he has in contemplation. + +The enemy's flag of truce boat of yesterday refused to let us have a +single paper in exchange for ours. This signifies something--I know not +what. One of our exchanged officers says he heard a Northern officer +say, at Fortress Monroe, that Meade's loss was, altogether, 60,000 men; +but this is not, of course, reliable. Another officer said Lee was +retiring, which is simply impossible, now, for the flood. + +But, alas! we have sad tidings from the West. Gen. Johnston telegraphs +from Jackson, Miss., that Vicksburg capitulated on the 4th inst. This is +a terrible blow, and has produced much despondency. + +The President, sick as he is, has directed the Secretary of War to send +him copies of all the correspondence with Johnston and Bragg, etc., on +the subject of the relief of Pemberton. + +The Secretary of War has caught the prevailing alarm at the silence of +Lee, and posted off to the President for a solution--but got none. If +Lee falls back again, it will be the darkest day for the Confederacy we +have yet seen. + +JULY 9TH.--The sad tidings from Vicksburg have been confirmed by +subsequent accounts. The number of men fit for duty on the day of +capitulation was only a little upwards of 7000. Flour was selling at +$400 per barrel! This betrays the extremity to which they had been +reduced. + +A dispatch to-day states that Grant, with 100,000 men (supposed), is +marching on Jackson, to give Johnston battle. But Johnston will +retire--he has not men enough to withstand him, until he leads him +farther into the interior. If beaten, Mobile might fall. + +We have no particulars yet--no comments of the Southern generals under +Pemberton. But the fall of the place has cast a gloom over everything. + +The fall of Vicksburg, alone, does not make this the darkest day of the +war, as it is undoubtedly. The news from Lee's army is appalling. After +the battle of Friday, the accounts from Martinsburg now state, he fell +back toward Hagerstown, followed by the enemy, fighting but little on +the way. Instead of 40,000 we have only 4000 prisoners. How many we have +lost, we know not. The Potomac is, perhaps, too high for him to pass +it--and there are probably 15,000 of the enemy immediately in his rear! +Such are the gloomy accounts from Martinsburg. + +Our telegraph operators are great liars, or else they have been made the +dupes of spies and traitors. That the cause has suffered much, and may +be ruined by the toleration of disloyal persons within our lines, who +have kept the enemy informed of all our movements, there can be no +doubt. + +The following is Gen. Johnston's dispatch announcing the fall of +Vicksburg: + + "JACKSON, July 7th, 1863. + + "HON. J. A. SEDDON, SECRETARY OF WAR. + + "Vicksburg capitulated on the 4th inst. The garrison was paroled, + and are to be returned to our lines, the officers retaining their + side-arms and personal baggage. + + "This intelligence was brought by an officer who left the place on + Sunday, the 5th. + + "J. E. JOHNSTON, _General_." + +We get nothing from Lee himself. Gen. Cooper, the Secretary of War, and +Gen. Hill went to the President's office about one o'clock. They seemed +in haste, and excited. The President, too, is sick, and ought not to +attend to business. It will kill him, perhaps. + +There is serious anxiety now for the fate of Richmond. Will Meade be +here in a few weeks? Perhaps so--but, then, Lee may not have quite +completed his raid beyond the Potomac. + +The _Baltimore American_, no doubt in some trepidation for the +quiescence of that city, gets up a most glowing account of "Meade's +victory"--if it should, indeed, in the sequel, prove to have been one. +That Lee fell back, is true; but how many men were lost on each side in +killed, wounded, and prisoners--how many guns were taken, and what may +be the result of the operations in Pennsylvania and Maryland--of which +we have as yet such imperfect accounts--will soon be known. + +JULY 10TH.--This is the day of fate--and, without a cloud in the sky, +the red sun, dimly seen through the mist (at noonday), casts a baleful +light on the earth. It has been so for several days. + +Early this morning a dispatch was received from Gen. Beauregard that the +enemy attacked the forts in Charleston harbor, and, subsequently, that +they were landing troops on Morris Island. Up to 3 o'clock we have no +tidings of the result. But if Charleston falls, the government will be +blamed for it--since, notwithstanding the remonstrances of Gen. B., the +government, members of Congress, and prominent citizens, some 10,000 of +his troops were away to save Vicksburg. + +About one o'clock to-day the President sent over to the Secretary of War +a dispatch from an officer at Martinsburg, stating that Gen. Lee was +still at Hagerstown awaiting his ammunition--(has not Col. Gorgas, Chief +of Ordnance, been sufficiently vigilant?)--which, however, had arrived +at the Potomac. That all the prisoners (number not stated), except those +paroled, were at the river. That _nothing was known of the enemy_--but +that cavalry fighting occurred every day. He concluded by saying he did +not know whether Lee would advance _or recross the river_. If he does +the latter, in my opinion there will be a great revulsion of feeling in +the Confederate States and in the United States. + +Another dispatch, from Gen. J. E. Johnston, dated yesterday, at Jackson, +Miss., stated that Grant's army was then within _four_ miles of him, +with numbers double his own. But that he would hold the city as long as +possible, for its fall would be the loss of the State. I learn a +subsequent dispatch announced that fighting had begun. I believe +Johnston is intrenched. + +To-day Mr. Secretary Seddon requested Attorney-General Watts, if he +could do so consistent with duty, to order a _nolle prosequi_ in the +District Court of Alabama in the case of Ford, Hurd & Co. for trading +with the enemy. Gen. Pemberton had made a contract with them, allowing +them to ship cotton to New Orleans, and to bring back certain supplies +for the army. But Mr. Attorney-General Watts replied that it was not +consistent with his duty to comply, and therefore he demurred to it, as +the act they were charged with was in violation of the act of Congress +of April 19th, 1862. + +We lost twelve general officers in the fall of Vicksburg--one +lieutenant-general, four major-generals, and seven brigadiers. + +Dispatches from Jackson, Miss., say the battle began yesterday, but up +to the time of the latest accounts it had not become general. Johnston +had destroyed the wells and cisterns, and as there are no running +streams in the vicinity, no doubt Grant's army will suffer for water, if +the defense be protracted. + +From Charleston we learn that we lost in yesterday's combat some 300 +men, killed and wounded--the enemy quite as many. This morning the +Yankees assaulted the battery on Morris Island, and were repulsed in two +minutes, with a loss of 95 killed and 130 wounded, besides prisoners. +Our loss was five, killed and wounded. Nothing further was heard up to 7 +o'clock P.M. + +From Lee we have no news whatever. + +A letter from Governor Vance, of North Carolina, complains of an insult +offered by Col. Thorburn (of Virginia), and asking that he be removed +from the State, and if retained in service, not to be permitted to +command North Carolinians. The Governor, by permission of Gen. Whiting, +proceeded down the river to a steamer which had just got in (and was +aground) from Europe, laden with supplies for the State; but when +attempting to return was stopped by Col. T., who said it was against the +rules for any one to pass from the steamer to the city until the +expiration of the time prescribed for quarantine. The Governor informed +him of his special permission from Gen. Whiting and the Board of +Navigation--and yet the colonel said he should not pass for fifteen +days, "if he _was_ Governor Vance or Governor Jesus Christ." The +President indorsed on this letter, as one requiring the Secretary's +attention, "if the case be as stated." + +Again the blockade-runners are at their dirty work, and Judge Campbell +is "allowing" them. To-day Col. J. Gorgas, who is daily in receipt of +immense amounts of ordnance stores from Europe by government steamers, +recommends that passports be given N. H. Rogers and L. S. White to +proceed _North_ for supplies. This is a small business. It is no time to +apply for passports, and no time to grant them. + +We now know all about the mission of Vice-President Stephens under flag +of truce. It was ill-timed for success. At Washington news had been +received of the defeat of Gen. Lee--which may yet prove not to have been +"all a defeat." + +JULY 12TH.--There is nothing additional this morning from Charleston, +Mississippi, or Maryland. Telegraphic communication is still open to +Jackson, where all was quiet again at the last accounts; but battle, +then, must occur immediately. From Charleston we learn that Beauregard +had repulsed every assault of the enemy. It is rumored that Lee's +account of the battle of Gettysburg will be published to-morrow, showing +that it was the "most brilliant and successful battle of the war." I +hope he may say so--for then it will be so. + +Our papers are publishing Milroy's papers captured at Winchester. + +JULY 13TH.--The _Enquirer_ says the President has got a letter from +Gen. Lee (why not give it to the people?) stating that his operations in +Pennsylvania and Maryland have been successful and satisfactory, and +that we have now some 15,000 to 18,000 prisoners, besides the 4000 or +5000 paroled. Nonsense! + +Lee and Meade have been facing each other two or three days, drawn up in +battle array, and a decisive battle may have occurred ere this. The +wires have been cut between Martinsburg and Hagerstown. + +Not another word have we from either Charleston or Jackson; but we learn +that monitors, gun-boats, and transports are coming up the James River. + +Altogether, this is another dark day in our history. It has been +officially ascertained that Pemberton surrendered, with Vicksburg, +22,000 men! He has lost, during the year, not less than 40,000! And +Lovell (another Northern general) lost Fort Jackson and New Orleans. +When _will_ the government put "none but Southerners on guard?" + +Letters to-day from the Governors of South Carolina, Alabama, and North +Carolina show that all are offended at the Confederate government. Judge +Campbell's judicial profundity (and he is the department's +correspondent) is unfortunate at this crisis, when, not great +principles, but quick and successful fighting, alone can serve. + +It appears that President Lincoln has made a speech in Washington in +exultation over the fall of Vicksburg, and the defeat of an army +contending against the principle that all men were created equal. He +means the negro--we mean that white men were created equal--that we are +equal to Northern white people, and have a right, which we do not deny +to them, of living under a government of our own choice. + +JULY 14TH.--To-day we have tidings of the fall of Port Hudson, on the +Mississippi River, our last stronghold there. I suppose some 10,000 or +12,000 of our men had to surrender, unconditionally. Thus the army of +Gen. Pemberton, first and last, some 50,000 strong, has been completely +destroyed. There is sadness and gloom throughout the land! + +The enemy are established on Morris Island, and the fate of Charleston +is in doubt. + +We have nothing authentic from Gen. Lee; but long trains of the slightly +wounded arrived yesterday and to-day. + +It has been raining, almost every day, for nearly two weeks. + +The President is quite amiable now. The newspaper editors can find easy +access, and he welcomes them with smiles. + +A letter was received to-day from a Major Jones, saying he was +authorized to state that the Messrs. ------, engine-makers in +Philadelphia, were willing to remove their machinery to the South, being +Southern men. The President indorsed that authority might be given for +them to come, etc. + +Gen. Beauregard writes for a certain person here skilled in the +management of torpedoes--but Secretary Mallory says the enemy's +gun-boats are in the James River, and he cannot be sent away. I hope +both cities may not fall! + +A heavy thunder-storm, accompanied with a deluging rain, prevails this +afternoon at 5-1/2 o'clock P.M. + +JULY 15TH.--There was a rumor of another battle beyond the Potomac, this +morning, but it has not been confirmed. + +From Charleston we have no news; but from Jackson there has been +considerable fighting, without a general engagement. + +The _Enquirer_ and _Sentinel_ to-day squint at a military dictatorship; +but President Davis would hardly attempt such a feat at such a time. + +Gen. Samuel Jones, Western Virginia, has delayed 2000 men ordered to +Lee, assigning as an excuse the demonstrations of the enemy in the +Kanawha Valley. "Off with his head--so much for Buckingham!" + +There is some gloom in the community; but the spirits of the people will +rebound. + +A large crowd of Irish, Dutch, and Jews are daily seen at Gen. Winder's +door, asking permission to go North on the flag of truce boat. They fear +being forced into the army; they will be compelled to aid in the defense +of the city, or be imprisoned. They intend to leave their families +behind, to save the property they have accumulated under the protection +of the government. + +Files of papers from Europe show that Mr. Roebuck and other members of +Parliament, as well as the papers, are again agitating the question of +recognition. We shall soon ascertain the real intentions of France and +England. If they truly desire our success, and apprehend danger from the +United States in the event of a reconstruction of the Union, they will +manifest their purposes when the news of our recent calamities shall be +transported across the ocean. And if such a thing as reconstruction were +possible, and were accomplished (in such a manner and on such terms as +would not appear degrading to the Southern people), then, indeed, well +might both France and England tremble. The United States would have +_millions_ of soldiers, and the Southern people would not owe either of +them a debt of gratitude. + +JULY 16TH.--This is another blue day in the calendar. Nothing from Lee, +or Johnston, or Bragg; and no news is generally bad news. But from +Charleston we learn that the enemy are established on Morris Island, +having taken a dozen of our guns and howitzers in the sand hills at the +lower end; and that the monitors had passed the bar, and doubtless an +engagement by land and by water is imminent, if indeed it has not +already taken place. Many regard Charleston as lost. I do not. + +Again the _Enquirer_, edited by Mitchel, the Irishman, is urging the +President to seize arbitrary power; but the _Examiner_ combats the +project defiantly. + +Mr. Secretary Seddon, who usually wears a sallow and cadaverous look, +which, coupled with his emaciation, makes him resemble an exhumed corpse +after a month's interment, looks to-day like a galvanized corpse which +had been buried two months. The circles round his eyes are absolutely +black! And yet he was pacing briskly backward and forward between the +President's office and the War Department. He seems much affected by +disasters. + +The United States agent of exchange has sent a notice to our agent that +the negroes we capture from them in battle must be exchanged as other +soldiers are, according to the cartel, which said nothing about color; +and if the act of Congress in relation to such soldiers be executed, the +United States would retaliate to the utmost extremity. + +Captains H. W. Sawyer and John Flinn, having been designated by lot for +execution in retaliation for two of our captains executed by Gen. +Burnside for recruiting in Kentucky, write somewhat lugubriously, in bad +grammar and execrable chirography, that, as they never served under +Burnside, they should not be made to suffer for his deed. They say we +have two of Burnside's captains at Atlanta (and they give their names) +who would be the proper victims. + +I saw a paper to-day, sent to the department, with a list of the United +States officers at Memphis who are said to have taken bribes; among them +is Col. H----r, of Illinois, Provost Marshal General (Grant's staff); +Col. A----, Illinois, ex-Provost Marshal; Capt. W----, Illinois, +Assistant Provost Marshal; Capt. C---- (Gen. Herbert's staff), and "Dan +Ross," citizen of Illinois, _procurer_. + +On the 9th instant Gen. D. H. Hill (now lieutenant-general, and assigned +to Mississippi) asks if troops are to be sent to cover Lee's _retreat_; +and fears, if the enemy establish themselves at Winchester, they will +starve Lee to death. Speaking of the raid of the enemy to the North +Carolina Railroad, he said they would do the State infinite service by +dashing into Raleigh and capturing all the members of the legislature. +He also hits at the local newspapers here. Their mention of his name, +and the names of other officers in the campaign round Richmond, informed +the enemy that we had no troops at Goldsborough and Weldon, and hence +the raid. And, after all, he says the enemy were not more numerous than +our forces in the recent dash at Richmond. He says it was no feint, but +a faint. + +To-day an order was issued for the local troops to deliver up their +ammunition. What does that mean? + +And to-day the President calls for the second class of conscripts, all +between eighteen and forty-five years of age. _So our reserves must take +the field!_ + +JULY 17TH.--At last we have the authentic announcement that Gen. Lee has +recrossed the Potomac! Thus the armies of the Confederate States are +recoiling at all points, and a settled gloom is apparent on many weak +faces. The fall of Charleston is anticipated. Subjugation is not +apprehended by the government; for, if driven to an interior line of +defense, the war may be prolonged indefinitely, or at least until the +United States becomes embroiled with some European power. + +Meantime we are in a half starving condition. I have lost twenty pounds, +and my wife and children are emaciated to some extent. Still, I hear no +murmuring. + +To-day, for the second time, ten dollars in Confederate notes are given +for one in gold; and no doubt, under our recent disasters, the +depreciation will increase. Had it not been for the stupidity of our +Dutch Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Memminger, there would have been +no financial difficulties. If he had recommended (as he was urged to do) +the purchase by the government of all the cotton, it could have been +bought at 7 cents per pound; and the _profits_ alone would have defrayed +the greater portion of the expenses of the war, besides affording +immense _diplomatic_ facilities and advantages. But red-tape etiquette, +never violated by the government, may prove our financial ruin beyond +redemption. It costs this government five times as much to support an +army as it does the United States; and the call for conscripts is a +farce, since the speculators (and who is not one now?) will buy +exemptions from the party who, strangely, have the authority to grant +them. + +The last accounts from Jackson state that Burnside is reinforcing Grant, +and that heavy skirmishing is going on daily. But all suppose that +Johnston must retreat. And Bragg is in no condition to face Rosecrans. + +Whether Lee will come hither or not, no one knows; but some tremble for +the fate of Richmond. Lee possibly may cross the Potomac again, however, +if Meade detaches a heavy force to capture Richmond. + +What our fate would be if we fall into the hands of the invader, may be +surmised from the sufferings of the people in New Orleans. + +JULY 18TH.--Lee has got over the Potomac with a loss, in crossing, of +1500; and Johnston has abandoned Jackson, Miss. + +But we have _awful_ good news from New York: an INSURRECTION, the loss +of many lives, extensive pillage and burning, with a suspension of the +conscription! + +Gen. Morgan is in the enemy's country. + +JULY 19TH.--We have no news this morning. But a rumor prevails, which +cannot be traced to any authentic source, that Texas has put herself +under the protection of France. It is significant, because public +sentiment seems to acquiesce in such a measure; and I have not met with +any who do not express a wish that it may be so. Texas, Louisiana, and +Arkansas are now isolated, and no protection or aid can be given them by +the government here; and it is natural, after the fall of New Orleans +and Vicksburg, for the people to hope that the invaders may be deprived +of their prey just at the moment when they anticipated a realization of +its enjoyment. + +Hon. Wm. Porcher Miles writes that, after consultation, the officers +have decided that it would be impracticable to hold Morris Island, even +if the enemy were driven from it at the point of the bayonet. Therefore +they call loudly for Brooke guns of long range, and guns of large +calibre for Sumter, so that the fort may prevent the enemy from erecting +batteries in breaching distance. They say, in their appeal, that since +the fall of Vicksburg there is no other place (but one) to send them. +They are now idle in Richmond. I understand the Secretary of War, etc. +are in consultation on the subject, and I hope the President will, at +last, yield to Gen. Beauregard's demands. + +Gen. Maury also writes for guns and ordnance stores for the defense of +Mobile, which may be attacked next. He will get them. + +If the insurrection in New York lives, and resistance to conscription +should be general in the North, our people will take fresh hope, and +make renewed efforts to beat back the mighty armies of the +foe--suffering, and more than decimated, as we are. + +But if not--if Charleston and Richmond and Mobile should fall, a peace +(submission) party will spring up. Nevertheless, the _fighting_ +population would still resist, retiring into the interior and darting +out occasionally, from positions of concentration, at the exposed camps +of the enemy. + +JULY 20TH.--Nothing from Lee or from Johnston, except that the latter +has abandoned Jackson. From Bragg's army, I learn that a certain number +of regiments were moving from Chattanooga toward Knoxville--and I +suspect their destination is Lee's army. + +But we have a dispatch from Beauregard, stating that he has again +repulsed an attack of the enemy on the battery on Morris Island with +heavy loss--perhaps 1500--while his is trifling. + +A thousand of the enemy's forces were in Wytheville yesterday, and were +severely handled by 130 of the home guards. They did but little injury +to the railroad, and burned a few buildings. + +An indignant letter has been received from the Hon. W. Porcher Miles, +who had applied for a sub-lieutenancy for Charles Porcher, who had +served with merit in the 1st South Carolina Artillery, and was his +relative. It seems that the President directed the Secretary to state +that the appointment could not be given him because he was not 21 years +of age. To this Mr. M. replies that several minors in the same regiment +have been appointed. I think not. + +Governor Brown writes a long letter, protesting against the decision of +the Confederate States Government, that the President shall appoint the +colonel for the 51st Georgia Regiment, which the Governor says is +contrary to the Confederate States Constitution. He will resist it. + +A Mrs. Allen, a lady of wealth here, has been arrested for giving +information to the enemy. Her letters were intercepted. She is confined +at the asylum _St. Francis de Sales_. The surgeon who attends there +reports to-day that her mental excitement will probably drive her to +madness. Her great fear seems to be that she will be soon sent to a +common prison. There is much indignation that she should be assigned to +such comfortable quarters--and I believe the Bishop (McGill) protests +against having criminals imprisoned in his religious edifices. It is +said she has long been sending treasonable letters to Baltimore--but the +authorities do not have the names of her letter-carriers published. No +doubt they had passports. + +A letter from Lee's army says we lost 10,000 in the recent battle, +killed, wounded, and prisoners. We took 11,000 prisoners and 11 guns. + +Thank Heaven! we have fine weather after nearly a month's rain. It may +be that we shall have better fortune in the field now. + +Some of the bankers had an interview with the government to-day. Unless +we can achieve some brilliant success, they cannot longer keep our +government notes from depreciating, down to five cents on the dollar. +They are selling for only ten cents now, in gold. In vain will be the +sale of a million of government gold in the effort to keep it up. + +Gen. Morgan, like a comet, has shot out of the beaten track of the army, +and after dashing deeply into Indiana, the last heard of him he was in +Ohio, _near Cincinnati_. He was playing havoc with steam-boats, and +capturing fine horses. He has some 3000 men we cannot afford to +lose--but I fear they will be lost. + +JULY 21ST.--We have intelligence to-day, derived from a New York paper +of the 18th inst., that the "insurrection" in New York had subsided, +under the menacing attitude of the military authority, and that Lincoln +had ordered the conscription law to be enforced. This gives promise of a +long war. + +Mr. Mallory sent a note to the Secretary of War to-day (which of course +the Secretary did not see, and will never hear of) by a young man named +Juan Boyle, asking permission for B. to pass into Maryland as an agent +of the Navy Department. Judge Campbell indorsed on the back of it (to +Brig.-Gen. Winder) that permission was "allowed" by "order." But what is +this "agent" to procure in the United States which could not be had by +our steamers plying regularly between Wilmington and Europe? + +JULY 22D.--Col. Northrop, Commissary-General, sends in a paper to-day +saying that only a quarter of a pound of meat per day can be given the +soldiers, except when marching, and then only half a pound. He says no +more can be derived from the trans-Mississippi country, nor from the +State of Mississippi, or Tennessee, and parts of Georgia and Alabama; +and if more than the amount he receives be given the soldiers, the +negroes will have to go without any. He adds, however, that the peasants +of Europe rarely have any meat, and in Hindostan, never. + +Col. Bradley T. Johnson, who commanded a brigade at Gettysburg, writes +that on the first day we carried everything before us, capturing 8000 +prisoners and losing but few men; the error was in not following up the +attack with all our forces immediately, and in not having sufficient +ammunition on the field. + +The newspapers to-day contain pretty accurate accounts of the battle. + +JULY 23D.--We have the following dispatch from Gen. Beauregard, which is +really refreshing in this season of disasters: + + "CHARLESTON, July 22d, 1863. + + "The enemy recommenced shelling again yesterday, with but few + casualties on our part. We had, in the battle of the 18th inst., + about 150 killed and wounded. The enemy's loss, including + prisoners, was about 2000. Nearly 800 were buried under a flag of + truce. + + "Col. Putnam, acting brigadier-general, and Col. Shaw, commanding + the negro regiment, were killed. + + "(Signed) G. T. BEAUREGARD, _General_." + +It is said the _raiders_ that dashed into Wytheville have been taken; +but not so with the raiders that have been playing havoc with the +railroad in North Carolina. + +Another letter from J. M. Botts, Culpepper County, complains of the +pasturing of army horses in his fields before the Gettysburg campaign, +and asks if his fields are to be again subject to the use of the +commander of the army, _now returning to his vicinity_. If _he_ knows +that Gen. Lee is fallen back thither, it is more than any one here seems +to know. We shall see how accurate Mr. B. is in his conjecture. + +A letter from Mr. Goodman, president of Mobile and Charleston Railroad, +says military orders have been issued to destroy, by fire, railroad +equipments to the value of $5,000,000; and one-third of this amount of +destruction would defeat the purpose of the enemy for a long time. The +President orders efforts to be made to bring away the equipments by +sending them down the road. + +Col. Preston, commandant of conscripts for South Carolina, has been +appointed Chief of the Bureau of Conscription; he has accepted the +appointment, and will be here August 1st. The law will now be honestly +executed--if he be not too indolent, sick, etc. + +Archbishop Hughes has made a speech in New York to keep down the Irish. + +JULY 24TH.--Nothing from Lee, or Johnston, or Beauregard, or Bragg--but +ill luck is fated for them all. Our ladies, at least, would not despair. +But a day may change the aspect; a brilliant success would have a +marvelous effect upon a people who have so long suffered and bled for +freedom. + +They are getting on more comfortably, I learn, on the Eastern Shore of +Virginia. Only about 25 of the enemy's troops are said to be there, +merely to guard the wires. In the Revolutionary war, and in the war of +1812, that peninsula escaped the horrors of war, being deemed then, as +now, too insignificant to attract the cupidity of the invaders. + +The Secretary of the Treasury sent an agent a few weeks ago with some +$12,000,000 for disbursement in the trans-Mississippi country, but he +has returned to this city, being unable to get through. He will now go +to Havana, and thence to Texas; and hereafter money (if money it can be +called) will be manufactured at Houston, where a paper treasury will be +established. + +Gen. Jos. E. Johnston has recently drawn for $20,000 in gold. + +A letter from the Commissary-General to Gen. Lee states that we have but +1,800,000 pounds of bacon at Atlanta, and 500,000 pounds in this city, +which is less than 30 days' rations for Bragg's and Lee's armies. He +says all attempts to get bacon from Europe have failed, and he fears +they will fail, and hence, if the ration be not reduced to 1/4 pound we +shall soon have no meat on hand. Gen. Lee says he cannot be responsible +if the soldiers fail for want of food. + +JULY 25TH.--Gen. Beauregard telegraphs that preparations should be made +to withstand a bombardment at Savannah, and authority is asked, at the +instance of Gov. Brown, to impress a sufficient number of slaves for the +purpose. + +Gen. Jos. B. Johnston telegraphs the President that Grant has fallen +back to Vicksburg, and, from information in his possession, will not +stay there a day, _but will proceed up the river_. Gen. Johnston asks if +this eccentric movement does not indicate a purpose to concentrate the +enemy's forces for the reduction of Richmond. + +Grant's men, no doubt, objected to longer service at this season in the +Southwest; perhaps Lincoln thinks Grant is the only general who can take +Richmond, or it may be necessary for the presence of the army in the +North to enforce the draft, to overawe conspirators against the +administration, etc. We shall soon know more about it. + +Misfortunes come in clusters. We have a report to-day that Gen. Morgan's +command has been mostly captured in Ohio. The recent rains made the +river unfordable. + +It appears that Gen. Pemberton had but 15 days' rations to last 48 days, +that the people offered him a year's supply for nothing if he would have +it, and this he would not take, red tape requiring it to be delivered +and paid for, so it fell into the hands of the enemy. He had a six +months' supply of ammunition when he surrendered, and often during the +siege would not let his men reply to the enemy's guns. + +Advertisers in the papers offer $4000 for substitutes. One offers a farm +in Hanover County, on the Central Railroad, of 230 acres, for a +substitute. There is something significant in this. It was so in France +when Napoleon had greatly exhausted the male population. + +JULY 26TH.--Letters were received to-day from Gens. Beauregard, Mercer, +Whitney, and S. Jones. + +It appears that Beauregard has some 6000 men of all arms, and that the +enemy's force is estimated to be, or to have been (before losing some +3000), about 10,000. It is true the enemy has the benefit of his +floating batteries, but we have our stationary ones. I think Charleston +safe. + +Gen. Mercer _squeaks_ for the fate of Savannah, unless the government +impresses slaves to work on the fortifications. All our generals +_squeak_ when an attack is apprehended, for the purpose of alarming the +government, and procuring more men and material, so as to make success +doubly sure. + +And Gen. Whiting is squeaking loudly for the impressment of a thousand +slaves, to complete his preparations for defense; and if he does not get +them, he thinks the fall of Wilmington a pretty sure thing. + +And Gen. Jones squeaks from the West, asking that the 3000 infantry he +was at last compelled to send to Gen. Lee, near Winchester, be returned +to him to oppose the enemy's raids. But what were they sent to Lee for, +unless he meant to give battle? Such may be his intention, and a victory +now is demanded of him to place him _rectus in curio_. + +Beauregard says Fort Wagner, which has made such a successful defense on +Morris Island, was located by Gen. Pemberton, and this is evidence of +some military skill. But all the waters of Lethe will not obliterate the +conviction of the people that he gave his army in the West to the enemy. +If he had not been Northern born, they would have deemed him merely +incompetent. Hence the impolicy of the government elevating Northern +over Southern generals. All generals are judged by the degree of success +they achieve, for success alone is considered the proof of merit, and +one disaster may obliterate the memory of a dozen victories. Even Lee's +great name is dimmed somewhat in the estimation of fools. He must beat +Meade before Grant comes up, or suffer in reputation. + +Gov. Bonham has demanded the free negroes taken on Morris Island, to be +punished (death) according to the State law. + +JULY 27TH.--Nothing but disasters to chronicle now. Natchez and Yazoo +City, all gone the way of Vicksburg, involving a heavy loss of boats, +guns, and ordnance stores; besides, the enemy have got some twenty +locomotives in Mississippi. + +Lee has retreated as far as Culpepper Court House. + +The President publishes another proclamation, fixing a day for the +people to unite in prayer. + +The weather is bad. With the exception of one or two bright days, it has +been raining nearly a month. Superadded to the calamities crowding upon +us, we have a rumor to-day that Gen. Lee has tendered his resignation. +This is false. But it is said he is opposed to the retaliatory +executions ordered by the President, which, if persisted in, must +involve the life of his son, now in the hands of the enemy. Our officers +executed by Burnside were certainly recruiting in Kentucky within the +lines of the enemy, and Gen. Lee may differ with the President in the +equity of executing officers taken by us in battle in retaliation. + +JULY 28TH.--The rumor that Gen. Lee had resigned was simply a +fabrication. His headquarters, a few days ago, were at Culpepper C. H., +and may be soon this side of the Rappahannock. A battle and a victory +may take place there. + +Col. J. Gorgas, I presume, is no friend of Pemberton; it is not often +that Northern men in our service are exempt from jealousies and +envyings. He sends to the Secretary of War to-day a remarkable statement +of Eugene Hill, an ordnance messenger, for whom he vouches, in relation +to the siege and surrender of Vicksburg. It appears that Hill had been +sent here by Lieut.-Gen. Holmes for ammunition, and on his way back to +the trans-Mississippi country, was caught at Vicksburg, where he was +detained until after the capitulation. He declares that the enemy's +mines did our works no more injury than our mines did theirs; that when +the surrender took place, there were an abundance of caps, and of all +kinds of ordnance stores; that there were 90,000 pounds of bacon or salt +meat unconsumed, besides a number of cows, and 400 mules, grazing within +the fortifications; and that but few of the men even thought of such a +contingency as a surrender, and did not know it had taken place until +the next day (5th of July), when they were ordered to march out and lay +down their arms. He adds that Gen. Pemberton kept himself very close, +and was rarely seen by the troops, and was never known to go out to the +works until he went out to surrender. + +Major-Gen. D. Maury writes from Mobile, to the President, that he +apprehends an attack from Banks, and asks instructions relative to the +removal of 15,000 non-combatants from the city. He says Forts Gaines and +Morgan are provisioned for six months, and that the land fortifications +are numerous and formidable. He asks for 20,000 men to garrison them. +The President instructs the Secretary, that when the purpose of the +enemy is positively known, it will be time enough to remove the women, +children, etc.; but that the defenses should be completed, and +everything in readiness. But where the 20,000 men are to come from is +not stated--perhaps from Johnston. + +JULY 29TH.--Still raining! The great fear is that the crops will be +ruined, and famine, which we have long been verging upon, will be +complete. Is Providence frowning upon us for our sins, or upon our +cause? + +Another battle between Lee and Meade is looked for on the Upper +Rappahannock. + +Gov. Harris, in response to the President's call for 6000 men, says +Western and Middle Tennessee are in the hands of the enemy, and that +about half the people in East Tennessee sympathize with the North! + +Some two or three hundred of Morgan's men have reached Lynchburg, and +they believe Morgan himself will get off, with many more of his men. + +The New York _Herald's_ correspondent, writing from Washington on the +24th inst., says the United States ministers in England and France have +informed the government of the intention of those powers to intervene +immediately in our behalf; and that they will send iron-clad fleets to +this country without delay. Whereupon the _Herald_ says Mr. Seward is in +favor of making peace with us, and reconstructing the Union--pardoning +us--but keeping the slaves captured, etc. It is a cock-and-bull story, +perhaps, without foundation. + +JULY 30TH.--Raining still! Lee's and Meade's armies are manoeuvring +and facing each other still; but probably there will be no battle until +the weather becomes fair, and the gushing waters in the vales of +Culpepper subside. + +From Charleston we learn that a furious bombardment is going on, the +enemy not having yet abandoned the purpose of reducing the forts and +capturing the city. Mr. Miles calls loudly for reinforcements and heavy +cannon, and says the enemy was reinforced a few days since. + +An indignant letter was received from Gov. Vance to-day, in response to +the refusal of the government and Gen. Lee to permit him to send with +the army a newspaper correspondent to see that justice was done the +North Carolina troops. He withdraws the application, and appeals to +history for the justice which (he says) will never be done North +Carolina troops in Virginia by their associates. He asserts also that +Gen. Lee refused furloughs to the wounded North Carolinians at the +battle of Chancellorville (one-half the dead and wounded being from +North Carolina), for fear they would not return to their colors when fit +for duty! + +Hon. Wm. L. Yancey is dead--of disease of the kidney. The _Examiner_, +to-day, in praising him, made a bitter assault on the President, saying +he was unfortunately and hastily _inflicted_ on the Confederacy at +Montgomery, and when fixed in position, banished from his presence the +heart and brain of the South--denying all participation in the affairs +of government to the great men who were the authors of secession, etc. + +JULY 31ST.--Hon. E. S. Dargan, member of Congress, writes from Mobile +that Mississippi is nearly subdued, and Alabama is almost exhausted. He +says our recent disasters, and Lee's failure in Pennsylvania, have +nearly ruined us, and the destruction must be complete unless France and +England can be induced to interfere in our behalf. He never believed +they would intervene unless we agreed to abolish slavery; and he would +embrace even that alternative to obtain their aid. He says the people +are fast losing all hope of achieving their independence; and a slight +change of policy on the part of Lincoln (pretermitting confiscation, I +suppose) would put an end to the revolution and the Confederate States +Government. Mr. D. has an unhappy disposition. + +Mr. L. Q. Washington recommends Gen. Winder to permit Mr. Wm. Matthews, +just from California, to leave the country. Gen. W. sends the letter to +the Assistant Secretary of War, Judge Campbell, who "allows" it; and the +passport is given, without the knowledge of the President or the +Secretary of War. + +The news from Mexico (by the Northern papers) is refreshing to our +people. The "notables" of the new government, under the auspices of the +French General, Forey, have proclaimed the States an Empire, and offered +the throne to Maximilian of Austria; and if he will not accept, they +"implore" the Emperor of France to designate the one who shall be their +Emperor. Our people, very many of them, just at this time, would not +object to being included in the same Empire. + +The President is still scrutinizing Beauregard. The paper read from the +general a few days since giving a statement of his forces, and the +number of the enemy, being sent to the President by the Secretary of +War, was returned to-day with the indorsement, that he hoped "a clearer +comprehension of the cause," in the promised further report of the +general, would be given "why the enemy approached Morris Island before +being observed." So, omitting all notice of the defense (so far) of the +batteries, etc., the attention of the President seems fixed on what the +general omitted to do; or what he might, could, or should have done. + + + +END OF VOL. I. + + + + +A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY. + +VOL. II. + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +Some desertion.--Lee falling back.--Men still foolishly look for foreign + aid.--Speculators swarming.--God helps me to-day.--Conscripts.-- + Memminger shipping gold to Europe.--Our women and children making + straw bonnets.--Attack on Charleston.--Robert Tyler as a financier.-- + Enemy throw large shells into Charleston, five and a half miles.-- + Diabolical scheme.--Gen. Lee has returned to the army. + + +AUGUST 1ST.--The President learns, by a dispatch from Gen. Hardee, of +Mississippi, that information has reached him, which he considers +authentic, that Gen. Taylor has beaten Banks in Louisiana, taking 6000 +prisoners; but then it is said that Taylor has _fallen back_. + +I see by Mr. Memminger's correspondence that he has been sending +$1,000,000 in sterling exchange, with the concurrence of the President +and the Secretary of War, to Gen. Johnston and Gov. Pettus. What can +this mean? Perhaps he is buying stores, etc. + +Gen. Pemberton, it is said, has proclaimed a thirty days' furlough to +all his paroled army--a virtue of necessity, as they had all gone to +their homes without leave. + +Gen. Lee writes that fifty men deserted from Scale's Regiment, North +Carolina (a small regiment), night before last, being incited thereto by +the newspapers. He wants pickets placed at certain places to catch them, +so that some examples may be made. + +Gov. Vance urges the War Department to interdict speculation on the part +of officers of the government and army, as it tempts them to embezzle +the public funds, enhances prices, and enrages the community. + +Peter V. Daniel, Jr., President of the Central Railroad, is anxious for +the defense of the four bridges near Hanover Junction, which, if +destroyed by the enemy, could not be replaced for months, and Lee would +have to fall back to Richmond, if not farther, as all his supplies must +be transported by the road. He indicates the places where troops should +be stationed, and says from those places, if needed in battle, 10,000 +men could be transported in twenty-four hours to either Fredericksburg +or Richmond. + +Gen. Bragg is hurt, because one of his captains has been given an +independent Command, without consulting him, to defend Atlanta, in his +department. He says the captain has no merit, and Atlanta and Augusta +are in great danger--the newspapers having informed the enemy of the +practicability of taking them. He intimates an inclination to be +relieved. + +Mr. Plant, President of the Southern Express Company, was "allowed" to +leave the Confederate States to-day by the Assistant Secretary of War, +subject to the discretion of Gen. Whiting at Wilmington. I suppose his +fortune is made. + +AUGUST 2D.--We have warm, fair weather now; but the momentary gloom, +hanging like the pall of death over our affairs, cannot be dispelled +without a decisive victory somewhere, or news of speedy foreign +intervention. The letters which I read at the department this morning, +contain no news whatever. I have suggested to the government to prohibit +the exchange of newspapers in the flag of truce boat; but I doubt if +they will act upon it. It is a manifest injury to us. + +The exchange of prisoners is practically resumed; the Federal boat +delivering yesterday 750 of _our sick and wounded_; and we returned 600 +of their sick and wounded. + +AUGUST 3D.--The President issued a proclamation to-day, calling upon all +absentees to return to the ranks without delay, etc. + +Hon. D. M. Barringer writes from Raleigh, N. C, that the State is in a +ferment of rage against the administration for appointing Marylanders +and Virginians, if not Pennsylvanians, quartermasters, to collect the +war tax within its limits, instead of native citizens. + +Mr. W. H. Locke, living on the James River, at the Cement and Lime +Works, writes that more than a thousand deserters from Lee's army have +crossed at that place within the last fortnight. This is awful; and they +are mainly North Carolinians. + +AUGUST 4TH.--The partial gloom continues. It is now ascertained that +Gen. Morgan is a prisoner; only some 250 of his men, out of 3000, having +escaped. + +Lee is falling back on this side of the Rappahannock. His army has been +diminished by desertions; but he has been reinforced pretty considerably +since leaving Pennsylvania. The President's address may reinforce him +still more; and then it may be possible a portion of Bragg's and +Johnston's armies may be ordered hither. If this should be done, the +next battle may be fatal to Meade. Our people are thirsting for another +victory; and may expect too much. + +Confederate notes are now given for gold at the rate of $12 or $15 for +$1. Flour is $40 per barrel; bacon, $1.75 per pound; coal, $25 per +cart-load; and good wood, $30 per cord. Butter is selling at $3 per +pound, etc. etc. + +Nevertheless, most men look for relief in the foreign complications the +United States are falling into. England _will not_ prohibit the selling +of steamers to the Confederate States, and the United States say it +shall not be done; and France has taken possession of Mexico, erecting +it into an Empire, upon the throne of which will be seated some European +ruler. We think recognition of our government is not far behind these +events; when we shall have powerful navies to open the blockade. We are +used to wounds and death; but can hardly bear starvation and nakedness. + +AUGUST 5TH.--A letter from Hon. W. Porcher Miles to the Secretary of +War, received the 15th July, urging the government to send some +long-range Brooke guns for the salvation of Charleston, and saying that +the President had once promised him that they should be sent thither, +being sent by the Secretary to the President, was, to-day, August 5th, +returned by the President, with a paper from the Secretary of the Navy, +showing that, at the time Mr. Miles says he was promised the Brooke +guns, there _were really none on hand_. Thus Mr. Miles has been _caught_ +by the President, after the lapse of twenty days! It is not denied, even +by the Secretary of the Navy, that long-range guns were on hand at the +time--but there were no Brooke guns, simply. Thus, while Charleston's +fate hangs trembling in the balance, and the guns are idle here, twenty +days are fruitlessly spent. Mr. Miles appears to be a friend of +Beauregard. Every letter that general sends to the department is sure +to put twenty clerks at work in the effort to pick flaws in his accuracy +of statement. + +A report of the ordnance officers of Bragg's army shows that in the late +retreat (without a battle) from Shelbyville to Chattanooga, the army +lost some 6000 arms and between 200,000 and 300,000 cartridges! + +Our naval commanders are writing that they cannot get seamen--and at +Mobile half are on the sick list. + +Lee writes that his men are in good fighting condition--if he only had +enough of them. Of the three corps, one is near Fredericksburg (this +side the river), one at Orange C. H., and one at Gordonsville. I doubt +if there will be another battle for a month. + +Meantime the Treasury notes continue to depreciate, and all the +necessaries of life advance in price--but they do not rise in +_proportion_. + +The _Examiner_ had a famous attack on the President to-day (from the +pen, I think, of a military man, on Gen. Scott's staff, when Mr. Davis +was Secretary of War), for alleged stubbornness and disregard of the +popular voice; for appointing Pemberton, Holmes, Mallory, etc., with a +side fling at Memminger. + +AUGUST 6TH.--A dispatch from Gen. Lee shows that he is still falling +back (this side the Rapidan), but gradually concentrating his forces. +There _may_ be another battle speedily--and if our army does not gain a +_great_ victory, there will be great disappointment. + +There are some gun-boats in the James as high up as Aiken's Landing. Two +torpedoes, badly ignited, failed to injure either of them. + +Capt. Kay, of Mobile, in conjunction with several other parties, has a +scheme for the destruction of the enemy in the Mississippi Valley. What +it is, I know not--but I know large sums of money are asked for. + +After all, it appears that twenty-two transports of Grant's troops have +descended the Mississippi River--Mobile, no doubt, being their +destination. + +It is now believed that only a portion of Grant's army has been ordered +here; also that Rosecrans's army will operate with Meade; the object +being to besiege Richmond. Well, we shall, in that event, have Johnston +and Bragg--altogether 200,000 men around the city, which _ought_ to +suffice for its safety. A grand battle may take place this fall, in +which half a million of men may be engaged. That ought to be followed by +a decisive result. Let it come! + +The speculators have put up the price of flour to $50 per barrel. To the +honor of Messrs. Warwick, they are selling it at their mills for +$35--not permitting any family to have more than one barrel. This looks, +however, like an approaching siege. + +My good friend Dr. Powell, almost every week, brings my family +cucumbers, or corn, or butter, or something edible from his farm. He is +one in ten thousand! His son has been in sixteen battles--and yet the +government refuses him a lieutenancy, because he is not quite twenty-one +years of age. He is manly, well educated, brave, and every way +qualified. + +AUGUST 7TH.--Nothing new from Lee's army--only that his troops are eager +for another battle, when they are resolved to gain the day. There will +probably not be so many prisoners taken as usual, since the alleged +cruel treatment of our men now taken at Gettysburg, and the sending of +Gen. Morgan to the Ohio Penitentiary, and shaving his head, by order of +Gen. Burnside. + +A dispatch from Beauregard, to-day, states that the enemy are getting +large reinforcements, and are at work on their island batteries. There +was a slow firing--and but one man killed. + +It is believed that Governor Letcher will, reluctantly, call the +Legislature together; but he says the members will exhibit only the _bad +spirit of the people they represent_. What that means, I know not. + +The Governor elect--commonly called "Extra-Billy Smith"--has resigned +his brigadiership. But he is a candidate for a major-generalship, until +inauguration day, 1st January. He has had an interview with the +President, and proposes to take command of the troops defending the +city--that Gen. Elzey may take the field. Smith would undoubtedly have a +strong motive in defending the capital--but then he knows nothing of +military affairs, yet I think he will be appointed. + +Gen. Wise's batteries crippled and drove off the enemy's monitor and +gun-boats day before yesterday. The monitor was towed down the James +River in a disabled condition. + +To-day, for the third time since the war began, I derived some money +from our farm. It was another interposition of Providence. Once before, +on the very days that money was indispensable, a Mr. Evans, a +blockade-runner to the Eastern Shore of Virginia, came unexpectedly with +$100 obtained from my agent, who has had the management of the farm for +many years, and who is reported to be a Union man. To-day, just when my +income is wholly insufficient to pay rent on the house--$500 per annum +and $500 rent for the furniture, besides subsisting the family--at the +very moment when my wife was about to part with the last of her little +store of gold, to buy a few articles of furniture at auction, and save a +heavy expense ($40 per month), the same Evans came to me, saying that +although he had no money from my agent, if I would give him an order on +the agent for $300, he would advance that amount in Treasury notes. I +accepted the sum on his conditions. This is the work of a beneficent +Providence, thus manifested on three different occasions,--and to doubt +it would be to deserve damnation! + +AUGUST 8TH.--There is nothing new from any of the armies, except that my +old friend, Gen. Rains, sent to Mississippi, stopped and stampeded +Grant's army, after Johnston retreated from Jackson, with his "subterra +batteries." It appears that hundreds of the enemy and their horses were +killed and wounded by the shells planted by him beneath the surface of +the earth, and which ignited under the pressure of their weight. They +knew not where to go to avoid them, and so they retreated to Vicksburg. +This invention may become a terror to all invading. + +A letter received some days ago from a Mr. Bible, in Georgia, proposing +to contribute one-quarter of his slaves as teamsters, cooks, etc. for +the army, came back from the President, to-day, approved, with +directions to quartermasters to employ in such capacities all that could +be procured. + +Col. Myers, the Quartermaster-General, who is charged with saying "Let +them suffer," when the soldiers wanted blankets last winter, is to go +out of office at last--to be succeeded by Brig.-Gen. Lawton. + +Oak-wood is selling to-day for $35 per cord; coal, $25 per cart-load; +and flour, $45 per barrel. Mr. Warwick, however, sells any family one +barrel for $34. I got one from him, and the promise of another for +$33--from Commissary Warner; and I hope to get two loads of coal, under +the navy contract, at $20 each. There is much excitement against the +speculators in food and fuel--and some harsh proceeding may ensue. + +The _Tribune_ (New York) now says no terms will be listened to so long +as we are in arms. We will not yield our arms but with life--and this +insures independence. + +AUGUST 9TH.--No news from the armies. + +Mrs. ex-President Tyler, who has already been permitted to visit her +native State, New York, once or twice during the war--and indeed her +plantation has been within the enemy's lines--has applied for passage in +a government steamer (the Lee) to Nassau, and to take with her "a few +bales of cotton." I suppose it will be "allowed." + +We have fine hot August weather now, and I hope my tomatoes will mature, +and thus save me two dollars per day. My potatoes have, so far, failed; +but as they are still green, perhaps they may produce a crop later in +the season. The lima beans, trailed on the fence, promise an abundant +crop; and the cabbages and peppers look well. Every inch of the ground +is in cultivation--even the ash-heap, covered all over with +tomato-vines. + +AUGUST 10TH.--No army news of immediate importance. + +South Carolina has set an example in the prices of supplies for the +army, under the Impressment Act, fixed by the Commissioners. By this +schedule (for August, and it will be less in succeeding months) bacon is +to be from 65 to 75 cents per pound; beef, 25 cents; corn, $2 per +bushel; flour $20; pork, 35 cents; hay, $1.50 per 100 pounds; oats, $2 +per bushel; potatoes, $3; rice, 10 cents; sugar, 80 cents; soap, 40 +cents; and wheat, $3.50 per bushel. + +Gen. Lee writes that the railroad brings him but 1000 bushels of corn +per day; not enough to bring up his exhausted cavalry and artillery +horses; and he suggests that passenger cars be occasionally left behind +for the purpose of supplying the army--an indispensable measure. + +Gen. Lee also writes that he has 1700 unarmed men in his army; in two +weeks there will be 5000, and in a month 10,000. He suggests that the +troops for local defense here, and even the militia, be disarmed, to +supply his men. This indicates that Lee is to have an _immense_ army, +and that Richmond is to be defended. But the Central and Fredericksburg +Railroads must be repaired immediately, and at any expense to the +government, or else all will fail! + +AUGUST 11TH.--After all the applications of the railroad companies when +Gen. Lee was in Pennsylvania, and the enemy had withdrawn from this side +of the Potomac, it appears that the fine iron on the road from +Fredericksburg to Aquia Creek was not removed! Mr. Seddon's subordinates +must answer for this. The iron was wanted more than anything else but +men. The want of men cannot be alleged for not securing it, because the +railroad companies would have procured negroes enough for its removal. + +Well, the first of August has passed, and the grand scheme of the War +Office at Washington of a general servile insurrection did not take +place. On the contrary, a large army of slaves might be organized to +fight for their masters. + +To-day, it must be confessed, I saw some of the booty (if, indeed, it +was not fairly bought) of the recent invasion of the North. A number of +boxes of fine stationery, brought from Carlisle, Chambersburg, etc., +were opened at the War Department. + +There is a controversy between the Secretary of War, Assistant +Secretary, and Attorney-General on one side, and the Commissary-General, +Col. L. B. Northrop, on the other. It appears that one of the assistant +commissaries exchanged sugar for flour and rice in Alabama with a +merchant or speculator, and then, after the lapse of a month or so, +_impressed the sugar_. The party got the Attorney-General's opinion in +his behalf, which was approved by the Assistant Secretary of War, and +the Secretary issued an order for the release of the sugar. In response +to this, Col. N. rebuts the arguments of the whole three (lawyers) by +saying it is not _good sense_ to exempt anything, under any +circumstances, from impressment, when needed to carry on the war; and +that the way to success is to do justice to the whole country--and not +to please the people. A palpable hit at the politicians. He says if the +Secretary insists on the sugar being released, it will be done against +his (N.'s) judgment. + +AUGUST 12TH.--Letters from Georgia to-day assure the government that the +grain crops of that State will afford a surplus sufficient for the army, +cavalry and all, for 12 months. + +Also one from P. Clayton, late Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, +censuring the commissary agents in Georgia, who are sent thither from +other States, who insult the farmers and encourage speculation. + +Mr. Memminger is shipping gold from Wilmington, $20,000 by each steamer, +to Bermuda and Nassau. Why is this? Cotton is quite as good as gold, and +there are thousands of millions worth of that in the country, which Mr. +Memminger might buy, certainly might have bought for Confederate notes, +but, in his peculiar wisdom, he would not. And now, the _great +financier_ is shipping gold out of the country, thinking, perhaps, it +may arrest the depreciation of paper money! + +Col. Northrop, Commissary-General, is still urging a diminution of +rations, and as our soldiers taken by the enemy fare badly in the North, +and as the enemy make a point of destroying all the crops they can when +they invade us, and even destroy our agricultural implements and teams, +he proposes, in retaliation, to stop meat rations altogether to +prisoners in our hands, and give them instead oat gruel, corn-meal +gruel, and pea soup, soft hominy, and bread. This the Secretary will not +agree to, because the law says they shall have the same as our troops. + +I read to-day Gen. Lee's report of his operations (an outline) in June +and July, embracing his campaign in Maryland and Pennsylvania. + +The enemy could not be attacked advantageously opposite Fredericksburg, +and hence he determined to draw him out of his position by relieving the +lower valley of the Shenandoah, and, if practicable, transfer the scene +of hostilities north of the Potomac. + +The movement began on the 3d of June. The divisions of McLaws and Hood +(Longstreet's) marched for Culpepper C. H. They were followed on the 4th +and 5th by Ewell's corps, A. P. Hill's still occupying our lines at +Fredericksburg. + +When the enemy discovered the movement (on the 5th), he sent an army +corps across the Rappahannock, but this did not arrest Longstreet and +Ewell, who reached Culpepper C. H. on the 8th, where they found Gen. +Stuart and his cavalry. On the 9th the enemy's cavalry and a strong +force of infantry crossed the Rappahannock and attacked Gen. Stuart, but +they were beaten back, after fighting all day, with heavy loss, +including 400 prisoners, 3 pieces artillery, and several colors. + +Gens. Jenkins and Imboden had been sent in advance, the latter against +Romney, to cover the former's movement against Winchester, and both were +in position when Ewell left Culpepper C. H. on the 16th. + +Gen. Early stormed the enemy's works at Winchester on the 14th, and the +whole army of Milroy was captured or dispersed. + +Gen. Rhodes, on the same day, took Martinsburg, Va., capturing 700 +prisoners, 5 pieces artillery, and a large supply of stores. + +More than 4000 prisoners were taken at Winchester; 29 pieces artillery; +270 wagons and ambulances; 400 horses, besides a large amount of +military stores. + +Precisely at this time the enemy disappeared from Fredericksburg, +seemingly designing to take a position to cover Washington. + +Gen. Stuart, in several engagements, took 400 more prisoners, etc. + +Meantime, Gen. Ewell, with Gen. Jenkins's cavalry, etc., penetrated +Maryland, and Pennsylvania as far as Chambersburg. + +On the 24th, Lt.-Gens. Longstreet and Hill marched to the Potomac, the +former crossing at Williamsport and the latter at Shepherdstown, uniting +at Hagerstown, Md., advancing into Pennsylvania, and encamping near +Chambersburg on the 27th. + +Ewell's corps advanced as far as York and Carlisle, to keep the enemy +out of the mountains, and to keep our communications open. + +Gen. Imboden destroyed all the important bridges of the Baltimore and +Ohio Railroad from Martinsburg to Cumberland, damaging the Chesapeake +and Ohio Canal. + +Preparations were made to march upon Harrisburg, when information was +received of the approach of the army of the enemy, menacing +communications with the Potomac, necessitating a concentration of our +army at Gettysburg. + +Hill became engaged with a superior force of the enemy on the 1st July, +but Ewell, coming up by the Harrisburg road, participated in the +engagement, and the enemy were driven through Gettysburg with heavy +loss, including about 5000 prisoners and several pieces of artillery. + +The enemy retired to a high range of hills, south and east of the town. + +On the 2d, Gen. Ewell occupied the left, Gen. Hill the Center, and Gen. +Longstreet the right. + +Longstreet got possession of the enemy's position in front of his corps +after a severe struggle; Ewell also carried some strong positions. The +battle ceased at dark. + +The next day, 3d July, our batteries were moved forward to the positions +we had gained, and it was determined to renew the attack. + +Meantime the enemy had strengthened his line. The battle raged with +great violence in the afternoon, until sunset. We got possession of some +of the enemy's batteries, but our ammunition failing, our troops were +compelled to relinquish them, and fall back to their original position +with severe loss. + +Our troops (the general says) behaved well in the protracted and +sanguinary conflict, accomplishing all that was practicable. + +The strong position of the enemy, and reduction of his ammunition, +rendered it inexpedient for Gen. Lee to continue longer where he was. +Such of the wounded as could be moved, and part of the arms collected on +the field, were ordered to Williamsport. + +His army remained at Gettysburg during the 4th, and began to retire at +night, taking with it about 4000 prisoners, nearly 2000 having been +previously paroled. The enemy's wounded that fell into his hands were +left behind. + +He reached Williamsport without molestation, losing but few wagons, +etc., and arrived at Hagerstown 7th July. + +The Potomac was much swollen by recent rains, that had fallen +incessantly ever since he had crossed it, and was unfordable. + +The enemy had not yet appeared, until the 12th, when, instead of +attacking, Meade fortified his lines. + +On the 13th Gen. Lee crossed at Falling Waters, the river subsiding, by +fords and a bridge, without loss, the enemy making no interruption. Only +some stragglers, sleeping, fell into the hands of the enemy. + +AUGUST 13TH.--No news. It turns out that Gen. Taylor got only 500 +prisoners at Donaldsonville, La., instead of 4000. + +A writer in the New York _Tribune_ says the Northern troops burnt +Jackson, Miss. + +Lincoln has marked for close confinement and hostages three of our men +for three free negroes taken on Morris Island. + +The government here has, at last, indicated blockade-goods (U. S.) which +are to be seized; also sent circular letters to the generals at +Wilmington, Charleston, and Mobile to impose restrictions on blockade +running steamers belonging to private parties. The government must first +have such articles as its necessities require, at fair prices, before +the merchandise can be offered to the public, and the vessels must be +freighted out partly with government cotton. This is a good arrangement, +even if it is "locking the stable after the horse is stolen." + +AUGUST 14TH.--The enemy is not idle. He knows the importance of +following up his recent advantages, and making the utmost use of his +veteran troops now in the field, because his new levies, if indeed the +draft be submitted to, will not be fit for use this year, probably, if +ever, for they will consist of the riff-raff of the Northern population. +On the other hand, he suspects we will soon have larger armies in the +field than ever before, and our accessions will consist of our bravest +men, who will make efficient soldiers in a month. If our armies be not +broken before October, no doubt the tide of success will turn again +fully in our favor. + +Major Wm. Norris, Signal Corps, reports that many transports and troops +have been going down from Washington and Annapolis to Fortress Monroe +during the whole week, and that 5000 men embarked at Fortress Monroe, on +Monday, for (as they said themselves) Charleston. Among these was a +negro regiment of 1300. + +T. C. Reynolds, confidential agent of the government in the +trans-Mississippi States, sends copy of a circular letter from +Lieut.-Gen. Kirby Smith to the "representative men" of Missouri, +Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas, to meet him in convention, 15th August, +at Marshall, Texas. Mr Reynolds says he and others will exert themselves +to prevent the meeting from taking a dangerous political direction. Gen. +Smith is popular, and opposed to the States named setting up for +themselves, although he plainly says in the circular that they must now +adopt self-sustaining measures, as they cannot look for aid from the +East. Mr. Reynolds says something, not clearly understood by me, about +an equipoise among the _political_ generals. Has he been instructed on +that point in reference to Gen. Price? + +Letters from Mr. Crenshaw, in England, and the correspondence forwarded +by him, might seem to implicate Major Caleb Huse, Col. J. Gorgas's +ordnance agent, in some very ugly operations. It appears that Major H. +has contracted for 50,000 muskets at $4 above the current price, +leaving $200,000 commission for whom? And that he really seems to be +throwing obstacles in the way of Mr. C., who is endeavoring to procure +commissary stores in England. Mr. C. has purchased L40,000 worth of +bacon, but Major Huse, he apprehends, is endeavoring to prevent its +shipment. Can this be so? + +The _Charleston Mercury_ that came to-day contains an editorial +broadside against the President, Mr. Benjamin, Mr. Mallory, and +Commissary-General Northrop. + +Mr. Gilmer, lawyer, remarked to me to-day that some grave men (!) really +believed Davis and Lincoln had an understanding, and were playing into +each other's hands to prolong the war, knowing that peace would be the +destruction of both! I think there is more danger to both in war. The +blood of a brave people could not be trifled with without the utmost +danger. Let peace come, even if the politicians be shorn of all their +power. + +AUGUST 15TH.--I learn an order has been issued to conscribe all +commissary and quartermasters' clerks liable to military service. There +will be, and ought to be, some special cases of exemption, where men +have lost everything in the war and have women and children depending on +their salaries for subsistence; but if this order be extended to the +ordnance and other bureaus, as it must be, or incur the odium of +injustice, and the thousand and one A. A. G.'s, there will soon be a +very important accession to the army. + +Major Joseph B----, who was lately confined with over 1000 of our +officers, prisoners, on Johnson Island, Lake Erie, proposes a plan to +the Secretary of War whereby he is certain the island can be taken, and +the prisoners liberated and conveyed to Canada. He proposes that a dozen +men shall seize one of the enemy's steamers at Sandusky, and then +overpower the guards, etc. It is wild, but not impracticable. + +We hear nothing to-day from the enemy on the Rappahannock or at Fortress +Monroe. + +Our army in Western Louisiana captured some forty Yankee +cotton-planters, who had taken possession of the plantations after +driving their owners away. The account states that they were "sent to +Texas." Were they not sent into eternity? + +AUGUST 16TH.--The President rides out with some of the female members +of his family every afternoon, his aids no longer accompanying him. In +this he evinces but little prudence, for it is incredible that he should +be ignorant of the fact that he has some few deadly enemies in the city. + +Everywhere the ladies and children may be seen plaiting straw and making +bonnets and hats. Mrs. Davis and the ladies of her household are +frequently seen sitting on the front porch engaged in this employment. +Ostentation cannot be attributed to them, for only a few years ago the +Howells were in humble condition and accustomed to work. + +My wife borrowed $200 of Mr. Waterhouse, depositing $20 in gold as +security--worth $260--which, with the $300 from Evans on account of +rent, have been carefully applied to the purchase of sundry housekeeping +articles. After the 1st September we shall cease to pay $40 per month +rent on furniture, but that amount for house-rent, so that in the item +of rent my expenses will be less than they were the preceding year. So +far, with the exception of crockery-ware and chairs, the purchases (at +auction) have been at low prices, and we have been fortunate in the time +selected to provide indispensable articles. + +I often wonder if, in the first struggle for independence, there was as +much suffering and despondency among certain classes of the people as we +now behold. Our rich men are the first to grow weary of the contest. +Yesterday a letter was received by the Secretary of War from a Mr. +Reanes, Jackson, Mississippi, advising the government to lose no time in +making the best terms possible with the United States authorities, else +all would be lost. He says but a short time ago he was worth $1,250,000, +and now nothing is left him but a shelter, and that would have been +destroyed if he had not made a pledge to remain. He says he is an old +man, and was a zealous secessionist, and even now would give his life +for the independence of his country. But that is impracticable--numbers +must prevail--and he would preserve his wife and children from the +horrors threatened, and inevitable if the war be prolonged. He says the +soldiers that were under Pemberton and Lovell will never serve under +them again, for they denounce them as traitors and tyrants, while, as +they allege, they were well treated by the enemy when they fell into +their hands. + +Yet it seems to me that, like the Israelites that passed through the +Red Sea, and Shadrach and his brethren who escaped unscorched from the +fiery furnace, my family have been miraculously sustained. We have +purchased no clothing for nearly three years, and had no superabundance +to begin with, but still we have decent clothes, as if time made no +appreciable change in them. I wear a hat bought four years ago, and +shoes that cost me (government price then) $7.50 more than a year ago, +and I suppose they would sell now for $10; new ones are bringing $50. + +My tomatoes are maturing slowly, but there will be abundance, saving me +$10 per week for ten weeks. My lima beans are very full, and some of +them will be fit to pull in a few days. My potatoes are as green as +grass, and I fear will produce nothing but vines; but I shall have +cabbages and parsnips, and red peppers. No doubt the little garden, 25 +by 50, will be worth $150 to me. Thank Providence, we still have health! + +But the scarcity--or rather high prices, for there is really no scarcity +of anything but meat--is felt by the cats, rats, etc., as well as by the +people. I have not seen a rat or mouse for months, and lean cats are +wandering past every day in quest of new homes. + +What shall we do for sugar, now selling at $2 per pound? When the little +supply this side of the Mississippi is still more reduced it will +probably be $5! It has been more than a year since we had coffee or tea. +Was it not thus in the trying times of the Revolution? If so, why can we +not bear privation as well as our forefathers did? We must! + +AUGUST 17TH.--No news, except that the bombardment at Charleston is +getting hotter--but the casualties are few. + +The chief ordnance officer of Gen. Lee's army writes that the ammunition +from Richmond has always to be tested before they can venture to use it. +The shells for the Parrott guns are often too large--and of course would +be useless in the hour of battle! + +The _Examiner_ to-day has an attack on the President for removing A. C. +Myers, the Quartermaster-General. + +AUGUST 18TH.--There is heavy firing, day and night, on Wagner's battery +and Fort Sumter. The enemy use 15-inch guns; but Sumter is 4000 yards +distant, and it may be hoped will not be reduced. + +After all, the enemy did not, durst not, shave the head of Gen. Morgan, +and otherwise maltreat him, as was reported. + +The Secretary of War is, I believe, really in earnest in his +determination to prevent future blockade-running on private account; and +is resolved to send out cotton, tobacco, etc. by every steamer, so that +funds and credit may be always available in Europe. The steamers go and +come every week, in spite of the cruisers, and they bring munitions of +war, equipments, provisions, iron, etc. etc. So long as this continues, +the war can be maintained; and of late very few captures have been made +by the enemy. + +There are rumors of some manoeuvres of Gen. Lee, which may indicate an +approaching battle. + +AUGUST 19TH.--A _scout_, from Washington, has reported to Major Norris, +signal corps, that 10,000 New York troops have recently left Meade's +army, their term of service having expired; and that 30,000 men have +been sent from his army against Charleston. This accounts for the +falling back of Meade--and the detachment never would have been made +without. + +This intelligence has been in the possession of the government four +days; and if Charleston should fall now for want of men or material, +there will be great culpability somewhere. + +All the non-combatants have been requested to leave Charleston--and none +are allowed to enter the city. + +We have just got information from Charleston of a furious assault. So +far the casualties are not very great, nor the Island batteries +materially injured; but Sumter, it is feared, is badly shattered, yet is +in no great danger. Much apprehension for the result is felt and +manifested here. Six or eight large columbiads have been lying idle at +the Petersburg depot for a month, although the prayers of the people of +Charleston for heavy guns have been incessant! + +Col. Preston, Chief of the Bureau of Conscription, sent in a long +communication to-day, asking for enlarged powers and exclusive +jurisdiction in the conscription business, and then, he says, he will +have all the conscripts (not exempted) in the army in six months. But +more are exempted than conscribed! + +Robert Tyler publishes a long and hopeful letter on our finances. + +If Mr. Memminger read and approved the manuscript, it is well; but if +not, _good-by_, my friend! It is well done, however, even though +_aspiring_. But it is incredible there should be no more Treasury notes +in circulation--and no more indebtedness. + +AUGUST 20TH.--A few weeks ago Gen. Cooper wrote to Bragg, suggesting +that he advance into Middle Tennessee, reinforced by Gen. Johnston, and +attack Rosecrans; Gen. Bragg replied (8th inst.) that with all the +reinforcements he could get from Johnston, he would not have more than +40,000 effective men, while Rosecrans has 60,000, and will be reinforced +by Burnside with 30,000 more--making 90,000 against 40,000--and as a +true patriot he was opposed to throwing away our armies in enterprises +sure to terminate disastrously. He said, moreover, that the enemy could +starve him out, if he were to advance to the place designated, and thus +destroy his army without a battle. Gen. Cooper sent this response to the +President, asking if Bragg should not be _ordered_ to fight under such +circumstances. But the President paused, in following the guidance of +this Northern man at the head of all our Southern generals--and to-day +sent back the paper indorsed that "only a suggestion could be given to a +commanding general to fight a battle; but to order him to fight when he +predicted a failure in advance, would be unwise." + +A paper from Beauregard intimates that even if batteries Wagner and +Gregg should be taken by the enemy, he has constructed another which +will render that part of Morris Island untenable. But he relied upon +holding Sumter; and there is a vague rumor to-day that Sumter must +surrender--if indeed it has not already been reduced. + +Hon Wm. Porcher Miles writes another most urgent letter, demanding +reinforcements of seasoned troops. He says Charleston was stripped of +troops against the remonstrances of Beauregard to send to +Mississippi--to no avail--which invited this attack; and now he asks +that Jenkins's brigade of South Carolinians be sent to the defense; that +South Carolinians are fighting in Virginia, but are not permitted to +defend their native soil in the hour of extremity; and that if the +enemy, with overwhelming numbers, should take James's Island, they +would, from thence, be able to destroy the city. We are looking with +anxiety for further news from Charleston. + +Gen. Maury writes from Mobile that he has seized, in the hands of +Steever (who is he?), receipts for 4000 bales of cotton--orders for 150 +bonds, each L225 sterling, and two bags of coin, $10,000. The President +indorses on the paper that the money had better be turned over to the +Secretary of the Treasury. What is all this? + +The Secretary sent a paper to the President relating to some novel +action performed or proposed, asking his "instructions." The President +returned it to-day indorsed, "The Secretary's advice invited." How in +the mischief can such non-committalists ever arrive at a conclusion? + +Hon. E. S. Dargan writes that if Pemberton be restored to command (as he +understands this to be the government's purpose), our cause is ruined +beyond redemption. I say so too. When he made up his mind to surrender, +it is unpardonable that he did not destroy the 50,000 stand of arms +before he made any overture. I shall never forgive him! + +The signal officers report that three large ocean steamers passed down +the Potomac day before yesterday, having on board 1000 men each; and +that many large steamers are constantly going up--perhaps for more. + +Brig.-Gen. Roger A. Pryor, after dancing attendance in the ante-rooms +for six months, waiting assignment to a command, has resigned, and his +resignation has been accepted. He says he can at least serve in the +ranks as a private. The government don't like aspiring political +generals. Yet Pryor was first a colonel, and member of +Congress--resigned his seat--resigned his brigadier-generalship, and is +now a private. + +Our cause is dim in Europe, if it be true, as the Northern papers +report, that the Confederate loan has sunken from par to 35 per cent. +discount since the fall of Vicksburg. + +AUGUST 21ST, FRIDAY.--This is a day appointed by the President for +humiliation, fasting, and prayer. Yet the Marylanders in possession of +the passport office report the following in the _Dispatch_ of this date: + +"_Passports._--The passport office was besieged yesterday and last night +by large crowds of persons soliciting permission to leave the city, in +order that some relaxation might be had from its busy scenes. Among +those who obtained them were His Excellency Jefferson Davis and his +Honor Joseph Mayo, both designing to pay a short visit to the +neighboring County of Chesterfield." + +We fast, certainly--and feel greatly humiliated at the loss of New +Orleans and Vicksburg--and we pray, daily. + +Yesterday Fort Sumter suffered much from the enemy's batteries, and much +apprehension is felt for its fate. + +Gen. Lee, it is said, is not permitted to follow Meade, who is +retrograding, being weakened by detachments. A few weeks hence the fall +campaign will open in Virginia, when the very earth may tremble again +with the thunders of war, and the rivulets may again spout human blood. + +There were no letters to-day, for the reason that last night the clerks +in the post-office resigned, their salaries not being sufficient to +support them. I hope a force will be detailed, to-morrow, to distribute +the letters. + +I met Prof. A. T. Bledsoe to-day as he was ambling toward the passport +office. He said he was just about to start for London, where he intended +publishing his book--on slavery, I believe. He has a free passage on one +of the government steamers, to sail from Wilmington. He asked me if I +fasted to-day; I answered yes, as _usual_! He then bid me good-by, and +at parting I told him I hoped he would not find us all hanged when he +returned. I think it probable he has a mission from the President, as +well as his book to publish. + +AUGUST 22D.--All the guns of Fort Sumter on the south face have been +silenced by the land batteries of the enemy on Morris Island; and this +account is two days old. What has taken place since, none here but Gen. +Cooper and the President know. But our battery, Wagner, dismounted one +of the enemy's Parrott guns and blew up two magazines. It is rumored +to-day that Sumter has been abandoned and blown up; also that 20,000 of +_Grant's_ men have been ordered to New York to quell a new _emeute_. +Neither of these rumors are credited, however, by reflecting men. But +they may be true, nevertheless. + +Passengers from Bermuda say two monster guns were on the steamer, and +were landed at Wilmington a few days ago, weighing each twenty-two tons; +carriages, _sixty tons_; the balls, 15 inches in diameter, length not +stated, weighing 700 pounds; the shells, not filled, weigh 480 pounds; +and 40 pounds of powder are used at each discharge. They say these guns +can be fired with accuracy and with immense effect seven miles. I wonder +if the President will send them to Charleston? They might save the +city. + +The balls fired by the enemy are eight inches in diameter, and two feet +in length; 2000 of these, solid and filled, have struck the southern +face of Sumter. + +It is now positively asserted that Morgan's head was shaved, when they +put him in the penitentiary. + +Night before last all the clerks in the city post-office resigned, +because the government did not give them salaries sufficient to subsist +them. As yet their places have not been filled, and the government gets +no letters--some of which lying in the office may be of such importance +as to involve the safety or ruin of the government. To-morrow is Sunday, +and of course the mails will not be attended to before Monday--the +letters lying here four days unopened! This really looks as if we had no +Postmaster-General. + +AUGUST 23D.--Dispatches from Charleston, yesterday, brought the +melancholy intelligence that Fort Sumter is but little more than a pile +of rubbish. The fall of this fort caused my wife a hearty cry--and she +cried when Beauregard reduced it in 1861; not because he did it, but +because it was the initiation of a terrible war. She hoped that the +separation would be permitted to pass without bloodshed. + +To-day we have a dispatch from Beauregard, stating the _extraordinary +fact that the enemy's batteries, since the demolition of Sumter, have +thrown shell, from their Parrott guns, into the city--a distance of five +and a half miles_! This decides the fate of Charleston; for they are +making regular approaches to batteries Wagner and Gregg, which, of +course, will fall. The other batteries Beauregard provided to render the +upper end of the island untenable, cannot withstand, I fear, the +enginery of the enemy. + +If the government had sent the long-range guns of large caliber when so +urgently called for by Beauregard, and if it had _not_ sent away the +best troops against the remonstrances of Beauregard, the people are +saying, no lodgment could have been made on Morris Island by the enemy, +and Sumter and Charleston would have been saved for at least another +year. + +At all events, it is quite probable, now, that all the forts and cities +on the seaboard (Mobile, Savannah, Wilmington, Richmond) must succumb to +the mighty engines of the enemy; and our gun-boats, built and in process +of completion, will be lost. Richmond, it is apprehended, must fall when +the enemy again approaches within four or five miles of it; and +Wilmington can be taken from the rear, as well as by water, for no forts +can withstand the Parrott guns. + +Then there will be an end of blockade-running; and we must flee to the +mountains, and such interior fastnesses as will be impracticable for the +use of these long-range guns. Man must confront man in the deadly +conflict, and the war can be protracted until the government of the +North passes out of the hands of the Abolitionists. We shall suffer +immensely; but in the end we shall be free. + +AUGUST 24TH.--We have nothing further from Charleston, except that +Beauregard threatened retaliation (how?) if Gilmore repeated the +offense, against humanity and the rules of civilized war, of shelling +the city before notice should be given the women and children to leave +it. To-day, at 11 A.M., it is supposed the shelling was renewed. + +This day week, I learn by a letter from Gen. Whiting, two 700-pounder +Blakely guns arrived in the Gladiator. If these could only be +transported to Charleston, what a _sensation_ they would make among the +turreted monitors! But I fear the railroad cannot transport them. + +The Secretary of the Treasury asks transportation for 1000 bales of +cotton to Wilmington. What for? + +To-day I saw a copy of a dispatch from Gen. Johnston to the President, +dated at Morton, Miss., 22d August, stating that he would send forward, +the next day, two divisions to reinforce Gen. Bragg in Tennessee. This +signifies battle. + +The Secretary of the Treasury notified the Secretary of War, to-day, +that the appropriation of fifty millions per month, for the expenditure +of the War Department, was greatly exceeded; that already this month +(August) the requisitions on hand amounted to over $70,000,000, and they +could not be met--some must lie over; and large sums for contracts, pay +of troops, etc. will not be paid, immediately. + +Exchange on London, I learn by a letter written by Mr. Endus to his +agent in London, detained by Gen. Whiting and sent to the Secretary of +War, is selling in Richmond at a premium of fifteen hundred per cent. + +The post-office clerks have returned to duty, the Postmaster-General +promising to recommend to Congress increased compensation. + +AUGUST 25TH.--Hon. A. R. Boteler, after consultation with Gen. Stuart +and Capt. Moseby, suggests that the Secretary of War send up some of +Gen. Rains's subterra torpedoes, to place under the track of the Orange +and Alexandria Railroad, in possession of the enemy. Gen. Stuart +suggested that a man familiar with their use be sent along with them, as +they are dangerous weapons. + +We have a report, to-day, that our expedition from this city has +succeeded in boarding and capturing two of the enemy's gun-boats in the +Rappahannock. + +AUGUST 26TH.--H. C. ----, a mad private, and Northern man, in a Georgia +Regiment, writes to the President, proposing to take some 300 to 500 men +of resolution and assassinate the leading public men of the United +States--the war Abolitionists, I suppose. The President referred the +paper, without notice, to the Secretary of War. + +Gen. Whiting writes that Wilmington is in imminent danger from a _coup +de main_, as he has but one regiment available in the vicinity. He says +he gives the government fair warning, and full information of his +condition; asking a small brigade, which would enable him to keep the +enemy at bay until adequate reinforcements could arrive. He also wants +two Whitworth guns to keep the blockaders at a more respectful distance, +since they captured one steamer from us, recently, nine miles below the +city, and blew up a ship which was aground. He says it is _tempting +Providence_ to suffer that (now) most important city in the Confederate +States to remain a day liable to sudden capture, which would effectually +cut us off from the rest of the world. + +Gen. Beauregard telegraphs for a detail of 50 seamen for his iron-clads, +which he intends shall support Sumter, if, as he anticipates, the enemy +should make a sudden attempt to seize it--or rather its debris--where he +still has some guns, _still under our flag_. None of his vessels have +full crews. This paper was referred to the Secretary of the Navy, and he +returned it with an emphatic _negative_, saying that the War Department +had failed to make details from the army to the navy, in accordance with +an act of Congress, and hence none of our war steamers had full crews. + +AUGUST 27TH.--There is trouble in the Conscription Bureau. Col. +Preston, the new superintendent, finds it no bed of roses, made for him +by Lieut.-Col. Lay--the lieutenant-colonel being absent in North +Carolina, sent thither to _compose_ the discontents; which may +complicate matters further, for they don't want Virginians to meddle +with North Carolina matters. However, the people he is sent to are +supposed to be _disloyal_. Gen. Pillow has applied to have Georgia in +the jurisdiction of his Bureau of Conscription, and the Governors of +Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee unite in the request; also Generals +Johnston and Bragg. Gen. Pillow already has Mississippi, Tennessee, +Alabama, etc.--a much larger jurisdiction than the bureau here. Col. +Preston, of course, protests against all this, and I believe the +Secretary sympathizes with him. + +Prof. G. M. Richardson, of the Georgia Military Institute, sends some +interesting statistics. That State has furnished the army 80,000, +between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years. Still, the average +number of men in each county between sixteen and eighteen and forty-five +and sixty is 462, and there are 132 counties: total, 60,984. He deducts +30 per cent, for the infirm, etc. (18,689), leaving 42,689 men able to +bear arms still at home. Thus, after putting some 500,000 in the field +(if we could put them there), there would yet remain a reserve for home +defense against raids, etc. in the Confederate States, of not less than +250,000 men. + +Gen. Winder sent to the Secretary of War to-day for authority to appoint +a clerk to attend exclusively to the mails to and from the United +States--under Gen. Winder's sole direction. + +Major Quantrel, a Missouri guerrilla chief, has dashed into Lawrence, +Kansas, and burnt the city--killing and wounding 180. He had Gen. Jim +Lane, but he escaped. + +Gen. Floyd is dead; some attribute his decease to ill treatment by the +government. + +I saw Mr. Hunter yesterday, bronzed, but bright. He is a little thinner, +which improves his appearance. + +Gen. Lee is in town--looking well. When he returns, I think the fall +campaign will open briskly. + +A dispatch received to-day says that on Tuesday evening another assault +on Battery Wagner was in progress--but as yet we have no result. + +Lieut. Wood captured a third gun-boat in the Rappahannock, having eight +guns. + +The prisoners here selected to die, in retaliation for Burnside's +execution of our officers taken while recruiting in Kentucky, will not +be executed. + +Nor will the officers taken on Morris Island, serving with the negroes, +suffer death in accordance with the act of Congress and the President's +proclamation. The Secretary referred the matter to the President for +instruction, and the President invited the advice of the Secretary. The +Secretary advised that they be held indefinitely, without being brought +to trial, and in this the President acquiesces. + +AUGUST 28TH.--Another letter, from Gen. Whiting, calls vehemently for +reinforcements, artillery, cavalry, and infantry--or else the city and +harbor are soon to be at the mercy of the enemy. He is importunate. + +After all, Morgan's head was _not_ shaved--but his beard, and that of +his officers, was cut, and their hair made _short_. This I learn from a +letter at the department from Morgan's Assistant Adjutant-General. + +The tocsin was ringing in my ears when I awoke this morning. Custis +packed his haversack, and, taking blanket, etc. etc., joined his +department comrades, and they were all marched out the Brooke turnpike. +Yesterday the enemy in considerable force came up the Peninsula and +attacked the guard (70 men) at Bottom's Bridge, killing, so report says, +Lieut. Jetu, of South Carolina, and some twelve or fifteen others. But I +believe the attacking party have recrossed the Chickahominy. We shall +know in a few hours. Gen. Lee is still here. Gen. Wise's brigade, with +the militia, the department companies, and the convalescents from the +hospitals, must number some 8000 men in this vicinity. If the enemy be +in formidable numbers, we shall soon be reinforced. + +We have nothing from Charleston since Tuesday evening, when, it is said, +the "_first_ assault" was repulsed. It is strange we get nothing later. + +AUGUST 29TH.--After all, it appears that only a few hundred of the +enemy's cavalry came up the Peninsula as far as Bottom's Bridge, from +whence they quickly fell back again. And this alarm caused Gen. Elzey, +or the government, to put in movement nearly 20,000 men! But something +else may be behind this demonstration; it may be the purpose of the +enemy to strike in another direction, perhaps at Hanover +Junction--where, fortunately, we have nearly a division awaiting them. + +The Hon. Mr. Dargan's letter, received at the department a few days ago, +saying that the reinstatement of Gen. Pemberton in command would be the +ruin of the cause, was referred by the Secretary to the President, with +some strong remarks, to the effect that popular opinion was almost +universal against Pemberton. It came back to-day, with the following +indorsement of the President: "_The justice or injustice of the opinion +will be tested by the investigation ordered_.--J. D." If the President +desires it, of course Pemberton will be exonerated. But even if he be +honorably and fairly acquitted, the President ought not to forget that +he is not a ruler by Divine right to administer justice merely, but the +servant of the people to aid in the achievement of their independence; +and that their opinions and wishes, right or wrong, must be respected, +or they can deprive him of honor, and select another leader. + +AUGUST 30TH.--The department companies and militia returned yesterday, +through a heavy shower, from the wild-goose chase they were rushed into +by Gen. Elzey's order. + +Mr. Reagan, the Postmaster-General, informed me to-day (the government +will not allow bad news to transpire) that at the _second_ assault on +Battery Wagner, Morris Island, the enemy captured and held the +rifle-pits. This, perhaps, involves the loss of the battery itself--and +indeed there is a report, generally believed, that it fell subsequently. +I fear that the port of Charleston is closed finally--if indeed, as I +hope, the city will be still held by Beauregard. + +Letters from Wilmington, dated 21st instant, urgently ask the Secretary +of War to have one of the Great Blakely guns for the defense of that +city--and protesting against both being sent to Charleston. From this, I +infer that one or both have been ordered to Beauregard. + +Gen. Samuel Jones has had a small combat with the enemy in Western +Virginia, achieving some success. His loss was about 200, that of the +enemy much greater. This is a grain of victory to a pound of disaster. + +The owners of several fast blockade-running steamers, in anticipation of +the closing of all the ports, are already applying for letters of marque +to operate against the commerce of the United States as privateers, or +in the "volunteer navy"--still with an eye to gain. + +Gen. Lee has returned to the Army of Northern Virginia--and we shall +probably soon hear of interesting operations in the field. Governor +Vance writes for a brigade of North Carolinians to collect deserters in +the western counties of that State. + +There must be two armies in Virginia this fall--one for defense, and one +(under Lee) for the aggressive--150,000 men in all--or else the losses +of the past will not be retrieved during the ensuing _terrible_ +campaign. + +Some good may be anticipated from the furious and universal outcry in +the Confederate States against the extortioners and speculators in food +and fuel. Already some of the millers here are selling new flour at $27 +to families; the speculators paid $35 for large amounts, which they +expected to get $50 for! But meat is still too high for families of +limited means. My tomatoes are now maturing--and my butter-beans are +filling rapidly, and have already given us a dinner. What we shall do +for clothing, the Lord knows--but we trust in Him. + +AUGUST 31ST.--Governor Vance writes that large bodies of deserters in +the western counties of North Carolina are organized, with arms, and +threaten to raise the Union flag at the court-house of Wilkes County on +next court-day. The Governor demands a brigade from Virginia to quell +them. Lieut.-Col. Lay has been sent thither, by the new good-natured +chief of the Bureau of Conscription, to cure the evil. We shall see what +good this mission will effect. Col. Preston writes to the Secretary +to-day that disorders among the conscripts and deserters are now +occurring in South Carolina for the first time--and proposes shortly to +visit them himself. The best thing that can be done is to abolish the +Bureau of Conscription, and have the law enforced by the military +commanders in the field. + +I saw to-day a letter to the Secretary of War, written by Mr. Benjamin, +Secretary of State, on the 18th inst., referring to a Mr. Jno. +Robertson, an artist, whom the Secretary of War promised a free passage +in a government steamer to Europe. Mr. B. says the promise was made in +the President's room, and he asks if Mr. Seddon could not spare an hour +in his office, for Mr. R. to take his portrait. He says Mr. R. has the +heads of the President, all the heads of departments (except Mr. Seddon, +I suppose), and the principal generals. It does not appear what was done +by Mr. Seddon, but I presume everything asked for by Mr. Benjamin was +granted. But this matter has not exalted the President and his "heads of +departments" in my estimation. If it be not "fiddling while Rome is +burning," it is certainly _egotizing_ while the Confederacy is +crumbling. On that day Sumter was falling to pieces, and some 40 +locomotives and hundreds of cars were burning in Mississippi, and +everywhere our territory passing into the hands of the invader! + +Mr. Robertson, I believe, is a stranger and an Englishman, and a _free +passage_ in a government ship is equivalent to some $2000, Confederate +States currency. Almost every day passages are denied to refugees, +natives of the South, who have lost fortunes in the cause, and who were +desirous to place their children and non-combatants in a place of +security, while they fight for liberty and independence. The privileged +passage is refused them, even when they are able and willing to pay for +the passage, and this refusal is recommended by Col. Gorgas, a Northern +man. They do not propose to immortalize "the President, the heads of +departments, and the principal generals." But Mr. Benjamin has nothing +else to do. Washington would accept no meed of praise until his great +work was accomplished. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +Situation at Wilmington.--Situation at Charleston.--Lincoln thinks there + is hope of our submission.--Market prices.--Ammunition turned over + to the enemy at Vicksburg.--Attack on Sumter.--Stringent conscription + order.--Disaffection in North Carolina.--Victory announced by Gen. + Bragg.--Peril of Gen. Rosecrans.--Surrender of Cumberland Gap.-- + Rosecrans fortifying Chattanooga.--Mr. Seward on flag-of-truce + boat.--Burnside evacuating East Tennessee.--The trans-Mississippi + army.--Meade sending troops to Rosecrans.--Pemberton in Richmond.-- + A suggestion concerning perishable tithes. + + +SEPTEMBER 1ST.--Another letter from Gen. Whiting, urging the government +by every consideration, and with all the ingenuity and eloquence of +language at his command, to save Wilmington by sending reinforcements +thither, else it must be inevitably lost. He says it will not do to rely +upon what now seems the merest stupidity of the enemy, for they already +have sufficient forces and means at their command and within reach to +capture the fort and city. He has but one regiment for its defense! + +I saw to-day a telegraphic correspondence between the Secretary of War +and Gen. Buckner in regard to the invasion of Kentucky, the general +agreeing to it, being sure that with 10,000 men he could compel +Rosecrans to fall back, etc. But I suppose the fall of Vicksburg, and +the retreat from Pennsylvania, caused its abandonment. + +Hon. Wm. Capeton, C. S. Senate, writes the Secretary on the subject of +compelling those who have hired substitutes now to serve themselves, and +he advocates it. He says the idea is expanding that the rich, for whose +benefit the war is waged, have procured substitutes to fight for them, +while the poor, who have no slaves to lose, have not been able to +procure substitutes. All will be required to fight, else all will be +engulfed in one common destruction. He will endeavor to get an +expression of opinion from the Legislature, about to assemble, and after +that he will advocate the measure in Congress, intimating that Congress +should be convened at an early day. + +SEPTEMBER 2D.--We have no news of any importance from any of the armies. +Gen. Bragg, however, telegraphs, August 31st, that he is concentrating +his forces to receive the enemy, reported to be on the eve of assailing +his position. He says he has sent our paroled men to Atlanta (those +taken at Vicksburg), and asks that arms be sent them by the _eastern +road_. Col. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance, says this is the first intimation +he has had as to the disposition of the paroled prisoners. Does he +understand that they are to fight before being exchanged? + +Brig.-Gen. G. J. Rains writes from Charleston that the grenades reported +by the enemy to have been so destructive in their repulse at Battery +Wagner, were his subterra shells, there being no hand-grenades used. + +The other night Beauregard sent a steamer out with a torpedo to destroy +the _Ironsides_, the most formidable of the enemy's iron-clads. It ran +within forty yards of the Ironsides, which, however, was saved by +swinging round. The torpedo steamer's engine was so imperfect that it +could not be worked when stopped, for several minutes, to readjust the +arrangements for striking the enemy in his altered position. When +hailed, "What steamer is that?" the reply was, "The Live Yankee," and +our adventurers got off and back to the city without injury--and without +inflicting any. + +There has been much shelling the last few days, but Sumter and Battery +Wagner are still under the Confederate flag. How long this will continue +no one knows. But it is hoped the great Blakely guns are there by this +time, and that Gen. Rains's torpedoes may avail something for the +salvation of the city. + +SEPTEMBER 3D.--Night before last the heavens were illuminated, it is +said, by the terrific bombardment of the batteries and forts in the +vicinity of Charleston, and earth and sea trembled with the mighty +vibrations. Yet no material injury was done our works, and there were +not more than a dozen casualties. On the side of the enemy there is no +means of ascertaining the effect. + +N. S. Walker, Confederate States agent, Bermuda, writes that the steamer +R. E. Lee was chased, on her last trip out, twelve hours, and was +compelled to throw 150 bales government cotton overboard. He says the +British crown officers have decided that British bottoms, with British +owners of cargo, running out of blockaded ports, are liable to seizure +anywhere on the high seas. + +Some of the papers say Knoxville is in the hands of the enemy, and +others deny it. + +Hon. F. S. Lyon writes from Demopolis, Ala., that the Vicksburg army +have not reported upon the expiration of the thirty days' leave, in +large numbers, and that the men never can be reorganized to serve again +under Pemberton. + +Gen. Jos. E. Johnston writes from Morton, Miss., that he is disposing +his force to oppose any raids of the enemy, and that he shall keep the +Vicksburg troops (when exchanged) in Eastern Mississippi. + +Gov. Jos. E. Brown telegraphs that the men (militia) in Georgia cannot +be _compelled_ to leave the State; but if the government will send them +5000 arms, he thinks he can _persuade_ them to march out of it, provided +he may name a commander. The President indorses on this: "If they are +militia, I have no power to appoint; if C. S. troops, I have no power to +delegate the authority to appoint." + +Gen. Lee is still here (I thought he had departed), no doubt arranging +the programme of the fall campaign, if, indeed, there be one. He rode +out with the President yesterday evening, but neither were greeted with +cheers. I suppose Gen. Lee has lost some popularity among idle street +walkers by his retreat from Pennsylvania. The President seeks seclusion. +A gentleman who breakfasted with him this morning, tells me the +President complained of fatigue from his long ride with Gen. Lee. + +SEPTEMBER 4TH.--There is a rumor that Gen. Lee (who is still here) is to +take the most of his army out of Virginia, to recapture the Southern +territory lost by Loring, Pemberton, and Bragg. I doubt this; for it +might involve the loss of Richmond, and indeed of the whole State of +Virginia. It would be a sad blow to the extortionate farmers, it is +true; but we cannot afford to lose the whole country, and sacrifice the +cause, to punish the speculators. It may be, however, that this is a +_ruse_, and if so, Lee is preparing for another northern campaign. + +The project of the Hon. Mr. Boteler to place Rains's subterra shells +under the Orange and Alexandria Railroad used by the enemy, was referred +by the Secretary to Col. J. Gorgas, the Northern Chief of Ordnance, who +says he can furnish the shells, but advises _against the use of them_, +as they will "only irritate the enemy, and not intimidate them." For +this presumptuous advice, which was entirely gratuitous, I do not learn +that the Secretary has rebuked him. + +Letters from Western North Carolina show that the defection is +spreading. In Wilkes County, Gideon Smoot is the commander of the +insurgents, and has raised the United States flag. I have not learned, +yet, whether Lieut.-Col. Lay, of the Bureau of Conscription, reached +that far; and I was amazed when the good nature of Col. Preston yielded +to his solicitations to go thither. What possible good could he, a +Virginian, and formerly an aid of Gen. Scott, effect in that quarter? + +SEPTEMBER 5TH.--It is believed that Lee, with a large portion of his +army, will proceed immediately to Tennessee against Rosecrans; and it is +ascertained that Meade is sending reinforcements thither. But I fear for +Virginia when Lee is away! Meade must have a large army left behind, +else he would not send reinforcements to Rosecrans. This move will +excite the fear of the extortionate farmers, at all events, and make +them willing to sell their surplus produce. But if Richmond should fall, +and the State be overrun, it is possible it would secede from the +Confederacy, which would be a virtual dissolution of it. She would then +form alliances with other Southern States on a new basis, and create a +new provisional government, and postpone the formation of a permanent +one until independence be achieved. However, I am incredulous about the +abandonment of Virginia. + +Meantime, I hope France will intervene, and that Mexico will recognize +the independence of the Southern Government. + +Another letter from Hon. Mr. Miles, of Charleston, in reply, as it +seems, to a pretty severe rebuke by the Secretary of War, for asking +Jenkins's brigade of South Carolinians for the defense of South +Carolina, was received to-day. Knowing the honorable gentleman's +intimate relations with Beauregard, the Secretary criticises the conduct +of the general in permitting the enemy to establish himself on the lower +end of Morris Island--allowing a grove to remain, concealing the +erection of batteries, etc. etc. Mr. Miles in reply asserts the fact +that Gen. B. did the utmost that could be accomplished with the force +and means left at his disposal by the government; and that the grove +would have been felled, if he had been authorized to impress labor, etc. +It is sad to read these criminations and recriminations at such a time +as this; but every Secretary of War is apt to come in conflict with +Beauregard. + +Gen. Whiting asks, as second in command, Brig.-Gen. Herbert, and +reiterates his demand for troops, else Wilmington will be lost. This +letter came open--having been broken on the way. If a spy did it, which +is probable, the army will soon learn what an easy conquest awaits them. + +Mr. C. C. Thayer, clerk in the Treasury Department, leaves on the 9th, +with $15,000,000 for the trans-Mississippi Department; another clerk has +already gone with $10,000,000. + +After all, I am inclined to think our papers have been lying about the +barbarous conduct of the enemy. A letter was received to-day from C. N. +Hubbard, a respectable farmer of James City County, stating that when +Gen. Keyes came up the Peninsula about the 1st of July, he sent guards +for the protection of the property of the people living along the line +of march; and they remained, faithfully performing that duty, until the +army retired. Mr. H. complains that these guards were made prisoners by +our troops, and, if exchanges be demanded for them, he fears the next +time the hostile army approaches Richmond, their request for a guard +will be refused. What answer the Secretary will make to this, I have no +means of conjecturing; but Mr. Hubbard recommends him to come to some +understanding with the enemy for the mutual protection of the persons +and property of non-combating civilians; and he desires an answer +directed to the care of Col. Shingler, who, indeed, captured the guard. +The Secretary consented to the exchange. + +SEPTEMBER 6TH.--Northern papers received yesterday evening contain a +letter from Mr. Lincoln to the Illinois Convention of Republicans, in +which I am told (I have not seen it yet) he says if the Southern people +will first lay down their arms, he will then listen to what they may +have to say. Evidently he has been reading of the submission of Jack +Cade's followers, who were required to signify their submission with +ropes about their necks. + +This morning I saw dispatches from Atlanta, Ga., stating that in one of +the northern counties the deserters and tories had defeated the Home +Guard which attempted to arrest them. In Tennessee, North Carolina, +Mississippi, and Georgia, we have accounts of much and growing +defection, and the embodying of large numbers of deserters. Indeed, all +our armies seem to be melting away by desertion faster than they are +enlarged by conscription. They will return when there is fighting to do! + +A letter from Col. Lay, dated North Carolina, to the Chief of the Bureau +of Conscription, recommends the promotion of a lieutenant to a +captaincy. The colonel is _great_ in operations of this nature; and Col. +Preston is sufficiently good natured to recommend the recommendation to +the Secretary of War, who, good easy man, will not inquire into his age, +etc. + +Gold is worth from 1000 to 1500 per cent. premium; and yet one who has +gold can buy supplies of anything, by first converting it into +Confederate notes at low prices. For instance, coal at $30 is really +bought for $3 per load. A fine horse at $1000 for $100. Bacon, at $2 per +pound is only 20 cents; boots at $100 is only $10, and so on. + +Thank Heaven! the little furniture, etc. we now have is our own--costing +less to buy it than the rent we paid for that belonging to others up to +the beginning of the month. A history of the household goods we possess +would, no doubt, if it could be written, be interesting to haberdashers. +I think we have articles belonging in their time to twenty families. + +The following list of prices is cut from yesterday's paper: + +"_Produce, provisions, etc._--Apples, $30 to $35 per barrel; bacon is +firm at $2 to $2.10 for hoground. Butter is advancing; we quote at $2.50 +to $3 by the package. Cheese has advanced, and now sells at $1.50 to $2 +per pound; corn, $8 to $9 per bushel; corn-meal, $9 per bushel, in +better supply. Flour, at the Gallego Mills, new superfine, uninspected, +is sold at $25 per barrel; at commission houses and in second hands, the +price of new superfine is from $35 to $40; onions, $40 to $50 per +barrel; Irish potatoes, $5 to $6 per bushel, according to quality; oats +firm at $6 per bushel. Wheat--the supply coming in is quite limited. The +millers refuse to compete with the government, and are consequently +paying $5 per bushel. It is intimated, however, that outside parties are +buying on speculation at $6 to $6.50, taking the risk of impressment. +Lard, $1.70 to $1.75 per pound; eggs, $1.25 to $1.50 per dozen; seeds, +timothy, $8 to $10; clover, $40 to $45 per bushel. + +"_Groceries._--Sugars: the market is active; we hear of sales of prime +brown at $2 to $2.15; coffee, $4.25 to $4.75 per pound; molasses, $15 +per gallon; rice, 25 cents per pound; salt, 45 cents per pound; soap, 50 +cents to 80 cents, as to quality; candles, $2.75 to $3 per pound. + +"_Liquors._--We quote corn whisky at $20 to $25 per gallon; rye whisky, +$38 to $40, according to quality; apple brandy, $25 to $30; rum, $28 per +gallon." + +SEPTEMBER 7TH.--Batteries Wagner and Gregg and Fort Sumter have been +evacuated! But this is not _yet_ the capture of Charleston. Gen. +Beauregard telegraphed yesterday that he was preparing (after thirty-six +hours' incessant bombardment) to evacuate Morris Island; which was done, +I suppose, last night. He feared the loss of the garrisons, if he +delayed longer; and he said Sumter was silenced. Well, it is understood +the great Blakely is in position on Charleston wharf. If the enemy have +no knowledge of its presence, perhaps we shall soon have reports from +it. + +Gen. Lee, it is said, takes _two corps d'armee_ to Tennessee, leaving +_one_ in Virginia. But this can be swelled to 50,000 men by the militia, +conscripts, etc., which ought to enable us to stand a protracted +_siege_, provided we can get subsistence. Fortune is against us now. + +Lieut.-Col. Lay reports great defection in North Carolina, and even says +half of _Raleigh_ is against "the Davis Government." + +The Secretary of War has called upon the Governor _for all the available +slave labor in the State, to work on the defenses, etc._ + +The United States flag of truce boat came up to City Point last night, +_bringing no prisoners_, and nothing else except some dispatches, the +nature of which has not yet transpired. + +SEPTEMBER 8TH.--We have nothing further from Charleston, to-day, except +that the enemy is not yet in possession of Sumter. + +Mr. Seddon, Secretary of War, said to Mr. Lyons, M. C., yesterday, that +he had heard nothing of Gen. Lee's orders to march a portion of his army +to Tennessee. That may be very true; but, nevertheless, 18,000 of Lee's +troops (a corps) is already marching thitherward. + +A report on the condition of the military prisons, sent in to-day, +shows that there is no typhoid fever, or many cases of other diseases, +among the prisoners of war. Everything is kept in cleanliness about +them, and they have abundance of food, wholesome and palatable. The +prisoners themselves admit these facts, and denounce their own +government for the treatment alleged to be inflicted on our men confined +at Fort Delaware and other places. + +An extra session of the legislature is now sitting. The Governor's +message is defiant, as no terms are offered; but he denounces as unjust +the apportionment of slaves, in several of the counties, to be impressed +to work on the defenses, etc. + +SEPTEMBER 9TH.--Troops were arriving all night and to-day (Hood's +division), and are proceeding Southward, per railroad, it is said for +Tennessee, via Georgia Road. It may be deemed impracticable to send +troops by the western route, as the enemy possesses the Knoxville Road. +The weather is excessively dry and dusty again. + +Gen. Jos. E. Johnston, Morton, Miss., writes that such is the facility +of giving information to the enemy, that it is impossible to keep up a +ferry at any point on the Mississippi; but he will be able to keep up +communications, by trusty messengers with small parcels, with +Lieut.-Gen. E. Kirby Smith's trans-Mississippi Department. He says if he +had another cavalry brigade, he could make the navigation too dangerous +for merchant steamers between Grand Gulf and Natchez. + +Two letters were received to-day from privates in North Carolina +regiments, demanding to be transferred to artillery companies in the +forts of North Carolina, or else they would _serve no more_. This is +very reckless! + +Ordnance officer J. Brice transmitted to the Secretary to-day, through +the Ordnance Bureau, an OFFICIAL account of the ammunition, etc. at +Vicksburg during the siege and at the evacuation. He says all the +ordnance stores at Jackson were hastily removed to Vicksburg, and of +which he was unable, in the confusion, to get an accurate account, +although he accompanied it. He detained and held 9000 arms destined for +the trans-Mississippi Department, and issued 120 rounds to each man in +the army, before the battle of Baker's Creek. Much _ammunition_ was +destroyed on the battle-field, by order of Gen. Pemberton, to keep it, +as he alleged, from falling into the hands of the enemy. During the +siege, he got 250,000 percussion caps from Gen. Johnston's scouts, and +150,000 _from the enemy's pickets_, for a _consideration_. There was +abundance of powder. The ammunition and small arms turned over to the +enemy, on the surrender, consisted as follows: 36,000 cartridges for +Belgian rifles; 3600 Brunswick cartridges; 75,000 rounds British rifled +muskets; 9000 shot-gun cartridges; 1300 Maynard cartridges; 5000 Hall's +carbine cartridges; 1200 holster pistol cartridges; 35,000 percussion +caps; 19,000 pounds of cannon powder. + +All this was in the ordnance depots, and exclusive of that in the hands +of the troops and in the ordnance wagons, doubtless a large amount. He +says 8000 defective arms were destroyed by fires during the bombardment. +The troops delivered to the enemy, on marching out, 27,000 arms. + +The Governor demanded the State magazine to-day of the War Department, +in whose custody it has been for a long time. What does this mean? The +Governor says the State has urgent use for it. + +Gen. Cooper visited the President _twice_ to-day, the Secretary not +_once_. The _Enquirer_, yesterday, attacked and ridiculed the Secretary +of War on his passport system in Richmond. + +The Northern papers contain the following letter from President Lincoln +to Gen. Grant: + + "EXECUTIVE MANSION, + + "WASHINGTON, July 13th, 1863. + + "MAJOR-GENERAL GRANT. + + "MY DEAR GENERAL:--I do not remember that you and I ever met + personally. I write this now as a grateful acknowledgment for the + almost inestimable service you have done the country. I wish to say + a word further. When you first reached the vicinity of Vicksburg I + thought you should do what you finally did--march the troops across + the neck, run the batteries with the transports, and thus go below; + and I never had any faith, except a general hope that you knew + better than I, that the Yazoo Pass expedition and the like could + succeed. When you got below and took Port Gibson, Grand Gulf, and + vicinity, I thought you should go down the river and join Gen. + Banks; and when you turned northward, east of the Big Black, I + feared it was a mistake. I now wish to make the personal + acknowledgment that you were right and I was + wrong. A. LINCOLN." + +If Pemberton had acted differently, if the movement northward had been +followed by disaster, then what would Mr. Lincoln have written to Grant? +Success is the only standard of merit in a general. + +SEPTEMBER 10TH.--A Mr. J. C. Jones has addressed a letter to the +President asking permission to run the blockade to confer with Mr. +Bates, of President Lincoln's cabinet, on terms of peace, with, I +believe, authority to assure him that none of the Northwestern States, +or any other free States, will be admitted into the Confederacy. Mr. J. +says he has been on intimate terms with Mr. B., and has conceived the +idea that the United States would cease the war, and acknowledge the +independence of the South, if it were not for the apprehension of the +Northwestern States seceding from the Union. If his request be not +granted, he intends to enter the army immediately. He is a refugee from +Missouri. He assures the President he is his friend, and that a +"concentration of power" in his hands is essential, etc. The President +refers this paper, with a gracious indorsement, to the Secretary of War, +recommending him either to see Mr. Jones, or else to institute +inquiries, etc. + +S. Wyatt, Augusta, Ga., writes in favor of appeals to the patriotism of +the people to counteract what Mr. Toombs has done. What has he done? But +he advises the President, to whom he professes to be very friendly, to +order a discontinuance of seizures, etc. + +A. Cohen (Jew name), purser of the blockade-running steamer "Arabia" at +Wilmington, has submitted a notable scheme to Gen. Winder, who submits +it to the Secretary of War, establishing a police agency at _Nassau_. +Gen. W. to send some of his detectives thither to examine persons coming +into the Confederate States, and if found "all right," to give them +passports. It was only yesterday that a letter was received from Gen. +Whiting, asking authority to send out a secret agent on the "Arabia," to +see what disposition would be made of her cargo, having strong +suspicions of the loyalty of the owners and officers of that vessel. + +Gov. Z. B. Vance complains indignantly of Marylanders and Virginians +appointed to office in that State, to the exclusion of natives; he says +they have not yet been recalled, as he had a right to expect, after his +recent interview with the President. He says he is disgusted with such +treatment, both of his State and of himself. Alas! what is behind? + +Night before last some thirty of the enemy's barges, filled with men, +attempted to take the ruins of Sumter by assault. This had been +anticipated by Beauregard, and every preparation had been made +accordingly. So the batteries at Forts Moultrie, Bee, etc. opened +terrifically with shell and grape; the amount of execution by them is +not ascertained: but a number of the barges reached the debris of +Sumter, where a battalion of infantry awaited them, and where 115 of the +Yankees, including more than a dozen officers, begged for quarters and +were taken prisoners. No doubt the casualties on the side of the +assailants must have been many, while the garrison sustained no loss. +This is substantially the purport of a dispatch from Beauregard to Gen. +Cooper, which, however, was published very awkwardly--without any of the +niceties of punctuation a fastidious general would have desired. +Nevertheless, Beauregard's name is on every tongue. + +The clerks in the departments were startled to-day by having read to +them an order from Brig.-Gen. Custis Lee (son of Gen. R. E. Lee), an +order to the captains of companies to imprison or otherwise punish all +who failed to be present at the drills. These young gentlemen, not being +removable, according to the Constitution, and exempted from conscription +by an act of Congress, volunteered some months ago for "local defense +and special service," never supposing that regular drilling would be +obligatory except when called into actual service by the direction of +the President, in the terms of an act of Congress, which provided that +such organizations were not to receive pay for military service, unless +summoned to the field by the President in an emergency. They receive no +pay now--but yet the impression prevails that this order has the +approbation of the President, as Gen. G. W. Custis Lee is one of his +special aids, with the rank and pay of a colonel of cavalry. As an aid +of the President, he signs himself colonel; as commander of the city +brigade, he signs himself brigadier-general, and has been so +commissioned by the President. How it can be compatible to hold both +positions and commissions, I do not understand--but perhaps the +President does, as he is well versed in the rules and regulations of the +service. Some of the clerks, it is said, regard the threat as +unauthorized by law, and will resist what they deem a usurpation, at the +hazard of suffering its penalties. I know not what the result will be, +but I fear "no good will come of it." They are all willing to fight, +when the enemy comes (a probable thing); but they dislike being _forced_ +out to drill, under threats of "punishment." This measure will not add +to the popularity of Col. (or Gen.) Lee. + +SEPTEMBER 11TH.--A dispatch from Raleigh informs us of a mob yesterday +in that city. Some soldiers broke into and partially destroyed the +office of the _Standard_, alleged to be a disloyal paper; after that, +and when the soldiers had been dispersed by a speech from Governor +Vance, the citizens broke into and partially destroyed the _Journal_, an +ultra-secession paper. These were likewise dispersed by a speech from +the Governor. + +Gen. Whiting writes that the enemy is making demonstrations against +Lockwood's Folly, 23 miles from Wilmington. He says if 3000 were to pass +it, the forts and harbor would be lost, as he has but one regiment--and +it is employed on picket service. He says in ten nights the enemy can +come from Charleston--and that Wilmington was never so destitute of +troops since the beginning of the war, and yet it was never in such +great peril. It is the only port remaining--and to lose it after such +repeated warning would be the grossest culpability. + +The officers of the signal corps report that Gen. Meade has been ordered +to advance, for it is already known in Washington that a large number of +troops are marching out of Virginia. Lee, however, it is now believed, +will not go to Tennessee. They also report that a Federal army of +6400--perhaps they mean 64,000--is to march from Arkansas to the Rio +Grande, Texas. If they do, they will be lost. + +The engineer corps are to fortify Lynchburg immediately. + +The clerks of the Post-office Department have petitioned the Secretary +of War to allow them (such as have families) commissary stores at +government prices, else they will soon be almost in a state of +starvation. Their salaries are utterly inadequate for their support. The +clerks in all the departments are in precisely the same predicament. The +Postmaster-General approves this measure of relief--as relief must come +before Congress meets--and he fears the loss of his subordinates. + +It is said by western men that the enemy is organizing a force of 25,000 +mounted men at Memphis, destined to penetrate Georgia and South +Carolina, as far as Charleston! If this be so--and it may be so--they +will probably fall in with Longstreet's corps of 20,000 now passing +through this city. + +SEPTEMBER 12TH.--Lieut.-Col. Lay, "Inspector," reports from North +Carolina that some twenty counties in that State are "disaffected;" that +the deserters and "recusants" are organized and brigaded; armed, and +have raised the flag of the United States. This is bad enough to cause +the President some loss of sleep, if any one would show it to him. + +Gen. Wise, it is said, is ordered away from the defense of Richmond with +his brigade. I saw him to-day (looking remarkably well), and he said he +did not know where he was going--waiting orders, I suppose. + +C. J. McRae, agent of the loan in Europe, writes July 24th, 1863, that +the bad news of Lee's failure in Pennsylvania and retreat across the +Potomac, caused the loan to recede 3-1/2 per cent., and unless better +news soon reaches him, he can do nothing whatever with Confederate +credits. He says Capt. Bullock has contracted for the building of two +"iron-clads" in France, and that disbursements on account of the navy, +hereafter, will be mostly in France. I fear the reports about a whole +fleet of Confederate gun-boats having been built or bought in England +are not well founded. Major Ferguson has also (several have done so +before him) made charges against Major Huse, the agent of Col. Gorgas, +Chief of Ordnance. Mr. McRae thinks the charges cannot be substantiated. + +We have tidings of the bursting of the Blakely gun at Charleston. I fear +this involves the fall of Charleston. Still Beauregard is there. + +Gen. Pickett's division (decimated at Gettysburg) is to remain in this +vicinity--and Jenkins's and Wise's brigades will leave. The hour now +seems a dark one. But we must conquer or die. + +It is said a deserter has already gone over from our lines and given +information to the enemy of the large number of troops detached from the +Army of Virginia. No doubt Gen. Meade will take advantage of their +absence, and advance on Richmond again. Yet I am told the very _name_ of +Richmond is a terror to the foe. + +SEPTEMBER 13TH.--A letter from Gen. J. E. Johnston, Atlanta--whither he +had repaired to attend a Court of Inquiry relating to Pemberton's +operations, but which has been postponed under the present peril--repels +indignantly the charge which seems to have been made in a letter from +the Secretary of War, that in executing the law of conscription in his +command, he had acted hastily, without sufficient attention to the +rights of exemption under the provisions of the act. He says the law was +a dead letter when he charged Gen. Pillow with its execution; that Gen. +Pillow has now just got his preparations made for its enforcement; and, +of course, no appeals have as yet come before him. He hopes that the +Secretary will re-examine the grounds of his charge, etc. He is amazed, +evidently, with the subject, and no doubt the "Bureau" here will strain +every nerve to monopolize the business--providing as usual for its +favorites, and having appointed to snug places a new batch of A. A. +G.'s--men who ought to be conscribed themselves. + +Col. Preston, under the manipulations of Lieut.-Col. Lay, is getting on +swimmingly, and to-day makes a requisition for arms and equipments of +2500 cavalry to _force_ out conscripts, arrest deserters, etc. I think +they had better popularize the army, and strive to reinspire the +enthusiasm that characterized it at the beginning; and the only way to +do this is to restore to its ranks the wealthy and educated class, which +has abandoned the field for easier employments. I doubt the policy of +shooting deserters in this war--better shoot the traitors in high +positions. The indigent men of the South will fight, shoulder to +shoulder with the wealthy, for Southern independence; but when the +attempt is made to debase them to a servile condition, they will +hesitate. + +Gen. Pickett's division, just marching through the city, wears a +different aspect from that exhibited last winter. Then it had 12,000 +men--now 6000; and they are dirty, tattered and torn. + +The great Blakely gun has failed. + +We have reports of the evacuation of Cumberland Gap. This was to be +looked for, when the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad was suffered to +fall into the enemy's hands. When will this year's calamities end? + +Gen. Lee is at Orange Court House, and probably will not leave Virginia. +He will still have an army of 50,000 men to oppose Meade; and Richmond +may possibly be held another winter. + +Congress will not be called, I think; and the Legislature, now in +session, I am told, will accomplish no good. It will not be likely to +interfere with the supreme power which resolves to "rule or ruin,"--at +least this seems to be the case in the eyes of men who merely watch the +current of events. + +SEPTEMBER 14TH.--The report from Lt.-Col. Lay of the condition of +affairs in North Carolina, received some days ago, was indorsed by Judge +Campbell, Assistant Secretary of War, and father-in-law of Col. Lay, +that the destruction of the government was imminently menaced, does not +seem to have alarmed the President; on the contrary, he sends the paper +back to the Secretary, Mr. Seddon, suggesting that he had better +correspond with Gov. Vance on the subject, and if military force should +be required, he might call in the aid of Brig.-Gen. Hoke, thus ending +hopes of a conscription officer here obtaining a command. + +And so with rumors from Eastern Tennessee; the President takes matters +coolly, saying the "locals," meaning home guards, or companies for local +defense, should be on the alert against raiders. If large bodies of the +enemy come in, Jenkins's brigade, and one from Pickett's division, might +be temporarily detached to punish them. + +Bragg is falling back toward Atlanta, and Burnside says, officially, +that he has taken Cumberland Gap, 1200 prisoners, with 14 guns, without +a fight. All of Tennessee is now held by the enemy. + +There has been another fight (cavalry) at Brandy Station, and our men, +for want of numbers, "fell back." When will these things cease? + +SEPTEMBER 15TH.--Gov. Vance writes that he has reliable information that +the 30,000 troops in New York, ostensibly to enforce the draft, are +intended for a descent on North Carolina, and Gen. Whiting has said +repeatedly that 3000 could take Wilmington. The Governor says if North +Carolina be occupied by the enemy, Virginia and the whole Confederacy +will be lost, for all communication now, by rail, is through that State. + +Gen. Sam. Jones writes from Abingdon, Va., that from his information he +does not doubt Cumberland Gap and its garrison capitulated on the 9th +inst. He calls lustily for reinforcements, and fears the loss of +everything, including the salt works, if he be not reinforced. Well, he +_will_ be reinforced! + +Gov. (just elected) R. L. Caruthers (of Tennessee) begs that 20,000 men +from Lee's army be sent out on Rosecrans's left flank to save Tennessee, +which alone can save the Confederacy. Well, they _have_ been sent! + +There must be a "fight or a foot-race" soon in Northern Georgia, and +also in Virginia, on the Rappahannock. May God defend the right! If we +deserve independence, I think we shall achieve it. If God be not for us, +we must submit to His will. + +Major Huse is buying and shipping 2000 tons saltpetre, besides millions +of dollars worth of arms and stores. If we can keep Wilmington, we can +send out cotton and bring in supplies without limit. + +SEPTEMBER 16TH.--The enemy advanced yesterday, and, our forces being +unequal in numbers, captured Culpepper C. H. Our cavalry fell back +several miles, and a battle is looked for immediately, near Orange C. H., +where Gen. Lee awaits the foe in an advantageous position. + +From the Southwest also a battle is momentarily looked for. If the enemy +be beaten in these battles, they will suffer more by defeat than we +would. + +Gov. Vance has written a pointed letter to the President in regard to +the mob violence in Raleigh. He says, when the office of the _Standard_ +was sacked, the evil was partially counterbalanced by the sacking of the +_Journal_,--the first, moderate Union, the last, ultra-secessionist. He +demands the punishment of the officers present and consenting to the +assault on the _Standard_ office, part of a Georgia brigade, and avers +that another such outrage will bring back the North Carolina troops from +the army for the defense of their State. + +From Morton, Miss., Gen. Hardee says, after sending reinforcements to +Bragg, only three brigades of infantry remain in his department. Upon +this the President made the following indorsement and sent it to the +Secretary of War: + +"The danger to Atlanta has probably passed." + +While the army of Gen. Taylor threatens the southwestern part of +Louisiana, troops will not probably leave New Orleans. The movement to +White River is more serious at this time than the preparations against +Mobile. + +"Efforts should be made to prevent the navigation of the Mississippi by +commercial steamers, and especially to sink transports." + +The letter of Gov. Vance in relation to the 30,000 men destined for +North Carolina being referred to the President, he sent it back indorsed +as follows: + +"Gov. V.'s vigilance will discover the fact if this supposition be true, +and in the mean time it serves to increase the demand for active +exertions, as well to fill up the ranks of the army as to organize +'local defense' troops." + +The letter of Lt.-Col. Lay, Inspector of Conscripts, etc., was likewise +referred to the President, who suggests that a general officer be +located with a brigade near where the States of North Carolina, South +Carolina, etc. meet. + +And the President indorses on Gen. Whiting's earnest calls for aid at +Wilmington, that Gen. Martin be sent him, with the "locals," as he calls +them, and a brigade from Pickett's division, _when filled up_. But +suppose that should be too late? He says Ransom's troops should also be +in position, for it is important to hold Wilmington. + +Calico is selling now for $10 per yard; and a small, dirty, dingy, +dilapidated house, not near as large as the one I occupy, rents for +$800. This one would bring $1200 now; I pay $500, which must be +considered low. Where are we drifting? I know not; unless we have a crop +of victories immediately. + +SEPTEMBER 17TH.--Lee and Meade have their armies daily drawn up in +battle array, and an engagement may be expected. + +It is said the enemy is evacuating East Tennessee; concentrating, I +suspect, for battle with Bragg. + +It is now said that Brigadier and Col. Lee, A. D. C. to the President, +etc. etc., is going to call out the civil officers of the government who +volunteered to fight in defense of the city, and encamp them in the +country. This will make trouble. + +A Mr. Mendenhall, New Garden, N. C., Quaker, complains of the treatment +two of his young Friends are receiving at Kinston from the troops. They +won't fight, because they believe it wrong, and they won't pay the tax +(war) of $500, because they cannot do it conscientiously. And Gov. Vance +says the treatment referred to will not be tolerated. + +SEPTEMBER 18TH.--Nothing new from the Rappahannock, but a battle is +looked for soon. Rosecrans, who had advanced into Georgia, has fallen +back on Chattanooga, which he is fortifying. If he be not driven from +thence, we shall lose our mines, and the best country for commissary +supplies. But Bragg had from 60,000 to 70,000 men on the 5th inst., when +he had not fallen back far from Chattanooga; since then he has received +more reinforcements from Mississippi, and Longstreet's corps, arrived by +this time, will swell his army to 90,000 men, perhaps. Johnston will +probably take command, for Bragg is becoming unpopular. But Bragg will +fight! + +The equinoctial storm has commenced, and the monitors are not in view of +Charleston, having sought quiet waters. + +The _Enquirer_ has again assailed Mr. Benjamin, particularly on account +of the retention of Mr. Spence, financial agent in England (appointed by +Mr. Memminger), an anti-slavery author, whose books advocate Southern +independence. To-day a letter was sent to the Secretary of War, from Mr. +Benjamin, stating the fact that the President had changed the whole +financial programme for Europe. Frazer, Trenholm, & Co., Liverpool, are +to be the custodians of the treasure in England, and Mr. McRae, in +France, etc., and they would keep all the accounts of disbursements by +the agents of departments, thus superseding Mr. Spence. I think this +arrangement will somewhat affect the operations of Major Huse (who is a +little censured in the letter, purporting to be dictated by the +President, but really written by the President) and Col. Gorges. + +If Wilmington continues in our possession, the transactions in Europe +will be large, and the government will derive more of its supplies from +thence. + +SEPTEMBER 19TH.--The reports from Western North Carolina indicate that +much bad feeling prevails there still; and it is really something more +than a military trick to obtain a command. But I think the government +had better keep out of the field its assistant adjutant-generals, and +especially those in the Bureau of Conscription, unless they are put in +subordinate positions. Some of them have sought their present positions +to keep aloof from the fatigues and dangers of the field; and they have +contributed no little to the disaffection in North Carolina. Gen. +Whiting suggests that one of Gen. Pickett's brigades be sent to Weldon; +and then, with Ransom's brigade, he will soon put down the deserters +and tories. The Governor approves this plan, and I hope it will be +adopted. + +The Northern papers say President Lincoln, by proclamation, has +suspended the writ of _habeas corpus_ throughout the United States. This +is good news for the South; for the people there will strike back +through the secret ballot-box. + +They also say an expedition is about to sail up the Rio Grande, where it +will come in collision with the French, now occupying Matamoras. + +And it appears that Lord John Russell will _not_ prevent the sailing of +our monitor-rams from British ports without evidence of an intention to +use them against the United States. He will do nothing on suspicion; but +must have affidavits, etc. + +A young lady, Miss Heiskell, applied yesterday, through the Hon. A. H. +H. Stuart, for a passport to Philadelphia, to be married to a young +merchant of that city. Her father was a merchant of that city, though a +native of Virginia. I believe it was granted. + +The country is indignant at the surrender of Cumberland Gap by +Brig.-Gen. Frazier, without firing a gun, when his force was nearly as +strong as Burnside's. It was too bad! There must be some examples of +generals as well as of deserting poor men, whose families, during their +absence, are preyed upon by the extortioners, who contrive to purchase +exemption from military service. The country did not know there was such +a general until his name became famous by this ignominious surrender. +Where did Gen. Cooper find him? + +SEPTEMBER 20TH.--We have nothing to-day from any of the seats of war; +but I saw several hundred head of cattle driven through the city this +morning, marked "C. S.," which I learned had come from Essex and King +and Queen Counties, which may indicate either a raid from the Lower +Rappahannock, or another advance on Richmond. + +There was a meeting called for mechanics, etc. last night, to consider +the grievance of the times. I have not learned what was done, or rather +said; but I hear citizens on the street to-day talking about subverting +the government. I believe they have no _plan_; and as yet it amounts to +nothing. + +SEPTEMBER 21ST.--The President was called out of church yesterday, and +was for three hours closeted with the Secretary of War and Gen. Cooper. +It appears that the enemy were occupying Bristol, on the line between +Virginia and Tennessee, with seven regiments, and Carse's brigade was +ordered (by telegraph) to reinforce Gen. S. Jones. But to-day a dispatch +from Gen. Jones states that the enemy had been driven back at +Zollicoffer, which is beyond Bristol. This dispatch was dated yesterday. +It is unintelligible. + +But to-day we have a dispatch from Gen. Bragg, announcing a great battle +on the 19th and 20th insts. He says, "after two days' engagement, we +have driven the enemy, after a desperate resistance, from several +positions; we hold the field, but the enemy still confronts us. The +losses on both sides are heavy, and especially so among our officers. We +have taken more than twenty guns, and 2500 prisoners." We await the +sequel--with fear and trembling, after the sad experience of Western +victories. The Secretary of War thinks Longstreet's corps had not yet +reached Bragg; then why should he have commenced the attack before the +reinforcements arrived? We must await further dispatches. If Bragg beats +Rosecrans utterly, the consequences will be momentous. If beaten by him, +he sinks to rise no more. Both generals are aware of the consequences of +failure, and no doubt it is a sanguinary field. Whether it is in Georgia +or over the line in Tennessee is not yet ascertained. + +SEPTEMBER 22D.--Another dispatch from Bragg, received at a late hour +last night, says the _victory_ is _complete_. This announcement has +lifted a heavy load from the spirits of our people; and as successive +dispatches come from Gov. Harris and others on the battle-field to-day, +there is a great change in the recent elongated faces of many we meet in +the streets. So far we learn that the enemy has been beaten back and +pursued some eleven miles; that we have from 5000 to 6000 prisoners, +some 40 guns, besides small arms and stores in vast quantities. But Gen. +Hood, whom I saw at the department but a fortnight ago, is said to be +dead! and some half dozen of our brigadier-generals have been killed and +wounded. The loss of the enemy, however, has been still greater than +ours. At last accounts (this morning) the battle was still raging--the +enemy having made a stand (temporarily, I presume) on a ridge, to +protect their retreat. They burnt many commissary stores, which they may +need soon. Yet, this is from the West. + +The effects of this great victory will be electrical. The whole South +will be filled again with patriotic fervor, and in the North there will +be a corresponding depression. Rosecrans's position is now one of great +peril; for his army, being away from the protection of gun-boats, may be +utterly destroyed, and then Tennessee and Southern Kentucky may fall +into our hands again. To-morrow the papers will be filled with accounts +from the field of battle, and we shall have a more distinct knowledge of +the magnitude of it. There must have been at least 150,000 men engaged; +and no doubt the killed and wounded on both sides amounted to tens of +thousands! + +Surely the Government of the United States must now see the +impossibility of subjugating the Southern people, spread over such a +vast extent of territory; and the European governments ought now to +interpose to put an end to this cruel waste of blood and treasure. + +My little garden has been a great comfort to me, and has afforded +vegetables every day for a month past. My potatoes, however, which +occupied about half the ground, did not turn out well. There were not +more than a dozen quarts--worth $10, though--in consequence of the +drought in June and July; but I have abundance of tomatoes, and every +week several quarts of the speckled lima bean, which I trailed up the +plank fence and on the side of the wood-house--just seven hills in all. +I do not think I planted more than a gill of beans; and yet I must have +already pulled some ten quarts, and will get nearly as many more, which +will make a yield of more than 300-fold! I shall save some of the seed. +The cabbages do not head, but we use them freely when we get a little +bacon. The okra flourishes finely, and gives a flavor to the soup, when +we succeed in getting a shin-bone. The red peppers are flourishing +luxuriantly, and the bright red pods are really beautiful. The parsnips +look well, but I have not yet pulled any. I shall sow turnip seed, where +the potatoes failed, for spring salad. On the whole, the little garden +has compensated me for my labor in substantial returns, as well as in +distraction from painful meditations during a season of calamity. + +SEPTEMBER 23D.--We have nothing additional up to three P.M. to-day; but +there is an untraceable rumor on the street of some undefinable disaster +somewhere, and perhaps it is the invention of the enemy. We still pause +for the sequel of the battle; for Rosecrans has fallen back to a strong +position; and at this distance we know not whether it be practicable to +flank him or to cut his communications. It is said Gen. Breckinridge +commanded only 1600 men, losing 1300 of them! Gen. Cooper and the +Secretary of War have not been permitted to fill up his division; the +first probably having no desire to replenish the dilapidated command of +an aspiring "political general." + +A Mr. G. Preston Williams, of Eden, Chatham County, Ga., writes to the +President, Sept. 7th, 1863, saying he has lost three sons in the war, +freely given for independence. His fourth son is at home on furlough, +but he shall not return unless the President gives up his _obstinacy_, +and his favorites--_Bragg_, Pemberton, Lovell, etc. He charges the +President with incapacity, if not wickedness, and says our independence +would have been won ere this, but for the obstacles thrown by him in the +way. He threatens revolution within a revolution, when Congress meets, +unless the President reforms, which will cause him to lose his office, +and perhaps his _head_. To which the President replies thus, in an +indorsement on the envelope: + +"SECRETARY OF WAR.--This is referred to you without any knowledge of the +writer. If it be a genuine signature, you have revealed to you a +deserter, and a man who harbors him, as well as _incites_ to desertion, +and opposition to the efforts of the government for public defense. +Sept. 19th, 1863.--J. D." + +The indorsement was written to-day, since hearing of Bragg's victory. + +SEPTEMBER 24TH.--A dispatch from Gen. Bragg, received to-day, three +miles from Chattanooga, and dated yesterday, says the enemy occupies a +strong position, and confronts him in great force, but he is sending +troops round his flanks. No doubt he will cross the river as soon as +possible. Only a small portion of Longstreet's corps has been engaged, +so Bragg will have a fresh force to hurl against the invader. We learn +to-day that Gen. Hood is not dead, and will recover. + +The President sent over to the Secretary of War to-day some extracts +from a letter he has just received from Mobile, stating that a large +trade is going on with the enemy at New Orleans. A number of vessels, +laden with cotton, had sailed from Pascagoula Bay, for that destination. +Some one or two had been stopped by the people, as the traffic is +expressly prohibited by an act of Congress. But upon inquiry it was +ascertained that the trade was authorized by authority from +Richmond--the War Department. I doubt whether Mr. Seddon authorized it. +Who then? Perhaps it will be ascertained upon investigation. + +Mr. Kean, the young Chief of the Bureau, is a most fastidious civil +officer, for he rebukes older men than himself for mistaking an +illegible K for an R, and puts _his_ warning on record in pencil marks. +Mr. K. came in with Mr. Randolph, but declined to follow his patron any +further. + +SEPTEMBER 25TH.--The latest dispatch from Gen. Bragg states that he has +7000 prisoners (2000 of them wounded), 36 cannon, 15,000 of the enemy's +small arms, and 25 colors. After the victory, he issued the following +address to his army: + + "HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TENNESSEE, + + "FIELD OF CHICKAMAUGA, Sept. 22, 1863. + + "It has pleased Almighty God to reward the valor and endurance of + our troops by giving our arms a complete victory over the enemy's + superior numbers. Thanks are due and are rendered unto Him who + giveth not the battle to the strong. + + "Soldiers! after days of severe battle, preceded by heavy and + important outpost affairs, you have stormed the barricades and + breastworks of the enemy and driven him before you in confusion, + and destroyed an army largely superior in numbers, and whose + constant theme was your demoralization and whose constant boast was + your defeat. Your patient endurance under privations, your + fortitude, and your valor, displayed at all times and under all + trials, have been meetly rewarded. Your commander acknowledges his + obligations, and promises to you in advance the country's + gratitude. + + "But our task is not ended. We must drop a soldier's tear upon the + graves of the noble men who have fallen by our sides, and move + forward. Much has been accomplished--more remains to be done, + before we can enjoy the blessings of peace and freedom. + + "(Signed) BRAXTON BRAGG." + +The President has received an official report of Gen. Frazer's surrender +of Cumberland Gap, from Major McDowell, who escaped. It comprised 2100 +men, 8 guns, 160 beef cattle, 12,000 pounds of bacon, 1800 bushels of +wheat, and 15 days' rations. The President indorsed his opinion on it as +follows: + +"This report presents a shameful abandonment of duty, and is so +extraordinary as to suggest that more than was known to the major must +have existed to cause such a result.--J. D. Sept. 24." + +The quartermasters in Texas are suggesting the impressment of the cotton +in that State. The President indorses as follows on the paper which he +returned to the Secretary of War: + +"I have never been willing to employ such means except as a last +resort.--J. D." + +The Secretary of War is falling into the old United States fashion. He +has brought into the department two broad-shouldered young relatives, +one of whom might serve the country in the field, and I believe they are +both possessed of sufficient wealth to subsist upon without $1500 +clerkships. + +SEPTEMBER 26TH.--Nothing additional has been received from Gen. Bragg, +but there is reason to believe Rosecrans is fortifying Chattanooga, +preparatory to crossing the river and retreating northward with all +possible expedition. + +From the Upper Rappahannock there is much skirmishing, the usual +preliminary to a battle; and Kemper's brigade, of Pickett's division, +went up thither last night, and it may be probable that a battle is +imminent. Lee is apt to fight when the enemy is present facing him. The +victory of Bragg has lifted a mountain from the spirits of the people, +and another victory would cast the North into the "slough of despond." + +Gen. C. J. McRae, and another gentleman, have been directed to +investigate the accounts of Major Caleb Huse, the friend and agent of +Col. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance. Gen. McR. writes from Folkestone, +England, to Col. G. that the other gentleman not having appeared, he is +undertaking the work himself, and, so far, the accounts are all right. +Messrs Isaac, Campbell & Co. (Jews), with whom the Ordnance Bureau has +had large transactions, have afforded (so far) every facility, etc. + +SEPTEMBER 27TH.--Nothing additional has been heard from either Bragg's +or Lee's army. But the positions of both seem quite satisfactory to our +government and people. How Rosecrans can get off without the loss of +half his army, stores, etc., military authorities are unable to +perceive; and if Meade advances, there is a universal conviction that he +will be beaten. + +But there _is_ an excitement in the city. It is reported that the United +States flag of truce steamer is down the river, having on board no less +a personage than Mr. Seward, United States Secretary of State, and that +Mr. Benjamin, and other dignitaries of the Confederate States, are going +off this morning to meet him. Of course it is conjectured that terms of +peace will be discussed, and an infinite variety of opinions are +expressed in relation to them. Some suppose the mission grows out of +foreign complications, of which, as yet, we can have no knowledge, and +that, to maintain the vantage ground of France or England, or both, Mr. +Seward may have a scheme of recognition and alliance, etc., looking to +the control of affairs on this continent by the United States and +Confederate States in conjunction, with commercial arrangements, etc. +Both Seward and Benjamin are regarded by their uncharitable enemies as +alike destitute of principle, and of moral or physical courage, and +hence that they would have no hesitation in agreeing to any terms likely +to be mutually advantageous--to themselves. They are certainly men of +great intellectual power, and if they are not strictly honest, as much +may be said of the greatest diplomats who have played conspicuous parts +in the field of diplomacy during the last century. They may sacrifice +men, and castles, etc., as skillful players do chessmen, with no +particle of feeling for the pieces lost, for equivalents, etc. +Nevertheless, nothing can be finally consummated without the concurrence +of all the co-ordinate branches of both governments, and the +acquiescence of the people. But these gentlemen are fully aware of the +anxiety of both peoples (if so they may be called) for peace, and they +may, if they choose, strike a bargain which will put an end to the +manslaughter which is deluging the land with blood. Then both +governments can go into bankruptcy. It may be a humbug. + +SEPTEMBER 28TH.--All is reported quiet on the Rappahannock, the enemy +seeming to be staggered, if not stupefied, by the stunning blows dealt +Rosecrans in the West. + +Burnside's detachment is evacuating East Tennessee; we have +Jonesborough, and are pursuing the enemy, at last accounts, toward +Knoxville. Between that and Chattanooga he may be intercepted by the +right wing of Bragg. + +The President had his cabinet with him nearly all day. It is not yet +ascertained, precisely, whether Mr. Seward was really on the flag of +truce steamer yesterday, but it is pretty certain that Mr. Benjamin went +down the river. Of course the public is not likely to know what +transpired there--if anything. + +The trans-Mississippi army is getting large amounts of stores, etc., on +the Rio Grande River. Major Hart, Quartermaster, writes from San +Antonio, Texas, on the 13th of July, that three large English steamers, +"Sea Queen," "Sir Wm. Peel," and the "Gladiator," had arrived, were +discharging, etc. Also that two large schooners were hourly expected +with 20,000 Enfield rifles on board. He says Gen. Magruder is impressing +cotton to freight these vessels. + +So far, 260 Quakers, non-combatants, have been reported, mostly in North +Carolina. A few cannot pay the $500--conscientiously. + +The papers begin to give the details of the great battle of +Chickamauga--the "_river of death_." + +SEPTEMBER 29TH.--We have nothing additional from Bragg, except +confirmation of his victory from Northern journals; and it is reported +that Meade is sending two more army corps to the Southwest, for the +purpose of extricating Rosecrans from his perilous predicament. It is +believed our cavalry is in his rear, and that we have the road below +Chattanooga, cutting him off from his supplies. + +The President sent for the Secretary of War and Gen. Cooper just before +3 P.M. to-day, having, it is supposed, some recent intelligence of the +movements of the enemy. It is possible we shall send troops, etc., with +all possible expedition, to reinforce Bragg, for the purpose of insuring +the destruction of Rosecrans's army, and thus to Tennessee may be +transferred the principal military operations of the fall campaign. + +Young Mr. Kean has taken friend Jacques's place at the door of the +Secretary, and put him to abstracting the recorded letters containing +decisions, the plan I suggested to the President, but which was claimed +as the invention of the Assistant Secretary of War. + +Some one has written a flaming article on the injurious manner in which +impressments have been conducted in Mississippi--the President's +State--and sent it to him. This being referred to Col. Northrop, the +Commissary-General, the latter splutters over it in his angular +chirography at a furious rate, saying he did not authorize it, he +doubted if it were done, and lastly, if done, he was sure it was done by +agents of the Quartermaster-General. + +SEPTEMBER 30TH.--Still nothing additional from Lee's or Bragg's army; +but from abroad we learn that the British Government has prevented the +rams built for us from leaving the Mersey. + +Gen. Pemberton is here, and was closeted for several hours to-day with +the Secretary of War. + +Capt. J. H. Wright, 56th Georgia, gives another version of the surrender +of Cumberland Gap. He is the friend of Gen. Frazer, and says he was +induced to that step by the fear that the North Carolina regiments (62d +and 63d) could not be relied on. Did he try them? + +A Mr. Blair, Columbus, Miss., applies for permission to bring drugs from +_Memphis_, and refers, for respectability, to President Davis and Gov. +Letcher. His letter gives a list of prices of medicines in the +Confederate States. I select the following: Quinine, per oz., $100; +calomel, $20; blue mass, $20; Opium, $100; S. N. bismuth, $100; soda, +$5; borax, $14; oil of bergamot, per lb., $100; indigo, $35; blue-stone, +$10. + +Boots are selling in this city at $100 per pair, and common shoes for +$60. Shuck mattresses, $40. Blankets, $40 each; and sheets, cotton, $25 +each. Wood is $40 per cord. + +I submitted a proposition to the Secretary (of a quartermaster) to use +some idle government wagons and some negro prisoners, to get in wood for +the civil officers of the government, which could be done for $8 per +cord; but the quartermasters opposed it. + +But to-day I sent a letter to the President, suggesting that the +perishable tithes (potatoes, meal, etc.) be sold at reasonable rates to +the civil officers and the people, when in excess of the demand of the +army, and that transportation be allowed, and that a government store be +opened in Richmond. I told him plainly, that without some speedy measure +of relief there would be much discontent, for half the families here are +neither half-fed nor half-clad. The measure, if adopted in all the +cities, would be a beneficent one, and would give popular strength to +the government, while it would be a death-blow to the speculators and +extortioners. It will be seen what heed the government will give it. + +Gen. Wise has his brigade in South Carolina. + +"_The markets._--The quantity of produce in our markets continues large, +and of good quality, but the prices remain as high as ever, as the +following quotations will show: butter, $4; bacon, $2.75 to $3 per +pound; lard, $2.25 per pound; beef, $1 to $1.25; lamb, $1 to $1.25; +veal, $1 to $1.50; shote, $1.25 to $1.75; sausage, $1; chickens, $2.50 +to $7 per pair; ducks, $5 per pair; salt herrings, $4 per dozen; +cabbage, $1 to $1.50; green corn, $1.50 to $2 per dozen; sweet potatoes, +$21 to $26 per bushel; Irish potatoes, 50 to 75 cts. per quart; snaps, +$1 per quart; peas, 75 cts. to $1.25 per quart; butter-beans, $1 to +$1.50 per quart; onions, $1.25 per quart; egg-plant, $1 to $2 a piece; +tomatoes, 50 cts. to $1 per quart; country soap, $1 to $1.50 per pound." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +Suffering of our wounded at Gettysburg.--Prisoners from the battle of + Chickamauga.--Charleston.--Policy in the Southwest.--From Gen. + Bragg.--Letter from President Davis.--Religious revival.--Departure + of the President for the Southwest.--About General Bragg.--Movement + of mechanics and non-producers.--About "French" tobacco.--The + markets.--Outrage in Missouri.---Speculations of government agents.-- + From Gen. Lee.--Judge Hastings's scheme.--Visit to our prisons.-- + Letter from Gen. Kirby Smith.--President Davis at Selma.--Gen. + Winder's passports.--The markets.--Campbellites and Methodists.--From + Gen. Lee.--From the Southwest. + + +OCTOBER 1ST.--We have a rumor to-day that Meade is sending heavy masses +of troops to the West to extricate Rosecrans, and that Gen. Hooker is to +menace Richmond from the Peninsula, with 25,000 men, to keep Lee from +crossing the Potomac. + +We have absolutely nothing from Bragg; but a dispatch from Gen. S. +Jones, East Tennessee, of this date, says he has sent Gen. Ranseur after +the rear guard of the enemy, near Knoxville. + +A letter from W. G. M. Davis, describes St. Andrew's Bay, Florida, as +practicable for exporting and importing purposes. It may be required, if +Charleston and Wilmington fall--which is not improbable. + +Nevertheless, Bragg's victory has given us a respite in the East, and +soon the bad roads will put an end to the marching of armies until next +year. I doubt whether the Yankees will desire another winter campaign in +Virginia. + +The papers contain the following account of sufferings at Gettysburg, +and in the Federal prisons: + +"A lady from the vicinity of Gettysburg writes: 'July 18th--We have been +visiting the battle-field, and have done all we can for the wounded +there. Since then we have sent another party, who came upon a camp of +wounded Confederates in a wood between the hills. Through this wood +quite a large creek runs. This camp contained between 200 and 300 +wounded men, in every stage of suffering; two well men among them as +nurses. Most of them had frightful wounds. A few evenings ago the rain, +sudden and violent, swelled the creek, and 35 of the unfortunates were +swept away; 35 died of starvation. No one had been to visit them since +they were carried off the battle-field; they had no food of any kind; +they were crying all the time "bread, bread! water, water!" One boy +without beard was stretched out dead, quite naked, a piece of blanket +thrown over his emaciated form, a rag over his face, and his small, thin +hands laid over his breast. Of the dead none knew their names, and it +breaks my heart to think of the mothers waiting and watching for the +sons laid in the lonely grave on that fearful battle-field. All of those +men in the woods were nearly naked, and when ladies approached they +tried to cover themselves with the filthy rags they had cast aside. The +wounds themselves, unwashed and untouched, were full of worms. God only +knows what they suffered. + +"'Not one word of complaint passed their lips, not a murmur; their only +words were "Bread, bread! water, water!" Except when they saw some of +our ladies much affected, they said, "Oh, ladies, don't cry; we are used +to this." We are doing all we can; we served all day yesterday, though +it was Sunday.' This lady adds: 'There were two brothers--one a colonel, +the other a captain--lying side by side, and both wounded. They had a +Bible between them.' Another letter from Philadelphia says: 'There are +over 8000 on the island (Fort Delaware), the hospitals crowded, and +between 300 and 400 men on the bare floor of the barracks; not even a +straw mattress under them. The surgeon says the hundred pillows and +other things sent from here were a God-send. Everything except gray +clothing will be thankfully received, and can be fully disposed of. It +is very difficult to get money here. I write to you in the hope that you +may be able to send some comforts for these suffering men. Some two or +three thousand have been sent to an island in the East River, most of +them South Carolinians, and all in great destitution. Your hearts would +ache as mine does if you knew all I hear and know is true of the +sufferings of our poor people.' + +"Another writes: Philadelphia, July 20th, 1863. 'I mentioned in my last +the large number of Southern prisoners now in the hands of the Federal +Government in Fort Delaware, near this city. There are 8000, a large +portion of whom are sick and wounded; all are suffering most seriously +for the want of a thousand things. Those in the city who are by birth or +association connected with Southern people, and who feel a sympathy for +the sufferings of these prisoners, are but few in number, and upon these +have been increasing calls for aid. Their powers of contribution are now +exhausted. I thought it my duty to acquaint you and others in Europe of +this state of things, that you might raise something to relieve the +sufferings of these prisoners. I believe the government has decided that +any contributions for them may be delivered to them. There is scarcely a +man among them, officers or privates, who has any money or any clothes +beyond those in which they stood when they were captured on the +battle-field. You can, therefore, imagine their situation. In the +hospitals the government gives them nothing beyond medicines and +soldier's rations. Sick men require much more, or they perish; and these +people are dying by scores. I think it a matter in which their friends +on the other side should take prompt and ample action.'" + +OCTOBER 2D.--Our 5000 prisoners taken at the battle of Chickamauga have +arrived in this city, and it is ascertained that more are on the way +hither. Gen. Bragg said he had 5000 besides the wounded, and as none of +the wounded have arrived, more must have been taken since his dispatch. +Every effort is being made on our part to capture the army of +Rosecrans--and everything possible is done by the enemy to extricate +him, and to reinforce him to such an extent that he may resume offensive +operations. Without this be done, the campaign must close disastrously +in the West, and then the peace party of the North will have a new +inspiration of vitality. + +It is now said that Gen. Lee, despairing of being attacked in his chosen +position, has resolved to attack Meade, or at least to advance +somewhere. It is possible (if Meade has really sent two corps of his +army to the West) that he will cross the Potomac again--at least on a +foraging expedition. If he meets with only conscripts and militia he may +penetrate as far as Harrisburg, and then let Europe perpend! The Union +will be as difficult of reconstruction, as would have been the +celebrated Campo Formio vase shivered by Napoleon. It is much easier to +destroy than to construct. The emancipation and confiscation measures +rendered reconstruction impracticable--unless, indeed, at a future day, +the Abolitionists of the United States should be annihilated and +Abolitionism abolished. + +To-day I got an excellent pair of winter shoes from a quartermaster here +for $13--the retail price for as good an article, in the stores, is $75; +fine boots have risen to $200! + +The enemy's batteries on Morris Island are firing away again at Sumter's +ruins, and at Moultrie--but they have not yet opened on the city. + +The newspapers continue to give accounts of the Chickamauga battle. + +OCTOBER 3D.--Nothing from the armies; but from Charleston it is +ascertained that the enemy's batteries on Morris Island have some of the +guns pointing _seaward_. This indicates a provision against attack from +that quarter, and suggests a purpose to withdraw the monitors, perhaps +to use them against Wilmington. I suppose the opposite guns in the +batteries will soon open on Charleston. + +Thomas Jackson, Augusta, Ga., writes that he can prove the president of +the Southern Express Company, who recently obtained a passport to visit +Europe, really embarked for the United States, taking a large sum in +gold; that another of the same company (which is nothing more than a +branch of Adams's Express Company of New York) will leave soon with more +gold. He says this company has enough men detailed from the army, and +conscripts exempted, to make two regiments. + +J. M. Williams writes from Morton, Miss., that his negroes have been +permitted to return to his plantation, near Baton Rouge, and place +themselves under his overseer. During their absence some ten or twelve +died. This is really wonderful policy on the part of the enemy--a policy +which, if persisted in, might ruin us. _Mr. Williams asks permission to +sell some fifty bales of cotton to the enemy for the support of his +slaves._ He says the enemy is getting all the cotton in that section of +country--and it may be inferred that all the planters are getting back +their slaves. The moment any relaxation occurs in the rigorous measures +of the enemy, that moment our planters cease to be united in resistance. + +OCTOBER 4TH.--The major-quartermasters and the acting +quartermaster-generals (during the illness or absence of Gen. Lawton) +are buffeting the project some of us set on foot to obtain wood at cost, +$8, instead of paying the extortioners $40 per cord. All the wagons and +teams of Longstreet's corps are here idle, while the corps itself is +with Bragg--and the horses are fed by the government of course. These +wagons and teams might bring into the city thousands of cords of wood. +The quartermasters at first said there were no drivers; but I pointed +out the free Yankee negroes in the prisons, who beg employment. Now Col. +Cole, the quartermaster in charge of transportation, says there is a +prospect of getting teamsters--but that hauling should be done +exclusively for the army--and the quartermaster-general (acting) +indorses on the paper that if the Secretary will _designate the class of +clerks_ to be benefited, some little wood might be delivered them. This +concession was obtained, because the Secretary himself sent my _second_ +paper to the quartermaster-general--the _first_ never having been seen +by him, having passed from the hands of the Assistant Secretary to the +file-tomb. + +Another paper I addressed to the President, suggesting the opening of +government stores for the sale of perishable tithes,--being a blow at +the extortioners, and a measure of relief to the non-producers, and +calculated to prevent a riot in the city,--was referred by him +yesterday to the Secretary of War, for his special notice, and for +_conference_, which may result in good, if they adopt the plan +submitted. That paper the Assistant Secretary _cannot_ withhold, having +the President's mark on it. + +OCTOBER 5TH.--It is now said that Meade's army has not retired, and that +two corps of it have not been sent to Rosecrans. Well, we shall know +more soon, for Lee is preparing for a movement. It may occur this week. + +In the West it is said Gen. Johnston is working his way, with a few +brigades, from Meridian towards _Nashville._ + +Lieut.-Gen. E. Kirby Smith writes for authority to make appointments and +promotions in the trans-Mississippi Army, as its "communications with +Richmond are permanently interrupted." The President indorses that he +has no authority to delegate the power of appointing, as that is fixed +by the constitution; but he will do anything in his power to facilitate +the wishes of the general. The general writes that such delegation is a +"military necessity." + +The _Enquirer_ and the _Dispatch_ have come out in opposition to the +fixing of maximum prices for articles of necessity, by either the +Legislature of the State or by Congress. It is charged against these +papers, with what justice I know not, that the proprietors of both are +realizing profits from speculation. + +To-day I got a fine shin-bone (for soup) for $1. I obtained it at the +government shop; in the market I was asked $5.50 for one. We had a good +dinner, and something left over for to-morrow. + +OCTOBER 6TH.--Gen. Bragg and others recommend Gen. Hood for promotion to +a lieutenant-generalcy; but the President says it is impossible, as the +number authorized by Congress is full. And Gen. Bragg also gives timely +notice to the Commissary-General that the supplies at Atlanta will +suffice for but a few weeks longer. This, Commissary-General Northrop +took in high dudgeon, indorsing on the paper that there was no necessity +for such a message to him; that Bragg knew very well that every effort +had been and would be made to subsist the army; and that when he +evacuated Tennessee, the great source of supplies was abandoned. In +short, the only hope of obtaining ample supplies was for Gen. Bragg to +recover Tennessee, and drive Rosecrans out of the country. + +The President has at last consented to send troops for the protection of +Wilmington--Martin's brigade; and also Clingman's, from Charleston, if +the enemy should appear before Wilmington. + +I read to-day an interesting report from one of our secret agents--Mr. +A. Superviele--of his diplomatic operations in Mexico, which convinces +me that the French authorities there favor the Confederate States cause, +and anticipate closer relations before long. When he parted with +Almonte, the latter assured him that his sympathies were with the South, +and that if he held any position in the new government (which he does +now) he might say to President Davis that his influence would be exerted +for the recognition of our independence. + +Mr. Jeptha Fowlkes, of Aberdeen, Miss., sends a proposition to supply +our army with 200,000 suits of clothing, 50,000 pairs of shoes, etc. +etc. from the United States, provided he be allowed to give cotton in +return. Mr. Randolph made a contract with him last year, of this nature, +which our government revoked afterward. We shall see what will be done +now. + +It is positively asserted that Gen. Bragg has arrested Lieut.-Gen. +(Bishop) Polk and Brig.-Gen. Hindman, for disobedience of orders in the +battle of Chickamauga. + +LETTER FROM PRESIDENT DAVIS--The Mobile papers publish the following +letter from President Davis to the "Confederate Society," of Enterprise, +Miss.: + + "RICHMOND, VA., Sept. 17th, 1863. + + "J. W. HARMON, ESQ., SECRETARY OF THE CONFEDERATE SOCIETY, + ENTERPRISE, MISS. + + "SIR:--I have received your letter of the 22d ult., inclosing a + copy of an address to the people of the Confederate States, calling + upon them to unite in an effort to restore and maintain the par + value of the currency with gold by forming societies of citizens + who will engage to sell and buy only at reduced prices. The object + of the address is most laudable, and I sincerely hope for it great + success in arousing the people to concerted action upon a subject + of the deepest importance. The passion for speculation has become a + gigantic evil. It has seemed to take possession of the whole + country, and has seduced citizens of all classes from a determined + prosecution of the war to a sordid effort to amass money. It + destroys enthusiasm and weakens public confidence. It injures the + efficiency of every measure which demands the zealous co-operation + of the people in repelling the public enemy, and threatens to bring + upon us every calamity which can befall freemen struggling for + independence. + + "The united exertions of societies like those you propose should + accomplish much toward abating this evil, and infusing a new spirit + into the community. + + "I trust, therefore, that you will continue your labors until their + good effect becomes apparent everywhere. + + "Please accept my thanks for the comforting tone of your patriotic + letter. It is a relief to receive such a communication at this + time, when earnest effort is demanded, and when I am burdened by + the complaining and despondent letters of many who have stood all + the day idle, and now blame anybody but themselves for reverses + which have come and dangers which threaten. + + "Very respectfully, + + "Your fellow-citizen, + + "JEFFERSON DAVIS." + +There is a revival in the city among the Methodists; and that suggests a +recent expiring. In my young days I saw much of these sensational +excitements, and partook of them; for how can the young resist them? But +it is the Caesarean method of being born again, violating reason, and +perhaps outraging nature. There was one gratifying deduction derived +from my observation to-night, at the Clay Street meeting-house--the +absence of allusion to the war. I had supposed the attempt would be made +by the exhorters to appeal to the fears of the soldiery, composing more +than half the congregation, and the terrors of death be held up before +them. But they knew better; they knew that every one of them had made up +his mind to die, and that most of them expected either death or wounds +in this mortal struggle for independence. The fact is they are familiar +with death in all its phases, and there is not a coward among them. They +look upon danger with the most perfect indifference, and fear not to +die. Hence there was no allusion to the battle-field, which has become a +scene divested of novelty. But the appeals were made to their +sympathies, and reliance was placed on the force of example, and the +contagion of ungovernable emotions. + +OCTOBER 7TH.--We have not a particle of news from the army to-day. It +may be an ominous calm. + +A Mr. Livingstone, from Georgia I believe, has been extensively engaged +in financial transactions during the last week. He drew upon the house +of North & Co., Savannah, and purchased some $35,000 in gold. After +obtaining some $350,000 from the brokers here, he obtained a passport +(of course!) and fled into the enemy's lines. + +OCTOBER 8TH.--The President, accompanied by two of his aids, set off +quietly day before yesterday for the Southwest--to Bragg's army, no +doubt, where it is understood dissensions have arisen among the +chieftains. + +By telegraph we learn that one of Bragg's batteries, on Lookout +Mountain, opened fire on the Federals in Chattanooga on the 5th inst., +which was replied to briskly. + +Night before last an attempt was made to destroy the enemy's steamer +Ironsides at Charleston, but failed. The torpedo, however, may have done +it some injury. + +From Lee and Meade we have nothing. + +A rather startling letter was read by the Secretary of War to-day from +----, Lieut.-Gen. Bragg's ----d in command. It was dated the 26th of +September, and stated that Chickamauga was one of the most complete +victories of the war, but has not been "followed up." On the 21st (day +after the battle), Gen. Bragg asked Gen. ----'s advice, which was +promptly given: "that he should immediately strike Burnside a blow; or +if Burnside escaped, then to march on Rosecrans's communications in the +rear of Nashville." Gen. Bragg seemed to adopt the plan, and gave orders +accordingly. But the right wing had not marched more than eight or ten +miles the next day, before it was halted, and ordered to march toward +Chattanooga, after giving the enemy two and a half days to strengthen +the fortifications. Bragg's army remains in front of the enemy's +defenses, with orders not to assault him. The only thing Bragg has done +well (says Gen. ----) was to order the attack on the 19th of September; +everything else has been wrong: and now only God can save us or help +us--while Bragg commands. He begs that Gen. Lee be sent there, while the +Army of Virginia remains on the defensive, to prosecute offensive +measures against Rosecrans. He says Bragg's army has neither +organization nor mobility; and B. cannot remedy the evil. He cannot +adopt or adhere to any course, and he invokes the government to +interpose speedily. This letter is on file in the archives. + +The question now is, who is right? If it be ----, Bragg ought certainly +to be relieved without delay; and the President cannot arrive in the +field a moment too soon. As it is, while others are exulting in the +conviction that Rosecrans will be speedily destroyed, _I_ am filled with +alarm for the fate of Bragg's army, and for the cause! I am reluctant to +attribute the weakness of personal pique or professional jealousy to +----; yet I still hope that events will speedily prove that Bragg's plan +was the best, and that he had really adopted and advised to the wisest +course. + +OCTOBER 9TH.--From the West we have only unreliable reports of +movements, etc.; but something definite and decisive must occur shortly. + +Gen. Lee's army crossed the Rapidan yesterday, and a battle may be +looked for in that direction any day. It is said Meade has only 40,000 +or 50,000 men; and, if this be so, Lee is strong enough to assume the +offensive. + +To-morrow the departments will be closed for a review of the clerks, +etc., a piece of nonsense, as civil officers are under no obligation to +march except to fight, when the city is menaced. + +The mechanics and non-producers have made a unanimous call (in placards) +for a mass meeting at the City Hall to-morrow evening. The ostensible +object is to instruct Mr. Randolph and other members of the Legislature +(now in session) to vote for the bill, fixing maximum prices of +commodities essential to life, or else to resign. Mr. Randolph has said +he would not vote for it, unless so instructed to do. It is apprehended +that these men, or the authors of the movement, have ulterior objects in +view; and as some ten or twelve hundred of them belong to the militia, +and have muskets in their possession, mischief may grow out of it. Mr. +Secretary Seddon ought to act at once on the plan suggested for the sale +of the perishable tithes, since the government is blamed very much, and +perhaps very justly, for preventing transportation of meat and bread to +the city, or for impressing it in transitu. + +Capt. Warner, who feeds the prisoners of war, and who is my good "friend +in need," sent me yesterday 20 odd pounds of bacon sides at the +government price. This is not exactly according to law and order, but +the government loses nothing, and my family have a substitute for +butter. + +OCTOBER 10TH.--The enemy is undoubtedly falling back on the +Rappahannock, and our army is pursuing. We have about 40,000 in Lee's +army, and it is reported that Meade has 50,000, of whom many are +conscripts, altogether unreliable. We may look for stirring news soon. + +About 2500 of the "local" troops were reviewed to-day. The companies +were not more than half filled; so, in an emergency, we could raise 5000 +fighting men, at a moment's warning, for the defense of the capital. In +the absence of Custis Lee, Col. Brown, the English aid of the President, +commanded the brigade, much to the disgust of many of the men, and the +whole were reviewed by Gen. Elzey, still more to the chagrin of the +ultra Southern men. + +The Secretary seems unable to avert the storm brewing against the +extortioners; but permits impressments of provisions coming to the city. + +It is said the President and cabinet have a large special fund in +Europe. If they should fall into the hands of Lincoln, they might suffer +death; so in the event of subjugation, it is surmised they have provided +for their subsistence in foreign lands. But there is no necessity for +such provision, provided they perform their duty here. I cut the +following from the papers: + +"The Vicomte de St. Romain has been sent by the French Government to +ours to negotiate for the exportation of the tobacco bought for France +by French agents. + +"The Confederate States Government has at last consented to allow the +tobacco to leave the country, provided the French Government will send +its own vessels for it. + +"The latter _will_ send French ships, accompanied by armed convoys. + +"To this the United States Government objects _in toto_. + +"Vicomte de St. Romain is now making his way to New York to send the +result of his mission, through the French Consul, to the Emperor. + +"The French frigates in New York are there on this errand." + +OCTOBER 11TH.--I attended a meeting of "mechanics" and citizens at the +City Hall last night. The prime mover of this organization is E. B. +Robinson, some twenty years ago one of my printers in the _Madisonian_ +office. It was fully attended, and although not so boisterous as might +have been expected, was, nevertheless, earnest and determined in its +spirit. Resolutions instructing Mr. Randolph (State Senator, and late +Secretary of War) to vote for a bill before the General Assembly +reducing and fixing the prices of the necessities of life, were passed +unanimously; also one demanding his resignation, in the event of his +hesitating to obey. He was bitterly denounced by the speakers. + +I understood yesterday, from the butchers, that they have been buying +beef cattle, not from the producers, but from a Mr. Moffitt (they say a +commissary agent), at from 45 to 55 cents gross; and hence they are +compelled to retail it (net) at from 75 cents to $1.25 per pound to the +people. If this be so, and the commissary buys at government prices, 18 +to 22 cents, a great profit is realized by the government or its agent +at the expense of a suffering people. How long will the people suffer +thus? This community is even now in an inflammable condition, and may be +ignited by a single spark. The flames of insurrection may at any moment +wrap this slumbering government in its destructive folds; and yet the +cabinet cannot be awakened to a sense of the danger. Mr. Seddon (who may +be better informed than others), deeply sunken in his easy chair, seems +perfectly composed; but he cannot know that his agents are permitted to +prey upon the people: and the complaints and charges sent to him are +acted upon by his subordinates, who have orders not to permit business +of secondary importance to engage his attention; and his door-keepers +have instructions to refuse admittance to persons below a certain rank. + +Nothing but the generous and brave men in the army could have saved us +from destruction long ago, and nothing else can save us hereafter. If +our independence shall be achieved, it will be done in _spite_ of the +obstructions with which the cause has been burdened by the stupidity or +mismanagement of incompetent or dishonest men. + +"THE SUFFERINGS OF THE BORDER MISSOURIANS.--The people of Missouri, on +the Kansas border, are being slaughtered without mercy under the +authority of the Yankee commander of that department, Schofield. A +letter to the St. Louis _Republican_ (Yankee) says: + +"On Sunday last the desire for blood manifested itself in the +southeastern part of Jackson County, not far from the village of Lone +Jack. Although it was Sunday, the people of that region, alarmed and +terror-stricken by threats from Kansas, and cruel edicts from +headquarters of the district, were hard at work straining every nerve to +get ready to leave their homes before this memorable 9th day of +September, 1863. + +"One party of these unfortunate victims of a cruel order had almost +completed their preparations, and within half an hour's time would have +commenced their weary wanderings in search of a home. It consisted of +Benjamin Potter, aged seventy-five; John S. Cave, aged fifty; William +Hunter, aged forty-seven; David Hunter, aged thirty-five; William C. +Tate, aged thirty; Andrew Owsley, aged seventeen; and Martin Rice and +his son. While thus engaged in loading their wagons with such effects as +they supposed would be most useful to them, a detachment of Kansas +troops (said to be part of the Kansas 9th, though this may be a +mistake), under command of Lieut.-Col. Clark and Capt. Coleman, came up +and took them all prisoners. + +"After a little parleying, Mr. Rice and his son were released and +ordered to leave; which they did, of course. They had not gone much over +three-fourths of a mile before they heard firing at the point at which +they had left the soldiers with the remaining prisoners. In a short time +the command moved on, and the wives and other relatives of the prisoners +rushed up to ascertain their fate. It was a horrid spectacle. + +"There lay six lifeless forms--mangled corpses--so shockingly mangled +that it was difficult, my informant stated, to identify some of them. +They were buried where they were murdered, without coffins, by a few +friends who had expected to join them on that day, with their families, +and journey in search of a home. + +"These are the unvarnished facts with reference to an isolated +transaction. There are many, very many others of a similar character +that I might mention, but I will not. The unwritten and secret history +of our border would amaze the civilized world, and would stagger the +faith of the most credulous. In the case just mentioned, we find an old +man who had passed his threescore and ten, and a youth who had not yet +reached his score, falling victims to this thirsty cry for blood. + +"The world will doubtless be told that six more bushwhackers have been +cut off, etc. But believe it not, sir; it is not true. These six men +never were in arms, neither in the bush or elsewhere, I have been told +by one who has known them for years past. The widows and orphans of some +of them passed through this city yesterday, heart-broken, homeless +wanderers." + +OCTOBER 12TH.--Hon. G. A. Henry, Senator from Tennessee, writes to the +Secretary that it is rumored that Gen. Pemberton is to command Gen. +Polk's corps in Tennessee. He says if this be true, it will be +disastrous; that the Tennessee troops will not serve under him, but will +mutiny and desert. + +It is reported to-day by Gen. Elzey (on what information I know not) +that Meade's army has been reduced to 30,000 or 40,000 men, by the heavy +reinforcements sent to extricate Rosecrans. Be this as it may, there is +no longer any doubt that Lee is advancing toward the Potomac, and the +enemy is retreating. This must soon culminate in something of interest. + +I saw Commissary-General Northrop to-day, and he acknowledges that Mr. +Moffitt, who sells beef (gross) to the butchers at from 45 to 55 cents, +is one of his agents, employed by Major Ruffin, to purchase beef for the +army! The schedule price is from 16 to 20 cents, and he pays no more, +for the government--and if he buys for himself, it is not likely he pays +more--and so we have a government agent a speculator in meat, and +co-operating with speculators! Will Mr. Secretary Seddon permit this? + +OCTOBER 13TH.--Gen. Lee's cavalry are picking up some prisoners, several +hundreds having already been sent to Richmond. It is said the advance of +his army has been delayed several weeks for want of commissary stores, +while Commissary-General Northrop's or Major Ruffin's agent Moffitt, it +is alleged, has been selling beef (gross) to the butchers at 50 cents +per pound, after buying or impressing at from 16 to 20 cents. + +Gen. Lee writes that a scout (from Washington?) informs him that Gen. +Gilmore has been ordered to take Charleston at all hazards, and, failing +in the attempt, to make a flank movement and seize upon Branchville; +which he (Gen. Lee) deems an unlikely feat. + +What a change! The young professors and tutors who shouldered their pens +and became clerks in the departments are now resigning, and seeking +employment in country schools remote from the horrid sounds of war so +prevalent in the vicinity of the Capitol, and since they were ordered to +volunteer in the local companies, which will probably have some sharp +practice in the field. They are intent, however, on "teaching the young +_idea_ how to shoot." The young chiefs of bureaus, being fixed "for +life," did not _volunteer_. + +OCTOBER 14TH.--A letter from Gen. Lee to the Secretary of War, dated +11th inst. at Madison C. H., complains of the injury done by the +newspapers of Richmond, which contain early accounts of his movements, +and are taken quickly (by flag of truce? or Gen. Winder's corps of +rogues and cut-throats?) to the enemy. He says he is endeavoring to +strike at Meade, and has already captured, this week, some 600 of the +enemy (cavalry), including that number of horses. The Secretary sent the +requisite notice to the editors. + +Gen. Gilmer, at Charleston, suggests the removal of the guns on the +boats in that harbor to land batteries, to be commanded by officers of +the navy. + +An order has been sent to Gen. S. Jones, West Virginia, for the 8th and +14th Regiments Virginia Cavalry. + +OCTOBER 15TH.--To-day, at 12 M., I saw a common leatherwing bat flying +over the War Department. What this portends I do not pretend to say, +perhaps nothing. It may have been dislodged by the workmen building +chimneys to the offices of the department. + +The order of the government conscribing all foreign residents who have +acquired homes in this country, and the expulsion of the British +consuls, will immediately be followed by another exodus of that class of +residents. Already passports are daily applied for, and invariably +granted by Mr. Assistant Secretary Campbell. The enemy, of course, will +reap great benefit from the information conveyed by these people, and +the innumerable brood of blockade-runners. + +Gen. Lee has sent down between 600 and 700 prisoners captured in recent +cavalry engagements. He took their horses and equipments also. And there +is an account of an engagement in the West, near Memphis, in which the +Confederate troops inflicted injury on the enemy, besides destroying the +railroad in several places. + +OCTOBER 16TH.--No battle had occurred in Northern Virginia up to 10 +o'clock yesterday morning, although there is a constant stream of +prisoners being sent to this city daily, taken by our cavalry. At last +accounts Meade's army was retreating toward Washington City, hotly +pursued by Lee. They were near Manassas, the first battle-field of the +war. + +There is nothing new from the West, except some skirmishing of cavalry +in Central and Western Tennessee, wherein our men have had the +advantage, though sometimes falling back before superior numbers. + +At Charleston a brisk cannonading is kept up between the batteries; and +it is said more hostile transports are arriving, which may indicate +active operations on land. Our 700-pounder Blakely No. 2 is there. + +Judge Campbell is giving passports rapidly, sometimes binding the Jews +not to engage in private operations, but to confine themselves, while in +the United States, to the purchase of supplies for the Confederate +States service! Some, however, are willing to go on these terms to avoid +conscription, but will realize profit by selling information to the +enemy. + +Judge Hastings, of California, proposes to return thither and publish a +pamphlet describing newly discovered gold mines, and organizing +companies to work them, which shall be secessionists; and when +organized, he will fall upon and destroy the United States troops, march +into Arizona, and from thence pour reinforcements into Texas. The +Secretary, in the absence of the President, sends a copy of this scheme +to Lieut.-Gen. E. K. Smith, trans-Mississippi Department, and gives some +encouragement to the judge; abstaining, however, for the present, from +devoting any money to the project. + +OCTOBER 17TH.--We hear to-day that a battle has taken place near +Manassas, and that Lee has taken some 9000 prisoners and many wagons. At +3 P.M. there was no official intelligence of this event, and it was not +generally credited. + +Gen. Wise writes from Charleston, that it is understood by the French +and Spanish Consuls there that the city will not be bombarded. + +In Eastern North Carolina the people have taken the oath of allegiance +to the United States, to be binding only so long as they are within the +military jurisdiction of the enemy; and they ask to be exempt from the +Confederate States tithe tax, for if they pay it, the enemy will despoil +them of all that remains. + +OCTOBER 18TH.--No authentic information of a battle near Manassas has +been received at the War Department, although it is certain there has +been some heavy skirmishing on the Rappahannock. We have several +brigadier-generals wounded, and lost five guns; but, being reinforced, +continued the pursuit of the enemy, picking up many prisoners--they say +1500. The pursuit was retarded by the swelling of the streams. + +A letter from Major-Gen. Jones, at Dublin Depot, Va., Oct. 14th, leads +me to think danger is apprehended in that quarter, the objective point +being the Salt Works; and it may be inferred, from the fact that +Burnside is still there, that Rosecrans is considered safe, by reason of +the heavy reinforcements sent from other quarters. + +While I write, the government is having the tocsin sounded for +volunteers from the militia to go to the rescue of the Salt Works, which +is absurd, as the enemy will either have them before aid can be received +from Richmond, or else he will have been driven off by the local troops +near that vicinity. + +Captain Warner took me in his buggy this morning to the military +prisons. He did not lead me into the crowded rooms above, where he said +I would be in danger of vermin, but exhibited his cooking apparatus, +etc.--which was ample and cleanly. Everywhere I saw the captives peeping +through the bars; they occupy quite a number of large +buildings--warehouses--and some exhibited vengeful countenances. They +have half a pound of beef per day, and plenty of good bread and +water--besides vegetables and other matters furnished by themselves. +Several new furnaces are in process of erection, and most of the +laborers are Federal prisoners, who agree to work (for their own +convenience) and are paid for it the usual wages. There are baths to the +prisons; and the conduits for venting, etc. have cost some $10,000. +To-day the weather is as warm as summer, and no doubt the prisoners sigh +for the open air (although all the buildings are well ventilated), and +their distant homes in the West--most of them being from the field of +Chickamauga. + +OCTOBER 19TH.--After all the rumors from Northern Virginia, I have seen +nothing official. I incline to the belief that we have achieved no +success further than an advance toward Washington, and a corresponding +retreat of the enemy. It is to be yet seen whether Lee captured more +prisoners than Meade captured. It is said we lost _seven_ guns. But how +can Lee achieve anything when the enemy is ever kept informed not only +of his movements in progress, but of his probable intentions? I observe +that just about the time Lee purposes a movement, several Jews and +others of conscript age are seen to apply for passports through the +lines, for ordnance and medical stores, and Judge Campbell is certain to +"allow" them. The letter-book, for they are now recorded, shows this. +These men bring supplies from Maryland, if they ever return, in +saddle-bags, while the same kind are landed every week at Wilmington by +the cargo! + +A recent letter from Lieut.-Gen. E. Kirby Smith, trans-Mississippi, +fills me with alarm. He says the property-holders in Arkansas and +Louisiana--which States we are evacuating--are willing to return to +their allegiance to the United States if that government should modify +its policy. He says we have but 32,500 in Texas, Louisiana, and +Arkansas--all told--and the enemy twice that number. + +Gen. D. H. Hill has been relieved in the West, and ordered to report in +this city to Gen. Cooper. It was necessary perhaps to have a scape-goat. +Bragg will _probably_ be sustained by the President--but then what will +become of ------, who is so inimical to Bragg? + +The President has published, in the West, an eloquent address to the +soldiers. + +It appears from Gen. K. Smith's letter that the French captured a vessel +having on board, for the Confederate States, 12,000 stand of arms, which +were taken to Vera Cruz. It is presumed that the French commander +supposed these arms were sent over for the use of the Mexicans, probably +by the United States. If this be so, it is reasonable to suppose they +will be restored us, and so far I do not learn that this government has +taken umbrage at the capture. It may be that they were taken to keep +them from falling into the possession of the United States cruisers. +There are one or two French war steamers now at Charleston, +interchanging courtesies with the Confederate States authorities there. +It also appears by Gen. Smith's letter that a large amount of arms for +the trans-Mississippi Department were deposited at Vicksburg, and fell +into the hands of the enemy. The President indorsed on the back of the +letter that this was a blunder, and asks by whose order the deposit was +made. Col. Gorgas must answer. + +OCTOBER 20TH.--Nothing definite from Lee. I fear his little campaign +from the Rapidan to Bull Run was not a glorious one, although Meade did +run to the fortifications at Centreville. He may possibly have had a +counter-plot, which is not yet developed. Our papers are rejoicing over +thousands of prisoners "picked up;" but Captain Warner, who furnishes +the prisoners their rations, assures me that they have not yet arrived; +while our papers acknowledge we lost 1000 men, killed and wounded, +besides several guns. + +The Secretary of War received a dispatch to-day from Gen. Barton, +Kinston, N. C., stating that a number of Federal regiments were +embarking for (he thinks) South Carolina. This, the Secretary, of +course, sends to Gen. Beauregard, but doubts, however, the destination +of the troops. He thinks they are to menace Richmond again, and says +there are indications of this purpose on the York River. Is Hooker +really there? The public knows nothing, as yet, of what is going on down +that river. What if Meade retreated to entice Lee away from Richmond, +having in preparation an expedition against this city? I should not +wonder at anything, since so many equivocal characters are obtaining +passports to the United States. Gen. Winder and Judge Campbell are busy +signing passports--one granted by the latter yesterday (recorded) also +allows the bearer to take with him 2000 pounds tobacco! + +A letter was received to-day from the President, ordering certain +concessions to Governor Brown, relating to exemptions and details. + +Letters have been received justifying the belief (notwithstanding the +forebodings of Lieut.-Gen. E. K. Smith) that we have taken Little Rock, +Ark., again. This is Price's work; also that Quantrell and other bold +raiders in Missouri have collected some thousands of desperate men, and +_killed_ several regiments of the enemy. They have burned a number of +towns (Union), and taken the large town of Boonville. These are the men +against whom Kansas Abolitionists have sworn vengeance--no quarter is +to be granted them. I suspect they are granting no quarter! + +Yesterday I saw a Captain Commissary on Broad Street give his dog a +piece of beef for which I would have given a dollar. Many little +children of soldiers stood by with empty baskets. He would not sell a +shank! + +Dispatch from Alabama: + + "SELMA, October 18th, 1863. + + "President Davis arrived here this evening, and was welcomed by the + citizens _en masse_. An immense crowd gathered in front of the + hotel. The President congratulated the people on meeting them under + such favorable circumstances, and spoke in glowing terms of the + gallantry of Alabamians on every battle-field. He said if the + non-conscripts of Alabama would gather their guns and go to the + rescue, by guarding Courtland and other points, thereby relieving + regular soldiers who are now, from necessity, discharging that sort + of duty, such blows would be dealt the enemy as he would find it + difficult to recover from. In this way most effective aid could be + given the gallant men and officers who are carrying out the plans + of the noble Longstreet, under the supervision of the heroic Bragg. + + "In this way the President was confident that Rosecrans could be + crushed to dust. It was only by force of arms that the Yankees + could be brought to reason and their plans for our subjugation + defeated. Self-reliance and energy were now our only duty. We + should not look to Europe for aid, for such is not to be expected + now. Our only alternative was to sustain ourselves with renewed + energy and determination, and a little more sacrifice upon the part + of the people, and the President firmly believed that next spring + would see the invader driven from our borders. Then farmers, who + are now refugees, could return to their families and pursue their + business undisturbed as heretofore. In fact, he believed that the + defeat of Rosecrans would practically end the war." + +Mr. Randolph has signified his purpose to vote for the bill reducing +prices, rather than resign; but Mr. Wyndham Robertson, the delegate, has +resigned. Nearly all the papers have taken ground against the "Maximum +Bill." To-night a mass meeting is called, to urge the passage of the +bill. + +The "mass meeting" to-night was a small affair. Mr. Robinson, my old +compositor, made a speech, abusing the editors; but the editors have +succeeded in putting down for the present the cry for bread. I fear, +however, it is but the work of Sisyphus, and it may destroy them; for, +if the measure fails before the Legislature, the prices will be sure to +advance, and then the people will attribute their woes to those who were +instrumental in the defeat of the plan of relief. It is a dangerous +thing to array one's self against a famishing people, even when the +remedy they demand is not calculated to alleviate their distresses. I +saw flour sell at auction to-day for $61 per barrel. This, too, when +there is an abundant crop of new grain but recently harvested. It is the +result of the depreciation of a redundant currency, and not of an +ascertained scarcity. Timber and coal are as abundant as ever they were; +and the one sells at $32 per cord, and the other at $30 per load of 25 +bushels. And cotton is abundant, while brown domestic is bringing $3.00 +per yard. Many are becoming very shabby in appearance; and I can get no +clothes for myself or my family, unless the government shall very +materially increase our salaries. + +OCTOBER 21ST.--Gen. Lee telegraphed last night that our cavalry had +routed the enemy's horse on Monday, capturing some 200, etc. etc. + +The Legislature passed a series of resolutions yesterday, requesting the +Secretary of War to impress free negroes for the public works; to detail +the 2d class militia (over 45); and to order into the ranks the +thousands of detailed soldiers and conscripts seen everywhere. The +report of a committee states that conscripts and soldiers pay bonuses to +contractors to have them detailed, and then they furnish negroes as +substitutes to perform the work, engaging themselves in speculation. +Also that one-third of the conscripts of one county have been detailed +to get wood for certain iron works which have a year's supply on hand! +Surely the Secretary will attend to this. + +There is a row about passports. It appears that Judge Campbell and Gen. +Winder are competitors in the business. Judge C. yesterday remarked +that, at Gen. Winder's office, he understood a passport could be bought +for $100; and this was repeated by Mr. Kean, the young Chief of the +Bureau, and it somehow reached the ears of Gen. Winder. Perhaps Judge +C. reported the fact of his belief to Mr. Secretary Seddon, who had +ceased to grant any himself (to the United States), and of course was +not aware of the great number his assistant, much less Gen. W., issued; +and if so, it is probable he called Gen. W. to an account. The general, +in a rage, charged Mr. Kean with the propagation of a damaging report. +Mr. K. said he heard Mr. Chapman (a clerk) say so--and so off they +started in pursuit of Chapman, who could not be found up to 3 P.M. By +to-morrow Gen. W. may hear of Judge Campbell's remarks and agency, and a +pretty kettle of fish they will have, if Judge C.'s record be brought to +the notice of the Secretary! It is all wrong, and if the business be not +better regulated or terminated, it will terminate the government. Gen. +Lee's reputation as a great captain will be ruined, if the +blockade-runners be allowed to continue to give information to the enemy +of all his movements. + +OCTOBER 22D.--Gen. Wheeler has taken 700 of the enemy's cavalry in East +Tennessee, 6 cannon, 50 wagons, commissary stores, etc. _Per contra_, +the steamer Venus, with bacon, from Nassau, got aground trying to enter +the port of Wilmington, and ship and cargo were lost. There is a rumor +that Gen. Taylor, trans-Mississippi, has captured Gen. Banks, his staff, +and sixteen regiments. This, I fear, is not well authenticated. + +A poor woman yesterday applied to a merchant in Carey Street to purchase +a barrel of flour. The price he demanded was $70. + +"My God!" exclaimed she, "how can I pay such prices? I have seven +children; what shall I do?" + +"I don't know, madam," said he, coolly, "unless you eat your children." + +Such is the power of cupidity--it transforms men into demons. And if +this spirit prevails throughout the country, a just God will bring +calamities upon the land, which will reach these cormorants, but which, +it may be feared, will involve all classes in a common ruin. + +Beef, to-day, sold in market at $1.50 per pound. There is no bacon for +sale, or corn-meal. But we shall not starve, if we have faith in a +beneficent Providence. Our daughter Anne, teaching in Appomattox County, +writes that she will send us a barrel of potatoes, some persimmons, etc. +next Wednesday. And we had a good dinner to-day: a piece of fat +shoulder Capt. Warner let me have at $1 per pound--it is selling for +$2.50--and cabbage from my garden, which my neighbor's cow overlooked +when she broke through the gate last Sunday. Although we scarcely know +what we shall have to-morrow, we are merry and patriotic to-day. + +Last night I went to hear Rev. Dr. Hobson, Reformed Baptist, or +Campbellite, preach. He is certainly an orator (from Kentucky) and a man +of great energy and fertility of mind. There is a revival in his +congregation too, as well as among the Methodists, but he was very +severe in his condemnation of the emotional or sensational practices of +the latter. He said, what was never before known by me, that the word +pardon is not in the New Testament, but remission was. His point against +the Methodists was their fallacy of believing that conversion was sudden +and miraculous, and accompanied by a happy feeling. Happy feeling, he +said, would naturally _follow_ a consciousness of remission of sins, but +was no evidence of conversion, for it might be produced by other things. +It was the efficacy of the Word, of the promise of God, which +obliterated the sins of all who believed, repented, and were baptized. +He had no spasmodic extravagances over his converts; but, simply taking +them by the hand, asked if they believed, repented, and would be +baptized. If the answers were in the affirmative, they resumed their +seats, and were soon after _immersed_ in a pool made for the purpose in +the church. + +I pray sincerely that this general revival in the churches will soften +the hearts of the extortioners, for this class is specifically denounced +in the Scriptures. There is abundance in the land, but "man's inhumanity +to man makes countless thousands mourn." I hope the extortioners may all +go to heaven, first ceasing to be extortioners. + +The Legislature has broken up the gambling establishments, for the time +being, and the furniture of their gorgeous saloons is being sold at +auction. Some idea of the number of these establishments may be formed +from an estimate (in the _Examiner_) of the cost of the entertainment +prepared for visitors being not less than $10,000 daily. Their agents +bought the best articles offered for sale in the markets, and never +hesitated to pay the most exorbitant prices. I hope now the absence of +such customers may have a good effect. But I fear the currency, so +redundant, is past remedy. + +OCTOBER 23D.--Gen. Lee has retired to the south side of the Rappahannock +again, while Meade remains in the intrenchments at Centreville. Gen. +Imboden occupies Winchester. + +From the West we have only newspaper reports, which may not be true. + +OCTOBER 24TH.--To-day we have a cold northwest storm of wind and rain, +and we have our first fire in the parlor. + +The elections in Ohio and Pennsylvania have gone for the Republican +(War) candidates. We rely on ourselves, under God, for independence. It +is said Gen. Lee learned that 15,000 Republican voters were sent from +Meade's army into Pennsylvania to vote, and hence he advanced and drove +back the Federal army. Yet he says that Meade's army is more numerous +than his. It is not known what our losses have been, but the following +dispatch from Lee gives an accurate account of the enemy's loss in +prisoners. + + "HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, + + "October 23d, 1863. + + "GEN. S. COOPER, A. and I. General. + + "Gen. Imboden, on the 18th, attacked the garrison at Charlestown, + Shenandoah Valley, captured 434 prisoners, with their arms, + transportation, and stores. To these, add prisoners already + forwarded, makes 2462. + + "(Signed) R. E. LEE. + + "Official: JOHN WITHERS, A. A. General." + +And Capt. Warner says he is now feeding them. + +Gen. Lee writes on the 19th inst., that it is doubtful whether Gen. +Meade will remain where he is, behind his fortifications along Bull Run, +or make another movement on Richmond. A few days will decide this +matter. He says Meade has superior numbers. If he remains, Gen. Lee will +advance again, provided he can get quartermaster supplies for his army. +But at present, thousands of his men are barefooted, without overcoats, +blankets, etc. He says it was the sublimest spectacle of the war to see +men in such condition move forward with such cheerfulness and alacrity, +in the recent pursuit of the enemy. He deprecates sending any of his +regiments to West Virginia and East Tennessee, and thinks Gen. Sam Jones +has not evinced sufficient energy and judgment in that quarter. He says +it would be better to send reinforcements to Chattanooga, where it is +practicable to conduct a winter campaign. He could drive the enemy from +the Peninsula, Gloucester Point, Williamsburg, and Yorktown, but to keep +them away Lee would have to station an army there. If North Carolina be +menaced, he advises that the troops at Richmond and Petersburg be sent +thither, and he will replace them with troops from his army. He thinks +it the best policy not to disperse troops in Virginia. + +From this letter it is easy to perceive that the Secretary of War, in +the absence of the President, has been making suggestions to Gen. Lee, +none of which does he deem it good policy to adopt, the Secretary not +being versed in military matters. + +A private note from Gen. Lee, dated the 13th inst., which I saw to-day, +informs the Secretary of War that much of the benefits he anticipated +from his movement, then in progress, must be lost, from the fact that +the enemy had been informed of his purposes. This it was the duty of the +government to prevent, but Mr. Seddon, like his predecessors, cannot be +convinced that the rogues and cut-throats employed by Gen. Winder as +detectives, have it in their power to inflict injury on the cause and +the country. The cleaning of the Augean stables here is the work which +should engage the attention of the Secretary of War, rather than +directing the movements of armies in the field, of which matter he knows +nothing whatever. + +The Secretary of War wrote a long and rather rebuking letter to-day to +Mr. Sheffey, chairman of the Committee on Confederate Relations, of the +General Assembly, who communicated a report and resolutions of the House +of Delegates, in relation to details of conscripts, and the employment +in civil offices of robust young men capable of military service, and +urging the department to appoint men over forty-five years of age to +perform such services, and to impress free negroes to do the labor that +soldiers are detailed for. The Secretary thinks the Confederate +Government knows its duties, and ought not to be meddled with by State +Governments. It touched Mr. Seddon nearly. + +By the last Northern papers I see President Lincoln has issued a +proclamation calling for 300,000 more volunteers, and if they "do not +come when he calls for them," that number will be _drafted_ in January. +This is very significant; either the draft has already failed, or else +about a million of men per annum are concerned in the work of +suppressing this "rebellion." We find, just at the time fixed for the +subjugation of the South, Rosecrans is defeated, and Meade is driven +back upon Washington! + +OCTOBER 25TH.--We have nothing new this morning; but letters to the +department from North and South Carolina indicate that while the troops +in Virginia are almost perishing for food, the farmers are anxious to +deliver the tithes, but the quartermaster and commissary agents are +negligent or designedly remiss in their duty. The consequence will be +the loss of the greater portion of these supplies, and the enhancement +of the price of the remainder in the hands of the monopolists and +speculators. + +The _Southern_ Express Co. has monopolized the railroads, delivering +cotton for speculators, who send it to the United States, while the +Confederate States cannot place enough money in Europe to pay for the +supplies needed for the army. + +OCTOBER 26TH.--No news from our armies. The President was in Mobile two +days ago. + +Gen. Rosecrans has been removed from his command, and Grant put in his +place. Meade, it is said in Northern papers, will also be decapitated, +for letting Lee get back without loss. Also Dalgren, at Charleston, has +been relieved. And yet the Northern papers announce that Richmond will +soon and suddenly be taken, and an unexpected joy be spread throughout +the North, and a corresponding despondency throughout the South. + +The weather is cloudy and cold. The papers announce that all clerks +appointed since October 11th, 1862, by order of the Secretary of War, +are liable to conscription. This cannot be true; for I know a Secretary +who has just appointed two of his cousins to the best clerkships in the +department--both of conscript age. But Secretaries know how to evade the +law, and "whip the devil round the stump." + +How long will it be after peace before the sectional hatred intensified +by this war can abate? A lady near by, the other night, while surveying +her dilapidated shoes, and the tattered sleeping-gowns of her children, +burst forth as follows: "I pray that I may live to see the United States +involved in a war with some foreign power, which will make refugees of +her people, and lay her cities in ashes! I want the people ruined who +would ruin the South. It will be a just retribution!" + +OCTOBER 27TH.--Nothing from the North or West to-day. But Beauregard +telegraphs that the enemy's batteries and monitors opened this morning +heavily on his forts and batteries, but, as yet, there were no +casualties. + +The Commissary-General to-day, in a communication to the department, +relating to the necessity of impressment to subsist our armies, says +"the armies in Virginia muster 150,000 men." If this be so, then let +Meade come! It may be possible that instead of exaggerating, a policy +may have been adopted calculated to conceal the actual strength of +armies. + +Nevertheless, it is understood that one of the cabinet is offering his +estates, lands, and negroes for sale. Will he convert the money into +European funds? If so, he should not let it be known, else it will +engender the terrible idea that our affairs are in a desperate +condition. The operations of the next thirty days may be decisive of our +fate. Hundreds of thousands of Southern men have yet to die before +subjugation can be effected; and quite that number of invaders must fall +to accomplish it! + +OCTOBER 28TH.--No news from the army. We have some 13,000 prisoners +here, hungry; for there is not sufficient meat for them. + +Mr. Memminger, Secretary of the Treasury, is said to be transporting his +private fortune (very large) to Europe. + +OCTOBER 29TH.--Gen. Lee writes (a few days since), from Brandy Station, +that Meade seems determined to advance again; that troops are going up +the Potomac to Washington, and that volunteers from New York have been +ordered thither. He asks the Secretary to ascertain if there be really +any Federal force in the York River; for if the report be correct of +hostile troops being there, it may be the enemy's intention to make +another raid on the railroad. The general says we have troops enough in +Southwestern Virginia; but they are not skillfully commanded. + +After all, I fear we shall not get the iron from the Aquia Creek +Railroad. In the summer the government was too slow, and now it is +probably too slow again, as the enemy are said to be landing there. It +might have been removed long ago, if we had had a faster Secretary. + +Major S. Hart, San Antonio, Texas, writes that the 10,000 (the number +altered again) superior rifles captured by the French off the Rio +Grande last summer, were about to fall into the hands of United States +cruisers; and he has sent for them, hoping the French will turn them +over to us. + +Gen. Winder writes the Secretary that the Commissary-General will let +him have no meat for the 13,000 prisoners; and he will not be answerable +for their safe keeping without it. The Quartermaster-General writes that +the duty of providing for them is in dispute between the two bureaus, +and he wants the Secretary to decide between them. If the Secretary +should be very _slow_, the prisoners will suffer. + +Yesterday a set (six) of cups and saucers, white, and not china, sold at +auction for $50. + +Mr. Henry, Senator from Tennessee, writes the Secretary that if Ewell +were sent into East Tennessee with a corps, and Gen. Johnston were to +penetrate into Middle Tennessee, forming a junction north of +Chattanooga, it would end the war in three months. + +OCTOBER 30TH.--We have nothing new to-day, except the continued +bombardment of Charleston. That city has been besieged over one hundred +days. + +OCTOBER 31ST.--Letters came to-day from the President (or rather +_copies_ in his own handwriting), relieving Lieut.-Gen. Hardee, in +Mississippi, and assigning him to a command under Gen. Bragg. He also +writes a friendly letter (from Meridian, Miss.) to Gen. Bragg, informing +him that Gen. Hardee had been ordered to report to him without delay, +and that two brigades might go with him, if needed. This indicates that +the President means to sustain Bragg, notwithstanding the clamor against +him; and that Bragg must have an immense army. Lieut.-Gen. Polk (whom +the President will always sustain) is assigned to the Mississippi +Department. + +The latest accounts from Chattanooga show that the enemy are stirring a +little, and trying to flank Bragg's left wing. + +The bombardment at Charleston is still without decisive result. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +Letters from various sections.--The President and Gen. Bragg.--State of + the markets.--Causes of the President's tour.--Gen. Duff Green-- + Return of the President.--Loss of Hoke's and Haye's brigades.--Letter + from Gen. Howell Cobb.--Dispatch from Gen. Lee.--State of the + markets.--Letter from A. Moseley.--Mrs. Todd in Richmond.-- + Vice-President Stephens on furloughs.--About Gen. Bragg and the + battle of Lookout Mountain. + + +NOVEMBER 1ST.--No news from any of the armies this morning. But Gen. +Whiting writes that he is deficient in ordnance to protect our steamers +and to defend the port. If Wilmington should fall by the neglect of the +government, it will be another stunning blow. + +However, our armies are augmenting, from conscription, and if we had +honest officers to conduct this important business, some four or five +hundred thousand men could be kept in the field, and subjugation would +be an impossibility. But exemptions and details afford a tempting +opportunity to make money, as substitutes are selling for $6000 each; +and the rage for speculation is universal. + +The President is looked for to-morrow, and it is to be hoped that he has +learned something of importance during his tour. He will at once set +about his message, which will no doubt be an interesting one this year. + +How we sigh for peace, on this beautiful Sabbath day! But the suffering +we have endured for nearly three years is no more than was experienced +by our forefathers of the Revolution. We must bear it to the end, for it +is the price of liberty. Yet we sigh for peace--God knows I do--while at +the same time we will endure the ordeal for years to come, rather than +succumb to the rule of an oppressor. We must be free, be the cost what +it may. Oh, if the spirit of fanaticism had been kept down by the good +sense of the people of the United States, the Union would have been +preserved, and we should have taken the highest position among the +great powers of the earth. It is too late now. Neither government may, +for a long series of years, aspire to lead the civilized nations of the +earth. Ambition, hatred, caprice and folly have combined to snap the +silken cord, and break the golden bowl. These are the consequences of a +persistency in sectional strife and domination, foreseen and foretold by +me in the "_Southern Monitor_," published in Philadelphia; no one +regarded the warning. Now hundreds of thousands are weeping in sackcloth +and ashes over the untimely end of hundreds of thousands slain in +battle! And thousands yet must fall, before the strife be ended. + +NOVEMBER 2D.--A refugee from Portsmouth reports the arrival of 6000 +Federal troops at Newport News, and that Richmond is to be menaced +again. + +Brig.-Gen. H. W. Allen, Alexandria, La., reports 8000 deserters and +skulking conscripts in that vicinity, and a bad state of things +generally. + +Gen. Lee has written three letters to the department, dated 30th and +31st October. 1st, complaining of the tardiness of the Bureau of +Examination, and the want of efficient officers; 2d, complaining of the +furloughs given Georgia officers as members of the legislature, causing +a brigade to be commanded by a lieutenant-colonel, etc.; 3d, relating to +an order from the Secretary to respite certain deserters, condemned to +execution. He says executions are necessary to keep the army together, +but he _feels_ the painfulness of the sad necessity. + +Mr. H. D. Whitcomb, Superintendent Central Railroad, applied for and +obtained passports for his mother and sister to return to the United +States. He is a Northern man. + +Brig.-Gen. S. A. Meredith (United States) writes from Fortress Monroe, +proposing that prisoners west of the Mississippi be exchanged at +Galveston. Mr. Ould, our agent of exchange, indorses on it that there is +no necessity for immediate action, for the United States are not +exchanging any prisoners at all at this time. + +Mr. Memminger writes for troops to be sent to Ashville, West North +Carolina, which is menaced by the traitors, tories, and Federals. His +family is there, having fled from South Carolina. Hon. Jas. Farron also +writes that a bad state of things exists in that section, and +communication is kept open with the enemy in East Tennessee. + +From St. Helena Parish, Ark., we have letters stating that all restraint +is thrown off, and everybody almost is trading with the enemy. Some 1500 +bales of cotton per week is taken to the Yankees from that region. They +say most of the parties have permits from the government or from +commanding generals to trade with the enemy. + +Gen. Whiting writes that his men are suffering for shoes, and as 15,000 +pairs are in that town, asks if he shall not impress them. The Secretary +is reluctant to do this, and asks the Quartermaster-General what he +shall do. The Quartermaster-General advises that the shoes be bought at +a fair price, and paid for in cotton. He says blankets may be had in the +same way. + +NOVEMBER 3D.--Gen. Lee writes that he will endeavor to protect the +workmen while removing the iron at Aquia Creek, but he fears the work +has been too long delayed. The government has been too slow. + +Gen. Sam Jones writes from Abingdon that his cavalry was at Jonesborough +on the 30th ult., although the enemy's raiding parties were on this +side. He says if he had a little more infantry, he could soon clear East +Tennessee of the foe; and asks that an order from Gen. Cooper (A. and I. +G.), calling for two of his best regiments of cavalry, be revoked. + +In Gen. Lee's recent campaign beyond the Rappahannock, our losses in +killed, wounded, and missing amounted to 1740; the enemy's losses must +have been three times that number. + +The President made a speech in Charleston on the 1st instant. We have +copies from him to-day of his correspondence with Gen. Bragg since he +left Chickamauga field. Gen. B. says he will immediately call for +Hardee's brigades, promised him, and without delay commence operations +on the enemy's left (it is too wet on the right), and drive Burnside out +of East Tennessee. But he complains of Gen. Buckner, who assumes to have +an independent command in East Tennessee and West Virginia. The +President replies that neither Bragg nor Buckner has jurisdiction over +Gen. Jones in West Virginia, but that he gets his orders from Richmond. +He does not promise to remove Buckner, whom he deems only _impatient_, +but says he must be subject to Bragg's orders, etc. + +Gen. Bragg has applied for Gen. Forrest (who went some time since to +Mobile and tendered his resignation, in a pet with Gen. Bragg) to +command a cavalry force in North Mississippi and West Tennessee. In +short, the President is resolved to sustain Gen. Bragg at the head of +the army in Tennessee in spite of the tremendous prejudice against him +in and out of the army. And unless Gen. Bragg does something more for +the cause before Congress meets a month hence, we shall have more clamor +against the government than ever. But he has quashed the charges (of +Bragg) against Gen. Polk, and assigned him, without an investigation, to +an important command. + +NOVEMBER 4TH.--Mr. M------, Major Ruffin's commissary agent, denies +selling _government_ beef to the butchers; of course it was his own. But +he has been ordered not to sell any more, while buying for the +government. + +Mr. Rouss, of Winchester, merchant, has succeeded in getting some brown +cotton from the manufacturer, in Georgia, at cost, which he sells for +cost and carriage to refugees. My wife got 20 yards to-day for $20. It +is brown seven-eighth cotton, and brings in other stores $3 per yard. +This is a saving of $40. And I bought 24 pounds of bacon of Capt. +Warner, Commissary, at $1 per pound. The retail price is $2.50--and this +is a saving of $36. Without such "short cuts" as these, occasionally, it +would be impossible to maintain my family on the salaries my son Custis +and myself get from the government, $3000. + +How often have I and thousands in our youth expressed the wish to have +lived during the first Revolution, or rather to have partaken of the +excitements of war! Such is the romance or "enchantment" which "distance +lends" "to the view." Now we see and feel the horrors of war, and we are +unanimous in the wish, if we survive to behold again the balmy sunshine +of peace, that neither we nor our posterity may ever more be spectators +of or participants in another war. And yet we know not how soon we might +plunge into it, if an adequate necessity should arise. Henceforth, in +all probability, we shall be a military people. But I shall seek the +peaceful haunts of quiet seclusion, for which I sigh with great +earnestness. O for a garden, a vine and fig-tree, and my library! + +Among the strange events of this war, not the least is the position on +slavery (approving it) maintained by the Bishop of Vermont. + +NOVEMBER 5TH.--The President has not yet returned, but was inspecting +the defenses of Charleston. The Legislature has adjourned without fixing +a maximum of prices. _Every night troops from Lee's army are passing +through the city._ Probably they have been ordered to Bragg. + +Yesterday flour sold at auction at $100 per barrel; to-day it sells for +$120! There are 40,000 bushels of sweet potatoes, taken by the +government as tithes, rotting at the depots between Richmond and +Wilmington. If the government would wake up, and have them brought +hither and sold, the people would be relieved, and flour and meal would +decline in price. But a lethargy has seized upon the government, and no +one may foretell the consequences of official supineness. + +The enemy at Chattanooga have got an advantageous position on Bragg's +left, and there is much apprehension that our army will lose the ground +gained by the late victory. + +The Commissary-General (Northrop) has sent in his estimate for the +ensuing year, $210,000,000, of which $50,000,000 is for sugar, +exclusively for the hospitals. It no longer forms part of the rations. +He estimates for 400,000 men, and takes no account of the tithes, or tax +in kind, nor is it apparent that he estimates for the army beyond the +Mississippi. + +A communication was received to-day from Gen. Meredith, the Federal +Commissioner of Exchange, inclosing a letter from Gov. Todd and Gen. +Mason, as well as copies of letters from some of Morgan's officers, +stating that the heads of Morgan and his men are not shaved, and that +they are well fed and comfortable. + +NOVEMBER 6TH.--The President was to have returned to-day, but did not. + +Various conjectures are made as to the object of his month's tour of +speech-making. Some deem the cause very desperate, others that the +President's condition is desperate. If the first, they say his purpose +was to reanimate the people by his presence, and to cultivate a renewal +of lost friendships, and hence he lingered longest at Charleston, in +social intercourse with Gens. Beauregard and Wise, who had become +estranged. The latter is the oldest brigadier-general in the service, +and still they have failed to promote him. The President's power is felt +in the army, and his patronage being almost unlimited, it was natural, +they say, that he should be received with cheers. From a lieutenant up +to a general, all are dependent on his favor for promotion. At all +events, his austerity and inflexibility have been relaxed, and he has +made popular speeches wherever he has gone. I hope good fruits will +ensue. But he returns to find the people here almost in a state of +starvation in the midst of plenty, brought on by the knavery or +incompetency of government agents. + +What is remarkable is the estimate of $50,000,000 by the +Commissary-General for the purchase of sugar, exclusively for the sick +and wounded in hospitals, the soldiers in the field being refused any +more. One-fourth of the whole estimates ($210,000,000) for sugar, and +not an ounce to go to the army! And this, too, when it is understood +nearly all the sugar in the Confederacy has been impressed by his agents +at from 50 cts. to $1 per pound. It is worth $2.50 now, and it is +apprehended that a large proportion of the _fifty millions_ asked for +will go into the pockets of commissaries. No account whatever is taken +of the _tithe_ in the Commissary-General's estimates. + +Flour sold at $125 per barrel to-day. There must be an explosion of some +sort soon. Certainly Confederate notes have fallen very low indeed. + +Another solution of the President's tour, by the uncharitable or +suspicious, is a preparatory or a preliminary move to assuming all power +in his own hands. They say the people are reduced by distress to such an +extremity that, if he will only order rations to be served them, they +will not quarrel with him if he assumes dictatorial powers. Legislation +has failed to furnish remedies for the evils afflicting the community; +and, really, if the evils themselves were not imputed to the government, +and the President were ambitious--and is he not?--he might now, perhaps, +play a successful Cromwellian role. But can he control the State +governments? The government of _this_ State seems like potter's clay in +his hands, the Legislature being as subservient as the Congresses have +hitherto been. It is observed--independence _first_--then let Cromwells +or Washingtons come. + +My wife, to-day, presented me with an excellent under-shirt, made of one +of her dilapidated petticoats. A new shirt would cost $30. Common brown +cotton (and in a cotton country!) sells for $3 per yard. I saw common +cotton shirts sell at auction to-day for $40 per pair. Beef is $1.50 +per pound, and pork $2. But these prices are paid in Confederate +Treasury notes, and they mark the rapid depreciation of paper money. + +The enemy, however, in spreading over the Southern territory, are not +completing the work of subjugation. It would require a million of +bayonets to keep this people in subjection, and the indications are that +the United States will have difficulty in keeping their great armies up. +It is a question of endurance. + +NOVEMBER 7TH.--No news from any quarter, except the continued +bombardment of the debris of Fort Sumter, and the killing and wounding +of some 10 or 12 men there--but that is not news. + +There is a pause,--a sort of holding of the breath of the people, as if +some event of note was expected. The prices of food and fuel are far +above the purses of all except speculators, and an explosion must happen +soon, of some sort. People will not perish for food in the midst of +plenty. + +The press, a portion rather, praises the President for his carefulness +in making a tour of the armies and ports south of us; but as he retained +Gen. Bragg in command, how soon the tune would change if Bragg should +meet with disaster! + +Night before last some of the prisoners on Belle Isle (we have some +13,000 altogether in and near the city) were overheard by the guard to +say they must escape immediately, or else it would be too late, as +cannon were to be planted around them. Our authorities took the alarm, +and increasing the guard, did plant cannon so as to rake them in every +direction in the event of their breaking out of their prison bounds. It +is suspected that this was a preconcerted affair, as a full division of +the enemy has been sent to Newport News, probably to co-operate with the +prisoners. Any attempt now must fail, unless, indeed, there should be a +large number of Union sympathizers in the city to assist them. + +Several weeks ago it was predicted in the Northern papers that Richmond +would be taken in some mysterious manner, and that there was a plan for +the prisoners of war to seize it by a _coup de main_, may be probable. +But the scheme was impracticable. What may be the condition of the city, +and the action of the people a few weeks hence, if relief be not +afforded by the government, I am afraid to conjecture. The croakers say +five millions of "greenbacks," and cargoes of provisions, might be more +effectual in expelling the Confederate Government and restoring that of +the United States than all of Meade's army. And this, too, they allege, +when there is abundance in the country. Many seem to place no value on +the only money we have in circulation. The grasping farmers refuse to +get out their grain, saying they have as much Confederate money as they +want, and the government seems determined to permit the perishable +tithes to perish rather than allow the famishing people to consume them. +Surely, say the croakers, such a policy cannot achieve independence. No, +it must be speedily changed, or else worse calamities await us than any +we have experienced. + +Old Gen. Duff Green, after making many fortunes and losing them, it +seems, is to die poor at last, and he is now nearly eighty years old. +Last year he made a large contract to furnish the government with iron, +his works being in Tennessee, whence he has been driven by the enemy. +And now he says the depreciation of the money will make the cost of +producing the iron twice as much as he will get for it. And worse, he +has bought a large lot of sugar which would have realized a large +profit, but the commissary agent has impressed it, and will not pay him +cost for it. All he can do is to get a small portion of it back for the +consumption of his employees, provided he returns to Tennessee and +fulfills his iron contract. + +NOVEMBER 8TH.--At this late day the Secretary of War is informed by Col. +Gorgas that, in consequence of the enemy's possessing the coal mines in +Tennessee, he shall not be able to supply orders for heavy shot, etc., +for the defense of Charleston harbor, if the fleet of monitors were to +pass the forts. Why, this has been daily looked for any time during the +last three months! And information from the Western army indicates that +only about one shell in twenty, furnished by Col. Gorgas, will explode. +This reminds me of the doubts expressed by Gen. Cobb of the fitness of +Col. G. for his position. + +This is a bleak November day, after some days of pleasant autumnal +sunshine. I still gather a few tomatoes from the little garden; a bushel +of green ones on the vines will never mature. The young turnips look +well, and I hope there may be abundance of salad in the spring. + +Yesterday two tons of Northern anthracite coal in this city sold for +$500 per ton, to a church! We hope for relief when Congress meets, a +month hence; but what can Congress do? The money is hopelessly +depreciated. Even victories and peace could not restore it to par. + +NOVEMBER 9TH.--The President returned Saturday evening, looking pretty +well. Yesterday, Sunday, he was under the necessity of reading a +dispatch from Gen. Lee, _announcing the surprise and capture of two +brigades on the Rappahannock_! + +This is a dark and gloomy day, spitting snow; while not a few are +despondent from the recent disasters to our arms. It is supposed that we +lost 3000 or 4000 men on Saturday. A day or two before, Gen. Echols had +his brigade cut up at Lewisburg! _Per contra_, Brig.-Gen. W. E. Jones +captured, on Saturday, at Rogerville, 850 prisoners, 4 pieces of +artillery, 2 stands of colors, 60 wagons, and 1000 animals. Our loss, 2 +killed and 8 wounded. So reads a dispatch from "R. Ransom, Major-Gen." + +There is some excitement in the city now, perhaps more than at any +former period. The disaster to the "Old Guard" has put in the mouths of +the croakers the famous words of Napoleon at Waterloo: "_Sauve qui +peut._" We have out our last reserves, and the enemy still advances. +They are advancing on North Carolina, and there was some danger of the +President being intercepted at Weldon. Thousands believe that Gen. Bragg +is about to retire from before Grant's army at Chattanooga. And to-day +bread is selling at 50 cents per loaf--small loaf! + +And now the Assistant Secretary of War, Judge Campbell, is "allowing" +men to pass to Maryland, through our lines. First, is a Rev. Mr. A. S. +Sloat, a chaplain in the army. He was degraded for some offense by his +own church, and his wife and children having preceded him (all being +Northern born), as stated in his letter on file, he is allowed a +passport to follow them. Recommended by Mr. S. R. Tucker. Second, Mr. +J. L. White and Mr. Forrester are "allowed" passports to go to Maryland +for ordnance stores. Recommended by Col. Gorgas. Third and lastly, "Tom +Wash. Smith" is "allowed," by the Assistant Secretary, to take fifteen +boxes of tobacco to Maryland, and promises to bring back "medical +stores." Recommended by B. G. Williams, one of Gen. Winder's detectives, +and by Capt. Winder, one of the general's sons. They bring in stores, +when they return, in saddle-bags, while whole cargoes are landed at +Wilmington! + +NOVEMBER 10TH.--It is supposed our loss in the surprise on Saturday did +not exceed 1500, killed, wounded, and taken. It is thought that a battle +will occur immediately, if it be not already in progress. + +There is no news of moment from any quarter, except the loss of our +steamer Cornubia, taken by the blockaders at Wilmington. She was laden +with government stores. For months nearly all ships with arms or +ammunition have been taken, while those having _merchandise on board get +in safely_. _These bribe their way through!_ + +Col. Gorgas gave notice to-day that our supply of saltpeter will be +exhausted in January, unless we can import a large quantity. + +Another blue day! + +NOVEMBER 11TH.--No news. I saw, to-day, Gen. Lee's letter of the 7th +instant, simply announcing the capture of Hoke's and Haye's brigades. +They were on the north side of the river, guarding the _pont de tete_. +There is no excuse, no palliation. He said it was likely Meade's entire +army would cross. This had been sent by the Secretary to the President, +who indorsed upon it as follows: "If it be possible to reinforce, it +should be done promptly. Can any militia or local defense men be made +available?--J. D." + +Gen. Whiting writes that he has refused to permit Mr. Crenshaw's +correspondence with Collie & Co. to pass uninspected, from a knowledge +of the nature of previous correspondence seen by him. + +The Northern papers state that Mr. Seward has authorized them to publish +the fact that the French Government has seized the Confederate rams +building in the ports of France. + +I have written Custis Lee, the President's aid, that but one alternative +now remains: for the President, or some _one_ else, to assume all power, +temporarily, and crush the speculators. This I think is the only chance +of independence. I may be mistaken--but we shall see. + +Capt. Warner, who feeds the 13,000 prisoners here, when he has the means +of doing so, says Col. Northrop, the Commissary, does not respond to his +requisitions for meat. He fears the prisoners will take or destroy the +city, and talks of sending his family out of it. + +I condemned the reign of martial law in this city, in 1862, as it was +not then necessary, and because its execution was intrusted to improper +and obnoxious men. But now I am inclined to think it necessary not only +here, but everywhere in the Confederacy. Many farmers refuse to get out +their grain, or to sell their meat, because they say they have enough +Confederate money! money for the redemption of which their last negro +and last acre are responsible. So, if they be permitted to maintain this +position, neither the army nor the non-producing class of the population +can be subsisted; and, of course, all classes must be involved in a +common ruin. A Dictator might prevent the people from destroying +themselves, and it seems that nothing short of extreme measures can +prevent it. But, again, suppose the Federal Government were to propose a +sweeping amnesty, and exemption from confiscation to all who should +subscribe to a reconstruction of the Union--and this, too, at a time of +suffering and despondency--and so large a body were to embrace the terms +as to render a prolongation of the war impracticable? What would the +money the farmers now possess be worth? And what would become of the +slaves, especially in Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Missouri? + +NOVEMBER 12TH.--No accounts of any fighting, but plenty of battles +looked for. + +A. A. Little writes to the Secretary of War from Fredericksburg, that +the attempt to remove the iron from the Aquia Railroad by the government +having failed, now is the time for private enterprise to effect it. If +the Secretary "will say the word," it can be done. He says the iron is +worth "millions, its weight in gold!" Will Mr. Seddon let it be saved? +Yes, indeed. + +Mr. Heyliger, agent at Nassau, writes on the 3d instant (just a week +ago), that he is shipping bacon by every steamer (three or four per +week), leather, percussion caps, and a large amount of quartermaster's +stores. But the supply of lead and saltpeter is exhausted, and he hopes +the agents in Europe will soon send more. About one in every four +steamers is captured by the enemy. We can afford that. + +The President sent over to-day, for the perusal of the Secretary of War, +a long letter from Gen. Howell Cobb, dated at Atlanta, on the 7th +instant. He had just returned from a visit to Bragg's army, and reports +that there is a better feeling among the officers for Gen. Bragg, who +is regaining their confidence. However, he says it is to be wished that +more cordiality subsisted between Generals Bragg and ------, his ---- in +command. He thinks Generals B------ and C------ might be relieved +without detriment to the service, if they cannot be reconciled to Bragg. +He hints at some important movement, and suggests co-operation from +Virginia by a demonstration in East Tennessee. + +It is generally believed that France has followed the example of +England, by seizing our rams. Thus the whole world seems combined +against us. And Mr. Seward has made a speech, breathing fire and +destruction unless we submit to Lincoln as our President. He says he was +fairly elected President for four years of the whole United States, and +there can be no peace until he is President of all the States, to which +he is justly entitled. A war for the President! + +NOVEMBER 13TH.--No news of battles yet. But we have a rumor of the +burning of the fine government steamer R. E. Lee, chased by the +blockaders. That makes two this week. + +Gen. Lee dispatched the President, yesterday, as follows: + +"Orange C. H., Nov. 12th.--For the last five days we have only received +three pounds of corn per horse, from Richmond, per day. We depend on +Richmond for corn. At this rate, the horses will die, and cannot do hard +work. The enemy is very active, and we must be prepared for hard work +any day.--R. E. LEE." + +On the back of which the President indorsed: "Have the forage sent up in +preference to anything else. The necessity is so absolute as to call for +every possible exertion.--JEFFERSON DAVIS." + +Perhaps this may rouse the department. Horses starving in the midst of +corn-fields ready for gathering! Alas, what mismanagement! + +I cut the following from the _Dispatch_: + +"FLOUR.--We heard yesterday of sales of flour at $110 per barrel. We do +not, however, give this as the standard price; for, if the article was +in market, we believe that even a higher figure would be reached. A few +days since a load of flour was sent to an auction-house on Cary Street +to be sold at auction. The proprietors of the house very properly +declined to receive it, refusing to dispose of breadstuffs under the +hammer, where men of money, and destitute of souls, would have an +opportunity of buying it up and withdrawing it from market. + +"CORN-MEAL.--This article is bringing from $18 to $20 per bushel, and +scarce at that. + +"COUNTRY PRODUCE AND VEGETABLES.--We give the following as the wholesale +rates: Bacon, hoground, $2.75 to $3; lard, $2.25 to $2.30; butter, $3.75 +to $4; eggs, $2 to $2.25; Irish potatoes, $7.50 to $8; sweet potatoes, +$10.50 to $12; tallow candles, $4 per pound; salt, 45 cents per pound. + +"GROCERIES.--Coffee--wholesale, $9 per pound, retail, $10; sugar, $2.85 +to $3.25; sorghum molasses, wholesale, $10, and $14 to $15 at retail; +rice, 30 to 35 cents. + +"LIQUORS.--Whisky, $55 to $70 per gallon, according to quality, apple +brandy, $50; high proof rum, $50; French brandy, $80 to $100. + +"In the city markets fresh meats are worth $1.25 to $1.50 for beef and +mutton, and $2 for pork; chickens, $6 to $8 per pair; ducks, $7 to $8 +per pair; butter, $4.50 to $5 per pound; sweet potatoes, $2.50 per half +peck; Irish potatoes, $2 per half peck. + +"LEATHER.--Sole leather, $6.50 to $7.50 per pound; upper leather, $7.50 +to $8; harness leather, $5.50 to $6; hides are quoted at $2.50 to $2.75 +for dry, and $1.50 for salted green; tanners' oil, $4 to $5 per gallon. + +"TOBACCO.--Common article, not sound, $1 to $1.25; medium, pounds, dark, +$1.30 to $2; good medium bright, $2 to $2.75; fine bright, $2 to $4; +sweet 5's and 10's scarce and in demand, with an advance." + +My friend Capt. Jackson Warner sent me, to-day, two bushels of meal at +government price, $5 per bushel. The price in market is $20. Also nine +pounds of good beef, and a shank--for which he charged nothing, it being +part of a present to him from a butcher. + +NOVEMBER 14TH.--Some skirmishing between Chattanooga and Knoxville. From +prisoners we learn that the enemy at both those places are on half +rations, and that Grant intends to attack Bragg soon at Lookout +Mountain. Either Grant or Bragg must retire, as the present relative +positions cannot long be held. + +Mr. A. Moseley, formerly editor of the _Whig_, writes, in response to a +letter from the Secretary of War, that he deems our affairs in a rather +critical condition. He is perfectly willing to resume his labor, but can +see no good to be effected by him. He thinks, however, that the best +solution for the financial question would be to cancel the indebtedness +of the government to all except foreigners, and call it ($800,000,000) a +contribution to the wars--and the sacrifices would be pretty equally +distributed. He suggests the formation of an army, quietly, this winter, +to invade Pennsylvania next spring, leaving Lee still with his army on +this side of the Potomac. Nevertheless, he advises that no time should +be lost in securing foreign aid, while we are still able to offer some +equivalents, and before the enemy gets us more in his power. Rather +submit to terms with France and England, or with either, than submission +to the United States. Such are the opinions of a sagacious and +experienced editor. + +Another letter from Brig.-Gen. Meredith, Fortress Monroe, was received +to-day, with a report of an agent on the condition of the prisoners at +Fort Delaware. By this report it appears our men get meat three times a +day--coffee, tea, molasses, chicken soup, fried mush, etc. But it is not +stated _how much_ they get. The agent says they confess themselves +satisfied. Clothing, it would appear, is also issued them, and they have +comfortable sleeping beds, etc. He says several of our surgeons propose +taking the oath of allegiance, first resigning, provided they are +permitted to visit their families. Gen. M. asks for a similar report of +the rations, etc. served the Federal prisoners here, with an avowed +purpose of retaliation, provided the accounts of their condition be +true. I know not what response will be made; but our surgeon-general +recommends an inspection and report. They are getting sweet potatoes +now, and, generally they get bread and beef daily, when our +Commissary-General Northrop has them. But sometimes they have little or +no meat for a day or so at a time--and occasionally they have bread only +once a day. It is difficult to feed them, and I hope they will be +exchanged soon. But Northrop says our own soldiers must soon learn to do +without meat; and but few of us have little prospect of getting enough +to eat this winter. My family had a fine dinner to-day--the only one for +months. As for clothes, we are as shabby as Italian lazzaronis--with no +prospect whatever of replenished wardrobe, unless some European power +will come and take us, as the French have done Mexico. + +NOVEMBER 15TH.--After a fine rain all night, it cleared away +beautifully this morning, cool, but not unseasonable. There is no news +of importance. The Governor of Georgia recommends, in his message, that +the Legislature instruct their representatives in Congress to vote for a +repeal of the law allowing substitutes, and also to put the enrolling +officers in the ranks, leaving the States to send conscripts to the +army. The Georgia Legislature have passed a resolution, unanimously, +asking the Secretary of War to revoke the appointments of all impressing +agents in that State, and appoint none but civilians and citizens. I +hope the Secretary will act upon this hint. But will he? + +The papers contain the following: + +"_Arrived in Richmond._--Mrs. Todd, of Kentucky, the mother of Mrs. +Lincoln, arrived in this city on the steamer Schultz, Thursday night, +having come to City Point on a flag of truce boat. She goes South to +visit her daughter, Mrs. Helm, widow of Surgeon-General Helm, who fell +at Chickamauga. Mrs. Todd is about to take up her residence in the +South, all her daughters being here, except the wife of Lincoln, who is +in Washington, and Mrs. Kellogg, who is at present in Paris." + +"TO THE POOR.--C. Baumhard, 259 Main Street, between Seventh and Eighth, +has received a large quantity of freshly-ground corn-meal, which he will +sell to poor families at the following rates: one bushel, $16; half +bushel, $8; one peck, $4; half peck, $2." + +NOVEMBER 16TH.--Governor Brown, Georgia, writes the Secretary that he is +opposed to impressments, and that the government should pay the market +price--whatever that is. And the Rhett politicians of South Carolina are +opposed to raising funds to pay with, by taxing land and negroes. So +indicates the _Mercury_. + +We have news to-day of the crossing of the Rapidan River by Meade's +army. A battle, immediately, seems inevitable. + +NOVEMBER 17TH.--A cold, dark day. No news. It was a mistake about the +enemy crossing the Rapidan--only one brigade (cavalry) came over, and it +was beaten back without delay. + +Vice-President Stephens writes a long letter to the Secretary, opposing +the routine policy of furloughs, and extension of furloughs; suggesting +that in each district some one should have authority to grant them. He +says many thousands have died by being hastened back to the army +uncured of their wounds, etc.--preferring death to being advertised as +deserters. + +Captain Warner sent me a bag of sweet potatoes to-day, received from +North Carolina. We had an excellent dinner. + +NOVEMBER 18TH.--We have no news whatever, except some damage reported at +Charleston, done to two monitors yesterday. The bombardment has assumed +no new phase. + +A letter from Gen. J. E. Johnston, Meridian, Miss., indicates that the +Secretary has been writing him and saying that he was responsible for +the outrages of the impressing agents in his department. Gen. J. +disclaims the responsibility, inasmuch as the agents referred to act +under orders from the Commissary-General or Secretary of War. + +NOVEMBER 19TH.--Miss Harriet H. Fort, of Baltimore, has arrived via +Accomac and Northampton Counties, with a complete drawing of all the +defenses of Baltimore. + +The Medical Purveyor's Guards have petitioned the Secretary for higher +pay. They get now $1500 per annum, and say the city watchmen get $2300. + +Gens. Banks and Taylor in the West are corresponding and wrangling about +the exchange of prisoners--and the cartel is to be abrogated, probably. + +The Governor of Mississippi (Clark) telegraphs the President that the +Legislature (in session) is indignant at the military authorities for +impressing slaves. The President telegraphs back that the order was to +prevent them falling into the lines of the enemy, and none others were +to be disturbed. + +NOVEMBER 20TH.--We have reports of some successes to-day. Gen. Hampton, +it appears, surprised and captured several companies of the enemy's +cavalry, a day or two since, near Culpepper Court House. And Gen. +Wheeler has captured several hundred of the enemy in East Tennessee, +driving the rest into the fortifications of Knoxville. Gen. Longstreet, +at last accounts, was near Knoxville with the infantry. We shall not be +long kept in suspense--as Longstreet will not delay his action; and +Burnside may find himself in a "predicament." + +A private soldier writes the Secretary to-day that his mother is in +danger of starving--as she failed to get flour in Richmond, at $100 per +barrel. He says if the government has no remedy for this, he and his +comrades will throw down their arms and fly to some other country with +their families, where a subsistence may be obtained. + +Every night robberies of poultry, salt meats, and even of cows and hogs +are occurring. Many are desperate. + +NOVEMBER 21ST.--We have further reports from the West, confirming the +success of Longstreet. It is said he has taken 2200 prisoners, and is +probably at Knoxville. + +The President left the city this morning for Orange Court House, on a +visit to Gen. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia. + +We are a shabby-looking people now--gaunt, and many in rags. But there +is food enough, and cloth enough, if we had a Roman Dictator to order an +equitable distribution. + +The Secretary of War is destined to have an uncomfortable time. After +assuring the Legislature and the people that provisions in _transitu_ +would not be impressed, it is ascertained that the agents of the +Commissary-General are impressing such supplies, and the Secretary is +reluctant to interfere, the Commissary-General being understood to have +the support of the President. + +A committee of the Grand Jury yesterday submitted a paper to the +President, on the subject of provisions--indicating the proximity of +famine, and deprecating impressments. The President sent it to the +Secretary, saying Mr. Seddon would no doubt take measures to keep the +people of Richmond from starving; and directing the Secretary to +"confer" with him. But to-day he is off to the army, and perhaps some +may starve before any relief can be afforded. + +A genteel suit of clothes cannot be had now for less than $700. A pair +of boots, $200--if good. I saw to-day, suspended from a window, an +opossum dressed for cooking, with a card in its mouth, marked "price, +$10." It weighed about four pounds. I luxuriated on parsnips to-day, +from my own little garden. + +A dollar in gold sold for $18 Confederate money, to-day. Our paper is +constantly depreciating; and I think it is past redemption, unless we +adopt Mr. Moseley's plan, and cause some six or eight hundred millions +to be canceled, and fix a maximum price for all commodities necessary +for the support of life. Congress will never agree upon any measure of +relief. But if the paper money be repudiated, nevertheless we shall +have our independence, unless the Southern people should become mad, +divided among themselves. Subjugation of a united people, such as ours, +occupying such a vast extent of territory, is impossible. The tenure of +its occupation by an invading army would always be uncertain, and a +million would be required to hold it. + +A hard rain commenced falling this evening, and continued in the night. +This, I suppose, will put an end to operations in Virginia, and we shall +have another respite, and hold Richmond at least another winter. But +such weather must cause severe suffering among the prisoners on Belle +Isle, where there are not tents enough for so large a body of men. Their +government may, however, now consent to an exchange. Day before +yesterday some 40,000 rations were sent them by the United States +flag-boat--which will suffice for three days, by which time I hope many +will be taken away. Our Commissary-General Northrop has but little meat +and bread for them, or for our own soldiers in the field. It must be +confessed they have but small fare, and, indeed, all of us who have not +been "picking and stealing," fare badly. Yet we have quite as good +health, and much better appetites than when we had sumptuous living. + +NOVEMBER 22D.--We have nothing additional to-day, except another attempt +to take Fort Sumter by assault, which was discovered before the crews of +the boats landed, and of course it was defeated. Since then some shells +have been thrown into the city of Charleston, doing little damage. + +This morning was bright and warm, the clouds having passed away in the +night. + +NOVEMBER 23D.--Nothing of moment from the armies, although great events +are anticipated soon. + +On Saturday, Gen. Winder's or Major Griswold's head of the passport +office, Lieut. Kirk, was arrested on the charge of selling passports at +$100 per man to a Mr. Wolf and a Mr. Head, who transported passengers to +the Potomac. W. and H. were in prison, and made the charge or +confession. This passport business has been our bane ever since Gen. +Winder got control of it under Mr. Benjamin. Lieut. K. is from +Louisiana, but originally from New York. + +Mr. Benjamin sent over to-day extracts from dispatches from Mr. Slidell +and a Mr. Hotze, agent, showing how the government is swindled in Europe +by the purchasing agents of the bureaus here. One, named Chiles, in the +purchase of $650,000, Mr. Slidell says, was to realize $300,000 profit! +And Mr. Hotze (who is he?) says the character and credit of the +government are ruined abroad by its own agents! Mr. Secretary Seddon +will soon see into this matter. + +Capt. Warner says the Federal prisoners here have had no meat for three +days, Commissary-General Northrop having none, probably, to issue. One +hundred tons rations, however, came up for them yesterday on the flag +boat. + +Exchange on London sells at $1 for $18.50, and gold brings about the +same. Our paper money, I fear, has sunk beyond _redemption_. We have +lost _five_ steamers lately; and it is likely the port of Wilmington +(our last one) will be hermetically sealed. Then we shall soon be +destitute of ammunition, unless we retake the mineral country from the +enemy. + +Mr. Memminger has sent a press to the trans-Mississippi country, to +issue paper money there. + +Mr. Slidell writes that all our shipments to and from Matamoras ought to +be under the French flag. There may be something in this. + +The President was expected back to-day; and perhaps came in the evening. +He is about to write his message to Congress, which assembles early in +December, and perhaps he desired to consult Gen. Lee. + +Everywhere the people are clamorous against the sweeping impressments of +crops, horses, etc. And at the same time we have accounts of corn, and +hay, and potatoes rotting at various depots! Such is the management of +the bureaus. + +The clerks are in great excitement, having learned that a proposition +will be brought forward to put all men under forty-five years of age in +the army. It will be hard to carry it; for the heads of departments +generally have nephews, cousins, and pets in office, young and rich, who +care not so much for the salaries (though they get the best) as for +exemption from service in the field. And the editors will oppose it, as +they are mostly of conscript age. And the youthful members of Congress +could not escape odium if they exempted themselves, unless disabled by +wounds. + +NOVEMBER 24TH.--The President is expected back to-day. A letter from +Gen. Lee indicates that the Commissary-General has been suggesting that +he (the general) should impress supplies for his army. This the general +deprecates, and suggests that if supplies cannot be purchased, they +should be impressed by the agents of the Commissary Department; and that +the burden should be laid on the farmers equally, in all the States. +Gen. Lee does not covet the odium. But it is plain, now, that the +extortionate farmers, who were willing to see us non-producing people +starve, unless we paid them ten prices for their surplus products, will +be likely to get only the comparatively low schedule price fixed by the +government. Instead of $20 per bushel for potatoes, they will receive +only $2 or $3. This will be a good enough maximum law. But the +government _must_ sell to us at cost, or I know not what may be the +consequences. + +NOVEMBER 25TH.--We have an unintelligible dispatch from Gen. Bragg, +saying he had, yesterday, a prolonged contest with the enemy for the +possession of Lookout Mountain, during which one of his divisions +suffered severely, and that the manoeuvring of the hostile army was +for position. This was the purport, and the language, as well as I +remember. There is no indication of the probable result--no intimation +whether the position was gained. But the belief is general that Bragg +will retreat, and that the enemy may, if he will, penetrate the heart of +the South! To us it _seems_ as if Bragg has been in a fog ever since the +battle of the 20th of September. He refused to permit ---- to move on +the enemy's left for nearly two months, and finally consented to it when +the enemy had been reinforced by 30,000 from Meade, and by Sherman's +army from Memphis, of 20,000, just when he could not spare a large +detachment! In other words, lying inert before a defeated army, when +concentrated; and dispersing his forces when the enemy was reinforced +and concentrated! If disaster ensues, the government will suffer the +terrible consequences, for it assumed the responsibility of retaining +him in command when the whole country (as the press says) demanded his +removal. + +From letters received the last few days at the department, I perceive +that the agents of the government are impressing everywhere--horses, +wagons, hogs, cattle, grain, potatoes, etc. etc.--leaving the farmers +only enough for their own subsistence. This will insure subsistence for +the army, and I hope it will be a death-blow to speculation, as +government pays less than one-fourth the prices demanded in market. Let +the government next sell to non-producers; and every man of fighting age +will repair to the field, and perhaps the invader may be driven back. + +We have the speech of the French Emperor, which gives _us_ no +encouragement, but foreshadows war with Russia, and perhaps a general +war in Europe. + +We have rain again. This may drive the armies in Virginia into winter +quarters, as the roads will be impracticable for artillery. + +The next battle will be terrific; not many men on either side will be +easily taken prisoners, _as exchanges have ceased_. + +Dr. Powell brought us a bushel of meal to-day, and some persimmons. + +NOVEMBER 26TH.--The weather is clear and bright again; but, oh, how dark +and somber the faces of the croakers! + +The following dispatches have been received: + + [BATTLE AT LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN.] + + (OFFICIAL DISPATCH.) + + "MISSION RIDGE, Nov. 24th, 1863. + + "TO GEN. S. COOPER. + + "We have had a prolonged struggle for Lookout Mountain to-day, and + sustained considerable loss in one division. Elsewhere the enemy + has only manoeuvred for position. + + "[Signed] BRAXTON BRAGG, _General_." + + + _The Latest--Official._ + + "CHICKAMAUGA, Nov. 25th, 1863. + + "GEN. S. COOPER, A. AND I. GENERAL. + + "After several unsuccessful assaults on our lines to-day, the enemy + carried the left center about four o'clock. The whole left soon + gave way in considerable disorder. The right maintained its ground, + repelling every assault. I am withdrawing all to this point. + + "[Signed] BRAXTON BRAGG. + + "Official--JOHN WITHERS, A. A. G." + +All agree in the conviction that the enemy has been defeated--perhaps +badly beaten. + +Hon. H. S. Foote, just arrived from the vicinity of the field, says +Bragg has only some 20,000 or 30,000 men, while Grant has 90,000, and he +infers that incalculable disaster will ensue. + +And Meade is steadily advancing. Gen. Pickett, at Petersburg, has been +ordered to send some of his troops north of Richmond, for the defense of +the railroad in Hanover County. + +Miss Stevenson, sister of Major-Gen. Stevenson, has written the +President for employment in one of the departments. He referred it to +Mr. Memminger, who indorsed on it, coldly, as usual, there were no +vacancies, and a hundred applications. The President sent it to the +Secretary of War. He will be more polite. + +Another letter to-day from Mr. Memminger, requesting that a company, +commanded by a son of his friend, Trenholm, of Charleston, be stationed +at Ashville, where his family is staying. + +Lieut.-Gen. D. H. Hill has applied for a copy of Gen. Bragg's letter +asking his removal from his army. The President sends a copy to the +Secretary, who will probably comply, and there may be a personal affair, +for Bragg's strictures on Hill as a general were pretty severe. + +There are rumors of a break in the cabinet, a majority, it is said, +having been in favor of Bragg's removal. + +Bragg's disaster so shocked my son Custis that, at dinner, when asked +for rice, he poured water into his sister's plate, the pitcher being +near. + +NOVEMBER 27TH.--Dark and gloomy. At 10 o'clock Gov. Vance, of North +Carolina, telegraphed the Secretary of War, asking if anything +additional had been heard from Bragg. The Secretary straightened in his +chair, and answered that he knew nothing but what was published in the +papers. + +At 1 o'clock P.M. a dispatch was received from Bragg, dated at +_Ringgold, Ga._, some thirty miles from the battle-field of the day +before. Here, however, it is thought he will make a stand. But if he +could not hold his mountain position, what can he do in the plain? We +know not yet what proportion of his army, guns, and stores he got +away--but he must have retreated rapidly. + +Meade is advancing, and another battle seems imminent. + +To-day a countryman brought a game-cock into the department. Upon being +asked what he intended to do with it, he said it was his purpose to send +its left wing to Bragg! + +NOVEMBER 28TH.--It rained last night. To-day there is an expectation of +a battle near Chancellorville, the battle-ground of June last. Meade is +certainly advancing, and Pickett's division, on the south side of the +James River, at Chaffin's Farm, is ordered to march toward Lee, guarding +the railroad, and the local defense men are ordered out. + +My son Custis goes with his battalion to Chaffin's Farm in the morning. + +There are rumors of six or eight thousand of the enemy marching up the +line of the James River against Petersburg, etc. We have also a rumor of +Gen. Rosser having captured the wagon train of two divisions of the +enemy in Culpepper County. + +From Bragg not a word since his dispatch from Ringgold, Ga., and nothing +from Longstreet. + +Gen. Whiting writes that a large number of Jews and others with gold, +having put in substitutes, and made their fortunes, are applying for +passage out of the country. They fear their substitutes will no longer +keep them out of the army. Gen. W. says they have passports from +Richmond, and that the spy who published in the North an account of the +defenses of Wilmington, had a passport from Richmond. The government +will never realize the injury of the loose passport system until it is +ruined. + +Never have I known such confusion. On the 26th inst. the Secretary +ordered Gen. Pickett, whose headquarters were at Petersburg, to send a +portion of his division to Hanover Junction, it being apprehended that a +raid might be made in Lee's rear. Gen. P. telegraphs that the French +steam frigate was coming up the river (what for?), and that two Federal +regiments and three companies of cavalry menaced our lines on the south +side of the river. The Secretary sent this to Gen. Elzey, on this side +of the river, asking if his pickets and scouts could not get information +of the movements of the enemy. To-day Gen. E. sends back the paper, +saying his scouts could not cross the river and get within the enemy's +lines. So the government is in a fog--and if the enemy knew it, and it +may, the whole government might be taken before any dispositions for +defense could be made. Incompetency in Richmond will some day lose it. + +Three o'clock P.M. The weather is clear, and Lee and Meade may fight, +and it may be a decisive battle. + +I met Mr. Foote, of Tennessee, to-day. He asked me if I did not think +our affairs were in a desperate condition. I replied that I did not know +that they were not, and that when one in my position did not know, they +must be bad enough. + +NOVEMBER 29TH.--The clerks were marched out into the muddy street this +morning in a cold rain, and stood there for hours, while the officers +were making up their minds when to start for the boat to convey them to +Drewry's Bluff, whence they are to march to Chaffin's Farm, provided the +officers don't change their minds. + +There are reports of a repulse of the enemy by Lee yesterday, and also +of a victory by Bragg, but they are not traceable to authentic sources. + +At 3 o'clock P.M. it is cold, but has ceased to rain. + +The want of men is our greatest want, and I think it probable Congress +will repeal the Substitute Law, and perhaps the Exemption Act. Something +must be done to put more men in the ranks, or all will be lost. The rich +have contrived to get out, or to keep out, and there are not poor men +enough to win our independence. All, with very few exceptions, between +the ages of 18 and 45, must fight for freedom, else we may not win it. + +NOVEMBER 30TH.--It is clear and cold. The boat in which my son and the +battalion of clerks went down the river yesterday, sunk, from being +overloaded, just as it got to the landing. It is said some of the boys +had to wade ashore; but none were lost--thank God! + +This morning early, Lee and Meade confronted each other in battle array, +and no one doubts a battle is in progress to-day this side of the +Rapidan. Lee is outnumbered some two to one, but Meade has a swollen +river in his rear. It is an awful moment. + +I took my remaining son to the office this morning, to aid me in +Custis's absence. + +At night. Nothing has yet been heard from the battle, if indeed it +occurred to-day. It is said that Meade is _ordered_ to fight. They know +at Washington it is too late in the season, in the event of Meade's +defeat, for Lee to menace that city, or to invade Pennsylvania. It is a +desperate effort to crush the "rebellion," as they suppose, by advancing +all their armies. And indeed it seems that Meade is quite as near to +Richmond as Lee; for he seems to be below the latter on the +Rappahannock, with his back to Fredericksburg, and Lee's face toward it. +If Meade should gain the victory, he might possibly cut off Lee from +this city. Nevertheless, these positions are the result of Lee's +manoeuvres, and it is to be supposed he understands his business. He +has no fear of Meade's advance in this direction with his communications +cut behind him. + +Captain Warner has sold me two pieces of bacon again, out of his own +smoke-house, at $1 per pound, while it is selling in the market at $3.50 +per pound--and he has given us another bushel of sweet potatoes. Had it +not been for this kind friend, my little revenue would not have sufficed +for subsistence. + +While the soldiers are famishing for food, what is called "red tapeism" +prevents the consummation of contracts to supply them. Captains +Montgomery and Leathers, old steamboat captains, with ample capital, and +owning the only steamboats in certain waters of Florida, have just +proposed to furnish the government with a million pounds salt beef, on +the main line of railroad in Florida, at a reduced price. The cattle are +exposed to incursions of the enemy, and have to be transported by +steamboats. They endeavored to make a proposal directly to the +Secretary, which was so expressed in the communication I prepared for +them--as they were unwilling to treat with Col. Northrop, the +Commissary-General, who has become extremely obnoxious. But it was +intercepted, and referred to the Commissary-General. Learning this, the +captains abandoned their purpose and left the city--the Secretary never +having seen their proposal. Our soldiers will not get the beef, and +probably the enemy will. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +Assembling of Congress.--President's message.--The markets.--No hope for + the Confederate currency.--Averill's raid.--Letter from Gov. Vance.-- + Christmas.--Persons having furnished substitutes still liable to + military duty. + + +DECEMBER 1ST.--This morning the ground is frozen hard. There was no +battle yesterday, only heavy skirmishing. Both armies were drawn up in +line of battle, and the front lines slept on their arms. Some froze to +death. This morning the enemy opened with artillery--but no battle +ensued that we are aware of. + +At the last accounts from Bragg he was still retiring, near Dalton. His +army must be nearly broken up. + +Bragg, it is rumored to-day, has been relieved. + +DECEMBER 2D.--No battle yet, though still hourly expected on the old +field near the Rappahannock. And we have nothing definite from the West. + +The appointment of Beauregard to succeed Bragg is not officially +announced; and the programme may be changed. + +DECEMBER 3D.--Meade recrossed the Rapidan last night! This is a greater +relief to us than the enemy has any idea of. I hope the campaign is over +for the winter. + +And we have authentic advices of a terrible check given the enemy at +Ringgold, Ga.; their killed and wounded being estimated at 2000, which +caused Grant to recoil, and retire to Chickamauga, where he is +intrenching. + +After all, it is doubted whether Beauregard is to succeed Bragg. +Lieut.-Gen. Hardee is in command, temporarily, and it may be +permanently. Bragg was relieved at his own request. I know he requested +the same thing many months ago. A full general should command there. + +DECEMBER 4TH.--The only thing new to-day is a dispatch from Gen. +Longstreet, before Knoxville, stating that he had been repulsed in an +assault upon the place, and calling for reinforcements, which, alas! +cannot be sent him. + +Hon. Mr. Henry, from Tennessee, estimates our loss in prisoners in +Bragg's defeat at but little over 1000, and 30 guns. We captured 800 +prisoners. + +We have intelligence to-day of the escape of Brig.-Gen. Jno. H. Morgan +from the penitentiary in Ohio, where the enemy had confined him. + +DECEMBER 5TH.--It has begun to rain again; and yet the clerks are kept +at Chaffin's Bluff, although the roads are impracticable, and no +approach of the enemy reported. + +There is not a word of news from the armies on the Rapidan or in +Georgia. + +A collision between the Confederate and State authorities in Georgia is +imminent, on the question of "just compensation" for sugar seized by the +agents of the Commissary-General--whose estimates for the ensuing year +embrace an item of $50,000,000 to be paid for sugar. The Supreme Court +of Georgia has decided that if taken, it must be paid for at a fair +valuation, and not at a price to suit the Commissary-General. It is the +belief of many, that these seizures involve many frauds, to enrich the +Commissaries. + +DECEMBER 6TH.--It is clear and cold again. Custis came home last +evening, after a week's sojourn at Chaffin's Bluff, where, however, +there were tents. Some 1500 local troops, or "National Guards," had been +sent there to relieve Pickett's division, recalled by Lee; but when +Meade recrossed the Rapidan, there was no longer any necessity for the +"Guards" to remain on duty. A brigade of regulars goes down to-day. +Custis says it was the third day before ammunition was issued! Yesterday +he heard shelling down the river, by the enemy's gun-boats. + +I had a conversation with Col. Northrop, Commissary-General, to-day. He +anticipates a collision between the Confederate and State authorities on +the impressment question. He says the law was intended to secure +subsistence for both the people and the army; but there is not +sufficient grain in the States. Therefore the army must have what there +is, and the people must go without. I differed with him, and maintained +if a proper distribution were made there would be enough for all. + +To-morrow Congress assembles. It is to be apprehended that a conflict +with the Executive will ensue--instead of unanimity against the common +enemy--and no one living can foretell the issue, because no one knows +the extent of capacity and courage on either side. + +The President has made his cabinet a unit. + +DECEMBER 7TH.--Cold and clear. Gen. Longstreet telegraphs to-day from +Rutledge, Tenn., some fifty miles northeast of Knoxville, and says he +will soon need railroad facilities. He is flying from superior numbers, +and may be gathering up supplies. + +Governor Vance writes distressfully concerning the scarcity of +provisions in certain counties of North Carolina, and the rudeness of +impressing agents. + +Lieut.-Gen. Hardee telegraphs from Dalton that 5000 cavalry, besides two +brigades of Buckner's command, are with Longstreet, and that other +troops ought to be sent him (H.) to compensate for these detachments. + +Mr. L. S. White obtained another passport yesterday to go to Maryland, +on the recommendation of Col. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance. + +There was a quorum in Congress to-day; but the message was not sent in. + +A five-dollar gold piece sold at auction on Saturday for $140--$28 in +Confederate notes for one of gold. + +DECEMBER 8TH.--The President's message was sent to Congress to-day. I +was not present, but my son Custis, who heard it read, says the +President dwells largely on the conduct of foreign powers. To diminish +the currency, he recommends compulsory funding and large taxation, and +some process of diminishing the volume of Treasury notes. In other +words, a _suspension_ of such clauses of the Constitution as stand in +the way of a successful prosecution of the war. He suggests the repeal +of the Substitute law, and a modification of the Exemption act, etc. +To-morrow I shall read it myself. + +DECEMBER 9TH.--The President's message is not regarded with much favor +by the croakers. The long complaint against foreign powers for not +recognizing us is thought in bad taste, since all the points nearly had +been made in a previous message. They say it is like abusing a society +for not admitting one within its circle as well as another. The +President specifies no plan to cure the redundancy of the currency. He +is opposed to increasing the pay of the soldiers, and absolutely +reproaches the soldiers of the left wing of Bragg's army with not +performing their whole duty in the late battle. + +Mr. Foote denounced the President to-day. He said he had striven to keep +silent, but could not restrain himself while his State was bleeding--our +disasters being all attributable by him to the President, who retained +incompetent or unworthy men in command, etc. + +DECEMBER 10TH.--No news from any of the armies, except that Longstreet +has reached Bristol, Va. + +Yesterday, in Congress, Mr. Foote denounced the President as the author +of all the calamities; and he arraigned Col. Northrop, the +Commissary-General, as a monster, incompetent, etc.--and cited * * * * + +I saw Gen. Bragg's dispatch to-day, dated 29th ult., asking to be +relieved, and acknowledging his defeat. He says he must still fall back, +if the enemy presses vigorously. It is well the enemy did not know it, +for at that moment Grant was falling back on Chattanooga! Mr. Memminger +has sent to Congress an impracticable plan of remedying the currency +difficulty. + +To-day I saw copies of orders given a year ago by Gen. Pemberton to Col. +Mariquy and others, to barter cotton with the enemy for certain army and +other stores. + +It is the opinion of many that the currency must go the way of the old +Continental paper, the French assignats, etc., and that speedily. + +Passports are again being issued in profusion to persons going to the +United States. Judge Campbell, who has been absent some weeks, returned +yesterday. + +The following prices are quoted in to-day's papers: + +"The specie market has still an upward tendency. The brokers are now +paying $18 for gold and selling it at $21; silver is bought at $14 and +sold at $18. + +"GRAIN.--Wheat may be quoted at $15 to $18 per bushel, according to +quality. Corn is bringing from $14 to $15 per bushel. + +"FLOUR.--Superfine, $100 to $105; Extra, $105 to $110. + +"CORN-MEAL.--From $15 to $16 per bushel. + +"COUNTRY PRODUCE AND VEGETABLES.--Bacon, hoground, $3 to $3.25 per +pound; lard, $3.25 to $3.50; beef, 80 cents to $1; venison, $2 to $2.25; +poultry, $1.25 to $1.50; butter, $4 to $4.50; apples, $65, to $80 per +barrel; onions, $30 to $35 per bushel; Irish potatoes, $8 to $10 per +bushel; sweet potatoes, $12 to $15, and scarce; turnips, $5 to $6 per +bushel. These are the wholesale rates. + +"GROCERIES.--Brown sugars firm at $3 to $3.25; clarified, $4.50; English +crushed, $4.60 to $5; sorghum molasses, $13 to $14 per gallon; rice, 30 +to 32 cents per pound; salt, 35 to 40 cents; black pepper, $8 to $10. + +"LIQUORS.--Whisky, $55 to $75 per gallon; apple brandy, $45 to $50; rum, +proof, $55; gin, $60; French brandy, $80 to $125; old Hennessy, $180; +Scotch whisky, $90; champagne (extra), $350 per dozen; claret (quarts), +$90 to $100; gin, $150 per case; Alsop's ale (quarts), $110; pints, +$60." + +DECEMBER 12TH.--There was a rumor that Chattanooga had been evacuated; +but it turns out that the enemy are fortifying it, and mean to keep it, +while operating in East Tennessee. It is said Gen. Grant is to bring +30,000 men to Virginia, and assume command of the Army of the Potomac, +superseding Meade. He may be ordered to take Richmond next--if he can. +Hardee is yet commanding Bragg's army. + +I saw to-day a project, in Mr. Benjamin's handwriting, for a Bureau of +Export and Import. + +Mr. G. A. Myers got a passport to-day for a Mr. Pappenheimer, a rich +Jew; it was "allowed" by the Assistant Secretary of War. And a Mr. +Kerchner (another Jew, I suppose) got one on the recommendation of +Col. J. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance, to bring back stores in his +saddle-bags. + +Orders to-day were given that no more supplies from the United States +should be received by the Federal prisoners here. It seems that our men +in their hands are not even allowed the visits of their friends. + +DECEMBER 13TH.--Rained last night--and this morning we have warm April +weather and bright sunshine. + +It is getting to be the general belief among men capable of reflection, +that no jugglery can save the Confederate States currency. As well might +one lift himself from the earth by seizing his feet, as to legislate a +remedy. Whatever scheme may be devised to increase the value of the +Confederate States paper money, the obligor is the same. For the +redemption of the currency (now worth about five cents in specie to the +dollar), every citizen, and every description of property, has been +pledged; and as the same citizens and the same property must be pledged +for the redemption of any newly created currency, there is no reason to +suppose it would not likewise run the same career of depreciation. Nor +can bonds be worth more than notes. Success in the field, only, can +appreciate either; for none will or can be paid, if we fail to achieve +independence. + +The weather, this afternoon, is warm, calm, and clear; but the roads are +too soft for military operations. + +I am reading the Memoirs of Bishop Doane, by his son, Rev. William +Croswell Doane. He was the great bishop truly; and his son proves an +admirable biographer. I knew the bishop personally, and much of his +personal history; and hence this work is to me, and must be to many +others, very interesting. The coming year is to be an eventful one. We +shall be able (I hope) to put 400,000 effective men in the field; and +these, well handled, might resist a million of assailants from without. +We have the center, they the circumference; let them beware of +1864--when the United States shall find herself in the throes of an +embittered Presidential contest! + +DECEMBER 14TH.--We have President Lincoln's message to-day, and his +proclamation of amnesty to all who take an oath of allegiance, etc., and +advocate emancipation. There are some whom he exempts, of course. It is +regarded here as an electioneering document, to procure a renomination +for the Presidency in the radical Abolition Convention to assemble in a +few months. But it will add 100,000 men to our armies; and next year +will be the bloody year. + +Congress spent much of the day in secret session. + +A Baltimorean, last week, seeing a steamer there loading with goods of +various kinds for the Federal prisoners here, bought a box of +merchandise for $300, and put it on board, marked as if it contained +stores for the prisoners. He ran the blockade so as to meet the steamer +here; and obtained his box, worth, perhaps, $15,000. But all this is +forbidden hereafter. + +DECEMBER 15TH.--Bright, beautiful day--but, alas! the news continues +dark. Two companies of cavalry were surprised and taken on the Peninsula +day before yesterday; and there are rumors of disaster in Western +Virginia. + +Foote still keeps up a fire on the President in the House; but he is not +well seconded by the rest of the members, and it is probable the +President will regain his control. It is thought, however, the cabinet +will go by the board. + +DECEMBER 16TH.--The _Examiner_ to-day discovers that if the President's +project of enrolling all men, and detailing for civil pursuits such as +the Executive may designate, be adopted, that he will then be +constituted a DICTATOR--the best thing, possibly, that could happen in +the opinion of many; though the _Examiner_ don't think so. It is +probable the President will have what he wants. + +_Per contra_, the proposition of Senator Johnson, of Arkansas, requiring +members of the cabinet to be renominated at the expiration of every two +years, if passed, would be a virtual seizure of Executive powers by that +body. But it won't pass. + +DECEMBER 17TH.--Averill (Federal) made a raid a day or two since to +Salem (Roanoke County, Va.), cutting the Virginia and Tennessee +Railroad, destroying the depot, bridges, court-house, etc. + +Gen. J. E. Johnston has been ordered to take command of Bragg's army. + +I saw a communication from Lieut.-Col. Ruffin (Commissary Bureau), +suggesting the trade of cotton to the enemy in New Orleans for supplies, +meat, etc., a Mr. Pollard, of St. Louis, having proposed to barter meat +for cotton, which Col. Ruffin seems to discourage. + +Gen. Halleck has proposed a plan of exchange of prisoners, so far as +those we hold go. We have 15,000; they, 40,000. + +A letter from Mr. Underwood, of Rome, Ga., says our people fly from our +own cavalry, as they devastate the country as much as the enemy. + +We have a cold rain to-day. The bill prohibiting the employment of +substitutes has passed both Houses of Congress. When the Conscription +act is enlarged, all substitutes now in the army will have to serve for +themselves, and their employers will also be liable. + +DECEMBER 18TH.--Yesterday evening the battalion of clerks was to leave +for Western Virginia to meet the _raiders_. After keeping them in +waiting till midnight, the order was countermanded. It is said now that +Gen. Lee has sent three brigades after Averill and his 3000 men, and +hopes are entertained that the enemy may be captured. + +It is bright and cold to-day. + +DECEMBER 19TH.--Bright and cold. A resolution passed Congress, calling +on the President to report the number of men of conscript age removed +from the Quartermaster's and Commissary's Departments, in compliance +with the act of last session. The Commissary-General, in response, +refers only to _clerks_--none of whom, however, it seems have been +removed. + +Capt. Alexander, an officer under Gen. Winder, in charge of Castle +Thunder (prison), has been relieved and arrested for malfeasance, etc. + +Gen. C. J. McRae, charged with the investigation of the accounts of +Isaacs, Campbell & Co., London, with Major Huse, the purchasing agent of +Col. J. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance, reports irregularities, overcharges, +etc., and recommends retention of gold and cotton in this country +belonging to I., C. & Co. + +Mr. ---- informed me to-day that he signed a contract with the +Commissary-General last night to furnish meat on the Mississippi in +Tennessee, in exchange for cotton. He told me that the proposition was +made by the Federal officers, and will have their connivance, if not the +connivance of Federal functionaries in Washington, interested in the +speculation. Lieut.-Col. Ruffin prefers trading with the enemy at New +Orleans. + +It is rumored that Mr. Seddon will resign, and be succeeded by Gov. +Letcher; notwithstanding Hon. James Lyons asserted in public (and it +appears in the _Examiner_ to-day) that Gov. L. told Gen. J. R. Anderson +last year, subsequent to the fall of Donelson, "he was still in favor of +the Union." + +DECEMBER 20TH.--We have nothing new yet from Averill's raiders; but it +is said Gen. Lee has set a trap for them. From East Tennessee there is a +report that a battle has taken place somewhere in that region, but with +what result is not yet known. + +There is much consternation among the Jews and other speculators here, +who have put in substitutes and made money. They fear that their +substitutes will be made liable by legislative action, and then the +principals will be called for. Some have contributed money to prevent +the passage of such a law, and others have spent money to get permission +to leave the country. Messrs. Gilmer and Myers, lawyers, have their +hands full. + +The Confederate States Tax act of last session of Congress is a failure, +in a great measure, in Virginia. It is said only 30,000 bushels of wheat +have been received! But the Governor of Alabama writes that over +5,000,000 pounds of bacon will be paid by that State. + +DECEMBER 21ST.--We have dispatches to-day from Western Virginia, giving +hope of the capture of Averill and his raiders. + +Such is the scarcity of provisions, that rats and mice have mostly +disappeared, and the cats can hardly be kept off the table. + +DECEMBER 22D.--Averill has escaped, it is feared. But it is said one of +his regiments and all his wagons will be lost. + +Gen. Longstreet writes (16th instant) that he must suspend active +operations for the want of shoes and clothing. The Quarter-master-General +says he sent him 3500 blankets a few days since. + +There are fifty-one quartermasters and assistant quartermasters +stationed in this city! + +Pound cakes, size of a small Dutch oven, sell at $100. Turkeys, from $10 +to $40. + +DECEMBER 23D.--Nothing further from the West. But we have reliable +information of the burning (accidentally, I suppose) of the enemy's +magazine at Yorktown, destroying all the houses, etc. + +I learn to-day that the Secretary of War revoked the order confiscating +blockade goods brought from the enemy's country. + +DECEMBER 24TH.--Another interposition of Providence in behalf of my +family. The bookseller who purchased the edition of the first volume of +my "Wild Western Scenes--new series," since Mr. Malsby's departure from +the country, paid me $300 to-day, copyright, and promises more very +soon. I immediately bought a load of coal, $31.50, and a half cord of +wood for $19. I must now secure some food for next month. + +Among the papers sent in by the President, to-day, was one from Gen. +Whiting, who, from information received by him, believes there will be +an attack on Wilmington before long, and asks reinforcements. + +One from Gen. Beauregard, intimating that he cannot spare any of his +troops for the West, or for North Carolina. The President notes on this, +however, that the troops may be sent where they may seem to be actually +needed. + +Also an application to permit one of Gen. Sterling Price's sons to visit +the Confederate States, which the President is not disposed to grant. + +The lower house of Congress yesterday passed a bill putting into the +army all who have hitherto kept out of it by employing substitutes. I +think the Senate will also pass it. There is great consternation among +the speculators. + +DECEMBER 25TH.--No war news to-day. But a letter, an impassioned one, +from Gov. Vance, complains of outrages perpetrated by detached bodies of +Confederate States cavalry, in certain counties, as being worse than any +of the plagues of Egypt: and says that if any such scourge had been sent +upon the land, the children of Israel would not have been followed to +the Red Sea. In short, he informs the Secretary of War, if no other +remedy be applied, he will collect his militia and levy war against the +Confederate States troops! I placed that letter on the Secretary's +table, for his Christmas dinner. As I came out, I met Mr. Hunter, +President of the Senate, to whom I mentioned the subject. He said, +phlegmatically, that many in North Carolina were "prone to act in +opposition to the Confederate States Government." + +Yesterday the President sent over a newspaper, from Alabama, containing +an article marked by him, in which he was very severely castigated for +hesitating to appoint Gen. J. E Johnston to the command of the western +army. _Why_ he sent this I can hardly conjecture, for I believe Johnston +has been assigned to that command; but I placed the paper in the hands +of the Secretary. + +My son Custis, yesterday, distributed proposals for a night-school +(classical), and has some applications already. He is resolved to do all +he can to aid in the support of the family in these cruel times. + +It is a sad Christmas; cold, and threatening snow. My two youngest +children, however, have decked the parlor with evergreens, crosses, +stars, etc. They have a cedar Christmas-tree, but it is not burdened. +Candy is held at $8 per pound. My two sons rose at 5 A.M. and repaired +to the canal to meet their sister Anne, who has been teaching Latin and +French in the country; but she was not among the passengers, and this +has cast a shade of disappointment over the family. + +A few pistols and crackers are fired by the boys in the streets--and +only a few. I am alone; all the rest being at church. It would not be +safe to leave the house unoccupied. Robberies and murders are daily +perpetrated. + +I shall have no turkey to-day, and do not covet one. It is no time for +feasting. + +DECEMBER 26TH.--No army news. No papers. No merriment this Christmas. +Occasionally an _exempt_, who has speculated, may be seen drunk; but a +somber heaviness is in the countenances of men, as well as in the sky +above. Congress has adjourned over to Monday. + +DECEMBER 27TH.--From Charleston we learn that on Christmas night the +enemy's shells destroyed a number of buildings. It is raining to-day: +better than snow. + +To-day, Sunday, Mr. Hunter is locked up with Mr. Seddon, at the war +office. No doubt he is endeavoring to persuade the Secretary not to +relinquish office. Mr. S. is the only Secretary of War over whom Mr. +Hunter could ever exercise a wholesome influence. Mr. Stephens, the +Vice-President, is still absent; and Mr. H. is president of the Senate. + +Mr. Hunter is also a member of the Committee on Finance, and the +protracted consultations may refer mainly to that subject--and a +difficult one it is. Besides, if this revolution be doomed by Providence +to failure, Mr. Hunter would be the most potent negotiator in the +business of reconstruction. He has great interests at stake, and would +save his property--and of course his life. + +Another letter from Gov. Vance demands the return of some 300 bales of +cotton loaned the Confederate States. He likewise applies for the +extension of a detail of a North Carolina soldier, "for satisfactory +reasons." + +DECEMBER 28TH.--Averill has escaped, losing a few hundred men, and his +wagons, etc. The Chesapeake, that sailed out of New York, and was +subsequently taken by the passengers (Confederates), was hotly followed +to Canada, where it was surrendered to the British authorities by the +United States officers, after being abandoned. + +DECEMBER 29TH.--A letter from the President, for the Secretary of War, +marked "private," came in to-day at 2 P.M. Can it be an acceptance of +his resignation? + +A resolution has been introduced in the House of Representatives to +inquire into the fact of commissioned officers doing clerical duties in +Richmond receiving "allowances," which, with their pay, make their +compensation enormous. A colonel, here, gets more compensation monthly +than Gen. Lee, or even a member of the cabinet! + +Mr. Ould, agent of exchange, has sent down some 500 prisoners, in +exchange for a like number sent up by the enemy. But he has been +instructed by the President not to hold correspondence with Gen. Butler, +called "the Beast," who is in command at Fortress Monroe. + +My daughters have plaited and sold several hats, etc., and to-day they +had a large cake (costing $10) from their savings. And a neighbor sent +in some egg-nog to my daughter Anne, just arrived from the country. + +Gen. Winder reported to the Secretary, to-day, that there were no guards +at the bridges, the militia refusing to act longer under his orders. + +DECEMBER 30TH.--A memorial from the army has been presented in both +houses of Congress. + +The speech of Mr. Foote, relative to a Dictator, has produced some +sensation in the city, and may produce more. + +A great many Jews and speculators are still endeavoring to get out of +the country with their gains. + +To-day Mr. Davies paid me $350 more, the whole amount of copyright on +the 5000 copies of the first volume of new "Wild Western Scenes," +published by Malsby. He proposes to publish the second volume as soon as +he can procure the necessary paper. + +DECEMBER 31ST.--Yesterday the Senate passed the following bill, it +having previously passed the House: + +"_A Bill to be entitled An Act to put an end to the exemption from +military service of those who have heretofore furnished substitutes._ + +"Whereas, in the present circumstances of the country, it requires the +aid of all who are able to bear arms, the Congress of the Confederate +States of America do enact, That no person shall be exempted from +military service by reason of his having furnished a substitute; but +this act shall not be so construed as to affect persons who, though not +liable to render military service, have, nevertheless, put in +substitutes." + +It was preceded by discussion, yet only two votes were cast in the +negative. Mr. Wigfall, it is said, was strangely indisposed; however +that might be, his speech is represented as being one of the best ever +delivered by him. + +To-morrow the President throws open his house for a public reception: +his enemies allege that this is with a view to recovering popularity! + +It rained during the whole of this day. Nevertheless, the Jews have been +fleeing to the woods with their gold, resolved to take up their abode in +the United States rather than fight for the Confederate States, where +they leave in the ranks the substitutes hired by them. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +Hospitalities of the city to Gen. Morgan.--Call for a Dictator.--Letter + from Gen. Lee.--Letters from Gov. Vance.--Accusation against Gen. + Winder.--Treatment of Confederate prisoners (from the _Chicago + Times_).--Change of Federal policy.--Efforts to remove Col. + Northrop.--Breach between the President and Congress.--Destitution + of our prisoners.--Appeal of Gen. Lee to the army.--New Conscription + Act.--Letter from Gen. Cobb. + + +JANUARY 1ST, 1864.--A bright windy day, and not cold. The President has +a reception to-day, and the City Councils have voted the hospitalities +of the city to Brig.-Gen. J. H. Morgan, whose arrival is expected. If he +comes, he will be the hero, and will have a larger crowd of admirers +around him than the President. The Councils have also voted a _sword_ to +ex-Gov. Letcher, whose term of service ended yesterday. Gov. Wm. +Smith--nicknamed Extra-Billy--is to be inaugurated to-day. + +Flour is now held at $150 per barrel. Capt. Warner has just sold me two +bushels of meal at $5 per bushel; the price in market is $16 per bushel. + +I did not go to any of the receptions to-day; but remained at home, +transplanting lettuce-plants, which have so far withstood the frost, and +a couple of fig-bushes I bought yesterday. I am also breaking up some +warm beds, for early vegetables, and spreading manure over my little +garden: preparing for the siege and famine looked for in May and June, +when the enemy encompasses the city. I bought some tripe and liver in +the market at the low price of $1 per pound. Engaged to pay $250 hire +for our servant this year. + +JANUARY 2D.--Gen. Longstreet writes that it will be well to winter in +East Tennessee (Rogersville), unless there should be a pressing +necessity for him elsewhere. But his corps ought to be at least 20,000. +He says provisions may be got in that section; and if they be collected, +the enemy may be forced to leave. + +The Secretary of the Navy has requested the Secretary of War to open the +obstructions at Drewry's Bluff, so that the iron-clads, Richmond and +Fredericksburg, may pass out. This he deems necessary for the defense of +Richmond, as our iron-clads may prevent the enemy from coming up the +river and landing near the city. + +The _Lynchburg Virginian_ has come out for a dictator, and names Gen. +Lee. + +The Raleigh (N. C.) _Progress_ says we must have peace on any terms, or +starvation. I think we can put some 200,000 additional men in the field +next year, and they can be fed also. + +JANUARY 3D.--Yesterday was the coldest day of the winter, and last night +was a bitter one. This morning it is bright and clear, and moderating. +We have had no snow yet. + +There is much talk everywhere on the subject of a dictator, and many +think a strong government is required to abate the evils we suffer. The +President has temporarily lost some popularity. + +The speculators and extortioners who hired substitutes are in +consternation--some flying the country since the passage of the bill +putting them in the army, and the army is delighted with the measure. +The petition from so many generals in the field intimidated Congress, +and it was believed that the Western army would have melted away in +thirty days, if no response had been accorded to its demands by +government. Herculean preparations will now be made for the next +campaign, which is, as usual, looked forward to as the final one. + +JANUARY 4TH.--On Saturday, resolutions were unanimously adopted by the +Senate complimenting Gen. Lee. This is his opportunity, if he be +ambitious,--and who can see his heart? What man ever neglected such an +opportunity? + +The weather is dark and threatening. Again the rumor is circulated that +ex-Gov. Letcher is to be Secretary of War. I don't believe that. + +Major Tachman claims $5000 in gold and $1600 paper, because after +raising two regiments in 1861 he was not made a brigadier-general. He +says he expended that much money. I thought this Polish adventurer would +give the government trouble. + +Custis commenced his school to-night, with three scholars,--small +beginnings, etc. + +JANUARY 5TH.--Bright, pleasant day. I saw a letter from Gen. Elzey +to-day, stating that his command will probably soon be called out from +the city on important service. What can this mean? And our iron-clads +are to go below the obstructions if they can get out. + +Yesterday Mr. Good offered a resolution declaring the unalterable +purpose of Congress to prosecute the war until independence is attained. +What significance is in this? Why declare such a purpose at this day? + +Mr. Benjamin, Gen. Myers, Col. Preston, and Mr. Seddon are to partake of +a feast on Thursday. A feast in time of famine! + +JANUARY 6TH.--Yesterday Mr. Moffitt, Lieut.-Col. Ruffin's agent +(commissary), was in the market buying beef for Gen. Lee's army! And +this same Moffitt was in September selling beef to the same butchers (as +they say) at from 40 to 50 cts. gross, the impressing price in the +country being 20 cts. + +On the 2d inst. Gen. Lee wrote the President that he had just heard of +two droves of cattle from the West, destined for his army, being ordered +to Richmond. [He does not say by whom, or for what purpose. He knew +not.] He says he has but one day's meat rations, and he fears he will +not be able to retain the army in the field. The President sent a copy +of this to the Commissary-General, with a few mild remarks, suggesting +that he shall get such orders from the Secretary of War as are necessary +in such an emergency. In response to this the Commissary-General makes a +chronological list of his letters to Gen. Lee and others, pretending +that if certain things were not done, the army, some day, would come to +want, and taking great credit for his foresight, etc. This table of +contents he ran first to the department with, but not finding the +Secretary, he carried it to the President, who returned it without +comment to Col. N. yesterday, and to-day the Secretary got it, not +having seen it before. Well, if Col. N. had contracted with Capt. +Montgomery for the 1,000,000 pounds of salt beef, it would have been +delivered ere this. But the Secretary never saw Capt. M.'s offer at all! + +JANUARY 7TH.--Gen. J. E. Johnston dispatches from the West that the meat +is so indifferent, the soldiers must have an additional quantity of +rice. + +Beef sells to-day at $1.25 per pound by the quarter. And yet an +Englishman at the best hotel yesterday remarked that he never lived so +cheaply in any country, his board being only three shillings (in specie) +per diem, or about $20 Confederate States notes. + +A dozen china cups and saucers sold at auction to-day for $160. Col. +Preston, Conscription Bureau, several members of the cabinet, etc. +feasted at a cost of $2000! It is said that the Jack was turned up and +_Jeff_ turned down in a witticism, and smiled at _nem. con._ But I don't +believe that. + +We have a light snow, the first time the earth has been white this +winter. + +I am reminded daily of the privations I used to read of in the +Revolutionary War. Then thorns were used, now we use pins, for buttons. +My waistbands of pantaloons and drawers are pinned instead of buttoned. + +Gen. Jno. H. Morgan arrived this evening, and enjoyed a fine reception, +as a multitude of admirers were at the depot. + +About the same hour the President rode past my house alone, to indulge +his thoughts in solitude in the suburbs of the city. + +JANUARY 8TH.--Dispatches from both Beauregard and Whiting indicate a +belief of an intention on the part of the enemy to attempt the capture +of Charleston and Wilmington this winter. The President directs the +Secretary to keep another brigade near Petersburg, that it may be +available in an emergency. + +It snowed again last night, but cleared off to-day, and is bitter cold. + +A memorial was received to-day from the officers of Gen. Longstreet's +army, asking that all men capable of performing military service, +including those who have hired substitutes, be placed in the army. + +To-day I bought a barrel of good potatoes (Irish) for $25, and one of +superior quality and size for $30. This is providing for an anticipated +season of famine. + +Gen. Morgan received the congratulations of a vast multitude to-day. One +woman kissed his hand. Gov. Smith advertises a reception to-night. + +Yesterday a committee was appointed to investigate the report that a +certain member of Congress obtained passports for several absconding +Jews, for a bribe. + +JANUARY 9TH.--Cold and clear. Gen. Longstreet has preferred charges +against Major-Gen. McLaws and another general of his command, and also +asks to be relieved, unless he has an independent command, as Gen. +Johnston's headquarters are too far off, etc. The Secretary is willing +to relieve him, but the President intimates that a successor ought to be +designated first. + +Beef was held at $2.50 per pound in market to-day--and I got none; but I +bought 25 pounds of rice at 40 cts., which, with the meal and potatoes, +will keep us alive a month at least. The rich rogues and rascals, +however, in the city, are living sumptuously, and spending Confederate +States notes as if they supposed they would soon be valueless. + +JANUARY 10TH.--Letters from Governor Vance received to-day show that he +has been making extensive arrangements to clothe and subsist North +Carolina troops. His agents have purchased abroad some 40,000 blankets, +as many shoes, bacon, etc., most of which is now at Bermuda and Nassau. +He has also purchased an interest in several steamers; but, it appears, +a recent regulation of the Confederate States Government forbids the +import and export of goods except, almost exclusively, for the +government itself. The governor desires to know if his State is to be +put on the same footing with private speculators. + +He also demands some thousands of bales of cotton, loaned the +government--and which the government cannot now replace at +Wilmington--and his complaints against the government are bitter. Is it +his intention to assume an independent attitude, and call the North +Carolina troops to the rescue? A few weeks will develop his intentions. + +Mr. Hunter is in the Secretary's room every Sunday morning. Is there +some grand political egg to be hatched? + +If the government had excluded private speculators from the ports at an +early date, we might have had clothes and meat for the army in +abundance--as well as other stores. But a great duty was neglected! + +Sunday as it is, trains of government wagons are going incessantly past +my door laden with ice--for the hospitals next summer, if we keep +Richmond. + +JANUARY 11TH.--The snow has nearly vanished--the weather bright and +pleasant, for midwinter; but the basin is still frozen over. + +Gen. E. S. Jones has captured several hundred of the enemy in Southwest +Virginia, and Moseby's men are picking them up by scores in Northern +Virginia. + +Congress recommitted the new Conscript bill on Saturday, intimidated by +the menaces of the press, the editors being in danger of falling within +reach of conscription. + +A dwelling-house near us rented to-day for $6000. + +JANUARY 12TH.--Hundreds were skating on the ice in the basin this +morning; but it thawed all day, and now looks like rain. + +Yesterday the President vetoed a bill appropriating a million dollars to +clothe the Kentucky troops. The vote in the Senate, in an effort to pass +it nevertheless, was 12 to 10, not two-thirds. The President is +unyielding. If the new Conscription act before the House should become a +law, the President will have nearly all power in his hands. The act +suspending the writ of _habeas corpus_, before the Senate, if passed, +will sufficiently complete the Dictatorship. + +Gen. Jos. E. Johnston writes in opposition to the organization of more +cavalry. + +Mr. J. E. Murral, Mobile, Ala., writes Judge Campbell that a party there +has authority from the United States authorities to trade anything but +arms and ammunition for cotton. + +Gen. Winder being directed to send Mr. Hirsh, a rich Jew, to the +conscript camp, says he gave him a passport to leave the Confederate +States some days ago, on the order of Judge Campbell, A. S. W. Col. +Northrop says supplies of meat have failed. + +JANUARY 13TH.--There was firing yesterday near Georgetown, S. C., the +nature and result of which is not yet known. + +Yesterday the Senate passed a bill allowing increased pay to civil +officers in the departments; but Senator Brown, of Miss., proposed a +_proviso_, which was adopted, allowing the increased compensation only +to those who are not liable to perform military duty, and unable to bear +arms. + +The auctions are crowded--the people seeming anxious to get rid of their +money by paying the most extravagant prices for all articles exposed for +sale. An old pair of boots, with large holes in them, sold to-day for +$7.00--it costs $125 to foot a pair of boots. + +JANUARY 14TH.--Mr. A. ----, editor of the ----, recommends the Secretary +of War to get Congress to pass, in secret session, a resolution looking +to a reconstruction of the Union on the old basis, and send +Commissioners to the Northern Governors. Meantime, let the government +organize an army of invasion, and march into Pennsylvania. The object +being to sow dissension among the parties of the North. + +A letter from a Mr. Stephens, Columbia, S. C., to the President, says it +is in his power to remove one of the evils which is bringing the +administration into disrepute, and causing universal indignation--Gen. +Winder. The writer says Winder drinks excessively, is brutish to all but +Marylanders, and habitually receives bribes, etc. The President indorsed +on it that he did not know the writer, and the absence of specifications +usually rendered action unnecessary. But perhaps the Secretary may find +Mr. S.'s character such as to deserve attention. + +Captain Warner says it is believed there will be a riot, perhaps, when +Col. Northrop, the Commissary-General, may be immolated by the mob. +Flour sold to-day at $200 per barrel; butter, $8 per pound; and meat +from $2 to $4. This cannot continue long without a remedy. + +The President has another reception to-night. + +"A YANKEE ACCOUNT OF THE TREATMENT OF CONFEDERATE PRISONERS.--_The +Chicago Times_ gives the account which follows of the treatment of our +soldiers at Camp Douglas. + +"It is said that about four weeks ago one of the prisoners was kindling +his fire, which act he had a right to perform, when one of the guard +accosted him with, 'Here, what are you doing there?' The prisoner +replied, 'That is not your business,' when the guard instantly drew his +musket and shot the fellow dead. It is said also that a mulatto boy, a +servant of one of the Confederate captains, and, of course, a prisoner +of war, who was well known to have a pass to go anywhere within the +lines, was walking inside the guard limits about a day after the above +occurrence, when the guard commanded him to halt. He did not stop, and +was instantly killed by a bullet. + +"It is also charged that, at the time the discovery was made of an +attempt on the part of some of the prisoners to escape, a party of three +or four hundred was huddled together and surrounded by a guard; that one +of them was pushed by a comrade and fell to the ground, and that +instantly the unfortunate man was shot, and that three or four others +were wounded. It is further stated that it is no uncommon thing for a +soldier to fire on the barracks without any provocation whatever, and +that two men were thus shot while sleeping in their bunks a week or two +ago, no inquiry being made into the matter. No court-martial has been +held, no arrest has been made, though within the past month ten or +twelve of the prisoners have been thus put out of the way. Another +instance need only be given: one of the prisoners asked the guard for a +chew of tobacco, and he received the bayonet in his breast without a +word." + +JANUARY 15TH.--We have no news. But there is a feverish anxiety in the +city on the question of subsistence, and there is fear of an outbreak. +Congress is in secret session on the subject of the currency, and the +new Conscription bill. The press generally is opposed to calling out all +men of fighting age, which they say would interfere with the freedom of +the press, and would be unconstitutional. + +JANUARY 16TH.--General good spirits prevail since Northern arrivals show +that the House of Representatives at Washington has passed a resolution +that 1,000,000 men, including members of Congress under 50, volunteer to +deliver the prisoners of war out of our hands. This produces a general +smile, as indicative of the exhaustion of the available military force +of the United States--and all believe it to be the merest bravado and +unmitigated humbug. Every preparation will be made by the Confederate +States Government for the most stupendous campaign of the war. + +There are indications of disorganization (political) in North +Carolina--but it is too late. The Confederate States Executive is too +strong, so long as Congress remains obedient, for any formidable +demonstration of that character to occur in any of the States. We shall +probably have martial law everywhere. + +I bought some garden seeds to-day, fresh from New York! This people are +too improvident, even to sow their own seeds. + +JANUARY 17TH.--There is nothing new to-day. The weather is pleasant for +the season, the snow being all gone. + +Custis has succeeded in getting ten pupils for his night-school, and +this will add $100 per month to our income--if they pay him. But with +flour at $200 per barrel; meal, $20 per bushel, and meat from $2 to $5 +per pound, what income would suffice? Captain Warner (I suppose in +return for some writing which Custis did for him) sent us yesterday two +bushels of potatoes, and, afterwards, a turkey! This is the first turkey +we have had during our housekeeping in Richmond. + +I rarely see Robert Tyler nowadays. He used to visit me at my office. +His brother John I believe is in the trans-Mississippi Department. My +friend Jacques is about town occasionally. + +JANUARY 18TH.--A flag of truce boat came up, but no one on board was +authorized to negotiate for an exchange of prisoners but Gen. Butler, +outlawed. It returns without anything being effected. Congress has +passed a bill for the reduction of the currency, in secret session. We +know not yet what are its main features. The Senate bill increasing the +compensation of civil officers has not yet been acted on in the House, +and many families are suffering for food. + +Anne writes us that Lieut. Minor has returned from his Canada +expedition, which failed, in consequence of the gratuitous action of +Lord Lyons, the British Minister at Washington, who has been secured in +the interest of the Federal Government, it is said, by bribes. Lieut. M. +brought his family a dozen cups and saucers, dresses, shoes, etc., +almost unattainable here. + +The President receives company every Tuesday evening. + +Among the letters referred by the Commissary-General to the Secretary of +War to-day for instructions, was one from our honest commissary in North +Carolina, stating that there were several million pounds of bacon and +pork in Chowan and one or two other counties, liable to the incursions +of the enemy, which the people were anxious to sell the government, but +were afraid to bring out themselves, lest the enemy should ravage their +farms, etc., and suggesting that a military force be sent thither with +wagons. The Commissary-General stated none of these facts in his +indorsement; but I did, so that the Secretary must be cognizant of the +nature of the paper. + +The enemy made a brief raid in Westmoreland and Richmond counties a few +days ago, and destroyed 60,000 pounds of meat in one of the +Commissary-General's depots! A gentleman writing from that section, says +it is a pity the President's heart is not in his head; for then he would +not ruin the country by retaining his friend, Col. Northrop, the +Commissary-General, in office. + +It appears that Gen. Meade has changed the Federal policy in the +Northern Neck, by securing our people within his lines from molestation; +and even by allowing them to buy food, clothing, etc. from Northern +traders, on a pledge of strict neutrality. The object is to prevent the +people from conveying intelligence to Moseby, who has harassed his +flanks and exposed detachments very much. It is a more dangerous policy +for us than the old habit of scourging the non-combatants that fall in +their power. + +JANUARY 19TH.--A furious storm of wind and rain occurred last night, and +it is rapidly turning cold to-day. + +The prisoners here have had no meat during the last four days, and fears +are felt that they will break out of confinement. + +Yesterday Senator Orr waited upon the President, to induce him to remove +Col. Northrop, the obnoxious Commissary-General. The President, it is +said, told him that Col. N. was one of the greatest geniuses in the +South, and that, if he had the physical capacity he would put him at the +head of an army. + +A letter from Mrs. Polk, widow of President Polk, dated at Nashville, +expresses regret that a portion of her cotton in Mississippi was burnt +by the military authorities (according to law), and demanding +remuneration. She also asks permission to have the remainder sent to +Memphis, now held by the enemy. The Secretary will not refuse. + +I bought a pretty good pair of second-hand shoes at auction to-day for +$17.50; but they were too large. I will have them sold again, without +fear of loss. + +A majority of the Judiciary Committee, to whom the subject was referred, +have reported a bill in the Senate vacating the offices of all the +members of the cabinet at the expiration of every two years, or of every +Congress. This is a blow at Mr. Benjamin, Mr. Memminger, etc., and, as +the President conceives, at himself. It will not pass, probably; but it +looks like war between the Senate and the Executive. Some of the +Secretaries _may_ resign on the 18th of February, when this Congress +expires. _Nous verrons._ + +JANUARY 20TH.--The Senate bill to give increased compensation to the +civil officers of the government in Richmond was _tabled_ in the House +yesterday, on the motion of Mr. Smith, of North Carolina, who spoke +against it. + +Major-Gen. Gilmer, Chief of the Engineer Bureau, writes that the time +has arrived when no more iron should be used by the Navy Department; +that no iron-clads have effected any good, or are likely to effect any; +and that all the iron should be used to repair the roads, else we shall +soon be fatally deficient in the means of transportation. And Col. +Northrop, Commissary-General, says he has been trying to concentrate a +reserve supply of grain in Richmond, for eight months; and such has been +the deficiency in means of transportation, that the effort has failed. + +Gov. Milton, of Florida, writes that the fact of quartermasters and +commissaries, and their agents, being of conscript age, and being +speculators all, produces great demoralization. If the rich will not +fight for their property, the poor will not fight for them. + +Col. Northrop recommends that each commissary and quartermaster be +allowed a confidential clerk of conscript age. That would deprive the +army of several regiments of men. + +The weather is bright again, but cool. + +JANUARY 21ST.--Gen. Longstreet reports some small captures of the +enemy's detached foraging parties. + +The prisoners here have now been six days without meat; and Capt. Warner +has been ordered by the Quartermaster-General to purchase supplies for +them, relying no longer on the Commissary-General. + +Last night an attempt was made (by his servants, it is supposed) to +burn the President's mansion. It was discovered that fire had been +kindled in the wood-pile in the basement. The smoke led to the +discovery, else the family might have been consumed with the house. One +or two of the servants have absconded. + +At the sale of a Jew to-day an _etegere_ brought $6000; a barrel of +flour, $220; and meal, $25 per bushel. All else in proportion. He is a +jeweler, and intends leaving the country. He will succeed, because he is +rich. + +Yesterday the House passed the Senate bill, adjourning Congress on the +18th of February, to meet again in April. Mr. Barksdale, the President's +organ in the House, moved a reconsideration, and it will probably be +reconsidered and defeated, although it passed by two to one. + +Major Griswold being required by resolution of the Legislature to give +the origin of the passport office, came to me to-day to write it for +him. I did so. There was no law for it. + +JANUARY 22D.--Troops, a few regiments, have been passing down from Lee's +army, and going toward North Carolina. A dispatch, in cipher, from +Petersburg, was received to-day at 3 P.M. It is probable the enemy +threaten the Weldon and Wilmington Railroad. We shall hear soon. + +It is thought the negroes that attempted to burn the President's house +(they had heaped combustibles under it) were instigated by Yankees who +have been released upon taking the oath of allegiance. But I think it +quite as probable his enemies here (citizens) instigated it. They have +one of the servants of the War Department under arrest, as participating +in it. + +The weather is delightful, and I seek distraction by spading in my +garden. + +Judge Campbell is still "allowing" men to pass out of the Confederate +States; and they will invite the enemy in! + +JANUARY 23D.--The Secretary of War has authorized Mr. Boute, President +of the Chatham Railroad, to exchange tobacco through the enemy's lines +for bacon. And in the West he has given authority to exchange cotton +with the enemy for meat. It is supposed certain men in high position in +Washington, as well as the military authorities, wink at this traffic, +and share its profits. I hope we may get bacon, without strychnine. + +Congress has passed a bill prohibiting, under severe penalties, the +traffic in Federal money. But neither the currency bill, the tax bill, +nor the repeal of the exemption act has been effected yet, and the +existence of the present Congress shortly expires. A _permanent_ +government is a cumbersome one. + +The weather is fine, and I am spading up my little garden. + +JANUARY 24TH.--For some cause, we had no mail to-day. Fine, bright, and +pleasant weather. Yesterday Mr. Lyons called up the bill for increased +compensation to civil officers, and made an eloquent speech in favor of +the measure. I believe it was referred to a special committee, and hope +it may pass soon. + +It is said the tax bill under consideration in Congress will produce +$500,000,000 revenue! If this be so, and compulsory funding be adopted, +there will soon be no redundancy of paper money, and a magical change of +values will take place. We who live on salaries may have better times +than even the extortioners--who cannot inherit the kingdom of Heaven. +And relief cannot come too soon: for we who have families are shabby +enough in our raiment, and lean and lank in our persons. Nevertheless, +we have health and never-failing appetites. Roasted potatoes and salt +are eaten with a keen relish. + +JANUARY 25TH.--The breach seems to widen between the President and +Congress, especially the Senate. A majority of the Committee on Military +Affairs have reported that Col. A. C. Myers (relieved last August) is +still the Quartermaster-General of the armies, and that Gen. Lawton, who +has been acting as Quartermaster-General since then, is not the duly +authorized Quartermaster-General: not having given bond, and his +appointment not having been consented to by the Senate. They say all the +hundreds of millions disbursed by his direction have been expended in +violation of law. + +For the last few nights Col. Browne, one of the President's A. D. C.'s, +and an unnaturalized Englishman, has ordered a guard (department clerks) +to protect the President. Capt. Manico (an Englishman) ordered my son +Custis to go on guard to-night; but I obtained from the Secretary a +countermand of the order, and also an exemption from drills, etc. It +will not do for him to neglect his night-school, else we shall starve. + +I noticed, to-day, eight slaughtered deer in one shop; and they are seen +hanging at the doors in every street. The price is $3 per pound. Wild +turkies, geese, ducks, partridges, etc. are also exposed for sale, at +enormous prices, and may mitigate the famine now upon us. The war has +caused an enormous increase of wild game. But ammunition is difficult to +be obtained. I see some perch, chubb, and other fish, but all are +selling at famine prices. + +The weather is charming, which is something in the item of fuel. I sowed +a bed of early York cabbage, to-day, in a sheltered part of the garden, +and I planted twenty-four grains of early-sweet corn, some cabbage seed, +tomatoes, beets, and egg-plants in my little hot-bed--a flour barrel +sawed in two, which I can bring into the house when the weather is cold. +I pray God the season may continue mild, else there must be much +suffering. _And yet no beggars are seen in the streets._ What another +month will develop, I know not; the fortitude of the people, so far, is +wonderful. + +Major-Gen. Sam. Jones, Dublin, Va., is at loggerheads with Lieut.-Gen. +Longstreet about some regiments the latter keeps in East Tennessee. Gen. +J. says Averill is preparing to make another raid on the Virginia and +Tennessee Railroad, the salt-works, the mines, etc.; and if he is +charged with the defense, he must have at least all his regiments. He +gets his orders from Gen. Cooper, A. and I. G., who will probably give +him what he wants. + +JANUARY 26TH.--Gen. Lee recommends the formation of several more +brigades of cavalry, mostly from regiments and companies in South +Carolina, and to this he anticipates objections on the part of the +generals and governors along the Southern seaboard; but he deems it +necessary, as the enemy facing him has a vastly superior cavalry force. + +The prisoners on Belle Isle (8000) have had no meat for eleven days. The +Secretary says the Commissary-General informs him that they fare as well +as our armies, and so he refused the commissary (Capt. Warner) of the +prisoners a permit to buy and bring to the city cattle he might be able +to find. An outbreak of the prisoners is apprehended: and if they were +to rise, it is feared some of the inhabitants of the city would join +them, for they, too, have no meat--many of them--or bread either. They +believe the famine is owing to the imbecility, or worse, of the +government. A riot would be a dangerous occurrence, now: the city +battalion would not fire on the people--and if they did, the army might +break up, and avenge their slaughtered kindred. It is a perilous time. + +My wife paid $12, to-day, for a half bushel of meal; meantime I got an +order for two bushels, from Capt. Warner, at $10 per bushel. + +The President receives visitors to-night; and, for the first time, I +think I will go. + +Mr. Foote, yesterday, offered a resolution that the Commissary-General +ought to be removed; which was defeated by a decided vote, twenty in the +affirmative. Twenty he relied on failed him. Letters from all quarters +denounce the Commissary-General and his agents. + +JANUARY 27TH.--Last night, the weather being very pleasant, the +President's house was pretty well filled with gentlemen and ladies. I +cannot imagine how they continue to dress so magnificently, unless it be +their old finery, which looks well amid the general aspect of shabby +mendicity. But the statures of the men, and the beauty and grace of the +ladies, surpass any I have seen elsewhere, in America or Europe. There +is high character in almost every face, and fixed resolve in every eye. + +The President was very courteous, saying to each, "I am glad to meet you +here to-night." He questioned me so much in regard to my health, that I +told him I was not very well; and if his lady (to whom he introduced us +all) had not been so close (at his elbow), I might have assigned the +cause. When we parted, he said, "_We_ have met before." Mrs. Davis was +in black--for her father. And many of the ladies were in mourning for +those slain in battle. + +Gen. Lee has published the following to his army: + + "HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, + + "January 22d, 1864. + + "GENERAL ORDERS NO 7. + + "The Commanding General considers it due to the army to state that + the temporary reduction of rations has been caused by circumstances + beyond the control of those charged with its support. Its welfare + and comfort are the objects of his constant and earnest solicitude; + and no effort has been spared to provide for its wants. It is hoped + that the exertions now being made will render the necessity but of + short duration: but the history of the army has shown that the + country can require no sacrifice too great for its patriotic + devotion. + + "Soldiers! you tread, with no unequal steps, the road by which your + fathers marched through suffering, privation, and blood to + independence! + + "Continue to emulate in the future, as you have in the past, their + valor in arms, their patient endurance of hardships, their high + resolve to be free, which no trial could shake, no bribe seduce, no + danger appal: and be assured that the just God, who crowned their + efforts with success, will, in His own good time, send down His + blessings upon yours. + + "(Signed) R. E. LEE, _General_." + +An eloquent and stirring appeal! + +It is rumored that the writ of _habeas corpus_ has been suspended--as +the President has been allowed to suspend it--by Congress, in secret +session. But Congress passed a resolution, yesterday, that after it +adjourns on the 18th February, it will assemble again on the first +Monday in May. + +Mr. Lyons, chairman of the Committee on Increased Compensation to the +civil officers, had an interview with the Secretary of War yesterday. +The Secretary told him, it is said, that unless Congress voted the +increase, he would take the responsibility of ordering them rations, +etc. etc. And Mr. Smith, of North Carolina, told me, to-day, that +something would be done. He it was who moved to lay the bill on the +table. He said it would have been defeated, if the vote had been taken +on the bill. + +Gov. Smith sent to the Legislature a message, yesterday, rebuking the +members for doing so little, and urging the passage of a bill putting +into the State service all between the ages of sixteen and eighteen and +over forty-five. The Legislature considered his lecture an insult, and +the House of Delegates contemptuously laid it on the table by an almost +unanimous vote. So he has war with the Legislature, while the President +is in conflict with the Confederate States Senate. + +JANUARY 28TH.--The beautiful, pleasant weather continues. + +It is said Congress passed, last night, in secret session, the bill +allowing increased compensation to civil officers and employees. Mr. +Davidson, of fifty years of age, resigned, to-day, his clerkship in the +War Department, having been offered $5000 by one of the incorporated +companies to travel and buy supplies for it. + +Mr. Hubbard, of Alabama, suggests to the Secretary to buy 500,000 +slaves, and give one to every soldier enlisting from beyond our present +lines, at the end of the war. He thinks many from the border free States +would enlist on our side. The Secretary does not favor the project. + +Gen. Whiting writes for an order for two locomotive boilers, at +Montgomery, Ala., for his torpedo-boats, now nearly completed. He says +he intends to attack the blockading squadron off Wilmington. + +The weather is still warm and beautiful. The buds are swelling. + +JANUARY 30TH.--The Senate has passed a new Conscription Act, putting all +residents between the ages of eighteen and fifty-five in the military +service for the war. Those over forty-five to be detailed by the +President as commissary quartermasters, Nitre Bureau agents, provost +guards, clerks, etc. This would make up the enormous number of 1,500,000 +men! The express companies are to have no detail of men fit for the +field, but the President may exempt a certain class for agricultural +purposes, which, of course, can be revoked whenever a farmer refuses to +sell at schedule prices, or engages in speculation or extortion. Thus +the President becomes almost absolute, and the Confederacy a military +nation. The House will pass it with some modifications. Already the +_Examiner_ denounces it, for it allows only one owner or editor to a +paper, and just sufficient printers,--no assistant editors, no +reporters, no clerks, etc. This will save us, and hasten a peace. + +Mr. G. A. Myers, the little old lawyer, always potential with the +successive Secretaries of War, proposes, in a long letter, that the +Department allows 30 to 40 foreigners (Jews) to leave the Confederate +States, _via_ Maryland, every week! + +Mr. Goodman, President of the Mississippi Railroad, proposes to send +cotton to the Yankees in exchange for implements, etc., to repair the +road, and Lieut.-Gen. (Bishop) Polk favors the scheme. + +Commissary-General Northrop likewise sent in a proposal from an agent of +his in Mississippi, to barter cotton with the Yankees for subsistence, +and he indorses an approval on it. I trust we shall be independent this +summer. + +To-day it is cool and cloudy, but Custis has had no use for fire in his +school-room of nights for a week--and that in January. The warm weather +saved us a dollar per day in coal. Custis's scholars are paying him $95 +the first month. + +I shall hope for better times now. We shall have men enough, if the +Secretary and conscription officers do not strain the meshes of the +seine too much, and the currency will be reduced. The speculators and +extortioners, in great measure, will be circumvented, for the new +conscription will take them from their occupations, and they will not +find transportation for their wares. + +The 2000 barrels of corn destroyed by the enemy on the Peninsula, a few +days ago, belonged to a relative of Col. Ruffin, Assistant +Commissary-General! He would not impress that--and lo! it is gone! Many +here are glad of it. + +JANUARY 31ST.--It rained moderately last night, and is cooler this +morning. But the worst portion of the winter is over. The pigeons of my +neighbor are busy hunting straws in my yard for their nests. They do no +injury to the garden, as they never scratch. The shower causes my +turnips to present a fresher appearance, for they were suffering for +moisture. The buds of the cherry trees have perceptibly swollen during +the warm weather. + +A letter from Gen. Cobb (Georgia) indicates that the Secretary of War +has refused to allow men having employed substitutes to form new +organizations, and he combats the decision. He says they will now appeal +to the courts, contending that the law putting them in the service is +unconstitutional, and some will escape from the country, or otherwise +evade the law. They cannot go into old companies and be sneered at by +the veterans, and commanded by their inferiors in fortune, standing, +etc. He says the decision will lose the service 2000 men in Georgia. + +The Jews are fleeing from Richmond with the money they have made. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +Gen. Lovell applies for a command.--Auspicious opening of 1864.--Mr. + Wright's resolutions.--Rumored approach of Gen. Butler.--Letter from + Gov. Brown.--Letter from Gen. Lee.--Dispatches from Gen. + Beauregard.--President Davis's negroes.--Controversy between Gen. + Winder and Mr. Ould.--Robbery of Mr. Lewis Hayman.--Promotion of Gen. + Bragg, and the _Examiner_ thereon.--Scarcity of provisions in the + army.--Congress and the President. + + +FEBRUARY 1ST.--Hazy, misty weather. Gen. Lovell (who lost New Orleans) +has applied for a command in the West, and Gen. Johnston approves it +strongly. He designs dividing his army into three corps, giving one (3d +division) to Gen. Hardee; one (2d division) to Gen. Hindman; and one +(1st division) to Lovell. But the Secretary of War (wide awake) indorses +a disapproval, saying, in his opinion, it would be injudicious to place +a corps under the command of Gen. Lovell, and it would not give +confidence to the army. This being sent to the President, came back +indorsed, "opinion concurred in.--J. D." + +Gen. Pillow has applied for the command of two brigades for operations +between Gen. Johnston's and Gen. Polk's armies, protecting the flanks of +both, and guarding the coal mines, iron works, etc. in Middle Alabama. +This is strongly approved by Generals Johnston, Polk, Gov. Watts & Co. +But the President has not yet decided the matter. + +The Commissary-General is appointing many ladies to clerkships. Old men, +disabled soldiers, and ladies are to be relied on for clerical duty, +nearly all others to take the field. But every ingenuity is resorted to +by those having in substitutes to evade military service. + +There is a great pressure of foreigners (mostly Irish) for passes to +leave the country. + +FEBRUARY 2D.--So lax has become Gen. Winder's rule, or deficient, or +worse, the vigilance of his detectives,--the rogues and +cut-throats,--one of them keeps a mistress in a house the rent of which +is more than his salary, that five Jews, the other day, cleared out in a +schooner laden with tobacco, professedly for Petersburg, but sailed +directly to the enemy. They had with them some $10,000 in gold; and as +they absconded to avoid military service in the Confederate States, no +doubt they imparted all the information they could to the enemy. + +Mr. Benjamin, Secretary of State, asked the Secretary of War to-day to +make such arrangements as would supply the State Department with regular +files of Northern papers. They sometimes have in them important +diplomatic correspondence, and the perusal of this is about all the +Secretary of State has to do. + +It is rumored that the Hon. Robert Toombs has been arrested in Georgia +for treason. I cannot believe it, but I know he is inimical to the +President. + +The British papers again seem to sympathise with us. + +Senator Orr writes to the Secretary that a resolution of the Senate, +asking for copies of Gen. Beauregard's orders in 1862 for the +fortification of Vicksburg (he was the first to plan the works which +made such a glorious defense), and also a resolution calling for a copy +of Gen. B.'s charges against Col. ----, had not been responded to by the +President. He asks that these matters may be brought to the President's +attention. + +The weather is beautiful and spring-like again, and we may soon have +some news both from Tennessee and North Carolina. From the latter I hope +we shall get some of the meat endangered by the proximity of the enemy. + +FEBRUARY 3D.--The following dispatch indicates the prestige of success +for the year 1864, and it is probable it will be followed by a +succession of successes, for the administration at Washington will find, +this year, constant antagonisms everywhere, in the North as well as in +the South, and in the army there will be opposing parties--Republicans +and Democrats. On the part of the South, we have experienced the great +agony of 1863, and have become so familiar with horrors that we shall +fight with a fearful desperation. But the dispatch: + +"Glorious news! The whole Yankee force, about 150, are our prisoners, +and their gun-boat 'Smith Briggs,' destroyed. + +"No one hurt on our side. Four Yankees killed and two or three wounded. + +"The prisoners are now at Broad Water. Send down a train for them +to-morrow." + +We learn that this Yankee force was commissioned to destroy a large +factory at Smithfield, in Isle of Wight County. We do not know the size +or composition of our command which achieved the results noticed above, +but understand that it contained two companies of the Thirty-first North +Carolina Regiment. + +Congress has not yet finally acted on the Tax bill, nor on the new +Conscription bill. + +The Secretary of War said to-day that he would not allow the increased +pay to any of his civil officers who were young and able to bear +arms--and this after urging Congress to increase their compensation. It +will be very hard on some who are refugees, having families dependent on +them. Others, who board, must be forced into the army (the design), for +their expenses per month will be some fifty per cent, more than their +income. + +The weather is clear but colder. + +FEBRUARY 4TH.--Clear and pretty cold. We have news of another brilliant +affair at Kinston, N. C., where Gen. Pickett has beaten the enemy, +killing and wounding and taking some 500 men, besides capturing another +gun-boat! Thus the campaign of 1864 opens auspiciously. + +And Gen. Early has beaten the foe in Hardy County, Northwest Virginia, +capturing, it is said, some 800. + +It is supposed that Gen. Pickett will push on to Newbern, and probably +capture the town. At all events we shall get large supplies from the +tide-water counties of North Carolina. General Lee planned the +enterprise, sending some 15,000 men on the expedition. + +Yesterday the Senate Committee reported _against_ the House bill +modifying the act making all men liable to conscription who have hired +substitutes. But they are debating a new exemption bill in the House. + +It is true Mr. Toombs was arrested at Savannah, or was ejected from the +cars because he would not procure a passport. + +To-day Mr. Kean, the young Chief of the Bureau of War, has registered +all the clerks, the dates of their appointments, their age, and the +number of children they have. He will make such remarks as suits him in +each case, and submit the list to the Secretary for his action +regarding the increased compensation. Will he intimate that his own +services are so indispensable that he had better remain out of the +field? + +The following "political card" for the Northern Democrats was played +yesterday. I think it a good one, if nothing more be said about it here. +It will give the Abolitionists trouble in the rear while we assail them +in the front. + +The following extraordinary resolutions were, yesterday, introduced in +the House of Representatives by Mr. Wright of Georgia. The House went +into secret session before taking any action upon them. + +"WHEREAS: The President of the United States, in a late public +communication, did declare that no propositions for peace had been made +to that government by the Confederate States, when, in truth, such +propositions were prevented from being made by the President of the +United States, in that he refused to hear, or even to receive, two +commissioners, appointed to treat expressly of the preservation of +amicable relations between the two governments. + +"Nevertheless, that the Confederate States may stand justified in the +sight of the conservative men of the North of all parties, and that the +world may know which of the two governments it is that urges on a war +unparalleled for the fierceness of the conflict, and intensifying into a +sectional hatred unsurpassed in the annals of mankind. Therefore, + +"_Resolved_, That the Confederate States invite the United States, +through their government at Washington, to meet them by representatives +equal to their representatives and senators in their respective Congress +at ----, on the ---- day of ---- next, to consider, + +"_First_: Whether they cannot agree upon the recognition of the +Confederate States of America. + +"_Second_: In the event of such recognition, whether they cannot agree +upon the formation of a new government, founded upon the equality and +sovereignty of the States; but if this cannot be done, to consider + +"_Third_: Whether they cannot agree upon treaties, offensive, defensive, +and commercial. + +"_Resolved_, In the event of the passage of these resolutions, the +President be requested to communicate the same to the Government at +Washington, in such manner as he shall deem most in accordance with the +usages of nations; and, in the event of their acceptance by that +government, he do issue his proclamation of election of delegates, under +such regulations as he may deem expedient." + +Eighteen car loads of coffee went up to the army to-day. I have not +tasted coffee or tea for more than a year. + +FEBRUARY 5TH.--Bright frosty morning, but warmer and hazy later in the +day. From dispatches from North Carolina, it would seem that our +generals are taking advantage of the fine roads, and improving the +opportunity, while the enemy are considering the plan of the next +campaign at Washington. + +FEBRUARY 6TH.--Major-Gen. Breckinridge, it is said, is to command in +Southwestern Virginia near the Kentucky line, relieving Major-Gen. Sam +Jones. + +Yesterday the cabinet decided to divide the clerks into three classes. +Those under eighteen and over forty-five, to have the increased +compensation; those between those ages, who shall be pronounced unable +for field service, also to have it; and all others the Secretaries may +certify to be necessary, etc. This will cover all their cousins, +nephews, and pets, and exclude many young men whose refugee mothers and +sisters are dependent on their salaries for subsistence. Such is the +unvarying history of public functionaries. + +Gen. Pickett, finding Newbern impregnable, has fallen back, getting off +his prisoners, etc. But more troops are going to North Carolina. + +FEBRUARY 7TH, SUNDAY.-- _The tocsin is sounding at_ 9 A.M. It appears +that Gen. Butler is marching up the Peninsula (I have not heard the +estimated number of his army) toward Richmond. But, being in the +Secretary's room for a moment, I heard him say to Gen. Elzey that the +"local defense men" must be relied on to defend Richmond. These men are +mainly clerks and employees of the departments, who have just been +_insulted_ by the government, being informed that no increased +compensation will be allowed them because they are able to bear arms. In +other words, they must famish for subsistence, and their families with +them, because they happen to be of fighting age, and have been patriotic +enough to volunteer for the defense of the government, and have drilled, +and paraded, and marched, until they are pronounced good soldiers. +Under these circumstances, the Secretary of War says they must be relied +upon to defend the government. In my opinion, many of them are _not_ +reliable. Why were they appointed contrary to law? Who is to blame but +the Secretaries themselves? Ah! but the Secretaries had pets and +relatives of fighting age they must provide for; and _these_, although +not dependent on their salaries, will get the increased compensation, +and will also be exempted from aiding in the defense of the city--at +least such has been the practice heretofore. These things being known to +the proscribed local troops (clerks, etc.), I repeat my doubts of their +reliability at any critical moment. + +We have good news from the Rappahannock. It is said Gen. Rosser +yesterday captured several hundred prisoners, 1200 beeves, 350 mules, +wagons of stores, etc. etc. + +Nevertheless, there is some uneasiness felt in the city, there being +nearly 12,000 prisoners here, and all the veteran troops of Gen. Elzey's +division are being sent to North Carolina. + +FEBRUARY 8TH.--The air is filled with rumors--none reliable. + +It is said Gen. Lee is much provoked at the alarm and excitement in the +city, which thwarted a plan of his to capture the enemy on the +Peninsula; and the militia and the Department Battalions were kept +yesterday and to-day under arms standing in the cold, the officers +blowing their nails, and "waiting orders," which came not. Perhaps they +were looking for the "conspirators;" a new hoax to get "martial law." + +A Union meeting has been held in Greensborough, N. C. An intelligent +writer to the department says the burden of the speakers, mostly +lawyers, was the terrorism of Gen. Winder and his corps of rogues and +cut-throats, Marylanders, whose operations, it seems, have spread into +most of the States. Mr. Sloan, the writer, says, however, a vast +majority of the people are loyal. + +It is said Congress is finally about to authorize martial law. + +My cabbages are coming up in my little hot-bed--half barrel. + +Gen. Maury writes from Mobile that he cannot be able to obtain any +information leading to the belief of an intention on the part of the +enemy to attack Mobile. He says it would require 40,000 men, after three +months' preparation, to take it. + +Gov. Brown, of Georgia, says the Confederate States Government has kept +bad faith with the Georgia six months' men; and hence they cannot be +relied on to relieve Gen. Beauregard, etc. (It is said the enemy are +about to raise the siege of Charleston.) Gov. B. says the State Guard +are already disbanded. He says, moreover, that the government here, if +it understood its duty, would not seize and put producers in the field, +but would stop details, and order the many thousand young officers +everywhere swelling in the cars and hotels, and basking idly in every +village, to the ranks. He is disgusted with the policy here. What are we +coming to? + +Everywhere our troops in the field, whose terms of three years will +expire this spring, are re-enlisting for the war. This is an effect +produced by President Lincoln's proclamation; that to be _permitted_ to +return to the Union, all men must first take an oath to abolish slavery! + +FEBRUARY 9TH.--A letter from Gen. Johnston says he received the +"confidential instructions" of the President, from the Secretary of War, +and succeeded in getting Gen. Cleburn to lay aside his "memorial," the +nature of which is not stated; but I suspect the President was getting +alarmed at the disposition of the armies to dictate measures to the +government. + +Hon. Mr. Johnson, Senator, and Hon. Mr. Bell, Representative from +Missouri, called on me to-day, with a voluminous correspondence, and +"charges and specifications" against Lieut.-Gen. Holmes, by my nephew, +Lieut.-Col. R. H. Musser. They desired me to read the papers and submit +my views. I have read them, and shall advise them not to proceed in the +matter. Gen. Holmes is rendered unfit, by broken health, for the command +of a Western Department, and his conviction at this time would neither +benefit the cause nor aid Lieut.-Col. Musser in his aspirations. It is +true he had my nephew tried for disobedience of orders; but he was +honorably acquitted. Missouri will some day rise like a giant, and deal +death and destruction on her oppressors. + +Col. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance, says the enemy have taken more guns from +us than we from them--exclusive of siege artillery--but I don't think +so. + +Our people are becoming more hopeful since we have achieved some +successes. The enemy cannot get men again except by dragging them out, +unless they should go to war with France--a not improbable event. + +FEBRUARY 10TH.--Gen. Lee wrote to the Secretary of War, on the 22d of +January, that his army was not fed well enough to fit them for the +exertions of the spring campaign; and recommended the discontinuance of +the rule of the Commissary-General allowing officers at Richmond, +Petersburg, and many other towns, to purchase government meat, etc. etc. +for the subsistence of their families, at schedule prices. He says the +salaries of these officers ought to be sufficient compensation for their +services; that such allowances deprived the officers and soldiers _in +the field_ of necessary subsistence, and encouraged able-bodied men to +seek such easy positions; it offended the people who paid tithes, to see +them consumed by these non-combating colonels, majors, etc., instead of +going to feed the army; and it demoralized the officers and soldiers in +the field. + +This letter was referred to the Commissary-General, who, after the usual +delay, returned it with a long argument to show that Gen. Lee was in +"_error_," and that the practice was necessary, etc. + +To this the Secretary responded by a peremptory _order_, restricting the +city officers in the item of meat. + +Again the Commissary-General sends it back, recommending the +_suspension_ of the order until it be seen what Congress will do! Here +are twenty days gone, and the Commissary-General has his own way still. +He don't hesitate to bully the Secretary and the highest generals in the +field. Meantime the Commissary-General's pet officers and clerks are +living sumptuously while the soldiers are on hard fare. But, +fortunately, Gen. Lee has captured 1200 beeves from the enemy since his +letter was written. + +And Gen. Cobb writes an encouraging letter from Georgia. He says there +is more meat in that State than any one supposed; and men too. Many +thousands of recruits can be sent forward, and meat enough to feed them. + +The President has issued a stirring address to the army. + +The weather is still clear, and the roads are not only good, but +dusty--yet it is cold. + +They say Gen. Butler, on the Peninsula, has given orders to his troops +to respect private property--and not to molest non-combatants. + +FEBRUARY 11TH.--Night before last 109 Federal prisoners, all +commissioned officers, made their escape from prison--and only three or +four have been retaken! + +The letter of Mr. Sloan, of North Carolina, only produced a reply from +the Secretary that there was not the slightest suspicion against Gen. W., +and that the people of North Carolina would not be satisfied with anybody. + +Eight thousand men of Johnston's army are without bayonets, and yet Col. +Gorgas has abundance. + +Governor Milton, of Florida, calls lustily for 5000 men--else he fears +all is lost in his State. + +To-day bacon is selling for $6 per pound, and all other things in +proportion. A negro (for his master) asked me, to-day, $40 for an old, +tough turkey gobbler. I passed on very briskly. + +We shall soon have martial law, it is thought, which, judiciously +administered, might remedy some of the grievous evils we labor under. I +shall have no meat for dinner to-morrow. + +FEBRUARY 12TH.--It is warm to-day, and cloudy; but there was ice early +in the morning. We have recaptured twenty-odd of the escaped prisoners. + +A bill has passed Congress placing an embargo on many imported articles; +and these articles are rising rapidly in price. Sugar sold to-day at +auction in large quantity for $8.00 per pound; rice, 85 cents, etc. + +There is a rumor that Gen. Finnegan has captured the enemy in Florida. + +Gen. Lee says his army is rapidly re-enlisting for the war. + +FEBRUARY 13TH.--Bright, beautiful weather, with frosty nights. + +The dispatches I cut from the papers to-day are interesting. Gen. Wise, +it appears, has met the enemy at last, and gained a brilliant +success--and so has Gen. Finnegan. But the correspondence between the +President and Gen. Johnston, last spring and summer, indicates constant +dissensions between the Executive and the generals. And the President is +under the necessity of defending _Northern_ born generals, while +Southern born ones are without trusts, etc. + + INTERESTING FROM FLORIDA. + + OFFICIAL DISPATCH. + + "CHARLESTON, February 11th, 1864. + + "TO GEN. S. COOPER. + + "Gen Finnegan has repulsed the enemy's force at Lake City--details + not known. + + "(Signed) G. T. BEAUREGARD." + + + SECOND DISPATCH. + + "CHARLESTSON, February 11th--11 A.M. + + "TO GEN. S. COOPER. + + "Gen. Finnegan's success yesterday was very creditable--the enemy's + force being much superior to his own. His reinforcements had not + reached here, owing to delays on the road. Losses not yet reported. + + "(Signed) G. T. BEAUREGARD." + + + REPULSE OF THE ENEMY NEAR CHARLESTON. + + OFFICIAL DISPATCH. + + "CHARLESTON, February 12th, 1864. + + "Gen. Wise gallantly repulsed the enemy last evening on John's + Island. He is, to-day, in pursuit. Our loss very trifling. The + force of the enemy is about 2000; ours about one-half. + + "(Signed) G. T. BEAUREGARD." + +Every day we recapture some of the escaped Federal officers. So far we +have 34 of the 109. + +The President sent over a "confidential" sealed letter to the Secretary +to-day. I handed it to the Secretary, who was looking pensive. + +Dr. McClure, of this city, who has been embalming the dead, and going +about the country with his coffins, has been detected taking Jews and +others through the lines. Several _live men_ have been found in his +coffins. + +Again it is reported that the enemy are advancing up the Peninsula in +force, and, to-morrow being Sunday, the local troops may be called out. +But Gen. Rhodes is near with his division, so no serious danger will be +felt, unless more than 20,000 attack us. Even that number would not +accomplish much--for the city is fortified strongly. + +It is rumored by blockade-runners that gold in the North is selling at +from 200 to 500 per cent. premium. If this be _true_, our day of +deliverance is not distant. + +FEBRUARY 14TH.--Clear and windy. There is nothing new that I have heard +of; but great apprehensions are felt for the fate of Mississippi--said +to be penetrated to its center by an overwhelming force of the enemy. +It is defended, however, or it is to be, by Gen. (Bishop) Polk. + +I hear of more of the escaped Federal officers being brought in to-day. + +The correspondence between the President and Gen. Johnston is causing +some remark. The whole is not given. Letters were received from Gen. J. +to which no allusion is made, which passed through my hands, and I think +the fact is noted in this diary. He intimated, I think, that the +position assigned him was equivocal and unpleasant in Tennessee. He did +not feel inclined to push Bragg out of the field, and the President, it +seems, would not relieve Bragg. + +Mr. Secretary Seddon, it is now said, is resolved to remain in office. + +FEBRUARY 15TH.--We have over forty of the escaped Federal officers. +Nothing more from Gens. Wise and Finnegan. The enemy have retreated +again on the Peninsula. It is said Meade's army is falling back on +Washington. + +We have a snow storm to-day. + +The President is unfortunate with his servants, as the following from +the _Dispatch_ would seem: + +"_Another of President Davis's Negroes run away._--On Saturday night +last the police were informed of the fact that Cornelius, a negro man in +the employ of President Davis, had run away. Having received some clew +of his whereabouts, they succeeded in finding him in a few hours after +receiving the information of his escape, and lodged him in the upper +station house. When caught, there was found on his person snack enough, +consisting of cold chicken, ham, preserves, bread, etc., to last him for +a long journey, and a large sum of money he had stolen from his master. +Some time after being locked up, he called to the keeper of the prison +to give him some water, and as that gentleman incautiously opened the +door of his cell to wait on him, Cornelius knocked him down and again +made his escape. Mr. Peter Everett, the only watchman present, put off +after him; but before running many steps stumbled and fell, injuring +himself severely." + +FEBRUARY 16TH.--A plan of invasion. Gen. Longstreet telegraphs that he +has no corn, and cannot stay where he is, unless supplied by the +Quartermaster-General. This, the President says, is impossible, for +want of transportation. The railroads can do no more than supply grain +for the horses of Lee's army--all being brought from Alabama, Georgia, +South Carolina, etc. But the President says Longstreet might extricate +himself from the exigency by marching into Middle Tennessee or Kentucky, +or both. + +Soon after this document came in, another followed from the Tennessee +and Kentucky members of Congress, inclosing an elaborate plan from Col. +Dibrell, of the Army of Tennessee, of taking Nashville, and getting +forage, etc. in certain counties not yet devastated, in Tennessee and +Kentucky. Only 10,000 additional men will be requisite. They are to set +out with eight days' rations; and if Grant leaves Chattanooga to +interfere with the plan, Gen. Johnston is to follow and fall upon his +rear, etc. Gen. Longstreet approves the plan--is eager for it, I infer +from his dispatch about corn; and the members of Congress are in favor +of it. If practicable, it ought to be begun immediately; and I think it +will be. + +A bright windy day--snow gone. + +The Federal General Sherman, with 30,000 men, was, at the last dates, +still marching southeast of Jackson, Miss. It is predicted that he is +rushing on his destruction. Gen. Polk is retreating before him, while +our cavalry is in his rear. He cannot keep open his communications. + +FEBRUARY 17TH.--Bright and very cold--freezing all day. Col. Myers has +written a letter to the Secretary, in reply to our ordering him to +report to the Quartermaster-General, stating that he considers himself +the Quartermaster-General--as the Senate has so declared. This being +referred to the President, he indorses on it that Col. Myers served long +enough in the United States army to know his status and duty, without +any such discussion with the Secretary as he seems to invite. + +Yesterday Congress consummated several measures of such magnitude as +will attract universal attention, and which must have, perhaps, a +decisive influence in our struggle for independence. + +Gen. Sherman, with 30,000 or 40,000 men, is still advancing deeper into +Mississippi, and the Governor of Alabama has ordered the non-combatants +to leave Mobile, announcing that it is to be attacked. If Sherman +_should go on_, and succeed, it would be the most brilliant operation +of the war. If he goes on and fails, it will be the most disastrous--and +his surrender would be, probably, like the surrender of Lord Cornwallis +at Yorktown. He ought certainly to be annihilated. + +I have advised Senator Johnson to let my nephew's purpose to bring Gen. +Holmes before a court-martial lie over, and I have the papers in my +drawer. The President will probably promote Col. Clark to a +brigadiership, and then my nephew will succeed to the colonelcy; which +will be a sufficient rebuke to Gen. H., and a cataplasm for my nephew's +wounded honor. + +The _Examiner_ has whipped Congress into a modification of the clause +putting assistant editors and other employees of newspaper proprietors +into the army. They want the press to give them the meed of praise for +their bold measures, and to reconcile the people to the tax, militia, +and currency acts. This is the year of crises, and I think we'll win. + +We are now sending 400 Federal prisoners to Georgia daily; and I hope we +shall have more food in the city when they are all gone. + +FEBRUARY 18TH.--This was the coldest morning of the winter. There was +ice in the wash-basins in our bed chambers, the first we have seen +there. I fear my cabbage, beets, etc. now coming up, in my half barrel +hot-bed, although in the house, are killed. + +The topic of discussion everywhere, now, is the effect likely to be +produced by the Currency bill. Mr. Lyons denounces it, and says the +people will be starved. I have heard (not seen) that some holders of +Treasury notes have burnt them to spite the government! I hope for the +best, even if the worst is to come. Some future Shakspeare will depict +the times we live in in striking colors. The wars of "The Roses" bore no +comparison to these campaigns between the rival sections. Everywhere our +troops are re-enlisting for the war; one regiment re-enlisted, the other +day, for forty years! + +The President has discontinued his Tuesday evening receptions. The +Legislature has a bill before it to suppress theatrical amusements +during the war. What would Shakspeare think of that? + +Sugar has risen to $10 and $12 per pound. + +FEBRUARY 19TH.--Cold and clear. Congress adjourned yesterday, having +passed the bill suspending the writ of _habeas corpus_ for six months +at least. Now the President is clothed with DICTATORIAL POWERS, to all +intents and purposes, so far as the war is concerned. + +The first effect of the Currency bill is to inflate prices yet more. But +as the volume of Treasury notes flows into the Treasury, we shall see +prices fall. And soon there will be a great rush to fund the notes, for +fear the holders may be _too late_, and have to submit to a discount of +33-1/2 per cent. + +Dispatches from Gen. Polk state that Sherman has paused at Meridian. + +FEBRUARY 20TH.--Bright, calm, but still cold--slightly moderating. Roads +firm and dusty. Trains of army wagons still go by our house laden with +ice. + +Brig.-Gen. Wm. Preston has been sent to Mexico, with authority to +recognize and treat with the new Emperor Maximilian. + +I see, by a letter from Mr. Benjamin, that he is intrusted by the +President with the custody of the "secret service" money. + +Late papers from the United States show that they have a money panic, +and that gold is rising in price. In Lowell not a spindle is turning, +and 30,000 operatives are thrown out of employment! + +From England we learn that the mass of the population are memorializing +government to put an end to the war! + +I saw a _ham_ sell to-day for $350; it weighed fifty pounds, at $7 per +pound. + +FEBRUARY 21ST.--Cold, clear, and calm, but moderating. + +Mr. Benjamin sent over, this morning, extracts from dispatches received +from his commercial agent in London, dated December 26th and January +16th, recommending, what had already been suggested by Mr. McRae, in +Paris, a government monopoly in the export of cotton, and in the +importation of necessaries, etc. + +This measure has already been adopted by Congress, which clearly shows +that the President can have any measure passed he pleases; and this is a +good one. + +So complete is the Executive master of the "situation", that, in advance +of the action of Congress on the Currency bill, the Secretary of the +Treasury had prepared plates, etc. for the new issue of notes before the +bill passed calling in the old. + +Some forty of the members of the Congress just ended failed to be +re-elected, and of these a large proportion are already seeking office +or exemption. + +The fear is now, that, from a plethora of paper money, we shall soon be +without a sufficiency for a circulating medium. There are $750,000,000 +in circulation; and the tax bills, etc. will call in, it is estimated, +$800,000,000! Well, I am willing to abide the result. Speculators have +had their day; and it will be hoped we shall have a season of low +prices, if scarcity of money always reduces prices. There are grave +lessons for our edification daily arising in such times as these. + +I know my ribs stick out, being covered by skin only, for the want of +sufficient food; and this is the case with many thousands of +non-producers, while there is enough for all, if it were equally +distributed. + +The Secretary of War has nothing new from Gen. Polk; and Sherman is +supposed to be still at Meridian. + +There is war between Gen. Winder and Mr. Ould, agent for exchange of +prisoners, about the custody and distribution to prisoners, Federal and +Confederate. It appears that parents, etc. writing to our prisoners in +the enemy's country, for want of three cent stamps, are in the habit of +inclosing five or ten cent pieces, and the perquisites of the office +amounts to several hundred dollars per month--and the struggle is really +between the clerks in the two offices. A. Mr. Higgens, from Maryland, is +in Winder's office, and has got the general to propose to the Secretary +that he shall have the exclusive handling of the letters; but Mr. Ould, +it appears, detected a letter, of an alleged treasonable character, on +its way to the enemy's country, written by this Higgens, and reported it +to the Secretary. But as the Secretary was much absorbed, and as Winder +will indorse Higgens, it is doubtful how the contest for the perquisites +will terminate. + +The Secretary was aroused yesterday. The cold weather burst the +water-pipe in his office, or over it, and drove him off to the +Spottswood Hotel. + +FEBRUARY 22D.--The offices are closed, to-day, in honor of Washington's +birth-day. But it is a _fast_ day; meal selling for $40 per bushel. +Money will not be so abundant a month hence! All my turnip-greens were +killed by the frost. The mercury was, on Friday, 5 deg. above zero; to-day +it is 40 deg.. Sowed a small bed of curled Savoy cabbage; and saved the +early York in my half barrel hot-bed by bringing it into the parlor, +where there was fire. + +A letter from Lieut.-Col. R. A. Alston, Decatur, Ga., says Capt. ---- +----, one of Gen. Morgan's secret agents, has just arrived there, after +spending several months in the North, and reports that Lincoln cannot +recruit his armies by draft, or any other mode, unless they achieve some +signal success in the spring campaign. He says, moreover, that there is +a perfect organization, all over the North, for the purpose of +revolution and the expulsion or death of the Abolitionists and free +negroes; and of this organization Generals ------, ------, and ---- ---- +---- are the military leaders. Col. A. asks permission of the Secretary +of War to go into Southern Illinois, where, he is confident, if he +cannot contribute to precipitate civil war, he can, at least, bring out +thousands of men who will fight for the Southern cause. + +Dispatches from Gen. Lee show that nearly every regiment in his army has +re-enlisted for the war. + +The body guard of the President has been dispersed. + +Here is the sequel to the history of the Jew whose goods brought such +fabulous prices at auction a few weeks ago: + +"_A Heavy Robbery--A former citizen of Richmond stripped of all his +goods and chattels._--A few weeks ago, Mr. Lewis Hyman, who had for some +years carried on a successful and profitable trade in jewelry in the +City of Richmond, disposed of his effects with a view of quitting the +Confederacy and finding a home in some land where his services were less +likely to be required in the tented field. Having settled up his +business affairs to his own satisfaction, he applied for and obtained a +passport from the Assistant Secretary of War, to enable him to pass our +lines. He first took the Southern route, hoping to run out from +Wilmington to Nassau; but delays occurring, he returned to Richmond. +From this point he went to Staunton, determined to make his exit from +the country by the Valley route. All went on smoothly enough until he +had passed Woodstock, in Shenandoah County. Between that point and +Strasburg he was attacked by a band of robbers and stripped of +everything he possessed of value, embracing a heavy amount of money and +a large and valuable assortment of jewelry. We have heard his loss +estimated at from $175,000 to $200,000. His passport was not taken from +him, and after the robbery he was allowed to proceed on his +journey--minus the essential means of traveling. It is stated that some +of the jewelry taken from him has already made its appearance in the +Richmond market. + +"P.S.--Since writing the above, we have had an interview with Mr. Jacob +Ezekiel, who states that the party of Mr. Hyman consisted of Lewis +Hyman, wife and child, Madam Son and husband, and H. C. Ezekiel; and the +presumption is that if one was robbed, all shared the same fate. Mr. E. +thinks that the amount in possession of the whole party would not exceed +$100,000. On Friday last two men called upon Mr. Ezekiel, at his place +of business in this city, and exhibited a parchment, in Hebrew +characters, which they represented was captured on a train on the +Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. This story, Mr. Ezekiel thinks, is +incorrect, from the fact that he received a letter from his son, then at +Woodstock, dated subsequent to the capture of the train on that road; +and he is satisfied that the articles shown him belonged to some of the +parties above mentioned." + +FEBRUARY 23D.--Bright and pleasant. + +A letter from Gen. Maury indicates now that Mobile is surely to be +attacked. He says they may force a passage at Grant's Pass, which is +thirty miles distant; and the fleet may pass the forts and reach the +lower bay. Gen. M. has 10,000 effective men, and subsistence for 20,000 +for six months. He asks 6000 or 7000 more men. He has also food for 4000 +horses for six months. But he has only 200 rounds for his cannon, and +250 for his siege guns, and 200 for each musket. + +Meal is the only food now attainable, except by the rich. We look for a +healthy year, everything being so cleanly consumed that no garbage or +filth can accumulate. We are all good scavengers now, and there is no +need of buzzards in the streets. Even the pigeons can scarcely find a +grain to eat. + +Gold brought $30 for $1, Saturday. Nevertheless, we have only good news +from the armies, and we have had a victory in Florida. + +FEBRUARY 24TH.--Bright and pleasant. Intelligence from the West is of an +interesting character. The column of Federal cavalry from Memphis, +destined to co-operate with Gen. Sherman, has been intercepted and a +junction prevented. And both Sherman and the cavalry are now in full +retreat--running out of the country faster than they advanced into it. +The desert they made as they traversed the interior of Mississippi they +have now to repass, if they can, in the weary retreat, with no supplies +but those they brought with them. Many will never get back. + +And a dispatch from Beauregard confirms Finnegan's victory in Florida. +He captured all the enemy's artillery, stores, etc., and for three miles +his dead and wounded were found strewn on the ground. Thus the military +operations of 1864 are, so far, decidedly favorable. And we shall +probably soon have news from Longstreet. If Meade advances, Lee will +meet him--and let him beware! + +Gold is still mounting up--and so with everything exposed for sale. +When, when will prices come down? + +But we shall probably end the war this year--and independence will +compensate for all. The whole male population, pretty much, will be in +the field this year, and our armies will be strong. So far we have the +prestige of success, and our men are resolved to keep it, if the +dissensions of the leaders do not interfere with the general purpose. + +FEBRUARY 25TH.--The President has certainly conferred on Bragg the +position once (1862) occupied by Lee, as the following official +announcement, in all the papers to-day, demonstrates: + + "WAR DEPARTMENT, + + "ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, + + "RICHMOND, February 24th, 1864. + + "GENERAL ORDERS NO. 23. + + "Gen. Braxton Bragg is assigned to duty at the seat of government, + and, under direction of the President, is charged with the conduct + of military operations in the armies of the Confederacy. + + "By order of the Secretary of War. + + "S. COOPER, + + "_Adjutant and Inspector General._" + +No doubt Bragg can give the President valuable counsel--nor can there be +any doubt that he enjoys a secret satisfaction in triumphing thus over +popular sentiment, which just at this time is much averse to Gen. +Bragg. The President is naturally a little oppugnant. + +He has just appointed a clerk, in the Department of War, a military +judge, with rank and pay of colonel of cavalry--one whom he never saw; +but the clerk once had a street fight with Mr. Pollard, who has +published a pamphlet against the President. Mr. Pollard sees his enemy +with three golden stars on each side of his collar. + +The retreat of Sherman seems to be confirmed. + +Gen. Beauregard sends the following dispatch: + + "CHARLESTON, February 23d--2 15 P.M. + + "TO GEN. S. COOPER. + + "The latest reports from Gen. Finnegan give no particulars of the + victory at Occum Pond, except that he has taken all of the enemy's + artillery, some 500 or 600 stand of small arms already collected, + and that the roads for three miles are strewn with the enemy's dead + and wounded. + + "(Signed) G. T. BEAUREGARD." + +The _Examiner_ has the following remarks on the appointment of Bragg: + +"The judicious and opportune appointment of Gen. Bragg to the post of +Commander-in-Chief of the Confederate Armies, will be appreciated as an +illustration of that strong common sense which forms the basis of the +President's character, that regard for the opinions and feelings of the +country, that respect for the Senate, which are the keys to all that is +mysterious in the conduct of our public affairs. The Confederate armies +cannot fail to be well pleased. Every soldier's heart feels that merit +is the true title to promotion, and that glorious service should insure +a splendid reward. From Lookout Mountain, a step to the highest military +honor and power is natural and inevitable. Johnston, Lee, and Beauregard +learn with grateful emotions that the conqueror of Kentucky and +Tennessee has been elevated to a position which his superiority +deserves. Finally this happy announcement should enliven the fires of +confidence and enthusiasm, reviving among the people like a bucket of +water on a newly kindled grate." + +The day before his appointment, the _Enquirer_ had a long editorial +article denouncing in advance his assignment to any prominent position, +and severely criticised his conduct in the West. To-day _it hails his +appointment as Commander-in-Chief with joy and enthusiasm_! This reminds +one of the _Moniteur_ when Napoleon was returning from Elba. The +_Enquirer's_ notion is to prevent discord--and hence it is patriotic. + +The weather is still bright, pleasant, but dusty. We have had only one +rain since the 18th of December, and one light snow. My garden is too +dry for planting. + +We have not only the negroes arrayed against as, but it appears that +recruiting for the Federal army from Ireland has been carried on to a +large extent. + +FEBRUARY 26TH.--Cool, bright, but windy and dusty. + +Dispatches announce heavy skirmishing in the vicinity of Dalton--and +Gen. Johnston's army was in line of battle. It may be merely a feint of +the enemy to aid in the extrication of Sherman. + +Gen. Lee is here in consultation with the President. They decided that +over 1000 men be transferred from the army to the navy--so that +something may be soon heard from our iron-clads. + +Pork is selling at $3 per pound to-day. + +Writings upon the walls of the houses at the corners of the streets were +observed this morning, indicating a riot, if there be no amelioration of +the famine. + +FEBRUARY 27TH.--Bright and pleasant--dusty. But one rain during the +winter! + +The "associated press" publishes an unofficial dispatch, giving almost +incredible accounts of Gen. Forrest's defeat of Grierson's cavalry, +10,000 strong, with only 2000. It is said the enemy were cut up and +routed, losing all his guns, etc. + +Sugar is $20 per pound; new bacon, $8; and chickens, $12 per pair. Soon +we look for a money panic, when a few hundred millions of the paper +money is funded, and as many more collected by the tax collectors. +Congress struck the speculators a hard blow. One man, eager to invest +his money, gave $100,000 for a house and lot, and he now pays $5000 tax +on it; the interest is $6000 more--$11,000 total. His next door +neighbor, who bought his house in 1860 for $10,000, similar in every +respect, pays $500 tax (valued at date of sale), interest $600; total, +$1100 per annum. The speculator pays $10,000 per annum more than his +patriotic neighbor, who refused to sell his house for $100,000. + +FEBRUARY 28TH.--Bright, cool, and dusty. No war news; nor denial or +confirmation of the wonderful victory of Forrest in Mississippi. That he +captured the enemy's artillery and drove them back, is official. + +Longstreet has retired from before Knoxville; perhaps to assault +Nashville, or to penetrate Kentucky. + +Yesterday the Secretary ordered Col. Northrop to allow full rations of +meal to the engineer corps; to-day he returns the order, saying: "There +is not sufficient transportation for full rations to the troops in the +field." + +Last night the Secretary sent for Mr. Ould, exchange agent, and it is +thought an exchange of prisoners will be effected, and with Butler. A +confidential communication _may_ have been received from Butler, who is +a politician, and it may be that he has offered _secret_ inducements, +etc. He would like to establish a _trade_ with us for tobacco, as he did +for cotton and sugar when he was in New Orleans. No doubt some of the +high officials at Washington would _wink_ at it for a share of the +profits. + +The Southern Express Company (Yankee) has made an arrangement with the +Quartermaster-General to transport private contributions of supplies to +the army--anything to monopolize the railroads, and make private +fortunes. Well, "all's well that ends well,"--and our armies may be +_forced_ to forage on the enemy. + +I copy this advertisement from a morning paper: + + "NOTICE.--Owing to the heavy advance of feed, we are compelled to + charge the following rates for boarding horses on and after the 1st + of March: + + Board per month $300.00 + " " day 15.00 + Single feed 5.00 + + "_Virginia Stables._ JAMES C. JOHNSON, + W. H. SUTHERLAND, + B. W. GREEN." + +Congress and the President parted at the adjournment in bad temper. It +is true everything was passed by Congress asked for by the Executive as +necessary in the present exigency--a new military bill, putting into the +service several hundred thousand more men, comprising the entire male +population between the ages of 17 and 50; the tax and currency bills, +calculated to realize $600,000,000 or $800,000,000; and the suspension +of the writ of _habeas corpus_. These were conceded, say the members, +for the sake of the country, and not as concessions to the Executive. +But the Commissary-General's nomination, and hundreds of others, were +not sent into the Senate, in derogation of the Constitution; and +hundreds that were sent in, have not been acted on by the Senate, and +such officers now act in violation of the Constitution. + +Dill's Government Bakery, Clay Street, is now in flames--supposed to be +the work of an incendiary. Loss not likely to be heavy. + +FEBRUARY 29TH.--Raining moderately. + +There is a rumor that Frederick's Hall, between this city and +Fredericksburg, was taken to-day by a detachment of the enemy's cavalry, +an hour after Gen. Lee passed on his way to the army. This is only +rumor, however. + +A dispatch from Gen. Lee's Chief Commissary, received to-day, says the +army has only bread enough to last till the 1st of March, to-morrow! and +that meat is getting scarce again. Col. Northrop, the Commissary-General, +indorses on this, that he _foresaw_ and frequently _foretold_ that such +a crisis would come. He says transportation sufficient cannot be had, +and that he has just heard of an accident to the Wilmington Railroad, +which will diminish the transportation of corn one-half; and he says a +similar accident to the Charlotte Road would be fatal. Comfortable! And +when I saw him afterward, his face was lit up with triumph, as if he had +gained a victory! He _predicted_ it, because they would not let him +impress all the food in the country. And now he has no remedy for the +pressing need. But the soldiers won't starve, in spite of him. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI + +Attempt to capture Richmond.--Governor Vance and Judge Pearson-- + Preparations to blow up the "Libby" prisoners.--Letter from General + Lee.--Proposal to execute Dahlgren's raiders.--General Butler on the + Eastern Shore.--Colonel Dahlgren's body.--Destitution of the army.-- + Strength of the Southwestern army.--Destitution of my family.-- + Protest from South Carolina.--Difficulty with P. Milmo & Co.--Hon. + J. W. Wall. + + +MARCH 1ST.--Dark and raining. + +As the morning progressed, the city was a little startled by the sound +of artillery in a northern direction, and not very distant. Couriers and +horsemen from the country announced the approach of the enemy _within_ +the outer fortifications; a column of 5000 cavalry. Then Hon. James +Lyons came in, reporting that the enemy were shelling his house, one and +a half miles from the city. And Gen. Elzey (in command) said, at the +department, that a fight was in progress; and that Brig.-Gen. Custis Lee +was directing it in person. But an hour or so after the report of +artillery ceased, and the excitement died away. Yet the local troops and +militia are marching out as I write; and a caisson that came in an hour +ago has just passed our door, returning to the field. Of course the city +is full of rumors, and no one yet knows what has occurred. I presume it +was only distant shelling, as no wounded men have been brought in. + +It is reported that the enemy captured Mr. Seddon's family twenty-five +miles distant,--also Gen. Wise's. To-morrow we shall know more; but no +_uneasiness_ is felt as to the result. In a few hours we can muster men +enough to defend the city against 25,000. + +A letter from Gen. Whiting suggests that martial law be proclaimed in +North Carolina, as a Judge Pearson--a traitor, he thinks--is discharging +men who have in conscripts as substitutes, on the ground that the act of +Congress is unconstitutional. The President suggest a General Order, +etc., complying with Gen. W.'s request. + +Col. A. C. Myers, late Quartermaster-General, writes again, indignantly +resenting the President's indorsement, etc. as unfounded and injurious, +etc. + +The President indorses this letter as follows: "Unless this letter is +designed to ask whether Col. M. is still in the army, or discharged by +the appointment of a successor, I find nothing which changes the case +since my indorsement referred to, as causing resentment and calling for +vindication. Your orders were certainly official communications. Not +having seen them, I can express no opinion upon their terms.--JEFFERSON +DAVIS." + +MARCH 2D.--A slight snow on the ground this morning--but bright and +cool. Last night, after I had retired to bed, we heard a brisk +cannonading, and volleys of musketry, a few miles distant. + +This morning an excitement, but no alarm, pervaded the city. It was +certainly a formidable attempt to take the city by surprise. From the +number of disgraceful failures heretofore, the last very recently, the +enemy must have come to the desperate resolution to storm the city this +time at all hazards. And indeed the coming upon it was sudden, and if +there had been a column of 15,000 bold men in the assault, they might +have penetrated it. But now, twenty-four hours subsequently, 30,000 +would fail in the attempt. + +The Department Clerks were in action in the evening in five minutes +after they were formed in line. Capt. Ellery, Chief Clerk of 2d Auditor, +was killed, and several were wounded. It rained fast all the time, and +it was very dark. The enemy's cavalry charged upon them, firing as they +came; they were ordered to lie flat on the ground. This they did, until +the enemy came within fifteen yards of them, when they rose and fired, +sending the assailants to the right and left, helter-skelter. How many +fell is not yet known. + +To-day Gen. Hampton sent in 77 prisoners, taken six miles above +town--one lieutenant-colonel among them; and Yankee horses, etc. are +coming in every hour. + +Gov. Vance writes that inasmuch as Judge Pearson still grants the writ +of _habeas corpus_, and discharges all who have put substitutes in the +army, on the ground of the unconstitutionality of the act of Congress, +he is bound by his oath to sustain the judge, even to the summoning the +military force of the State to resist the Confederate States +authorities. But to avoid such a fatal collision, he is willing to +abide the decision of the Supreme Court, to assemble in June; the +substitute men, meantime, to be left unmolested. We shall soon see the +President's decision, which will probably be martial law. + +Last night, when it was supposed probable that the prisoners of war at +the Libby might attempt to break out, Gen. Winder ordered that a large +amount of powder be placed under the building, with instructions to blow +them up, if the attempt were made. He was persuaded, however, to consult +the Secretary of War first, and get his approbation. The Secretary would +give no such order, but said the prisoners must not be permitted to +escape under any circumstances, which was considered sanction enough. +Capt. ---- obtained an order for, and procured several hundred pounds of +gunpowder, which were placed in readiness. Whether the prisoners were +advised of this I know not; but I told Capt. ---- it could not be +justifiable to spring such a mine in the absence of their knowledge of +the fate awaiting them, in the event of their attempt to break +out,--because such prisoners are not to be condemned for striving to +regain their liberty. Indeed, it is the _duty_ of a prisoner of war to +escape if he can. + +Gen. Winder addressed me in a friendly manner to-day, the first time in +two years. + +The President was in a bad humor yesterday, when the enemy's guns were +heard even in his office. + +The last dispatch from Gen. Lee informs us that Meade, who had advanced, +had fallen back again. But communications are cut between us and Lee; +and we have no intelligence since Monday. + +Gen. Wilcox is organizing an impromptu brigade here, formed of the +furloughed officers and men found everywhere in the streets and at the +hotels. This looks as if the danger were not yet regarded as over. + +The Secretary of War was locked up with the Quartermaster and +Commissary-Generals and other bureau officers, supposed to be discussing +the damage done by the enemy to the railroads, etc. etc. I hope it was +not a consultation upon any presumed necessity of the abandonment of the +city! + +We were paid to-day in $5 bills. I gave $20 for half a cord of wood, and +$60 for a bushel of common white cornfield beans. Bacon is yet $8 per +pound; but more is coming to the city than usual, and a decline may be +looked for, I hope. The farmers above the city, who have been hoarding +grain, meat, etc., will lose much by the raiders. + +MARCH 3D.--Bright and frosty. Confused accounts of the raid in the +morning papers. + +During the day it was reported that Col. Johnson's forces had been cut +up this morning by superior numbers, and that Butler was advancing up +the Peninsula with 15,000 men. The tocsin was sounded in the afternoon, +and the militia called out; every available man being summoned to the +field for the defense of the city. The opinion prevails that the plan to +liberate the prisoners and capture Richmond is not fully developed yet, +nor abandoned. My only apprehension is that while our troops may be +engaged in one direction, a detachment of the enemy may rush in from the +opposite quarter. But the attempt must fail. There is much excitement, +but no alarm. It is rather eagerness to meet the foe, and a desire that +he may come. + +The Department Battalion returned at 2 P.M. to attend the funeral of +Capt. Ellery, and expect to be marched out again this evening toward +Bottom's Bridge, where the enemy is said to be in considerable force. + +Custis, though detailed to duty in the department, threw down his pen +to-day, and said he _would_ go out and be in the next fight. And so he +left me suddenly. The Secretary, to whom I communicated this, said it +was right and proper for him to go--even without orders. He goes without +a blanket, preferring not to sleep, to carrying one. At night he will +sit by a fire in the field. + +Some of the clerks would shoot Mr. Memminger cheerfully. He will not pay +them their salaries, on some trivial informality in the certificates; +and while they are fighting and bleeding in his defense, their wives and +children are threatened to be turned out of doors by the boarding-house +keepers. + +MARCH 4TH.--Bright and frosty in the morning; warm and cloudy in the +afternoon. The enemy have disappeared. + +On the 17th inst., Gen. Lee wrote the Secretary of War that he had +received a letter from Gen. Longstreet, asking that Pickett's Division +be in readiness to join him; also that a brigade of Gen. Buckner's +Division, at Dalton, be sent him at once. He says the force immediately +in front of him consists of the 4th, 11th, 9th, and 23d corps, besides a +large body of cavalry from Middle Tennessee. Gen. Lee says the railroad +from Chattanooga to Knoxville, being about completed, will enable the +enemy to combine on either Johnston or Longstreet. He (Gen. Lee) says, +however, that the 4th and 11th corps are small, and may have been +consolidated; the 23d also is small; but he does not know the strength +of the enemy. He thinks Pickett's Division should be sent as desired, +and its place filled with troops from South Carolina, etc., where +operations will probably soon cease. The Secretary sent this to the +President. The President sent it back to-day, indorsed, "How can +Pickett's Division be replaced?--J. D." + +Henley's Battalion returned this evening; and Custis can resume his +school, unless he should be among the list doomed to the rank in the +field, for which he is physically incapable, as Surgeon Garnett, the +President's physician, has certified. + +MARCH 5TH.--Clear and pleasant, after a slight shower in the morning. + +The raid is considered at an end, and it has ended disastrously for the +invaders. + +Some extraordinary memoranda were captured from the raiders, showing a +diabolical purpose, and creating a profound sensation here. The cabinet +have been in consultation many hours in regard to it, and I have reason +to believe it is the present purpose to deal summarily with the captives +taken with Dahlgren, but the "sober second thought" will prevail, and +they will not be executed, notwithstanding the thunders of the press. +Retaliation for such outrages committed on others having been declined, +the President and cabinet can hardly be expected to begin with such +sanguinary punishments when _their own_ lives are threatened. It would +be an act liable to grave criticism. Nevertheless, Mr. Secretary Seddon +has written a letter to-day to Gen. Lee, asking his views on a matter of +such importance as the execution of some _ninety_ men of Dahlgren's +immediate followers, not, as he says, to divide the responsibility, nor +to effect a purpose, which has the sanction of the President, the +cabinet, and _Gen. Bragg_, but to have his _views_, and information as +to what would probably be its effect on the army under his command. We +shall soon know, I hope, what Gen. Lee will have to say on the subject, +and I am mistaken if he does not oppose it. If these men had been put +to death in the heat of passion, on the field, it would have been +justified, but it is too late now. Besides, _Gen. Lee's son_ is a +captive in the hands of the enemy, designated for retaliation whenever +we shall execute any of their prisoners in our hands. It is cruelty to +Gen. Lee! + +It is already rumored that Gen. Butler has been removed, and a flag of +truce boat is certainly at City Point, laden with prisoners sent up for +exchange. + +The Commissary-General has sent in a paper saying that unless the +passenger cars on the Southern Road be discontinued, he cannot supply +half enough meal for Lee's army. He has abundance in Georgia and South +Carolina, but cannot get transportation. He says the last barrel of +flour from Lynchburg has gone to the army. + +We have news from the West that Morgan and his men will be in the saddle +in a few days. + +After all, Mr. Lyon's house was not touched by any of the enemy's +shells. But one shell struck within 300 yards of one house in Clay +Street, and not even the women and children were alarmed. + +The price of a turkey to-day is $60. + +MARCH 6TH.--My birthday--55. Bright and frosty; subsequently warm and +pleasant. No news. But some indignation in the streets at the +Adjutant-General's (Cooper) order, removing the clerks and putting them +in the army, just when they had, by their valor, saved the capital from +flames and the throats of the President and his cabinet from the knives +of the enemy. If the order be executed, the heads of the government will +receive and merit execration. It won't be done. + +MARCH 7TH.--Bright and frosty morning; cloudy and warm in the evening. +Cannon and musketry were heard this morning some miles northwest of the +city. Probably Gen. Hampton fell in with one of the lost detachments of +the raiders, seeking a way of escape. This attempt to surprise Richmond +was a disgraceful failure. + +The Secretary of War has gone up to his farm for a few days to see the +extent of injury done him by the enemy. + +Mr. Benjamin and Assistant Secretary Campbell are _already_ "allowing" +men to pass to the United States, and even directly to _Washington_. +Surely the injury done us by information thus conveyed to the enemy +hitherto, ought to be a sufficient warning. + +Gen. Bragg has resolved to keep a body of 1500 cavalry permanently +within the city and its vicinity. + +MARCH 8TH.--An application of Capt. C. B. Duffield, for a +lieutenant-colonelcy, recommended by Col. Preston, came back from the +President to-day. It was favorably indorsed by the Secretary, but Gen. +Cooper marked it adversely, saying the Assistant Adjutant-General should +not execute the Conscription act, and finally, the President simply +said, "The whole organization requires revision--J. D." I hope it _will_ +be revised, and nine-tenths of its officers put in the army as +conscripts. + +Raining this morning, and alternate clouds and sunshine during the day. + +One of the clerks who was in the engagement, Tuesday night, March 1st, +informed me that the enemy's cavalry approached slowly up the hill, on +the crest of which the battalion was lying. At the word, the boys rose +and fired on their knees. He says the enemy delivered a volley before +they retreated, killing two of our men and wounding several. + +Reports from the Eastern Shore of Virginia indicate that Gen. Butler's +rule there has been even worse than Lockwood's. It is said that the +subordinate officers on that quiet peninsula are merely _his_ agents, to +tax and fine and plunder the unoffending people,--never in arms, and who +have, with few exceptions, "taken the oath" repeatedly. One family, +however (four sisters, the Misses P.), relatives of my wife, have not +yielded. They allege that their father and oldest sister were persecuted +to death by the orders of the general, and they _could not_ swear +allegiance to any government sanctioning such outrages in its agents. +They were repeatedly arrested, and torn from their paternal roof at all +hours of the day and night, but only uttered defiance. They are ladies +of the first standing, highly accomplished, and of ample fortune, but +are ready to suffer death rather than submit to the behests of a petty +tyrant. Butler abandoned the attempt, but the soldiery never lose an +opportunity of annoying the family. + +MARCH 9TH.--A frosty morning, with dense fog; subsequently a pretty day. + +This is the famine month. Prices of every commodity in the market--up, +up, up. Bacon, $10 to $15 per pound; meal, $50 per bushel. But the +market-houses are deserted, the meat stalls all closed, only here and +there a cart, offering turnips, cabbages, parsnips, carrots, etc., at +outrageous prices. However, the super-abundant paper money is beginning +to flow into the Treasury, and that reflex of the financial tide may +produce salutary results a few weeks hence. + +MARCH 10TH.--Raining fast all day. + +There was a rumor to-day that the enemy were approaching again, but the +Secretary knew nothing of it. + +Major Griswold is at variance with Gen. Winder, who has relieved him as +Provost Marshal, and ordered him to Americus, Ga., to be second in +command of the prisons, and assigned Major Carrington to duty as Provost +Marshal here. Major Griswold makes a pathetic appeal to the President to +be allowed to stay here in his old office. + +The following, from the _Dispatch_, differs from the _Examiner's_ +account of the disposal of Col. Dahlgren's body: + +"_Col. Dahlgren's Body._--On Sunday afternoon last, the body of Col. +Ulric Dahlgren, one of the leaders of the late Yankee raid on this city, +and on whose body the paper revealing their designs, if successful, were +found, was brought to this city on the York River Railroad train, and +remained in the car (baggage) in which it was till yesterday afternoon, +when it was transferred to some retired burial place. The object in +bringing Dahlgren's body here was for identification, and was visited, +among others, by Captain Dement and Mr. Mountcastle, of this city, who +were recently captured and taken around by the raiders. These gentlemen +readily recognized it as that of the leader of the band sent to +assassinate the President and burn the city. The appearance of the +corpse yesterday was decidedly more genteel than could be expected, +considering the length of time he has been dead. He was laid in a plain +white pine coffin, with flat top, and was dressed in a clean, coarse +white cotton shirt, dark blue pants, and enveloped in a dark military +blanket. In stature he was about five feet ten inches high, with a long, +cadaverous face, light hair, slight beard, closely shaven, and had a +small goatee, very light in color. In age we suppose he was about thirty +years, and the expression of his countenance indicated that of pain." + +MARCH 11TH.--Rained all night--a calm, warm rain. Calm and warm to-day, +with light fog, but no rain. + +It is now supposed the clerks (who saved the city) will be kept here to +defend it. + +MARCH 12TH.--It cleared away yesterday evening, and this morning, after +the dispersion of a fog, the sun shone out in great glory, and the day +was bright, calm, and pleasant. The trees begin to exhibit buds, and the +grass is quite green. + +My wife received a letter to-day from Mrs. Marling, Raleigh, N. C., +containing some collard seed, which was immediately sown in a bed +already prepared. And a friend sent us some fresh pork spare ribs and +chine, and four heads of cabbage--so that we shall have subsistence for +several days. My income, including Custis's, is not less, now, than $600 +per month, or $7200 per annum; but we are still poor, with flour at $300 +per barrel; meal, $50 per bushel; and even fresh fish at $5 per pound. A +market-woman asked $5 to-day for a half pint of snap beans, to plant! + +MARCH 13TH.--A lovely spring day--bright, warm, and calm. + +There is nothing new, only the burning of houses, mills, etc. on the +York River by the Yankees, and that is nothing new. + +Subsequently the day became very windy, but not cold. The roads will be +dry again, and military operations will be resumed. The campaign will be +an early one in Virginia, probably. Our people are impatient to meet the +foe, for they are weary of the war. Blood will flow in torrents, unless +the invaders avoid great battles; and in that event our armies may +assume the offensive. + +It is now thought that the Department Battalion will be kept here for +the defense of the city; the clerks, or most of them, retaining their +offices. Those having families may possibly live on their salaries; but +those who live at boarding-houses cannot, for board is now from $200 to +$300 per month. Relief _must_ soon come from some quarter, else many in +this community will famish. But they prefer death to submission to the +terms offered by the Abolitionists at Washington. The government must +provide for the destitute, and array every one capable of bearing arms +in the field. + +MARCH 14TH.--Bright, pleasant day. The city is full of generals--Lee and +his son (the one just returned from captivity), Longstreet, Whiting, +Wise, Hoke, Morgan (he was ordered by Gen. Cooper to desist from his +enterprise in the West), Evans, and many others. Some fourteen attended +St. Paul's (Episcopal) Church yesterday, where the President worships. +Doubtless they are in consultation on the pressing needs of the country. + +About noon to-day a dispatch came from Lieut. Col. Cole, Gen. Lee's +principal commissary, at Orange Court House, dated 12th inst., saying +_the army was out of meat, and had but one day's rations of bread_. This +I placed in the hands of the Secretary myself, and he seemed roused by +it. Half an hour after, I saw Col. Northrop coming out of the department +with a pale face, and triumphant, compressed lips. He had indorsed on +the dispatch, before it came--it was addressed to him--that the state of +things had come which he had long and often _predicted_, and to avert +which he had repeatedly suggested the remedy; but the Secretary would +not! + +No wonder the generals are in consultation, for all the armies are in +the same lamentable predicament--to the great triumph of Col. N., whose +prescience is triumphantly vindicated! But Gen. Wise, when I mentioned +these things to him, said _we would starve in the midst of plenty_, +meaning that Col. N was incompetent to hold the position of +Commissary-General. + +At 2 P.M. a dispatch (which I likewise placed in the hands of the +Secretary) came from Gen. Pickett, with information that thirteen of the +enemy's transports passed Yorktown yesterday with troops from Norfolk, +the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Washington City, etc.--such was the +report of the signal corps. They also reported that Gen. Meade would +order a general advance, to _check Gen. Lee_. What all this means I know +not, unless it be meant to aid Gen. Kilpatrick to get back the way he +came with his raiding cavalry--or else Gen. Lee's army is in motion, +even while he is here. It must do something, or starve. + +L. P. Walker, the first Secretary of War, is here, applying for an +appointment as judge advocate of one of the military courts. + +Gen. Bragg is at work. I saw by the President's papers to-day, that the +Secretary's recommendation to remit the sentence to drop an officer was +referred to him. He indorsed on it that the sentence was just, and ought +to be executed. The President then indorsed: "Drop him.--J. D." + +MARCH 15TH.--A clear, cool morning; but rained in the evening. + +By the correspondence of the department, I saw to-day that 35,000 +bushels of corn left North Carolina nearly a week ago for Lee's army, +and about the same time 400,000 pounds of bacon was in readiness to be +shipped from Augusta, Ga. At short rations, that would furnish bread and +meat for the army several weeks. + +We hear nothing additional from the enemy on the Peninsula. I doubt +whether they mean fight. + +We are buoyed again with rumors of an intention on the part of France to +recognize us. So mote it be! We are preparing, however, to strike hard +blows single-banded and unaided, if it must be. + +MARCH 16TH.--There was ice last night. Cold all day. Gen. Maury writes +that no immediate attack on Mobile need be apprehended now. He goes next +to Savannah to look after the defenses of that city. + +The _Examiner_ to-day publishes Gen. Jos. E. Johnston's report of his +operations in Mississippi last summer. He says the disaster at Vicksburg +was owing to Gen. Pemberton's disobedience of orders. He was ordered to +concentrate his army and give battle before the place was invested, and +under no circumstances to allow himself to be besieged, which must of +course result in disaster. He says, also, that he was about to +manoeuvre in such manner as would have probably resulted in the saving +a large proportion of his men, when, to his astonishment, he learned +that Gen. P. had capitulated. + +Willoughby Newton reports that the enemy are building a number of light +boats, to be worked with muffled oars, at Point Lookout, Md., and +suggests that they may be designed to pass the obstructions in the James +River, in another attempt to capture Richmond. + +It is said Lieut.-Gen. E. Kirby Smith, trans-Mississippi, has been made +a full general, and that Major-Gen. Sterling Price relieves Lieut.-Gen. +Holmes, who is to report at Richmond. If this be so, it is very good +policy. + +Gen. Lee is still here, but will leave very soon. + +Gen. Bragg has taken measures to insure the transportation of meat and +grain from the South. Much food for Lee's army has arrived during the +last two days. + +MARCH 17TH.--Bright, clear, and pleasant; frosty in the morning. + +Letters from Lieut.-Gen. Hood to the President, Gen Bragg, and the +Secretary of War, give a cheering account of Gen. Johnston's army at +Dalton. The men are well fed and well clothed. They are in high spirits, +"and eager for the fray." The number is 40,000. Gen. H. urges, most +eloquently, the junction of Polk's and Loring's troops with these, +making some 60,000,--Grant having 50,000,--and then uniting with +Longstreet's army, perhaps 30,000 more, and getting in the rear of the +enemy. He says this would be _certain_ to drive Grant out of Tennessee +and Kentucky, and probably end the war. But if we lie still, Grant will +eventually accumulate overwhelming numbers, and penetrate farther: and +if he beats us, it would be difficult to rally again for another stand, +so despondent would become the people. + +Gen. Hood deprecates another invasion of Pennsylvania, which would be +sure to result in defeat. He is decided in his conviction that the best +policy is to take the initiative, and drive the enemy out of Tennessee +and Kentucky, which could be accomplished to a _certainty_. + +MARCH 18TH.--Bright and warmer, but windy. + +Letters received at the department to-day, from Georgia, show than only +one-eighth of the capacity of the railroads have been used for the +subsistence of the army. The rogues among the multitude of +quartermasters have made fortunes themselves, and almost ruined the +country. It appears that there is abundance of grain and meat in the +country, if it were only equally distributed among the consumers. It is +to be hoped the rogues will now be excluded from the railroads. + +The belief prevails that Gen. Lee's army is in motion. It may be a +feint, to prevent reinforcements from being sent to Grant. + +My daughter's cat is staggering to-day, for want of animal food. +Sometimes I fancy I stagger myself. We do not average two ounces of meat +daily; and some do not get any for several days together. Meal is $50 +per bushel. I saw adamantine candles sell at auction to-day (box) at $10 +per pound; tallow, $6.50. Bacon brought $7.75 per pound by the 100 +pounds. + +My good friend Dr. Powell and his family were absent from the farm near +the city during the late raid. The enemy carried off several of his +finest horses and mules, and consumed much of his supplies of food, +etc., but utterly failed to induce any of his negroes to leave the +place--and he has many. One of the female servants, when the enemy +approached, ran into the house and secured all the silver, concealing it +in her own house, and keeping it safely for her mistress. + +MARCH 19TH.--Warmer, calm and cloudy. + +I saw a large turkey to-day in market (wild), for which $100 was +demanded. + +I saw Dr. Powell to-day. He says the Federals asked his servants where +the master and mistress had gone? and they were told that they had been +called to Petersburg to see a sick daughter. They then asked where the +spoons were, and were told none were in the house. They asked if there +was not a watch, and the servant said her master wore it. They then +demanded where the money was kept, and were told it was always kept in +bank. They made the servants open drawers, press, etc.; and when they +discovered some pans of milk, they took them up and drank out of them +with eagerness. They took nothing from the house, destroyed nothing, and +the doctor deems himself fortunate. They left him two horses and eight +mules. + +MARCH 20TH.--Bright and beautiful weather. + +There are fires occurring now every night; and several buildings have +been burned in the immediate vicinity of the War Department. These are +attributed to incendiary Yankees, and the guard at the public offices +has been doubled. + +Mrs. Seddon, wife of the Secretary of War, resolved not to lose more +wine by the visits of the Federal raiders, sent to auction last week +twelve demijohns, which brought her $6000--$500 a demijohn. + +MARCH 21ST.--Although cloudy, there was ice this morning, and cold all +day. + +Yesterday another thousand prisoners were brought up by the flag of +truce boat. A large company of both sexes welcomed them in the Capitol +Square, whither some baskets of food were sent by those who had some +patriotism with their abundance. The President made them a comforting +speech, alluding to their toils, bravery, and sufferings in captivity; +and promised them, after a brief respite, that they should be in the +field again. + +The following conversation took place yesterday between the President +and some young ladies of his acquaintance, with whom he promenaded: + +_Miss._--Do you think they will like to return to the field? + +_President._--It may seem hard; but even those boys (pointing to some +youths around the monument twelve or fourteen years old) will have their +trial. + +_Miss._--But how shall the army be fed? + +_President._--I don't see why rats, if fat, are not as good as +squirrels. Our men _did_ eat mule meat at Vicksburg; but it would be an +expensive luxury now. + +After this, the President fell into a grave mood, and some remark about +recognition caused him to say twice--"We have no friends abroad!" + +MARCH 22D.--Cloudy morning, with ice; subsequently a snow-storm all day +long. No war news. But meat and grain are coming freely from the South. +This gives rise to a rumor that Lee will fall back, and that the capital +will be besieged; all without any foundation. + +A Mrs. ---- from Maryland, whose only son is in a Federal prison, writes +the President (she is in this city) that she desires to go to Canada on +some secret enterprise. The President favors her purpose in an +indorsement. On this the Secretary indorses a purpose to facilitate her +design, and suggests that she be paid $1000 in gold from the secret +service fund. She is a Roman Catholic, and intimates that the bishops, +priests, and nuns will aid her. + +MARCH 23D.--Snow fell all night, and was eight or ten inches deep this +morning; but it was a bright morning, and glorious sunshine all +day,--the anniversary of the birth of Shakspeare, 300 years ago,--and +the snow is melting rapidly. + +The Secretary of War had a large amount of plate taken from the +department to-day to his lodgings at the Spottswood Hotel. It was +captured from the enemy with Dahlgren, who had pillaged it from our +opulent families in the country. + +MARCH 24TH.--A bright pleasant day--snow nearly gone. + +Next week the clerks in the departments, between the ages of eighteen +and forty-five, are to be enrolled, and perhaps the greater number will +be detailed to their present employments. + +Gov. Vance is here, and the President is about to appoint some of his +friends brigadiers, which is conciliatory. + +Gen. Longstreet has written a letter to the President, which I have not +seen. The President sent it to the Secretary to-day, marked +"confidential." It must relate either to subsistence or to important +movements in meditation. If the latter, we shall soon know it. + +MARCH 25TH.--Raining moderately. + +Yesterday Mr. Miles, member of Congress from South Carolina, received a +dispatch from Charleston, signed by many of the leading citizens, +protesting against the removal of 52 companies of cavalry from that +department to Virginia. They say so few will be left that the railroads, +plantations, and even the City of Charleston will be exposed to the easy +capture of the enemy; and this is "approved" and signed by T. Jordan, +Chief of Staff. It was given to the Secretary of War, who sent it to +Gen. Bragg, assuring him that the citizens signing it were the most +_influential_ in the State, etc. + +Gen. Bragg sent it back with an indignant note. He says the President +gave the order, and it was a proper one. These companies of cavalry have +not shared the hardships of the war, and have done no fighting; more +cavalry has been held by Gen. Beauregard, in proportion to the number of +his army, than by any other general; that skeleton regiments, which have +gone through fire and blood, ought to be allowed to relieve them; and +when recruited, would be ample for the defense of the coast, etc. Gen. +Bragg concluded by saying that the offense of having the military orders +of the commander-in-chief, etc. exposed to civilians, to be criticised +and protested against--and "approved" by the Chief of Staff--at such a +time as this, and in a matter of such grave importance--ought not to be +suffered to pass without a merited rebuke. And I am sure poor Beauregard +will get the rebuke; for all the military and civil functionaries near +the government partake of something of a dislike of him. + +And yet Beauregard was wrong to make any stir about it; and the +President himself only acted in accordance with Gen. Lee's suggestions, +noted at the time in this Diary. + +Gen. Polk writes from Dunapolis that he will have communications with +Jackson restored in a few days, and that the injury to the railroads was +not so great as the enemy represented. + +Mr. Memminger, the Secretary of the Treasury, is in a black Dutch fury. +It appears that his agent, C. C. Thayer, with $15,000,000 Treasury notes +for disbursement in Texas, arrived at the mouth of the Rio Grande in +December, when the enemy had possession of Brownsville, and when +Matamoras was in revolution. He then conferred with Mr. Benjamin's +friend (and Confederate States secret agent) Mr. Quintero, and +Quartermaster Russell, who advised him to deposit the treasure with P. +Milmo & Co.--a house with which our agents have had large transactions, +and Mr. M. being son-in-law to Gov. Vidurri--to be shipped to Eagle Pass +_via_ Monterey to San Antonio, etc. + +But alas! and alas! P. Milmo & Co., upon being informed that fifteen +millions were in their custody, notified our agents that they would +seize it all, and hold it all, until certain alleged claims they held +against the Confederate States Government were paid. Mr. Quintero, who +sends this precious intelligence, says he thinks the money will soon be +released--and so do I, when it is ascertained that it will be of no +value to any of the parties there. + +Mr. Memminger, however, wants Quartermaster Russell cashiered, and +court-martialed, and, moreover, decapitated! + +MARCH 26TH.--Bright morning, but a cold, cloudy, windy day. + +A great crowd of people have been at the Treasury building; all day, +funding Treasury notes. It is to be hoped that as money gets scarcer, +food and raiment will get cheaper. + +Mr. Benton, the dentist, escaped being conscribed last year by the +ingenuity of his attorney, G. W. Randolph, formerly Secretary of War, +who, after keeping his case in suspense (alleging that dentists were +physicians or experts) as long as possible, finally contrived to have +him appointed _hospital steward_--the present Secretary consenting. But +now the enrolling officer is after him again, and it will be seen what +he is to do next. The act says dentists shall serve as conscripts. + +And Mr. Randolph himself was put in the category of conscripts by the +late military act, but Gov. Smith has decreed his exemption as a member +of the Common Council! Oh, patriotism, where are thy votaries? Some go +so far as to say Gov. Smith is too free with exemptions! + +MARCH 27TH.--Bright morning, but windy; subsequently warmer, and wind +lulled. Collards coming up. Potatoes all rotted in the ground during the +recent cold weather. I shall rely on other vegetables, which I am now +beginning to sow freely. + +We have no war news to-day. + +MARCH 28TH.--April-like day, but no rain; clouds, and sunshine, and +warm. + +About 2 P.M. the Secretary received a dispatch stating that the enemy +had appeared in force opposite Fredericksburg, and attempted, without +success, to cross. A copy of this was immediately sent to Gen. Lee. + +It is said that Gen. Longstreet is marching with expedition down the +Valley of the Shenandoah, to flank Meade or Grant. I doubt it. But the +campaign will commence as soon as the weather will permit. + +A letter from G. B. Lamar, Savannah, Ga., informs the Secretary that he +(L.) has command of five steamers, and that he can easily make +arrangements with the (Federal) commandant of Fort Pulaski to permit +them to pass and repass. His proposition to the government is to bring +in munitions of war, etc., and take out cotton, charging one-half for +freight. Mr. Memminger having seen this, advises the Secretary to +require the delivery of a cargo before supplying any cotton. Mr. M. has +a sort of _jealousy_ of Mr. Lamar. + +MARCH 29TH.--A furious gale, eastern, and rain. + +No news, except the appearance of a few gun-boats down the river; which +no one regards as an important matter. + +Great crowds are funding their Treasury notes to-day; but prices of +provisions are not diminished. White beans, such as I paid $60 a bushel +for early in this month, are now held at $75. What _shall_ we do to +subsist until the next harvest? + +MARCH 30TH.--It rained all night, the wind blowing a gale from the east. +This morning the wind was from the west, blowing moderately; and +although cloudy, no rain. + +The enemy's gun-boats down the river shelled the shore where it was +suspected we had troops in ambush; and when some of their barges +approached the shore, it was ascertained they were not mistaken, for a +volley from our men (signal corps) killed and wounded half the crew. The +remainder put back to the gun-boats. + +There is great tribulation among the departmental clerks, who are to be +enrolled as conscripts, and probably sent to the army. The young +relatives of some of the Secretaries are being appointed commissaries, +quartermasters, surgeons, etc. They keep out of danger. + +Many ladies have been appointed clerks. There is a roomful of them just +over the Secretary's office, and he says they distract him with their +noise of moving of chairs and running about, etc. + +The papers publish an account of a battle of snow-balls in our army, +which indicates the spirit of the troops, when, perhaps, they are upon +the eve of passing through such awful scenes of carnage as will make the +world tremble at the appalling spectacle. + +MARCH 31ST.--Cloudy and cold. No war news, though it is generally +believed that Longstreet is really in the valley. + +A speech delivered by the Hon. J. W. Wall, in New Jersey, is copied in +all the Southern papers, and read with interest by our people. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +Return of Mr. Ould and Capt. Hatch from Fortress Monroe.--Quarrel between + Mr. Memminger and Mr. Seddon.--Famine.--A victory in Louisiana.-- + Vice-President Stephens's speech.--Victory of Gen. Forrest.--Capture + of Plymouth, N. C.--Gen. Lee's bill of fare. + + +APRIL 1ST.--Cloudy all day, with occasional light showers. + +No war news; but the papers have an account of the shooting of an infant +by some Yankees on account of its _name_. This shows that the war is +degenerating more and more into savage barbarism. + +APRIL 2D.--It rained furiously all night; wind northwest, and snowed +to-day until 12 M. to a depth of several inches. It is still blowing a +gale from the northwest. + +To-day the clerks were paid in the new currency; but I see no abatement +of prices from the scarcity of money, caused by funding. Shad are +selling at $10 each, paper; or 50 cents, silver. Gold and silver are +circulating--a little. + +A letter from Liberty, Va., states that government bacon (tithe) is +spoiling, in bulk, for want of attention. + +From Washington County there are complaints that Gen. Longstreet's +impressing officers are taking all, except five bushels of grain and +fifty pounds of bacon for each adult--a plenty, one would think, under +the circumstances. + +Senator Hunter has asked and obtained a detail for Mr. Daudridge (under +eighteen) as quartermaster's clerk. And Mr. Secretary Seddon has ordered +the commissary to let Mrs. Michie have sugar and flour for her family, +white and black. + +Mr. Secretary Benjamin sent over, to-day, for passports to the +Mississippi River for two "secret agents." What for? + +Gen. Lee has made regulations to prevent cotton, tobacco, etc. passing +his lines into the enemy's country, unless allowed by the government. +But, then, several in authority _will_ "allow" it without limit. + +I set out sixty-eight early cabbage-plants yesterday. They are now under +the snow! + +APRIL 3D.--The snow has disappeared; but it is cloudy, with a cold +northwest wind. The James River is very high, and all the streams are so +much swollen that no military operations in the field are looked for +immediately. It is generally believed that Grant, the Federal +lieutenant-general, will concentrate an immense army for the capture of +Richmond, and our authorities are invoked to make the necessary +dispositions to resist the attempt. + +The papers contain a supplemental proclamation of President Lincoln, and +understand it to be merely an electioneering card to secure the +Abolition vote in the convention to nominate a candidate for the +Presidency. If it does not mean that, its object must be to induce us to +send an army North to burn and pillage, so that the Federal authorities +may have a pretext to raise new armies, and prosecute the war, not for +the Union, but for conquest and power. + +Custis and I received yesterday $500 in the _new_ Treasury notes, but we +had to pay $16 for two pounds of bacon. So no diminution of prices is +yet experienced. _It is now a famine_, although I believe we are +starving in the midst of plenty, if it were only equally distributed. +But the government will not, it seems, require the railroads to bring +provisions to the exclusion of freight for the speculators. Certain +non-combating officers of the government have abundance brought them by +the _Southern_ Express Co., and the merchants have abundance of goods +brought hither by the same company for the purposes of speculation. +Well, we shall see the result! One is almost ready to believe that the +government declines to fill the depots here, harboring the purpose of +abandoning the city. That would be abandonment of the cause. Nearly all +who own no slaves would remain citizens of the United States, if +permitted, without further molestation on the part of the Federal +authorities, and many Virginians in the field might abandon the +Confederate States army. The State would be lost, and North Carolina and +Tennessee would have an inevitable avalanche of invasion precipitated +upon them. The only hope would be civil war in the North, a not +improbable event. What could they do with four millions of negroes +arrogating equality with the whites? + +APRIL 4TH.--A cold rain all day; wind from northwest. + +Mr. Ould and Capt. Hatch, agents of exchange (of prisoners), have +returned from a conference with Gen. Butler, at Fortress Monroe, and it +is announced that arrangements have been made for an immediate +resumption of the exchange of prisoners on the old footing. Thus has the +government abandoned the ground so proudly assumed--of non-intercourse +with Butler, and the press is firing away at it for negotiating with the +"Beast" and outlaw. But our men in captivity are in favor of a speedy +exchange, no matter with whom the agreement is made. + +Forrest has destroyed Paducah, Ky. + +There is a little quarrel in progress between the Secretaries of War and +the Treasury. Some days ago the Postmaster-General got from the +President an order that his clerks should be detailed for the use of the +department until further orders. The Secretary of the Treasury made an +application to the Secretary of War for a similar detail, but it was +refused. Mr. Memminger appealed, with some acerbity, to the President, +and the President indorsed on the paper that the proper rule would be +for the Secretary of War to detail as desired by heads of departments. +Nevertheless, the clerks were detailed but for thirty days, to report at +the Camp of Instruction, if the detail were not renewed. To-day Mr. +Memminger addresses a note to Mr. Seddon, inquiring if it was his +purpose to hold his clerks liable to perform military duty after the +expiration of the thirty days, and declaring that the incertitude and +inconvenience of constantly applying for renewal of details, deranged +and obstructed the business of his department. I know not yet what +answer Mr. S. made, but doubtless a breach exists through which one or +both may pass out of the cabinet. The truth is, that all clerks +constitutionally appointed are legally exempt, and it is the boldest +tyranny to enroll them as conscripts. But Mr. Memminger has no scruples +on that head. All of them desire to retain in "soft places" their own +relatives and friends, feeling but little sympathy for others whose +refugee families are dependent on their salaries. + +On Saturday, the cavalry battalion for local defense, accepted last +summer by the President, were notified on parade that 20 days would be +allowed them to choose their companies in the army, and if the choice +were not made, they would be assigned to companies. They protested +against this as despotic, but there is no remedy. + +APRIL 5TH.--Cold rain all night and all day; wind northwest. + +The Quartermaster-General _now_ recommends that no furloughs be given, +so as to devote the railroads to the transportation of grain to +Virginia. + +The Commissary-General again informs the Secretary of War, to-day, that +unless the passenger trains were discontinued, the army could not be +subsisted, and Richmond and all Virginia might have to be abandoned, and +the country might be pillaged by our own soldiers. Not a word against +the Southern (Yankee) Express Company. + +Our prospects are brighter than they have been for many a day, and the +enemy are doomed, I think, to a speedy humiliation. + +I saw a note to-day from Mr. Memminger stating his fears that the amount +of Treasury notes funded will not exceed $200,000,000, leaving +$600,000,000 still in circulation! It is true, some $300,000,000 might +be collected in taxes, if due vigilance were observed,--but _will_ it be +observed? He says he can make between $2,000,000 and $3,000,000 of the +new currency per day. If this be done, the redundancy will soon be as +great as ever. Nothing but success in the field will prevent an +explosion and repudiation of the currency, sooner or later. + +APRIL 6TH.--At mid-day it cleared off; wind still northwest, and cool. + +Beans (white) were held to-day at $5 per quart! and other articles of +food in proportion. How we are to live is the anxious question. At +auction old sheets brought $25 a piece, and there seemed to be an +advance on everything, instead of a decline as was expected. The +speculators and extortioners seem to act in concert, and the government +appears to be no match for them. It is not the scarcity of food which +causes the high prices, for wood and coal sell as high as other things, +and they are no scarcer than at any former period. But it is an +insatiable thirst for gain, which I fear the Almighty Justicer will +rebuke in some signal manner, perhaps in the emancipation of the slaves, +and then the loss will be greater than all the gains reaped from the +heart's blood of our brave soldiers and the tears of the widow and +orphan! And government still neglects the wives and children of the +soldiers,--a fearful risk! + +But, alas! how are our brave men faring in the hands of the demon +fanatics in the United States? It is said _they_ are dying like sheep. + +APRIL 7TH.--A bright spring day. + +We look for startling news from the Rappahannock in a few days. +Longstreet will be there. + +Gen. Lee writes that the fortifications around Richmond ought to be +pushed to completion: 2000 negroes are still at work on them. + +APRIL 8TH.--Bright and warm--really a fine spring day. It is the day of +_fasting_, humiliation, and prayer, and all the offices are closed. May +God put it into the hearts of the extortioners to relent, and abolish, +for a season, the insatiable greed for gain! I paid $25 for a half cord +of wood to-day, new currency. I fear a nation of extortioners are +unworthy of independence, and that we must be chastened and purified +before success will be vouchsafed us. + +What enormous appetites we have now, and how little illness, since food +has become so high in price! I cannot afford to have more than an ounce +of meat daily for each member of my family of six; and to-day Custis's +parrot, which has accompanied the family in all their flights, and, it +seems, will _never_ die, stole the cook's ounce of fat meat and gobbled +it up before it could be taken from him. He is permitted to set at one +corner of the table, and has lately acquired a fondness for meat. The +old cat goes staggering about from debility, although Fannie often gives +him her share. We see neither rats nor mice about the premises now. This +is famine. Even the pigeons watch the crusts in the hands of the +children, and follow them in the yard. _And, still, there are no +beggars._ + +The plum-tree in my neighbor's garden is in blossom to-day, and I see a +few blossoms on our cherry-trees. I have set out some 130 early York +cabbage-plants--very small; and to-day planted lima and snap beans. I +hope we shall have no more cold weather, for garden seed, if those +planted failed to come up, would cost more than the crops in ordinary +times. + +APRIL 9TH.--Rained all day. + +Lieut. Tyler, grandson of President Tyler, is here on furlough, which +expires to-morrow. His father (the major), whom he has not seen for two +years, he learns, will be in the city day after to-morrow; and to-day he +sought admittance to Mr. Secretary Seddon to obtain a prolongation of +his furlough, so as to enable him to remain two days and see his parent. +But Mr. Kean refused him admittance, and referred him to the +Adjutant-General, who was sick and absent; and thus "red tape" exhibits +its insensibility to the dictates of humanity, even when no advantage is +gained by it. Robert Tyler subsequently addressed a note to Mr. K., the +purport of which I did not inquire. + +We have no war news--indeed, no newspapers to-day. The wet weather, +however, may be in our favor, as it will give us time to concentrate in +Virginia. Better give up all the cities South, than lose Richmond. As +long as we hold Richmond and Virginia, the "head and heart" of the +"rebellion," we shall not only be between the enemy (south of us) and +their own country, but within reach of it. + +APRIL 10TH.--Rained all night. Cloudy to-day; wind southwest. + +The Secretary of War must feel his subordination to Gen. Bragg. Gen. +Fitz Lee recommended strongly a Prussian officer for appointment in the +cavalry, and Mr. Seddon referred it to Gen. B., suggesting that he might +be appointed in the cavalry corps to be stationed near this city. Gen. +B. returns the paper, saying the President intends to have an organized +brigade of cavalry from the Army of Northern Virginia on duty here, and +there will be no vacancy in it. From this it seems that the Secretary is +not only not to be gratified by the appointment, but is really kept in +ignorance of army movements in contemplation! + +Major Griswold has resigned, at last. He did not find his position a bed +of roses. I believe he abandons the Confederate States service +altogether, and will attend to the collection of claims, and the defense +of prisoners, probably arrested by Major Carrington, his successor in +office. + +To-day I saw two conscripts from Western Virginia conducted to the cars +(going to Lee's army) _in chains_. It made a chill shoot through my +breast. I doubt its policy, though they may be peculiar offenders. + +The benevolent Capt. Warner, being persecuted by the Commissary-General +for telling the _truth_ in regard to the rations, etc., is settling his +accounts as rapidly as possible, and will resign his office. He says he +will resume his old business, publishing books, etc. + +APRIL 11TH.--Rained all night, but clear most of the day. + +There are rumors of Burnside landing troops on the Peninsula; also of +preparations for movements on the Rappahannock--by which side is +uncertain. It is said troops are coming from Mississippi, Lieut.-Gen. +(Bishop) Polk's command. + +The FAMINE is still advancing, and his gaunt proportions loom up daily, +as he approaches with gigantic strides. The rich speculators, however, +and the officers of influence stationed here, who have secured the favor +of the Express Company, get enough to eat. Potatoes sell at $1 per +quart; chickens, $35 per pair; turnip greens, $4 per peck! An ounce of +meat, daily, is the allowance to each member of my family, the cat and +parrot included. The pigeons of my neighbor have disappeared. Every day +we have accounts of robberies, the preceding night, of cows, pigs, +bacon, flour--and even the setting hens are taken from their nests! + +APRIL 12TH.--Cloudy--rained in the afternoon. + +This is the anniversary of the first gun of the war, fired at Fort +Sumter. + +It is still said and believed that Gen. Lee will take the initiative, +and attack Grant. The following shows that we have had another success: + + "MOBILE, April 11th, 1864. + + "TO GEN. S. COOPER, A. & I. GENERAL. + + "The following report was received at Baton Rouge, on the 3d inst., + from the Surgeon-General of Banks's army: We met the enemy near + Shreveport. Union force repulsed with great loss. How many can you + accommodate in hospitals at Baton Rouge? Steamer Essex, or Benton, + destroyed by torpedoes in Red River, and a transport captured by + Confederates. + + "Farragut reported preparing to attack Mobile. Six monitors coming + to him. The garrisons of New Orleans and Baton Rouge were very much + reduced for the purpose of increasing Banks's forces. + + "D. H. MAURY, _Major-General Commanding_." + +APRIL 13TH.--A clear, but cool day. Again planted corn, the other having +rotted. + +There is an unofficial report that one of our torpedo boats struck the +Federal war steamer Minnesota yesterday, near Newport News, and damaged +her badly. + +I learn (from an official source) to-day that Gen. Longstreet's corps is +at Charlottesville, to co-operate with Lee's army, which will soon move, +no doubt. + +Gen. Bragg received a dispatch yesterday, requesting that commissary +stores for Longstreet be sent to Charlottesville, and he ordered his +military secretary to direct the Commissary-General accordingly. To this +Col. Northrop, C. G. S., took exceptions, and returned the paper, +calling the attention of Gen. B.'s secretary to the Rules and +Regulations, involving a matter of red tape etiquette. The C. G. S. can +only be _ordered_ or _directed_ by the Secretary of War. Gen. B. sent +the paper to the Secretary, with the remark that if he is to be +restricted, etc., his usefulness must be necessarily diminished. The +Secretary sent for Col. N., and I suppose pacified him. + +APRIL 14TH.--Bright morning--cloudy and cold the rest of the day. + +No reliable war news to-day; but we are on the tip-toe of expectation of +exciting news from the Rapidan. Longstreet is certainly in +communication with Lee; and if the enemy be not present with +overwhelming numbers, which there is no reason to anticipate, a great +battle may be imminent. + +Read Vice-President Stephens's speech against the suspension of the writ +of _habeas corpus_ to-day. He said independence without liberty was of +no value to him, and if he must have a master, he cared not whether he +was Northern or Southern. If we gain our independence, this speech will +_ruin_ Mr. S.; if we do not, it may save him and his friends. + +APRIL 15TH.--Cloudy--slight showers. I published an article yesterday in +the _Enquirer_, addressed to the President, on the subject of supplies +for the army and the people (the government to take all the supplies in +the country), the annihilation of speculation, and the necessary +suppression of the Southern (Yankee) Express Company. This elicited the +approval of Col. Northrop, the Commissary-General, who spoke to me on +the subject. He told me the Express Company had attempted to _bribe_ +him, by offering to bring his family supplies gratis, etc. He said he +had carried his point, in causing Gen. Bragg to address him according to +military etiquette. He showed me another order from Bragg (through the +Adjutant-General), to take possession of the toll meal at Crenshaw's +mills. This he says is contrary to contract, and he was going to the +Secretary to have it withdrawn. "Besides," said he, "and truly, it would +do no good. The people must eat, whether they get meal from Crenshaw or +not. If not, they will get it elsewhere, and what they do get will be so +much diverted from the commissariat." + +There are rumors of the enemy accumulating a heavy force at Suffolk. + +The guard at Camp Lee are going in the morning to Lee's army; their +places here to be filled by the reserve forces of boys and old men. This +indicates a battle on the Rapidan. + +APRIL 16TH.--Rained all night, and in fitful showers all day. + +We have more accounts (unofficial) of a victory near Shreveport, La. One +of the enemy's gun-boats has been blown up and sunk in Florida. + +By late Northern arrivals we see that a Mr. Long, member of Congress, +has spoken in favor of our recognition. A resolution of expulsion was +soon after introduced. + +Gen. Lee has suggested, and the Secretary of War has approved, a project +for removing a portion of the population from Richmond into the country. +Its object is to accumulate supplies for the army. If some 20,000 could +be moved away, it would relieve the rest to some extent. + +Troops are passing northward every night. The carnage and carnival of +death will soon begin! + +APRIL 17TH.--Rained until bedtime--then cleared off quite cold. This +morning it is cold, with occasional sunshine. + +Gen. Beauregard's instructions to Major-Gen. Anderson in Florida, who +has but 8000 men, opposed by 15,000, were referred by the Secretary of +War to Gen. Bragg, who returned them with the following snappish +indorsement: "The enemy's strength seems greatly exaggerated, and the +instructions too much on the defensive." + +APRIL 18TH.--Cleared away in the night--frost. To-day it clouded up +again! + +We have an account from the West, to the effect that Forrest _stormed_ +Fort Pillow, putting all the garrison, but one hundred, to the sword; +there being 700 in the fort--400 negroes. + +APRIL 19TH.--Cloudy and cold. + +We have no authentic war news, but are on the tip-toe of expectation. +The city is in some commotion on a rumor that the non combating +population will be required to leave, to avoid transportation of food to +the city. Corn is selling at $1.25 per bushel in Georgia and Alabama; +here, at $40--such is the deplorable condition of the railroads, or +rather of the management of them. Col. Northrop, Commissary-General, +said to-day that Gen. Lee and the Secretary of War were responsible for +the precarious state of affairs, in not taking all the means of +transportation for the use of the army; and that our fate was suspended +by a hair. + +The President returned the paper to-day, relating to the matter of +etiquette between Col. Northrop and Gen. Bragg's military secretary. The +President says that Gen. B. certainly has the right to give +orders--being assigned to duty here, and, I presume, representing the +President himself; but that any one of his staff, unless directing those +of inferior rank, ought to give commands "by order" of Gen. Bragg. Col. N. +says that don't satisfy him; and that no general has a right to issue +orders to him! + +The famine is becoming more terrible daily; and soon no salary will +suffice to support one's family. + +The 1st and 2d Auditors and their clerks (several hundred, male and +female) have been ordered to proceed to Montgomery, Ala. Perhaps the +government will soon remove thither entirely. This is ill-timed, as the +enemy will accept it as an indication of an abandonment of the capital; +and many of our people will regard it as a preliminary to the evacuation +of Richmond. It is more the effect of extortion and high prices, than +apprehension of the city being taken by the enemy. + +APRIL 20TH.--A clear morning, but a cold, cloudy day. + +The following dispatch from Gen. Forrest shows that the bloody work has +commenced in earnest: + + "DEMOPOLIS, ALA., April 19th. + + "TO GEN. S. COOPER. + + "The following dispatch has just been received from Gen. Forrest, + dated Jackson, Tenn., April 15th. + + "L. POLK, _Lieut.-General_. + + "I attacked Fort Pillow on the morning of the 12th inst., with a + part of Bell's and McCulloch's brigades, numbering ----, under + Brig.-Gen. J. R. Chalmers. After a short fight we drove the enemy, + seven hundred strong, into the fort, under cover of their + gun-boats, and demanded a surrender, which was declined by Major L. + W. Booth, commanding United States forces. I stormed the fort, and + after a contest of thirty minutes captured the entire garrison, + killing 500 and taking 100 prisoners, and a large amount of + quartermaster stores. The officers in the fort were killed, + including Major Booth. I sustained a loss of 20 killed and 60 + wounded. The Confederate flag now floats over the fort. + + "(Signed) N. B. FORREST, _Major-General_." + +There is a rumor that Grant's army is falling back toward Centreville. + +It is supposed by many that all the departments will follow the Auditor +to Montgomery soon. + +APRIL 21ST.--Bright sunshine all day, but cool. + +Gen. Bragg received a dispatch to-day from Gen. Hoke, of Plymouth, N. C., +stating that he had (yesterday) _stormed_ Plymouth, taking 1600 +prisoners, 25 cannon, stores, etc. etc. This put the city in as good +spirits as possible. + +But the excitement from Hoke's victory was supplanted by an excitement +of another kind. A report was circulated and believed that the President +resolved yesterday to remove the government to South Carolina or +Alabama; and the commotion was very great. The President's salary is +insufficient to meet his housekeeping expenditures; and Mrs. D. has +become, very naturally, somewhat indignant at the conduct of the +extortioners, and, of course, the President himself partook of the +indignation. + +At 2 P.M. to-day the President's papers came in. Among them was one from +the Commissary-General, stating that the present management of railroad +transportation would not suffice to subsist the army. This had been +referred to Gen. Bragg yesterday (who seems to _rank_ the Secretary of +War), and he made an elaborate indorsement thereon. He recommended that +all passenger trains be discontinued, except one daily, and on this that +government agents, soldiers, etc. have preference; that arrangements be +made at once to hasten on the freight trains (taking military possession +of the roads) without breaking bulk; and finally to reduce consumers +here as much as possible by a reduction of civil officers, etc. etc. in +the departments--that is, sending to other places such as can perform +their duties at distant points. On this the President indorsed a +reference to the Secretary of War, requiring his opinion in writing, +etc. Since then, the President and cabinet have been in consultation, +and we shall probably know the result to-morrow. + +If the departments are sent South, it will cause a prodigious outburst +from the press here, and may have a bad, blundering effect on the army +in Virginia, composed mostly of Virginians; and Gen. Bragg will have to +bear the brunt of it, although the government will be solely +responsible. + +Gov. Vance recommended the suspension of conscription in the eastern +counties of North Carolina the other day. This paper was referred by the +Secretary to the President, by the President to Gen. B. (who is a native +of North Carolina), and, seeing what was desired, Gen. B. recommended +that the conscription be proceeded with. This may cause Gov. V. to be +defeated at the election, and Gen. B. will be roundly abused. He will be +unpopular still. + +APRIL 22D.--A bright day and warmer. Cherry-trees in blossom. We have +the following war news: + + "PLYMOUTH, N. C., April 20th. + + "TO GEN. BRAGG. + + "I have stormed and captured this place, capturing 1 brigadier, + 1600 men, stores, and 25 pieces of artillery. + + "R. F. HOKE, _Brig.-General_." + +The President has changed his mind since the reception of the news from +North Carolina, and has determined that _all_ the government shall not +leave Richmond until further orders. All that can be spared will go, +however, at once. The War and Navy Departments will remain for the +present. The news is said to have had a wonderful effect on the +President's mind; and he hopes we may derive considerable supplies from +Eastern North Carolina. So do I. + +Gov. Watts writes to the Secretary that commissary agents, who ought to +be in the ranks, are making unnecessary impressments, leaving to each +negro only four ounces of bacon per day. He says the government has +already some 10,000,000 pounds of bacon in Alabama; and that if the +other States, east of the Mississippi, furnish a proportional amount, +there will be 60,000,000 pounds--enough to feed our armies twelve +months. + +The Commissary-General's estimates for the next six months are for +400,000 men. + +APRIL 23D.--A bright day, with southern breezes. + +It is rumored and believed that Gen. Lee's army is in motion. If this be +so, we shall soon hear of a "fight, or a foot race." And how can Grant +run away, when Mr. Chase, the Federal Secretary of the Treasury, openly +proclaims ruin to the finances unless they speedily achieve success in +the field? I think he must fight; and I am sure he will be beaten, for +Lee's strength is probably underestimated. + +We are also looking to hear more news from North Carolina; and Newbern +will probably be stormed next, since storming is now the order of the +day. + +APRIL 24TH.--Cloudy and windy, but warm. + +We have none of the details yet of the storming of Plymouth, except the +brief dispatches in the newspapers; nor any reliable accounts of +subsequent movements. But a letter from Gen. Whiting indicates that all +his troops had been taken northward, and we may expect something further +of interest. + +It is still believed that Lee's and Grant's armies are in motion on the +Rappahannock; but whether going North or coming South, no one seems to +know. Our people unanimously look for a victory. + +I bought a black coat at auction yesterday (short swallow-tailed) for +$12. It is fine cloth, not much worn--its owner going into the army, +probably--but out of _fashion_. If it had been a frock-coat, it would +have brought $100. It is no time for _fashion_ now. + +Gen. Johnston's Chief Commissary offers to send some bacon to Lee's +army. A short time since, it was said, Johnston was prevented from +_advancing_ for want of rations. + +APRIL 25TH.--A bright and beautiful day; southern breezes. + +No reliable war news; but there are rumors that our victory at +Shreveport was a great one. Nothing additional from North Carolina, +though something further must soon occur there. It is said the enemy's +killed and wounded at Plymouth amounted to only 100: ours 300; but we +got 2500 prisoners. + +President Lincoln has made a speech at Baltimore, threatening +retaliation for the slaughter at Fort Pillow--which was _stormed_. + +Lieut.-Gen. Polk telegraphs that our forces have captured and burnt one +of the enemy's gun-boats at Yazoo City--first taking out her guns, eight +rifled 24-pounders. + +To-day Mr. Memminger, in behalf of the ladies in his department, +presented a battle-flag to the Department Battalion for its gallant +conduct in the repulse of Dahlgren's raid. But the ladies leave early in +the morning for South Carolina. + +The President still says that many of the government officers and +employees must be sent away, if transportation cannot be had to feed +them here as well as the armies. + +APRIL 26TH.--Another truly fine spring day. + +The ominous silence on the Rapidan and Rappahannock continues still. The +two armies seem to be measuring each other's strength before the awful +conflict begins. + +It is said the enemy are landing large bodies of troops at Yorktown. + +Major-Gen. Ransom has been assigned to the command of this department; +and Gen. Winder's expectations of promotion are blasted. Will he resign? +I think not. + +The enemy's accounts of the battle on the Red River do not agree with +the reports we have. + +Neither do the Federal accounts of the storming of Fort Pillow agree +with ours. + +APRIL 27TH.--Another bright and beautiful day; and vegetation is +springing with great rapidity. But nearly all my potatoes, corn, +egg-plants, and tomatoes seem to have been killed by the frosts of +March. I am replanting corn, lima beans, etc. The other vegetables are +growing well. One of my fig-bushes was killed--that is, nearly all the +branches. The roots live. + +It is rumored that the armies on the Rapidan were drawn up in line. + +The enemy have again evacuated Suffolk. + +Gen. Beauregard is at Weldon. Perhaps Burnside may hurl his blows +against North Carolina. + +Food is still advancing in price; and unless relief comes from some +quarter soon, this city will be in a deplorable condition. A good many +fish, however, are coming in, and shad have fallen in price to $12 per +pair. + +The government ordered the toll of meal here (which the miller, +Crenshaw, sold to the people) to be taken for the army; but Col. +Northrop, Commissary-General, opposes this; and it is to be hoped, as +usual, he may have his way, in spite of even the President. These papers +pass through the hands of the Secretary of War. + +The French ships have gone down the river, without taking much tobacco; +said to have been ordered away by the United States Government. + +Col. W. M. Browne (the President's English A.D.C.), it is said, goes to +Georgia as commandant of conscripts for that State. It is probable he +offended some one of the President's family, domestic or military. The +_people_ had long been offended by his presence and arrogance. + +The _Enquirer_, to-day, has a communication assaulting Messrs. Toombs +and Stephens, and impeaching their loyalty. The writer denounced the +Vice-President severely for his opposition to the suspension of the +writ of _habeas corpus_. During the day the article was sent to Mr. +Secretary Seddon, with the compliments of Mr. Parker--the author, I +suppose. + +APRIL 28TH.--After a slight shower last night, a cool, clear morning. + +The ominous silence or pause between the armies continues. Lieut.-Gen. +Longstreet, it is said, is "hidden." I suppose he is working his way +around the enemy's right flank. If so, we shall soon hear thunder. + +It is also supposed that Lee meditates an incursion into Pennsylvania, +and that Gen. Beauregard will protect his rear and cover this city. All +is merely conjecture. + +We are amused at the enemy's accounts of the storming of Plymouth. Their +papers pretend to have not heard the result, and would lead their +readers to believe that Gen. Hoke was repulsed, and that the place is +"impregnable." + +The following appears in the morning papers: + +"GEN. LEE'S BILL OF FARE.--The Richmond correspondent of the Mobile +_Advertiser_ gives the following about Gen. Lee's mode of living: + +"In Gen. Lee's tent meat is eaten but twice a week, the general not +allowing it oftener, because he believes indulgence in meat to be +criminal in the present straitened condition of the country. His +ordinary dinner consists of a head of cabbage, boiled in salt water, and +a pone of corn bread. In this connection rather a comic story is told. +Having invited a number of gentlemen to dine with him, Gen. Lee, in a +fit of extravagance, ordered a sumptuous repast of cabbage and middling. +The dinner was served: and, behold, a great pile of cabbage and a bit of +middling about four inches long and two inches across! The guests, with +commendable politeness, unanimously declined middling, and it remained +in the dish untouched. Next day Gen. Lee, remembering the delicate +tit-bit which had been so providentially preserved, ordered his servant +to bring 'that middling.' The man hesitated, scratched his head, and +finally owned up: 'De fac is, Masse Robert, dat ar middlin' was borrid +middlin'; we all did'n had nar spec; and I done paid it back to de man +whar I got it from.' Gen. Lee heaved a sigh of deepest disappointment, +and pitched into his cabbage." + +By a correspondence between the Secretaries of the Treasury and War, I +saw that Mr. Memminger has about _a million and a quarter in coin_ at +Macon, Ga., seized as the property of the New Orleans banks--perhaps +belonging to Northern men. I believe it was taken when there was an +attempt made to smuggle it North. What it is proposed to do with it _I +know not_, but I think neither the President nor the Secretaries will +hesitate to use it--if there be a "military necessity." Who knows but +that one or more members of Mr. Lincoln's cabinet, or his generals, +might be purchased with gold? Fortress Monroe would be cheap at that +price! + +APRIL 29TH.--A letter from Major-Gen. Hoke, dated Plymouth, April 25th, +and asking the appointment of Lieut.-Col. Dearing to a brigadiership, +says his promotion is desired to lead a brigade in the expedition +against Newbern. The President directs the Secretary to appoint him +temporarily "for the expedition." Soon we shall know the result. + +By flag of truce boat, it is understood Northern papers admit a Federal +defeat on the Red River, the storming of Plymouth, etc., and charge the +Federal authorities at Washington with having published falsehoods to +deceive the people. Gold was $1.83. + +Troops are passing through Richmond now, day and night, concentrating +under Lee. The _great_ battle cannot be much longer postponed. + +Last night was clear and cold, and we have fire to-day. + +The President has decided not to call into service the reserve class +unless on extraordinary occasions, but to let them remain at home and +cultivate the soil. + +It is now probable the Piedmont Railroad will be completed by the 1st +June, as extreme necessity drives the government to some degree of +energy. If it had taken up, or allowed to be taken up, the rails on the +Aquia Creek Road a year ago, the Piedmont connection would have been +made ere this; and then this famine would not have been upon us, and +there would have been abundance of grain in the army depots of Virginia. + +APRIL 30TH.--Federal papers now admit that Gen. Banks has been +disastrously beaten in Louisiana. They also admit their calamity at +Plymouth, N. C. Thus in Louisiana, Florida, West Tennessee, and North +Carolina the enemy have sustained severe defeats: their losses amounting +to some 20,000 men, 100 guns, half a dozen war steamers, etc. etc. + +Gen. Burnside has left Annapolis and gone to Grant--whatever the plan +was originally; and the work of concentration goes on for a _decisive_ +clash of arms in Virginia. + +And troops are coming hither from all quarters, like streamlets flowing +into the ocean. Our men are confident, and eager for the fray. + +The railroad companies say they can transport 10,000 bushels corn, +daily, into Virginia. That will subsist 200,000 men and 25,000 horses. +And in June the Piedmont connection will be completed. + +The _great_ battle may not occur for weeks yet. It will probably end the +war. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + +Dispatch from Gen. J. E. Johnston.--Dispatch from Gen. Lee.--Mr. + Saulsbury's resolution in the U. S. Senate.--Progress of the enemy.-- + Rumored preparations for the flight of the President.--Wrangling of + high officials.--Position of the armies. + + +MAY 1ST.--Cloudy and showery, but warm, and fine for vegetation. My +lettuce, cabbage, beans, etc. are growing finely. But the Yankee corn +and lima beans, imported by Col. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance, have rotted +in the ground. + +No war news. + +Yesterday a paper was sent to the President by Gen. Pickett, +recommending Gen. Roger A. Pryor for a cavalry command in North +Carolina. But the President sent it to the Secretary of War with the +curt remark that the command had already been disposed of to Col. +Dearing, on Gen. Hoke's recommendation. Thus Gen. P. is again whistled +down the wind, in spite of the efforts of even Mr. Hunter, and many +other leading politicians. It is possible Gen. P. may have on some +occasion criticised Lee. + +MAY 2D.--A cool day, sunshine and showers. + +To-day Congress assembled, and the President's message was delivered, +although he buried his youngest son yesterday, who lost his life by an +accidental fall from the porch on Saturday. + +We have abundance of good news to-day. + +First, the Florida has captured one, and destroyed another of the +enemy's vessels of war in the West Indies. + +Second, we have authentic intelligence of the evacuation of Washington, +N. C. by the enemy, pursued by our forces toward Newbern. + +Third, four steamers have arrived at Wilmington laden with quartermaster +and ordnance stores. Col. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance, says we now have +arms and ammunition enough. + +A letter from Gen. Lee indicates the propriety of Gen. Imboden retaining +his recruits (which the Secretary wanted to take from him, because they +were liable to conscription) in the Shenandoah Valley. This does not +look like a purpose of an advance on Lee's part. He will probably await +the attack. + +The President, in an indorsement, intimates to the Secretary of War that +Gen. Pryor might be assigned to a brigade of the Reserve class. + +About 5 o'clock this afternoon we had a tornado from the southwest which +I fear has done mischief in the country. It blew off half a dozen planks +from my garden fence, and I had difficulty in nailing them on again with +such rusty nails as I could find. Nails are worth almost their weight in +silver. + +The gardeners sell tomato-plants for $10 per dozen, and cabbage-plants +for 50 cts. each! But I am independent, having my own little hot-beds. + +MAY 3D.--A cold, windy day, with sunshine and clouds. + +It is rumored that Grant's army is in motion, and the great battle is +eagerly looked for. The collision of mighty armies, upon the issue of +which the fate of empire depends, is now imminent. + +The following dispatch was received to-day from Gen. Johnston: + + "DALTON, May 2d, 1864. + + "Two scouts, who went by Outawah and Cleveland, report the enemy + sending all Southern people and heavy baggage to the rear, stopping + rations to the inhabitants, collecting a large supply of trains at + Graysville, and bringing their cavalry from Middle Tennessee. An + officer just from Columbia reports 13,000 had been collected there. + All scouts report Hooker's troops in position + here. J. E. JOHNSTON, _General_." + +MAY 4TH.--Bright, beautiful, and warmer; but fire in the morning. + +The following dispatch from Gen. Lee was received by Gen. Bragg to-day +and sent to the Secretary. + + "ORANGE C. H., May 4th, 1864. + + "Reports from our lookouts seem to indicate that the enemy is in + motion. The present direction of his column is to our right. + + "Gen. Imboden reports the enemy advancing from Winchester, up the + Valley, with wagons, beef cattle, etc. R. E. LEE." + +There is a rumor of fighting at Chancellorville, and this is the +anniversary, I believe, of the battle there. May we be as successful +this time! But the report is not authentic. Firing is heard now in the +direction of York River. + +MAY 5TH.--We have many rumors to-day, and nothing authentic, except that +some of the enemy's transports are in the James River, and landing some +troops, a puerile demonstration, perhaps. The number landed at West +Point, it seems, was insignificant. It may be the armies of the United +States are demoralized, and if so, if Grant be beaten, I shall look for +a speedy end of the invasion. It is said some of the advanced forces of +Grant were at Spottsylvania C. H. last night, and the great battle may +occur any hour. + +Gov. Smith is calling for more exemptions (firemen, etc.) than all the +governors together. + +Col. Preston asks authority to organize a company of conscripts, Reserve +classes, in each congressional district, the President having assigned a +general officer to each State to command these classes. The colonel +wants to command something. + +The Commissary-General, Col. Northrop, being called on, reports that he +can feed the army until fall with the means on hand and attainable. So, +troops didn't starve in thirty days several months ago! + +A Mr. Pond has made a proposition which Mr. Memminger is in favor of +accepting, viz.: the government to give him a bill of sale of 10,000 +bales of cotton lying in the most exposed places in the West, he to take +it away and to take all risks, except destruction by our troops, to ship +it from New Orleans to Antwerp, and he will pay, upon receiving said +bill of sale, 10 pence sterling per pound. The whole operation will be +consummated by the Belgian Consul in New Orleans, and the Danish +Vice-Consul in Mobile. It is probable the United States Government, or +some members of it, are interested in the speculation. But it will be +advantageous to us. + +"A PERTINENT RESOLUTION.--The following was offered recently in the +United States Senate, by Mr. Saulsbury, of Delaware: + +"'_Resolved_, That the Chaplain of the Senate be respectfully requested +hereafter to pray and supplicate Almighty God in our behalf, and not to +lecture Him, informing Him, under pretense of prayer, his, said +chaplain's, opinion in reference to His duty as the Almighty; and that +the said Chaplain be further requested, as aforesaid, not, under the +form of prayer, to lecture the Senate in relation to questions before +the body.'" + +MAY 6TH.--Bright, warm, beautiful. + +We have a sensation to-day, but really no excitement. A dispatch from +Gen. Lee (dated last night) says the _enemy_ opened the battle +yesterday, and the conflict continued until night put an end to the +carnage. He says we have many prisoners, captured four guns, etc., +losing two generals killed, one, Gen. J. M. Jones. But our position was +maintained, and the enemy repulsed. Doubtless the battle was renewed +this morning. + +Some _fifty-nine_ transports and several iron-clad gun-boats, monitors, +etc., came up the James River yesterday and last night. A heavy force +was landed at Bermuda Hundred, within a few miles of the railroad +between Richmond and Petersburg. + +And the enemy likewise came up the Peninsula, and there was fighting +this morning on the Chickahominy. + +Thus the plan of the enemy is distinctly pronounced, and the assaults +were designed to be made simultaneously. Yet there is no undue +excitement. + +A dispatch from Gen. Pickett at Petersburg, this morning, to Gen. Bragg, +asked if he (Bragg) intended to defend the railroad between Richmond and +Petersburg. He said, "the enemy will attack the road to-day, marching +from Bermuda Hundred, I think." + +At 3 P.M. we are waiting with anxiety for news from all quarters. + +Both my sons marched out in the Department Battalion. Two Tennessee +regiments marched down to Drewry's Bluff yesterday, and Hunton's +brigade, that left there yesterday, were ordered back again last night. +It is said troops were passing south through the city all night. And I +know heavy forces are on the way from North Carolina. Gen. Pickett +likewise has the greater part of his division in supporting distance. +So, if the enemy have not cut the road by this time, it is probably +safe, and the expedition will be a failure. If Lee defeats Grant, the +city will certainly be saved. All the local troops are out. + +Gen. Beauregard is expected to-day, but it is reported he is sick at +Weldon. On the 3d inst. the following dispatch was received from him: + + "KINSTON, N. C. + + "GEN. COOPER. + + "Orders should be given for the immediate re-establishment of + fisheries at Plymouth and Washington, also to get large supplies of + pork in Hyde County and vicinity. + + "G. T. BEAUREGARD, _General_." + +On this the Commissary-General indorsed that the matter had been +attended to--had, indeed, been anticipated. + +The best indication of the day (to me) was the smiling face of Mr. +Hunter as he came from the Secretary's office. He said to me, "The ball +is opening well." + +The President and his aids rode over the river to-day: what direction +they took I know not; but this I know, he has no idea of being taken by +the enemy. And he cannot think the city will be taken, for in that event +it would be difficult for him to escape. + +MAY 7TH.--Bright and warm. The following is Gen. Lee's dispatch, +received yesterday morning--the _italics_ not his. + + "HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, + + "May 5th, 1864. + + "HON. SECRETARY OF WAR. + + "The enemy crossed the Rapidan at Ely's and Germania fords. Two + corps of this army moved to oppose him--Ewell by the old turnpike, + and Hill by the plank-road. + + "They arrived this morning in close proximity to the enemy's line + of march. + + "A strong attack was made upon Ewell, who repulsed it, _capturing + many prisoners and four pieces of artillery_. + + "The enemy subsequently concentrated upon Gen. Hill, who, with + Heth's and Wilcox's divisions, _successfully resisted repeated and + desperate assaults_. + + "A large force of cavalry and artillery on our right was _driven + back_ by Rosser's brigade. + + "By the blessing of God, we maintained our position _against every + effort_ until night, when the contest closed. + + "We have to mourn the loss of many brave officers and men. The + gallant Brig.-Gen. J. M. Jones was killed, and Brig.-Gen. Stafford, + I fear, mortally wounded, while leading his command with + conspicuous valor. + + "(Signed) R. E. LEE." + +A dispatch from Gen. Lee this morning says Hill's corps was thrown into +confusion yesterday by an attack of the enemy when some of the divisions +were being relieved. But afterward we recovered the ground, strewn with +the dead and wounded of the enemy. Then we attacked their whole line, +driving them behind their breastworks. He concludes by thanks for our +ability still to withstand all assaults. No doubt Grant has overwhelming +numbers, and Lee is under the necessity of sparing his men as much as +possible, while his adversary leads into action a succession of fresh +troops. Gen. Longstreet is wounded. + +Gen. Beauregard is at Petersburg, charged with the defense of this city +and the railroad. Troops have been marching toward Drewry's Bluff during +the day. If the attack be delayed 24 hours more, we shall be strong +enough to repel even the then greatly superior numbers of the invader. + +But there is more anxiety manifested to-day. Senator Hunter and Mr. +Ould, the agent of exchange, have been in the office next to mine once +or twice, to drink some of the good whisky kept by Mr. Chapman, the +disbursing clerk of the department. Mr. H.'s face is quite red. + +5 P.M. The tocsin is sounding, for the militia, I suppose, all others +being in the field. It is reported that the attack on Drewry's Bluff, or +rather on our forces posted there for its defense, has begun. Barton's +brigade marched thither to-day. It is said the enemy have 40,000 men on +the south side of James River--we, 20,000. + +There is now some excitement and trepidation among the shopkeepers and +extortioners, who are compelled by State law to shoulder the musket for +the defense of the city, and there is some running to and fro +preliminary to the _rendezvous_ in front of the City Hall. The alarm, +however, I learnt at the department, is caused by reports brought in by +countrymen, that the enemy is approaching the city from the _northeast_, +as if from Gloucester Point. It _may_ be so--a small body; but Gen. +Ransom, Gen. Elzey's successor here, doubts it, for his scouts give no +intelligence of the enemy in that quarter. But the 19th Militia Regiment +and the Foreign Battalion will have the pleasure of sleeping in the open +air to-night, and of dreaming of their past gains, etc. + +MAY 8TH.--Bright and hot. + +The tocsin sounded again this morning. I learned upon inquiry that it +was merely for the militia again (they were dismissed yesterday after +being called together), perhaps to relieve the local battalions near the +city. + +The Secretary of War received a dispatch to-day from Gen. Lee, stating +that there was no fighting yesterday, only slight skirmishing. Grant +remained where he had been driven, in the "Wilderness," behind his +breastworks, completely checked in his "On to Richmond." He may be badly +hurt, and perhaps his men object to being led to the slaughter again. + +There has been no fighting below, between this and Petersburg, and we +breathe freer, for Beauregard, we know, has made the best use of time. +It is said another of the enemy's gun-boats has been destroyed by +boarding and burning. We have three iron-clads and rams here _above_ the +obstructions, which will probably be of no use at this trying time. + +A few days more will tell the story of this combined and most formidable +attempt to take Richmond; and if it be the old song of failure, we may +look for a speedy termination of the war. So mote it be! + +Meantime my vegetables are growing finely, except the corn and lima +beans (Yankee), Col. Gorgas's importation, which have not come up. + +A cow and calf now sells for $2500. My friend, Dr. Powell, has just +sold one for a great price, he would not tell me what. But I told him +that the greed for gain was the worst feature in our people, and made me +sometimes tremble for the cause. I fear a just retribution may entail +ruin on the farmers, who seem to think more of their cattle than of +their sons in the field. + +MAY 9TH.--Bright and sultry. + +A dispatch from Gen. Lee says the enemy is moving down toward +Fredericksburg, and yesterday the advance of our army encountered his +right wing at Spottsylvania Court House, and repulsed it "with great +slaughter." Strong language for Lee. + +A dispatch received this morning said the enemy was advancing on the +railroad. Subsequently cannon could be heard in the direction of +Drewry's Bluff. + +The tocsin has been sounding all day, for the militia, which come +slowly, after being summoned and dismissed so often. I fear, when they +are sent over the river, if all the men at the defenses on the north +side are sent over also, that a cavalry raid from the north may dash +into the city and burn the bridges on, the James; then our army would be +in a "fix." I have expressed this apprehension to the Secretary, and +asked him to arm the old men, for the defense of the bridges, public +buildings, etc. He awaits _events_. Mr. Hunter and other public +characters are looking very grave. + +The following dispatch was received to-day from Weldon, via Raleigh and +Greensborough, N. C: + + "May 8th. + + "The enemy destroyed the wire from Stony Creek to within three miles + of Belfield, a distance of about fifteen miles. Our men and + employees are repairing it, and we hope to have communication + reopened to-morrow. W. S. HARRIS." + +Col. Preston, Superintendent of Bureau of Conscription, has written +another letter to the Secretary, urging the promotion of Captain C. B. +Duffield, who threatens to leave him for a position with Gen. Kumper, at +Lynchburg, where he can live cheaper. He says he has urged the +President, to no avail. + +The Secretary has roused himself. Since 3 P.M. he has issued a call "TO +ARMS!" All men capable of bearing arms are requested to report to Gen. +Kemper, Franklin Street, to be armed and organized "temporarily" for +the defense of the city. Gen. Ransom had previously issued a placard, +calling on officers and men on furlough to meet in Capitol Square for +temporary organization. This may involve some etiquette, or question of +jurisdiction between the generals. Gen. Winder is utterly ignored. + +I have just heard that the Departmental Battalion has been marched +across Mayo's Bridge to the fortifications of Manchester, on the south +side of the river. The militia regiment will go to the place on the +north side heretofore occupied by them. + +Another dispatch from Gen. Lee, received since 3 P.M. to-day, says Grant +attacked him again yesterday, after the slaughter by our Gen. Anderson, +and was handsomely repulsed. Grant's tactics seem to be to receive his +stripes by installments. + +MAY 10TH.--Bright, but windy and dusty. + +There is an excitement at last; but it is sullen rather than despairing. +No one seems to doubt our final success, although the enemy have now +some 200,000 in Virginia, and we but little over half that number. + +We have nothing from Lee to-day, but it is believed he is busy in +battle. + +A portion of Grant's right wing, cut off at Spottsylvania Court House, +endeavored to march across the country to the Peninsula. They cut the +railroad at Beaver Dam, and destroyed some of our commissary stores. But +it is likely they will be captured. + +The enemy beat us yesterday at Dublin Depot, wounding Gen. Jenkins. + +On the other hand, Gen. McNeal (C. S.) has cut the Baltimore and Ohio +Railroad, destroying millions of property. Thus the work goes on! + +There was no general engagement down the river. + +At 12 o'clock last night a column of infantry passed our house, going +down Clay Street. Many thought it was the enemy. + +I saw a letter to-day from Gen. Beauregard to Gen. Bragg, dated Weldon, +April 29th, giving the names of the Federal generals commanding forces +on the Southern coast, so that the arrival of any of these officers in +Virginia would indicate the transfer of their troops thither. He +concluded by saying that if it were desired he should operate on the +north side of James River, maps ought to be prepared for him, and +timbers, etc. for bridges; and that he would serve with pleasure under +the immediate command of Gen. Lee, "aiding him to crush our enemies, and +to achieve the independence of our country." + +Gen. Bragg, May 2d, sent this to Gen. Cooper, who referred it to the +Secretary of War. Gen. Bragg indorsed on it that several of the Federal +generals named had arrived at Fortress Monroe. + +The Secretary sent it to the President on the 7th of May. + +To-day the President sent it back indorsed as follows: "Maps of the +country, with such additions as may from time to time be made, should be +kept on hand in the Engineer Bureau, and furnished to officers in the +field. Preparations of material for bridges, etc. will continue to be +made as heretofore, and with such additional effort as circumstances +require. + +"I did not doubt the readiness of Gen. Beauregard to serve under any +general who ranks him. The right of Gen. Lee to command would be derived +from his superior rank. + + "JEFFERSON DAVIS. + + "9th May, 1864." + +MAY 11TH.--Bright and pleasant--breezy. This has been a day of +excitement. + +At midnight the Departmental Battalion were marched from the south side +of the river back to the city, and rested the remainder of the night at +Camp Lee. But at 9 A.M. they were marched hurriedly to Meadow Bridge. +They came past our house. Custis and his brother Thomas ran +in--remaining but a moment. Custis exclaimed: "Let me have some money, +mother (I had to go to the office), or we will starve. The government +don't feed us, and we are almost famished. Cook something, and get +Captain Warner to bring it in his buggy--do, if possible." He got $20. +They looked worn, and were black with dust, etc. My daughter said "they +looked like negroes." + +The Secretary issued this morning a new edition of his handbills, +calling the people "to arms." + +Mr. Mallory's usual red face turned purple. He has not yet got out the +iron-clad Richmond, etc., which might have sunk Gen. Butler's +transports. + +Lieut.-Col. Lay was exhibiting a map of our defenses, and predicting +something,--whether good or evil, I did not stay to learn. But I thought +such maps ought not to be shown in the public hall of the department. + +The armory was open to-day, and all who desired them were furnished with +arms. + +The Governor, I hear, issued a notification that the enemy would be here +to-day, etc. I did not see it. + +All classes not in the army were gathered up and marched to the +defenses. + +2 P.M. Respectable men just from the vicinity report a great victory for +Lee, yesterday, though we have nothing from him. The Secretary believes +these concurring reports, which state that the battle, beginning near +Spottsylvania Court House, ended at Fredericksburg, indicating a +WATERLOO. + +And a dispatch from Gen. Ransom from the south side of the river, states +that Butler's army is _retreating to the transports_. This is regarded +as confirmation of Lee's victory. + +Several dispatches from Gen. Stuart state that the raiders have been +severely beaten in several combats this morning, and are flying toward +Dover Mills. They may come back, for _they_ have not heard of Grant's +defeat. + +Mr. Memminger is said to have been frightened terribly, and arrangements +were made for flight. + +MAY 12TH.--Thunder, lightning, and rain all day. + +The report of Gen. Lee's victory was premature, and Butler has not gone, +nor the raiders vanished. On the contrary, the latter were engaged in +battle with Stuart's division late in the afternoon, and recommenced it +this morning at 3 o'clock, the enemy remaining on the ground, and still +remain, some five miles from where I write. Major-Gen. J. E. B. Stuart +was wounded last evening, through the kidney, and now lies in the city, +in a dying condition! Our best generals thus fall around us. + +The battle raged furiously; every gun distinctly heard at our house +until 1 P.M.--the enemy being intrenched between our middle and outer +line of works. Meantime our ambulances are arriving every hour with the +wounded, coming in by the Brooke Turnpike. + +The battalion my sons are in lost none of its men, though shelled by the +enemy early in the morning; nor do we know that our battery did any +execution. Capt. Warner delivered the provisions their mother cooked +for them yesterday. He saw only Custis, who gladly received the bread, +and meat, and eggs; but he and Tom were both drenched with rain, as they +had no shelter yesterday. But a comrade, and one of Custis's Latin +pupils, whom I saw, returned on sick leave, says Thomas stands the +fatigue and exposure better than Custis, who was complaining. + +About 11 A.M. to-day there was very heavy reports of cannon heard in the +direction of Drewry's Bluff, supposed to be our battery shelling the +country below, for some purpose. + +I understand one or more of our iron-clads will certainly go out this +evening, or to-night; we shall know it when it occurs, for the firing +will soon follow. + +Worked in my garden; set out corn and (yellow) tomatoes; the former +given me by my neighbor, to whom I had given lettuce and beet plants. + +My wife spent a miserable day, some one having reported that the +Departmental Battalion was cut to pieces in the battle. When I came in, +she asked me if Custis and Thomas were alive, and was exceedingly glad +to know not a man in the company had been even wounded. + +I shall never forget the conformation of the clouds this morning as the +storm arose. There were different strata running in various directions. +They came in heaviest volume from the southeast in parallel lines, like +lines of battle swooping over the city. There were at the same time +shorter and fuller lines from the southwest, and others from the north. +The meeting of these was followed by tremendous clashes of lightning and +thunder; and between the pauses of the artillery of the elements above, +the thunder of artillery on earth could be distinctly heard. Oh that the +strife were ended! But Richmond is to be defended at all hazards. + +It is said, however, that preparations have been made for the flight of +the President, cabinet, etc. up the Danville Road, in the event of the +fall of the city. Yet no one fears that the present forces environing it +could take it. If Lee withstands Grant another week, all will be safe. +My greatest fear is the want of provisions. My wife bought a half bushel +of meal; so we have a week's supply on hand, as we were not quite out. I +hope Beauregard will soon restore communication with the South. + +MAY 13TH.--Cloudy and showery all day. + +Last night my youngest son Thomas came in, furloughed (unsolicited) by +his officers, who perceived his exhaustion. + +The enemy disappeared in the night. We suffered most in the several +engagements with him near the city. I suppose some sympathizer had +furnished him with a copy of our photograph map of the fortifications +and country in the vicinity. + +But the joy of many, and chagrin of some at his escape so easily, was +soon followed by the startling intelligence that a raid from Gen. +Butler's army had cut the _Danville_ Road! All communication with the +country from which provisions are derived is now completely at an end! +And if supplies are withheld that long, this community, as well as the +army, must be without food in ten, days! Col. Northrop told me to-day +that unless the railroads were retaken and repaired, he could not feed +the troops ten days longer. And he blamed Gen. Lee for the loss of over +200,000 pounds of bacon at Beaver Dam. He says Gen. Lee ordered it +there, instead of keeping it at Charlottesville or Gordonsville. Could +Lee make such a blunder? + +Most of the members of Congress, when not in session, hang about the +door and hall of the War Department, eager for news, Mr. Hunter being +the most prominent, if not the most anxious among them. But the wires +are cut in all directions, and we must rely on couriers. + +The wildest rumors float through the air. Every successive hour gives +birth to some new tidings, and one must be near the Secretary's table +indeed to escape being misled by false reports. + +For two days no dispatch has been received from Gen. Lee, although one +hears of a dispatch just received from him at every corner of the +streets. A courier arrived to-day from the _vicinity_ of our army. He +saw a _gentleman_ who saw Gen. Lee's son _Robert_ yesterday, and was +informed by him that our army was five miles nearer Fredericksburg, +having driven the enemy farther down the river. + +Our iron-clads--Virginia, Richmond, and Fredericksburg--I understood +from Lieut. Minor, this morning, will not go out until in readiness to +cope successfully with the enemy's fleet of gun-boats and monitors. How +long that will be he did not say. It may be _to-day_. And while I write +(4-1/2 P.M.) I can distinctly hear the roar of artillery down the river. +It may be an engagement by land or by water, or by both; and it may be +only the customary shelling of the woods by the enemy's gun-boats. But +it is very rapid sometimes. + +A courier reports the raid on the Danville Road as not formidable. They +are said, however, to have blown up the coal-pits. They cannot _blow_ +coal _higher_ than our own extortionate people have done. + +I directed my wife to lay out all the money about the house in +provisions. She got a bushel of meal and five pounds of bacon for about +$100. If we must endure another turn of the screw of famine, it is well +to provide for it as well as possible. We cannot starve now, in a month; +and by that time, Gens. Lee and Beauregard may come to our relief. Few +others are looked to hopefully. The functionaries here might have had a +six-months' supply, by wise and energetic measures. + +The President has had the Secretary of War closeted with him nearly all +day. It is too late now for the evacuation of Richmond, and a +_desperate_ defense will be made. If the city falls, the consequences +will be ruinous to the present government. And how could any of its +members escape? Only in disguise. This is the time to try the nerves of +the President and his counselors! + +Gen. Bragg is very distasteful to many officers of the army; and the +croakers and politicians would almost be willing to see the government +go to pieces, to get rid of the President and his cabinet. Some of the +members of Congress are anxious to get _away_, and the _Examiner_ twits +them for their cowardice. They will stay, probably. + +MAY 14TH.--Warm, with alternate sunshine and showers. + +With the dawn recommenced the heavy boom of cannon down the river. It +was rumored this morning that our right wing at Drewry's Bluff had been +flanked, but no official information has been received of the progress +of the fight. I saw a long line of ambulances going in that direction. + +To-day it is understood that the battle of Petersburg will be fought by +Beauregard, if he be not withheld from attacking the enemy by orders +from Richmond. + +We have been beaten, or rather badly foiled here, by orders from high +authority; and it is said Gen. Ransom finds himself merely an +instrument in the hands of those who do not know how to use him +skillfully. + +The enemy is said to have made a bridge across the James River, either +to come on the north side, or to enable the raiders to reach them. They +are also planting torpedoes, for our iron rams. They are not yet ready. + +Gen. Lee is prosecuting the defensive policy effectively. Couriers to +the press, considered quite reliable, give some details of a most +terrific battle in Spottsylvania County day before yesterday, 12th inst. +Our men (with extra muskets) fought behind their breastworks. The host +of assailants came on, stimulated by whisky rations, ten deep, and +fearful was the slaughter. Their loss is estimated at 20,000; ours, +2000. The enemy were still in front. Grant says he will not recross the +Rappahannock as long as he has a man left. Lee seems determined to kill +his last man. + +A great deal of time is said to have been consumed in cabinet council, +making selections for appointments. It is a harvest for hunters after +brigadier and major-generalships. The President is very busy in this +business, and Secretary Seddon is sick--neuralgia. + +Last night Custis came home on a furlough of twelve hours. He got a +clean shirt, and washed himself--not having had his shoes or clothes off +for more than a week. He has not taken cold, though sleeping in the +water, and not having dry clothes on him for several days. And his +appetite is excellent. He departed again for camp, four miles off, at +5-1/2 A.M., bringing and taking out his gun, his heavy cartridge-box, +and well-filled haversack (on his return). + +Half-past four o'clock P.M. A tremendous cannonade is now distinctly +heard down the river, the intonations resembling thunder. No doubt the +monitors are engaged with the battery at Drewry's Bluff. It may be a +combined attack. + +Gen. Pemberton has resigned his commission; but the President has +conferred on him a lieutenant-colonelcy of artillery. Thus the feelings +of all the armies and most of the people are outraged; for, whether +justly or not, both Pemberton and Bragg, to whom the President clings +with tenacity, are especially obnoxious both to the people and the army. +May Heaven shield us! Yet the President _may_ be right. + +MAY 15TH.--Clouds, sunshine, and showers. + +The tremendous cannonading all day yesterday at Drewry's Bluff was +merely an artillery duel--brought on by the heavy skirmishing of +pickets. The batteries filled the air with discordant sounds, and shook +the earth with grating vibration. Perhaps 100 on each side were killed +and wounded--"not worth the ammunition," as a member of the government +said. + +Gen. Lee's dispatches to the President have been withheld from +publication during the last four days. The loss of two trains of +commissary stores affords the opportunity to censure Lee; but some think +his popularity and power both with the people and the army have inspired +the motive. + +I saw to-day some of our slightly wounded men from Lee's army, who were +in the fight of Thursday (12th inst.), and they confirm the reports of +the heavy loss of the enemy. They say there is no suffering yet for +food, and the men are still in good spirits. + +Both the Central and the Fredericksburg Roads are repaired, and trains +of provisions are now daily sent to Gen. Lee. + +The Danville Road was not materially injured; the raiders being repulsed +before they could destroy the important bridges. Supplies can come to +Petersburg, and may be forwarded by wagons to the Danville Road, and +thence to Lynchburg, etc. + +Fresh troops are arriving from the South for Beauregard; but he is still +withheld from decisive operations. + +The Departmental Battalion is still out; the enemy still menacing us +from the Chickahominy. + +During the last four days correspondence has ceased almost entirely, and +the heads of bureaus, captains, majors, lieutenant-colonels, adjutants, +quartermasters, and commissaries, have nothing to do. They wander about +with hanging heads, ashamed to be safely out of the field--I mean all +under 50 years of age--and look like sheep-stealing dogs. Many sought +their positions, and still retain them, to keep out of danger. Such +cravens are found in all countries, and are perhaps fewer in this than +any other. However, most of the population of the city between 17 and 50 +are absent from the streets; some few shopkeeping Jews and Italians are +imprisoned for refusing to aid in the defense, and some no doubt are +hidden. + +Most of the able-bodied negro men, both free and slave, have been taken +away--in the field as teamsters, or digging on the fortifications. Yet +those that remain may sometimes be seen at the street corners looking, +some wistfully, some in dread, in the direction of the enemy. There is +but little fear of an insurrection, though no doubt the enemy would be +welcomed by many of the negroes, both free and slave. + +At 1 P.M. to-day a train arrived from Guinea's Station with 800 of our +wounded, in Sunday's and Thursday's battles. + +The following prices are now paid in this city: boots, $200; coats, +$350; pants, $100; shoes, $125; flour, $275 per barrel; meal, $60 to $80 +per bushel; bacon, $9 per pound; no beef in market; chickens, $30 per +pair; shad, $20; potatoes, $25 per bushel; turnip greens, $4 per peck; +white beans, $4 per quart, or $120 per bushel; butter, $15 per pound; +lard, same; wood, $50 per cord. What a change a decisive victory--or +defeat--would make! + +MAY 16TH.--Warm--sunshine and light showers. + +Memorable day--not yet decided at 2 P.M. Early this morning Gen. +Beauregard attacked the enemy on the south side of the river, and by 9 +A.M. he had sent over to the city Gen. Heckman and 840 prisoners, the +entire 27th Massachusetts Regiment. Subsequently it is said 400 were +sent over. By 12 M. the firing had receded out of hearing from the city, +and messengers report that the enemy were being driven back rapidly. +Hon. Geo. Davis, Attorney-General (from North Carolina), told me that +Gen. Whiting was coming up from Petersburg, in the enemy's _rear_, with +13,000 men. So, at this hour, the prospects are glorious. + +Gen. Pickett has been relieved--_indisposition_. Brig.-Gen. Barton has +also been relieved, for some cause arising out of the failure to capture +the raiders on this side the river. + +Gens. Bragg and Pemberton made an inspection of the position of the +enemy, down the river, yesterday, and made rather a cheerless report to +the President. They are both supposed to be inimical to Gen. Beauregard, +who seems to be achieving such brilliant success. + +The President rode over to Beauregard's headquarters this morning. Some +fear he will embarrass the general; others say he is near the field, +prepared to fly, if it be lost. In truth, if we were defeated, it might +be difficult for him to return to the city. + +Gen. Breckenridge has defeated Sigel in the Shenandoah Valley. + +Gen. Lee dispatches that he had no fighting Saturday and Sunday. To-day +Grant is retiring his right wing, but advancing his left east of +Spottsylvania Court House, where Lee's headquarters are still +established. + +MAY 17TH.--Sunshine and showers. + +The battle yesterday decided nothing, that I am aware of. We captured +1000 prisoners, stormed some of their intrenchments; losing altogether +probably as many as the enemy. But we drove them back to Bermuda +Hundred, behind their fortifications, and near their ships. + +Gen. Johnston was attacked at Dalton by 80,000 men last week; accounts, +some five days old, say he repulsed the assaults of the enemy. + +The Departmental Battalion is out yet; the city being still in danger. +The government is almost suspended in its functions. The Secretary of +the Treasury cannot get money from Columbia, S. C., whither he foolishly +sent the girls that sign the notes. + +Some of the idle military officers, always found about the departments, +look grave, and do not hesitate to express some apprehension of the +success of Grant in forcing Lee back, and spreading over all Northern +and Northwestern Virginia. The Secretary of War is much secluded, and I +see by a correspondence between him and the Secretary of the Treasury, +relating to the _million and three-quarters_ in coin, belonging to the +New Orleans banks, that the Secretary of the Treasury can make no "valid +objection to the proposition of the Secretary of War." I do not +understand what disposition they propose to make of it. + +A list is being prepared at the War Department (by Mr. Assistant +Secretary Campbell) for Congress to pass, authorizing the seizure of all +the railroads in the Confederacy. Also one establishing and reorganizing +the Bureau of Conscription. + +If Butler remains between Richmond and Petersburg, and is reinforced, +and Grant is strong enough (two to Lee's one) to push on toward +Richmond, our perils and trials will be greater than ever. + +Vice-President Stephens has not yet arrived. I do not understand that he +is ill. + +MAY 18TH.--Showers and sunshine, the first preponderating. + +Our killed and wounded in Beauregard's battle amount to some 1500. The +enemy lost 1000 prisoners, and perhaps 1500 killed and wounded. + +Railroad men report heavy firing this morning near Fredericksburg, and +it is believed another battle is in progress. + +From the West we have a report, derived from the enemy at Natchez, that +Gen. Banks has surrendered to Lieut-Gen. Smith. + +It is rumored likewise that President Lincoln has called for 60,000 +militia, _to defend Washington_. + +A fortnight ago, Mr. Benjamin procured passports for one or two of his +agents "to pass the lines at will." They may have procured information, +but it did not prevent the enemy from coming. + +Attended a funeral (next door to us) ceremony this afternoon at 5 P.M. +over the body of Abner Stanfield, a nephew of Mrs. Smith, our next door +neighbor, who fell in battle day before yesterday, near Drewry's Bluff. +By the merest accident his relatives here learned of his fall (by the +paper we loaned them), and Mr. S. had his body brought to his house, and +decently prepared for the grave. His bloody garments were replaced by a +fine suit of clothes he had kept with Mr. S.; his mother, etc. live in +Northern Virginia, and his cousins, the Misses S., decorated the coffin +beautifully with laurels, flowers, etc. He was a handsome young hero, +six feet tall, and died bravely in his country's defense. He was slain +by a shell. The ceremony was impressive, and caused many tears to flow. +But his glorious death and funeral honor will inspire others with +greater resolution to do and to dare, and to die, if necessary, for +their country. The minister did him justice, for the hallowed cause in +which he fell. + +MAY 19TH.--Sunshine and showers, the former predominating. + +Gen. Lee sends a dispatch saying the enemy's attack yesterday was +repulsed easily--our loss very light. + +It is said, however, that the enemy have Guinea's Station, 12 miles this +side of Fredericksburg. + +Gen. Beauregard intends shelling Butler in his fortifications +to-morrow. + +From the West, in Georgia, and beyond the Mississippi, all seem bright +enough. + +Congress has passed a resolution to adjourn on the 31st inst., in +obedience to the wish of the President. He has a majority in both +Houses, it seems; and even the bills they pass are generally dictated by +the Executive, and written in the departments. Judge Campbell is much +used for this purpose. + +Gen. Bragg sent in a manuscript, derived from a deserter, stating that +of Gen. Butler's two corps, one, the 10th, is from the Southern coast, +no negroes in it, leaving only negroes in the Southern garrisons. We +learned Butler was in command, and dismissed all apprehensions--and one +day we had but 5000 opposed to his 40,000! + +MAY 20TH.--Fog; then sunshine all day, but cool. + +Troops have been marching through the city all day from the south side. +I presume others take their places arriving from the South. Barton's +brigade had but 700 out of 2000 that went into battle last Monday. Our +wounded amount to 2000; perhaps the enemy's loss was not so large. + +Col. Northrop is vehement in his condemnation of Beauregard; says his +blunders are ruining us; that he is a charlatan, and that he never has +been of any value to the Confederate States; and he censures Gen. Lee, +whom he considers a general, and the only one we have, and the Secretary +of War, for not providing transportation for supplies, now so fearfully +scarce. + +I read an indorsement to-day, in the President's writing, as follows: +"Gen. Longstreet has seriously offended against good order and military +discipline in rearresting an officer (Gen. Law) who had been released by +the War Department, without any new offense having been alleged.--J. D." + +Mr. Mallory, Secretary of the Navy, wrote a pungent letter to the +Secretary of War to-day, on the failure of the latter to have the +obstructions removed from the river, so that the iron-clads might go out +and fight. He says the enemy has captured our lower battery of +torpedoes, etc., and declares the failure to remove the obstructions +"prejudicial to the interests of the country, and especially to the +naval service, which has thus been prevented from rendering important +service." + +Gen. Bragg writes a pretty tart letter to the Secretary of War to-day, +desiring that his reports of the Army of Tennessee, called for by +Congress, be furnished for publication, or else that the reasons be +given for withholding them. + +We have no war news to-day. + +Mrs. Minor, of Cumberland County, with whom my daughter Anne resides, is +here, in great affliction. Her brother, Col. Rudolph, was killed in the +battle with Sheridan, near Richmond; shot through the head, and buried +on the field. Now she learns that another brother, a cadet, just 18 +years old, was killed in the battle of Gen. Breckinridge, in the valley, +shot through the head; and she resolves to set out for Staunton at once, +to recover his body. Her father and sister died a few months ago, and +she has just heard of her aunt's death. + +A lady living next door to us had two brothers wounded on Monday, and +they are both here, and will recover. + +Gen. Breckinridge is now marching to reinforce Lee. It is said Butler +will set sail to join Grant. If so, we can send Lee 20,000 more men, and +Beauregard's victory will yield substantial fruits. + +MAY 21ST.--Sun all day, but a little hazy; perhaps a battle. + +There was quite a battle yesterday on the south side. The accounts in +the morning's paper fall short of the whole of our success. The enemy, +it is said to-day, did not regain the works from which they were driven, +but are now cooped up at Bermuda Hundred. Nothing is feared from Butler. + +Nothing from Lee, but troops are constantly going to him. + +I saw some 10,000 rusty rifles, brought down yesterday from Lee's +battle-field. Many bore marks of balls, deeply indenting or perforating +the barrels. The ordnance officer says in his report that he has +collected many thousands more than were dropped by our killed and +wounded. This does not look like a _Federal_ victory! + +MAY 22D.--Clear and warm, but the atmosphere is charged with the smoke +and dust of contending armies. The sun shines but dimly. + +Custis was with us last night, and returned to camp at 5 A.M. to-day. He +gets from government only a small loaf of corn bread and a herring a +day. We send him something, however, every other morning. His appetite +is voracious, and he has not taken cold. He loathes the camp life, and +some of the associates he meets in his mess, but is sustained by the +vicissitudes and excitements of the hour, and the conviction that the +crisis must be over soon. + +Last night there was furious shelling down the river, supposed to be a +night attack by Butler, which, no doubt, Beauregard anticipated. Result +not heard. + +The enemy's cavalry were at Milford yesterday, but did no mischief, as +our stores had been moved back to Chesterfield depot, and a raid on +Hanover C. H. was repulsed. Lee was also attacked yesterday evening, and +repulsed the enemy. It is said Ewell is now engaged in a flank movement, +and the GREAT FINAL battle may be looked for immediately. + +Breckinridge is at Hanover Junction, with other troops. So the war rolls +on toward this capital, and yet Lee's headquarters remain in +Spottsylvania. A few days more must tell the story. If he cuts Grant's +communications, I should not be surprised if that desperate general +attempted a bold dash on toward Richmond. I don't think he could take +the city--and he would be between two fires. + +I saw some of the enemy's wounded this morning, brought down in the +cars, dreadfully mutilated. Some had lost a leg and arm--besides +sustaining other injuries. But they were cheerful, and uttered not a +groan in the removal to the hospital. + +Flour is selling as high as $400 per barrel, and meal at $125 per +bushel. The roads have been cut in so many places, and so frequently, +that no provisions have come in, except for the army. But the hoarding +speculators have abundance hidden. + +The Piedmont Road, from Danville, Va., to Greensborough, is completed, +and now that we have two lines of communication with the South, it may +be hoped that this famine will be of only short duration. They are +cutting wheat in Georgia and Alabama, and new flour will be ground from +the growing grain in Virginia in little more than a month. God help us, +if relief come not speedily! A great victory would be the speediest way. + +My garden looks well, but affords nothing yet except salad. + +MAY 23D.--Fair and warm, with pleasant breezes. + +Gen. Johnston, without a defeat, has fallen back to Calhoun, Ga. + +Gen. Lee, without a defeat, has fallen back to Hanover Junction, his +headquarters at Ashland. Grant is said to be worming his way eastward to +the Peninsula, the field occupied by McClellan in 1862. Why, he might +have attained that position without the loss of a man at the outset! + +On Saturday night Gen. Butler made the following exploit: + +"On Saturday night the enemy renewed his assault, assailing that portion +of our line held principally by Wise's brigade. In some manner our men +had become apprised of the intention of the enemy to make a night +attack, and were fully prepared for it. The enemy were allowed to +advance, our men deliberately reserving their fire until they were +within 20 or 30 yards of them, when they poured into their ranks a most +terrific volley, driving them back with great slaughter. The repulse is +said to have been a most decided success; the enemy were thrown into +great confusion and retreated rapidly. + +"The enemy's loss is said to have been very severe, and is estimated at +hardly less than four or five hundred _in killed alone_, while we are +said to have lost none in killed, and some thirty or forty wounded." + +There was an immense mail to-day, and yet with my sore eyes I had no aid +from my son, still at the intrenchments. I hinted my desire to have him, +but young Mr. Kean opposed it. + +MAY 24TH.--Clear and warm. + +No fighting yesterday besides small collisions near Hanover Junction. It +is said to-day that Grant threatens the Central Railroad, on Lee's left. +This is regarded as a serious matter. We want _men_. + +An armed guard is now a fixture before the President's house. + +Peas were in market on the 18th inst.; price $10 a half peck. +Strawberries are $10 per quart. There has been no meat in market for a +long time, most of the butchers' stalls being closed during the last +three months. Unless government feeds the people here, some of us may +starve. + +MAY 25TH.--Sunshine and showers. + +Custis is back again, the battalion of clerks being relieved, after +three weeks' service in the field. + +Yesterday there was skirmishing between the armies, near Hanover +Junction--25 miles distant from the city. + +Nothing of importance from the south side. But our iron-clads are +certainly going down the river--they _say_. + +To-day it is thought a battle commenced between Lee and Grant. It will +be, perhaps, a decisive engagement, whenever it does take place. And yet +there is no trepidation in the community; no apparent fear of defeat. +Still, there is some degree of feverish anxiety, as Lee retires nearer +to the capital followed by the enemy. A little delay would make us +stronger, as reinforcements, especially of cavalry, are daily arriving. +The trains run from the city to Lee's headquarters in one hour and a +half. + +A letter from Senator Henry, of Tennessee, to the Secretary, suggests +that Forrest's cavalry be now sent to the rear of Sherman's army in +Georgia, to cut off his supplies, etc., resulting in his destruction. +Perhaps this is the purpose. And Lee may have some such design. A few +days will develop important events. May they put an end to this +desolating war. + +MAY 26TH.--Sunshine and showers. + +Senator Henry's letter was referred to Gen. Bragg, who returned it +to-day with the indorsement that the suggested movement had not escaped +attention, and a good result might soon be looked for. And sure enough, +a dispatch was received from Atlanta to-day, announcing the capture of +some 250 of the enemy's wagons laden with stores! + +It is to be hoped that Gen. Lee has some scheme of a similar character, +to relieve Grant of his supply trains. Troops are daily coming hither, +infantry and cavalry, whence in one hour and a half the former reach +Lee's army. The great battle still hangs fire, but to be of greater +magnitude when it does occur. + +Gen. Bragg did a good thing yesterday, even while Senator Orr was +denouncing him. He relieved Gen. Winder from duty here, and assigned him +to Goldsborough, N. C. Now if the rogues and cut-throats he persisted in +having about him be likewise dismissed, the Republic is safe! Gen. +Ransom has now full charge of this department. + +Mr. Secretary Seddon is sick, and Mr. Assistant Secretary Campbell is +crabbed--Congress not having passed his Supreme Court bill. And if it +were passed, the President would hardly appoint him judge. + +It is said one of our iron-clads is out--the rest to follow immediately. +Let Butler beware! + +MAY 27TH.--Clouds and sunshine; cooler. + +Nothing additional from the West. Several thousand Georgia mounted +troops have arrived during the last 24 hours, in readiness to march to +Lee. One Georgia regiment has 1200, and a South Carolina regiment that +went up this morning 1000 men. + +Lee's army is at Ashland--17 miles distant. The enemy are marching down +the Pamunky, north side. They will doubtless cross it, and march through +New Kent and Charles City Counties to the James River, opposite Butler's +army. Grant probably intends crossing his army to the south side, which, +if effected, might lose us Richmond, for the city cannot subsist a week +with its southern communications cut. We should starve. + +But Beauregard means to make another effort to dislodge Butler, +immediately. It will probably be a combined movement, the iron clads +co-operating. It is a necessity, and it must be done without delay, no +matter what the cost may be. If Butler remains, the railroads will be +cut. If the city be taken, not only will the iron-clads be lost, but a +large proportion of the army may be cut off from escape. Immense +munitions would certainly fall into the hands of the enemy. + +The _Whig_ and _Enquirer_ both denounced Gen. Bragg to-day. + +Senator Orr's assault in the Senate on Gen. Bragg was followed by +another from Wigfall, who declared there was a want of confidence in the +President. Mr. Orr said his appointment was discourtesy to the Secretary +of War, whereupon the Secretary fell ill yesterday, but to-day he is +well again. Nevertheless, the Senate voted Gen. B. the salary, etc. +allowed a general in the field. + +And Gen. Winder has been treated as cavalierly as he treated me. +Retribution is sure. + +The city is excited with rumors. One is that Beauregard, when about to +engage the enemy last week, was ordered by Bragg to evacuate +Petersburg--certainly an insane measure. Gen. Beauregard (so the story +runs) telegraphed the President (who was with him, as I heard) to know +if such an order had his sanction. The President replied that Gen. +Bragg's orders were authorized by him. Beauregard _disregarded_ the +order and fought the battle, saving Petersburg. Then Beauregard tendered +his resignation, which was not accepted. It is also said that the order +was directed to the commandant of the garrison; but the courier was +stopped by Generals Wise and Martin, who gave the paper to Beauregard. + +There is another rumor that Bragg's orders caused Lee to fall back; and, +of course, the credulous people here are despondent; some in despair. +There may be some design against the President in all this. + +MAY 28TH.--Showers and sunshine. + +Grant has crossed the Pamunky, and Lee is at the Yellow Tavern--not more +than _six miles_ from the city. The hostile armies are only a few miles +apart, and the GREAT BATTLE may occur at any time, at any hour; and we +shall hear both the artillery and musketry from my dwelling. + +All is quiet on the south side of the river. Nothing from Georgia, +except a short address from Gen. Johnston to the army, stating that, +having the enemy now where he wants him, he will lead the soldiers to +battle. + +War and famine develop some of the worst instincts of our nature. For +five days the government has been selling meal, by the peck, for $12: +and yet those who have been purchasing have endeavored to keep it a +secret! And the government turns extortioner, making $45 profit per +bushel out of the necessities of the people! + +I saw a dispatch, to-day, from Gen. Johnston to his Chief Commissary, at +Atlanta, ordering him, after reserving ten days' rations, to send the +rest of the stores to Augusta! + +It is said Mr. Memminger and certain members of Congress have in +readiness the means of sudden flight, in the event of Grant's forcing +his way into the city. + +It is thought, to-day, that Bragg will resign. If he does, then the +President will be humiliated; for the attacks on Bragg are meant +principally for Mr. Davis. But I doubt the story; I don't think the +President will permit Bragg to retire before his enemies, unless affairs +become desperate by the defeat of our army in this vicinity. + +MAY 29TH.--Bright and quite cold. + +There was skirmishing yesterday evening on the Chickahominy. + +The armies are confronting each other, but Grant is moving gradually to +the right of us, as if with an intention to reach the James River; but +probably it is with the view of enveloping us with his superior numbers, +and the GREAT BATTLE may occur at any hour. The train of cars, laden, in +Broad Street, destined a few days ago to transport provisions, etc. to +Gen. Lee's army, are visited hourly by wagons from the army, now in the +immediate vicinity. + +This morning the Secretary's time is occupied in giving audience to +citizens who have fled from the vicinity of the enemy, but whose +exaggerated accounts really furnish no reliable information. Of what +benefit, in such a crisis as this, is the tale of desolation in the +track of Grant's army, the destruction of crops, the robbery of children +of their silver cups and spoons, etc.? And yet these are the things +which occupy much time. + +MAY 30TH.--Fair and cool; hot at noon. + +It is rumored that Mr. Memminger will resign. If he does, it will cause +much rejoicing. Mr. Foote censured him severely in Congress; and moved a +resolution of censure, which was _not_ laid on the table--though moved, +and voted on--but postponed. + +Gen. Lee has been a little ill from fatigue, exposure, and change of +water; but was better yesterday, and is confident. + +Messrs. Cardoza and Martin, who sell a peck of meal per day to each +applicant for $12, or $48 per bushel, flour at $1.60 per pound, and +beans $3 per quart, are daily beset with a great crowd, white and black. +I do not think they sell for the government, but they probably have +facilities from it. The prices are only about half charged in the shops. + +But Messrs. Dunlop and Moucine are selling meal (on their own account, I +believe) at $25 per bushel, or 50 cts. per pound, allowing each white +member of the family about five ounces per day; and selling them twice +per month, or nine pounds per month to each. The rule is to sell to only +the indigent, refugees, etc. My friend James G. Brooks, Clay Street, +informed me this morning that he got half a bushel there. He is rich! + +MAY 31ST.--Clear, with hot sun. + +Last evening there was some fighting on Lee's right, and 125 prisoners +were sent in. + +This morning cannon and musketry could be distinctly heard east of my +dwelling; but at 3 P.M. I have not been able to learn the extent of it +or the result. + +But the GREAT BATTLE is imminent. Troops have been coming over from the +south side (Beauregard's) for twenty hours, and marching down Main +Street toward the Williamsburg road. It is doubtless a flank movement +of Beauregard, and an attack on Grant may be expected any hour; and must +occur, I think, to-morrow at furthest. + +I have not learned that Butler has retired from his position--and if +not, our communications must be in peril. But no matter, so Grant be +beaten. + +All the local troops are ordered to be in readiness to march at a +moment's warning, this evening or night. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + +Beauregard's plan.--The battle.--Defeat near Staunton.--Fight at + Petersburg.--Decision about Marylanders--Beauregard in disgrace.-- + Dispatch from Gen. J. E. Johnston. + + +JUNE 1ST.--Bright and warm. + +At 7-1/2 A.M. cannon and musketry heard northeast of the city, which +either ceased or receded out of hearing at 12 M.; or else the hum of the +city drowned the sounds of battle. Up to 3 P.M. we have no particulars. +Beauregard is on the right of our line; Lee's headquarters was at Yellow +Tavern. He is sufficiently recovered to direct the battle. + +Butler has mostly if not entirely evacuated Bermuda Hundred; doubtless +gone to Grant. The President rode out this morning toward the +battle-field. Every one is confident of success, since Beauregard and +Lee command. + +The Secretary of War granted a passport to Mr. Pollard, who wrote a +castigating history of the first years of the war, to visit Europe. +Pollard, however, was taken, and is now in the hands of the enemy, at +New York. + +Another row with the Bureau of Conscription. Brig.-Gen. Chilton, +Inspector-General, has been investigating operations in Mississippi, at +the instance of Gen. Polk; and Col. Preston, Superintendent of the +Bureau, disdains to answer their communications. + +My landlord, Mr. King, _has not_ raised my rent! + +JUNE 2D.--Very warm and cloudy. + +There was no general engagement yesterday, but heavy skirmishing, and +several assaults at different points; and a dispatch from Gen. Lee says +they resulted favorably to our arms. + +A dispatch from Gen. Johnston says his men are in good plight, after +combats enough to make a battle, in all of which the enemy suffered +most. + +The local troops (Custis's battalion, etc.) were ordered out to-day. I +have not understood to what point they were ordered; but it indicates +the imminency of a battle. Lee has not less than 80,000 men--veterans. + +I saw, to-day, Gen. Beauregard's plan, dated May 14th. It was addressed +to Gen. Bragg, "Commanding Confederate States Armies." He suggested the +falling back on the defenses of Richmond, and detaching 15,000 to the +south side to crush or drive away Butler. He would then not only return +the 15,000 to the north side, but bring over 25,000 additional to crush +Grant. + +This scheme was rejected by Bragg on the 19th, after consultation with +the President and the Secretary: the latter indorsing _his_ concurrence +in the rejection, the President not _committing himself in writing_. But +Beauregard was ordered to attack Butler without delay, which was done, +and successfully; but he was not crushed, and still threatens our +railroads with a portion of his army, while the rest has been sent to +reinforce Grant. + +Nevertheless, Beauregard is here with some 20,000, and Lee _did_ fall +back to the defenses of Richmond. + +Congress has passed a bill increasing the compensation of themselves 100 +per cent. Perhaps they will not adjourn now, but remain and await +events. + +Senator Hunter and the Secretary of War promenaded the Square yesterday +afternoon in a long "confabulation," supposed by some to relate to +political matters. + +5 O'CLOCK P.M.--Heavy and quick cannonading heard some eight or ten +miles east of the city. It continued until night, when it was raining +and cold; and Custis had no blanket, not anticipating such a change. + +JUNE 3D.--Raining gently, and cool. + +As early as 4 A.M. there was an incessant roar of artillery, the +vibrations of which could be felt in the houses. It could be heard +distinctly in all parts of the city. And ever and anon could be +distinguished great crashes of musketry, as if whole divisions of +infantry were firing at the word of command. It continued until 11 +o'clock A.M., when it ceased. A dispatch from Lee stated that his line +(behind breastworks, center and left) had been repeatedly assaulted, and +every time the enemy was repulsed. The attack, it was supposed, was made +to check a flanking movement made yesterday afternoon, by Gen. Ewell, on +the enemy's left, to cut his communications with the White House, his +base of supplies. No doubt the slaughter has been great! + +The dispatch from Beauregard indicates that he may be still on the other +side of the river. It may be a _ruse de guerre_, or it may be that the +general's enemies here (in the government) are risking everything to +keep him from participation in the great battles. + +Mr. Hunter, being short and fat, rolls about like a pumpkin. He is +everywhere, seeking tidings from the field. It is said the enemy, at +last, has visited his great estates in Essex County; but he'll escape +loss "by hook or by crook." He has made enormously by his crops and his +mills: nevertheless, he would sacrifice all for the Presidency--and +independence. + +The President, yesterday, forbade details from the Department Battalion +to remain in the city. + +The _Southern_ Express Company has bribed the quartermasters, and is at +its work again, using fine horses and stout details that should be in +the army. Its wagon was at the department to-day with a box of bacon for +Judge Campbell. + +About 800 prisoners were marched into the city this afternoon, and it is +believed many more are on the way. + +Cannonading was heard again in a northeast direction this evening from 6 +till 8-1/2 o'clock, when it ceased--perhaps the prelude to another scene +of carnage to-morrow! + +JUNE 4TH.--Showers and sunshine. It is believed Grant has lost 40,000 +within the last week! + +To-day there has been more or less cannonading along the line; but it is +not known if any infantry were engaged. + +The battalion to which Custis (my son) belongs is at Bottom's Bridge, +some sixteen miles distant on the Chickahominy; and I learn that the +enemy shelled it yesterday and last night, without injury, shells +falling short. + +It is suspected that Sherman will be ordered from Georgia to reinforce +Grant! It seems Lincoln would give up his hopes of heaven, and plunge +into hell, for the PRESIDENCY. + +The Commissary General says Lee must beat Grant before the latter is +reinforced, "or we are gone;" for their destruction of the railroads, +north and northwest, will ruin us--the southern roads being insufficient +to transport stores for the army. + +My nephew, Col. R. H. Musser, trans-Mississippi, I am told by Senator +Clark, was complimented on the field of victory by Gen. Taylor. His +brigadier-general having fallen, Col. M. commanded the brigade. + +Last evening, about 6 P.M., a cloud nearly overhead assumed the shape of +a section of our fortifications, the segment of a circle, with the +triangle penetrating through from the north. These shapes were +distinctly defined. Could the operations beneath have produced this +phenomenon? was it accidental? or a portent of the future? God knows! + +JUNE 5TH.--Raining. + +The sudden booming of artillery, shelling our department boys, +intrenching at Bottom's Bridge, was heard until bedtime. I have heard no +results of yesterday's operations. + +All is quiet to-day, up to 9 A.M. + +Received a letter from Custis. I have not heard whether he received the +food and blanket sent him yesterday; the latter, he says, was wanted +badly the night before. He charges Fanny, as usual, to be regular in +feeding and watering Polly, his parrot; and never to leave the door of +his cage open, for fear he may fly away. + +JUNE 6TH.--Clear and hot, but with a fine breeze--southwest. + +All is quiet around the city. Saturday night the enemy _again_ +penetrated Gen. Breckinridge's line, and _again_ were repulsed by the +Floridians. Some of his regiments (as Mr. Mallory, Secretary of the +Navy, who stopped in front of my house yesterday, told me) did not +behave well. + +Yesterday, I learn, both sides buried the dead, with the exception of +some Federals piled up in front of Lee's breastworks. A deserter says +Grant intends _to stink_ Lee out of his position, if nothing else will +suffice. What a war, and for what? The _Presidency_ (United States), +perhaps! + +I learn that the Departmental Battalion, near Bottom's Bridge, has been +moved back a mile, out of range of the enemy's shells and sharpshooters. + +We have met with a defeat in the Valley, near Staunton, which place has +probably fallen. A letter from Gen. Bragg, this morning, in reply to Mr. +Secretary Seddon's inquiries, says it is too true, and he indorses +copies of dispatches from Gen. Vaughn and Col. Lee to Gen. R. E. Lee, +who sent them to the President, and the President to Gen. B., who sends +them now to the Secretary. Gen. V. calls loudly for reinforcements to +save Staunton, and says Gen. W. E. Jones, who commanded, was killed. +Col. Lee says, "We have been pretty badly whipped." Gen. Bragg knows of +no reinforcements that can be sent, and says Gen. R. E. Lee has command +there as well as here, and was never interfered with. Gen. B. says he +had tendered Gen. Lee his services, but they had not been accepted. + +Small heads of early York cabbage sold in market to-day at $3, or $5 for +two. At that rate, I got about $10 worth out of my garden. Mine are +excellent, and so far abundant, as well as the lettuce, which we have +every day. My snap beans and beets will soon come on. The little garden +is a little treasure. + +JUNE 7TH.--Rained in the night, clear and cool in the morning. + +Gen. Breckinridge's division started toward the Valley early this +morning. + +All is quiet near the city; but firing has been heard in the direction +of Bottom's Bridge. + +A man from New Kent County, coming through the lines, reports that Gen. +Grant was quite drunk yesterday, and said he would try Lee once more, +and if he failed to defeat him, "the Confederacy might go to hell." It +must have been some other general. + +JUNE 8TH.--Clouds and sunshine--cool. + +No war news except what appears in the papers. + +There was a rumor yesterday that several of the companies of the +Departmental Battalion were captured on Monday, but it was not confirmed +by later accounts. + +Our battery of 49 guns was unmasked, and opened on the enemy, who had +been firing over the heads of our young men (clerks). This was replied +to by as many guns from the enemy. Thus both fires were over the heads +of the infantry in the low ground between, and none were hurt, although +the shell sometimes burst just over them. + +A pontoon train passed down the river to-day, on this side, one captured +from the United States, and brought from Gordonsville. If Grant crosses, +Lee will cross, still holding the "inside track." + +Received a letter from Custis. He is at Gen. Custis Lee's headquarters +on ordnance duty. A pretty position, if a shell were to explode among +the ammunition! He says he has plenty of bread and meat, and so we need +not send any more. But he considers it a horrible life, and would rather +be without his rations than his daily reading, etc. So I sent him +reading enough for a week--all the newspapers I had; a pamphlet on the +Bible Society in the South; Report of the Judiciary Committee on the +Suspension of the _habeas corpus_; and, finally, the last number of the +_Surgical Magazine_, in which he will find every variety of _gunshot +wounds_, _operations_, etc. etc. I had nothing else to send him. + +JUNE 9TH.--Sunshine and clouds--warm. + +No fighting yesterday. It is reported that the enemy's cavalry and a +corps of infantry recrossed the Pamunky this morning, either after +Breckinridge, or to guard communications with the Rappahannock. + +There is a pause also in Georgia. + +Yesterday the President vetoed a bill exempting the publishers of +periodicals, etc. He said the time had arrived when "every man capable +of bearing arms should be found in the ranks." But this does not affect +the young and stalwart _Chefs du Bureaux_, or acting assistant generals, +quartermasters, commissaries, etc. etc., who have safe and soft places. + +My little garden now serves me well, furnishing daily in cabbage, +lettuce, beets, etc. what would cost $10. + +JUNE 10TH.--Clear and cool. + +All quiet round the city; but Petersburg was assaulted yesterday and +successfully defended. + +The battalion of clerks still remains at Bottom's Bridge, on the +Chickahominy. The pickets hold familiar conversation every day with the +pickets of the enemy, the stream being narrow, and crossed by a log. For +tobacco and the city papers our boys get sugar, coffee, etc. This +intercourse is wrong. Some of the clerks were _compelled_ to volunteer +to retain their offices, and may desert, giving important information to +the enemy. + +I had snap beans to-day from my garden. I have seen none in market. + +JUNE 11TH.--Sunshine and cloudy--warmer. + +There is a calm in military matters, but a storm is gathering in the +Valley of Virginia. Both sides are concentrating for a battle. If we +should be defeated (not likely), then our communications may be cut, and +Grant be under no necessity of fighting again to get possession of +Richmond. Meantime it is possible Grant will retire, and come again on +the south side of the James River. + +Congress is debating a measure increasing the President's +compensation--he cannot subsist on his present salary. Nor can any of +us. Mr. Seddon has a large private income, and could well afford to set +the patriotic example of working "for nothing." + +We have heard to-day that Lincoln was nominated for re-election at +Baltimore on the 7th inst., and gold rose to $1 96. Fremont is now +pledged to run also, thus dividing the Republican party, and giving an +opportunity for the Democrats to elect a President. If we can only +_subsist_ till then, we may have peace, and must have independence at +all events. + +But there is discontent, in the Army of the West, with Gen. Johnston, +and in the East with Bragg, and among the croakers with the President. + +New potatoes sold to-day for $5 per quart, $160 per bushel! + +Mr. Rhodes, Commissioner of Patents, told me to-day that Gen. Forrest, +at last accounts, was at Tupelo, Miss., doing nothing,--Gen. Wheeler, +his junior in years, superior in rank, to whom he is again subordinated +by the potency of Gen. Cooper's red tape, having most of his men. + +Robert Tyler has been with the Departmental Battalion at Bottom's +Bridge, doing service as a private, though the head of a bureau. + +This evening at 7 o'clock we heard artillery in the direction of Lee's +army. + +JUNE 12TH.--Cold and cloudy. + +Some firing again this morning, supposed to be merely an artillery duel. + +Heard from Custis, in pencil mark on the back of envelope; and he has +applied for and obtained a transfer from ordnance duty in the rear, back +to his company in the front. + +It is rumored that Sheridan has cut the road between Gordonsville and +Charlottesville, and between that place and Lynchburg. If this be true, +he will probably strike south for the Danville Road. Then we shall have +_confusion here, and the famine intensified_. There seems to be no +concert among the military commanders, and no unity of purpose among +civil functionaries. They mistrust one another, and the people begin to +mistrust them all. Meantime the President remains inflexible. + +All has been quiet to-day. I suppose the enemy is fortifying, with an +intention to move half his army to the south side of the +river--distracting us by menacing the city and threatening our +communications at the same time. + +It is believed here by the croakers that Gen. Lee has lost much of his +influence, from the moment Mr. Foote named him as Dictator in the event +of one being declared. + +Now, it would seem, if the plan of Beauregard, rejected by Bragg, had +been adopted, our condition would have been better. It is the curse of +Republics to be torn by the dissensions of rival chieftains in moments +of public danger! + +JUNE 13TH.--Clear and cool. + +Gen. Bragg sent to the Secretary of War to-day a copy of a letter from +him to the President, yesterday, proposing to send 6000 more troops to +Western Virginia, as Breckinridge has only 9000 and the enemy 18,000. + +Lieut.-Gen Holmes sends from Raleigh, N. C., a letter from Hon. T. +Bragg, revealing the existence of a secret organization in communication +with the enemy, styled the "H. O. A.;" and asking authority to arrest +certain men supposed to be implicated. + +A letter was received from G. W. Lay, his son-in-law, by the Assistant +Secretary of War, Judge Campbell, dated near Petersburg, stating that +the Southern Express Company would bring articles from Charleston for +him. That company seems to be more potential than ever. + +Cannonading was heard far down the Chickahominy this morning. And yet +Lieut.-Gen. Ewell marched his corps to-day out the Brooke Road, just in +the opposite direction! It is rumored that he is marching away for +Washington! If he had transportation, and could march in that direction, +no doubt it would be the speediest way of relieving Richmond. Gen. Lee, +however, knows best. + +At the conclave of dignitaries, Hunter, Wigfall, and Secretary Seddon, +yesterday, it is reported that when Mr. Seddon explained Grant's zigzag +fortifications, Senator Hunter exclaimed he was afraid we could never +beat him; when Senator Wigfall said nothing was easier--the President +would put the old folks and children to _praying_ at 6 o'clock A.M. Now +if any one were to tell these things to the President, he would not +believe him. + +JUNE 14TH.--Clear and cool. + +Gen. Grant has changed his base--disappearing from the front of Lee in +the night. He is supposed to be endeavoring to get his army below the +city, and in communication with Butler on the south side. + +A dispatch from Gen. Lee says Gen. Hampton has defeated Sheridan. + +Forrest has gained a victory in the West. + +Lincoln has been nominated--Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee, for +Vice-President. + +Gen. Whiting writes that supplies from abroad are coming in abundantly +at Wilmington, N. C. + +If we can only preserve our communications with the South, I regard the +campaign, if not the war, pretty nearly at an end, and Richmond safe! +Grant has failed, after doing his utmost to take Richmond. He has +shattered a great army to no purpose; while Lee's army is as strong as +ever. This is true generalship in Lee. But Grant can get more men. + +JUNE 15TH.--Clear and cool; warm late in the day. + +It is rumored now that the enemy got to Westtown yesterday, some ten +miles below the point on this side occupied by Butler; and to-day he is +leaving, either crossing to the south side (probably to cut the +railroad), or embarking in his transports for no one knows whither. So, +this attempt to take Richmond is as bad a failure as any. Grant has +_used up_ nearly a hundred thousand men--to what purpose? We are not +injured, after withstanding this blow of the concentrated power of the +enemy. It is true some bridges are burned, some railroads have been cut, +and the crops in the line of the enemy's march have been ruined; but +our army is intact: Lee's losses altogether, in killed and wounded, not +exceeding a few thousand. + +A report of an officer states that the James River is not fordable +anywhere above for forty miles. + +There is a rumor on the street that the head of Ewell's corps (commanded +by Gen. Early) crossed the Rappahannock, yesterday, at United States +Ford. If this be so, there must be consternation in Washington; and the +government there will issue embarrassing orders to Grant. + +The spirits of the people here are buoyant with the Western news, as +well as with the result of Lee's campaign. + +The death of Gen. Polk, however, is lamented by a good many. + +The operations of Forrest and Morgan are inspiring. + +JUNE 16TH.--Clear and pleasant weather, but dusty. + +The Departmental Battalion marched away, last night, from the +Chickahominy (guarding a ford when no enemy was on the other side!) for +Chaffin's Farm, on the James River. They were halted after marching an +hour or so, and permitted to rest (sleep) while the rest of the brigade +passed on. When Custis awoke he was alone, the battalion having left +him; and he was ill, and knew not the road. So he set out for the city, +with the intention of going down the river road this morning. But he +grew worse after reaching home. Still, he resolved to go; and at 8 A.M., +having marched all night nearly, he set out again, and met his +sergeant--who had likewise diverged as far as the city--who said if he +was really too ill to march, he would deliver the captain a surgeon's +certificate to that effect, which would be a sufficient explanation of +his absence. So, Surgeon C. Bell Gibson, upon an examination, pronounced +him _sick_, and certified to the captain that he could not be fit for +service for a week or ten days. At 3 P.M. he is in bed with a raging +fever. + +There was a fight at Malvern Hill yesterday, the enemy being repulsed. + +There was also another assault on Petersburg, repulsed three times; but +the fourth time our forces, _two regiments_, were forced back by +overwhelming numbers from the outer line of defenses. + +To-day it is reported that they are fighting again at Petersburg, and +great masses of troops are in motion. The war will be determined, +perhaps, by the operations of a day or two; and much anxiety is felt by +all. + +A letter from Hon. G. A. Henry, on the Danville Railroad, saying only +1000 men were there to defend it, with but two cannon without +appropriate ammunition! + +Soon after a dispatch came from Col. Withers, at Danville, stating it +was reported 10,000 of the enemy were approaching the road, and only +thirty-two miles distant. He called for reinforcements, but stated his +belief that the number of the enemy was exaggerated. + +I delivered these to the Secretary myself, finding him engaged writing a +long letter to Gen. Kirby Smith, beyond the Mississippi! + +In this moment of _doubt_ and _apprehension_, I saw Mr. Randolph, +formerly Secretary of War, and Mr. G. A. Myers, his law colleague, at +the telegraph office eagerly in quest of news. + +To-day the President decided that Marylanders here are "residents," or +"alien enemies;" if the former, they must fight--if the latter, be +expelled. A righteous judgment. + +Last night, as Custis staggered (with debility) upon the pickets at the +fortifications of the city, not having a passport, he was refused +permission to proceed. He then lay down to rest, when one of the pickets +remarked to him that he was not "smart, or he would flank them." Custis +sprang up and thanked him for the _hint_, and proceeded to put it in +practice. + +The _Examiner_ to-day says that Col. Dahlgren, a month before his death, +was in Richmond, under an assumed name, with a passport signed by Gen. +Winder, to go whithersoever he would. I think this probable. + +At 3 P.M. the wires cease to work between here and Petersburg, and there +are many rumors. But from the direction of the wind, we cannot hear any +firing. + +JUNE 17TH.--Clear and pleasant. + +A dispatch from Beauregard states that two assaults of the enemy +yesterday, at Petersburg, were repulsed with loss; and it is reported +that he recovered all lost ground to-day. Yet Beauregard has an enemy in +his rear as well as in his front. + +When the battles were fought on the south side of the river in May, it +appears that one of Gen. B.'s brigadiers (Colston) stopped some +battalions on the way to Richmond, in an emergency, and this has +certainly given umbrage to the President, as the following indorsement, +which I found on a paper to-day, will show: + +"No officer has a right to stop troops moving under the orders of +superior authority. If he assumes such power, he does it at his hazard, +and must be justified by subsequent events rather than by good +intentions. + +"Gen. Beauregard has, in this case, by approving and continuing the +order (Gen. Colston's) assumed the responsibility of the act.--J. D. +June 16th, 1864." + +JUNE 18TH.--Clear and cool. + +To-day, heavy firing is heard on the south side of the river. It is +believed a general engagement is in progress. It is the anniversary of +the battle of WATERLOO. If we gain the day, it will end the war. + +It is now said Gen. Early (with Ewell's corps) has reached Lynchburg, +where a battle must occur. + +Gen. Ewell has been assigned to the command of this department, Gen. +Ransom going West. + +We have advices (4 P.M.) of a terrific battle at Petersburg last +evening, which raged until 11 o'clock at night. The slaughter of the +enemy is reported as unprecedented. Our troops repulsed the assailants +at all points but one, and that, which was carried by the enemy, was +soon recovered. + +At 11 P.M. Lee's reinforcements came up, and it is supposed, from the +sounds of cannon, that the battle was recommenced at dawn to-day, and +continued all day. The result has not transpired. This tremendous +conflict _must_ be followed by decisive results. If Lee and Beauregard +gain the day, peace must follow speedily, I think. If they are beaten, +Richmond's fall can hardly be averted. Our shattered army could hardly +get back across the Appomattox, with Butler's army interposed +between--if he still has his army at Bermuda Hundred. + +JUNE 19TH, SUNDAY.--Hazy and cool. + +We have no details this morning of the fighting yesterday, and some +doubt if a battle was fought. I presume assaults were made on our +intrenchments in diverse places, and repulsed. + +Beauregard's battle, Friday night, is still in smoke, but it is rumored +the enemy lost 9000 killed and wounded. + +Firing is heard to-day. There may be good policy in keeping back +accounts from the field, until it is all over and something decisive +accomplished. We have not met with serious disaster at all events, else +there would be consternation in the city, for bad news flies fast, and +cannot be kept back. + +There was fighting yesterday at Lynchburg,--no result known yet. + +Every Sunday I see how shabby my clothes have become, as every one else, +almost, has a good suit in reserve. During the week all are shabby, and +hence it is not noticeable. The wonder is that we are not naked, after +wearing the same garments three or four years. But we have been in +houses, engaged in light employments. The rascals who make money by the +war fare sumptuously, and "have their good things in this world." + +The weather is dry and dusty; the hazy atmosphere produced perhaps by +the smoke of battle and the movements of mighty armies. + +Eight P.M. The city is still in utter ignorance of the details and +result of the battle yesterday--if there was one. If the government is +in possession of information, it is, for some purpose, studiously kept +from the public, and why, I cannot imagine, unless there has been a +disaster, or Beauregard has done something not approved. + +I do not think the people here appreciate the importance of the contest +on the south side of the river. If Lee's army were broken, I doubt +whether it would even attempt to regain the fortifications of Richmond, +for then it might share the fate of Pemberton's army at Vicksburg. And +the fall of Richmond would involve the fall of the State, and Virginia +would immediately become a free State. + +JUNE 20TH.--A fog; subsequently dry and dusty, but the sun in a haze, +like Indian summer. + +As I feared; there is trouble with Beauregard. He drew off his troops +from in front of Bermuda Hundred to reinforce the fewer regiments at +Petersburg, and _saved_ that city, and Gen. Lee had to drive the enemy +off again from the abandoned line. It is said Beauregard acted contrary +to orders, and has been suspended from command by order of the +President. At all events, Lee is at Petersburg. + +Sheridan's raiders are near the city again, followed and preceded by +Wade Hampton and Fitz Lee. Their cannon has been heard all the morning. + +Mr. Secretary Memminger has resigned. + +JUNE 21ST.--Clear and warmer. + +Gen. Beauregard has not been removed from his command,--it would be too +great a shock to popular sentiment. + +The iron-clads went out this morning and proceeded down the river, +supported by Custis Lee's brigade of local troops, including the +Departmental Battalion, marching a dozen miles in the sun and dust. More +will be on the sick list. + +JUNE 22D.--Dry and pleasant. + +The city full of idle rumors--that the whole brigade of local troops +were captured yesterday--that Gen. Fitz Lee has again been made +prisoner, and that another raiding party is threatening the Danville +Road, the canal, etc. There is no foundation for any of them, so far as +I can learn. + +JUNE 23D.--Clear and warm. + +The news of the capture of 1600 Federals, 4 guns, etc., yesterday at +Petersburg, has put the people here in better humor, which has been bad +enough, made so by reported rapes perpetrated by negro soldiers on young +ladies in Westmoreland County. There has been talk of vengeance, and no +doubt such atrocities cause many more to perish than otherwise would +die. + +A Mr. Sale, in the West, sends on an extract from a letter from Col. +----, proposing to the government to sell cotton on the Mississippi +River for sterling exchange in London, and indicating that in this +manner he has large sums to his own credit there, besides $100,000 worth +of cotton in this country. Col. ---- is a commissary, against whom grave +charges have been made frequently, of speculation, etc., but was +defended by the Commissary-General. + +Mr. Harvey, president Danville Railroad, telegraphs to Gen. Bragg to +send troops without delay, or the road will be ruined by the raiders. +Bragg sends the paper to the Secretary of War, saying there are no +troops but those in the army of Gen. Lee, and the reserves, the latter +now being called out. Ten days ago, Mr. Secretary Seddon had fair +warning about this road. + +JUNE 24TH.--Hot and hazy; dry. + +The news (in the papers) of the cutting of our railroad communications +with the South creates fresh apprehension among the croakers. + +But at 12 M. we had news of the recovery of the Weldon Road last +evening, and the capture of 500 more prisoners. + +We have nothing from the south side raiders since their work of +destruction at Burkesville, cutting the Danville Road. + +Mr. Hunter sheds tears over his losses in Essex, the burning of his +mill, etc. But he had been a large gainer by the war. + +There is a rumor of fighting at Petersburg to-day. + +JUNE 25TH.--Hot and dry. + +Twelve hundred Federal prisoners passed our door to-day, taken at +Petersburg--about half the number captured there during the last two +days. + +The news of the cutting of the Danville Railroad still produces +despondency with many. But the people are now harvesting a fair crop of +wheat, and the authorities do not apprehend any serious consequences +from the interruption of communication with the South--which is, indeed, +deemed but temporary, as sufficient precaution is taken by the +government to defend the roads and bridges, and there seems to be +discussions between the generals as to authority and responsibility. +There are _too many_ authorities. Gen. Lee will remedy all this. + +The clerks are still kept out, on the north side of the James River, +while the enemy is on the south side--the government, meantime, being +almost in a state of paralysis. Such injustice, and such obtuseness, +would seem to be inexcusable. + +The Secretary has sanctioned the organization of a force in the Northern +Neck, to capture and slay without mercy such of the enemy as may be +found lurking there, committing outrages, etc. + +The President still devotes much time to the merits of applicants for +appointments on military courts, brigadier-generals, etc. + +It is reported that Grant has announced to his army that the fighting is +over, and that the siege of Richmond now begins. A fallacy! Even if we +were unable to repair the railroads, the fine crop of wheat just matured +would suffice for the subsistence of the army--an army which has just +withstood the military power of the North. It is believed that nearly +300,000 men have invaded Virginia this year, and yet, so far from +striking down the army of Lee with superior numbers, we see, at this +moment, the enemy intrenching himself at every new position occupied by +him. This manifests an apprehension of sudden destruction himself! But +the country north and east and west of Richmond is now free of Yankees, +and the railroads will be repaired in a few weeks at furthest. +Gen. Hunter, we learn to-day, has escaped with loss out of the State to +the Ohio River, blowing up his own ordnance train, and abandoning his +cannon and stores. So we shall have ammunition and salt, even if the +communication with Wilmington should be interrupted. No, the war must +end, and is now near its end; and the Confederacy will achieve its +independence. This of itself would suffice, but there may be a diversion +in our favor in the North--a revolution there--a thing highly probable +during the excitement of an embittered Presidential campaign. Besides, +there may at any moment be foreign intervention. The United States can +hardly escape a quarrel with France or England. It may occur with both. + +JUNE 26TH.--Hot and dry, but breezy. + +A dispatch from Gen. Lee, 9 P.M. last evening, says nothing of moment +occurred along the lines yesterday. Our loss in the unsuccessful attempt +of Gen. Haygood to storm a portion of the enemy's works, on Friday, was +97 killed and wounded, and 200 missing. + +Gen. Hampton dispatches Gen. Lee that he attacked the enemy's cavalry in +Charles City County, Friday, and drove them out of their intrenchments, +pursuing them eight miles, nearly to Charles City Court House. The enemy +left their killed and wounded on the ground, and strewn along the route. +Gen. Lee says Gen. H. deserves much credit. The enemy (a portion of +Sheridan's force) are still prevented from forming a junction with +Grant. + +Flour fell yesterday from $500 to $300 per barrel. + +An official report shows that we lost no arms or ordnance stores of +consequence at Staunton. Communications will be restored in that +direction soon. The Valley and Western Virginia, being clear of the +enemy, the fine crop of wheat can be gathered. + +Beauregard _is_ in disgrace, I am informed on pretty good authority; but +while his humiliation is so qualified as not to be generally known, for +fear of the resentment of his numerous friends, at the same time he is +reticent, from patriotic motives, fearing to injure the cause. + +It is stigmatized as an act of perfidy, that the Federal Government have +brought here and caused to be slaughtered, some 1600 out of 1900 +volunteers from the District of Columbia, who were to serve only 30 days +in defense of the Federal city. At the same time our government is +keeping in the service, at hard labor on the fortifications, Custis +Lee's brigade of clerks, who were assured, when volunteering, that they +never would be called out except to defend the fortifications of the +city, built by negroes! + +JUNE 27TH.--Bright and hot--afterward light showers. + +By the papers we learn that President Lincoln has been on a visit to +Grant's army. If Grant does not accomplish some great wonder in a few +days, his campaign will be noted a failure, even in the North. + +We learn to-day that gold is now at $2.15 in the North. + +The raiders are beginning to pay the penalty of their temerity; besides +Hampton's fight with them, on this side the James River, we learn that +W. H. F. Lee has struck them a blow on the south side. + +JUNE 28TH.--Bright and cool--a little rain last night. + +The Departmental Battalion is still kept out. They have built a line of +fortifications four miles long--to Deep Bottom from near Chaffin's Farm. +The Secretary of War intimates that these clerks are kept out by Gen. R. +B. Lee. + +The superintendent of the Central Railroad informed the Secretary of War +to-day that the road would be reopened to Staunton on Thursday (day +after to-morrow), such is the slight damage done by the enemy. He asks +that the bridge near Hanover Junction be defended, that being the only +part of the road that can be much injured by a small raiding party. And +he don't want the papers to say anything about the reopening of the +road. + +The news from the North, that Congress has refused to repeal the $300 +clause in their military bill--allowing drafted men to buy out at $300 +each--and the rise of gold to $2.30 for $1--together with the apparent +or real _inertia_ of Grant, seem to inspire great confidence in our +people to-day. They think the worst is really over, and so do I. + +My little garden, during the month of June, has saved me $150. A single +cabbage head to-day in market was sold for $10. Although the joint +salaries of Custis and myself amount now to $8000 per annum, we have the +greatest difficulty to subsist. I hope we shall speedily have better +times, and I think, unless some terrible misfortune happens to our arms, +the invader will surely be soon hurled from our soil. What President +Lincoln came to Grant for is merely conjecture--unquestionably _he_ +could not suggest any military enterprise more to our detriment than +would occur to his generals. + +JUNE 29TH.--Clear and cool--afterward hazy. + + "MARIETTA, June 27th. + + "GENERAL BRAXTON BRAGG. + + "The enemy advanced on our whole line to-day. They assaulted + French, Cheatham, Cleburn, Stevenson, and Quarles, by whom they + were repulsed. + + "On the rest of the line the skirmishing was severe. + + "Their loss is supposed to be great. Ours is known to be + small. J. E. JOHNSTON, _General_." + +The dispatch from Gen. Johnston gives an encouraging account of the +fight in Georgia. But a dispatch from the West states that +reinforcements (20,000) for Sherman's army are marching from La Grange. +It is reported and believed that Gen. Early, at the head of 25,000 men, +marched out of Staunton on Monday _toward the North_. I hope it may not +prove a recruiting measure for Lincoln! + +A good deal of firing (cannon) was heard down the river this morning. + +Judge Campbell is again "allowing" many persons to pass into the United +States. + +JUNE 30TH.--Clear and cool--afterward warm and cloudy. + +Our people are made wild with joy to-day, upon hearing of the capture of +a whole brigade of the raiders on the south side, the same that have +been tearing up the Danville Road. The details, with Gen. Lee's +dispatch, will be in the paper to-morrow. It is said we have the general +commanding the raid, etc. + +Judge Reagan said to me to-day, when I told him the news, his dark eye +flashing, that sooner or later, but inevitably, these raiders must be +_killed_, and not captured. And Mr. Seddon says he was always in favor +of fighting under the black flag; but, I believe, he never proposed it. + + + + +CHAPTER XL. + +Gen. Lee's dispatch announcing Gen. Hampton's victory.--Cost of a cup of + coffee.--From Gens. Johnston and S. D. Lee.--Gen. Early in Maryland. + Rumored capture of Baltimore.--Letter from Gen. Lee.--Dispatch from + Gen. Hood.--Status of the local troops. + + +JULY 1ST.--Clear, hot, and dry; my snap beans, corn, etc. burning up. + +The papers this morning fail to confirm the capture of as many +prisoners, near Petersburg, as were reported yesterday. But the dispatch +(subjoined) of Gen. Lee renders it certain that the enemy was routed. +There is a suspicion that our exasperated men _refused quarter_ to some +hundreds of the raiders, on the plea that they ravish, murder, burn, +pillage, etc. It may be so. + + "HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, + + "June 29th, 1864--8.30 P.M. + + "HON. SECRETARY OF WAR. + + "SIR:--Gen. Hampton reports that he attacked the enemy's cavalry + yesterday afternoon, on their return from Staunton River bridge, + this side of Sappony Church, and drove them beyond that point. + + "The fight continued during the night, and at daylight this morning + he turned their left and routed them. + + "When they reached Ream's Station, they were confronted by a + portion of Mahone's division, who attacked them in front, while + their left flank was turned by Gen. Fitz Lee's cavalry. + + "The enemy was completely routed, and several pieces of artillery, + with a number of prisoners, wagons, ambulances, etc., captured. The + cavalry are in pursuit. + + "R. E. LEE, _General_." + +Gen. Early, with perhaps 10,000 men, is believed to be in Winchester +to-day. He will probably be soon playing havoc with the enemy's +railroads, stores, etc., and perhaps may threaten Washington or +Harrisburg, or both; and so have Grant called off from his "siege of +Richmond." + +We were paid our salaries yesterday, and Custis, after his campaign and +his sickness, resolved on a little indulgence. So he had a couple of +small saucers of ice-cream--one for his mother, costing $6; quarter +pound of coffee and two pounds of sugar, $25; and to-day a rice pudding, +two pounds of rice, $5; one pound of sugar, $10; two quarts of milk, $5; +total, $51! + +Col. Shields, Commandant of Conscripts, etc., informed me to-day that he +received only yesterday the order to proceed to the enrollment of +Maryland and foreign residents. Thus the express orders of the President +are delayed in the execution, and in such an exigency as this! I know +Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary of War, more than a year ago, +attempted to interpose grave constitutional obstacles; but surely he can +hardly have had the temerity to thwart the President's wishes, so +plainly expressed. Nevertheless, the delay has been caused by some one; +and Col. S. has apprehensions that some wheel within a wheel will even +now embarrass or defeat the effective execution of the order. + +Brig.-Gen. Gardner, successor of Brig.-Gen. Winder, has not yet assumed +supervision of the passport business, and it remains in the hands of +Judge Campbell and Provost Marshal Carrington. Very many persons are +going to the United States via the Potomac. + +JULY 2D.--Hot and dry. + +A dispatch from Gen. Lee (will be published on Monday) says Gen. +Beauregard reports the number of prisoners taken from Wilson's south +side raiding party about 1000, besides the killed and wounded, and +several hundred negroes recaptured, 13 guns, many small arms, wagons, +etc. It is said the killed and wounded amount to 1500, of whom there are +not exceeding 300 of the latter, _leaving_ 1200 _killed_. + +Gen. Morgan has got back to Western Virginia with 1800 men, having lost +but 200. He did not fight a battle with Gen. Burbridge at all; hence the +Federal account of Morgan's defeat was without foundation. Morgan will +probably soon be in Maryland and Pennsylvania, attending to the enemy's +railroads, bridges, mills, etc. + +The President said (so reported) to Dr. Garnett, yesterday, he hoped to +hear of no more raids, since the last fared so badly. + +I drank two cups of coffee this morning, which seem to have had an +extraordinary effect upon my strength, activity, and spirits; and indeed +the belief that the discontinuance of the use of this beverage, about +two years ago, may have caused the diminution of all. I am; and have +long been, as poor as a church mouse. But the coffee (having in it sugar +and cream) cost about a dollar each cup, and cannot be indulged in +hereafter more than once a week. We had also boiled beans to-day, +followed by fritters, the cherries from our garden, with sugar-sauce. +This the family consider a sumptuous dinner--with no meat! + +JULY 3D.--Clear and dry; pleasant temperature. + +I learn that Petersburg has not been much injured by the enemy's +batteries, and that Gen. Lee has ordered the casting of mortars for use +immediately. + +To-morrow being the anniversary of the surrender of Vicksburg to Grant, +I should not be surprised if that general let off some fire-works, not +only in commemoration of that event, but in pursuance of some desperate +enterprise against Richmond. I don't see how he can feel any veneration +for the day of Independence for the "rebels" of 1776, without sympathy +for the "rebels" of 1864, struggling also for independence. + +After the failure of the enemy's next move, I think the tempest of war +will rapidly abate. Nearly every movement in this (I think final) effort +to capture Richmond has failed. Sheridan failed to destroy the Central, +Hunter the South Side, and Wilson the Danville Railroad--each losing +about half his men and horses. Grant himself, so far, has but "swung +round" a wall of steel, losing 100,000 men, and only gaining a position +on the James River which he might have occupied without any loss. On the +other hand, Lee wields a larger army than he began with, and better +armed, clothed, and fed. + +This _ought_ to end the vain attempt at subjugation. But if not, the +Confederate States, under the new policy (defensive), might maintain the +contest against a half million of invaders. Our crop of wheat is +abundant, and the harvest _over_; our communications will be all +re-established in a few days, and the people being armed and drilled +everywhere, the enemy's raiders will soon be checked in _any_ locality +they may select as the scene of operations. All the bridges will be +defended with fortifications. Besides, Lee is gathering rapidly an army +on the Potomac, and may not only menace the enemy's capital, but _take_ +it. Early and Breckinridge, Imboden and Morgan, may be at this moment +inflicting more serious injury on the enemy's railroads and canals than +we have sustained in Virginia. And it is certain the stores of the +Federal army in Georgia have been captured or destroyed to a very +serious extent. + +Still, in this hour of destitution and suffering among certain classes +of the people, we see _no beggars_ in the streets. + +Likewise, notwithstanding the raiding parties penetrate far in the rear +of our armies, there has been no instance of an attempt on the part of +the slaves to rise in insurrection. + +JULY 4TH.--Cloudy, but still hot and dry. + +From the clouds of dust seen rising between Petersburg and the James +River, it is conjectured that Grant's army is in motion. + +The Federal Congress has authorized the drafting of 200,000 more men, +after 60 days' fruitless attempt to raise volunteers. So it will be +September before the draft, and January before the men will be soldiers. + +JULY 5TH.--Cool and dry, everything suffering for rain. + +All quiet about Petersburg, but later in the day a rumor sprung up that +fighting had recommenced there. I doubt it, because by _Northern_ +accounts I see Gen. Early is destroying railroads beyond the Potomac, +and will undoubtedly threaten Washington itself. If Grant fails to send +troops there, Early may even throw shell into the Federal city. + +Peter V. Daniel sends the Secretary of War a letter from Mr. +Westmoreland, Wilmington, complaining that he is not allowed by +government agents to transport cotton to that port, where his steamers +are, _in redemption of Confederate States bonds_, while private persons, +for speculative purposes, are, through the favor (probably for a +consideration) of government officials, enabled to ship thousands of +bales, and he submits a copy of a correspondence with Col. Sims, +Assistant Quartermaster-General, and Lieut. Col. Bayne, who is charged +with the control of the exporting and importing business. Mr. Daniel +thinks there is some "bribery and corruption" even in the South. But Mr. +Seddon is incredulous sometimes. + +The express company has an arrangement with Col. Sims, the Assistant +Quartermaster-General, by which much freight is transported. + +New potatoes are selling at $4 per quart in the market. + +JULY 6TH.--Hot and dry. + +We have no news to-day, but there are rumors that Grant is preparing to +abandon his position. He cannot remain where he is, inactive. There is a +scarcity of water, and the location is unhealthy. + +We had corn bread and gravy for dinner, with a tremendous dessert, the +suggestion of Custis, consisting of whortleberry flitters, with butter +and sugar sauce, costing about $16. + +JULY 7TH.--Hot and dry, but a light shower at 2 P.M., laying the dust. + +A letter from Gen. Gilmer states that the Danville Railroad will not be +fully repaired before the last of this month. But there is a good wagon +road, and the army can be supplied by wagons when the cars cannot run, +some 25 miles. + +There is an idle rumor that Wilmington has been taken by the enemy. +This, indeed, would hurt us. But we get neither letters nor dispatches +from beyond Petersburg. + +Last week, when the local forces were recalled, one of the clerks in the +Treasury Department, upon being dismissed, fell upon his lieutenant, who +had insulted him while in the military service, and as a civilian, gave +him a beating. To-day the officer, after consulting his +lieutenant-colonel commanding, and, it is said, the Secretary of War, +sent a subaltern to the department to arrest the clerk, who resisted. +The subaltern said he acted by authority of the lieutenant-colonel and +the Secretary of War, and would arrest him and throw him in prison, if +he had to come with force enough to pull down the building. To all this +the Secretary of the Treasury demurred, and made a formal complaint to +the President, who most indignantly indorsed on the paper that the +conduct of the officer was "very reprehensible," that if when the +offense was committed, the battalion had been dismissed, the military +authority of the officers ceased, and as civil officers, all were on the +same footing. He ordered the Secretary to make this known to the +officers, etc. None believe now that the President ever threatened to +turn the clerks out of office, as represented, nor wished them put in +the army, as hinted. + +JULY 8TH.--Clear; hot and dusty. + +The news of the falling back of Gen. Johnston on Atlanta, Ga., causes no +uneasiness, for the destruction of Sherman's army is deemed the more +certain the farther he penetrates. + +There is nothing of interest from Petersburg, but there are rumors of +demoralization and disaffection in Grant's army. His men suffer for +water. + +Still we get no letters from the South, beyond the point on the Danville +Railroad reached by the raiders, who tore up 18 miles of the track. + +We have nothing definite from Early's column yet, but no doubt there is +alarm enough in Pennsylvania and in Washington City by this time. + +JULY 9TH.--Dry and pleasant. + +We have a rumor to-day of the success of a desperate expedition from +Wilmington, N. C, to Point Lookout, Md., to liberate the prisoners of +war (20,000) confined there and to arm them. If this be confirmed, the +prisoners will probably march upon Washington City, and co-operate with +Gen. Early, who has taken Martinsburg (with a large supply of stores), +and at last accounts had driven Sigel back to Washington, and on the 6th +inst. was (by Northern accounts) at Hagerstown, Md. Much excitement +prevails there. Lincoln has called for the militia of the surrounding +States, etc. + +We have British accounts of the sinking of the ALABAMA, near Cherbourg, +by the United States steamer Kearsarge, but Semmes was not taken, and +his treasure, etc. had been deposited in France. + +JULY 10TH.--The drought continues; vegetation wilting and drying up. +There is no war news, save some shelling by the enemy at Petersburg. + +The raiders have caused many who were hiding and hoarding their meat and +grain to bring them to market, for fear of losing them. This has +mitigated the famine, and even produced a slight reduction of prices. + +But the gardens are nearly ruined, and are only kept alive by watering +freely. Mine has repaid me. The tomatoes are growing apace, and seem to +endure the drought pretty well; also the lima beans. We are now eating +the last of the cherries. We began to pull them about one month ago. + +Some of the members of the Tredegar Battalion have been detected +endeavoring to pass over to the enemy. It is said (maliciously) Jos. R. +Anderson's works (the Tredegar) would not be destroyed if the enemy were +to capture the city, nor Crenshaw's nor Haxall's mills, all having an +understanding that the party in _power_ shall enjoy the benefits of +them. The fall of Richmond would exhibit strange developments among men +of wealth. The poor could not get away, and would have no alternative +but submission. But Richmond will not be _taken_. + +JULY 11TH.--Hot and dry, and the famine continues. + +The Secretary of War intimated on Saturday that if the clerks of the +bureaus would raise a fund and send an agent South to buy provisions, he +would insure them transportation, etc. To-day he denies that he made the +promise, and refuses to aid them. + +The government now proposes to increase its schedule of prices from 300 +to 500 per cent., thus depreciating its own credit. _Before_ harvest the +impressing agents allowed about $40 per barrel for flour; now, that we +have a good harvest, about $130 will be paid, thus raising the price +everywhere. The transportation is the expensive item. + +A dispatch from Gen. Johnston, at Atlanta, says the enemy having flanked +him with his cavalry, he has fallen back across the Chattahoochee. + +Dispatches from Gen. S. D. Lee, Tupelo, state that a column of the +enemy, 20,000 strong, is about marching from New Orleans against Mobile, +and he fears he cannot spare men to resist them. _The reserve class is +not ready._ Also that 15,000 of the enemy are matching from Lagrange, +and he will have to dismount some of Forrest's cavalry. Gen. E. K. Smith +will not cross the Mississippi to assist in repelling the foe without +orders. Orders have been sent from the Secretary of War--I fear too +late! + +Northern papers of the 8th inst. indicate a state of high excitement. +Some there believe we have an army of 60,000 pouring into Pennsylvania. +Gold was $2.65 for one. + +There is some commotion in Grant's army, and it is believed by some that +he is about to retire down the river. + +It is rumored that the prisoners heretofore confined at Point Lookout +have been removed by the Federal Government. + +At 7 P.M. we had a gentle shower, lasting more than an hour. + +JULY 12TH.--Clear and warm--the earth refreshed. + +Gen. Johnston telegraphs to Gen. Bragg to have the United States +prisoners at Andersonville "distributed immediately." He does not allege +a reason for the necessity. It may be danger of an outbreak--or that the +yellow fever has broken out among them. + +I think Grant is about to have a race with Lee for Washington. The news +from the Northern frontier is interesting. + +A slight shower in the evening--heavy a few miles distant. + +JULY 13TH.--Bright and pleasant. + +The city is in great excitement and joy. Gen. Early has gained a victory +in Maryland, near Frederick, defeating Gen. Wallace, capturing Gen. +Tyler and Col. Seward (son of the Secretary), besides many prisoners. +The slaughter was great, and the pursuit of the routed army was toward +BALTIMORE. + +Grant is certainly sending away troops. + +Gen. Lee writes a particular letter to the Secretary (dated 9th inst.), +desiring most specially that the papers be requested to say nothing of +his movements for some time to come, and that the department will not +publish any communication from him, which might indicate from its date +his _distance_ from Richmond. This is mysterious. He may be going to +Maryland. + +Gen. Johnston telegraphs from near Atlanta that the enemy holds several +fords above, and a portion of his forces have crossed, and are +intrenched. Some cannonading is going on--ineffective--aimed at the +railroad depot. Some think Lee is going thither. Others that he is going +to flank what remains of the Federal army in front of Petersburg. + +JULY 14TH.--The drought continues here; but at some other places there +has fallen heavy rain. + +The excitement on the news of our successes in Maryland is intense, and +a belief prevails that great results will grow out of this invasion of +the country held by the enemy. Twice before but little if any benefit +resulted from crossing the Potomac. + +It is rumored to-day that Longstreet's corps has marched to Maryland, +and that Lee is with it. + +JULY 15TH.--Clear and cool; subsequently cloudy. + +The _Washington Chronicle_ of the 12th, received yesterday, indicates +that Washington or Baltimore, or both, were in danger of falling into +our possession. + +Lieut-Col. G. W. Lay said, this morning, in my office, that Grant would +not leave--that he held a most important position--that he would not +fail in his campaign; that our operations beyond the Potomac were not of +sufficient magnitude to produce important results; and, finally, that +Germany and Ireland would replenish the armies of the United States, +while our last reserves were now in the field. The colonel had come into +my office more than a month ago and said Grant had outgeneraled +Pemberton, and would capture Vicksburg. I reminded him of this to-day, +and asked his opinion on the present aspect of affairs. He has been +recently on Gen. Beauregard's staff, and is irritated at the supposed +hard treatment which that general receives from the President. He is a +little bitter against the President, and is no special admirer of Lee, +who, he thinks, committed a blunder in not fighting Grant at Hanover +Junction. And he thinks, if Gen. Johnston forbears to fight Sherman, in +pursuance of orders from Richmond, disaster will ensue. But neither he +nor any one is capable of sounding the profound plans of Lee. Grant's +forces are now far away from Washington. + +2-1/2 o'clock P.M. An officer just from Petersburg, arrived at the War +Department with the intelligence that a Washington paper of the 13th +inst. had been received at headquarters, announcing the capture of +BALTIMORE by our troops! The inhabitants within, or a large proportion +of them, co-operated with our army! Our people are in ecstasies! This is +the realization of the grand conception of a great general, and Lee is +immortalized--if it only be true. + +JUNE 16TH.--Bright and cool--the canopy assuming a _brassy_ aspect from +the drought. + +Alack! all the rejoicings are checked, and the public seems to have been +hoaxed by the officer who reported that a Washington paper of the 13th +inst. contained an account of the surrender of Baltimore to the +Confederate States forces! The paper of that date, it appears, contains +nothing of the kind, or else the account has been suppressed, to +subserve some military purpose. But our people bear the disappointment +well, not doubting but success will ultimately come. + +There is a rumor that we sank two of the enemy's transports to-day in +James River. + +An immense mass of letters, etc.--175 bags--has just come in; the first +mail matter that has arrived from beyond the breaks in the Danville +Railroad, perpetrated by Wilson's raiders. + +JULY 17TH.--Dry--the sky bright and brassy--the gardens almost ruined. + +Last evening definite news came in the _Washington Chronicle_ of the +14th. Gen. Early was recrossing the Potomac with an immense amount of +stores levied in the enemy's country, including thousands of horses, +etc. This, the _Chronicle_ thinks, will be beneficial to the United +States, as recruiting will be stimulated, to punish us for making prize +of provisions, etc. in the enemy's country, after the enemy had +despoiled us of everything in their power! + +Troops are still going up toward Washington from our army, as well as +from the enemy's before Petersburg; and Early, after bestowing his +prizes in a place of safety, may return to Maryland and Pennsylvania for +another supply. That may be the best policy to get the enemy off our +soil. His cutting off communications with the South will not signify +much, if we can derive supplies from the North. + +JULY 18TH.--Clear and dry. + +It is believed that a battery sent down opposite to Harrison's Bar in +the James River sank two of the enemy's transports, Saturday, and drove +back five others to Grant. + +It is rumored that Gen. Johnston has been relieved at Atlanta, and +Lieut.-Gen. Hood placed in command. I doubt. + +It is said Mr. Trenholm, firm of Fraser, Trenholm & Co., bankers, +Charleston, has been appointed Secretary of the Treasury. Mr. Seddon +holds on to the office he occupies. + +A letter from Gen. Lee ("Headquarters Army Northern Virginia") says Gen. +Early has recrossed the Potomac, and is at Leesburg, safe,--I hope with +his captured supplies. + +The following is a synopsis of Gen. Kirby Smith's brilliant campaign of +1864; official report. Enemy's losses. + +In Louisiana, 5000 killed and wounded, 4000 prisoners, 21 pieces +artillery, 200 wagons, 1 gun-boat, 3 transports. + +In Arkansas, 1400 killed, 2000 wounded, 1500 prisoners, 13 pieces of +artillery, 900 wagons. + +Confederate losses, 3000 killed, wounded, and missing. + +Enemy's losses, 14,000. + +Confederate strength, 15,000. + +Enemy's strength, 47,000. + +In Georgia, 35,000. In Arkansas, 12,000. + +JULY 19TH.--A steady, gentle rain from 8 A.M. till 4 P.M. + +A dispatch from Gen. Hood, who relieves Gen. Johnston, was received +to-day. It was in cipher, and I did not learn the contents. + +I strove in vain to-day to buy a few cabbage seed! + +The following is a copy of a letter received from Gen. Lee, his +_locality_ not indicated, but from the date, he must be near the city: + + "HEADQUARTERS, ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, + + "17th July, 1864. + + "HON. SECRETARY OF WAR, RICHMOND. + + "SIR:--I have received a dispatch from Gen. Early, dated at + Leesburg on the 15th inst. On the 8th he crossed South Mountain, + leaving Sigel at Maryland Heights. On the 9th he reached Frederick, + and in the afternoon attacked and routed the enemy, ten thousand + strong, under Wallace, at Monocacy Junction. The next day he moved + on Washington, and arrived in front of the fortifications around + that city on the 11th. The defenses were found very strong, and + were not attacked. After a reconnoissance on the night of the 12th, + he withdrew, and crossed the Potomac at White's Ford on the 14th, + bringing off everything safely and in good order. He reports the + Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to have been cut in several places, and + severely damaged. The bridges over Gunpowder River, Northern + Central and Philadelphia Railroads were burned, and the connection + between Washington and Baltimore cut by Johnson's cavalry. The 6th + corps (Federal) had arrived at Washington, and it was reported that + other parts of Grant's army had reached there, but of the latter he + was not certain. Hunter had passed Williamsport, and was moving + toward Frederick. Gen. Early states that his loss was light. + + "I am, with great respect, + + "Your obed't servant." + + (Not signed.) + +Custis walked with Lieut. Bell last evening a mile from Hanover Junction +to the battle-field of last month (just a month ago), and beheld some of +the enemy still unburied! They fell very near our breastworks. + +JULY 20TH.--Cloudy and warm, but no rain up to 5 P.M. There is no news +of importance; but a battle is momentarily expected in Georgia. The +_Examiner_ says the President bears malice against Johnston, and +embraces an occasion to ruin him at the risk of destroying the country. +That he was not allowed the aid of detachments necessary to success, and +hence he could not fight; but all aids will he give his successor, Hood, +who will be successful. And that this game was played on Johnston in +1862 in Virginia, and when Lee took command, every facility was afforded +by the government. In short, Gen. Johnston cannot be vindicated unless +our army be destroyed; and if Hood wins a victory, he is ruined. This is +an unpleasant predicament for a general. + +Planted some cabbage-seeds given me; no plants are for sale. + +JULY 21ST.--Clear and warm. Bought fifty cabbage-plants and set them out +before breakfast. + +Gen. Early met Gen. Hunter at Snicker's Gap, and whipped him. + +All quiet at Petersburg. Grant must be dead, sure enough. + +Gen. Bragg left the city some days ago. The following is a verbatim +dispatch received from him yesterday: + + "MONTGOMERY, ALA., July 19th, 1864. + + "COL. J. B. SALE:--The enemy still hold West Point Railroad. Forces + are moving forward to dislodge them. Gen. S. D. Lee informs me 5000 + (13th Army Corps) passed Vicksburg on the 16th, supposed to be + going to White River. Reported Memphis, 19th Army Corps, Franklin + left New Orleans on the 4th for Fort Monroe, 13,000 strong. Ought + not Taylor's forces to cross the Mississippi? + + "I hear nothing from Johnston. + + "Telegraph me to Columbus, Ga. + + "B. BRAGG, _General_." + +JULY 22D.--Bright and dry again. Gen. Johnston has been relieved. It +would seem that Gen. Hood has made a successful debut as a fighting +general in command of the army, since Gen. Johnston's removal. + +A dispatch from Gen. Bragg, dated yesterday, states that the enemy is +withdrawing from Arkansas, either to operate in Mississippi, or to +reinforce Sherman. + +Gen. Lee is opposed to retaliating on innocent prisoners the cruelties +committed by the guilty in executing our men falling into their hands. + +JULY 23D.--Clear, but a smoky atmosphere, like Indian summer. A dispatch +was received to-day at M. from Gen. Hood, dated last night at 10 +o'clock, stating that Gen. Hardee had made a night march, driving the +enemy from his works, and capturing 16 guns and several colors, while +Gen. Cheatham captured 6 guns. We took 2000 prisoners. Also that Gen. +Wheeler had routed the enemy's cavalry at Decatur, capturing his camp. +Our Major-Gen. Walker was killed and three brigadiers were wounded. +Whether the battle was resumed to-day is not yet ascertained. All are +now anxious to get further news from Atlanta. + +And the local forces here are ordered to be in readiness; perhaps Lee +meditates, likewise, a night march, and an attack on Grant. + +The Danville and the Weldon Railroads are now in active operation, and I +hope supplies will soon come in abundance. + +Our government blundered in sanctioning the schedule of prices fixed by +the commissioners on impressments for the next two months. The prices +are five times those hitherto paid. The whole country cries shame, and a +revision is demanded, else the country will be ruined. + +JULY 24TH.--Cloudy and cool, but dry. + +Yesterday and last night both Grant and Lee, or Beauregard, were moving +pretty heavy forces from the south side to the north side of the river. +I am not advised which initiated this manoeuvre, but it indicates +renewed activity of the armies in this vicinity. + +I hope the roads will not be cut again, or we shall starve! + +JULY 25TH.--It rained all night! Cloudy and windy to-day. + +Gen. Hood corrects his dispatch of Saturday; we captured only 13 guns; +but we captured some 18 stand of colors. + + "HEADQUARTERS, ATLANTA, + + "July 23d, 1864. + + "HON. JAMES A. SEDDON, SECRETARY OF WAR. + + "The enemy shifted his position on Peach Tree Creek last night, and + Gen. Stewart's and Cheatham's corps formed line of battle around + the city. + + "Gen. Hardee's corps made a night march, and attacked the enemy's + extreme left to-day. About 1 o'clock he drove him from his works, + capturing artillery and colors. Gen. Cheatham attacked the enemy, + capturing six pieces of artillery. + + "During the engagement we captured about 2000 prisoners. + + "Gen. Wheeler's Cavalry routed the enemy in the neighborhood of + Decatur, to-day, capturing his camp. + + "Our loss is not yet fully ascertained. + + "Major-Gen. Walker was killed. Brig.-Gens. Smith, Gist, and Mercer + were wounded. + + "Prisoners report that Gen. McPherson was killed. + + "Our troops fought with great gallantry. + + "J. B. HOOD, _General_." + +It is certain that a considerable force of the enemy has crossed to the +north side of James River; for what purpose is not yet clear. + +A detachment of our forces has been defeated near Winchester, by +superior numbers, losing 4 guns. + +The _Dispatch_ of this morning says: + +"All accounts received of the engagement at Snicker's represent that the +Yankees were badly whipped on that occasion. It is stated that some +fifteen hundred of the enemy fell to rise no more, and only six were +made prisoners. It is probable that a considerable number were drowned +in their attempt to recross the Shenandoah." + +Gen. Beauregard wrote to the department a few days ago that the country +in the rear of the enemy was filled with their deserters, and suggested +that by proclamation or otherwise, desertion should be encouraged. They +ought to be welcomed and subsisted, and transported to any point near +their own country designated by them. On this the Secretary of War +indorsed rather a cold negative. But he went too far--the country _must_ +be saved--and the President, while agreeing that no proclamation should +be issued, indorsed an emphatic approval of any other means to encourage +desertion from the enemy. + +My cabbages and turnips (fall) are coming up already. + +We had but 13,500 men and 44 pieces artillery in the recent march into +Maryland. The enemy say we had 40,000! + +Letters are pouring in, denouncing the new schedule of prices, +sanctioned by the Secretary, and demanding a prompt modification. The +President wrote the Secretary to-day that immediate action is necessary. + +JULY 26TH.--Clear and pleasant; later cloudy. + +Yesterday, Mr. Peck, our agent, started South to buy provisions for the +civil officers of the department. He had $100 from each, and it is to be +hoped he will be back soon with supplies at comparatively low prices. He +obtained transportation from the Quartermaster-General, with the +sanction of the Secretary, although that ---- ---- had refused to order +it himself. + +Gen. Lee advises that all government stores be taken from Wilmington, as +a London newspaper correspondent has given a glowing account +(republished in the _New York Herald_) of the commerce of that place, +and the vast amount of government property there. Gen. Lee advises that +the stores be deposited along the line of railroad between Columbia and +Danville, and be in readiness to move either way, as the roads are +"liable to be cut at any moment." Will the government act in time to +save them? + +Gen. Cooper went to the President to-day in high dudgeon, because papers +were referred to him from the Quartermaster-General's and Ordnance +offices signed by subordinates, instead of the heads of the bureaus. The +President wrote an elaborate decision in favor of the general, and +ordered the Secretary to "make a note of it." Thus, important affairs +wait upon "red tape." + +I saw Secretaries Benjamin and Mallory, and some lesser lights, riding +down the river in an ambulance-wagon, supposed to be going a fishing. +They were both excessively fat and red. + +JULY 27TH.--Cloudy and warm; light shower at 3 P.M. + +Gen. Lee's dispatch, giving an account of a victory last Sunday, near +Winchester, has diffused hope and satisfaction anew in the city. + +The following dispatch was received from Gen. Bragg: + + "ATLANTA, July 26th, 1864. + + "Leave to-morrow to confer with Major-Gen. Maury at Montgomery, and + urge matters beyond. Lieut.-Gen. Lee arrived. Tone of the army + fine, and strength increasing daily, etc. All is quiet to-day. + + "B. BRAGG, _General_. + + "COL. J. B. SALE, _Mil. Sec._" + +Nevertheless, the clerks are ordered out this afternoon at five, to +march to Chaffin's Farm. + +I met Mr. Benjamin as I was passing to the office of the Secretary of +War with Gen. Bragg's dispatch, and showed it him. After reading it +carefully, he said, "That's very good." + +Gen. Lee may be on the eve of attacking Grant, or Grant him, or we may +be reinforcing Early, as the solution of the marching of the clerks. No +doubt one of Grant's corps is on this side of the river, but I think +that is to guard the river against our batteries. + +During my conversation with Mr. Benjamin, I hoped that in two months the +Federal armies would be called to Washington for the defense of the +capital. He did not express any such belief. He was at the department +procuring passports from Judge Campbell, for a young Jew to pass the +lines into the United States. + +JULY 28TH.--Cloudy, but no rain. + +Nothing new from Georgia or Petersburg. But a dispatch from Gen. Ewell, +received to-day at half past two P.M., orders the local troops (they did +not march yesterday) or other disposable forces to occupy the Darby +Town, New Bridge, and Williamsburg roads, for the enemy's cavalry were +working round to our left. This was dated "27" when, no doubt, it should +be 28th. The Secretary was over at the President's office, whither I +sent the dispatch. I suppose the troops were ordered out, provided there +was a mistake in the _date_. All dispatches should have the _day_ +written out in full as well as the day of the month, for the salvation +of a city might depend on it. + +JULY 29TH.--Clear and warm. + +The local troops did not march until this morning, and no one supposes +Richmond is seriously menaced by Grant. I believe the object of the +demonstration on the part of the enemy is to draw our forces away from +the vicinity of Washington. + +The Chief of the Signal Corps reports, on information supposed by him +to be reliable, that Gen. Early's captures in Maryland were worth +$12,000,000--consisting of some 10,000 horses, 10,000 cattle, 7000 hogs, +4000 sheep, 200,000 barrels of flour, and a large amount of bacon, etc. +Also, that he got between 2000 and 3000 recruits. All this doubtful. + +Mr. G. W. Lamar, Augusta, Ga., writes the Secretary of War that he +knows, personally, over one hundred men who have _bought_ exemptions, +and that they are bought and sold every day at a certain price. Now will +the Secretary order an investigation? Mr. L. has, or had, nine sons in +the army, and he says he could have bought exemptions for all, as he is +rich. And yet a poor ensigncy is refused one of his sons. + +JULY 30TH.--Clear and hot. + +Dispatches from Bragg, at Montgomery, of yesterday, give no accounts of +more fighting, although the press dispatches, etc. did mention four of +our generals who have been wounded. + +There is a revival of murmurs against the President. He will _persist_ +in keeping Bragg in command, that is "of the armies in the field," +though he does not lead any of them, and Gen. _Pemberton_ really has +command of all the batteries defending Richmond. The raiders are cutting +the Georgia and Alabama Road since Bragg went South, and we have lost +four pieces of artillery near this city a few days ago. ILL LUCK is +indefensible! + +To-day the enemy sprung a mine at Petersburg, but were repulsed in the +attempt to rush in. This is all we know of it yet. Again it is rumored +that the major parts of both armies are on _this_ side of the river. +This I believe, and I think that unless there be a battle immediately, +Grant's intention is to abandon the "siege" of Richmond at the earliest +practicable moment. + +The local troops are back again. The President _directed_ the Secretary +of War to inform Gen. Ewell that he misapprehended the character of +these troops. They were only for special and temporary service, having +also civil duties to perform, and desired them to be sent back in +twenty-four, or at most, forty-eight hours. Gen. E. writes that he +will employ them exclusively hereafter in the city fortifications, and +only in times of extreme peril. And he says there _was_ peril on +Thursday, the enemy's cavalry being _between our infantry and the city_, +and it will not do to rely always on his want of enterprise. + +JULY 31ST.--Clear, dry, and _hot_. + +A dispatch from Gen. Lee (I have not seen it yet) says, in the repulse +of the enemy's assault on the breach made by their mine, we captured +over 800 prisoners--a general and his staff among them--some 12 stands +of colors, and killed some 500. Our loss very light. + +The enemy has mostly countermarched from this side of the river, +followed, of course, by our army at double-quick, and rumor says there +are little or no forces of either party on the north side of the James +this morning. + +This was probably Grant's grand stratagem for our destruction, and it +has failed disastrously for him. What will he do next? No matter what, +Lee is the master of the situation. + +My daughter's large pet cat died last night under the cherry-tree, and +was buried this morning under a rose-bush. I sympathize with Fannie in +the grief natural on such an occasion; but really, the death of the cat +in such times as these is a great relief to me, as he was maintained at +the cost of not less than $200 per annum. His death was probably +occasioned by a surfeit of meat which his mistress obtained +unexpectedly, seeing it fall in the street, and sending a servant for +it. + +This morning a large fat chicken was found in my yard, picked and +prepared for cooking, brought hither by a cat which had stolen it from +some kitchen. A portion of the breast only had been eaten, and our cook +seized upon the remains for her own benefit. To such straits are we +reduced by this cruel war! + + + + +CHAPTER XLI. + +From the Northern papers.--Letter from J. Thompson, Canada.--From Mr. + McRae, our foreign agent.--Dispatch from Major-Gen. Maury.--"General + Order No. 65."--Battle of Reams's Station. + + +AUGUST 1ST.--Hot and clear; but it rained yesterday three-quarters of an +hour in the afternoon. + +Our loss in the affair at Petersburg is about 800, the enemy's 3500. We +captured 2000 small arms. + +We have nothing yet from Atlanta, but no doubt there has been another +battle. I hope no disaster has befallen us there. No doubt the wires +have been cut by the raiders, and roads also. It is a critical time in +Georgia. But if Virginia triumphs over the assaults of Grant, all will +go well. + +AUGUST 2D.--Bright and hot. At 4 P.M. a cloud rising. Fear my wife, and +daughter Fannie, and Custis (who has a days' furlough), who went this +morning per Fredericksburg Railroad into Hanover County to gather +blackberries, will be caught in a rain. Nevertheless, the rain is +wanted. + +Assistant Secretary Campbell is again "allowing" doubtful characters to +pass out of the Confederate States to the United States; among these is +Dr. McClure, "the embalmer," who, too, carried others out for bribes. + +The Signal Bureau gives information to-day of Grant's purpose to spring +the mine already sprung, also of a raid, that was abandoned, north and +west of Richmond. They say Grant has now but 70,000 men, there being +only a few men left at Washington. Can the agents paid by the Signal +Bureau be relied on? + +Gen. Bragg telegraphs from Columbus, Ga., that Gen. Roddy has been +ordered to reassemble his forces in North Alabama, to cut Sherman's +communications. + +The news from Georgia is more cheering. + +The commissioners (of prices) have reduced the schedule: it was +denounced universally. It is said by the _Examiner_ that the extravagant +rates, $30 per bushel for wheat, and $50 for bacon, were suggested by a +farmer in office. + +Gen. Lee writes that he had directed Morgan to co-operate with Early, +but he was sick. + +The enemy's account of our loss in the battle before Atlanta is +exaggerated greatly. Sherman's army is _doomed_, I think. + +Seven P.M. No rain here, but my family were drenched in a hard shower at +Hanover Junction, and what was worse, they got no blackberries, the hot +sun having dried the sap in the bushes. + +AUGUST 3D.--Cloudy, but no rain. + +The press dispatches last night assert that still another raiding party, +besides Stoneman's, was dispersed or captured. + +It is rumored to-day that Beauregard has sprung a mine under Grant's +fortifications. This may be so. _Later._ It was _not_ so. + +AUGUST 4TH.--Clear and hot. + +All quiet at Petersburg. President Lincoln was at Fortress Monroe on +Sunday last, after the explosion and its failure. + +The Northern papers acknowledge that Grant sustained a terrible disaster +at Petersburg, losing in killed, wounded, and missing 5000. They say the +negro troops caused the failure, by running back and breaking the lines +of the whites. The blacks were pushed forward in front, and suffered +most. + +From the same source we learn that our troops have penetrated +Pennsylvania, and laid the city of Chambersburg in ashes. This may be +so, as they have burned some half dozen of our towns, and are now daily +throwing shell into Charleston, Atlanta, and Petersburg. + +A letter to the Secretary from J. Thompson, in Canada (per Capt. Hines), +was received to-day. He says the _work_ will not probably begin before +the middle of August. I know not what sort of work. But he says _much +caution is necessary_. I suppose it to be the destruction of the Federal +army depots, etc. in the United States. + +Public meetings and the public press continue to denounce in unmeasured +terms the high schedule of prices recently sanctioned by the Commissary +and Quartermaster's bureaus. And, although the schedule has been +modified, much odium will attach to all concerned in it. A large farmer, +at the rates fixed for his products, would realize, perhaps, $200,000 +per annum. + +AUGUST 5TH.--Hot and dry. I hope there will be a rain-cloud this +evening. + +No war news, except a letter from Gen. Lee, indicating that Gen. Morgan +is probably on a raid in Northwest Virginia and in Pennsylvania. Morgan +proposed going into Georgia (rear of Sherman), but the Secretary +indorsed that perhaps the matter had as well be left to Gen. Lee. The +President quietly indorsed that he "concurred in the conclusion that all +the movements of troops in Virginia had best be left to the discretion +of Gen Lee." + +Gen. Hood telegraphs that no important change has occurred in front of +Atlanta. There was some skirmishing yesterday, and shell thrown into +Atlanta. + +My daughter Anne, after ten months' residence in the country, returned +to-day (with Miss Randolph, of Loudon Co.) in perfect health. She +brought apples, eggs, a watermelon, cucumbers, etc. + +Mr. Davies sold my reel (German silver) to-day for $75, or about $3.20 +in gold--enough to buy a cord of wood. I parted with it reluctantly, as +I hope to catch fish yet. + +AUGUST 6TH.--Hot and dry. + +The booming of cannon heard yesterday evening was from one of our +batteries below Drewry's Bluff. The enemy answered from their batteries, +the existence of which we had no knowledge of before. No one was hurt. + +About the same time Gen. Beauregard sprung a mine _under_ the enemy's +mine, and blew it up, no doubt destroying many lives. This was succeeded +by heavy, but, perhaps, harmless shelling along the lines. + +Another raiding party has been defeated and dispersed at Madison, Ga. + +But we have been unfortunate in a naval engagement in the lower bay, at +Mobile. We have lost Admiral Buchanan's ram "Tennessee," and several +other steamers. One of the enemy's monitors was sunk. They had five +vessels to our one. + +Battles are momentarily expected at Atlanta and Winchester. We have +nothing additional from the North. + +AUGUST 7TH.--Hot and dry; but heavy rains in other parts of the State. + +The 1st Army Corps moved through the city last night, via the Central +and Fredericksburg Railroads, and this morning Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry +corps is passing in the same direction--9 A.M. + +All this indicates a transferrence of the scene of operations nearer the +enemy's country--the relief of Richmond--the failure of Grant's MAD BULL +campaign, prompted by President Lincoln, who is no general. + +Honor to Lee!--the savior of his country! and the noble band of heroes +whom he has led to victory!--but first to God. + +AUGUST 8TH.--Hot and dry. + +There are rumors of battles near Winchester and in Georgia. + +Mr. Benjamin writes the Secretary of War for a passport for ----, who is +going to New York, "for our service." + +In the assault on the fortifications near Petersburg last week, it is +said Hancock's (enemy's) corps lost half its men. + +Watermelons have sold at $20 each; corn, $10 per dozen ears; and +everything else in the markets in proportion. + +My yellow tomatoes are just maturing. The dry weather has ruined nearly +everything else in the garden. + +AUGUST 9TH.--Very hot; very dry; very dusty. + +The President has directed the late Gen. (now Lieut.-Col.) Pemberton to +organize a mortar and cavalry force to dislodge the enemy from Deep +Bottom, on this side of the river, and to select three or four batteries +to render the navigation of the James River difficult and dangerous. +Col. P. says he must have some 1500 cavalry, etc. + +Letters from Mr. McRae, our agent abroad, show that our finances and +credit are improving wonderfully, and that the government will soon have +a great many fine steamers running the blockade. Mr. McR. has contracted +for eight _steel_-clad, steamers with a single firm, Frazer, Trenholm & +Co.--_the latter now our Secretary of the Treasury_. + +The President indorsed a cutting rebuke to both the Secretary of War and +a Mr. (now Lieut.-Col.) Melton, A. A. General's office, to-day. It was +on an order for a quartermaster at Atlanta to report here and settle his +accounts. Mr. M. had written on the order that it was issued "by order +of the President." The President said he was responsible for all orders +issued by the War Department, but it was a great presumption of any +officer in that department to assume to indorse on any paper that it was +by his special order, and that, too, "by command of the Secretary of +War," the usual form. + +AUGUST 10TH.--Hot and dry until 4 P.M. Gust, and 15 minutes' rain. Good +for turnips. + +Forts Gaines and Powell are lost--the latter blown up. Gen. Maury +telegraphs for infantry, has some 4000 men for the defense of Mobile, +etc. + +Our raiders, under McCausland and Bradley Johnson, it is said were +surprised and defeated last Sunday, with loss of 400 men, 500 horses, +and 4 pieces of artillery. A rumor prevails that Early has gained +another victory near Winchester. + +No news yet from our agent sent to North Carolina to purchase supplies, +but we learn flour and bacon are not held one quarter as high there as +here. I do sincerely hope Grant's raiders will keep quiet until _I_ can +get something to eat! + +AUGUST 11TH.--Hot and dry. + +Dispatches from secret agents at Washington state that Grant and his +staff have arrived, that half his army preceded him, and the remainder +will soon follow. The campaign is considered a disastrous failure, and +it is anticipated that henceforth the scene of operations is to be +transferred from Richmond to Washington. They say President Lincoln's +face expresses "great terror," and affairs there are in a critical +condition. + +A dispatch from Gen. Lee states that Gen. Bradley Johnson's brigade of +cavalry was surprised and routed on the 7th inst. by Averill. He has +directed that Gen. J. be relieved. + +A dispatch from Gen. Hood (Atlanta, Ga.) says no important change in +affair has occurred since yesterday, except that Major-Gen. Bates is +wounded. There are 5000 militia in the trenches. + +AUGUST 12TH.--Hot and dry. At 3 P.M. rained about three minutes. We are +burning up. + +There is no war news. A rumor in the street says Atlanta has fallen. I +don't believe it. Yesterday Gen. Hood said no important change had +occurred, etc. + +I saw a soldier to-day from Gen. Early's army near Martinsburg, and the +indications were that it was on the eve of crossing the Potomac. He left +it day before yesterday, 10th inst. He says Kershaw's division was at +Culpepper C. H., 50 miles from Early. + +Detachments of troops are daily passing through the city, northward. All +is quiet below on the James River. Grant's campaign against Richmond is +confessedly a failure. + +AUGUST 13TH.--Hot and dry. Large green worms have attacked my tomatoes, +and from the leaves are proceeding to the fruit. But not many of them +will escape! I am warring on them. + +No war news, except the continuation of the movement of troops +_northward_. Hampton's division of cavalry, at least three brigades, +passed this morning. + +From Mobile and Atlanta we have nothing of interest. + +Flour is falling: it is now $200 per barrel--$500 a few weeks ago; and +bacon is falling in price also, from $11 to $6 per pound. A commission +merchant said to me, yesterday, that there was at least eighteen months' +supply (for the people) of breadstuffs and meats in the city; and +pointing to the upper windows at the corner of Thirteenth and Cary +Streets, he revealed the ends of many barrels piled above the windows. +He said that flour had been there two years, held for "still higher +prices." Such is the avarice of man. Such is war. And such the greed of +extortioners, even in the midst of famine--and famine in the midst of +plenty! + +AUGUST 14TH.--Hot and dry. + +Rumors of a fight down the river yesterday, driving the enemy from Deep +Bottom, and grounding of the Richmond. Guns were heard, and I suppose we +made a demonstration both by land and water. + +Cavalry (Hampton's) still pass northward. They ride as if they grew to +the horses. As they trot past, they can be seen cutting and dividing +large round watermelons, and none are permitted to fall. Occasionally a +staring negro in the street is astonished by the crushing of a rind on +his head. + +I never saw melons and other fruit so abundant; but they are held so +high I cannot indulge. + +Mr. Seddon draws 75 pounds rice per month, his family being fifty; and +gets 12 pads cotton yarn from the State distribution. I shall get 10-1/2 +pounds rice, at 50 cents--retail price, $2; and perhaps 1 pad--5 +pounds--yarn for $45; my family being seven. + +AUGUST 15TH.--Cloudy, damp, and pleasant. A rain fell last night, +wetting the earth to a considerable depth; and the wind being southeast, +we look for copious showers--a fine season for turnips, etc. + +Cannon was distinctly heard from my garden yesterday evening, and +considerable fighting has been going on down the river for several days; +the result (if the end is yet) has not been officially stated. It is +rumored that Pemberton lost more batteries; but it is only rumor, so +far. Nor have we anything definite from Early or Hood. + +Bacon has fallen to $5 and $6 per pound, flour to $175 per barrel. I +hope we shall get some provisions from the South this week. + +Sowed turnip-seed in every available spot of my garden to-day. My +tomatoes are beginning to mature--better late than never. + +The following official dispatch was received on Saturday: + + "MOBILE, August 11th.--Nothing later from Fort Morgan. The wires + are broken. Gen. Forrest drove the enemy's advance out of Oxford + last night. + + "All the particulars of the Fort Gaines surrender known, are that + the commanding officer communicated with the enemy, and made terms, + without authority. His fort was in good condition, the garrison + having suffered little. + + "He made no reply to repeated orders and signals from Gen. Page to + hold his fort, and surrendered upon conditions not known + here. D. H. MAURY, _Major-General_." + +Gen. Taylor will cross the Mississippi with 4000 on the 18th of this +month. Sherman must get Atlanta quickly, or not at all. + +AUGUST 16TH.--Warm and cloudy. + +There are movements of interest of the armies below, from the fact that +we have as yet no authentic account of the fighting during the last few +days. I fear we have not been so successful as usual. + +The enemy is reported to be in force on this side (north) of the river, +and marching toward this city. The local (clerks) troops have been +called out to man the fortifications. But the blow (if one really be +meditated) may fall on the other (south) side of the river. + +Col. Moseby has taken 200 of the enemy near Berryville, burning 75 +wagons, and capturing 600 horses and mules. His loss trifling. + +AUGUST 17TH.--Cloudy, and slight showers. In the afternoon dark clouds +going round. + +We have nothing from below but vague rumors, except that we repulsed the +enemy yesterday, slaughtering the negro troops thrust in front. + +From Atlanta, it is said the enemy have measurably ceased artillery +firing, and it is inferred that their ammunition is low, and perhaps +their communications cut. + +The President and Secretary of War were in council all the morning, it +is said, on _appointments_ and _promotions_ in the army. + +The President rode out toward the battle-field at 2-1/2 P.M. There have +been no guns heard to-day. + +AUGUST 18TH.--Cloudy and pleasant. + +Still we have no authentic account of the details of the fights on the +north side of the James River. We know we lost two brigadier-generals, +and that we captured some 600 prisoners. Of the number killed and +wounded on either side is all conjecture, although a semi-official +statement makes our loss but "light." + +Nevertheless, I happen to know that the President rode out yesterday, +and remained until late in the night: for Mr. Craddock, his special +detective (and formerly his messenger), whom he sent for to accompany +him, assures me while on the field there was a flag of truce to bury the +dead, and that the slaughter had been large. Our cavalry had suffered; +but he thinks the enemy's infantry lost many more men than all our slain +together. He says, moreover, that only one negro prisoner reached the +city. The rest, thrust forward, being killed on the field in action, I +suppose. + +At 2 P.M. a rumor began to be expanded that a terrific and probably a +decisive battle was going on at Petersburg. One report says the enemy +assaulted our lines, the operations on this side of the river having +been more a feint to draw our forces away; another that Gen. Beauregard +attacked the enemy, finding their troops in large force had crossed over +to this side, and this in the absence of Gen. Lee, he taking the +responsibility. Be this as it may, some stir was in the cabinet: and the +Secretary of War was with the President from 11 A.M. till 3 P.M. This +might be on "appointments and promotions," and it might be on +Beauregard. + +About 5 P.M. brisk artillery firing was heard in a southeast direction, +which increased in rapidity, and apparently became nearer the city, +until musketry could be distinctly heard from all parts of the city. My +daughter Anne and her younger brother, Thomas, had walked out to +Hollywood Cemetery, where they could not only hear the firing, but could +see the lines of smoke below the city, on the left or north bank. +Between 6 and 7 P.M. the sound seemed to recede, indicating that the +assault had been repulsed; and finally all was silent again. It is +probable the battle raged likewise on the south side of the river, and +it may be hoped the assault on Petersburg was similarly repulsed. We +shall know to-morrow. + +AUGUST 19TH.--Damp and cloudy. + +There was no serious battle. The wind was in a quarter which brought the +sounds to us, even from the skirmishers, ten miles distant. But our +gun-boats shelled the enemy out of their position on Signal Hill, and +there was heavy cannonading along the line on the south side of the +river. And, as appears by the papers, there was severe fighting at +different points of the line. + +We have now some further details of the battle of Tuesday. Our loss was +1000; the enemy's, it is said, 5000 to 8000. + +It is now, 5 P.M., raining gently, thank Heaven! + +To-day we had a distribution of meats, etc. brought from North Carolina +by our agent. Custis and I invested $200: we have received 26 pounds +bacon and 24 smoked herrings--worth here about $200. Half the money +remains in the agent's hands, for which we expect to get 300 pounds of +flour--if the enemy will let the railroads alone. + +It is believed another raid has crossed the Weldon Road, and is sweeping +in the direction of the Lynchburg and Danville Road. The speculators are +on the _qui vive_ already, and no flour can be had. I fear _our_ flour +will be intercepted, delayed, and perhaps lost! The meat we got to-day +will supply but two ounces for each member of my family daily for two +months. This is war, terrible war! But if Grant is not rapidly +reinforced, at the present rate of his losses his army will be consumed +in two months. There is some consolation in that prospect! + +AUGUST 20TH.--Rained hard all night, and a good deal to-day. Between 10 +and 11 P.M. last evening, as we were retiring, a musket was fired +somewhere in the rear of the building, and fragments of lime and brick +were heard rattling against the window-shutters. This morning I +perceived where the ball struck, a few inches below the window-sill of +the chamber on the second floor, where Custis and Tom were lying. Some +one, I suppose, had heedlessly fired his gun, after returning from the +fortifications. + +Well, the papers to-day fall below the official announcement of the work +of yesterday afternoon. Gen. Lee's dispatch says we captured 2700 +prisoners near Petersburg on the Weldon Road. No other particulars are +given, and the affair is still in mystery, for some purpose, perhaps. + +It is rumored that Gen. Hampton captured 4000 men last night or this +morning; but I doubt. Without that, the week's work is good--Grant +losing from 10,000 to 15,000 men. A few more weeks, at that rate, will +consume his army, and then--peace? + +Gen. Bragg complains, in a letter to the Secretary of War, that the +orders of the department, and of the Adjutant-General, are not +furnished him, which must diminish, if persisted in, his usefulness in +the important position to which the President has called him. They, are +all inimical to Bragg--all but the President, who is bound in honor to +sustain him. + +The price of flour has fallen again; Lee's victory frightening the +dealers. + +Robert Hill, commission merchant, Bank Street, gave me two pounds of +coffee to-day when I told him of Lee's dispatch. It was accepted, of +course, and is worth some $20 per pound. + +Guns are heard down the river again this evening, and all are wondering +what Lee is doing now. + +AUGUST 21ST.--Cloudy and pleasant; no rain last night, but the earth is +saturated. No additional news from the army. It is said Gen. Bragg +prevents news, good or bad, from expanding--believing that any +intelligence whatever in the newspapers affords information to the +enemy; and he is right. All the mysteries will be solved in a few days, +and we shall have all the news, good, bad, and indifferent. I heard +cannon last evening; also this morning. Our casualties could not have +been large, else the ambulance train would have been in motion. That is +certain. It may be that Grant's army is _crumbling_,--I hope so; and it +may possibly be that _negotiations_ are in progress. There _must_ be an +end of this; for the people of both sections are tired of it. + +So far Grant has unquestionably failed in his enterprises against +Richmond, and his present reduced strength certainly renders it unlikely +that he can prevail against us hereafter. His new levies, if he gets +any, will not be fit for the field this year; and all his veterans will +soon be gone,--killed, or home,--never to return. Thank God, the +prospect of peace is "bright and brightening," and a dark cloud is above +the horizon in the North. Lincoln and his party are now environed with +dangers rushing upon them from every direction. + +No doubt Lee's army is weakened by detachments sent to Early; but then +the local troops have been sent home, which is at least a favorable +augury. The following order is published: + + "GENERAL ORDER NO. 65. + + "It having been represented to the War Department that there are + numbers of foreigners entrapped by artifice and fraud into the + military and naval service of the United States, who would gladly + withdraw from further participation in the inhuman warfare waged + against a people who have never given them a pretext for hostility; + and that there are many inhabitants of the United States now + retained in that service against their will, who are averse to + aiding in the unjust war now being prosecuted against the + Confederate States; and it being also known that these men are + prevented from abandoning such compulsory service by the difficulty + they experience in escaping therefrom, it is ordered that all such + persons coming within the lines of the Confederate armies shall be + received, protected, and supplied with means of subsistence, until + such of them as desire it can be forwarded to the most convenient + points on the border, where all facilities will be afforded them to + return to their homes. + + "By order, + + "(Signed) S. COOPER, + + "_A. and I. General_." + +My turnips have not come up yet, and I fear the hot sun has destroyed +the vitality of the seed. It is said the enemy still hold the Weldon +Road; if so, then I fear our flour will be delayed, if not lost. + +What if Grant now had the 140,000 more--lost in this campaign? Or if +Lincoln should succeed in getting into the field the 500,000 men now +called for? + +The next two months will be the most interesting period of the war; +everything depends upon the result of the Presidential election in the +United States. We rely some little upon the success of the peace party. + +The order from the Adjutant-General's office was first suggested by Gen. +Beauregard, discountenanced by Mr. Secretary Seddon, approved by the +President, and slightly modified by Gen. Lee. It remains to be seen what +will be its effect. Deserters are certainly coming over in large +numbers; so much so, that it is proposed to establish a depot for them +in Georgia. Gen. Winder writes that it is not his province to be charged +with them as well as with the prisoners. He is miserable; his rogues and +cut-throats have mostly remained behind, preferring a city residence; +and the Bureau of Conscription _will not_, it seems, conscribe +Marylanders, most of whom have grown rich here. Will the President and +the Secretary of War yield to Assistant Secretary Campbell, and the +"Bureau," and Judge Halliburton,--or will they execute the act of +Congress, enrolling all "residents" for the common defense! _Nous +verrons._ + +One meets no beggars yet, although we have been suffering a famine for +more than a year. + +The State Government is now selling a little rice--one and a half pounds +per month to each member of a family--at 50 cents per pound, the +ordinary price being about $2. And the City Council has employed a +butcher to sell fresh meat at about $3.50 per pound. The State will also +distribute cotton cloth and yarn, at something less than the usual +prices. There would be quite enough of everything necessary, if it were +equally distributed. + +AUGUST 22D.--Sunshine and clouds, cool and pleasant. + +There was heavy fighting on the Weldon Road yesterday evening, still +held by the enemy; but no official account of the result--if it has yet +reached a result--has been received. The city is full of extravagant +rumors, and I incline to the belief that we gained no advantage +yesterday. We took some 300 prisoners, certainly; but I fear Haygood's +Brigade of South Carolinians ventured too far, when they were enveloped +by greatly superior numbers--and--we shall know all to-morrow. + +The news from Hood, Wheeler, Forrest, etc. in the Southwest promises +well. + +AUGUST 23D.--Clear and pleasant. + +The enemy still occupy the Weldon Road, beyond Petersburg, in great +force. Our loss in killed, wounded, and captured is estimated (in +Sunday's fight) at 1000; under the mark, perhaps. + +I hear of no raid yet against the Danville Road; but the flour +speculators have put up the price again. Gen. Kemper told me this +morning that he had 3000 of the reserves defending the Danville Road, +the number Gen. Lee asked for. + +Gen. Hood is so strong at Atlanta, that he has promised to send, in an +emergency, a brigade to Mobile. + +Interesting events will crowd each other rapidly, now. + +AUGUST 24TH.--Clear and pleasant. + +Operations now must be initiated by the enemy. Gen. Lee writes that he +is too weak to attempt to dislodge the Yankees from the Weldon +Railroad. He cannot afford the loss of men necessary to accomplish it. +He says the enemy, however, was "worsted" in the two conflicts, that of +Friday and Sunday. And if he were to drive him away, the road would +still be subject to interruption. He thinks we can still get supplies, +by wagons, round the enemy's position, as well as by the Danville Road. +He also suggests that corn be imported at Wilmington, and that every +effort be made to accumulate supplies here; and he thinks we can hold +out until corn matures some six weeks hence, so that the moral effect +will be good, when it is apparent the efforts of the enemy to cut off +our supplies are thwarted. He thinks the enemy has relinquished the idea +of forcing our fortifications. But he says that Grant intended to force +his way into Richmond last week. + +I wrote a letter to the President to-day, urging the necessity of +preventing the transportation of any supplies on the railroads except +for distribution at cost, and thus exterminating the speculators. The +poor must be fed and protected, if they be relied upon to defend the +country. The rich bribe the conscription officers, and keep out of the +ranks, invest their Confederate money and bonds in real estate, and +would be the first to submit to the United States Government; and the +poor, whom they oppress, are in danger of demoralization from suffering +and disgust, and might also embrace reunion rather than a prolongation +of such miseries as they have so long experienced. The patriotism of +1861 must be revived, or independence cannot be achieved. If a Peace +Democrat be elected, no doubt terms of peace will be tendered, on the +basis of _reunion_; and if they be rejected, perhaps the war may be +continued. Or Lincoln may modify his conditions of peace; and the rich, +always seeking repose and security, may embrace them. The surest plan is +to break up speculation, and put the rich as well as the poor in the +army. We must _deserve_ independence, else we shall not get it. There +must be no partiality, and especially in favor of the rich. I wrote +plainly, intimating the danger of Reconstruction, without the greatest +care, and a scrupulous performance of duty. + +AUGUST 25TH.--Clear and warm. + +No war news, except reports that Gen. Wheeler has destroyed much of the +railroad in Sherman's rear, and that Early has forced Sheridan back +across the Potomac. + +Gen. Lee writes that he already notices the good effect of the order +published by our government, encouraging desertions from the enemy's +armies. He suggests that it be translated into the German, and +circulated extensively in the enemy's country. + +My turnips seem to be coming up at last; have sown them everywhere, so +that when other crops come off, the ground will still be producing +something. + +Bought a bushel of red peas to-day for $30--the last for sale--the rest +being taken for _horses_. Such is the food that my family is forced to +subsist on. + +Mr. Haxall, a millionaire, of conscript age, has just been appointed +assessor of tax-in-kind. The salary is a pitiful sum, but the rich man +is kept out of the army while the poor man is forced to fight in defense +of his property. + +The President is indefatigable in his labors. Every day the papers he +sends to the department bear evidence of his attention to the minutest +subject, even to the small appointments; he frequently rejects the +Secretary's recommendations. + +Gen. Bragg recommends that publication be made here, in the United +States, and in Europe, encouraging enlistments of foreigners in our +army. + +AUGUST 26TH.--Clear; but rained copiously last night. + +A letter from Gen. Lee indicates that the "Bureau of Conscription" fails +to replenish the army. The rich men and slaveowners are but too +successful in getting out, and in keeping out of the service. The +Governor, who commissions magistrates, is exempting some fifty daily, +and these, in many instances, are not only young men, but speculators. +And nearly every landed proprietor has given bonds to furnish meal, etc. +to obtain exemption. Thus _corruption_ is eating to the heart of the +cause, and I fear the result of the contest between speculation and +patriotism. Mr. Seddon says he has striven to make the conscription +officers do their duty, and was not aware that so many farmers had +gotten exemption. He promises to do all in his power to obtain recruits, +and will so use the strictly _local_ troops as to render the Reserves +more active. What that means we shall soon see. + +A dispatch from Mobile says Fort Morgan is in the possession of the +enemy! _Per contra_, a dispatch from the same place says Memphis is in +the possession of Forrest. + +AUGUST 27TH.--Bright morning, and fine shower last night. The people are +smiling to-day from our success of Thursday, announced in the following +dispatch from Gen. Lee: + + "HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, + + "August 26th, 1864. + + "HON. J. A. SEDDON, SECRETARY OF WAR. + + "General A. P. Hill attacked the enemy in his intrenchments at + Reams's Station yesterday evening, and at the second assault + carried his entire line. + + "Cook's and McRae's North Carolina brigades, under Gen. Heth, and + Lane's North Carolina brigade, of Wilcox's division, under Gen. + Connor, with Pegram's artillery, composed the assaulting party. + + "One line of breastworks was carried by the cavalry under Gen. + Hampton with great gallantry, who contributed largely to the + success of the day. + + "Seven stands of colors, two thousand prisoners, and nine pieces of + artillery are in our possession. + + "The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded is reported to be + heavy--ours relatively small. + + "Our profound gratitude is due to the Giver of all victory, and our + thanks to the brave men and officers engaged. + + "R. E. LEE." + +It is said to-day that our captures will amount to 2500, and a +brigadier-general is among the prisoners. + +The President intimated to-day to the Secretary that when he respites a +prisoner condemned to death, he does not desire the case brought to him +again to approve the execution. + +AUGUST 28TH.--A bright, pleasant day. + +No news. Walked, as usual, to the department to see if any important +letters had come, and then hastened back that the family might go to +church in time. + +Oh what a lovely day in such an unlovely time! The recent rains have +washed the dust from the still dark-green leaves of the trees and +vegetation in my little yard and garden, and they rustle in a genial +sunlight that startles a memory of a similar scene, forty or more years +ago! It is a holy Sabbath day upon the earth,--but how unholy the men +who inhabit the earth! Even the tall garish sun-flowers, cherished for +very memories of childhood's days by my wife, and for amusement by my +little daughter, have a gladdening influence on my spirits, until some +object of scanty food or tattered garment forces upon the mind a +realization of the reign of discord and destruction without. God grant +there may be a speedy end of the war! And the words Armistice and Peace +are found in the Northern papers and upon every one's tongue here. + +My tomato vines are looking well and are bearing well, now. My turnips +are coming up everywhere. The egg-plants I nurtured so carefully have +borne no fruit yet, but are going to blossom. The okras have recovered +under the influence of recent showers, and have new blossoms. + +Our agent in North Carolina has been delayed by illness, and has bought +us no flour yet, but we still have hope. We trust that the enemy will +not cut our communications with the South, since he has met with so many +heavy mishaps in attempting it. Grant has attempted everything in his +power to get Richmond, and was foiled in all. I hope he will withdraw +soon. Why stay, with no prospect of success? A few days more may solve +his purposes and plans, or Lee may have more enterprises against him. + +It is a cloudless, silent, solemn Sabbath day, and I thank God for it! + +AUGUST 29TH.--Bright and pleasant morning; another fine shower last +night. + +No important intelligence from the armies. + +AUGUST 30TH.--Bright and pleasant. + +Gen. Hood telegraphs Gen Bragg that the enemy has shifted his line +somewhat, drawing back his left and extending his right wing. Also that +dispatches from Wheeler (August 19th) informs him that Dalton was +captured, as stated, with 200 prisoners, 200 mules, a large amount of +stores; several train supplies destroyed, as well as twenty-five miles +of railroad in Sherman's rear. If that don't disturb the equanimity of +Sherman, he must be an extraordinary general indeed. + +Gen. Lee says the Bureau of Conscription has ceased to send forward +recruits, and suggests that the conscript officers and their tens of +thousands of details be now ordered into the ranks themselves. The +Secretary does not agree to this, and the Assistant Secretary's +son-in-law is one of "the Bureau." + +Nine-tenths of the President's time and labor consist of discriminating +between applicants for office and for promotion. They are all +politicians still! And the Secretaries of State, Navy, and the +Postmaster-General are getting to be as fat as bears, while some of the +subordinates I wot of are becoming mere shadows from scarcity of food. + +AUGUST 31ST.--Bright and pleasant. + +The only news to-day was a dispatch from Gen. Hood, stating that the +enemy had left Holly Springs, Miss., for the Mississippi River, supposed +to reinforce Sherman, whose communications are certainly cut. It seems +to me that Sherman must be doomed. Forces are gathering from every +quarter around him, and it is over 200 miles to Mobile, if he has any +idea to force his way thitherward. + +Attended an auction to-day. Prices of furniture, clothing, etc. still +mounting higher. + +Common salt herrings are at $16 per dozen; salt shad, $8 a piece. Our +agent was heard from to-day. He has no flour yet, but we still have +hopes of getting some. + + + + +CHAPTER XLII. + +The Federal Presidency.--The Chicago Convention.--Fall of Atlanta.-- + Bureau of Conscription.--From Gen. Hood.--Vice-President Stephens on + the situation.--Letter from Mrs. Mendenhall.--Dispatch from Gen. + Lee.--Defeat of Gen. Early.--From Gov. Vance.--From Gov. Brown, of + Georgia.--Gen. Lee's indorsement of Col. Moseby.--Hon. Mr. Foote.-- + Attack on Fort Gilmer.--Indiscriminate arrest of civilians. + + +SEPTEMBER 1ST.--Clear, bright, and cool. + +The intelligence from the North indicates that Gen. McClellan will be +nominated for the Presidency. Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary of +War, shakes his head, and says he is not the right man. Our people take +a lively interest in the proceedings of the Chicago Convention, hoping +for a speedy termination of the war. + +Senator Johnson, of Missouri, has a project of taxation for the +extinguishment of the public debt--a sweeping taxation, amounting to +one-half the value of the real and personal estate of the Confederate +States. He got me to commit his ideas to writing, which I did, and they +will be published. + +Gen. Kemper told me to-day that there were 40,000 able-bodied men in +Virginia now detailed. + +There is a project on the tapis of introducing lady clerks into this +bureau--all of them otherwise able to subsist themselves--while the poor +refugees, who have suffered most, are denied places. Even the President +named one to-day, Mrs. Ford, who, of course, will be appointed. + +SEPTEMBER 2D.--Bright, and cool, and dry. + +It is reported that a battle has occurred at Atlanta; but I have seen no +official confirmation of it. + +It is rumored that Gen. McClellan has been nominated by the Chicago +Convention for President, and Fernando Wood for Vice-President. There is +some interest felt by our people in the proceedings of this convention, +and there is a hope that peace candidates may be nominated and elected. + +Senator Johnson (Missouri) told me to-day that he had seen Mrs. Vaughan +(wife of our Gen. V.), just from the United States, where she had been +two months; and she declares it as her belief that Gen. McClellan will +be elected, if nominated, and that he is decidedly for peace. She says +the peace party would take up arms to put an end to Lincoln's sanguinary +career, but that it is thought peace can be soonest restored by the +ballot-box. + +The President to-day arrested the rush of staff appointments. + +To-day an old gentleman, after an interview with Mr. Secretary ----, +said he might be a good man, an honest man; but he certainly had a "most +villainous face." + +SEPTEMBER 3D.--Slight rain in the morning. + +There is an ugly rumor on the streets to-day--disaster to Gen. Hood, and +the fall of Atlanta. I cannot trace it to an authentic source; and, if +true, the telegraph operatives must have divulged it. + +A dispatch from Petersburg states that there is much cheering in Grant's +army for McClellan, the nominee of the Chicago Convention for the +Presidency. + +I think the resolutions of the convention amount to a defiance of +President Lincoln, and that their ratification meetings will inaugurate +civil war. + +The President has called upon the Governor of Alabama for the entire +militia of the State, to be mustered into the service for the defense of +the States. It is dated September 1st, and will include all exempted by +the Conscription Bureau as _farmers_. Every farm has its exempted or +detailed man under bonds to supply meat, etc. + +I incline to the belief that Hood has met with disaster at Atlanta. If +so, every able-bodied man in that State will be hunted up for its +defense, unless, indeed, the Union party should be revived there. + +There will be a new clamor against the President, for removing Johnston, +and for _not_ putting Beauregard in his place. + +But we may get aid from the North, from their civil dissensions. If +Lincoln could precipitate 500,000 additional men upon us now, we should +be compelled to give back at all points. But this he cannot do. And the +convention at Chicago did not adjourn _sine die_, and may be called +again at any time to exercise _other_ functions than the mere nomination +of candidates, etc. + +SEPTEMBER 4TH.--Showery. + +Atlanta has fallen, and our army has retreated some thirty miles; such +is Hood's dispatch, received last night. + +The cheering in Grant's camp yesterday was over that event. We have not +had sufficient generalship and enterprise to destroy Sherman's +communications. + +Some 40,000 landowners, and the owners of slaves, are at their +comfortable homes, or in comfortable offices, while the poor and +ignorant are relied upon to achieve independence! and these, very +naturally, disappoint the President's expectations on momentous +occasions. + +SEPTEMBER 5TH.--Clear and warm. + +Gen. Lee has called for 2000 negroes (to be impressed) to work on the +Petersburg fortifications. Gen. Lee has been here two days, giving his +advice, which I hope may be taken. He addresses Gen. Bragg as +"commanding armies C. S." This _ought_ to be an example for others to +follow. + +The loss of Atlanta is a stunning blow. + +I am sick to-day--having been swollen by beans, or rather cow-peas. + +SEPTEMBER 6TH.--Raining moderately, and cool. + +Gen. Bragg has taken the Bureau of Conscription in hand, since Col. +August, "acting superintendent," wrote him a "disrespectful and +insubordinate" note. He required a report of the officers in the bureau, +from Lieut.-Col. Lay, "Acting Superintendent,"--there have been three +"acting superintendents" during the last three days,--and Col. Lay +furnished it. On this Gen. B. remarks that one young and able-bodied +colonel (August) was here while his regiment was in the field, and +recommended that he be permitted to have an opportunity to see some +"service" before the war is ended, and military experience, which will +teach him to be more respectful to seniors, etc.; and that the +able-bodied lieutenant-colonel (Lay), from whom he can get no report of +inspections, and who remains here idle most of his time, could render +more efficient service in the field. + +And he thought Lieut. Goldthwait, relative of the Assistant Secretary of +War, in the bureau, was performing functions that would better pertain +to an older and more experienced man. In short, the whole organization +required modification. + +These papers, with this indorsement, being sent to the President, that +functionary sends them to the Secretary of War, with an indorsement +intimating that such remarks from Gen. Bragg required _action_. Here's a +row! Perhaps the Secretary himself may _flare up_, and charge Gen. B. +with interference, etc.;--but no, he must see that Gen. B. is acting +with the concurrence of the President. + +But the Assistant Secretary, Col. August, Lieut.-Col. Lay, etc. will be +like so many hornets stirred up with a pole, and no doubt they are rich +enough to defy the emoluments of office. + +SEPTEMBER 7TH.--Clear and cool; rained in the night. + +Gen. J. H. Morgan is dead,--surprised and killed in Tennessee,--and his +staff captured. + +Gen. Hood telegraphs that the enemy is still _retreating_--toward +Atlanta, I suppose. + +The cruiser Tallahassee having run into Wilmington, that port is now +pretty effectually closed by an accumulation of blockaders. + +It is said Gen. Forrest has blown up Tunnel Hill; if so, Sherman must be +embarrassed in getting supplies of ordnance stores. + +Sir Wm. Armstrong has sent from England one or two splendid guns (a +present) to our government, with equipments, etc. And the manufacturers +have presented us with a battery of Whitworth guns, six in number, but +they have not arrived yet. + +SEPTEMBER 8TH.--Bright and cool; subsequently cloudy and warm. + +Dispatches from Gen. Hood (Sept. 7th) state--1st dispatch: that Sherman +still holds his works one and a half miles from Jonesborough. 2d +dispatch, same date: "Sherman continues his retreat!" He says, in a 3d +dispatch, that Sherman visited the hospitals, and said he would rest +awhile at Atlanta, and then march away to Andersonville, where we keep +the Federal prisoners. Although Hood attaches no importance to +declarations from such a source, yet he deems it a matter of first +importance to remove the prisoners, which suggestion Gen. Bragg refers +to the Secretary of War without remark. Gen. Hood also urges the +reinforcing of his army from the trans-Mississippi Department. He is +sending a brigade to Opelika, to await a raid. + +Gen. Forrest has been ordered, the President approving, to Middle +Tennessee; but, contrary to his desire, he is not allowed to proclaim +amnesty to the thousands of deserters expected to join him, so firmly do +the President and Gen. Bragg adhere to Gen. Lee's advice never to +proclaim pardon in advance to deserters, even at this critical epoch in +our affairs. + +All of us have been made sick by eating red peas, or rather +_over_eating. + +Our cause is in danger of being lost for want of horses and mules, and +yet I discovered to-day that the government has been _lending_ horses to +men who have but recently suffered some of the calamities of war! I +discovered it in a letter from the Hon. _R. M. T. Hunter_, of Essex +County, asking in behalf of himself and neighbors to be permitted to +retain the borrowed horses beyond the time specified--Oct. 1st. Mr. +Hunter borrowed two horses and four mules. He is worth millions, and +only suffered (having a mill burned) his first loss by the enemy a few +weeks ago! Better, far better, would it be for the Secretary to borrow +or impress one hundred thousand horses, and mount our infantry to cut +the communications of the enemy, and hover on his flanks like the +Cossacks in Russia. + +SEPTEMBER 9TH.--Rained last night; clear to-day. + +We hear of great rejoicing in the United States over the fall of +Atlanta, and this may be premature. President Lincoln has issued a +proclamation for thanksgiving in the churches, etc. + +Mr. Benjamin informs the Secretary of War that the President has agreed +to facilitate the emigration of Polish exiles and a few hundred +Scotchmen, to come through Mexico, etc. The former will enter our +service. + +The "Hope" has arrived at Wilmington with Sir Wm. Armstrong's present of +a fine 12-pounder, all its equipments, ammunition, etc. Also (for sale) +two 150-pounder rifled guns, with equipments, etc. + +SEPTEMBER 10TH.--Slight showers, and warm. + +Gen. J. H. Morgan was betrayed by a woman, a Mrs. Williamson, who was +entertaining him. + +Custis made an estimate of the white male population in seven States +this side of the Mississippi, leaving out Tennessee, between the ages of +fifteen and fifty, for Gen. Kemper, for Gen. Lee, which is 800,000, +subject to deduction of those between fifteen and seventeen, disabled, +250,000, leaving 550,000--enough for defense for several years yet, if +the Bureau of Conscription were abolished and a better system adopted. + +It is said the draft is postponed or abandoned in the United States. I +hope so. + +Two 32-pounder guns passed down the river to-day on this side. We shall +probably hear from them soon, and then, perhaps--lose them. + +SEPTEMBER 11TH.--Showery. + +No war news, though important events are looked for speedily. It is +time. If our coat-tails were off, we should, in nine cases out of ten, +be voted a nation of _sans cullottes_. We are already meager and +emaciated. Yet I believe there is abundance of clothing and food, held +by the extortioners. The government should wage war upon the +speculators--enemies as mischievous as the Yankees. + +SEPTEMBER 12TH.--Clear, and quite cold. + +Gen. Hood has agreed to a short armistice with Sherman, ten days, +proposed by the latter. Our people don't know what to think of this, and +the government is acquiescent. + +But there is a mournful gloom upon the brows of many, since Gen. Grant +holds the Weldon Road, and is daily receiving reinforcements, while we +get but few under the Conscription system and the present organization +of the bureau. + +There is a rumor of an intention to abandon Petersburg, and that 20,000 +old men and boys, etc. must be put in the trenches on our side +immediately to save Richmond and the cause. + +Over 100,000 landed proprietors, and most of the slaveowners, are now +out of the ranks, and soon, I fear, we shall have an army that will not +fight, having nothing to fight for. And this is the result of the +pernicious policy of partiality and exclusiveness, disintegrating +society in such a crisis, and recognizing distinction of ranks,--the +_higher_ class staying home and making money, the _lower_ class thrust +into the trenches. And then the infamous schedule, to make the fortunes +of the farmers of certain counties. + +I bought 30 yards of brown cotton to-day, at $2.50 per yard, from a man +who had just returned from North Carolina. The price here is $5. I sold +my dear old silver reel some time ago (angling) for $75, the sum paid +for this cotton. + +Already the _Dispatch_ is publishing paragraphs in praise of the "Bureau +of Conscription," never dreaming that it strikes both Gen. Bragg and the +President. These articles are written probably by Lieut.-Col. Lay or +Col. August. And the _Examiner_ is opening all its batteries again on +the President and Gen. Bragg. The conscription men seem to have the +odds; but the President, with a single eye, can discern his enemies, and +when fully aroused is apt to pounce upon them like a relentless lion. +The times are critical, however, and the Secretary of War is very +reserved, even when under positive orders to act. + +SEPTEMBER 13TH.--A bright, cool morning. + +Dispatches from Lieut.-Gen. R. Taylor indicate that Federal troops are +passing up the Mississippi River, and that the attack on Mobile has been +delayed or abandoned. + +Gen. Lee writes urgently for _more men_, and asks the Secretary to +direct an inquiry into alleged charges that the bureaus are getting +able-bodied details that should be in the army. And he complains that +rich young men are elected magistrates, etc., just to avoid service in +the field. + +Gen. McClellan's letter accepting the nomination pledges a restoration +of the Union "at all hazards." This casts a deeper gloom over our +croakers. + +"Everybody" is now abusing the President for removing Gen. Johnston, and +demand his restoration, etc. + +Our agent has returned, without wheat or flour. He says he has bought +some wheat, and some molasses, and they will be on soon. I hope Gen. +Grant will remain quiet, and not cut our only remaining railroad +(south), until we get a month's supply of provisions! I hear of +speculators getting everything they want, to oppress us with +extortionate prices, while _we_ can get nothing through on the railroads +for our famishing families, even when we have an order of the government +for transportation. The companies are bribed by speculators, while the +government pays more moderate rates. And the quartermasters on the roads +are bribed, and, although the Quartermaster-General is apprised of these +corruptions, nothing is done to correct them. + +And Mr. Seward has promised, for President Lincoln, that slavery will +not be disturbed in any State that returns to the Union; and McClellan +pledges States rights, and all the constitutional guarantees, when the +Union is re-established. A few more disasters, and many of our croakers +would listen to these promises. The rich are looking for security, and +their victims, the poor and oppressed, murmur at the Confederate States +Government for its failure to protect them. + +In this hour of dullness, many are reflecting on the repose and +abundance they enjoyed once in the Union. But there are more acts in +this drama! And the bell may ring any moment for the curtain to rise +again. + +Dr. Powell brought us some apples to-day, which were fried for dinner--a +scanty repast. + +SEPTEMBER 14TH.--Bright and cold. + +Gen. Lee is in the city, looking after recruits, details, etc. + +Mr. Secretary Seddon appears to be in very high spirits to-day, and says +our affairs are by no means so desperate as they seem on the surface. I +hope the good coming will come soon. + +Gen. Beauregard has been sent to North Carolina on a tour of inspection. + +No news of our wheat and molasses yet; and we have hardly money enough +to live until the next pay-day. We have no coal yet. + +Four o'clock P.M. A brisk cannonade down the river is distinctly heard. +It is not supposed to be a serious matter,--perhaps we are shelling Gen. +Butler's observatory, erected within his lines to overlook ours. + +SEPTEMBER 15TH.--Bright and pleasant. + +The firing was from our gun-boats and two batteries, on Gen. Butler's +canal to turn the channel of the river. + +Our fondly-cherished visions of peace have vanished like a mirage of the +desert; and there is general despondency among the croakers. + +Mr. Burt, of South Carolina (late member of Congress), writes from +Abbeville that Vice-President A. H Stephens crossed the Savannah River, +when Sherman's raiders were galloping through the country, in great +alarm. To the people near him he spoke freely on public affairs, and +criticised the President's policy severely, and the conduct of the war +generally. He said the enemy might now go where he pleased, our strength +and resources were exhausted, and that we ought to make _peace_. That we +could elect any one we might choose President of the United States, and +intimated that this would enable us to secure terms, etc., which was +understood to mean reconstruction of the Union. + +A dispatch from Gen. Hood, dated yesterday, says Wheeler has been +forced, by superior numbers, south of the Tennessee River; and he now +proposes that he (W.) shall retreat south along the railroad, which he +is to destroy. This is the very route and the very work I and others +have been hoping would engage Wheeler's attention, for weeks. For one, I +am rejoiced that the enemy "forced" him there, else, it seems, Sherman's +communications never would have been seriously interrupted. And he +proposes sending Forrest to operate with Wheeler. Forrest is in Mobile! + +Gen. Morgan's remains are looked for this evening, and will have a great +funeral. And yet I saw a communication to the President to-day, from a +friend of his in high position, a Kentuckian, saying Morgan did not die +too soon; and his reputation and character were saved by his timely +death! The charges, of course, will be dropped. His command is reduced +to 280 men; he was required to raise all his recruits in Kentucky. + +SEPTEMBER 16TH.--Bright and pleasant--the weather. + +Gen. Hood telegraphs that his army is so much mortified at the feeble +resistance it made to Sherman, that he is certain it will fight better +the next time. + +Mr. Benjamin asks a passport and transportation for Mrs. Jane L. Brant, +who goes to Europe in the employment of the government. + +Gen. Morgan's funeral took place to-day. None were allowed to see him; +for the coffin was not opened. On the way to Hollywood Cemetery, Gen. +Ewell received a dispatch that our pickets were driven in at Chaffin's +Farm. This demonstration of the enemy compelled him to withdraw the +military portion of the procession, and they were hurried off to the +battle-field. + +The local troops (clerks, etc.) are ordered to assemble at 5 P.M. +to-day. What does Grant mean? He chooses a good time, if he means +anything serious; for our people, and many of the troops, are a little +despondent. They are censuring the President again, whose popularity +ebbs and flows. + +SEPTEMBER 17TH.--Bright and dry. + +The demonstration of the enemy yesterday, on both sides of the river, +was merely reconnoissances. Our pickets were driven in, but were soon +re-established in their former positions. + +The Secretary of War is now reaping plaudits from his friends, who are +permitted to bring flour enough from the Valley to subsist their +families twelve months. The poor men in the army (the rich are not in +it) can get nothing for their families, and there is a prospect of their +starving. + +Gen. Hood is a prophet. I saw a letter from him, to-day, to the +President, opposing Gen. Morgan's last raid into Kentucky: predicting +that if he returned at all, it would be with a demoralized handful of +men--which turned out to be the case. He said if Morgan had been with +Gen. Jones in the Valley, we might not have been compelled to confess a +defeat, and lament the loss of a fine officer. + +They do not take Confederate notes in the Valley, but sell flour for $8 +per barrel in gold, which is equal to $200 in paper; and it costs nearly +$100 to bring it here. Chickens are selling in market for $7 each, +paper, or 37-1/2 cents, specie. + +SEPTEMBER 18TH.--Cool and cloudy; symptoms of the equinoctial gale. + +We have intelligence of another brilliant feat of Gen. Wade Hampton. Day +before yesterday he got in the rear of the enemy, and drove off 2500 +beeves and 400 prisoners. This will furnish fresh meat rations for +Lee's army during a portion of the fall campaign. I shall get some +shanks, perhaps; and the prisoners of war will have meat rations. + +Our people generally regard McClellan's letter of acceptance as a war +speech, and they are indifferent which succeeds, he or Lincoln, at the +coming election; but they incline to the belief that McClellan will be +beaten, because he did not announce himself in favor of peace, +unconditionally, and our independence. My own opinion is that McClellan +did what was best for him to do to secure his election, and that he will +be elected. Then, if we maintain a strong front in the field, we shall +have peace and independence. Yet his letter convinces me the peace party +in the United States is not so strong as we supposed. If it shall appear +that subjugation is not practicable, by future success on our part, the +peace party will grow to commanding proportions. + +Our currency was, yesterday, selling $25 for $1 in gold; and all of us +who live on salaries live very badly: for food and everything else is +governed by the specie value. Our $8000 per annum really is no more than +$320 in gold. The rent of our house is the only item of expense not +proportionably enlarged. It is $500, or $20 in gold. Gas is put up to +$30 per 1000 feet. + +Four P.M. We hear the deep booming of cannon again down the river. I +hope the enemy will not get back the beeves we captured, and that my +barrel of flour from North Carolina will not be intercepted! + +J. J. Pollard's contract to bring supplies through the lines, on the +Mississippi, receiving cotton therefor, has been revoked, it being +alleged by many in that region that the benefits reaped are by no means +mutual. + +And Mr. De Bow's office of Cotton Loan Agent has been taken away from +him for alleged irregularities, the nature of which is not clearly +stated by the new Secretary of the Treasury, who announces his removal +to the Secretary of War. + +The President has had the porch of his house, from which his son fell, +pulled down. + +A "private" letter from Vice-President Stephens was received by Mr. +Secretary Seddon to-day. + +The cannonading ceased at sundown. The papers, to-morrow, will inform us +what it was all about. Sunday is not respected in war, and I know not +what is. Such terrible wars as this will probably make those who survive +appreciate the blessings of peace. + +SEPTEMBER 19TH.--Clear and pleasant. + +We have nothing yet explanatory of the shelling yesterday. + +To-day we have news of an expedition of the enemy crossing Rapidan +Bridge on the way toward Gordonsville, Charlottesville, etc. Gen. +Anderson's division, from Early's army, is said to be marching after +them. We shall learn more of this business very soon. + +Mrs. D. E. Mendenhall, Quaker, Jamestown, N. C., has written a "strictly +confidential" letter to Mr. J. B. Crenshaw, of this city (which has gone +on the files of the department), begging him to use his influence with +Mr. Secretary Seddon (which is great) to get permission for her to send +fourteen negroes, emancipated by her late husband's will, to Ohio. She +says there is but one able to bear arms, and he is crazy; that since the +enemy uses negro soldiers, she will withhold the able-bodied ones; that +she has fed our soldiers, absolutely starving some of her stock to +death, that she might have food for our poor men and their families, +etc. etc. + +No news from our flour. + +I saw Nat Tyler to-day, and told him to call upon the farmers, in the +_Enquirer_, to send their provisions to the city immediately, or they +may lose their crops, and their horses too. He said he would. + +The only news of interest is contained in the following official +dispatch from Gen. Lee: + + "HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, + + "September 17th, 1864. + + "HON. J. A. SEDDON, SECRETARY OF WAR. + + "At daylight yesterday the enemy's skirmish line west of the + Jerusalem Plank Road was driven back upon his intrenchments along + their whole extent. Ninety prisoners were taken by us in the + operation. + + "At the same hour Gen. Hampton attacked the enemy's position north + of the Norfolk Railroad, near Sycamore Church, and captured about + three hundred prisoners, some arms and wagons, a large number of + horses, and twenty-five hundred cattle. + + "Gen. Gregg attacked Gen. Hampton, on his return in the afternoon, + at Belchess' mill, on the Jerusalem Plank Road, but was repulsed + and driven back. Everything was brought off safely. + + "Our entire loss does not exceed fifty men. R. E. LEE." + +Gen. Preston, Superintendent Bureau of Conscription, has made a labored +defense (written by Colonels Lay and August) of the bureau against the +allegations of Gen. Bragg. This was sent to the President by the +Secretary of War, "for his information." The President sent it back, +to-day, indorsed, "the subject is under general consideration." + +The "Bureau," by advertisement, to-day, calls upon everybody between the +ages of sixteen and fifty to report at certain places named, and be +registered, and state the reasons why they are not now in the army and +in the field. What nonsense! How many do they expect to come forward, +voluntarily, candidates for gunpowder and exposure in the trenches? + +SEPTEMBER 20TH.--Bright and pleasant. + +An order has been given to impress _all_ the supplies (wheat and meat) +in the State, and Gen. Kemper has been instructed to lend military aid +if necessary. This is right, so that speculation may be suppressed. But, +then, Commissary-General Northrop says it is _all_ for the army, and the +_people_--non-producers--may starve, for what he cares. If this +unfeeling and despotic policy be adopted by the government, it will +strangle the Confederacy--strangle it with red-tape. + +I learned, to-day, that Gen. Preston, Superintendent of the Bureau of +Conscription, resigned upon seeing Gen. Bragg's and the President's +indorsements on the bureau papers; but the Secretary and the President +persuaded him to recall the resignation. He is very rich. + +A practical railroad man has sent to the Secretary a simple plan, by +which twenty-five men with crowbars can keep Sherman's communications +cut. + +There is a rumor that Sherman has invited Vice-President Stephens, +Senator H. V. Johnson, and Gov. Brown to a meeting with him, to confer +on terms of peace--_i.e._ the return of Georgia to the Union. The +government has called for a list of all the Georgians who have sailed +from our ports this summer. + +A letter from Hon. R. W. Barnwell shows that he is opposed to any +conference with the enemy on terms of peace, except unconditional +independence. He thinks Hood hardly competent to command the army, but +approves the removal of Johnston. He thinks Sherman will go on to +Augusta, etc. + +The raid toward Gordonsville is now represented as a small affair, and +to have returned as it came, after burning some mills, bridges, etc. + +I saw a letter, to-day, written to the President by L. P. Walker, first +Secretary of War, full of praise. It was dated in August, before the +fall of Atlanta, and warmly congratulated him upon the removal of Gen. +Johnston. + +Gov. Bonham sent a telegram to the Secretary of War, to-day, from +Columbia, asking if the President would not soon pass through that city; +if such were his intentions, he would remain there, being very anxious +to see him. + +Beauregard is at Wilmington, while the whole country is calling for his +appointment to the command of the army in Georgia. Unless some great +success crowns our arms before Congress reassembles, the President will +be assailed with great bitterness, and the consequences may be fatal. + +SEPTEMBER 21ST.--Cloudy and somber. + +We have authentic intelligence of the defeat of our forces under Gen. +Early, near Winchester. Two generals, Rhodes and Godwin, were killed. We +lost some guns, and heavily in killed and wounded. The enemy have +Winchester, and Early has retreated, bringing off his trains, however. +This has caused the croakers to raise a new howl against the President, +for they know not what. + +Mr. Clapman, our disbursing clerk (appointed under Secretary Randolph), +proposed, to-day, to several in his office--jestingly, they +supposed--revolution, and installing Gen. Lee as Dictator. It may be a +jest to some, but others mean it in earnest. + +I look for other and more disastrous defeats, unless the speculators are +demolished, and the wealthy class put in the ranks. Many of the privates +in our armies are fast becoming what is termed machine soldiers, and +will ere long cease to fight well--having nothing to fight for. Alas, +the chivalry have fallen! The lagging land proprietors and slaveowners +(as the Yankees shrewdly predicted) want to be captains, etc. or +speculators. The poor will not long fight for their oppressors, the +money-changers, extortioners, etc., whose bribes keep them out of the +service. + +Mr. Foote openly advocates a convention; and says the other States will +have one certainly: and if Virginia declines to unite in it, she will be +"left out in the cold." This is said of him; I have not heard him say +it. But I believe a convention in any State or States, if our disasters +continue, will lead to reconstruction, if McClellan be elected. If +emancipation, confiscation, etc. be insisted on, the war will never +terminate but in final separation. + +SEPTEMBER 22D.--Cloudy; rained much last night. + +The following is all we know yet of Early's defeat: + + "HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, + + "September 20th, 1864. + + "HON. JAMES A. SEDDON. + + "Gen. Early reports that, on the morning of the 19th, the enemy + advanced on Winchester, near which place he met his attack, which + was resisted from early in the day till near night, when he was + compelled to retire. After night he fell back to Newtown, and this + morning to Fisher's Hill. + + "Our loss reported to be severe. + + "Major-Gen. Rhodes and Brig.-Gen. Godwin were killed, nobly doing + their duty. + + "Three pieces of artillery of King's battalion were lost. + + "The trains and supplies were brought off safely. + + "(Signed) R. E. LEE." + +The profound chagrin produced by this event is fast becoming a sort of +reckless unconcern. Many would fight and die in the last ditch, rather +than give up Richmond; and many others are somewhat indifferent as to +the result, disgusted with the management of affairs. + +The President left the city on Monday, ignorant of the defeat of Early, +for Georgia. It is said Beauregard is with him; but this is not certain. +His private secretary, Mr. Burton Harrison, says he will be absent at +least a month, perhaps until Christmas. Congress meets early in +November; and before that day we may have terrible events--events +determining the fate of the war. + +We have heard heavy firing down the river all day; but it may not be a +serious matter, though a general battle is looked for soon on the south +side. + +Gen. Lee will soon be reinforced materially. The President has adopted +a suggestion I made to Gen. Bragg, and a general order is published +to-day virtually abolishing the Bureau of Conscription. The business is +mostly turned over to the commanders of the Reserves; and conscription +is to be executed by Reserve men unfit for duty in the field. All the +former conscript officers, guards, details, clerks, etc. fit to bear +arms, are to go into the ranks. + +"When the cat's away, the mice will play," is an old saying, and a true +one. I saw a note of invitation to-day from Secretary Mallory to +Secretary Seddon, inviting him to his house at 5 P.M. to partake of +"pea-soup" with Secretary Trenholm. His "pea-soup" will be oysters and +champagne, and every other delicacy relished by epicures. Mr. Mallory's +red face, and his plethoric body, indicate the highest living; and his +party will enjoy the dinner while so many of our brave men are +languishing with wounds, or pining in a cruel captivity. Nay, they may +feast, possibly, while the very pillars of the government are crumbling +under the blows of the enemy. + +It is said the President has gone to Georgia to prevent Governor Brown, +Stephens, H. V. Johnson, Toombs, etc. from making peace (for Georgia) +with Sherman. + +A splenetic letter from Gov. Vance indicates trouble in that quarter. He +says the Confederate States Government threw every possible impediment +in his way when he bought a steamer and imported machinery to +manufacture clothing for the North Carolina troops, and now the +Confederate States Quartermaster-General is interfering with these +factories, because, he says, he, the Governor, is supplying the troops +at less expense than the Quartermaster-General would do. He demands +details for the factories, and says if the Confederate States Government +is determined to come in collision with him, he will meet it. He says he +will not submit to any interference. Gov. Vance was splenetic once +before, but became amiable enough about the time of the election. Since +his election for another term, he shows his teeth again. + +SEPTEMBER 23D.--Raining. + +Our loss, killed, wounded, and taken in the battle near Winchester, is +estimated by our people at 2500. The enemy say they got 2500 prisoners. +The enemy's loss in killed and wounded amounted probably to as much as +ours. + +Gen. Lee writes that, in his opinion, the time has come for the army to +have the benefit of a certain per cent of the negroes, free and slave, +as teamsters, laborers, etc.; and he suggests that there should be a +corps of them permanently attached to the army. He says if we do not +make use of them in the war, the enemy will use them against us. He +contemplates staying where he is during the winter, and proposes +building a railroad from his rear to the oak woods, as the pines do not +answer a good purpose. + +Gen. Hood telegraphs (dated yesterday) his intention to get in the +enemy's rear, and intercept supplies from Dalton. Sherman must either +attempt to drive him from that position (north bank of the +Chattahoochee), or advance farther south with his supplies cut off and +our army assaulting his rear. + +Mr. Roy (clerk), cousin of Mr. Seddon, said to-day that he regarded the +Confederacy near its end, and that the Union would be reconstructed. + +Our good friend Dr. Powell brought us a gallon of sorghum molasses +to-day. + +SEPTEMBER 24TH.--Raining alternate hours and warm. Had a chill this +morning, and afterward several spells of blindness, from rushes of blood +to the head. Came home and bathed my feet and recovered. + +Another disaster! but no great loss of men. Gen. Early was compelled to +retreat again on Thursday, 22d inst., the enemy flanking him, and +getting in his rear. He lost 12 more guns. This intensifies the chagrin +and doubts prevalent in a certain class of the community. However, Lee +commands in Virginia, and there may be better luck next time, which will +cause everybody's spirits to rise. + +Gen. Lee writes a long letter to the Secretary of War, deprecating the +usage of the port of Wilmington by the Tallahassee and other cruisers, +that go out and ravage the enemy's commerce, such as the destruction of +fishing smacks, etc. Already the presence of the Tallahassee and the +Edith at Wilmington has caused the loss of one of our blockade-runners, +worth more than all the vessels destroyed by the Tallahassee, and the +port is now guarded by such an additional number of blockaders that it +is with difficulty our steamers can get in with supplies, Gen. L. +suggests that Charleston or some other port be used by our cruisers; and +that Wilmington be used exclusively for the importation of +supplies--quartermaster's, commissary's ordnance, etc. Gen. L. advises +that supplies enough for two or three years be brought in, so that we +shall not be under apprehension of being destitute hereafter. Such were +his ideas. Lieut. Wood, who commands the Tallahassee, is the President's +nephew, and gains eclat by his chivalric deeds on the ocean; but we +cannot afford to lose our chances of independence to glorify the +President's nephew. Gen. Lee but reiterates what has been written on the +same subject by Gen. Whiting at Wilmington. + +SEPTEMBER 25TH.--Clear and cool. Pains in my head, etc. + +Hon. Mr. Foote told G. Fitzhugh early this morning that he had learned +Gen. Early's army was scattered to the winds; that the enemy had the +Central Railroad (where?) and would soon have all the roads. This is not +credited, though it may be so. + +There is a mysterious fascination in scenes of death and carnage. As I +crossed Franklin Street, going down to the department this morning, I +heard on my right the cry of "halt!" and saw a large man in citizen's +clothes running toward me pursued by a soldier--coming from the +direction of Gen. Ewell's headquarters. The man (perhaps a deserter) ran +on, and the soldier took deliberate aim with his rifle, and burst a cap. +I stood and watched the man, being riveted to the spot by a strange +fascination, although I was nearly in a line with the pursuit. An +irresistible curiosity seized me to see the immediate effects of the +shot. The man turned up Ninth Street, the soldier fixing another cap as +he ran, and, taking deliberate aim, the cap failed to explode the charge +again. I saw several persons crossing the street beyond the flying man, +who would have been greatly endangered if the rifle had been +discharged. In war the destruction of human life excites no more pity +than the slaughter of beeves in peace! + +SEPTEMBER 26TH.--Bright and cool. + +Gen. Early is still falling back; on Saturday he was at Port Republic, +but he will soon be reinforced, and may turn the tide on Sheridan. + +A long letter was received at the department to-day from Gov. Brown, +absolutely _refusing_ to respond to the President's call for the militia +of that State. He says he will _not_ encourage the President's ambitious +projects by placing in his hands, and under his unconditional control, +all that remains to preserve the reserved rights of his State. He +bitterly and offensively criticises the President's management of +military affairs--sending Morgan into Kentucky, Wheeler into East, and +Forrest into West Tennessee, instead of combining all upon Sherman's +rear and cutting his communications. He says Georgia has fifty regiments +in Virginia, and if the President won't send reinforcements, then he +_demands_ the return of Georgia troops, and he will endeavor to defend +the State without his aid, etc. + +SEPTEMBER 27TH.--Bright and pleasant. + +We have rumors of heavy fighting yesterday near Staunton, but no +authentic accounts. + +A dispatch from Gen. R. Taylor says Gen. Forrest had gained a victory at +Athens, Ala., capturing some 1500 prisoners, 500 horses, etc. etc. + +We still hear the thunder of artillery down the river--the two armies +shelling each other, I suppose, as yet at a safe distance. A few more +days and the curtain will rise again--Lee and Grant the principal actors +in the tragedy! + +The President is making patriotic speeches in Alabama and Georgia. + +Mr. Hudson, of Alabama, proposes to deliver to the government 5,000,000 +pounds of bacon for the same number of pounds cotton, delivered at the +same place. + +Our cotton agent in Mississippi is authorized by the government here to +sell cotton in exposed situations to the enemy's agents for _specie_, +and to buy for Confederate notes. + +The funeral expenses of Gen. Morgan the other day amounted to $1500; the +Quartermaster-General objects to paying it, and sends the bill to the +Secretary for instructions. + +The following is a copy of Gen. Lee's indorsement on Lieut.-Col. +Moseby's report of his operations from the 1st of March to the 11th of +September, 1864: + + "HEADQUARTERS, ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, + + "September 19th, 1864. + + "Respectfully forwarded to the Adjutant and Inspector-General for + the information of the department. Attention is invited to the + activity and skill of Col. Moseby, and the intelligence and + courage of the officers and men of his command, as displayed in + this report. + + "With the loss of little more than 20 men, he has killed, wounded, + and captured, during the period embraced in this report, about 1200 + of the enemy, and taken more than 1600 horses and mules, 230 beef + cattle, and 85 wagons and ambulances, without counting many smaller + operations. The services rendered by Col. Moseby and his command in + watching and reporting the enemy's movements have also been of + great value. His operations have been highly creditable to himself + and his command. + + "(Signed) R. E. LEE, _General_. + + "Official: JOHN BLAIR HOGE, + + "_Major and Assistant Adjutant-General._" + +SEPTEMBER 28TH.--Bright; subsequently cloudy and warm rain. + +Staunton was entered by the enemy's cavalry on Monday afternoon. + +We have no news whatever to-day from any quarter. But the deep booming +of cannon is still heard down the river, foreboding an awful conflict +soon. + +I saw three 10-inch Columbiads at the Petersburg depot to-day; they are +going to move them toward Petersburg, I believe. + +Gold is thirty for one to-day, and still rising, Forrest's exploit +having done nothing to revive confidence in Treasury notes here. + +SEPTEMBER 29TH.--Bright and beautiful. + +As I walked down to the department, heavy and brisk cannonading below +assailed the ear. It was different from the ordinary daily shelling, and +to my familiar senses, it could only be a BATTLE. The sounds continued, +and even at my desk in the department the vibrations were very +perceptible. + +About 10 o'clock, when walking down Main Street (the cannon still +heard), I met Robert Tyler and Mr. Foote, member of Congress, the latter +in some excitement, denouncing the management of affairs by the +Executive. He said if Richmond were lost, he should move that the people +take matters in their own hands, and proclaim a DICTATOR. Mr. Tyler, +commanding his temper, banteringly told him that he ran some risk of +being arrested, tried by drum-head court-martial, and shot--before +night. Mr. Foote whirled away, repeating his desperate purpose; and +Tyler repeating, more gravely, that he might be arrested for treasonable +language--and ought to be. + +Mr. Tyler then invited me to join him at breakfast at a neighboring +restaurant, where we had each a loaf of bread, a cup of coffee with milk +(but brown sugar), and three eggs. The bill was sixteen dollars! + +When I returned to the department, information came that the enemy had +captured Fort Harrison (Signal Hill), near Chaffin's Bluff, and were +advancing toward the city. From that moment much excitement sprung up +(the greatest I have ever known here), and all the local organizations +were immediately ordered out. Not only this, but squads of guards were +sent into the streets everywhere with orders to arrest every able-bodied +man they met, regardless of papers; and this produced a consternation +among the civilians. The offices and government shops were closed, and +the tocsin sounded for hours, by order of the Governor, frightening some +of the women. + +At 2 P.M. the fight was nearer, and it was reported that the enemy were +at the intermediate fortifications--three miles distant. + +From the observatory on the War Department we could see the puffs of +white smoke from our guns; but these were at the intermediate line, +several miles distant, and the enemy were, of course, beyond. We could +see our cannon firing from right to left at least a mile in length; and +the enemy had evidently made much progress toward the city. The firing +then ceased, however, at 3 P.M., indicating that the enemy had withdrawn +from that point; but the booming of artillery was still heard farther to +the right on or near the river. And this continued until the present +writing, 5 P.M. We have no particulars; but it is reported that the +enemy were handsomely repulsed. Clouds of dust can be seen with the +telescope in that direction, which appears to the naked eye to be smoke. +It arises no doubt from the march of troops, sent by Gen. Lee. We must +soon have something definite from the scene of action. + +Half-past five P.M. Gen. Ewell dispatches that the enemy's attack on +Fort Gilmer (five miles below the same we saw) was handsomely repulsed. + +A dispatch from Gen. Pemberton, on Williamsburg Road, says there is no +immediate danger there. + +Another dispatch from Georgia says Forrest has captured 800 more men +somewhere in Alabama, on the railroad. + +At night, distant cannon heard. Gen. Ewell said in his last dispatch +that as soon as certain reinforcements came up he would take the +offensive, attacking the enemy. The conflict recedes, and I presume he +is driving the enemy back. + +Mr. Foote intimates that the President will not return to Richmond, and +did not intend to return. + +SEPTEMBER 30TH.--Cloudy, and occasional showers. + +None of the papers except the _Whig_ were published this morning, the +printers, etc. being called out to defend the city. Every device of the +military authorities has been employed to put the people here in the +ranks. Guards everywhere, on horseback and on foot, in the city and at +the suburbs, are arresting pedestrians, who, if they have not passes +from Gen. Kemper, are hurried to some of the depots or to the City +Square (iron palings), and confined until marched to the field or +released. Two of the clerks of the War Department, who went down to the +Spottswood Hotel to hear the news, although having the Secretary's own +details, were hustled off to a prison on Gary Street to report to Lieut. +Bates, who alone could release them. But when they arrived, no Lieut. +Bates was there, and they found themselves incarcerated with some five +hundred others of all classes and conditions. Here they remained cooped +up for an hour, when they espied an officer who knew them, and who had +them released. + +To-day the guards arrested Judges Reagan and Davis, Postmaster-General +and Attorney-General, both members of the cabinet, because neither of +them were over fifty years old. Judge Reagan grew angry and stormed a +little; but both were released immediately. + +Gen. Lee dispatched Gen. Bragg, at 9 P.M. last night, that all the +assaults of the enemy on Fort Gilmer had been repulsed, the enemy losing +many in killed, and wounded, and prisoners, while our loss was small. + +And we have driven the Yankees from Staunton, and have them in full +retreat again as far as Harrisonburg. + +To-day at 2 P.M. another battle occurred at or near Fort Harrison or +Signal Hill, supposed to be an attempt on our part to retake the post. I +never heard more furious shelling, and fear our loss was frightful, +provided it was our assault on the enemy's lines. We could see the white +smoke, from the observatory, floating along the horizon over the woods +and down the river. The melee of sounds was terrific: heavy siege guns +(from our steam-rams, probably) mingled with the incessant roar of field +artillery. At 3 P.M. all was comparatively quiet, and we await +intelligence of the result. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIII. + +Attempt to retake Fort Harrison.--A false alarm.--Dispatches from Gen. + Lee.--Impressments.--Gen. Butler's generosity.--Matters in and about + the city.--Beverly Tucker's contract with a New York firm for + supplies. + + +OCTOBER 1ST.--Raining and cold. Horrible for the troops in the trenches! + +The battle, yesterday (on this side of the river), was an attempt of +Gen. Lee to retake Fort Harrison, near Chaffin's Bluff, which _failed_, +after two essays. Gen. Lee deemed its recapture important, and exposed +himself very much in the assault: so much so as to cause a thrill of +alarm throughout the field. But it all would not do; the enterprise of +the enemy had in a few hours rendered the place almost impregnable. +Judge Lyons, who came in to-day (from a visit to the field), estimates +our killed and wounded at from 700 to 1000. + +But we have better news from other quarters. Generals Hampton and Heath +attacked the enemy on the south side of the river, yesterday, and +captured 900 men. + +Gen. Early sends word that the whole force of the enemy (Sheridan's +army) is in full retreat, and he is in pursuit. + +Gen. Echols, West Virginia and East Tennessee, reports several successes +to our arms in that region. + +This has been a terrible day; a storm of wind and driving rain. Heavy +guns are heard at intervals down the river. + +At 4 P.M., while writing the last line, a furious cannonade has sprung +up on the southeast of the city, and seemingly very near to it. It may +be a raid. The firing increases in rapidity, mingled, I think, with the +roar of small arms. We can hear distinctly the whistle of shot and +shell, and the detonations shake the windows. It may be that the +atmosphere (dampness) and the wind from the east cause some deception as +to the distance; but really it would seem that from the apparent +proximity of the enemy's guns, some of the shells must reach the eastern +parts of the city. After thirty minutes' quick firing, it ceases in a +great measure. At 5 P.M. it was resumed, and continued until dark. Some +think it but a raid, others report 40,000 men engaged. If this be so, +to-morrow will probably be fought the great battle for Richmond. +Doubtless, Grant is eager to hold some position from which he can shell +the city. + +OCTOBER 2D.--Cloudy and calm. + +All quiet. It was a false alarm yesterday evening. Nothing but some of +the enemy's cavalry scouts were seen from the intermediate batteries, +and it was merely a waste of ammunition on our part, and destruction of +timber where the enemy were partially sheltered. Not a gun, so far as I +can learn, was fired against our fortifications. Gen. Pemberton must +have known that none of the enemy's infantry and artillery had marched +in this direction through the storm, and in the mud, or else our scouts +are worthless. + +But we have news of the capture of 500 more prisoners near Petersburg, +yesterday. The particulars of the fight have not yet been received. + +Every male between seventeen and fifty-five is now required to have a +pass, from Gen. Kemper or Gen. Barton, to walk the streets, even to +church. The militia are all out, except those hidden in the back rooms +of their shops--extortioners; and the city is very quiet. No wonder the +women and children were thrown into a panic yesterday. + +The shelling did some good in the Saturday evening market, as most of +the people were eager to get home. A boy sold me apples at 75 cents per +quart, instead of $1. + +The physicians have had a meeting, and agree to charge $30 per visit. + +The bombardment is still in progress at Charleston, and there has never +been any intermission. The enemy's batteries now reach over two-thirds +of that devoted city. + +I see by a Northern paper that Gen. Grant is having his children +educated at Burlington, N. J.; perhaps at the same institutions where +mine were educated; and I perceive that our next door neighbor, Mrs. +Kinsey, has been waving the "glorious Stars and Stripes" over Gen. G.'s +head, from her ample porch. Well, I would not injure that flag; and I +think it would never be assailed by the Southern people, if it were only +kept at home, away from our soil. We have a flag of our own we prefer. + +OCTOBER 3D.--Misty and damp, but warm. + +Guns heard down the river. On Friday, it seems, the enemy penetrated and +held a portion of our works below Petersburg; and although we captured +many prisoners, it does not appear that we regained the works or retook +the cannon. + +So far, although the enemy's loss in men may have been greater in the +operations of the last few days, it would seem that we have _lost +ground_; that our forts, etc. have been captured and _held_, up to this +moment; and that both the right and left wings of Grant have been +_advanced_, and established in the positions taken. All this, too, under +the eye of Gen. Lee. It is enough to make one tremble for Richmond. They +do not heed his calls for _men_. + +In the North, the Presidential campaign is growing _warm_. McClellan's +friends have been denounced as "traitors" in Ohio, and one of their +meetings broken up by the soldiers. This fire may spread, and relieve +us. + +It is now said a corps of the enemy's infantry was really peeping from +the groves and lanes west of the city, on Saturday, when the furious +shelling took place. + +Rumors--we have nothing but rumors--of fighting, said to be in progress +on the south side of the river. It is said the enemy, that were a few +days ago menacing Richmond, are recrossing to the Petersburg side. + +OCTOBER 4TH.--Foggy; then bright; then very warm. + +Gen. Lee is at Chaffin's Bluff. A dispatch from him this morning states +that the enemy's infantry are near Harrisonburg, in the Valley, and that +his cavalry is retiring. + +9 A.M. Another dispatch from Gen. Lee. The raiders' cavalry, only 250 +strong, are at Brandy Station, a body of their infantry at Bealton +Central Railroad. + +9-1/2 A.M. Gen. Lee says Gen. Breckinridge repulsed the enemy's attack +on Saltville, on Sunday, 2d inst.; it was a "bloody" repulse, and Gen. B. +is _pursuing_. + +Gen. Beauregard has been appointed to the supervisory command of the +army in Georgia, etc.; in response to the universal calls of the people. + +The enemy threw up earthworks yesterday, toward the city, from Fort +Harrison, one mile in length. He is now within five miles of the city, +and if his progress is not checked, he will soon be throwing shells at +us. + +But Lee is there, digging also. + +Flour rose yesterday to $425 per barrel, meal to $72 per bushel, and +bacon $10 per pound. Fortunately, I got 100 pounds of flour from North +Carolina a few days ago at $1.20 per pound. And Thomas, my son, detailed +as clerk for Gen. Kemper, will draw 30 pounds of flour and 10 pounds +bacon per month. + +OCTOBER 5TH.--Bright, and very warm. + +There is a report that Gen. Hood's army is at Marietta, in Sherman's +rear, and it may be so. + +One of the clerks (Mr. Bechtel) was killed yesterday by one of the +enemy's sharpshooters at Chaffin's Farm. He was standing on the parapet, +looking in the direction of the enemy's pickets. He had been warned to +no purpose. He leaves a wife and nine children. A subscription is handed +round, and several thousand dollars will be raised. Gen. R. E. Lee was +standing near when he fell. + +All is quiet to-day. But they are impressing the negro men found in the +streets to-day to work on the fortifications. It is again rumored that +Petersburg is to be given up. I don't believe it. + +OCTOBER 6TH.--Bright, and very warm. + +The President returned this morning, hastened hither by the perils +environing the capital. + +An order is published this morning revoking all details for the army of +persons between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years of age. If +this be rigidly enforced, it will add many thousands to the army. It is +said there are 8000 details in the military bureaus of this State. + +A dispatch from Gen. Hood, near Lost Mountain (in Georgia, Sherman's +rear), dated yesterday, says Sherman is marching out of Atlanta to +attack him. He says Gen. Stewart's corps struck the railroad at Big +Shanty, capturing 350 prisoner and destroying ten miles of the road. +Gen. Forrest is marching against Altoona. We shall soon have stirring +news. + +All is quiet near Petersburg and Richmond to-day. Eight of the local +companies (clerks) have been ordered to guard the prisoners to +Salisbury, N. C. + +I saw a New York _Tribune_ to-day, of the 17th inst., and find the +Peterson's are advertising new editions of several of my books. + +OCTOBER 7TH.--Bright and beautiful. + +The government, after giving the news from Georgia, position of Hood, to +the press, suppressed it. It is well, perhaps, not to permit Grant, who +sees our papers daily, to know what we are doing there. + +There are rumors of fighting to-day near Chaffin's Bluff, but we hear no +cannon, except an occasional shell at long intervals. + +Gen. Bragg is now in hot water with the Quartermaster-General, for +ordering the trial of Lieut.-Col. Cone and Major Maynard, +Quartermasters, in the city, for alleged violation of law and orders. + +Gen. Preston is away again or sick, and Col. August and Lieut.-Col. Lay +are again signing papers at "the Bureau," as "acting superintendents." +Bragg may aim another bomb at the refractory concern. + +OCTOBER 8TH.--Cloudy, windy, and cold. + +The fighting yesterday was more serious than I supposed. It was supposed +the conflict would be resumed to-day, but we have no information of any +fighting up to this hour--5 P.M. + +From Gen. Hood we have a dispatch, saying Major-Gen. French attacked +Altoona day before yesterday. He carried all the outworks, but failed at +the inner one, and learning a body of the enemy were approaching his +rear, Gen. F. withdrew to the main body of the army. He says nothing of +the loss, etc. on either side. + +At the Tredegar Works, and in the government workshops, the detailed +soldier, if a _mechanic_, is paid in money and in rations (at the +current prices) about $16 per day, or nearly $6000 per annum. A member +of Congress receives $5500, a clerk $4000. + +OCTOBER 9TH, SUNDAY.--Cloudy, windy, and very cold. + +I hear of no operations yesterday, although, as usual, some cannonnading +was audible yesterday evening. + +It is said Gen. Pemberton was in great perturbation during the several +advances of the enemy last week. Like Boabdil, the Unlucky of Grenada, +he lost some of his cannon, and every one anticipated disaster under his +command. This will furnish fresh material for assaults in Congress on +the President, if that body should meet again next month, for placing +this officer in so responsible a command, whatever may be his skill, +when the soldiers and the people have no faith in him. It is +characteristic of the President to adhere to what he deems just and +proper, regardless of anticipated consequences. This was the habit of +Caesar--but he fell. + +An effort is again being made to replenish Lee's army with able-bodied +details employed in the various departments, but I fear it will only +result, as heretofore, in sending to the ranks the weak and diseased who +are poor and friendless. + +OCTOBER 10TH.--_A white frost_; first frost of the season. All quiet +below. + +Gen. W. M. Gardner (in Gen. Winder's place) reports that of the exempts +and citizens taken from the streets to the front, last week, _a majority +have deserted_. This proves that even a despotic military act cannot be +committed with impunity. + +Gen. Beauregard telegraphs from Opelika, Ala., that he has arranged +matters satisfactorily between Gov. Brown of Georgia and Gen. Cobb, +regarding exempts and State militia. + +The President directs the Secretary to ascertain if this has been done +in accordance with law and the interests of the service. + +Gen. R. Taylor telegraphs that Gen. E. K. Smith has proclaimed pardon to +deserters, from trans-Mississippi Department, after he had arrested most +of them and sent them to their regiments, and now he recommends that no +more troops be brought over the river or they will be sure to desert. +The President directs the Secretary to correspond with Gen. Smith on the +subject. Gen. Taylor is the President's kinsman--by his first marriage. + +Gen. Beauregard left Opelika on the 7th inst. for Hood's army, so in a +few days we may expect a battle. + +OCTOBER 11TH.--Bright and pleasant. All is quiet below. + +From Georgia we have many rumors. It is reported that a battle has been +fought (second time) at Altoona, which we captured, with 4000 prisoners; +that Rome has been taken, with 3000 negro prisoners; and, finally, that +we have Atlanta again. I have seen no such dispatches. But the gentleman +who assured me it was all true, has a son a clerk at the President's +office, and a relative in the telegraph office. Dispatches may have come +to the President; and, if so, it may be our policy to forbid their +publication for the present, as the enemy would derive the first +intelligence of their disaster from our newspapers. + +Well, Gen. Gardner reports, officially, that of the number of exempts, +and of the mixed class of citizens arrested in the streets, and +summarily marched to the "front," "a majority have deserted!" Men, with +exemptions in their pockets, going to or returning from market, have +been seized by the Adjutant-General's orders, and despotically hurried +off without being permitted even to send a message to their families. +Thousands were entrapped, by being directed to call at Gen. Barton's +headquarters, an immense warehouse, and receive passes; but no Gen. +Barton was there--or if there, not visible; and all the anxious seekers +found themselves in prison, only to be liberated as they were +incorporated into companies, and marched "to the front." From the age of +fifteen to fifty-five, all were seized by that order--no matter what +papers they bore, or what the condition of their families--and hurried +to the field, where there was no battle. No wonder there are many +deserters--no wonder men become indifferent as to which side shall +prevail, nor that the administration is falling into disrepute at the +capital. + +OCTOBER 12TH.--Bright and beautiful. All quiet below, save an occasional +booming from the fleet. + +Nothing from Georgia in the papers, save the conjectures of the Northern +press. No doubt we have gained advantages there, which it is good policy +to conceal as long as possible from the enemy. + +Squads of able-bodied _detailed_ men are arriving _at last_, from the +interior. Lee's army, in this way, will get efficient reinforcements. + +The Secretary of the Treasury sends a note over to the Secretary of War +to-day, saying the Commissary-General, in his estimates, allows but +$31,000,000 for tax in kind--whereas the tax collectors show an actual +amount, credited to farmers and planters, of $145,000,000. He says this +will no doubt attract the notice of Congress. + +Mr. Peck, our agent to purchase supplies in North Carolina, has +delivered no wheat yet. He bought supplies for his family; 400 bushels +of wheat for 200 clerks, and 100 for Assistant Secretary of War, Judge +Campbell, and Mr. Kean, the young Chief of the Bureau. This he says he +bought with private funds; but he brought it at the government's +expense. The clerks are resolved not to submit to his action. + +I hear of more desertions. Mr. Seddon and Mr. Stanton at Washington are +engaged in a singular game of chance. The harsh orders of both cause +mutual abandonments, and now we have the spectacle of men deserting our +regiments, and quite as many coming over from the enemy's regiments near +the city. + +Meantime Gen. Bragg is striving to get the able-bodied men out of the +bureaus and to place them in the field. + +The despotic order, arresting every man in the streets, and hurrying +them to "the front," without delay, and regardless of the condition of +their families--some were taken off when getting medicine for their sick +wives--is still the theme of execration, even among men who have been +the most ultra and uncompromising secessionists. The terror caused many +to hide themselves, and doubtless turned them against the government. +They say now such a despotism is quite as bad as a Stanton despotism, +and there is not a toss-up between the rule of the United States and the +Confederate States. Such are some of the effects of bad measures in such +critical times as these. Mr. Seddon has no physique to sustain him. He +has intellect, and has read much; but, nevertheless, such great men are +sometimes more likely to imitate some predecessor at a critical moment, +or to adopt some bold yet inefficient suggestion from another, than to +originate an adequate one themselves. He is a scholar, an invalid, +refined and philosophical--but effeminate. + +OCTOBER 13TH.--Rained all night; clear and cool this morning. + +The government publishes nothing from Georgia yet; but it is supposed +there is intelligence of an important character in the city, which it +would be impolitic to communicate to the enemy. + +All still remains quiet below the city. But the curtain is expected to +rise on the next act of the tragedy every moment. Gen. Grant probably +furloughed many of his men to vote in Pennsylvania and Ohio, on Tuesday +last--elections preliminary to the Presidential election--and they have +had time to return to their regiments. + +If this pause should continue a week or two longer, Gen. Lee would be +much strengthened. Every day the farmers, whose details have been +revoked, are coming in from the counties; and many of these were in the +war in '61 and '62--being experienced veterans. Whereas Grant's +recruits, though greater in number, are raw and unskilled. + +The Medical Boards have been instructed to put in all men that come +before them, capable of bearing arms _ten days_. One died in the +trenches, on the eleventh day, of consumption! + +There is a rumor of a fight on our extreme left. It is said Field's +division (C. S.) repulsed three assaults of the enemy. If the battle be +still continued (4 P.M.--the wind from the west prevents us from hearing +guns), no doubt it is the beginning of a general engagement--decisive, +perhaps, of the fate of Richmond. + +We have many accounts of evasions of military service, occasioned by the +alleged bad faith of the government, and the despotic orders from the +Adjutant-General's office. + +And yet Gov. Smith's certificates for exemption of rich young Justices +of the Peace, Commissioners of the (county) Revenue, Deputy Sheriffs, +clerks, constables, officers and clerks of banks, still come in daily; +and they are "allowed" by the Assistant Secretary of War. Will the poor +and friendless fight their battles, and win their independence for them? +It may be so; but let not rulers in future wars follow the example! +Nothing but the conviction that they are fighting for their families, +their sacred altars, and their little property induces thousands of +brave Southerners to remain in arms against such fearful odds as are now +arrayed against them. + +Mr. Kean, the young Chief of the Bureau of War, has come in from "the +front," with a boil on his thigh. He missed the sport of the battle +to-day. + +Mr. Peck, the agent to purchase supplies for his starving fellow-clerks, +confesses that he bought 10 barrels of flour and 400 pounds of bacon for +himself; 4 barrels of flour for Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary of +War; 4 barrels for Mr. Kean, 1 for Mr. Cohen, and 1 for Mr. Shepherd. +This has produced great indignation among the 200 clerks who sent him, +and who got but 73-1/2 pounds each, and they got 13 pounds of bacon +each; while Mr. P. bought for himself 400 pounds. + +OCTOBER 14TH.--The following dispatch from Gen. Lee cheered the city +this morning. None of the particulars of the battle have yet transpired, +and all are looking hourly for a renewal of the contest. + + "HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, + + "October 13th, 1864. + + "HON. JAMES A. SEDDON, SECRETARY OF WAR. + + "At seven o'clock this morning the enemy endeavored to advance + between the Darbytown and Charles City Roads, but was repulsed in + every attempt. The most strenuous effort was made about four P.M., + after which he withdrew, leaving many dead. Our loss very slight. + + "Gen. Breckinridge reports that a force of the enemy came to + Greenville on the 12th, and was defeated by Gen. Vaughan. Some + prisoners, two stands of colors, many horses and arms were + captured. The enemy lost many killed and wounded. Our loss slight. + + "R. E. LEE, _General_." + +It is now 2 P.M., and yet we hear no cannon. If Grant does not renew the +strife immediately, it will be natural to suppose he failed in his +purpose yesterday, or that some unforeseen occurrence within his lines +has happened. Be it either, it is a grateful respite to us. + +On the 8th inst., Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary of War, wrote the +President a letter in vindication of P. Hamilton's loyalty. Mr. H. is +commissioner under suspension of the writ of _habeas corpus_ to look +into the loyalty of others, and was appointed on Judge C.'s +recommendation. Some private individual in Mobile wrote the President, +impeaching the patriotism of Mr. H., and also hinted something in +relation to the loyalty of Judge C. This matter was shown to Mr. Seddon +by the President, and Mr. S. spoke to Judge C. about it in his own +manner, which produced the letter of Judge C. to the President. The +President sends back the letter to-day, to the "Secretary of War," +indorsed in substance as follows: "He was surprised to receive such a +letter, when he had intimated no purpose to have the matter +investigated." Judge C. had procured indorsements of Mr. H. from +Alabama, which _let the matter out_; and it would have been +_appropriate_--the President uses this word rather than _improper_, as +he cannot dispense with either the Secretary or his assistant just +now--to have consulted him before taking any steps whatever in the +business. He seems vexed, even at Mr. S. + +OCTOBER 15TH.--A bright and glorious day--above. + +All was quiet yesterday below, indicating that the enemy suffered +severely in the last assault on our lines. + +But we have nothing from Georgia. From the Valley, our cavalry had the +misfortune to lose eleven guns by indiscreetly venturing too far in +pursuit. + +And the news from the United States indicates that Pennsylvania, Ohio, +and Indiana have gone for the Republican candidates. This foreshadows +Lincoln's re-election, and admonishes us to prepare for other campaigns, +though languishing for peace. + +The farmers are now pouring in to replenish the armies, under the recent +order revoking the details of agriculturists; and these are fine-looking +men, and there will soon be successes in the field. Lately the +indulgence of details to an immoderate extent, and corruption in the +business of conscription, had depleted the armies extensively of men of +substance and standing, and this may account for our disasters. Men, to +fight well, must have something to fight for. + +Gen. Price, at the head of 20,000 men, is in Missouri. To expel him, +many troops will be required; and this may relieve us a little in the +East. + +My wife lost her purse in market this morning, before making any +purchases; it contained $22 and her eye-glasses. I don't think there are +any pickpockets except the extortioners. + +OCTOBER 16TH, SUNDAY.--A pleasant sunny Sabbath morn. + +The quiet below continues. Not a gun has been heard for three days; the +longest intermission we have had for many months. What can it mean? +Sheridan has spread desolation in the Shenandoah Valley, perhaps to +prevent Early from penetrating Pennsylvania, etc., intending to come +with all expedition to Grant. + +Troops, or rather detailed men, and late exempts, are beginning to +arrive from North Carolina. I saw 250 this morning. Some of them were +farmers who had complied with the terms prescribed, and a week ago +thought themselves safe from the toils and dangers of war. They murmur, +but there is no escape. They say the Governor has called out the militia +officers, and magistrates also. + +Desertion is the order of the day, on both sides. Would that the _men_ +would take matters in their own hands, and end the war, establishing our +independence. Let every man in both armies desert and go home! + +Some one has sent a "Circular" of the "Bureau of Conscription" to the +President, dated some few weeks ago, and authorizing enrolling officers +everywhere to furlough farmers and others for sixty days, to make out +their claims for exemption. This the President says in his indorsement +defeats his efforts to put the whole able-bodied male population in the +field; and no doubt has been the source of the many abuses charged +against the "bureau." The Secretary sends the paper to the "bureau" for +report, stating that he felt great surprise at the terms of the +"Circular," and had no recollection of having seen or sanctioned such a +document. The Superintendent reports that it was issued by the authority +of the Secretary of War, and was warranted by law--looking to the +interests of agriculture, etc. The truth is that the Circular was +prepared by a subordinate in the Bureau of Conscription, and signed by +Col. August, "Acting Superintendent." It was approved by Judge Campbell, +Assistant Secretary of War, "by order of the Secretary of War" who never +saw it. Mr. Seddon has left all the business of conscription in the +hands of Judge Campbell; and poor Gen. Preston--indolent and ill--has +been compelled to sign, sanction, and defend documents he knew nothing +about; and Mr. Seddon is in a similar predicament. + +The Secretary of War has written a long letter to Gen. Lee, suggesting +that he assemble a council of officers to decide what measure shall be +adopted in regard to the treatment of prisoners in the hands of the +enemy. It appears that Gen. Butler has notified Gen. Lee that he is now +retaliating fearfully--making them work in his canal--on certain +Confederates for some alleged harsh treatment of _negro_ prisoners in +our hands--sending slaves back to their masters. Mr. Seddon, without +assuming any responsibility himself, yet intimates the idea that this +government is prepared to sanction the most sanguinary remedy; and I +understand several members of the cabinet to have always been in favor +of fighting--that is, having others fight--under the black flag. If the +government had only listened to Gen. Lee's suggestions, we should have +had abundance of men in the field to beat the enemy out of Virginia. I +hope the present recruiting excitement comes not too late. And I trust +he will interpose so far in behalf of the country as to wrest the +railroads from the hands of the speculators and the dishonest +quartermasters. + +Not a gun has been heard by me to-day, and the mysterious silence defies +my powers of penetration. I only hope it may continue _sine die_. + +OCTOBER 17TH.--Bright and beautiful. + +Still all quiet below, and reinforcements (details revoked) are now +arriving--1000 per day. + +The Northern news makes some doubt as to the result of the election in +Pennsylvania. + +From the Valley we have rumors of victory, etc. + +A thrill of horror has been produced by a report that Gen. Butler has, +for some time past, kept a number of his prisoners (Confederates) at +work in his canal down the river, and supposing they were Federals, our +batteries and gun-boats have been shelling our own men! + +OCTOBER 18TH.--Cloudy and cool. + +Quiet below, but it is rumored that the enemy has erected one or two +sand batteries, mounted with 400-pounders, bearing on our fleet of +gun-boats. + +The following dispatch was received from Gen. Hood to-day: + + "9 MILES SOUTH OF LAFAYETTE, GA., + + "Oct. 15th, via SELMA, Oct. 17th, 1864. + + "GEN. BRAGG. + + "This army struck the communications of the enemy about a mile + above Resaca on the 12th inst, completely destroying the railroad, + including block-houses, from that point to within a short distance + of Tunnel Hill, and about four miles of the Cleaveland Railroad, + capturing Dalton and all intermediate garrisons, with their stores, + arms, and equipments, and about 1000 prisoners. + + "The main body of Sherman's army seems to be moving toward + Dalton. J. B. HOOD, _General_." + +The following was received from Gen. Lee yesterday: + + "HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, + + "Oct. 16th, 1864. + + "HON. JAMES A. SEDDON, SECRETARY OF WAR. + + "On the 14th instant, Col. Moseby struck the Baltimore and Ohio + Railroad at Duffield, and destroyed a United States mail train, + consisting of a locomotive and ten cars, and securing twenty + prisoners and fifteen horses. + + "Among the prisoners are two paymasters, with one hundred and + sixty-eight thousand dollars in government funds. + + "R. E. LEE." + +It is reported also that Gen. Early has gained some advantage in a +battle; not authentic. + +Gen. Bragg is going away, probably to Wilmington. The combination +against him was too strong. + +But "the Bureau of Conscription" is pretty nearly demolished under his +blows. Order 81 directs the generals of Reserves to appoint inspecting +officers for all the Congressional Districts, to revise all exemptions, +details, etc., with plenary powers, without reference to "the Bureau." + +The passport checks on travel Northward are now the merest farce, and +valuable information is daily conveyed to the enemy. + +OCTOBER 19TH.--Bright and beautiful. + +Still all quiet below, the occasional bombarding near Petersburg being +beyond our hearing. + +Yesterday, Gen. Preston, a millionaire, who can stalk stiffly anywhere, +had an interview with the President, who admitted that he had dictated +the General Orders--"76," "77," "78,"--rushing almost everybody into the +army, but that it was not his meaning to take the whole business of +conscription from "the Bureau." Yet Gen. P., the superintendent, thinks +the _reading_ of the orders will admit of that construction, and he has +written to the President asking another order, defining his position, +etc., else his occupation is gone. The President cannot afford to lose +Gen. P. + +From Gen. Early's army we learn that the detailed men and reserves are +joining in great numbers, and the general asks 1000 muskets. Col. +Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance, says he has but 300 available, his shops +being closed, the workmen in the trenches, etc. + +All the ordnance, quartermaster, and commissary stores of Hood's army +were ordered to Columbus, Ga. We expect stirring news from Georgia +daily, and the opinion prevails that Sherman will "come to grief." + +The militia, furloughed by Gov. Brown so inopportunely, are returning to +the front, the time having expired. + +A Mr. B. is making Lincoln speeches in New York. It seems to me he had a +passport from Mr. Benjamin, Secretary of State. + +Gen. Lee writes to-day that negroes taken from the enemy, penitentiary +convicts, and recaptured deserters ought not to be sent by the Secretary +to work on the fortifications. + +OCTOBER 20TH.--Cloudy. There is a street rumor of a battle below, and on +the Petersburg line. The wind is from the west, and yet we hear no guns. + +The Secretary of the Treasury sent to the Secretary of War to-day an +argument showing that, without a violation of the Constitution, clerks +appointed to places created by Congress cannot be removed. We shall see +what the Secretary says to that. + +OCTOBER 21ST.--Bright. + +Fort Harrison (Federal) opened its batteries on our lines at Chaffin's +Farm yesterday evening, without effect. An officer tells me that heavy +and quick firing was also heard on the Petersburg lines, indicating, he +thought, a battle. We have nothing of this in the papers, or in any +dispatch I have seen. + +Assistant Secretary Campbell is writing a portion of Mr. Secretary +Seddon's report for him. Mr. C.'s son was promoted to a majority +yesterday. + +At 2 P.M. we have a rumor that Gen. Early has been defeated, losing all +his guns but one. + +A letter from the Secretary of the Treasury recommends the detail or +exemption of the bank officers of South Carolina. The poor country +clod-hoppers have no friends, and must do the fighting. + +The following order, dictated by the President, has been published: + + "ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR-GENERAL'S OFFICE, + + "RICHMOND, October 20th, 1864. + + "GENERAL ORDERS NO. 82. + + "I. The Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance will, without delay, take + measures to place in the field one-fifth of all the men employed + in his department (including contractors and their employees) of + the classes specified in General Order No. 77, A. and I. G. Office + (current series). To this end he will direct the several officers + in charge of arsenals, workshops, depots, etc. to turn over to the + nearest enrolling officers, by lists showing their ages, + occupations, and residences, such proportion of their employees + (including contractors and employees under them) of the classes + above referred to as will constitute in the aggregate one-fifth of + the whole number in the said classes, according to returns in his + office of Sept. 30th, 1864. Duplicates of such lists will be sent + to the Generals of Reserves of the States, and triplicates to the + Chief of Ordnance. Three days are allowed for the execution of this + Order after its reception at any post or station of the Ordnance + Department. + + "II. The Chief of the Niter and Mining Bureau will, in like manner, + turn over, on similar lists, one-fifth of all men of the classes + specified in General Order No. 77, employed in iron, lead, copper, + and coal mines, and all service appertaining thereto, whether + directly under officers of his Bureau or by contractors. Duplicate + and triplicate lists to be furnished as above directed in the + Ordnance Bureau, and will in the same manner turn over one-fifth of + all such men now employed in the Niter service. + + "The period of three days, under the same conditions as above + mentioned, is allowed for the execution of this order. + + "III. The list of persons directed in the foregoing sections to be + turned over to the enrolling officers will be prepared at once on + the reception of this Order, and will be furnished to the said + officers within three days, as above prescribed, by the various + officers of each of the above Bureaus, having men under their + charge, and every assistance will be rendered by the latter to the + enrolling officer to carry out the intention of this order. + + "IV. So much of General Order No. 77 as relates to men employed in + the two Bureaus named above is hereby suspended, and the foregoing + Orders will stand in lieu of all requirements under the former. + + "By order. S. COOPER, + + "_A. and I. General_." + +OCTOBER 22D.--Cloudy; rained last night. 2 P.M.--Cold, and prospects of +snow. + +The news of Early's disaster, and loss of artillery at Strasburg, is +confirmed, and casts a new vexation over the country. + +Mr. M. Byrd, Selma, Ala., is addressing some bold letters to the +President on the blunders of the administration. + +Gen. Longstreet has resumed command of the first army corps. + +G. W. Custis Lee (son of the general) has been made a major-general. + +There was no fighting below yesterday, that I have heard of. + +Gold, which was $1 for $30 in Confederate States notes, commands $35 for +$1 to-day, under the news from the Valley. Yet our sagacious statesmen +regard the re-election of Lincoln (likely to follow our reverses) as +favorable to independence, though it may prolong the war. It is thought +there will certainly be revolution or civil war in the North, if the +Democrats be beaten; and that will relieve us of the vast armies +precipitated on our soil. Many of the faint-hearted croakers are anxious +for peace and reconstruction. + +Gen. Butler, called "the Beast" by the press, has certainly performed a +generous action. Messrs. McRae and Henley, two government clerks in the +local battalion, wandered into the enemy's lines, and were put to work +in the canal by Gen. Butler, who had been informed that we made some +prisoners taken from him work on the fortifications. This was done but a +short time, when they were relieved; and Mr. McRae was permitted to +return to the city, to learn whether the Federal prisoners were really +required to perform the labor named. No restrictions were imposed on +him, no parole required. He came with Gen. B.'s passport, but felt in +honor bound to communicate no intelligence, and voluntarily returned to +captivity. We _had_ Federal prisoners at work, but they were remanded to +prison. + +SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23D.--Bright and frosty. + +From the United States papers we learn that a great victory is claimed +over Gen. Early, with the capture of forty-three guns! + +It is also stated that a party of "Copperheads" (Democrats), who had +taken refuge in Canada, have made a raid into Vermont, and robbed some +of the banks of their specie. + +The fact that Mr. McRae, who, with Mr. Henley (local forces), fell into +the hands of the enemy a few miles below the city, was permitted to +return within our own lines with a passport (without restrictions, etc.) +from Gen. Butler, has not been mentioned by any of the newspapers, gives +rise to many conjectures. Some say that "somebody" prohibited the +publication; others, that the press has long been misrepresenting the +conduct of the enemy; there being policy in keeping alive the +animosities of the army and the people. + +The poor clerks in the trenches are in a demoralized condition. It is +announced that the Secretary of War has resolved to send them all to +Camp Lee, for medical examination: those that have proved their ability +to bear arms (in defense of the city) _are to be removed from office_, +and put in the army. One-half of them will desert to the enemy, and +injure the cause. About one hundred of them were appointed before the +enactment of the act of Conscription, under the express guarantee of the +Constitution that they should not be molested during life. If the +President removes these, mostly refugees with families dependent upon +their salaries, it will be a plain violation of the Constitution; and +the victims cannot be relied on for their loyalty to the government. If +the government wastes precious time in such small matters, while events +of magnitude demand attention, the cause is fast reaching a hopeless +condition. The able-bodied money-changer, speculator, and extortioner is +still seen in the street; and their number is legion. + +The generals in the field are sending back the poor, sickly recruits +ordered out by the Medical Board: the able-bodied rich men escape by +bribery and corruption; and the hearty _officers_--acting +adjutant-generals, quartermasters, and commissaries--ride their sleek +horses through the city every afternoon. This, while the cause is +perishing for want of men and horses! + +OCTOBER 24TH.--Clouds and sunshine. Nothing new of importance from the +army. + +Gov. Smith has been writing letters to Gen. Lee, asking that Gen. Early +be superseded in the Valley. Pity it had not been done! Gen. Lee +replied, expressing confidence in Early; and the President (since the +disaster!) coincides with Lee. + +The President administers a sharp rebuke to Gen. Whiting, for +irregularly corresponding with Generals Lee and Beauregard on the +subject of Lieut. Taylor Wood's naval expedition, fitting out at +Wilmington. + +The President and cabinet are still at work on the one hundred clerks in +the departments whom they wish to displace. + +I append the result of my gardening this year. The dry weather in May +and June injured the crop, or the amount would have been much larger. +Total valuation, at market prices, $347. + +OCTOBER 25TH.--Bright and beautiful morning. + +All quiet below. Mr. McRae has been permitted by Gen. Butler to return +again to the city to await his exchange, pledged not to bear arms, etc. +Many more of the government employees, forced into the trenches, would +be happy to be in the same predicament. A great many are deserting under +a deliberate conviction that their rights have been despotically invaded +by the government; and that this government is, and is likely to be, as +tyrannous as Lincoln's. No doubt many give valuable information to the +enemy. + +The Superintendent of the Bureau of Conscription is at open war with the +General of Reserves in Virginia, and confusion is likely to be worse +confounded. + +Gen. Cooper, A. and I. General (Pennsylvanian), suggests to the +President the appointment of Gen. Lovell to the command of all the +prisons containing Federal captives. Gen. Lovell, too, is a Northern +man. + +OCTOBER 26TH.--Clear and frosty. Quiet below. + +Gen. W. M. Gardner (in Gen. Winder's place here) has just got from Judge +Campbell passports for his cousin, Mary E. Gardner, and for his +brother-in-law F. M. White, to go to Memphis, Tenn., where they mean to +reside. + +Mr. Benjamin publishes a copy of a dispatch to Mr. Mason, in London, for +publication there, showing that if the United States continue the war, +she will be unable to pay her debts abroad, and therefore foreigners +ought not to lend her any more money, or they may be ruined. This from a +Secretary of State! It may be an electioneering card in the United +States, and it may reconcile some of our members of Congress to the +incumbency of Mr. B. in a sinecure position. + +A friend of Mr. Seddon, near Vicksburg, writes for permission to sell +thirty bales of cotton--$20,000 worth--to the enemy. He says Mr. +Seddon's estate, on the Sunflower, has not been destroyed by the enemy. +That's fortunate, for other places have been utterly ruined. + +Investigations going on in the courts show that during Gen. Winder's +"Reign of Terror," passports sold for $2000. Some outside party +negotiated the business and procured the passport. + +Gen. Early has issued an address to his army, reproaching it for having +victory wrested out of its hands by a criminal indulgence in the plunder +found in the camps captured from the enemy. He hopes they will retrieve +everything in the next battle. + +Governor Smith's exemptions of magistrates, deputy sheriffs, clerks, and +constables, to-day, 56. + +OCTOBER 27TH.--Slightly hazy and sunshine. + +Quiet, save aimless and bootless shelling and picket firing along the +lines on the south side of the river. + +Hon. Geo. Davis, Attorney-General, to whom was referred the question of +the constitutionality of the purposed removal from office of clerks +appointed to fill places specifically created by act of Congress +previous to the enactment of the Conscript law, without there being +alleged against them any misconduct, inefficiency, dishonesty, etc., has +reported that as several subsequent acts of Congress already indicate an +intention to put all capable of bearing arms in the army, it is the duty +of the President and the Secretary of War _to carry out the intentions +of Congress_, leaving the constitutional question to the decision of the +courts! The Constitution they swore upon the holy, etc. to support! +Thus, a refugee must either starve his wife and children by +relinquishing office, or be disgraced by appealing to the courts! + +It is reported that 30,000 of the enemy crossed to this side of the +river last night, and that fighting has began at 10 A.M.; but I hear +nothing save an occasional report of cannon. + +It is said brisk skirmishing is now (12 M.) going on along the lines. + +Gen. Cooper and Mr. Secretary Seddon wants Brig.-Gen. R. (Charleston) +relieved, for insulting a lady in one of his fits of drunkenness. The +President is reluctant to consent. + +We have intelligence to-day of gun-boats and transports ascending the +Rappahannock River. Another squall from that quarter! + +Three P.M. The cannonading has grown quick and terrific along the +lines, below the city (north side), with occasional discharges nearer, +and farther to the left (north), as if the enemy were attempting to +flank our army. + +The sounds are very distinctly heard, the weather being damp and the +wind from the southeast. We can distinguish the bursting of the shell +quickly after the discharge of the cannon. + +The firing ceased at dark. It rains hard and steadily, now. What a life! +what suffering, in mud and water, without tents (in the trenches), +burdened with wet blankets, and perhaps without food! To-morrow, in all +probability, a battle will be fought. + +Gen. Lee, for several weeks, as if aware of the impending operations in +this vicinity, has been on this side of the river, superintending in +person the fortifications multiplied everywhere for the defense of the +city, while reinforcements have been pouring in by thousands. It must be +a fearful struggle, if Gen. Grant really intends to make another effort +to capture Richmond by assault! Our works, mostly made by the negroes, +under the direction of skillful engineers, must be nearly impregnable, +and the attempt to take them will involve a prodigious expenditure of +blood. + +OCTOBER 28TH.--Rained all night, but bright this morning. + +We have no clear account yet of the fighting yesterday; but we know the +enemy was repulsed on this side of the river. It is thought that the +operations on the south side were of greater magnitude, where we lost a +brigadier-general (Dearing) of cavalry. We shall know all in a few days. +The fighting was not resumed this morning. + +It is rumored that Mr. Seddon will resign, and be succeeded by Gen. +Kemper. I am incredulous. + +The "dog-catchers," as the guards are called, are out again, arresting +able-bodied men (and sometimes others) in the streets, and locking them +up until they can be sent to the front. There must be extraordinary +danger anticipated by the authorities to induce a resort to so extreme a +measure. + +Two P.M. No news from the field---no cannon heard to-day. + +Large amounts of cloth from Europe for the army have recently arrived at +Wilmington, N. C.; but the speculators occupy so much space in the cars, +that transportation cannot be had for it. The poor soldiers are likely +to suffer in consequence of this neglect of duty on the part of the +government. + +OCTOBER 29TH.--Clear and pleasant. + +We are beginning to get authentic accounts of the operations on +Thursday; and yet, from the newspaper publications, we see that the +government has withheld one of Gen. Lee's dispatches from publication. +Altogether, it must be regarded as a decisive failure on the part of the +enemy to obtain any lodgment nearer to the objective point; while his +loss was perhaps two to our one. + +A letter from Gen. Howell Cobb, Macon, Ga., in reply to one from the +Secretary by the President's direction, states that Gen. Beauregard, in +arranging difficulties with Gov. Brown, did not compromise the dignity +or interests of the Confederate States Government, or violate any law. + +It is now said Sheridan is retreating toward the Potomac, followed by +Early. Some 500 more recruits for Early left Richmond yesterday. This +would indicate that Gen. Lee has men enough here. + +The President suggests that confidential inspectors be sent to ascertain +whether Gen. Early's army has lost confidence in him. Both Gen. Lee and +the President are satisfied that the charges of drunkenness against Gen. +E. merit no attention. The Secretary had indorsed on a paper (referred +by him to the President) that he shared the belief in the "want of +confidence," etc.--and no doubt would have him removed. + +SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30TH.--Bright and beautiful. + +Some firing was heard early this morning on the Darbytown road, or in +that direction; but it soon ceased, and no fighting of moment is +anticipated to-day, for Gen. Longstreet is in the city. + +My son Thomas drew a month's rations yesterday, being detailed for +clerical service with Gen. Kemper. He got 35 pounds of flour (market +value $70), 31 pounds of beef ($100.75), 3 pounds of rice ($6), one +sixth of a cord of wood ($13.33), salt ($2), tobacco ($5), vinegar +($3)--making $200 per month; clothing furnished by government,$500 per +annum; cash, $18 per month; $4 per day extra, and $40 per month for +quarters; or $5000 per annum. Custis and I get $4000 each--making in all +$13,000! Yet we cannot subsist and clothe the family; for, alas, the +paper money is $30 for one in specie! + +The steamers have brought into Wilmington immense amounts of +quartermaster stores, and perhaps our armies are the best clad in the +world. If the spirit of speculation be laid, and all the men and +resources of the country be devoted to defense (as seems now to be the +intention), the United States could never find men and material +sufficient for our subjugation. We could maintain the war for an +indefinite period, unless, indeed, fatal dissensions should spring up +among ourselves. + +OCTOBER 31ST.--Bright. Tom's rations came in--worth $200--for a month. + +Gen. Lee writes that it is necessary for the gun-boats to guard the +river as far below Chaffin's Bluffs as possible, to prevent the enemy +from throwing a force to the south bank in the rear of Gen. Pickett's +lines; for then Gen. P. must withdraw his forces, and the abandonment of +Petersburg will follow, "with its railroad connections, throwing the +whole army back to the defense of Richmond. I should regard this as a +great disaster, and as seriously endangering the safety of the city. We +should not only lose a large section of country from which our position +enables us to draw supplies, but the enemy would be brought nearer to +the only remaining railway communication between Richmond and the South. +It would make the tenure of the city depend upon our ability to hold +this long line of communication against the largely superior force of +the enemy, and I think would greatly diminish the prospects of +successful defense." He suggests that more men and small boats be put in +the river to prevent the enemy from placing torpedoes in the rear of the +iron-clads, when on duty down the river at night. + +J. H. Reagan, Postmaster-General, has written a furious letter to the +Secretary, complaining of incivility on the part of Mr. Wilson, +Commissary Agent to issue beef in Richmond. Judge R. went there to draw +the beef ration for Col. Lubbock, one of the President's aid-de-camps +(late Governor of Texas). He says he is able-bodied and ought to be in +the army. Mr. Wilson sends in certificates of two men who were present, +contradicting the judge's statement of the language used by Mr. W. The +Secretary has not yet acted in the case. + +Beverly Tucker is in Canada, and has made a contract for the Confederate +States Government with ------ & Co., of New York, to deliver bacon for +cotton, pound for pound. It was made by authority of the Secretary of +War, certified to by Hon. C. C. Clay and J. Thompson, both in Canada. +The Secretary of the Treasury don't like it. + +It is reported that after the success reported by Gen. Lee, Early was +_again_ defeated. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIV. + +Proclamation for a day of public worship.--Gov. Allen, of Louisiana.-- + Letter from Gen. Beauregard.--Departure for Europe.--Congress + assembles.--Quarrel between Gens. Kemper and Preston.--Gen. Forrest + doing wonders.--Tennessee.--Gen. Johnston on his Georgia campaign.-- + John Mitchel and Senator Foote.--Progress of Sherman.--From Gov. + Brown, of Georgia.--Capture of Gen. Pryor. + + +NOVEMBER 1ST.--Bright and frosty morning. + +All quiet. No confirmation of Early's defeat; and the night-feat of +Mahone puts the people in better hope. + +One-third of all our lead comes from the mines near Wytheville, +Virginia. + +I got 128 pounds of flour from the investment in supplies in North +Carolina, and one-fourth of that amount is still behind. We got 26 +pounds of bacon, worth $260; the flour received, and to be received, 160 +pounds, $320; and we expect to get 6 gallons molasses, $30 per gallon, +$180: total, $760; and only $200 invested. This shows the profits of the +speculators! + +Gov. Yates, of Illinois, has declared Richmond will be in the hands of +the Federals before the 8th of November. This is the 1st. It may be so; +but I doubt it. It cannot be so without the effusion of an ocean of +blood! + +I learned to-day that every tree on Gov. Wise's farm of any size has +been felled by the enemy. What harm have the poor trees done the enemy? +I love trees, anywhere. + +The President attends to many little matters, such as solicitations for +passports to leave the country, details or exemptions of husbands and +sons; and generally the ladies who address him, knowing his religious +bias, frame their phraseology accordingly, and often with effect. + +The following is his last proclamation: + + _Proclamation appointing a Day for Public Worship._ + + "It is meet that the people of the Confederate States should, from + time to time, assemble to acknowledge their dependence on Almighty + God, to render devout thanks for his manifold blessings, to worship + his holy name, to bend in prayer at his footstool, and to accept, + with reverent submission, the chastening of his all-wise and + all-merciful Providence. + + "Let us, then, in temples and in fields, unite our voices in + recognizing, with adoring gratitude, the manifestations of his + protecting care in the many signal victories with which our arms + have been crowned; in the fruitfulness with which our land has been + blessed, and in the unimpaired energy and fortitude with which he + has inspired our hearts and strengthened our arms in resistance to + the iniquitous designs of our enemies. + + "And let us not forget that, while graciously vouchsafing to us his + protection, our sins have merited and received grievous + chastisement; that many of our best and bravest have fallen in + battle; that many others are still held in foreign prisons; that + large districts of our country have been devastated with savage + ferocity, the peaceful homes destroyed, and helpless women and + children driven away in destitution; and that with fiendish + malignity the passions of a servile race have been excited by our + foes into the commission of atrocities from which death is a + welcome escape. + + "Now, therefore, I, Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate + States of America, do issue this my proclamation, setting apart + Wednesday, the sixteenth day of November next, as a day to be + specially devoted to the worship of Almighty God; and I do invite + and invoke all the people of these Confederate States to assemble + on the day aforesaid, in their respective places of public worship, + there to unite in prayer to our heavenly Father, that he bestow his + favor upon us; that he extend over us the protection of his + Almighty arm; that he sanctify his chastisement to our improvement, + so that we may turn away from evil paths and walk righteously in + his sight; that he restore peace to our beloved country, healing + its bleeding wounds, and securing to us the continued enjoyment of + our right of self-government and independence; and that he + graciously hearken to us, while we ascribe to him the power and + glory of our deliverance. + + "Given under my hand and the seal of the Confederate States, at + Richmond, this 26th day of October, in the year of our Lord one + thousand eight hundred and sixty-four. + + "JEFFERSON DAVIS. + + "By the President: + + "J. P. BENJAMIN, _Secretary of State_." + +The President gets but few letters from members of Congress. + +NOVEMBER 2D.--Dark and dismal. + +The Governor continues his exemptions, now amounting to thousands. S. +Basset French (State agent to buy and sell supplies to the people), with +one or more clerks, and such laborers, etc. as may be necessary, I find +among his last exemptions. A smart and corrupt agent could make a +fortune out of these exemptions. Of course, the _Governor's_ A. D. C. +will do no such thing. + +No news from below. + +Rev. John Clark writes from Stafford County that the conscripts there +have hid themselves in White Oak Swamp, because the Secretary of War has +exempted an able-bodied man to work for Mrs. ----, his ---- widow. + +Gen. Winder, with the prisoners in the South, is in hot water again. He +wants to make Cashmyer suttler (like ancient Pistol), and Major ----, +the Secretary's agent, opposes it, on the ground that he is a "Plug Ugly +rogue and cut-throat." + +Mr. George Davis, Attorney-General Confederate States, has given it as +his opinion that although certain civil officers of the government were +exempted from military service by the Constitution, yet a recent act of +Congress, decreeing that all residents between the ages of 17 and 50 are +in the military service, must be executed. In other words, the cabinet +ministers must "see that the laws be faithfully executed," even should +they be clearly and expressly unconstitutional. Is not the Constitution +the law? Have they not sworn to support it, etc.? It seems to me that +this is a weak opinion. + +It makes the President ABSOLUTE. I fear this government in future times +will be denounced as a Cabal of bandits and outlaws, making and +executing the most despotic decrees. This decision will look bad in +history, and will do no good at present. How _could_ the President +"approve" such a law? + +The desertions from the Tredegar Battalion and other workshops--local +defense--amount to between one and two hundred since the 1st of +September. + +NOVEMBER 3D.--Cold rain; rained all night. + +Gen. Lee, urging that his regiments from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, +Georgia, etc. etc. be recruited from their respective States, concludes +a recent letter thus: "I hope immediate action will be taken upon this +subject, as I think our success depends much upon a speedy increase of +our armies in every possible way." + +This dismal weather casts a deeper gloom upon the spirits of the +croakers. They fear Richmond cannot be long defended. + +Plymouth, N. C., has been retaken by the enemy. + +During this damp weather the deep and sullen sounds of cannon can be +heard at all hours, day and night. The firing is mostly from our +iron-clads. + +The market was well supplied this morning with abundance of good meat, +vegetables, fruit, etc.; and I was glad to see but few making purchases. +The reason may have been that the extortionate prices repelled the +people; or it may have been the rain. I passed on. + +NOVEMBER 4TH.--Rained all night; glimpses of the sun between the running +clouds this morning. Windy, and likely to be cold. + +Our iron-clad "Albemarle" was blown up by a handful of the enemy at +Plymouth--surprising the water pickets (all asleep). The _manner_ of the +loss of the town, and of the counties east of it, is not known yet; but +everything was foretold by Mr. Burgyson to the cabinet then devoting +their attention to the problem how to violate the Constitution, and put +into the trenches some fifty delicate clerks, that their places might be +filled by some of their own special favorites. Mr. George Davis, +Attorney-General, the instrument selected to rend the Constitution, or +rather to remove the obstacles out of the way, is from North Carolina; +and this blow has fallen upon his own State! + +We learn that gold is rising rapidly in the North, which may be +significant of President Lincoln's re-election next week. + +We get no news from our armies except through the Northern papers--not +reliable just now. + +Gov. Allen, of Louisiana, writes a furious letter to the Secretary of +War, who ordered the disbandment of the State Battalion. He says the +order is a personal offense to him and an insult to his State (he is a +native Virginian), and he will resent it and resist it to the last +extremity. He gives notice that the 3d battalion has been ordered back +from the east side of the Mississippi River. The battalion disbanded +numbered but 150 men! A little business--like losing one-fourth of North +Carolina, to put out of office fifty clerks, whose tenure, by the +Constitution, is for life! + +NOVEMBER 5TH.--Clear and cold. + +Grant has attempted nothing this week, and it is probably too late for +any demonstration to affect the election. I infer that the government is +convinced President Lincoln will be re-elected, else some desperate +effort would have been made in his behalf by his generals. Will he float +on a sea of blood another four years? I doubt it. One side or the other +must, I think, give up the contest. _He_ can afford to break with the +Abolitionists now. We _cannot_ submit without the loss of everything. + +It is thought Grant will continue to "swing to the left," making a +winter campaign on the coasts of North and South Carolina--mean time +leaving Butler's army here, always menacing Richmond. + +Gen. Beauregard writes from Gadsden, Ala., October 24th, that his +headquarters will be at Tuscumbia, Ala.; will get supplies from Corinth +to Tuscumbia. Forrest has been ordered to report to Gen. Hood, in Middle +Tennessee. The railroad iron between Corinth and Memphis will be taken +to supply wants elsewhere. Gen. Dick Taylor is to guard communications, +etc., has directed Gen. Cheatham to issue an address to the people of +Tennessee, saying his and Gen. Forrest's command have entered the State +for its redemption, etc., and calling upon the people to aid in +destroying the _enemy's communications_, while the main army is between +Atlanta and Chattanooga, when the purpose is to precipitate the _whole +army_ upon it, etc. Gen. B. doubts not he will soon be able to announce +good tidings, etc. etc. This letter to Gen. Cooper is "submitted to the +Secretary of War," by whom it is "submitted for the information of the +President," and sent back by him--"Read and returned, 4th Nov. '64.--J. +D." + +Gen. B. was to leave that day to join Gen. Hood, in vicinity of +Guntersville, on Tennessee River. Sherman's army was between Dalton and +Gadsden, 15 miles from Gadsden. + +SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH.--Bright and frosty. + +All quiet below. Another day, and if it remains quiet, we may know that +Lincoln will be re-elected. + +It is said news came from the North last night, that gold sold for $2 60, +and that Governor Seymour had ordered the militia of New York to be in +readiness for the protection of the polls on Tuesday next. + +G. W. Randolph, late Secretary of War, has sailed for Europe, taking his +family with him. Other quondam Confederate States functionaries have +gone, or are going. Many have realized fortunes, who were poor, and this +country has ceased to be the one to _enjoy_ them in. + +A parting letter was written by Mr. Randolph to his friend, R. G. H. +Kean, Chief of the Bureau of War--appointed by Mr. R., and from whom I +derived the information of the sailing of his patron. Such departures, +at a crisis like this, spread additional doubts in the community. Mr. R. +was not liable to conscription, if averse to fighting more in our cause, +being exempted by Governor Smith as a member of the Common Council. + +To-morrow is the day fixed for the reassembling of our Congress, but +doubts are entertained whether there will be a quorum. + +We shall soon have lively news from Beauregard. If I understand his +letter of the 24th ult., he is determined to march the army without +delay into Middle Tennessee, leaving Sherman on his right flank and +rear. It is a desperate conception, and will probably be a brilliant +success--or a sad disaster. Napoleon liked such games. If Beauregard +really has great genius, he has now the field on which to display it. If +the Tennesseeans and Kentuckians rise, momentous events may follow; if +not, it is probably the last opportunity they will have. They have their +choice--_but blood is the price of independence_. + +NOVEMBER 7TH.--Dark and raining. Cannon heard down the river. + +To-day our Congress assembles. Senator Johnson, of Missouri (who +relinquished six years in United States Senate and $200,000 for the +cause), called to see me. He is hopeful of success in the West. + +By the Northern papers we see that Mr. Seward has discovered a +"conspiracy" to burn all the Northern cities on election day. It may be +so--by Northern incendiaries. + +Our citizens are still asking permits to bring flour and meal to the +city (free from liability to impressment) for "family use." The +speculators divide and subdivide their lots, and get them in, to sell at +extortionate prices. + +Rumors of fighting toward Petersburg--nothing reliable. + +Gen. Lee writes that he sent in the Tredegar Battalion to the foundry a +few days ago (desertions being frequent from it); and now he learns it +is ordered out to report to Lieut.-Col. Pemberton. He requests that it +be ordered back to the foundry, where it is absolutely necessary for the +supply of munitions, etc. + +NOVEMBER 8TH.--Wet and warm; all quiet below, and much mud there. + +Congress assembled yesterday, and the President's message was read. He +recommends the employment of 40,000 slaves in the army, not as soldiers, +unless in the last extremity; and _after_ the war he proposes their +_emancipation_. This is supposed to be the idea of Mr. Benjamin, for +foreign effect. It is denounced by the _Examiner_. The message also +recommends the abolition of all class exemptions, such as editors, etc. +The _Examiner_ denounces this as a blow at the freedom of the press. + +The message is cheerful and full of hope, showing that the operations of +the year, in the field, have resulted in no disadvantage to us. + +By the Northern papers we find that a fleet of four or five cruisers is +devastating their commerce. They sailed recently from Wilmington, in +spite of Gen. Whiting. + +No attack was made on Richmond during the last few days. I have no doubt +it was deemed unnecessary by the enemy to secure Mr. Lincoln's +re-election. To-day, no doubt, the election in the United States will +result in a new lease of presidential life for Mr. Lincoln. If this +result should really have been his _motive_ in the conduct of the war, +perhaps there may soon be some relaxation of its rigors--and possibly +peace, for it is obvious that subjugation is not possible. President +Lincoln may afford to break with the Abolition party now, and, as has +been often done before, kick down the ladder by which he ascended to +power. This is merely speculation, however; he may resolve to wield the +whole military strength and resources of the United States with more +fury than ever. But there will henceforth be a dangerous party against +him in the rear. The defeated Democrats will throw every obstruction in +his path--and they may _chock_ his wheels--or even give him employment +for the bayonet at home. + +Dispatches from Beauregard and Hood, November 4th, at Tuscumbia, say +that Sherman is concentrating at Huntsville and Decatur. Part of our +army is at Florence. Gen. B. says his advance has been retarded by bad +weather and want of supplies, but that he will march into Tennessee +immediately. Gen. Forrest is throwing difficulties in the way of +Sherman. The armies are equidistant from Nashville, and if Sherman's +supplies fail, his condition becomes desperate. + +Captain Manico (acting lieutenant-colonel Departmental Regiment) informs +me that the enemy will certainly open batteries in a day or two on our +troops at Chaffin's Bluff, and will be replied to vigorously, which he +thinks will bring on a battle. We shall hear more thunder, as the +distance is only seven or eight miles. + +It seems to be clearing up, and there may be news before night. When +election news arrives per telegraph from the North--if favorable--it is +supposed the enemy will celebrate it by _shotted_ salutes, and thus +recommence the slaughter. + +NOVEMBER 9TH.--Rained last night; clear this morning, and warm. All +quiet below, except the occasional bombs thrown at the canal by our +iron-clads. + +The press is mostly opposed to the President's _project_ of employing +40,000 slaves in the army, under promise of emancipation. Some indicate +the belief that the President thinks the alternatives are subjugation or +abolition, and is preparing the way for the latter. + +The _Enquirer_ is averse to conscribing editors between the ages of +eighteen and forty-five. The editor says it would be a violation of the +Constitution, etc. + +We all believe Lincoln has been easily re-elected. + +It is supposed Grant will soon receive large accessions from Sheridan's +army, and make another attempt to take Richmond. It will be the most +formidable attempt, and will be the most formidably resisted. + +A row between Gen. Kemper and Gen. Preston: latter refers papers +directly to Col. Shields, Gen. K.'s subordinate. Gen. K. asks to be +relieved: Secretary Seddon agrees to it, taking sides with the Bureau of +Conscription. But the President does not (yet) agree to it, asks +investigation of Gen. K.'s complaints, etc.; and so it rests at the +present. The Assistant Secretary of War, his son-in-law Lieut.-Col. Lay, +etc. etc. are all on the side of the Bureau of Conscription; but I +suspect the President is on the _other_ side. My opinion is that unless +the Bureau of Conscription be abolished or renovated, our cause will +fare badly. The President states his suspicions of "malpractice" in his +indorsement. + +Much cheering has been heard this morning in the enemy's lines--over +election news, probably: whether McClellan's or Lincoln's success, no +one here knows; but no doubt the latter. + +NOVEMBER 10TH.--Warm; rain and wind (south) all night. + +Quiet below. One of the enemy's pickets said to one of ours, last night, +that Warren's corps had voted unanimously for McClellan, and that New +York City has given a majority of 40,000 for him. This is hardly +reliable. + +Mr. Foote offered a resolution, yesterday, condemning the President's +suggestion that _editors_ be put in the ranks as well as other classes. +Now I think the President's suggestion will be adopted, as Mr. Foote is +unfortunate in his resolutions. Mr. Barksdale (President's friend) had +it easily referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. + +Hon. J. A. Gilmer, North Carolina, is applying for many passports +through the lines for people in his district. He applies to Judge +Campbell. + +Coal is selling at $90 per load, twenty-five bushels. + +The vote referring Foote's resolution (on the exemption of editors) was +passed unanimously, which is regarded as favoring the President's +recommendation. Mr. Foote had denounced the President as a despot. + +Bought two excellent knit undershirts, to-day, of a woman who gets her +supplies from passing soldiers. Being washed, etc., they bore no +evidences of having been worn, _except two small round holes in the +body_. Such are the straits to which we are reduced. I paid $15 each; +the price for new ones, of inferior quality, is $50 a piece. + +NOVEMBER 11TH.--Clear and pleasant. All quiet. No doubt, from the +indications, Lincoln has been re-elected. + +Now preparations must be made for the further "conflict of opposing +forces." All our physical power must be exerted, else all is lost. + +Mr. Sparrow, Louisiana, chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs, +introduced a measure, yesterday, in the Senate, which, if consummated, +might put all our able-bodied men in the field. It would equalize prices +of the necessaries of life, and produce a panic among the speculators. I +append it. But, probably, the press will have to be suppressed, "as a +war measure," too, to pass it: + +_"A bill to extend the assessment of prices for the army to all citizens +of the Confederate States:_ + +"_Whereas_, the depreciation of our currency is, in a great measure, +produced by the extortion of those who sell the necessaries of life; and +whereas, such depreciation is ruinous to our Confederacy and to the +means of prosecuting the war; therefore + +"_The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, as a +necessary war measure_, That the prices assessed for the army by the +commissioners of assessment shall be the prices established for all +citizens of the Confederate States; and that any person who shall charge +any price beyond such assessment shall be deemed guilty of a criminal +offense, and be subject to a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars +and to imprisonment not exceeding one year." + +We are now tending rapidly, under fearful exigencies, to the absolutism +which, in a republic, alone can summon the full forces into the field. +Power must be concentrated, and wielded with promptitude and precision, +else we shall fail to achieve our independence. All obstructions in the +way of necessary war measures must be speedily removed, or the finances, +and the war itself, will speedily come to an ignominious end. + +The Secretary recommends, and the President orders, that Gen. Bragg be +assigned to the command of North Carolina. The President yields; Bragg +is "given up." + +The Richmond _Enquirer_ is out, to-day, in an article advocating the +employment of 250,000 negroes in our army. + +NOVEMBER 12TH.--Bright and pleasant. + +The rumor is revived that Mr. Seddon will resign. If he really does +resign, I shall regard it as a _bad_ sign. He must despair of the +Republic; but, then, his successor may be a man of greater energy and +knowledge of war. + +We are destitute of news, with an awful silence between the armies. We +believe this cannot last long, and we know Grant has a great superiority +of numbers. And he knows our weakness; for the government will persist +in keeping "at the front" local defense troops, smarting under a sense +of wrong, some of whom are continually deserting. + +The money-changers and speculators, who have lavished their bribes, are +all in their places, preying upon the helpless women and children; while +the clerks--the permanence of whose tenure of office was guaranteed by +the Constitution--are still kept in the trenches, and their families, +many of them refugees, are suffering in destitution. But Mr. Seddon says +they _volunteered_. This is not candid. They were told by Mr. Memminger +and others that, unless they _volunteered_, the President had decided +their dismissal--when conscription into the army followed, of course! + +NOVEMBER 13TH.--Bright and cold; ice on the porch. All quiet below, save +the booming of bombs every night from our iron-clads, thrown at the +workmen in the canal. + +There is a dispatch from the West, relating to Gen. Forrest's operations +in Tennessee, understood to be good news. I did not wait to see, knowing +the papers will have it to-morrow. + +Mr. Hunter was with Mr. Secretary Seddon, as usual, this Sunday morning, +begging him not to resign. This is flattery to Mr. Seddon. + +NOVEMBER 14TH.--Clear and cold. + +Lincoln is re-elected, and has called for a _million_ of men! This makes +many of our croaking people despondent; others think it only a game of +brag. + +I saw the President to-day in earnest conversation with several members +of Congress, standing in the street. It is not often he descends from +his office to this mode of conference. + +Some one of the family intimating that stains of blood were on my +undershirts (second hand), I was amused to see Mrs. J. lifting them with +the _tongs_. They have been thoroughly washed, and prove to be a +first-rate article. I am proud of them, for they are truly comfortable +garments. + +Gen. Forrest is doing wonders in Tennessee, as the appended dispatch +from Gen. Beauregard shows: + + "TUSCUMBIA, ALA., Nov. 8th, 1864. + + "GEN. S. COOPER, A. AND I. GENERAL. + + "Gen. Forrest reports on the 5th instant that he was then engaged + fighting the enemy at Johnsonville, having already destroyed four + gun-boats, of eight guns each, fourteen steamers, and twenty + barges, with a large quantity of quartermaster and commissary + stores, on the landing and in warehouses, estimated at between + seventy-five and one hundred thousand tons. Six gun-boats were then + approaching, which he hoped to capture or destroy. + + "G. T. BEAUREGARD." + +NOVEMBER 15TH.--Fair and cold; ice. Quiet below; rumors of further +successes in the Southwest, but not official. + +Congress did nothing of interest yesterday in open session, but spent +most of its time in secret session. There will probably be stringent +martial law, for the strong hand of unlimited power will be required to +correct abuses, repress discontent, and bring into the field the whole +military strength of the Confederacy. The large majorities for Lincoln +in the United States clearly indicate a purpose to make renewed efforts +to accomplish our destruction. + +It is now contradicted that Lincoln has called for 1,000,000 men. + +Three P.M. Cloudy, and threatening snow. + +An attack upon the city seems to be apprehended. All men must now have +passes from Mr. Carrington, Provost Marshal, or be liable to arrest in +the street. Such are the changes, indicating _panic_ on the part of +official dignitaries. + +NOVEMBER 16TH.--Bright and frosty. + +This is the day designated by the President for worship, etc., and the +offices and places of business are all closed. It is like Sunday, with +an occasional report of cannon down the river. + +I doubt whether the clerks in the trenches will pray for the President. +Compelled to _volunteer_ under a threat of removal, they were assured +that they would only be called out in times of great urgency, and then +be returned to their offices in a few days. They have now been in the +front trenches several months; while the different secretaries are +quietly having their kinsmen and favorites detailed back to their civil +positions, the poor and friendless are still "left out in the cold." +Many of these have refugee families dependent on them, while those +brought in are mostly rich, having sought office merely to avoid service +in the field. The battalion, numbering 700, has less than 200 now in the +trenches. Hundreds of the local forces, under a sense of wrong, have +deserted to the enemy. + +Gen. Breckinridge has beaten the enemy at Bull's Gap, Tenn., taking +several hundred prisoners, 6 guns, etc. + +Mr. Hunter was at the department early this morning in quest of news. + +Gave $75 for a load of coal. + +Messrs. Evans & Cogswell, Columbia, S. C., have sent me some of their +recent publications: "A Manual of Military Surgery, by I. Julian +Chisolm, M.D., 3d edition;" "Digest of the Military and Naval Laws," by +Lester & Bromwell; "Duties of a Judge Advocate, etc." by Capt R. C. +Gilchrist; and "A Map of East Virginia and North Carolina;" all +beautifully printed and bound. + +NOVEMBER 17TH.--Dark and dismal--threatening rain or snow. Quiet below; +but we have no papers to-day, yesterday being holiday. + +It is rumored that Gen. Sheridan (Federal) is sailing from Washington to +reinforce Grant, and that Gen. Early is marching hitherward from the +Valley. There may be renewed operations against Richmond, or Grant may +penetrate North Carolina. No one knows what will happen a month or a +week hence. + +Mr. Hunter was again with Mr. Seddon this morning. + +Governor Smith's exemption mill is yet grinding out exemptions, +sometimes fifty per day. Constables, department clerks, and sheriffs, +commonwealth's attorneys, commissioners of the revenue, etc. etc., who +win his favor, get his certificate of exemption, as necessary for the +State administration. + +A dispatch from Gen. Wheeler, Jonesborough, November 14th, says Sherman +has three corps at _Atlanta_, and is destroying railroads between him +and Marietta, probably intending to move forward--farther South. + +Another dispatch from Gen. W., dated 14th inst., Lovejoy's, Georgia, +says scouts from enemy's rear report that Sherman left Atlanta yesterday +morning, with 15th, 17th, and 21st corps, in two columns, one on the +Jonesborough, and one on the McDonough Roads--cavalry on his flanks. +Many houses have been burned in Rome, Marietta, and Atlanta, and the +railroad bridge over Chattanooga River (in his rear)! Enemy advancing +this morning. To Gen. Bragg. + +Twelve M. Still another dispatch from Gen. Wheeler to Gen. Bragg, dated +Jonesborough, 3 P.M., 15th inst. "Enemy advanced early this morning with +infantry, cavalry, artillery, and wagons--have driven our cavalry back +upon this place--strength not yet ascertained, etc." + +Still another dispatch: + + "GRIFFIN, GA., November 16th, 1864. + + "TO GEN. BRAGG. + + "Enemy checked this evening near Bear Creek--enemy evidently + marching to Macon. + + "JOS. WHEELER, _Major-General_." + +The dispatches from Gen. Wheeler have produced no little commotion in +the War Office. + +Gen. J. E. Johnston's report of his Georgia campaign concludes by +asserting that he _did_ intend to defend Atlanta; that he retreated +before overwhelming numbers; that the President did not favor him with +any directions; that Lee retreated before Grant, and everybody praised +him for it; that Gen. Hood professed to be his friend, when seeking his +removal, or cognizant of the purpose to remove him; and that the +vituperation heaped upon him in certain papers seemed to have Executive +authorization at Richmond. + +The President indorses this growlingly; that it all differs with his +understanding of the facts at the time, etc. + +NOVEMBER 18TH.--Bright, calm, and pleasant. + +All quiet below, save our bombardment of Dutch Gap Canal. + +The Senate passed a resolution yesterday, calling on the President for a +statement of the number of exemptions granted by the Governors. This +will, perhaps, startle Governor Smith, of Virginia, who has already kept +out of the army at least a thousand. + +Perhaps it will hit Governor Brown, of Georgia, also; but Sherman will +hit him hardest. He must call out all his fighting people now, or see +his State ravaged with impunity. + +Both Houses of Congress sit most of the time in secret session, no doubt +concocting strong measures under the influence of the existing crisis. +Good news only can throw open the doors, and restore the hilarity of the +members. When not in session, they usually denounce the President; in +session, they are wholly subservient to him. + +Hon. R. L. Montague has written to the Secretary of War, on behalf of +the entire Virginia delegation, requesting a suspension of the +impressment of slaves until further legislation by Congress; what that +legislation will be, the President might tell, if he would. + +A dispatch from Gen. Wheeler, dated to-day, 12 miles from Forsyth, +states that Sherman advances by the most direct route toward Macon, Ga. + +My wife presented me to-day an excellent pocket-handkerchief, my old +ones being honey-combed and unfit for another washing. Upon inquiry +(since the cost of a single handkerchief is now $20), I ascertained it +to be a portion of one of my linen shirts bought in London in 1846. + +We have now 200 pounds of flour in the house; 1 bushel meal; 1 bushel +sweet potatoes; 1 bushel Irish potatoes; 3 half pecks white beans; 4 +pumpkins; 10 pounds beef; 2 pounds butter, and 3 pounds sugar, with +salt, etc. This seems like moderate stores for a family of seven, but it +is a larger supply than we ever had before, and will suffice for a +month. At the market price, they would cost $620. Add to this 1-1/2 +loads coal and a quarter cord of wood--the first at $75, the last at +$80--the total is $762.50. This sum in ordinary times, and in specie, +would subsist my family twelve months. + +NOVEMBER 19TH.--Rained all night, and still rains. All quiet below, save +the occasional bomb thrown by our iron-clads. + +Gen. and Hon. R. K. Wright, of Georgia, is said to have gone to +Washington to negotiate a peace for Georgia. + +A dispatch from Gen. Wheeler, dated yesterday, 12 miles from Forsyth, +says: "I think definite orders should be sent to officers in command +here, as to the line of policy to be pursued--particularly as to +defending Macon, Augusta, or Columbus. If not to be defended, government +stores should be removed, on enemy's approach, if possible. An officer +should be sent to command everything, who knows the views, wishes, and +plans of the government." I think so too! + +The papers think that Grant is about to try again to force his way into +Richmond, as soon as the weather will permit. + +We had a delicious treat of persimmons to-night--a quart bought for a +dollar. They were delicious, and we enjoyed them hugely. Also a quart of +apples, for which we paid a dollar. + +NOVEMBER 20TH, SUNDAY.--Rained all night--raining this morning. A +dispatch from Gen. Wheeler, 18th, at Forsyth, Ga., says: "The enemy +rapidly advancing." + +It is said Gov. Brown has called out the men _en masse_. I think Sherman +is in danger. + +Mr. Foote made what is called "a compromise speech" in Congress +yesterday. But although there is vacillation in the government, no +compromise measures will be tolerated yet--if ever. Everything still +depends upon events in the field. I think the government at Washington +and the people of the United States are very weary of the war, and that +peace of some sort must ensue. We shall be recognized by European powers +upon the first symptoms of exhaustion in the United States; and there +soon will be such symptoms, if we can only keep up a determined +resistance. + +Besides, the seizure of our cruiser Florida in a neutral port (Brazil) +will furnish a pretext for a quarrel with the United States by the +maritime powers. + +I am amused by our fireside conversations at night. They relate mostly +to the savory dishes we once enjoyed, and hope to enjoy again. + +Gen. Butler's speech in New York, suggesting that the rebels be allowed +a last chance for submission, and failing to embrace it, that their +lands be divided among the Northern soldiers, has a maddening effect +upon our people. + +NOVEMBER 21ST.--Wet, dark, and dismal. Quiet below. + +In Congress, Mr. Staples, of Virginia, unfortunately exhibited a +statement obtained from the Bureau of Conscription, to the effect that +while 1400 State officers, etc were exempted in Virginia, there were +14,000 in North Carolina. This produced acrimonious debate, which is +not the end of it, I fear. I don't believe the statement. Gov. Smith, of +Virginia, is exempting a full share of constables, etc. etc. The Bureau +of Conscription strikes, perhaps, at Gen. Bragg, a North Carolinian. It +is not the end. + +An anonymous letter to Gov. Bonham states that Capt. Hugener and all his +officers at Fort Sumter are drunkards or gamblers, and that the place is +in great danger. Gov. B. sends the letter to the President, who directs +the Secretary of War to make inquiry, etc. Perhaps it will be done in +time--since the fall of Plymouth. + +Gold, to-day, brings $40 for $1. + +Oak wood sells to-day at $100 per cord. + +A large amount of apple-brandy has been made this year. A lady, whose +husband is a prisoner in the North, writes to the Secretary, asking the +release of her apple-brandy (in Virginia) from the clutches of the +impressing officer. She and her daughters had distilled 500 gallons, +upon which they depended to procure other supplies, etc. Brandy is +selling at $75 per gallon--$37,500. Pretty well for the old woman and +her three daughters! Apples are worth $100 per barrel; but the currency +(Confederate) is nearly worthless. + +NOVEMBER 22D.--Rained in torrents last night; cold this morning and +cloudy. + +All quiet below. But there was an alarm, night before last, growing out +of a stampede of some 50 of the enemy's beeves. They charged upon our +line, regardless of the fire of cannon and musketry, and were all +captured after penetrating our works. Brave cattle! + +Gov. Vance writes that if Wilmington be attacked by a large force in the +rear of Fort Fisher, its fall is inevitable, unless two brigades of +veteran troops be sent from Gen. Lee's army. He says the defense of +Wilmington is as important as that of Richmond. The President directs +the Secretary of War to communicate with Gen. Lee on the subject. + +We learn that Gen. Grant is on a visit to his family at Burlington, N. J.; +and yet the departmental troops (clerks) are still kept in the +trenches. It is said the _President's family_ keep them there by the +most imploring appeals to Gen. Lee, and that the President himself does +not feel altogether safe while the Federal army is so near him. His +house is on the side of the city most exposed, if a sudden attack were +made, of which, however, there seems to be no danger at present. Several +brigades of Gen. Early's troops have arrived from the Valley. + +Gold sells to-day at $42 for $1. And it rises in the United States. This +produces trepidation in the cabinet. + +Snowed a few minutes to-day, 4 P.M. The clouds are breaking--cold. + +What appetites we have! Shin-soup and bean-soup alternately are relished +with shark-like appetites. + +NOVEMBER 23D.--Snowed last night three inches. Clear and cold this +morning; ground frozen. + +Had a dream last night--that meeting a few men in my _wood and +coal-house_, I nominated R. Tyler for the Presidency, and it was well +received. I must tell this to Mr. T. + +I narrated my dream to Mr. T. Before I left, he said a clerkship _was at +the disposal of my son Thomas_; but Thomas is clerk in the conscription +service, getting rations, etc. etc., better than the $4000 per annum. +But still that dream may be realized. He is the son of President Tyler, +deceased. + +John Mitchel is now editor of the _Examiner_, and challenged _Mr. Foote +yesterday_--the note was borne by Mr. Swan, of Tennessee, Mr. Foote's +colleague. Mr. Foote would not receive it; and Mr. S. took offense and +assaulted Mr. F. in his own house, when Mrs. F. interposed and beat Mr. +S. away. + +Gen. Winder has been appointed, by _Gen. Cooper_, commander of all +prisons east of the Mississippi. + +Gen. Winder has been made Commissary-General of all prisons and +prisoners of war. The Bureau of Conscription is yet sustained in power. +All this is done by Gen. Cooper,--unwise, probably _fatal_ measures! + +NOVEMBER 24TH.--Clear and frosty. Ice half an inch thick this morning. +All quiet below. + +Col. St. John, Niter and Mining Bureau, required 13,000 men to furnish +ammunition, etc. + +Col. Northrop, Commissary-General, reports only 15 days' bread rations +in Richmond for 100,000 men, and that we must rely upon supplies +hereafter from the Carolinas and Virginia alone. The difficulty is want +of adequate transportation, of course. The speculators and railroad +companies being in partnership, very naturally exclude the government +from the track. The only remedy, the only salvation, in my opinion, is +for the government to take exclusive control of the railroads, abate +speculation, and change most of the quartermasters and commissaries. + +Hon. J. B. Clarke proposed a resolution of inquiry in the House of +Representatives, which was adopted, calling for the number and name of +employees in the departments, and the State they were appointed from. +Virginia has more than half of them. + +Gen. Cooper, the Adjutant-General, Northern by birth, turned out twenty +of his eighty clerks yesterday, to replace them with ladies. + +It is said and believed that Sherman's cavalry has reached +Milledgeville, and destroyed the public buildings, etc. + +We have nothing from Wheeler since the 18th inst. + +NOVEMBER 25TH.--Bright and frosty. + +A report from the Bureau of Conscription shows after all that only some +3000 men have been sent to the army during the last two months, under +General Order 77, revoking details, etc. I don't wonder, for there has +been the natural confusion consequent upon a conflict of authority +between Gen. Kemper and the Bureau of Conscription. About as many +details have been made by the one authority as have been enrolled by the +other. + +NOVEMBER 26TH.--Clear and frosty. + +The following dispatch was received to-day from Gen. Bragg: + + "AUGUSTA, Nov. 25th, 1864. + + "Arrived late last night, and take command this morning. We learn + from Gen. Wagner, who holds the Oconee Railroad bridge, that the + enemy has not crossed the river in any force. He has concentrated + in Milledgeville, and seems to be tending South. Our cavalry, under + Wheeler, is in his front, and has been ordered to destroy every + vestige of subsistence and forage as it retires; to hang upon his + flanks, and retard his progress by every possible means. I am + informed the brigades from Southwest Virginia have joined Wheeler. + President's dispatch of 23d just received. + + "BRAXTON BRAGG, _General_." + +When I carried this dispatch to the Secretary I found him sitting in +close conference with Mr. Hunter, both with rather lugubrious faces. + +Another dispatch from Bragg: + + "AUGUSTA, Nov. 25th, 8 P.M. + + "The enemy has crossed the Oconee; was met this morning, in force, + at Buffalo Creek, near Sandersville. His movements from that point + will determine whether he designs attacking here or on Savannah." + +Hon. I. T. Leach from North Carolina, yesterday introduced _submission_ +resolutions in the House of Representatives, which were voted down, of +course,--Messrs. Logan and Turner, of North Carolina, however, voting +_for_ them. A party of that sort is forming, and may necessitate harsh +measures. + +The President orders detail of fifty men for _express company_. _I +feared so!_ + +NOVEMBER 27TH.--Cloudy and warmer; slight rain. Nothing from Bragg this +morning. Nothing from below the city. + +When I entered the Secretary's room this morning, I found him as grave +as usual. L. Q. Washington, son of Peter Washington, once a clerk under +President Tyler (and he still remains in the United States), and +grandson of Lund Washington, who, we learn by one of the published +letters of Gen. Washington, was his overseer, with no traceable +relationship to his family, was seated with him. He is chief clerk to +Mr. Benjamin, a sinecure position in the State Department. He was placed +there by Mr. Hunter, after writing a series of communications for the +_Examiner_, as Mr. Pollard informed me, denunciatory of Mr. Stephens, +Vice-President Confederate States. Mr. Kean and Mr. Shepherd, the clean +chief clerk, were also present, enjoying the Hon. Secretary's +confidence. They are all comparatively _young men_, whom the Secretary +has not assigned to positions in the field, although _men_ are alone +wanted to achieve independence. They were discussing a resolution of +Congress, calling for the names, ages, etc. of the civil and military +officers employed by the Secretary in Richmond, or it might have been +the subject of the removal of the government, or the chances of success, +etc., or the President's appointment of Gen. Bragg to command the army +in Georgia, or Mr. Hunter's prospects for the Presidency. No matter +what. + +It is a dismal day, and a settled vexation is on the faces of many of +the officials. But if the time should come for flight, etc., I predict +many will have abundance of funds in Europe. The quartermasters, +commissaries, etc. will take care of themselves by submission. The +railroad companies have already taken care of themselves by their +partnership with the speculators. The express company bribes all +branches of the government, and I fear it has _obliged_ some of the +members of the President's military or domestic family. + +By a report from the Niter and Mining Bureau, it appears that thirteen +furnaces of the thirty odd in Virginia have ceased operations. Several +have been destroyed by the enemy; the ore and fuel of others have become +exhausted; and those in blast threaten to cease work for want of hands, +the men being put in the army. + +NOVEMBER 28TH.--Calm and warm; clouds and sunshine, without wind. + +All quiet below. It is reported that one of our picket boats in the +James River deserted last night. It is said the crew overpowered the +officers and put them ashore, and then the boat rowed down to the enemy. + +I am informed by Capt. Warner that there are 12,000 graves of Federal +prisoners at Andersonville, Ga. That climate is fatal to them; but the +government cannot feed them here, and the enemy won't exchange. + +A dispatch from Gen. Bragg: + +"AUGUSTA, November 27th, 1864.--We have lost communication with the +front. A small cavalry raid cut the Savannah Railroad and telegraph, +this morning, at Brier Creek, twenty-six miles from here. Gen. Wheeler +was, yesterday, confronting the enemy's infantry at Sandersville. An +officer, who left Macon on the 23d, states that one corps of the enemy +was still confronting us there; our force not exceeding 5000, nearly all +militia. The force here, including all available reserves, does not +exceed 6000 effectives: only one battery. I am not yet advised from +Charleston and Savannah, but know the means are small. Neither point +could long resist the enemy's whole force; hence my remarks about +concentration. Gen. Hardee has gone to Savannah. Wheeler will continue +to confront and harass the enemy. I have not learned the strength of his +command. He estimates the enemy's force at about 30,000." + +Gen. Beauregard has published a short proclamation, saying he will soon +arrive to the rescue in Georgia. Here, then, will be war between the two +B's--Bragg and Beauregard; and the President will be as busy as a bee. +Meantime, Sherman may possess the land at pleasure. + +A long letter (twenty-five pages) from Gov. Brown, Georgia, came to hand +to-day, combating, in replication, one from the Secretary relating to +calling out all the militia of Georgia, etc. _State rights_ and the +Constitution are discussed _in extenso_, and many a hard blow is aimed +at the President. The Governor regards the Secretary as merely the +instrument or head clerk of the President, whom he sneers at +occasionally. But he denounces as _vile_ the President himself, _and +refuses to obey the call_. What he will do with the militia must soon be +known, for Sherman is _there_. + +A great stir among the _officers_ on bureau and department duty in +Richmond! Congress has called on the President for a list of all +commissioned officers here, their ages, etc., and how many of them are +fit for duty in the field. This will be dodged, of course, if possible. + +NOVEMBER 29TH.--Clear, and warm as summer almost. + +Another dispatch from Bragg: + +"AUGUSTA, November 28th, 1864--On the 26th instant, the enemy started a +heavy cavalry force in this direction, from his main body near +Sandersville; Gen. Wheeler promptly following, leaving a portion of his +force to confront Sherman. Kilpatrick reached vicinity of Waynesborough +yesterday, where Wheeler overtook and attacked him. A running fight has +continued to this time; the advantage with us. We are driving them +toward Millen. Young's command has just arrived, and will go forward to +Wheeler, who will, I hope, be able to mount most of them from his +captures. Devastation marks the enemy's route. Hear nothing from the +movements of the enemy's infantry, since Wheeler left their front. I +fear they may cross the Savannah, and make for Beaufort. It is perfectly +practicable." + +The number of deserters, under General Order 65, received here and sent +to Abingdon, Va., is 1224 men. + +Senator Waldo P. Johnson, Missouri, told me he would move, to-day, to +allow the civil officers, etc. to buy rations and clothes of government, +at schedule prices. This would be better than an increase of salary. + +No movements below, to-day, that I hear of. + +Gen. Jos. E. Johnston was at the department to-day, and was warmly +greeted by his friends. If Sherman's campaign should be a success, +Johnston will be a hero; if the reverse, he will sink to rise no more. A +sad condition, for one's greatness to depend upon calamity to his +country! + +NOVEMBER 30TH.--Clear, and warm as summer. No fires. + +It is reported that Gen. Hood is still marching North, and is near +Nashville. + +The following telegrams were received this morning: + +"AUGUSTA, November 29th, 1864.--It is reported, _via_ Savannah, the +enemy, with infantry and artillery, entered Millen yesterday. Wheeler is +rapidly pursuing Kilpatrick, who retreats in that direction from +Waynesborough.--B. B." + +"AUGUSTA, November 29th, 1864.--6-1/2 P.M.--Gen. Jones telegraphs from +Charleston: 'Ten (10) gun-boats with transports landing troops at +Boykins on Broad River. Four gun-boats with transports and barges are, +by this time, at Mackay's Point, junction of Pocotaligo with Broad +River. I am sending all assistance from here, and think we must make the +struggle near the coast.' As this movement relieves Wilmington, might +not some of the North Carolina reserves be sent to Gen. Jones?--B. +BRAGG." + +The following items were in the papers this morning: + +"NEGRO PICKETS.--Monday morning negro pickets were placed in front of +Gen. Pickett's division. Our men, taking it as an insult, yesterday +fired upon them, causing a stampede among them. Their places have been +supplied with white Yankees, and the lines have resumed the usual quiet. + +"Two negroes, captured by Gen. Hunter in the Valley last summer, and +forced into the Yankee army, deserted yesterday and came into Gen. +Pickett's lines, and were brought over to this city." + +"CAPTURE OF GEN. PRYOR.--The _Express_ gives the following account of +the capture of the Hon. Roger A. Pryor, on Monday morning: + +"While riding along the lines on our right, he stopped at one of our +vidette posts, and left his horse and private arms with one or two other +articles in charge of the pickets, stated that he intended, as was often +his custom, to go forward and exchange papers with the enemy's +videttes. He advanced in the direction of the Yankee lines, flourishing +a paper in his hand, in token of his object, and after proceeding some +distance was met by a Yankee officer. An exchange of papers was +effected, and Gen. Pryor had turned to retrace his steps, when he was +suddenly seized by two or three armed men, who were lying in ambush, and +hurried away. The whole transaction, we understand, was witnessed by +some of our men, but at too great a distance to render any assistance. +Gen. Pryor had frequently exchanged papers with the enemy, and his name +and character had, no doubt, been reported to them. They resolved to +have him, by fair means or foul, and descended to the basest treachery +to accomplish their purpose. + +"We trust that some notice may be taken of the matter by our military +authorities, and every effort used to secure his early return. During +the last few months the general has been acting as an independent scout, +in which capacity he has rendered valuable service." + + + + +CHAPTER XLV. + +Desertions.--Bragg and Kilpatrick.--Rents.--Gen. Winder's management of + prisoners.--Rumored disasters in Tennessee.--Prices.--Progress of + Sherman.--Around Richmond.--Capture of Fort McAlister.--Rumored death + of the President.--Yankee line of spies.--From Wilmington and + Charleston.--Evacuation of Savannah. + + +DECEMBER 1ST.--Bright and warm. + +It is said there is a movement of the enemy menacing our works on the +north side of the river. There was shelling down the river yesterday and +day before, officially announced by Gen. Lee--two of the enemy's +monitors retired. + +Gen. Longstreet says "over 100 of Gen. Pickett's men are in the +guard-house for desertion, and that the cause of it may be attributed to +the numerous reprieves, no one being executed for two months." Gen. Lee +indorses on the paper: "Desertion is increasing in the army, +notwithstanding all my efforts to stop it. I think a rigid execution of +the law is mercy in the end. The great want in our army is firm +discipline." The Secretary of War sent it to the President "for his +information." The President sent it back with the following biting +indorsement: "When deserters are arrested they should be tried, and if +the sentences are reviewed and remitted, that is not a proper subject +for the criticism of a military commander.--JEFF. DAVIS. November 29th, +1864." + +Another dispatch from Gen. Bragg: + +"AUGUSTA, November 30th, 1864.--Following just received from Major-Gen. +Wheeler: _'Four Miles West Buckhead Church_, November 29th, 9 P.M.--We +fought Gen. Kilpatrick all night and all day, charging him at every +opportunity. Enemy fought stubbornly, and left a considerable number of +their killed. He stampeded, and came near capturing Kilpatrick twice; +but having a fleet horse, he escaped, bareheaded, leaving his hat in our +hands. Our own loss about 70, including the gallant Gen. Robertson, +severely wounded. Our troops all acted handsomely.' + +"Gen. Robertson has arrived here. His left arm is badly broken at the +elbow, but he is doing well.--B. B." + +Another dispatch of the same date: "To establish our communications +west, I have ordered the immediate repair of the Georgia Railroad to +Atlanta. With the exception of bridges, the damage is reported as +slight. We should also have a line of telegraph on that route.--B. B." + +I succeeded to-day in buying of Government Quartermaster (Major +Ferguson) four yards of dark-gray cloth, at $12 per yard, for a full +suit. The merchants ask $125 per yard--a saving of $450. I hope to have +it cut and made by one of the government tailors, for about $50, +trimmings included. A citizen tailor asks $350! + +The Senate passed a bill, yesterday, increasing my salary and Custis's +$500, which we don't thank them for unless we can buy rations, etc. at +schedule prices. The money is worthless when we go into the open market. + +My landlord, Mr. King, has gone into the grocery business; and, although +he did not raise the rent for the present year, still asked more upon my +offer to pay the amount of the first quarter to-day--$500, six months +ago, were really worth more than $1000 to-day. At that time I +acknowledged the house would bring more than $500. To-day it would rent +for more than $1000. He left it to me to do what was right. I think it +right to pay $800 or $1000, and will do so. + +This evening our servant stepped into the yard just in time to save some +clothes drying on the line. A thief was in the act of stealing them, and +made his escape, springing over the fence into the alley. + +DECEMBER 2D.--Warm, and raining moderately. + +My landlord gets $400 of the $500 increase of my salary. + +Dispatches from Gen. Bragg: + +"AUGUSTA, December 1st, 1864.--Following received from Lieut.-Gen. R. +Taylor, Savannah, Ga.: 'Gen. Hardee is at Grahamville. No fighting there +since yesterday evening, when the enemy was driven five miles, leaving +their dead upon the field.--B. B.'" + +Another: + +"AUGUSTA, December 1st, 1864, 12M.--The (enemy's) cavalry having been +driven in, the enemy's main force was yesterday found near Louisville, +with strong outposts in this direction. They have secured large supplies +in the country; but our cavalry is now all up, and it is hoped they will +be prevented to a great extent in the future. The report from Savannah, +of the enemy's entrance into Millen, on the 27th, was premature. +Telegraphic communication was reopened to Savannah by that route +yesterday. The enemy is just now reported as at Station 9, on Central +Railroad, advancing.--B. B." + +During the last month, 100 passports were given to leave the Confederate +States by Provost Marshal Carrington and War Department. + +Mr. G. B. Lamar, Savannah, Ga., tenders his services to go to New York +and purchase supplies for our prisoners in the hands of the enemy, and +to negotiate the sale of 1000 bales of cotton, etc. + +Twelve M. Heavy and pretty rapid shelling is heard down the river. + +Col. Chandler, Inspecting Officer, makes an ugly report of Gen. Winder's +management of the prisons in Georgia. Brig.-Gen. Chilton appends a +rebuking indorsement on Gen. W.'s conduct. The inspector characterizes +Gen. W.'s treatment of the prisoners as barbarous, and their condition +as a "hell on earth." And Gen. W. says his statements are "false." + +DECEMBER 3D.--Very warm--clouds and sunshine, like April. + +Roger A. Pryor, who resigned his brigadiership, and has been acting as a +_scout_ (private), fell into the hands of the enemy the other day while +exchanging newspapers with their pickets. They have him at Washington, +and the United States newspapers say he makes revelations of a sad state +of affairs in Georgia, etc. This is doubtless erroneous. + +A "peace resolution" has been introduced in the North Carolina +Legislature. + +Hon. Mr. Foote yesterday introduced a resolution in Congress, calling +for a convention of the States--or appointment of commissioners from the +States. Voted down by a large majority. + +Gen. Rosser (two brigades) made a descent, a few days ago, on the +Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, capturing some nine guns altogether, +including four siege, which he spiked. The others he brought off, with +800 prisoners. He destroyed 200 wagons and a large amount of +quartermaster and ordnance stores. + +Per contra. Grant has pounced upon one of our depots at Stony Creek, +Weldon Railroad, getting some 80 prisoners, and destroying a few stores. +It is said he still holds the position--of some importance. + +Gen. Ewell still thinks the aspect here is "threatening." + +Brig.-Gen. Chilton, Inspector-General, has ordered investigations of the +fortunes of bonded officers, who have become rich during the war. + +A strong effort has been made to have Gen. Ripley removed from +Charleston. He is a Northern man, and said to be dissipated. Senator Orr +opposes the change; the Secretary recommends his retention, and the +President indorses: "I prefer that Gen. Ripley should remain.--J. D." + +SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4TH.--Bright, clear, and warm. + +A dispatch from Gen. Bragg. "AUGUSTA, December 3d, 6 P.M.--A strong +force of the enemy's cavalry and infantry advanced from Louisville and +encamped last night six miles from Waynesborough. They turned off this +morning toward Savannah. Our cavalry is pressing in the rear, and all +available means is being thrown to their front by rail. There is time +yet for any assistance which can be spared, to be sent by way of +Charleston.--B. B." + +The Northern papers say our army under Hood in Tennessee has met with a +great disaster. We are still incredulous--although it may be true. If +so, the President will suffer, and Johnston and Beauregard will escape +censure--both being supplanted in the command by a subordinate. + +Brig.-Gen. Preston is still directing orders to Col. Shields, who is +under the command of Major-Gen. Kemper, and the conflict of conscription +authorities goes on, while the country perishes. Preston is a South +Carolina politician--Kemper a Virginian. Mr. Secretary Seddon leans to +the former. + +The law allowing exemptions to owners of a certain number of slaves is +creating an antislavery party. The non-slaveholders will not long fight +for the benefit of such a "privileged class." There is madness in our +counsels! + +We are still favored by Providence in our family. We have, at the market +prices, some $800 worth of provisions, fuel, etc., at the beginning of +winter, and my son Thomas is well clad and has his order for a month's +rations of beef, etc., which we get as we want it at the government shop +near at hand in Broad Street. His pay and allowances are worth some +$4500 per annum. + +Major Ferguson having got permission of the Quartermaster-General to +sell me a suit of cloth--there being a piece too dark for the army, I +got four yards, enough for coat, pants, and vest, at $12 per yard--the +price in the stores is $125; and I have the promise of the government +tailor to make it up for some $30 or $40, the ordinary price being $350; +the trimmings my family will furnish--if bought, they would cost $100. +Tom has bought a new black coat, made before the war, for $175, the +peace price $15, in specie, equivalent to $600. And my daughter Anne has +made three fine bonnets (for her mother, sister, and herself), from the +debris of old ones; the price of these would be $700. So I fear not but +we shall be fed and clad by the providence of God. + +DECEMBER 5TH.--Bright and beautiful. + +Anne Samuels and many other ladies, Harrisonburg, Virginia, have +petitioned the government for authority to organize themselves into a +regiment for local defense. + +Great excitement was produced in the House of Representatives (Congress) +this morning by the entrance of a lady who proceeded vigorously to +cowhide the Hon. Mr. V----, from Missouri. + +Congress has passed a resolution declaring that it was not meant, in +calling for the ages of the clerks in the departments, to include the +ladies. + +Vice-President Stephens has arrived in the city. + +Our people think, in the Federal accounts of a victory over Gen. Hood, +at Franklin, Tenn., they perceive a Confederate victory. It is +understood that the enemy fell back upon Nashville after the battle, +pursued by Hood. + +We are also hopeful of the defeat of Sherman--a little delay on his part +will render it pretty certain. If it should occur, will it give us +peace? + +The _Tribune_ says President Lincoln is more determined than ever to +restore the Union. But disaster will surely dishearten either side--that +is, the people. + +The following dispatch has been received from Gen. Bragg: + +"AUGUSTA, December 4th, 1864.--The column is moving on what is known as +Eastern Road, to Savannah. There are several ferries from the mouth of +---- Creek to Charleston and Savannah Railroad bridge--none below that. +Gen. Hardee reports he is patrolling the river with a gun-boat. I have +had all ferry boats destroyed, and ordered all roads to and from the +river to be broken up and blockaded by felling heavy timber. The roads +are all passed by causeways to the river on both sides over dense +swamps. None of enemy's forces remain near Macon; and from best +information I can obtain, it is thought all of ours have left there for +Savannah. The Georgia militia, who were on Central Railroad, moved back +toward Savannah, and at last accounts were at Station 4-1/2; our +cavalry, however, far in advance of them.--B. B." + +At night--mended broken china and glassware again with white lead, very +successfully. Such ware can hardly be bought at all--except by the rich. + +DECEMBER 6TH.--Bright and beautiful. Indian summer apparently. + +All quiet below--but it is anticipated by some that a battle will occur +to-day, or in a day or so. + +The enemy's negro troops have been brought to this side of the river, +and are in full view on picket duty. + +The Signal Bureau reports a large number of transports descending the +Potomac a few days ago; probably Sheridan's army, to reinforce Grant. + +And yet our conscription superintendents, under orders, are busily +engaged furloughing and detailing the rich slaveowners! It is developing +a rapidly growing _Emancipation party_, for it is the establishment of a +privileged class, and may speedily prove fatal to our cause. Our leaders +are _mad_, and will be destroyed, if they persist in this policy. + +DECEMBER 7TH.--Raining, and warm. + +It is said several hundred of the prisoners taken by Rosser in the +Valley escaped, on the way to Richmond. A relaxation of vigilance always +follows success. How long can this war last? + +Hon. Mr. Staples procured four and two months' details yesterday for two +rich farmers, Messrs. McGehee and Heard, both rosy-faced, robust men, +and yet found for "light duty" by a medical board. Thus we go. The poor +and weakly are kept in the trenches, to desert the first opportunity. + +It is said a dispatch came from Bragg yesterday (I saw it not) stating +that Wheeler and some infantry had a sharp battle with Sherman's +advance, near Millen, in which the latter suffered greatly. But +reinforcements coming up, our forces fell back in order, disputing the +way. + +Tea is held at $100 per pound! Wood still $100 per cord. + +I saw Gen. Rains to-day. He says he has over 2000 shell torpedoes +planted along our lines around Richmond and Petersburg. + +Col. Bayne reports the importation of 6400 packages salted meats, fish, +coffee, preserved vegetables, from Nassau, Bermuda, and Halifax, _since +October 1st, 1864_, in fourteen different steamers. + +DECEMBER 8TH.--Rained hard in the night; clear and pleasant in the +morning. + +A letter from John T. Bourne, St. Georges, Bermuda, says he has some +1800 barrels government gunpowder under his care, of which he desires to +be relieved. + +Gen. Lee sent to the Secretary the following dispatch this morning: "2d +and 5th corps, Gregg's division of [enemy's] cavalry, are moving South, +on Jerusalem Plank Road. Cavalry reached Sussex Court House at 7 P.M. +yesterday. Hill and Hampton [Confederate States generals] are +following. Appearances indicate they are moving against Weldon, where I +am concentrating all the depot guards I can. + + "R. E. LEE, _General_. + + "PETERSBURG, Dec. 8th, 1864." + +There are rumors of the enemy having effected a lodgment on the south +side of the river, between Howell and Drewry's Bluff. This may be +serious. I do not learn (yet) that the Dutch Gap Canal is finished; but +the enemy landed from barges in the fog. Gen. Lee, some weeks ago, +designated such a movement and lodgment as important and embarrassing, +probably involving the holding of Petersburg. + +Nothing from Bragg. + +One of Gen. Early's divisions is passing through the city toward +Petersburg. + +DECEMBER 9TH.--Cold and cloudy; surface of the ground frozen. + +Cannon heard below. More of Gen. Early's corps arriving. The papers +contradict the report that Howlett's Battery has been taken. The opinion +prevails that a battle will occur to-day. + +It appears that but few of the enemy's forces were engaged in the +demonstration on the south side, below Drewry's Bluff, and no uneasiness +is felt on account of it. + +We have nothing so far to-day from the enemy's column marching toward +Weldon. + +Gov. Smith, in his message to the Legislature now in session, recommends +the employment of negro troops, even if it results in their +emancipation. He also suggests an act, putting into the army civil +officers of the State under forty-five years of age. At the same time he +is exempting officers (State) _under forty-five_, and there is no +compulsion on him. + +A dispatch from Gen. Lee last night states that from the great number of +wagons taken by the enemy on the Weldon Road, the movement is +formidable, and indicates a purpose of prolonged operations. + +At night--and snowing--a terrible night for the poor soldiers in the +field! + +DECEMBER 10TH.--Snowed two inches last night. Cloudy and damp this +morning. + +Guns were heard down the river last night at a late hour. Perhaps it was +nothing more than shelling the enemy's canal. + +We have nothing yet authentic from Georgia; but many rumors of much +fighting. + +It is said Gen. Hampton has got in front of the enemy's column at the +Weldon Railroad, and is driving them back. Gen. Hill, it is presumed, is +_this_ side of them. + +It is also reported that Gen. Longstreet is now (12 M.) attacking the +enemy on _this_ side of the river, and driving them. Distant guns can be +heard southeast of us, and it may be true. + +Major Cummings, Confederate States, Georgia, dispatches that the +railroad between Atlanta and Chattanooga should be repaired immediately, +to bring off supplies from Middle Tennessee. Gen. Bragg concurs. + +The following was received from Gen. Bragg to-day, 11 A.M.: + +"AUGUSTA, December 10th, 1864.--The following dispatch is just received +from Gen. Wheeler, twenty-seven miles from Savannah, 10 P.M., 8th +December. Enemy are still moving toward Savannah, obstructing the road +in the rear, and resisting warmly this morning. I cannot learn that any +have crossed the Savannah River. I hear artillery firing, far in my +front; do not know what it means: 14th corps and Kilpatrick's cavalry on +the river road; 15th on middle ground road; and 17th, and probably 20th, +on Central Railroad. + +"I think the force on the right bank of Ogeechee must be small." + +DECEMBER 11TH, SUNDAY.--Cloudy and melting--snow vanishing rapidly. The +thousand and one rumors of great achievements of Gen. Longstreet on the +north side of the river seem to have been premature. Nothing official of +any advantage gained over the enemy near the city has been received so +far as I can learn. Gen. Lee, no doubt, directed Longstreet to make +demonstrations on the enemy's lines near the city, to ascertain their +strength, and to prevent more reinforcements being sent on the south +side, where the struggle will occur, if it has not already occurred. + +There is no doubt that the enemy's column sent toward Weldon has been +checked, and great things are reported of Gen. Hampton's cavalry. + +A battle must certainly occur near Savannah, Ga. Sherman _must_ assail +our lines, or perish between two fires. + +President Lincoln's message to the Congress of the United States, +republished in our papers, produces no marked effect. His adherence to a +purpose of emancipation of the slaves, and his employment of them in his +armies, will suffice for an indefinite prolongation of the war, and +perhaps result in the employment of hundreds of thousands of slaves in +our armies. The intimation, however, that all applications for "pardon," +etc. have been and are still favorably entertained, will certainly cause +many of our croakers who fall into the lines of the United States forces +to submit. Others, though so disposed, have not an opportunity to +signify their submission. But everything depends upon events in the +field. + +DECEMBER 12TH.--Clear and cold. Ice half an inch thick. + +Gen. Longstreet is again in the old lines on this side of the river. The +reconnoissance, however, is said to have been successful. Only a few +were killed and wounded on either side. + +And Grant's column was turned back from Meherrin bridge. Results of the +movement unimportant, and the supposition is that both armies will now +go into winter quarters, after a taste of this rigorous weather. + +It is rumored and believed (though I have seen no dispatch to that +effect) that Sherman has beaten and out-manoeuvred our generals, and +got into communication with the Federal fleet. + +I read President Lincoln's message carefully last night. By its +commissions and omissions on Mexican affairs, I think he means to menace +Louis Napoleon, who may _speak out_ January 1st, 1865. Lincoln says: + +"Mexico continues to be a theater of civil war. While our political +relations with that country have undergone no change, we have at the +same time strictly maintained neutrality between the belligerents." + +And his reference to England is so equivocal, and his grouping of the +Central and South American _Republics_ so prominent, and the boastful +allusion to the "inexhaustible" resources of the United States, may be +considered as a premeditated threat to Great Britain. + +A "confidential" letter came in to-day from Mr. Benjamin to the +Secretary of War. + +Dr. Powell has sent us a dozen ruta baga turnips, and a couple of +quarts of excellent persimmons, which the family enjoys most thankfully. + +Dispatches from Lee: + + "HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, + + "December 10th, 1864. + + "HON. JAMES A. SEDDON, SECRETARY OF WAR. + + "Gen. Hampton, after driving the enemy's cavalry upon his infantry, + on the afternoon of the 8th, recrossed the Nottoway and reached + Bellfield at daylight yesterday. + + "In the afternoon the enemy attacked the position, but were + successfully resisted. This morning the enemy is reported retiring + and Hampton following. + + "The bridge over the Meherrin was saved. Our loss, as far as known, + was small. The garrison, under Garnett, and the reserves, behaved + well. R. E. LEE." + + + "HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, + + "December 10th, 1864. + + "HON. JAMES A. SEDDON, SECRETARY OF WAR. + + "About noon yesterday the first division of the Second Corps of the + enemy, supporting their cavalry, forced back our cavalry pickets on + the Vaughan Road, south of the Appomattox, and advanced toward + Dinwiddie Court House. + + "To-day our cavalry, reinforced by infantry, drove them back across + Hatcher's Run, capturing a few prisoners and re-establishing our + lines. R. E. LEE." + +DECEMBER 13TH.--Cloudy and cold, but wind southeast. + +The sullen sound of cannon heard this morning as usual down the river. I +hear of no active operations there, although the ground is sufficiently +frozen to bear horses and artillery. + +Rumors of successes on the part of Sherman near Savannah are still in +circulation. + +The rich men are generally indignant at the President and Gov. Smith for +proposing to bring a portion of the negroes into the army. They have not +yet awakened to a consciousness that there is danger of losing _all_, +and of their being made to fight against us. They do not even remove +them beyond the reach of the enemy, and hundreds are daily lost, but +still they slumber on. They abuse the government for its impressments, +and yet repose in fancied security, holding the President responsible +for the defense of the country, without sufficient men and adequate +means. + +The following dispatch from Gen. Bragg was received to-day at 10 P.M.: + + "AUGUSTA, Dec. 12th. + + "The telegraph having been cut, we get nothing from Savannah. A + dispatch from Wheeler gives a copy of enemy's order for the line of + investment around Savannah. It is about eight miles from the city, + and was to have been reached on the 9th. + + "B. BRAGG." + +I have at length succeeded in getting a suit of clothes; it was made at +the government shop for $50, the trimmings having been found (in the +house) by my wife. The suit, if bought of a merchant and made by the +city tailors, would cost some $1000. A Yankee prisoner (deserter) made +the coat at a low price. The government means to employ them, if they +desire it, in this manner. I am very thankful for my good fortune. + +DECEMBER 14TH.--Cloudy, and thawing rapidly. All quiet below. + +The bill to employ 40,000 negroes, as recommended by the President, for +army purposes, though not _avowedly_ to fight, has passed one House of +Congress. So the President is _master_ yet. There ought to be 100,000 +now in the field. + +An effort will be made by the government to put into the field the +able-bodied staff and other officers on duty in the bureaus here. It +will fail, probably, since all efforts have failed to put in their +able-bodied clerks. If Bragg were here, and allowed his way, he would +move them to the front. + +The following dispatch was received from Gen. Bragg to-day: + +"AUGUSTA, GA., Dec. 13th, 1864.--I go to Charleston to-morrow to see +Gen. Beauregard, at his request. He has assigned me to duty.--B. B." + +I got to-day from Major Cross, A. Q. M. Gen., an order to buy a pair of +government shoes (British) for $10. They are most excellent in quality, +heavy, with iron heels, etc., and would cost, if made here, $150. This +good fortune is worthy of being thankful for. + +The military officers in the bureaus, responsive to a resolution of the +House of Representatives, are reporting their ages, and most of them +admit they are able-bodied and fit for service in the field. They have +no fear of being transferred to the front, supposing themselves +indispensable as bureau officers. + +DECEMBER 15TH.--Cloudy and cool. + +A dispatch from the West states that the enemy have made a heavy raid +from Bean's Station, Ky., cutting the railroad between Abingdon and +Bristol, destroying government stores, engines, etc. Breckinridge and +Vaughan, I suppose, have been ordered away. Dr. Morris, Telegraph +Superintendent, wants to know of the Secretary if this news shall be +allowed to go to the press. + +The President is ill, some say very ill, but I saw indorsements with his +own hand on the 13th (day before yesterday). + +Our affairs seem in a bad train. But many have unlimited confidence in +Gen. Beauregard, who commands in South Carolina and Georgia, and all +repose implicit trust in Lee. + +A writer in the _Sentinel_ suggests that if we should be hard pressed, +the States ought to repeal the old Declaration of Independence, and +voluntarily revert to their original proprietors--England, France, and +Spain, and by them be protected from the North, etc. Ill-timed and +injurious publication! + +A letter from G. N. Sanders, Montreal, Canada E., asks copies of orders +(to be certified by Secretary of War) commanding the raid into Vermont, +the burning, pillaging, etc., _to save Lieut. Young's life_. I doubt if +such written orders are in existence--but no matter. + +It is said the enemy have captured Fort McAlister, Savannah Harbor. + +Mr. Hunter is very solicitous about the President's health--said to be +an affection of the head; but the Vice-President has taken his seat in +the Senate. + +It was rumored yesterday that the President would surely die,--an idle +rumor, perhaps. I hope it is not a disease of the brain, and incurable. + +DECEMBER 16TH.--Clear and pleasant; subsequently cloudy and chilly. + +All quiet below, save the occasional booming of our guns from the +iron-clads. + +The capture of Fort McAlister, Savannah, has caused a painful +sensation. It is believed we have as many men on the Georgia coast as +the enemy; but they are not the men of _property_--men of 1861-62; and +those _without_ property (many of them) are reluctant to fight for the +benefit of the wealthy class, remaining at home. + +The following dispatch from Gen. Bragg was received this morning: + + "CHARLESTON, December 15th, 1864.--My services not being longer + needed in this department, I shall leave this evening for Wilmington, + and resume my command. + + "Sherman has opened communication with his new base, by the Ogeechee. + The means to meet him do not exceed one-half the estimate in yours of + the 7th instant. BRAXTON BRAGG." + +So ends Gen. Bragg's campaign against Sherman! + +I have not heard about the President's health to-day. But no papers have +come in from his office. + +Lieut.-Col. Ruffin, Commissary Department, certifies (or Col. Northrop +for him) that he is "not fit for duty in the field." + +DECEMBER 17TH.--Warm and cloudy. + +Quiet below. + +The President was reported better, yesterday, to my wife, who called. + +It is said Gen. Cooper, R. Ould, etc. etc. have never taken their +compensation in Confederate States Treasury notes, hoping at a future +day (which may not come) to draw specie or its equivalent! + +It was reported on the streets, to-day, that the President was dead. He +is much better; and will probably be at his office to-day. + +The following telegram was sent over by the President this morning: + +"SAVANNAH, GA., December 16th, 1864.--Sherman has secured a water base, +and Foster, who is already nearly on my communications, can be safely +and expeditiously reinforced. Unless assured that force sufficient to +keep open my communications can be sent me, I shall be compelled to +evacuate Savannah.--W. J. HARDEE, Lieut.-Gen." + +Alas for President Davis's government! It is now in a painful strait. If +reinforcements be sent from here, both Savannah and Richmond may fall. +Gen. Bragg will be crucified by the enemies of the President, for +staying at Augusta while Sherman made his triumphant march through +Georgia; and the President's party will make Beauregard the scape-goat, +for staying at Charleston--for sending Hood North--which I am inclined +to think he did not do, but the government itself. + +Capt. Weiniger (government clothing warehouse) employs about 4000 +females on soldiers' clothes. + +Some people still believe the President is dead, and that it is +attempted to conceal his death by saying he is better, etc. I saw his +indorsements on papers, to-day, dated the 15th, day before yesterday, +and it was a bold hand. I am inclined almost to believe he has not been +sick at all! His death would excite sympathy: and now his enemies are +assailing him bitterly, attributing all our misfortunes to his +incompetence, etc. etc. + +SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18TH.--Raining. + +The old dull sound of bombs down the river. Nothing further from +Savannah. It is now believed that the raiders in Western Virginia did +not attack Saltville, and that the works are safe. For two days the +speculators have been buying salt, and have put up the price to $1.50 +per pound. I hope they will be losers. The State distributes salt +to-morrow: ten pounds to each member of a family, at 20 cents per pound. + +The President's malady is said to be neuralgia in the head--an +evanescent affliction, and by no means considered dangerous. At least +such is the experience in my family. + +It was amusing, however, to observe the change of manner of the +Secretaries and of heads of bureaus toward Vice-President Stephens, when +it was feared the President was in _extremis_. Mr. Hunter, fat as he is, +flew about right briskly. + +If Savannah falls, our currency will experience another depreciation, +and the croaking reconstructionists will be bolder. + +The members of the Virginia Assembly propose paying themselves $50 per +day! + +Congress has not yet passed the act increasing the compensation of +members. + +DECEMBER 19TH.--The darkest and most dismal day that ever dawned upon +the earth, except one. There was no light when the usual hour came +round, and later the sun refused to shine. There was fog, and afterward +rain. + +Northern papers say Hood has been utterly routed, losing all his guns! + +A letter from Mr. ------ to ------, dated Richmond, December 17th, 1864, +says: "I have the honor to report my success as most remarkable and +satisfactory. I have ascertained the _whole Yankee mail line, from the +gun-boats to your city, with all the agents_ save one. You will be +_surprised_ when informed, from the lowest to the highest class. The +agent in your city, and most likely in your department, has yet to be +discovered. This is as certain as what we have learned (his arrest, I +mean), for the party in whose hands the mail is put coming from your +city is known to us; and we have only to learn who gives him the mail, +which can be done upon arrest, if _not sooner_, to know everything. What +shall be done with the parties (spies, of course) when we are ready to +act? If you ever intimate that _trials are tedious_, etc., the enemy +seize citizens from some neighborhood as hostages, when their emissaries +are disturbed. _I will dispatch_, if it be authorized, and that will end +the matter. The lady I spoke to you of is the fountain-head. What to do +with females troubles me, for I dislike to be identified with their +arrest. + +"I request that a good boat, with three torpedoes, and a man who +understands working them, be sent to Milford to report to me at Edge +Hill. Let the man be _mum_ on all questions. I would meet him at +Milford, if I knew the day (distance is twenty-five miles), with a +wagon, to take him, torpedoes, and boat to the point required. I must be +sure of the day. + +"Have the following advertisement published in Monday's papers: + +"'YANKEES ESCAPED! $1000 REWARD!--A Yankee officer and three privates +escaped from prison on Thursday night, with important matter upon their +persons. The above reward will be given for their detection.' + +"Let me hear from you through Cawood's Line, upon receipt of this. +Respectfully, etc. ------." + +We have the spectacle now of three full generals--Johnston, Beauregard, +and Bragg--without armies to command; and the armies in the field +apparently melting away under the lead of subordinate, if not +incompetent leaders. So much for the administration of the +Adjutant-General's office. + +Governor Smith is still exempting deputy sheriffs, constables, etc.--all +able-bodied. + +It is rumored on the street that we intend evacuating Savannah. How did +that get out--if, indeed, such is the determination? There _are_ +traitors in high places--or near them. + +It is also rumored that the Danville Railroad has been cut. I don't +believe it--yet. + +There is deep vexation in the city--a general apprehension that our +affairs are rapidly approaching a crisis such as has not been +experienced before. There is also much denunciation of the President for +the removal of Gen. Johnston from the command of the Army of Tennessee. + +Hon. Mr. Foote declared, Saturday, that he would resign his seat if the +bill to suspend the writ of _habeas corpus_, now pending, became a law. +There is much consternation--but it is of a sullen character, without +excitement. + +The United States Congress has ordered that notice be given Great +Britain of an intention on the part of the Federal Government to +increase the naval force on the lakes; also a proposition has been +introduced to terminate the Reciprocity Treaty. And Gen. Dix orders his +military subordinates to pursue any rebel raiders even _into_ Canada and +bring them over. So, light may come from _that_ quarter. A war with +England would be our peace. + +At 2 P.M. it was rumored that Charleston is taken and Beauregard a +prisoner. Also that Gen. Jos. E. Johnston (in the city) says Richmond +will be evacuated in ten days. I do not learn what gold sells at to-day! +I suspect some _coup d'etat_ is meditated. + +DECEMBER 20TH.--A brighter morning, cool and clear. + +The _President_ was at work yesterday. He and the Secretary and Gen. +Cooper put their heads together to make up a _regiment_ for Col. Miller +in Mississippi, and designate the two field officers to be under +him--from two battalions and two unattached companies. + +If the Northern (purporting to be official) accounts be true, Gen. Hood +has sustained an irretrievable disaster, which may involve the loss of +Tennessee, Georgia, etc. + +Hon. Mr. Foote declared last night his purpose to leave the city in a +few days, never to resume his seat in Congress, if martial law should be +allowed. He said he had information that when Charleston _fell_, South +Carolina would conclude a treaty of peace (submission?) with the United +States; and that North Carolina was prepared to follow the example! I +have observed that these two States do not often incline to go together. + +The _great_ disaster would be the loss of Richmond and retreat of Lee's +army southward. This would probably be followed by the downfall of +slavery in Virginia. + +The Secretary of War has sent an agent to the Governor of North +Carolina, to ask for special aid in supplying Lee's army with +meat--which is deficient here--or else it cannot be maintained in the +field in Virginia! Very bad, and perhaps worse coming. + +There is a rumor that Gen. Breckinridge has beaten Gen. Burbridge in +Tennessee or Western Virginia. + +Gen. R. E. Lee is in town, looking robust, though weather-worn. He +complains that the department is depleting his army by details, often +for private and speculative purposes, to the benefit of private +individuals--speculators. + +I drew my (State) salt to-day, 70 pounds, for 7 in family--20 cents per +pound. It retails at a $1 per pound! + +Mr. Secretary ---- has sent (per Lieut.-Col. Bayne) some gold to +Wilmington, to buy (in Nassau) loaf sugar for his family, to be brought +in government steamers. + +My son Thomas could get no beef ration to-day--too scarce. + +DECEMBER 21ST.--Raining; rained all night. + +The following dispatch was received this morning: + +"WILMINGTON, December 20th, 1864,10 A.M.--The head of the enemy's fleet +arrived off this port during last night. Over thirty steamers are now +assembling, and more are following.--BRAXTON BRAGG." + +It may be hoped that Gen. Bragg will do something more than chronicle +the successes of the enemy this time. He is nearer to him than when he +remained at Augusta; and yet the press could be made reticent on +arrivals, etc. + +Lieut.-Col. Sims, Assistant Quartermaster General, has contracted with +the _Southern Express Company_ to transport all the funds of the +Quartermaster's Department--hundreds of millions! + +Mr. Hunter was with the Secretary this morning, when I laid before the +latter Bragg's dispatch. I doubt not it failed to contribute to a +mollification of their painful forebodings. + +By Northern papers I see President Lincoln disapproves Gen. Dix's order +to troops to cross the Canada line in pursuit of raiders. + +Gold is $45 for one to-day. + +The army has no meat this day, the commissaries, etc. have it all, and +are speculating with it--it is said. So many high officials are +_interested_, there is no remedy. We are at the mercy of the +quartermasters, commissaries, railroad companies, and the _Southern_ +Express Company. The President and Secretary either cannot or will not +break our shackles. + +An official account states the number of houses burnt by the enemy in +Atlanta to be 5000! + +There is a rumor of another and a formidable raid on Gordonsville. The +railroad is now exclusively occupied with the transportation of +troops--perhaps for Wilmington. The raid may be a ruse to prevent +reinforcements being sent thither. + +The Andersonville Report belongs to the Adjutant-General's Office, and +therefore has not come back to me. + +DECEMBER 22D.--Clear and cold. We have nothing from below. From +Wilmington, we learn there is much commotion to resist the armada +launched against that port. Gen. Lee is sending troops _via_ the +Danville Road in that direction. + +The wire has been cut between this and Gordonsville, by the scouts of +the raiders launched in that direction. We breakfast, dine, and sup on +horrors now, and digest them all quite sullenly. + +I am invited to a turkey dinner to-day (at Mr. Waterhouse's), and have +some hesitation in accepting it at a time like this. Ought I to go? He +is a skilled artisan and has made money, and no doubt the turkey is +destined to be eaten by somebody. + +At an auction this morning, a Jew bid off an old set of tablespoons, +weighing twelve ounces and much worn, at $575. He will next _buy_ his +way out of the Confederacy. Mr. Benjamin and Judge Campbell have much to +answer for in allowing such men to deplete the South of its specie, +plate, etc. There were some commissaries and quartermasters present, who +are supposed to have stolen much from the government, and desire to +exchange the currency they have ruined for imperishable wealth. They, +too, will run away the first opportunity. + +The sun shines brightly this beautiful cold day; but all is dark in +Congress. The Tennessee members say Hood's army is destroyed, that he +will not get 1000 men out of the State, for the Tennesseeans, +Kentuckians, etc. refuse to retire farther south, but straggle and +scatter to their homes, where they will remain. + +I am told we have but a thin curtain of pickets on the north side of the +James River, between us and 15,000 negro troops. + +The President is at work at his residence, not having yet come down to +his office; and I learn it is difficult to get his attention to any +business just now but _appointments_; had to get him to sign a bill +passed by Congress to pay the civil officers of the government. No doubt +he is anxious and very unhappy. + +Hon. Mr. Foote's wife has just got a passport to return home to +Nashville, Tennessee! + +DECEMBER 23D.--Bright and very cold. + +A storm has driven off a portion of the enemy's fleet before Wilmington. + +The raid toward Gordonsville and Charlottesville is not progressing +rapidly. We shall have a force to meet it. + +Besides the demonstration against Savannah (from which place we have no +recent tidings), it appears that an attempt on Mobile is in progress. +Too many attempts--some of them must fail, I hope. + +From the last accounts, I doubted whether Hood's army has been so badly +shattered as was apprehended yesterday. + +Gen. Price (trans-Mississippi) has brought out a large number of +recruits from Missouri. + +I dined out yesterday, and sumptuously; the first time for two years. + +Congress has done but little, so far. They are at work on the Currency +bill! + +Mr. Enders, broker, and exempted as one of the Ambulance Committee, I am +informed paid some $8000 yesterday to Mitchell & Tyler for a few +articles of jewelry for his daughter. And R. Hill, who has a provision +shop near the President's office, I understand expended some $30,000 on +the wedding of his daughter. He was poor, I believe, before the war. + +I got an order from Lieut. Parker, Confederate States Navy, for a load +of coal to-day. Good! I hope it will be received before the last on hand +is gone. + +The enemy's raiders camped within seven miles of Gordonsville, last +night; and it will be ten o'clock to-day before our reinforcements can +reach there. I hope our stores (commissary) will not be lost--as usual. + +Mr. S. Norris, Signal Bureau, has just (1 P.M.) sent the following: "I +am just informed that Mr. Smithers, telegraph operator at Gordonsville, +is again in his office. He says fighting is going on in sight--that +troops from Richmond have arrived, and arriving--and it is expected that +Gen. Lomax will be able to drive the enemy back." + +Just before 3 P.M. to-day a dispatch came from Mr. Smithers, telegraph +operator at Gordonsville, dated 1 o'clock, saying the enemy have been +repulsed and severely punished, and are retreating the way they came, +toward Sperryville. He adds that many of the enemy's dead now lie in +sight of the town. So much for this gleam of good fortune, for I believe +the military authorities here were meditating an evacuation of the city. + +Gen. Custis Lee was at the department to-day, after the clerks detailed +from his command. All, all are to be dragged out in this bitter cold +weather for defense, except the speculators, the extortioners, the land +and slave owners, who really have something tangible to defend, and +these have exemptions or "soft places." + +DECEMBER 24TH.--Christmas eve! Clear and cold. + +A dispatch from Hon. J. L. Orr and H. V. Johnson (on their way home) +informs the Secretary that from the delay in the transportation of +troops over the Piedmont Railroad, there must be either criminal neglect +or treachery concerned in it. + +Again it is rumored that Savannah has been evacuated. There is something +in the air that causes agitation in official circles. Mr. Secretary +Seddon's room was locked nearly all day yesterday. + +If troops cannot be transported expeditiously over the Piedmont Road, +fears may be entertained for Wilmington, when, the gale subsiding, the +enemy's fleet has reappeared. + +There is a rumor on the street that the government is to be removed to +Lynchburg. + +Gen. Lee has induced the President and Secretary of War to call for the +clerks (detailed ones) to repair to the trenches again--this weather. +The emergency must be great, as these soldiers get, as clerks, $4000 per +annum, and rations, etc. + +A dispatch from Gen. Bragg. + +"WILMINGTON, N. C., December 23d, 1864.--The fleet, which drew off in +the rough weather, is again assembled; seventy vessels now in sight on +the coast. The advance of the troops (C. S.) only reached here +to-night.--B. B." + +The clerks are drawing lots; one-half being ordered to the trenches. Of +two drawn in this bureau (out of five) one is peremptorily ordered by +the Secretary to remain, being sickly, and the other has an order to go +before a medical board "to determine whether he is fit for service in +the trenches for a few days." Great commotion naturally prevails in the +departments, and it is whispered that Gen. Lee was governed in the +matter by the family of the President, fearing a Christmas visit from +the negro troops on this side the river. + +The following note was received to-day from the Vice-President: + + "RICHMOND, VA., December 23d, 1864.--Hon. Jas. A. Seddon, Secretary + of War: Will you please send me, through the post-office, a + passport to leave the city? I wish to depart in a few + days. Yours respectfully, + + "ALEX. H. STEPHENS." + +The President is hard at work making majors, etc. + +SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25TH. CHRISTMAS!--Clear and pleasant--white frost. + +All quiet below. But it is believed on the street that Savannah has been +evacuated, some days ago. I have not yet seen any official admission of +the fact. + +We have quite a merry Christmas in the family; and a compact that no +unpleasant word shall be uttered, and no _scramble_ for anything. The +family were baking cakes and pies until late last night, and to-day we +shall have _full_ rations. I have found enough celery in the little +garden for dinner. + +Last night and this morning the boys have been firing Christmas guns +incessantly--no doubt pilfering from their fathers' cartridge-boxes. +There is much jollity and some drunkenness in the streets, +notwithstanding the enemy's pickets are within an hour's march of the +city. + +A large number of the croaking inhabitants censure the President for our +many misfortunes, and openly declare in favor of Lee as Dictator. +Another month, and he may be unfortunate or unpopular. His son, Gen. +Custis Lee, has mortally offended the clerks by putting them in the +trenches yesterday, and some of them may desert. + +Many members of Congress have gone home. But it is still said they +invested the President with extraordinary powers, in secret session. I +am not quite sure this is so. + +I append the following dispatches: + + "HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, + + "December 23d, 1864. + + "HON. JAMES A. SEDDON, SECRETARY OF WAR. + + "On the 20th, Gen. Early reported one division of the enemy's + cavalry, under Gen. Custer, coming up the valley, and two + divisions, under Gen. Torbert, moving through Chester Gap, with + four pieces of artillery and thirty wagons. + + "On the 22d, Rosser attacked Custer's division, nine miles from + Harrisonburg, and drove it back, capturing forty prisoners. + + "This morning, Torbert attacked Lomax near Gordonsville, and was + repulsed and severely punished. He is retreating, and Lomax + preparing to follow. R. E. LEE." + + + "DUBLIN, December 20th, 1864. + + "A dispatch from Gen. Breckinridge to-day, dated at Mount Airy, + sixteen miles west of Wytheville, says he had fought the enemy for + two days, successfully, near Marion. The enemy had retired from his + front; but whether they were retreating to East Tennessee or not, + he had not ascertained." + + + "CHARLESTON, December 22d, 1864. + + "TO GEN. S. COOPER. + + "On the 16th inst., the enemy, 800 strong, occupied Pollard. After + burning the government and railroad buildings, they retired in the + direction they came. + + "They were pursued thirty miles, losing a portion of their + transportation, baggage, and supplies, and leaving many dead negro + troops on the road. + + "Our force, commanded by Gen. Liddell, acted with spirit and + gallantry. G. T. BEAUREGARD, _General_." + + + "OUR INDIAN TROOPS.--Gen. Stand Watie, commanding our Indian troops + in the trans-Mississippi Department, has fully clothed and armed + all his men, and is in the vicinity of Fort Smith, attacking and + destroying Yankee wagon trains." + +DECEMBER 26TH.--Raining--rained all night. The dark and dismal weather, +together with our sad reverses, have made the countenances of croakers +in the streets and in the offices more gloomy and somber than ever, +foreboding evil in the future. No one doubts the evacuation of Savannah, +and I suppose it must be so. Hardee had but 8000 reliable men. The +Georgians in Lee's army are more or less demoralized, and a reward of a +sixty days' furlough is given for shooting any deserter from our ranks. + +An old black chest, containing mostly scraps and odds and ends of +housekeeping, yet brought on by my family from Burlington, has remained +four years unopened, the key being lost. We have felt an irrepressible +anxiety to see its contents, for even rubbish is now valuable. I got a +locksmith to send a man to pick the lock, last week, but he failed to +find the house, and subsequently was sent to the trenches. I borrowed +twenty-five keys, and none of them would fit. I got wire, and tried to +pick the lock, but failed. Yesterday, however, when all were at church, +I made another effort, prizing at the same time with the poker, when the +screws of the hasp came out and the top flew up, revealing only "odds +and ends" so far as I could see. I closed it, replaced the striped +cover, and put the cage with the parrot on it, where it usually remains. +The day, and the expressed objection of my wife to have the lock broken +or injured, have, until to-day, restrained me from revealing to the +family what I had done. But now I shall assemble them, and by a sort of +Christmas story, endeavor to mollify my wife's anticipated displeasure. +The examination of the contents will be a delightful diversion for the +children, old and young. + +My impromptu Christmas tale of the old Black Chest interested the +family, and my wife was not angry. Immediately after its conclusion, the +old chest was surrounded and opened, and among an infinite variety of +rubbish were some articles of value, viz., of chemises (greatly needed), +several pairs of stockings, 1 Marseilles petticoat, lace collars, +several pretty baskets, 4 pair ladies' slippers (nearly new), and +several books--one from my library, an octavo volume on Midwifery, 500 +pages, placed there to prevent the children from seeing the +illustrations, given me by the publisher for a notice in my paper, _The +Madisonian_, more than twenty years ago. There were also many toys and +keepsakes presented Mrs. J. when she was an infant, forty years ago, and +many given our children when they were infants, besides various articles +of infants' clothing, etc. etc., both of intrinsic value, and prized as +reminiscences. The available articles, though once considered rubbish, +would sell, and could not be bought here for less than $500. + +This examination occupied the family the remainder of the day and +night--all content with this Christmas diversion--and oblivious of the +calamities which have befallen the country. It was a providential +distraction. + +DECEMBER 27TH.--A night of rain--morning of fog and gloom. At last we +have an account of the evacuation of Savannah. Also of the beginning of +the assault on Port Fisher and Caswell below Wilmington, with painful +apprehensions of the result; for the enemy have landed troops above the +former fort, and found no adequate force to meet them, thanks to the +_policy_ of the government in allowing the _property holders_ to escape +the toils and dangers of the field, while the poor, who have nothing +tangible to fight for, are thrust to the front, where many desert. Our +condition is also largely attributable to the management of the Bureau +of Conscription--really the Bureau of _Exemption_. + +I saw to-day a letter from Gen. Beauregard to Gen. Cooper, wherein it +was indicated that Gen. Hood's plan of penetrating Tennessee was adopted +before he (Gen. B.) was ordered to that section. + +The enemy _did_ occupy Saltville last week, and damaged the works. No +doubt salt will "go up" now. The enemy, however, have retired from the +place, and the works can be repaired. Luckily I drew 70 pounds last +week, and have six months' supply. I have two months' supply of coal and +wood--long enough, perhaps, for our residence in Richmond, unless the +property owners be required to defend their property. I almost despair +of a change of policy. + +It is reported that Sherman is marching south of Savannah, on some new +enterprise; probably a detachment merely to destroy the railroad. + +An expedition is attacking, or about to attack, Mobile. + +All our possessions on the coast seem to be the special objects of +attack this winter. If Wilmington falls, "Richmond next," is the +prevalent supposition. + +The brokers are offering $50 Confederate States notes for $1 of gold. + +Men are silent, and some dejected. It is unquestionably the darkest +period we have yet experienced. Intervention on the part of European +powers is the only hope of many. Failing that, no doubt a negro army +will be organized--and it might be too late! + +And yet, with such a preponderance of numbers and material against us, +the wonder is that we have not lost all the sea-board before this. I +long since supposed the country would be penetrated and overrun in most +of its ports, during the second or third year of the war. If the +government would foster a spirit of patriotism, the country would always +rise again, after these invasions, like the water of the sea plowed by +ships of war. But the government must not crush the spirit of the people +relied upon for defense, and the rich must fight side by side with the +poor, or the poor will abandon the rich, and that will be an abandonment +of the cause. + +It is said Gen. Lee is to be invested with dictatorial powers, so far as +our armies are concerned. This will inspire new confidence. He is +represented as being in favor of employing negro troops. + +A dispatch from Lieut.-Gen. Hardee (to the President), December 24th, +1864, at Charleston, S. C., says he may have to take the field any +moment (against Sherman), and asks a chief quartermaster and chief +commissary. The President invokes the special scrupulosity of the +Secretary in the names of these staff officers. + +DECEMBER 28TH.--Rained all night; warm. + +A large stable burned down within sixty yards of our dwelling, last +night, and not one of the family heard the uproar attending it. + +Gen. Bragg telegraphs the President that the enemy failed to reduce Fort +Fisher, and that the troops landed above the fort have re-embarked. But +he says the enemy's designs are not yet developed; and he is such an +unlucky general. + +We found a caricature in the old black chest, of 1844, in which I am +engaged in fight with the elder Blair. Calhoun, Buchanan, etc. are in +the picture. + +It is still believed that Gen. Lee is to be generalissimo, and most +people rejoice at it. It is said the President and Gen. Jos. E. Johnston +have become friends again. + +DECEMBER 29TH.--Rained all night; spitting snow this morning. + +Although Gen. Bragg announces that the enemy's fleet has disappeared off +Wilmington, still the despondency which has seized the croakers remains. +It has probably sailed against Charleston, to co-operate with Sherman. +Sherman says officially that he got, with Savannah, about 1000 +prisoners, 150 heavy guns, nearly 200 cars and several locomotives, +35,000 bales of cotton, etc. etc. And Gen. Foster says the inhabitants +(20,000) were "quiet, and well disposed." Most people believe Charleston +will fall next, to be followed by a sweep of the entire sea-board; and +grave men fear that the impetus thus given the invader cannot be checked +or resisted. + +The great want is _fighting men_, and they are mostly exempted or +detailed under that portion of the "War Department" which is quietly +worked by Judge Campbell, who is, of course, governed by his own great +legal judgment. Well, the President has been informed of this, and yet +waits for Mr. Secretary Seddon to suggest a remedy. I have often +thought, and still think, that either the Bureau of Conscription must be +abolished or the government must fail. The best generals will not avail +without sufficient men to fight. + +Gen. Beauregard telegraphs from Charleston, December 26th, that there is +a conflict of authority at Mobile as to which branch of the service, +navy or army, shall command the torpedo boat. The two Secretaries are +referring it to commanders, and I fear that, by the time the question is +settled, some calamity will befall the boat, and the city, and the +country. + +Grant is said to be moving troops to the north side of the river again, +fearing an attack from us, or intending one himself. + +DECEMBER 30TH.--A clear night and frosty morning. + +We have no news except that gleaned from Northern papers. Gen. Hood is +unable to cross the Tennessee River (now swollen), and would soon be +attacked again by superior numbers. + +Congress was in secret session yesterday, probably perfecting the bill +for the suspension of the privilege of _habeas corpus_. + +Gen. Bragg is credited with the repulse of the enemy at Wilmington. + +During the late raid a close-fisted farmer lost heavily: several hundred +barrels of flour and corn, one hundred barrels of apples, a large +amount of bacon and sorghum, which he was hoarding, and thus +contributing to produce famine in the midst of plenty. His neighbors +(those few not following his example) express no sympathy for him. The +enemy did not burn Liberty Mills--once in their possession, in which is +stored a large amount of grain--for some unexplained reason. + +The enemy's papers show that they have regular and expeditious +intercourse with parties here, and are kept correctly advised of +everything that transpires. This is a continuance of Mr. Benjamin's +policy by Mr. Seddon. It may be lucrative to those immediately +interested; but if not abated, will be the death of the Confederate +States Government--as I have told them all repeatedly. + +And the "Bureau of Conscription" still exists, and seems destined to "be +in at the death." + +I paid Lieut. Parker just $30.75 for a load of coal; selling at $75. + +I saw selling at auction, to-day, second-hand shirts at $40 each, and +blankets at $75. A bedstead, such as I have bought for $10, brought +$700. But $50 in Confederate States paper are really worth only $1 in +specie. + +Jos. R. Anderson & Co. writes that unless their hands are sent in from +the trenches, they cannot fill orders for ordnance stores; and Gen. +Gorgas (he has been promoted) approves it, saying it is known that a +number of these hands intend to desert the first opportunity. + +The last call for the clerks to return to the trenches was responded to +by not a man of Capt. Manico's company, War Department proper. + +DECEMBER 31ST.--The last day of the year. Snowing and wet. + +Gen. H. Cobb writes that the existing Conscription Bureau is a failure +so far as Georgia, Alabama, etc. are concerned, and can never put the +men in the field. + +Wm. Johnston, president of the Charlotte (N. C.) and South Carolina +Railroad, suggests the construction, immediately, of a railroad from +Columbia, S. C, to Augusta, Ga., which might be easily accomplished by +April or May. It would take that length of time for the government to +"consider of it." It will lose two railroads before it will order the +building of one. + +There is supposed to be a conspiracy on foot to transfer some of the +powers of the Executive to Gen. Lee. It can only be done by revolution, +and the overthrow of the Constitution. Nevertheless, it is believed many +executive officers, some high in position, favor the scheme. + +To-morrow Gen. Lee's army is to be feasted with turkeys, etc. +contributed by the country, if the enemy will permit them to dine +without molestation. The enemy are kept fully informed of everything +transpiring here, thanks to the vigilance of the Provost Marshal, +detectives, etc. etc. + +Gen. Cobb writes that he is arresting the men who remained in Atlanta +during its occupation by Sherman, and subjecting themselves to +suspicion, etc. Better march the men we have against Sherman now, who is +still in Georgia! + +Gen. Lee writes that Grant is concentrating (probably for an attack on +Richmond), bringing another corps from the Valley; and if the local +troops are brought in, he does not know how to replace them. His army +diminishes, rather than increases, under the manipulations of the Bureau +of Conscription. It is a dark and dreary hour, when Lee is so +despondent! + +Senator Henry writes that any delay in impressing the railroad from +Danville to Greensborough will be fatal. + + + + +CHAPTER XLVI. + +Waning confidence in the President.--Blockade running.--From the South.-- + Beauregard on Sherman.--The expeditions against Wilmington.--Return + of Mr. Pollard.--The Blairs in Richmond.--Arrest of Hon. H. S. + Foote.--Fall of Fort Fisher.--Views of Gen. Cobb.--Dismal.-- + Casualties of the War.--Peace commissioners for Washington. + + +SUNDAY, JANUARY 1ST, 1865.--Snowed a few inches in depth during the +night--clear and cool morning. The new year begins with the new rumor +that Gen. Hood has turned upon Gen. Thomas and beaten him. This is +believed by many. Hood's army was _not_ destroyed, and he retreated from +before Nashville with some 20,000 men. Doubtless he lost many cannon; +but the Federal accounts of his disaster were probably much +exaggerated. + +The cabinet still remains. + +The President is considered really a man of ability, and eminently +qualified to preside over the Confederate States, if independence were +attained and we had peace. But he is probably not equal to the role he +is now called upon to play. He has not the broad intellect requisite for +the gigantic measures needed in such a crisis, nor the health and +physique for the labors devolving on him. Besides he is too much of a +politician still to discard his old prejudices, and persists in keeping +aloof from him, and from commanding positions, all the great statesmen +and patriots who contributed most in the work of preparing the minds of +the people for resistance to Northern domination. And the consequence is +that many of these influential men are laboring to break down his +administration, or else preparing the people for a return to the old +Union. The disaffection is intense and wide-spread among the politicians +of 1860, and consternation and despair are expanding among the people. +Nearly all desire to see Gen. Lee at the head of affairs; and the +President is resolved to yield the position to no man during his term of +service. Nor would Gen. Lee take it. + +The proposition to organize an army of negroes gains friends; because +the owners of the slaves are no longer willing to fight themselves, at +least they are not as "eager for the fray" as they were in 1861; and the +armies _must_ be replenished, or else the slaves will certainly be lost. + +Thus we begin the new year--Heaven only knows how we shall end it! I +trust we may be in a better condition then. Of one thing I am certain, +the PEOPLE are capable of achieving independence, if they only had +capable men in all departments of the government. + +The President was at St. Paul's to-day, with a knit woolen cap on his +head. Dr. Minnegerode preached a sermon against the croakers. His son +has been appointed a midshipman by the President. + +JANUARY 2D.--Cold, and indications of snow. + +Offered the owner of our servant $400 per annum. He wants $150 and +clothing for her. Clothing would cost perhaps $1000. It remains in +abeyance. + +Saw Gen. Wise dancing attendance in the Secretary's room. He looks +seasoned and well, and may be destined to play a leading part "in human +affairs" yet, notwithstanding his hands have been so long bound by those +who contrive "to get possession." It is this very thing of keeping our +great men in the "background" which is often the cause of calamities, +and if persisted in, may bring irretrievable ruin upon the cause. + +The government has forbidden the transportation of freight, etc. +(private) from Georgia to Virginia, and perhaps from the intermediate +States. + +On Saturday the government entered the market to sell gold, and brought +down the price some 33 per cent. A spasmodic effort, the currency is +gone beyond redemption. + +It is said Gen. Hood has collected a large amount of supplies of meat, +etc. He is in North Alabama, and probably Gen. Thomas will march toward +Virginia. + +The Secretary had his head between his knees before the fire when I +first went in this morning. Affairs are gloomy enough--and the question +is how Richmond and Virginia shall be saved. Gen. Lee is despondent. + +From the Northern papers we learn that Gen. Butler's expedition against +Wilmington, N. C, was a failure. Gen. Bragg is applauded here for this +successful defense. + +The salaries of the clergymen have been raised by their congregations to +$10,000 and $12,000. I hear that Dr. Woodbridge received a Christmas +gift from his people of upwards of $4000, besides seven barrels of +flour, etc. _He owns his own house, his own servants_, stocks, etc. Most +of these fortunate ministers are natives of the North, but true to the +Southern cause, so far as we know. God knows I am glad to hear of any +one, and especially a minister, being made comfortable. + +JANUARY 3D.--Calm and quiet; indications of snow. + +By a communication sent to Congress, by the President, it is ascertained +that 500,000 pairs shoes, 8,000,000 pounds bacon, 2,000,000 pounds +saltpeter, 50 cannon, etc. etc., have been imported since October 1st, +1864. + +When the enemy's fleet threatened Wilmington, the brokers here (who have +bribed the conscript officers) bought up all the coffee and sugar in the +city. They raised the price of the former from $15 to $45 per pound, +and the latter to $15, from $10. An application has been made to Mr. +Secretary Seddon to order the impressment of it all, at schedule prices, +which he will be sure not to do. + +Congress paid their respects to the President yesterday, by waiting upon +him in a body. + +There is a rumor of some fighting (12 M.) below, but I have not learned +on which side of the river. It arises from brisk cannonading, heard in +the city, I suppose. + +I bought an ax (of Starke) for $15, mine having been stolen. I was asked +from $25 to $35 for no better. Mr. Starke has no garden seeds yet. + +The following article in the _Dispatch_ to-day, seemingly well +authenticated, would seem to indicate that our armies are in no danger +of immediately becoming destitute of supplies; but, alas! the +publication itself may cause the immediate fall of Wilmington. + +"BLOCKADE-RUNNING.--Notwithstanding the alleged ceaseless vigilance of +the Yankee navy in watching blockade-runners on the Atlantic and Gulf +Coast of the Confederate States, their close attention has amounted to +comparatively little. Setting aside all that has been imported on State +and individual account, the proceeds of the blockade have been very +great. The restrictions imposed upon foreign commerce by the act of +Congress of last session prohibiting, absolutely, during the pending +war, the importation of any articles not necessary for the defense of +the country--namely: wines, spirits, jewelry, cigars, and all the finer +fabrics of cotton, flax, wool, or silk, as well as all other merchandise +serving only for the indulgence of luxurious habits,--has not had the +effect to reduce the number of vessels engaged in blockade-running; but, +on the contrary, the number has steadily increased within the last year, +and many are understood to be now on the way to engage in the business. + +"The President, in a communication to Congress on the subject, says that +the number of vessels arriving at two ports only from the 1st of +November to the 6th of December was _forty-three_, and but a very small +proportion of those outward bound were captured. Out of 11,796 bales of +cotton shipped since the 1st of July last, but 1272 were lost--not quite +11 per cent. + +"The special report of the Secretary of the Treasury in relation to the +matter shows that there have been imported into the Confederacy at the +ports of Wilmington and Charleston since October 26th, 1864, 8,632,000 +pounds of meat, 1,507,000 pounds of lead, 1,933,000 pounds of saltpeter, +546,000 pairs of shoes, 316,000 pairs of blankets, 520,000 pounds of +coffee, 69,000 rifles, 97 packages of revolvers, 2639 packages of +medicine, 43 cannon, with a large quantity of other articles of which we +need make no mention. Besides these, many valuable stores and supplies +are brought, by way of the Northern lines, into Florida; by the port of +Galveston and through Mexico, across the Rio Grande. + +"The shipments of cotton made on government account since March 1st, +1864, amount to $5,296,000 in specie. Of this, cotton, to the value of +$1,500,000, has been shipped since the 1st of July and up to the 1st of +December. + +"It is a matter of absolute impossibility for the Federals to stop our +blockade-running at the port of Wilmington. If the wind blows off the +coast, the blockading fleet is driven off. If the wind blows landward, +they are compelled to haul off to a great distance to escape the +terrible sea which dashes on a rocky coast without a harbor within three +days' sail. The shoals on the North Carolina Coast are from five to +twenty miles wide; and they are, moreover, composed of the most +treacherous and bottomless quicksands. The whole coast is scarcely +equaled in the world for danger and fearful appearance, particularly +when a strong easterly wind meets the ebb tide. + +"It is an easy matter for a good pilot to run a vessel directly out to +sea or into port; but in the stormy months, from October to April, no +blockading vessel can lie at anchor in safety off the Carolina Coast. +Therefore supplies will be brought in despite the keenest vigilance." + +JANUARY 4TH.--Bright, but several inches of snow fell last night. + +The President wrote a long letter to the Secretary yesterday concerning +the _assignment of conscripts in Western North Carolina_, at most only a +few hundred, and the appointment of officers, etc. A small subject. + +Congress has passed a resolution calling on the Secretary of War for +information concerning certain youths, alleged to have received +passports to Europe, etc. Also one relating to the Commissary-General's +traffic in Eastern North Carolina, within the enemy's lines. Also one +relating to instructions to Gen. Smith, trans-Mississippi Department, +who assumes control of matters pertaining to the Treasury Department. + +General J. S. Preston, Superintendent Bureau of Conscription, writes a +long letter from South Carolina indorsing an act of the Legislature +authorizing the impressment of one-fifth of the slaves between eighteen +and fifty, for work on the fortifications within the State, but also +providing for impressment of an additional number by the Confederate +States Government. This, Gen. P. considers a treasonable move, +indicating that South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, +etc. have a purpose to disintegrate Confederate authority, and that they +will not contribute another man, black or white, to the Confederate +service, to be commanded by Confederate States authority. And he has +several thrusts at Gen. Bragg and Gen. Kemper, and, indirectly, at the +President, for interfering with _his_ bureau. I see nothing in the act +to warrant his interpretations, and I have no faith in his predictions. + +W. F. D. Saussure and others, Columbia, S. C., petition the government +to send a corps of Lee's army to save their State and Georgia from +devastation, as there are no adequate forces in them for defense. They +confess that Richmond is important to hold, but insist that Georgia and +South Carolina must be defended to hold it, etc. They are frightened +evidently. + +Gen. Withers, Alabama, denounces the inefficiency of the conscript +system. + +Lieut. Beverly Kermon writes from the Rappahannock that "thus far (to +Jan. 1st) our movements (in connection with Capt. T. N. Conrad) are +perfectly secret." The next day he was to go to the Potomac. What has +the Secretary sent him _there_ for? + +J. R. Bledsoe presents a design for a "_new flag_," red, white, and blue +cross, which Gen. Lee thinks both original and beautiful. + +Judge Campbell has a box of clothing, sent from London by J. B. +Bloodgood. + +JANUARY 5TH.--Clear and cold. + +It is understood now that Gen. Hood has crossed to the south side of the +Tennessee River with the debris of his army. + +Gen. Butler has returned to Virginia from his fruitless North Carolina +expedition. It is supposed we shall have active operations again before +this city as soon as the weather and roads will permit. + +But it really does seem that the States respectively mean to take +control of all their men not now in the Confederate States armies, and I +apprehend we shall soon have "confusion worse confounded." + +The President sends, "for his information," to the Secretary of War, a +letter from Gen. Beauregard, dated at Augusta, Ga., Dec. 6th, 1864, in +relation to Gen. Sherman's movement eastward, and Gen. Hood's Middle +Tennessee campaign. It appears from Gen. B.'s letter to the President +that he (Gen. B.) had control of everything. He says he did not +countermand Gen. Hood's campaign, because Sherman had 275 miles the +start, and the roads were impracticable in Northern Georgia and Alabama. +But he telegraphed the Governors of Alabama, Georgia, etc., to +concentrate troops rapidly in Sherman's front, ordered a brigade of +cavalry from Hood to Wheeler, etc., and supposed some 30,000 men could +be collected to oppose Sherman's march, and destroy him. He computed +Sherman's strength at 36,000 of all arms. The result shows how much he +was mistaken. He will be held accountable for all the disasters. Alas +for Beauregard! Bragg only played the part of chronicler of the sad +events from Augusta. Yet the President cannot publish this letter of +Beauregard's, and the country will still fix upon him the responsibility +and the odium. Gen. Beauregard is still in front of Sherman, with +inadequate forces, and may again be responsible for additional +calamities. + +Old Mr. F. P. Blair and his son Montgomery Blair are on their way here, +with authority to confer on peace and submission, etc. + +Mr. Lewis, Disbursing Clerk of the Post-Office Department, on behalf of +lady clerks has laid a complaint before the President that Mr. Peck, a +clerk in the department, to whom was intrusted money to buy supplies in +North Carolina, has failed to make return of provisions or money, +retaining the latter for several months, while some of his friends have +received returns, besides 10 barrels flour bought for himself, and +transported at government expense. Some of the clerks think the money +has been retained for speculative purposes. It remains to be seen +whether the President will do anything in the premises. + +The grand New Year's dinner to the soldiers, as I supposed, has produced +discontent in the army, from unequal distribution, etc. No doubt the +speculators got control of it, and made money, at least provided for +their families, etc. + +Hon. J. R. Baylor proposes recruiting in New Mexico and Lower +California. The Secretary of War opposes it, saying we shall probably +require all the trans-Mississippi troops on this side the river. The +President differs with the Secretary, and writes a long indorsement, +showing the importance of Baylor's project, etc. Of course the Secretary +will "stint and say ay." The President thinks Col. B. can enlist the +Indian tribes on our side also. + +There is a rumor that Mr. Foote, M. C., has gone into the enemy's lines. +He considered the difference between Davis and Lincoln as "between +tweedledum and tweedledee." + +The prisoners of war (foreigners) that took the oath of allegiance and +enlisted in the Confederate States service, are deserting _back_ to the +Federal service, under Gen. Sherman's promise of amnesty. + +JANUARY 6TH.--Cloudy and thawing. + +No war news,--but it is known Sherman's army is not quiet, and must soon +be heard from in spite of the interdict of the government. + +It is said Mr. Trenholm, Secretary of the Treasury, is in the market +buying gold, and that the fall has already been from $50 to $30 for one. + +Corn-meal has risen from $50 up to $75 per bushel. Flour to $500 per +barrel. + +Vice-President Stephens has not left the city, but presides in the +Senate. + +Messrs. B. Woolley, Hart & Co., Nassau, N. P., write most pressing +letters for the liquidation of their claims against the Confederate +States Government. Perhaps they are becoming alarmed after making +prodigious profits, etc. + +Conner's brigade and other troops are en route for South Carolina from +Lee's army. + +Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary of War, was _smoked_ out of his room +to-day, and came into mine. + +The judge, however, does but little more just now than grant passports +into the enemy's lines; permission to speculators to bring into the city +supplies for sale, often under pretense of being intended for their own +use; exemptions, details, etc. If he were disposed, he could realize a +million of dollars. + +It is said the Hon. A. R. Wright went North to get his son paroled, who +is in prison there. + +Judge Campbell talks of resigning. + +JANUARY 7TH.--Rained yesterday and last night. Clear and windy to-day. + +It is said the Blairs (who have been looked for on some sort of mission) +turned back after arriving in the camp of Gen. Grant. Of course they +could not treat with this government, under existing circumstances. The +President and his cabinet could not be expected to listen to such +proposals as they might be authorized to tender. + +Butler's canal is said to be completed, and probably operations will +soon be recommenced in this vicinity. + +Congress seems to be doing little or nothing; but before it adjourns it +is supposed it will, as usual, pass the measures dictated by the +President. How insignificant a legislative body becomes when it is not +independent. The Confederate States Congress will not live in history, +for it never really existed at all, but has always been merely a body of +subservient men, registering the decrees of the Executive. Even Mr. +Miles, of South Carolina, before introducing a bill, sends it to this +department for approval or rejection. + +Detailed soldiers here are restricted in their rations this month to 31 +pounds of meal, 21 pounds of salt beef, etc. The commissary agent, Mr. +Wilson, thinks no more "beef shanks" can be sold. I have been living on +them! + +An order has been issued that all detailed men in the bureaus +(able-bodied) must go into Gen. Lee's army; and the local defense troops +will not be called out again except in the last necessity, and then only +during the emergency. I have not seen it, but believe Gen. Lee has some +such understanding with the President. + +Mayor Arnold, and other rich citizens of Savannah, have held a meeting +(Union), and called upon Gov. Brown to assemble a State Convention, etc. + +Mr. Hunter followed Judge Campbell into his office this morning (a +second visit), as if there were "any more news." The judge gravely +beckoned him into the office. I was out; so there must be news, when Mr. +H. (so fat) is on the _qui vive_. + +Gen. Beauregard has been ordered to the West to take command of Hood's +army. + +The Secretary of War has ordered Col. Bayne to have as much cotton as +possible _east_ of Branchville, S. C. + +The farmers down the river report that Grant is sending off large bodies +of troops--so the Secretary says in a letter to _Gen. Lee_. + +JANUARY 8TH.--Bright and cold. Snowed yesterday, and windy. + +Gen. Whiting writes that he had only 400 men in Fort Fisher, and it was +a miracle that it was not taken. He looked for it, and a determined +effort would have carried it. He says there is no reason to suppose the +attempt has been abandoned, and it must fall if a sufficient force be +not sent thither. + +If the enemy are apprised of the weak condition of the fort, it is +probable Grant has been sending another and a stronger expedition there, +and it may be apprehended that before many days Wilmington will cease to +be of value to us as a blockade-running port of entry. + +I saw the Hon. Mr. Montague to-day, who told me there was a strong party +in Congress (which he opposed) in favor of making Gen. Lee generalissimo +without the previous concurrence of the President. He says some of the +Georgia members declare that their State will re-enter the Union unless +Lee be speedily put at the head of military affairs in the field--he +being the only man possessing the unlimited confidence of the people. I +agreed with him that the President ought to be approached in a proper +manner, and freely consulted, before any action such as he indicated; +and I told him that a letter from Gen. Beauregard, dated 6th of +December, to the President, if ever published, would exculpate the +latter from all blame for the march (unopposed) of Sherman through +Georgia. + +Col. Baylor, whom the President designated the other day as the proper +man to raise troops in New Mexico, Arizona, Lower California and in +Mexico, is the same man who invited the Indians to a council in 1861, to +receive presents, whisky, etc., and then ordered them, men, women, and +children, to be _slaughtered_. Even Mr. Randolph revolted at such +conduct. But now the government must employ him. + +The rotund Mr. Hunter is rolling about actively to-day, hunting for more +news. His cheeks, though fat, are flat and emaciated--for he sees +affairs in a desperate condition, and he has much to lose. + +JANUARY 9TH.--Bright, clear, and cold. + +It is said the government depot at Charlotte, N. C., has been burned +(accidentally), consuming a large amount of corn. + +We have nothing further of the movement of Grant's troops. + +We have Hood's acknowledgment of defeat, and loss of 50 guns before +Nashville. + +The papers contain the proceedings of a meeting in Savannah, over which +the Mayor presided, embracing the terms of submission offered in +President Lincoln's message. They have sent North for +provisions--indicating that the city was in a famishing condition. Our +government is to blame for this! The proceedings will be used as a +"form," probably, by other cities--thanks to the press! + +The _Examiner_ is out this morning for a convention of all the +(Confederate) States, and denouncing the President. I presume the object +is to put Lee at the head of military affairs. + +The rumor of the death of Gen. Price is not confirmed. + +Gen. Pemberton has been relieved _here_ and sent _elsewhere_. + +The Piedmont Railroad has been impressed. A _secret_ act of Congress +authorizes it. + +Miers W. Fisher writes that if the cabinet indorses the newspaper +suggestions of giving up slavery and going under true monarchies, it is +an invitation to refugees like himself to return to their homes, and +probably some of the States will elect to return to the Union for the +sake of being under a republican government, etc. He says it is +understood that the Assistant Secretary often answers letters unseen by +the Secretary; and if so, he can expect no answer from Mr. S., but will +put the proper construction on his silence, etc. + +Flour is $700 per barrel to-day; meal, $80 per bushel; coal and wood, +$100 per load. Does the government (alone to blame) mean to allow the +rich speculators, the quartermasters, etc. to starve honest men into the +Union? + +JANUARY 10TH.--Rained hard all night. House leaking badly! + +We have nothing new in the papers this morning. It is said with more +confidence, however, that Butler's canal is not yet a success. Daily and +nightly our cannon play upon the works, and the deep sounds in this +moist weather are distinctly heard in the city. + +The amount of requisition for the War Department for 1865 is +$670,000,000, and a deficiency of $400,000,000! + +Mr. Hunter had his accustomed interview with Judge Campbell this morning +in quest of news, and relating to his horoscope. His face is not plump +and round yet. + +A Mr. Lehman, a burly Jew, about thirty-five years old, got a passport +to-day on the recommendation of the Secretary of the Treasury, to +arrange (as agent, no doubt) for the shipment of several thousand bales +of cotton, for which sterling funds are to be paid. No doubt it is +important to keep the government cotton out of the hands of the enemy; +and this operation seems to indicate that some fear of its loss exists. + +Some 40,000 bushels of corn, etc. were consumed at Charlotte, N. C., the +other day. A heavy loss! Both the army and the people will feel it. +There seems already to exist the preliminary symptoms of panic and +anarchy in the government. All the dignitaries wear gloomy faces; and +this is a gloomy day--raining incessantly. A blue day--a miserable day! + +The city council put up the price of gas yesterday to $50 per 1000 feet. + +JANUARY 11TH.--Clear and pleasant. Cannon heard down the river. + +Mr. E. A. Pollard, taken by the Federals in an attempt to run the +blockade last spring, has returned, and reports that Gen. Butler has +been relieved of his command--probably for his failure to capture +Wilmington. Mr. Pollard says that during his captivity he was permitted, +on parole, to visit the Northern cities, and he thinks the Northern +conscription will ruin the war party. + +But, alas! the lax policy inaugurated by Mr. Benjamin, and continued by +every succeeding Secretary of War, enables the enemy to obtain +information of all our troubles and all our vulnerable points. The +United States can get recruits under the conviction that there will be +little or no more fighting. + +Some $40,000 worth of provisions, belonging to speculators, but marked +for a naval bureau and the Mining and Niter Bureau, have been seized at +Danville. This is well--if it be not too late. + +A letter from Mr. Trenholm, Secretary of the Treasury, to Mr. Wagner, +Charleston, S. C. (sent over for approval), appoints him agent to +proceed to Augusta, etc., with authority to buy all the cotton for the +government, at $1 to $1.25 per pound; and then sell it for sterling +bills of exchange to certain parties, giving them permission _to remove +it within the enemy's lines_; or "better still," to have it shipped +abroad on government account by _reliable_ parties. This indicates a +purpose to die "full-handed," if the government _must_ die, and to +defeat the plans of the enemy to get the cotton. Is the Federal +_Government_ a party to this arrangement? Gold was $60 for one +yesterday. I suppose there is no change to-day. + +Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary, returned to his room to-day, mine +not suiting him. + +Col. Sale, Gen. Bragg's military secretary, told me to-day that the +general would probably return from Wilmington soon. His plan for filling +the ranks by renovating the whole conscription system, will, he fears, +slumber until it is too late, when ruin will overtake us! If the +President would only put Bragg at the head of the conscription +business--_and in time_--we might be saved. + +JANUARY 12TH.--Bright and frosty. Gold at $66 for one yesterday, at +auction. + +Major R. J. Echols, Quartermaster, Charlotte, N. C., says the fire there +destroyed 70,000 bushels of grain, a large amount of sugar, molasses, +clothing, blankets, etc. He knows not whether it was the result of +design or accident. All his papers were consumed. A part of Conner's +brigade on the way to South Carolina, 500 men, under Lieut.-Col. +Wallace, refused to aid in saving property, but plundered it! This +proves that the soldiers were all poor men, the rich having bought +exemptions or details! + +Gen. Lee writes on the 8th instant, that the troops sailing out of James +River are, he thinks, destined for another attack on Wilmington. But +none have left the lines in front of him, etc. + +Gen. Lee also writes on the 9th instant, that the commissary agents have +established "a large traffic through our lines, in North Carolina, for +supplies;" and he desires the press to say nothing on the subject. + +Mr. Ould, to whom it appears the Secretary has written for his opinion +(he was editor once, and fought a duel with Jennings Wise, Mr. Seddon +being his second), gives a very bad one on the condition of affairs. He +says the people have confidence in Mr. _Seddon_, but not in President +_Davis_, and a strong reconstruction party will spring up in Virginia +rather than adopt the President's ideas about the slaves, etc. + +The Chief of the Treasury Note Bureau, at Columbia, S. C., asks where he +shall fly to if the enemy approaches. It is understood one of our +generals, when appealed to by the Secretary, exclaimed: "To the devil!" + +Mr. Miles introduced a resolution yesterday (in Congress) affirming that +for any State to negotiate peace is _revolutionary_. _Ill timed, because +self-evident._ + +Gen. Bradley T. Johnson writes from Salisbury, N. C., that because the +travel hither has been suspended by the government, the Central Railroad +Company of that State _refuse_ to send the full amount of trains for the +transportation of soldiers. It must be impressed too. + +I am assured by one of the President's special detectives that Francis +P. Blair, Sr. is truly in this city. What for? A rumor spreads that +Richmond is to be evacuated. + +Gen. Lee writes for the Secretary's sanction to send officers everywhere +in Virginia and North Carolina, to collect provisions and to control +railroads, etc. The Secretary is sending orders to different commanders, +and says _he_ would rather have the odium than that it should fall on +Lee! The Commissary General approves Lee's measure. + +Gen. Lee's dispatch was dated last night. He says he has not _two days'_ +rations for his army! + +Commissary-General Northrop writes to the Secretary that the hour of +emergency is upon us, and that Gen. Lee's name may "save the cause," if +he proclaims the necessity of indiscriminate impressment, etc. + +JANUARY 13TH.--Clear and pleasant--but little frost. Beef (what little +there is in market) sells to-day at $6 per pound; meal, $80 per bushel; +white beans, $5 per quart, or $160 per bushel. And yet Congress is +fiddling over stupid abstractions! + +The government will awake speedily, however; and after Congress hurries +through its business (when roused), the adjournment of that body will +speedily ensue. But will the President dismiss his cabinet in time to +save Richmond, Virginia, and the cause? That is the question. He can +easily manage Congress, by a few letters from Gen. Lee. But will the +potency of his cabinet feed Lee's army? + +A great panic still prevails in the city, arising from rumors of +contemplated evacuation. If it should be evacuated, the greater portion +of the inhabitants will remain, besides many of the employees of +government and others liable to military service, unless they be forced +away. But how can they be fed? The government cannot feed, sufficiently, +the men already in the field. + +Everybody is conjecturing what Mr. Blair has proposed; but no one +expects relief from his mission, if indeed he be clothed with diplomatic +powers--which I doubt. + +The President, I believe, is calm, relying upon the loyalty of his +cabinet. But he is aware of the crisis; and I think his great reliance +is on Gen. Lee, and herein he agrees with the people. What will be the +issue of the present exigency, God only knows! + +I believe there is a project on foot to borrow flour, etc. from citizens +for Gen. Lee's army. Many officers and men from the army are in the city +to-day, confirming the reports of suffering for food in the field. + +There is a rumor that Goldsborough has been taken. + +Mr. Secretary Seddon is appointing men in the various districts of the +city to hunt up speculators and flour; appointing such men as W. H. +McFarland and others, who aspire to office by the suffrages of the +people. _They_ will not offend the speculators and hoarders by taking +much flour from them. No--domiciliary visits with _bayonets_ alone will +suffice. + +Of thirty Federal deserters sent to work on the fortifications of +Lynchburg, all but four ran away. + +It is understood that the President announced to Congress to-day the +arrest of the Hon. H. S. Foote, member of that body, near +Fredericksburg, while attempting to pass into the enemy's lines. This, +then, may have been Capt. Norton's secret mission; and I believe the +government had traps set for him at other places of egress. Meantime the +enemy _came in_ at Savannah. This is considered the President's +foible--a triumph over a political or personal enemy will occupy his +attention and afford more delight than an ordinary victory over the +common enemy. Most men will say Mr. Foote should have been permitted to +go--if he desired it. + +JANUARY 14TH.--Cloudy and cool. The news that Goldsborough, N. C., had +been taken is not confirmed. Nor have we intelligence of the renewal of +the assault on Fort Fisher--but no one doubts it. + +The government sent pork, butchered and salted a few weeks ago, to the +army. An order has been issued to borrow, buy, or impress flour, +wherever found; but our _political_ functionaries will see that it be +not executed. The rich hoarders may control votes hereafter, when they +may be candidates, etc. If domiciliary visits were made, many thousands +of barrels of flour would be found. The speculators have not only +escaped hitherto, but they have been exempted besides. + +The Assembly of Virginia passed a resolution yesterday, calling upon the +President to have revoked any orders placing restrictions upon the +transportation of provisions to Richmond and Petersburg. The President +sends this to the Secretary, asking a copy of any orders _preventing +carts from coming to market_. + +Flour is $1000 per barrel to-day! + +F. P. Blair, Sr., has been here several days, the guest of Mr. Ould, +agent of exchange. He left this morning for Grant's lines below the +city. I saw him in an open carriage with Mr. Ould, going down Main +Street. He looks no _older_ than he did twenty years ago. Many consider +Ould a fortunate man, though he is represented as a loser in the war. +Blair seemed struck by the great number of able-bodied men in the +streets. + +Major Maynard, Quartermaster, says he will be able next week to bring +120 cords of wood to the city daily. + +If Richmond be relinquished, it ought to be by convention and +capitulation, getting the best possible terms for the citizens; and not +by evacuation, leaving them at the mercy of the invaders. Will our +authorities think of this? Doubtful. + +One of the President's pages told me to-day that Mr. Blair had several +interviews with the President at the latter's residence. Nothing +relating to _propositions_ has transpired. + +The clerks are again sending out agents to purchase supplies. The +President has decided that such agents have no right to expend any money +but that contributed. This hits the Assistant Secretary of War, and Mr. +Kean, Chief of Bureau, and our agent, Mr. Peck, for whom so many barrels +of flour were purchased by the latter as agent, leaving the greater part +of the contribution unexpended; nay, more, the money has not _yet_ been +refunded, although contributed five months ago! + +Some 700 barrels of flour were realized yesterday for the army. + +JANUARY 15TH.--Clear and frosty. Guns heard down the river. + +Dispatches came last night for ammunition--to Wilmington, I believe. We +have nothing yet decisive from Fort Fisher, but I fear it will fall. + +Mr. Hunter was in the Secretary's office this morning before the +Secretary came. I could give him no news from Wilmington. He is much +distressed; but if the enemy prevails, I have no doubt he will stipulate +saving terms for Virginia. He cannot contemplate the ruin of his +fortune; political ruin is quite as much as he can bear. Always at the +elbow of the Secretary, he will have timely notice of any fatal +disaster. He is too fat to run, too heavy to swim, and therefore must +provide some other means of escape. + +Last night and early this morning the Jews and others were busy, with +hand-carts and wheelbarrows, removing barrels of flour from the center +to the outskirts of the city, fearful of impressment. They need not +fear. + +I have enough flour, meal, and beans (black) to subsist my family two +weeks. After that, I look to the kind Providence which has hitherto +always fed us. + +It is now rumored that Mr. Blair came to negotiate terms for the +capitulation of Richmond, and that none were listened to. Better that, +if it must fall, than be given up to pillage and the flames. If burning +our cities had been the order in 1862, it might have been well; it is +too late now! + +JANUARY 16TH.--Clear and frosty. + +We learn vaguely that the attack on the defenses of Wilmington has been +progressing since Friday, and that the enemy's land forces have effected +a lodgment between Fort Fisher and the town. + +Another "peace" visitor has arrived--Hon. Mr. Singleton, of the United +States Congress. It is _said_ that the President (Confederate States) +has pledged himself to appoint commissioners to fix terms of peace. This +is but a forlorn-hope. No terms of peace are contemplated by any of +these visitors but on the basis of reconstruction; and their utmost +liberality could reach no further than a permission for the Southern +States to decide, in convention, the question of emancipation. The +President having suggested, however, the propriety of putting the +negroes into the service, and emancipating them afterward, has aroused +the fears and suspicions of many of the people; and but few have +confidence in the integrity of the Secretary of State. Hence the +universal gloom and despondency of the croakers. There may be difficulty +in replenishing the Federal armies, and they may be depleted by spring; +and if so, Gen. Lee may be able to make another grand campaign with the +men and material now at his command. The issue of the next campaign may +inaugurate _real_ negotiations. Wilmington may be taken, +blockade-running may cease; but we have ammunition and other stores for +another campaign. + +At last we have a dispatch from Gen. Lee, announcing the fall of Fort +Fisher. Most of the garrison, supposed to be 1500, were taken. + +Gold was $70 for $1 on Saturday: what will it be to-day or to-morrow? + +A voluminous correspondence is going on between Mr. Conrad (secret agent +to arrest disloyal men endeavoring to cross the Potomac) and Mr. +Secretary Seddon. Mr. Foote, arrested by their great skill, has applied, +indignantly, for a writ of _habeas corpus_. Thus the time of our _great_ +dignitaries is consumed removing molehills, while mountains are looming +up everywhere. + +The following dispatch was received here at 11 A.M. to-day from Gen. +Bragg's A. D. C.: "January 15th, 1865.--Official information from Gen. +Whiting, at Fort Fisher, up to 8 o'clock this evening, reports enemy's +attack on fort unsuccessful. Fresh troops are being sent to him." + +This does not agree with the dispatch from Gen. Lee. It must have been +taken _last_ night, and after the hour indicated. Gen. Lee certainly +says it has fallen. It is gone, and I fear the "reinforcements" +also--with Gen. Whiting "to boot." + +Alas for Bragg the unfortunate! He seems to be another BOABDIL the +Unlucky. + +Dr. Woodbridge announced in the Monumental Church, yesterday, that only +five ladies had responded to the call to knit socks for the soldiers! A +_rich_ congregation, too. My daughters (poor) were among the five, and +handed him several pairs. They sent one pair to their cousin S. Custis, +Clingman's brigade, Hoke's North Carolina division. + +Mr. Lewis, disbursing clerk of Post-Office Department, has sent in a +communication asking an investigation of the conduct of Mr. Peck, agent +to buy supplies for clerks. What will Mr. Seddon do now? + +The Commissary-General says 100,000 bushels corn for Lee's army may be +got in Southwest Virginia. + +JANUARY 17TH.--Cloudy, and spitting snow. + +Mr. Foote's release from custody has been ordered by Congress. + +The news of the fall of Wilmington, and the cessation of importations at +that port, falls upon the ears of the community with stunning effect. + +Again we have a rumor of the retirement of Mr. Seddon. + +There are more rumors of revolution, and even of displacement of the +President by Congress, and investiture of Gen. Lee. It is said the +President has done something, recently, which Congress will not +tolerate. Idle talk! + +Mr. Foote, when arrested, was accompanied by his wife, who had a +passport to Tennessee. He said to the Provost Marshal, Doggett, +Fredericksburg, that he intended to accompany his family, passing +through Washington, and to endeavor to negotiate a peace. He deposited a +resignation of his seat in Congress with a friend, which he withdrew +upon being arrested. He was arrested and detained "until further +orders," by command of the Secretary of War. + +Lieut.-Gen. Hood has been relieved, and ordered to report here. + +The rumor gains belief that Gen. Breckinridge has been offered the +portfolio of the War Department by the President. This may be the act +alluded to which Congress will not agree to, perhaps, on the ground that +Gen. B. remained in the United States Senate long after secession. The +general is understood to be staying at G. A. Myers's house, which adds +strength to the rumor, for Myers has a keen scent for the sources of +power and patronage. + +The Surgeon-General states that, during the years 1862 and 1863, there +were 1,600,000 cases of disease in hospitals and in the field, with only +74,000 deaths. There have been 23,000 discharges from the armies since +the war began. + +The Provost Marshal at Fredericksburg telegraphs that his scouts report +the enemy have arrested Mrs. Foote, and threaten to rescue Mr. Foote. +The Secretary and the President concur in ordering his discharge. The +President says that will not be permission for him to pass our lines. He +will come here, I suppose. + +Mentioning to R. Tyler the fact that many of the clerks, etc. of the War +Department favored revolution and the overthrow of the President, he +replied that it was a known fact, and that some of them would be hung +soon. He feared Mr. Hunter was a submissionist. + +The Northern papers say Mr. _G. B. Lamar_ has applied to take the oath +of allegiance, to save his cotton and other property. + +The _Examiner_ to-day has another article calling for a convention to +abolish the Constitution and remove President Davis. + +Mr. Seward, United States Secretary of State, escorted Mrs. Foote to her +hotel, upon her arrival in Washington. + +The following official telegram was received at the War Department last +night: + + "HEADQUARTERS, January 15th, 1865. + + "HON. J. A. SEDDON. + + "Gen. Early reports that Gen. Rosser, at the head of three hundred + men, surprised and captured the garrison at Beverly, Randolph + County, on the 11th instant, killing and wounding a considerable + number and taking five hundred and eighty prisoners. His loss + slight. R. E. LEE." + +JANUARY 18TH.--Cloudy and cool. Cannon heard down the river. + +No war news. But blockade-running at Wilmington has ceased; and common +calico, now at $25 per yard, will soon be $50. + +The stupor in official circles continues, and seems likely to continue. + +A secret detective told the Assistant Secretary, yesterday, that a +certain member of Congress was uttering treasonable language; and, for +his pains, was told that matters of that sort (pertaining to members of +Congress) did not fall within his (detective's) jurisdiction. It is the +policy now not to _agitate_ the matter of disloyalty, but rather to wink +at it, and let it die out--if it will; if it _won't_, I suppose the +government must take its chances, whatever they may be. + +Breckinridge, it is now said, will not be Secretary of War: the position +which Mr. Seddon is willing to abandon, cannot be desirable. And +Northrop, Commissary-General, is still held by the President, contrary +to the wishes of the whole Confederacy. + +Flour is $1250 per barrel, to-day. + +A detective reports that one of the committee (Mr. Mc------?) selected +by Mr. Secretary Seddon to hunt up flour for Gen. Lee's army, has a +large number of barrels secreted in his own dwelling! But they must not +be touched. + +Gen. Lee writes that he thinks the crisis (starvation in the army) past. +Good. + +In South Carolina we hear of public meetings of submission, etc. + +JANUARY 19TH.--Clear and frosty. Among the rumors, it would appear that +the Senate in secret session has passed a resolution making Lee +generalissimo. + +It is again said Mr. Seddon will resign, and be followed by Messrs. +Benjamin and Mallory, etc. + +The following dispatch was received by the President yesterday: + +"TUPELO, MISS., January 17th, 1865.--Roddy's brigade (cav.) is useless +as at present located by the War Department. I desire authority to +dispose of it to the best advantage, according to circumstances.--G. T. +BEAUREGARD, _General_." + +The President sends it to the Secretary of War with this indorsement: +"On each occasion, when this officer has been sent with his command to +distant service, serious calamity to Alabama has followed. It is +desirable to know what disposition Gen. Beauregard proposes to make of +this force.--J. D." + +We have nothing further from Wilmington. Bad enough. + +Sherman is said to be marching on Charleston. Bad enough, too! + +Our papers have glowing accounts of the good treatment the citizens of +Savannah received from the enemy. + +Mr. Foote has arrived in the city--and it is said he will take his seat +in Congress to-day. + +Gen. Whiting and Col. Lamb were taken at Fort Fisher--both wounded, it +is said--and 1000 of the garrison. + +Mr. Peck paid back to the clerks to-day the unexpended balance of their +contributions for supplies, etc. The money is not worth half its value +some months ago. But Mr. P. secured ten barrels of flour for himself and +as many more for the Assistant Secretary, Mr. Kean, etc. etc. + +One o'clock P.M. The day has grown dark and cold, indicating snow, and +a dismal gloom rests upon the faces of the increasing party of croakers. +We have famine, owing to the incapacity of the government, and the +rapacity of speculators. Wood, however, is coming in, but it is only for +_military_ officers, etc. No one can live on wood. Gold is $70 for $1, +and meal about $100 per bushel. + +The House of Representatives (in secret session) has passed the Senate +joint resolution creating the office of commander-in-chief (for Gen. +Lee), and recommending that Gen. Johnston be reinstated, etc. It passed +by a vote of 62 to 14. + +What will result from this? Is it not a condemnation of the President +and the administration that displaced Gen. J., etc.? Who will resign? +_Nous verrons!_ + +JANUARY 20TH.--Clear and cold. No news--that is bad news. Nothing has +transpired officially of the events and details near Wilmington, but +there is a rumor, exaggerated perhaps, of the fall of Wilmington itself. +No doubt Sherman is marching on Charleston, and if there be no battle +soon, it is feared he will take the city without one. + +Mr. Foote made a speech in Congress yesterday--a savage one, I am told. +Going home yesterday at 3 o'clock, I met Mr. Foote, and told him what I +had heard. He said he could have wished me to hear every word of it. I +asked if it would not be printed. He held up a roll of manuscript, +saying he had written it in full, and that it would certainly be +published. The papers say in their brief reports, that he disavowed all +ideas of reconstruction. After he left the House, one of the Missouri +members offered a resolution for his expulsion, on the ground that he +had, unlawfully, attempted to pass into the enemy's lines, for the +purpose of negotiating a peace, etc. It was referred to the Committee on +Elections. + +After this a resolution was introduced, that a joint committee be +appointed to prepare an address, etc., solemnly declaring that the war +shall be waged until independence be achieved, etc. Such addresses have +been repeatedly made, and at last seem to have a demoralizing effect. +People remember how many test votes were taken in the Virginia +Convention, showing that the State never would secede--and at length the +Convention passed an ordinance of secession! Nothing can save this +government long but military successes, and these depend upon having the +slave and other property owners in the field. This can never be done +without a renovation of the machinery used to fill up the ranks. + +The President is calm. Some think him subdued. A few days or weeks will +determine. + +Gen. Howell Cobb writes his views, etc. Utterly opposed to arming the +slaves--better emancipate them at once, conceding to the "_demands of +England and France_," and then enlist them. But he thinks a return to +the system of volunteering would answer to fill the ranks with white +men; also suggests that the President concede something to popular +sentiment--restore Gen. J. E. Johnston, etc. He says gloom and despair +are fast settling on the people. + +J. P. McLean, Greensborough, N. C., in response to the request of Mr. +Secretary Seddon, gives information of the existence of many Union men +in that section, and suggests sudden death to ---- etc. The Secretary +_is diligent_ in getting such information; but lately it seems he never +applies the remedy. + +Mr. Secretary Seddon thinks Mr. Peck's explanation of his purchasing +satisfactory; the Assistant Secretary, Chief of Bureau of War, and Mr. +Seddon's private clerk got an abundance of flour, etc. + +Major Harman, Staunton, says provisions cannot be had in that section to +feed Early's army, unless one-fourth of all produce be bought at market +prices, and the people go on half rations. The _slaves_ everywhere are +on _full_ rations. + +JANUARY 21ST.--A dark, cold, sleety day, with rain. Troopers and scouts +from the army have icicles hanging from their hats and caps, and their +clothes covered with frost, and dripping. + +The _Examiner_ this morning says very positively that Mr. Secretary +Seddon has resigned. Not a word about Messrs. Benjamin and Mallory--yet. +The recent action of Congress is certainly a vote of censure, with great +unanimity. + +It is said Congress, in secret session, has decreed the purchase of all +the cotton and tobacco! The stable locked after the horse is gone! If it +had been done in 1861---- + +Mr. Secretary Trenholm is making spasmodic efforts to mend the +currency--selling cotton and tobacco to foreign (Yankee) agents for gold +and sterling bills, and buying Treasury notes at the market +depreciation. For a moment he has reduced the price of gold from $80 to +$50 for $1; but the flood will soon overwhelm all opposition, sweeping +every obstruction away. + +The Federal papers say they got 2500 prisoners at Fort Fisher. + +It is said the President refuses to accept Mr. Seddon's resignation. + +A rumor has sprung up to the effect that Judge Campbell, Assistant +Secretary of War, has also resigned. If this be so, it will soon produce +a great commotion among detailed and exempted men all over the country. +Rumors fly thick these dark days. It is a good time, however, for some +to resign. The President has need even of incompetent men, and may beg +them to remain, etc., and thus they are flattered. But if they really +feel that the ship is sinking, they will endeavor to jump ashore, +notwithstanding the efforts made to retain them. And then, if the ship +should _not_ sink, manned by different men! + +I hear nothing more about Gen. Breckinridge as Mr. Seddon's successor, +but he is the guest of the old lawyer, G. A. Myers; and it is not +probable he is bestowing his bread and meat, in such times as these, +_for nothing_. He has made a fortune, and knows how to increase it--and +even Gen. B. would never be the wiser. + +We have at last a letter from Gen. Hood, narrating the battle of +Franklin, Tenn. He says he lost about 4500 men--enemy's loss not stated. +Failure of Gen. Cheatham to execute an order the day before, prevented +him from routing the enemy. His account of the battle of Nashville I +have not yet seen--but know enough about it. + +Both the Secretary and his Assistant have been pretty constantly +engaged, for some time past, in granting passports beyond our lines, and +generally into those of the enemy. + +Congress has passed an act allowing reserve forces to be ordered +anywhere. Upon the heels of this, Governor Smith notifies the Secretary +of War that the two regiments of second class militia here, acting with +the reserves, shall no longer be under the orders of Gen. Kemper. He +means to run a tilt against the President, whereby Richmond may be lost! +Now "Tray, Blanche, and Sweetheart, bark at him." + +JANUARY 22D.--Another day of sleet and gloom. The pavements are almost +impassable from the enamel of ice; large icicles hang from the houses, +and the trees are bent down with the weight of frost. + +The mails have failed, and there is no telegraphic intelligence, the +wires being down probably. It rained very fast all day yesterday, and I +apprehend the railroad bridges have been destroyed in many places. + +The young men (able-bodied) near the Secretary of War and the Assistant +Secretary, at the War Department, say, this morning, that both have +resigned. + +It is said the Kentucky Congressmen oppose the acceptance of the +portfolio of war by Gen. Breckinridge. + +Whoever accepts it must reform the conscription business and the +passport business, else the cause will speedily be lost. Most of our +calamities may be traced to these two sources. + +JANUARY 23D.--Foggy, and raining. F. P. Blair is here again. If enemies +are permitted to exist in the political edifice, there is danger of a +crash. This weather, bad news, etc. etc. predispose both the people and +the army for _peace_--while the papers are filled with accounts of the +_leniency_ of Sherman at Savannah, and his forbearance to interfere with +the slaves. The enemy cannot take care of the negroes--and to feed them +in idleness would produce a famine North and South. Emancipation now is +physically impossible. Where is the surplus food to come from to feed +4,000,000 idle non-producers? + +It is said by the press that Mr. Seddon resigned because the Virginia +Congressmen expressed in some way a want of confidence in the cabinet. +But Mr. Hunter was in the Secretary's office early this morning, and may +prevail on him to withdraw his resignation again, or to hold on until +---- all is accomplished. + +Gen. Breckinridge, it is said, requires the removal of Northrop, before +his acceptance. Gen. Bragg is also named. + +Congress, in creating the office of a commander-in-chief, also aimed a +blow at Bragg's staff; and this may decide the President to appoint him +Secretary of War. + +A long letter came to-day from Governor Brown, dated Macon, Ga., Jan. +6th, 1865, in reply to a long one from the Secretary of War, filled with +criminations and recriminations, and a flat refusal to yield the old men +and boys in State service, in obedience to the call of the "usurping" +and "despotic" demand of the Confederate States Executive. Georgia +trembles, and may topple over any day! + +Mr. Blair's return has excited many vague hopes--among the rest, even of +recognition by the United States Government! Yet many, very many +croakers, weary of the war, would acquiesce in reconstruction, if they +might save their property. Vain hopes. + +It is rumored that a commissioner (a Louisianian) sailed to-day for +England, to make overtures to that government. + +The government has ordered the military authorities at Augusta, Ga. +(Jan. 21), to remove or burn _all_ the cotton in that town if it is +likely to be occupied by the enemy. + +Senator Hunter sends a letter to Mr. Seddon which he has just received +from Randolph Dickinson, Camp 57th Virginia, stating that it is needful +to inaugurate negotiations for the best possible terms without delay, as +the army, demoralized and crumbling, cannot be relied upon to do more +fighting, etc. Mr. Hunter indorses: "My dear sir, will you read the +inclosed? I fear there is too much truth in it. Can't the troops be +paid? + + "Yours most truly, R. M. T. HUNTER." + +JANUARY 24TH.--Clear and cool. It is now said Mr. Seddon's resignation +has not yet been accepted, and that his friends are urging the President +to persuade him to remain. Another rumor says ex-Gov. Letcher is to be +his successor, and that Mr. Benjamin has sent in his resignation. +Nothing seems to be definitely settled. I wrote the President yesterday +that, in my opinion, there was no ground for hope unless communication +with the enemy's country were checked, and an entire change in the +conscription business speedily ordered. I was sincere, and wrote plain +truths, however they might be relished. It is my _birth-right_. + +It is said (I doubt it) that Mr. Blair left the city early yesterday. + +To add to the confusion and despair of the country, the Secretary of the +Treasury is experimenting on the currency, ceasing to issue Treasury +notes, with unsettled claims demanding liquidation to the amount of +hundreds of millions. Even the clerks, almost in a starving condition, +it is said will not be paid at the end of the month; and the troops have +not been paid for many months; but they are fed and clothed. Mr. +Trenholm will fail to raise our credit in this way; and he may be +instrumental in precipitating a _crash_ of the government itself. No +doubt large amounts of gold have been shipped every month to Europe +from Wilmington; and the government may be now selling the money +intended to go out from that port. But it will be only a drop to the +ocean. + +The Northern papers say Mr. Blair is authorized to offer an amnesty, +including all persons, with the "Union as it was, the Constitution as it +is" (my old motto on the "Southern Monitor," in 1857); but gradual +emancipation. No doubt some of the people here would be glad to accept +this; but the President will fight more, and desperately yet, still +hoping for foreign assistance. + +What I fear is _starvation_; and I sincerely wish my family were on the +old farm on the Eastern Shore of Virginia until the next campaign is +over. + +It is believed Gen. Grant meditates an early movement on our left--north +side of the river; and many believe we are in no condition to resist +him. Still, we have faith in Lee, and the President remains here. If he +and the principal members of the government were captured by a sudden +surprise, no doubt there would be a clamor in the North for their trial +and execution! + +Guns have been heard to-day, and there are rumors of fighting below; +that Longstreet has marched to this side of the river; that one of our +gun-boats has been sunk; that Fort Harrison has been retaken; and, +finally, that an armistice of ninety days has been agreed to by both +governments. + +JANUARY 25TH.--Clear, and very cold. We lost gun-boat Drewry yesterday +in an unsuccessful attempt to destroy the enemy's pontoon bridge down +the river. Fort Harrison was not taken as reported, nor is it likely to +be. + +The rumor of an armistice remains, nevertheless, and Mr. Blair dined +with the President on _Sunday_, and has had frequent interviews with +him. This is published in the papers, and will cause the President to be +severely censured. + +Congress failed to expel Mr. Foote yesterday (he is off again), not +having a two-thirds vote, but censured him by a decided majority. What +will it end in? + +No successors yet announced to Seddon and Campbell--Secretary and +Assistant Secretary of War. Perhaps they can be persuaded to remain. + +After all, it appears that our fleet did not return, but remains down +the river; and as the enemy's gun-boats have been mostly sent to North +Carolina, Gen. Lee may give Grant some trouble. If he destroys the +bridges, the Federal troops on this side the river will be cut off from +their main army. + +It is said the President has signed the bill creating a +commander-in-chief. + +Rev. W. Spottswood Fontaine writes from Greensborough, N. C., that ---- +reports that Senator Hunter is in favor of Virginia negotiating a +separate peace with the United States, as the other States will probably +abandon her to her fate, etc. + +I saw Mr. Lyons to-day, who told me Mr. Hunter dined with him yesterday, +and that Gen. Lee took tea with him last evening, and seemed in good +spirits, hope, etc. Mr. Lyons thinks Gen. Lee was always a thorough +emancipationist. He owns no slaves. He (Mr. Lyons) thinks that using the +negroes in the war will be equivalent to universal emancipation, that +not a slave will remain after the President's idea (which he don't seem +to condemn) is expanded and reduced to practice. He favors sending out a +commissioner to Europe for aid, on the basis of emancipation, etc., as a +dernier ressort. He thinks our cause has received most injury from +Congress, of which he is no longer a member. + +If it be really so, and if it were generally known, that Gen. Lee is, +and always has been opposed to slavery, how soon would his great +popularity vanish like the mist of the morning! Can it be possible that +_he_ has influenced the President's mind on this subject? Did he +influence the mind of his father-in-law, G. W. Park Custis, to +emancipate his hundreds of slaves? Gen. Lee would have been heir to all, +as his wife was an only child. There's some mistake about it. + +The Secretary of State (still there!) informs the Secretary of War +(still here!) that the gold he wrote about to the President on the 18th +inst. for Gen. Hardee and for Mr. Conrad, is ready and subject to his +order. + +_Four_ steamers have run into Charleston with a large amount of +commissary stores. This is providential. + +JANUARY 26TH.--Clear and cold. No further news from the iron-clad fleet +that went down the river. + +Beef is selling at $8 per pound this morning; wood at $150 per cord. +Major Maynard, instead of bringing 120, gets in but 30 or 40 cords per +day. I am out of wood, and must do my little cooking in the parlor with +the coal in the grate. This is famine! + +Congress passed a bill a few days ago increasing the number of +midshipmen, and allowing _themselves_ to appoint a large proportion of +them. Yesterday the President vetoed the bill, he alone, by the +Constitution, being authorized to make all appointments. But the Senate +immediately repassed it over the veto--only three votes in the negative. +Thus the war progresses! And Mr. Hunter was one of the three. + +The President, in reply to a committee of the State Legislature, says +Gen. Lee has always refused to accept the command of all the armies +unless he could relinquish the immediate command of the Army of Northern +Virginia defending the capital; and that he is and ever has been willing +to bestow larger powers on Gen. Lee; but he would not accept them. + +This makes me doubt whether the President has signed the bill creating a +commander-in-chief. + +It is _said again_, that Commissary-General Northrop has resigned. +Doubtful. + +Still, there are no beggars in the streets, except a few women of +foreign or Northern birth. What a people! If our affairs were managed +properly, subjugation would be utterly impossible. But all the statesmen +of the years preceding the war have been, somehow, "ruled out" of +positions, and wield no influence, unless it be a vengeful one in +private. Where are the patriots of the decade between 1850 and 1860? +"Echo answers where?" Who is responsible for their absence? A fearful +responsibility! + +Gold is _quoted_ at $35 for $1--illusory! Perhaps worse. + +The statistics furnished by my son Custis of the military strength of +the Confederate States, and ordered by the President to be preserved on +file in the department, seems to have attracted the attention of Mr. +Assistant Secretary Campbell, and elicited a long indorsement, saying a +calculation of the number of casualties of war was not made--all this +_after_ the paper was sent in by the President. But the estimate _was_ +made, and included in the reduction from the 800,000, leaving 600,000. +Judge C thinks 200,000 have been killed, 50,000 permanently disabled, +and 55,000 are prisoners; still 500,000 availables would be left. + +Custis has drafted, and will send to the President, a bill establishing +a Corps of Honor, with a view to excite emulation and to popularize the +service, now sadly needed. + +JANUARY 27TH.--Clear, and coldest morning of the winter. None but the +rich speculators and quartermaster and commissary peculators have a +supply of food and fuel. Much suffering exists in the city; and prices +are indeed fabulous, notwithstanding the efforts of the Secretary of the +Treasury and the press to bring down the premium on gold. Many fear the +high members of the government have turned brokers and speculators, and +are robbing the country--making friends of the mammon of +unrighteousness, against the day of wrath which they see approaching. +The idea that Confederate States notes are improving in value, when +every commodity, even wood and coal, daily increases in price, is very +absurd! + +The iron-clad fleet returned, without accomplishing anything--losing one +gun-boat and having some fifteen killed and wounded. The lower house of +Congress failed yesterday to pass the Midshipman bill over the +President's veto--though a majority was against the President. + +It is said, and published in the papers, that Mrs. Davis threw her arms +around Mr. Blair and embraced him. This, too, is injurious to the +President. + +My wood-house was broken into last night, and two (of the nine) sticks +of wood taken. Wood is selling at $5 a stick this cold morning; mercury +at zero. + +A broker told me that he had an order (from government) to sell gold at +$35 for $1. But that is not the market price. + +It is believed (by some credulous people) that Gen. J. E. Johnston will +command the army in Virginia, and that Lee will reside here and be +commander-in-chief. I doubt. The clamor for Gen. J. seems to be the +result of a _political_ combination. + +Mr. Hunter came to the department to-day almost in a run. He is excited. + +Lieut.-Gen. Hardee, of Charleston, 26th (yesterday), dispatches to the +Secretary that he has received an order from Gen. Cooper +(Adjutant-General) for the return of the 15th Regiment and 10th +Battalion North Carolina troops to North Carolina. He says these are +nearly the only regular troops he has to defend the line of the +Combahee--the rest being reserves, disaffected at being detained out of +their States. The withdrawal may cause the loss of the State line, and +great disaster, etc. etc. + +Official statement of Gen. Hood's losses shows 66 guns, 13,000 small +arms, etc. The report says the army was saved by sacrificing +transportation; and but for this the losses would have been nothing. + +JANUARY 28TH.--Clear and very cold; can't find a thermometer in the +city. + +The President _did_ sign the bill creating a general-in-chief, and +depriving Gen. Bragg of his staff. + +Major-Gen. Jno. C. Breckinridge _has_ been appointed Secretary of War. +May our success be greater hereafter! + +Gen. Lee has sent a letter from Gen. Imboden, exposing the wretched +management of the Piedmont Railroad, and showing that salt and corn, in +"immense quantity," have been daily left piled in the mud and water, and +exposed to rain, etc., while the army has been starving. Complaints and +representations of this state of things have been made repeatedly. + +Gold sold at $47 for one at auction yesterday. + +Mr. Hunter was seen early this morning running (almost) toward the +President's office, to pick up news. He and Breckinridge were old rivals +in the United States. + +The _Enquirer_ seems in favor of listening to Blair's propositions. + +Judge Campbell thinks Gen. Breckinridge will not make a good Secretary +of War, as he is not a man of small _details_. I hope he is not going to +indulge in so many of them as the judge and Mr. Seddon have done, else +all is lost! The judge's successor will be recommended soon to the new +Secretary. There will be applicants enough, even if the ship of State +were visibly going down. + +Although it is understood that Gen. Breckinridge has been confirmed by +the Senate, he has not yet taken his seat in the department. + +The President has issued a proclamation for the observance of Friday, +March 10th, as a day of "fasting, humiliation, and prayer, with +thanksgiving," in pursuance of a resolution of Congress. + +It seems that Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee will not be +represented in the cabinet; this may breed trouble, and we have trouble +enough, in all conscience. + +It is said Mr. Blair has returned again to Richmond--third visit. Can +there be war brewing between the United States and England or France? We +shall know all soon. Or have propositions been made _on our part_ for +reconstruction? There are many smiling faces in the streets, betokening +a profound desire for peace. + +JANUARY 29TH.--Clear, and moderating. + +To-day at 10 A.M. three commissioners start for Washington on a mission +of peace, which may be possibly attained. They are Vice-President +Stephens, Senator R. M. T. Hunter, and James A. Campbell, Assistant +Secretary of War, and formerly a judge on the bench of the Supreme Court +of the United States, all of them heartily sick of war, and languishing +for peace. If _they_ cannot devise a mode of putting an end to the war, +none can. Of course they have the instructions of the President, with +his ultimata, etc., but they will strive earnestly for peace. + +What terms may be expected? Not independence, unless the United States +may be on the eve of embarking in a foreign war, and in that event that +government will require all the resources it can command, and they would +not be ample if the war should continue to be prosecuted against us. +Hence it would be policy to hasten a peace with us, stipulating for +valuable commercial advantages, being the first to recognize us over all +other powers, hoping to restore the old trade, and _ultimately_ to +reconstruct the Union. Or it may proceed from intimations of a purpose +on the part of France and England to recognize us, which, of itself, +would lead inevitably to war. The refusal of the United States to +recognize the Empire of Mexico is an offense to France, and the +augmentation of the armament of the lakes, etc. is an offense to +England. Besides, if it were possible to subjugate us, it would be only +killing the goose that lays the golden egg, for the Southern trade would +be destroyed, and the Northern people are a race of manufacturers and +merchants. If the war goes on, 300,000 men must be immediately detailed +in the United States, and their heavy losses heretofore are now sorely +felt. We have no alternative but to fight on, they have the option of +ceasing hostilities. And we have suffered so much that almost any +treaty, granting us independence, will be accepted by the people. All +the commissioners must guard against is any appearance of a PROTECTORATE +on the part of the United States. If the _honor_ of the Southern people +be saved, they will not haggle about material losses. If negotiations +fail, our people will receive a new impulse for the war, and great will +be the slaughter. Every one will feel and know that these commissioners +sincerely desired an end of hostilities. Two, perhaps all of them, even +look upon eventual reconstruction without much repugnance, so that +slavery be preserved. + +JANUARY 30TH.--Bright and beautiful, but quite cold; skating in the +basin, etc. + +The departure of the commissioners has produced much speculation. + +The enemy's fleet has gone, it is supposed to Sherman at Charleston. + +No doubt the Government of the United States imagines the "rebellion" +_in articulo mortis_, and supposes the reconstruction of the Union a +very practicable thing, and the men selected as our commissioners may +confirm the belief. They can do nothing, of course, if independence is +the ultimatum given them. + +Among the rumors now current, it is stated that the French Minister at +Washington has demanded his passports. Mr. Lincoln's message, in +December, certainly gave Napoleon grounds for a quarrel by ignoring his +empire erected in Mexico. + +Mr. Seddon still awaits his successor. He has removed Col. and +Lieut.-Col. Ruffin from office. + +Mr. Bruce, M. C. from Kentucky, and brother-in-law to Mr. Seddon, is +named as Commissary-General. + +The President has vetoed another bill, granting the privilege to +soldiers to receive papers free of postage, and the Senate has passed it +again by a two-thirds vote. Thus the breach widens. + +Some of our sensible men have strong hopes of peace immediately, on +terms of alliance against European powers, and commercial advantages to +the United States. I hope for even this for the sake of repose and +independence, if we come off with honor. We owe nothing to any of the +European governments. What has Blair been running backward and forward +so often for between the two Presidents? Has it not been clearly stated +that independence alone will content us? Blair _must_ have understood +this, and made it known to _his_ President. Then what else but +independence, on some terms, could be the basis for _further_ +conference? I believe our people would, for the sake of independence, +agree to an alliance offensive and defensive with the United States, and +agree to furnish an army of volunteers in the event of a war with +France or England. The President has stigmatized the affected neutrality +of those powers in one of his annual messages. Still, such a treaty +would be unpopular after a term of peace with the United States. If the +United States be upon the eve of war with France and England, or either +of them, our commissioners abroad will soon have proposals from those +governments, which would be accepted, if the United States did not act +speedily. + +JANUARY 31ST.--Bright and frosty. + +The "peace commissioners" remained Sunday night at Petersburg, and +proceeded on their way yesterday morning. As they passed our lines, our +troops cheered them very heartily, and when they reached the enemy's +lines, they were cheered more vociferously than ever. Is not this an +evidence of a mutual desire for peace? + +Yesterday, Mr. De Jarnette, of Virginia, introduced in Congress a +resolution intimating a disposition on the part of our government to +unite with the United States in vindication of the "Monroe doctrine," +_i.e._ expulsion of monarchies established on this continent by European +powers. This aims at France, and to aid our commissioners in their +endeavors to divert the blows of the United States from us to France. +The resolution was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. + +If there be complication with France, the United States may accept our +overtures of alliance, and our people and government will acquiesce, but +it would soon grow an _unpopular_ treaty. At this moment we are hard +pressed, pushed to the wall, and prepared to catch at anything affording +relief. We pant for a "breathing spell." Sherman is advancing, but the +conquest of territory and liberation of slaves, while they injure us, +only embarrass the enemy, and add to their burdens. Now is the time for +the United States to avert another year of slaughter and expense. + +Mr. Foote has been denouncing Mr. Secretary Seddon for selling his wheat +at $40 per bushel. + +It is rumored that a column of the enemy's cavalry is on a raid +somewhere, I suppose sent out from Grant's army. This does not look like +peace and independence. An extract from the New York _Tribune_ states +that peace must come soon, because it has _reliable information_ of the +exhaustion of our resources. This means that we must submit +unconditionally, which may be a fatal mistake. + +The raiders are said to be on the Brooke Turnpike and Westhaven Road, +northeast of the city, and menacing us in a weak place. Perhaps they are +from the Valley. The militia regiments are ordered out, and the locals +will follow of course, as when Dahlgren came. + +Hon. Mr. Haynes of the Senate gives information of a raid organizing in +East Tennessee on Salisbury, N. C., to liberate the prisoners, cut the +Piedmont Road, etc. + +Half-past two P.M. Nothing definite of the reported raid near the city. +False, perhaps. + +No papers from the President to-day; he is disabled again by neuralgia, +in his _hand_, they say. + + + + +CHAPTER XLVII. + +Gen. Lee appointed General-in-Chief.--Progress of Sherman.--The markets.-- + Letter from Gen. Butler.--Return of the Peace Commissioners.--The + situation.--From Gen. Lee.--Use of negroes as soldiers.--Patriotism + of the women.--Pardon of deserters.--The passport system.--Oh for + peace!--Gen. Lee on negro soldiers.--Conventions in Georgia and + Mississippi. + + +FEBRUARY 1ST.--Clear and pleasant; subsequently thawing and foggy. Gen. +R. E. Lee has been appointed General-in-Chief by the President, in +response to the recent action of Congress and the clamorous demands of +the people. It is to be hoped he will, nevertheless, remain in person at +the head of the Army of Virginia, else the change may be fraught with +disaster, and then his popularity will vanish! He has not been fortunate +when not present with the troops under his command, as evidenced by +Early's defeat and Jones's disaster in the Valley last year. A general +must continue to reap successes if he retains his popularity. + +Gen. Lee has called upon the people everywhere to send in any cavalry +arms and equipments in their possession--the importation being stopped. + +The report of a raid yesterday, grew out of the return to the city of a +small body of our own cavalry that had been on detached service. Quite +an alarm was raised! + +The President was better yesterday; it is neuralgia in the right +shoulder, disabling his arm. + +Our "commissioners" were delayed until yesterday morning at Petersburg; +during which there was a sort of truce, and the troops of the opposing +fortifications ventured out, both sides cheering vociferously. + +Gen. Lee writes that his army is suffering for want of soap. The +Secretary sends the letter to Commissary-General Northrop (neither of +their successors being inducted yet) for "prompt attention." The +Commissary-General sends it back, saying 800 barrels of soap are now, +and have been for _months_, lying at Charlotte, N. C., awaiting +transportation! The speculators get from Charlotte that much freight +every week. The Commissary-General says 800 barrels of soap ought to +last Gen. Lee's army one month. It must be a large army to consume that +amount of soap in a month. + +Yesterday Congress passed another bill over the President's veto, to +allow soldiers to receive letters, etc. free. Thus the war progresses +between the executive and the legislative branches of the government. + +In future revolutions, never let a "permanent government" be established +until independence is achieved! + +FEBRUARY 2D.--Bright and beautiful, and pleasantly frosty. Gen. Sherman +is advancing as usual in such dubiety as to distract Gen. Hardee, who +knows not whether Branchville or Augusta is his objective point. I +suppose Sherman will be successful in cutting our communications with +the South--and in depreciating Confederate States Treasury notes still +more, in spite of Mr. Trenholm's spasmodic efforts to _depreciate_ gold. + +Yesterday the Senate passed a bill _dropping_ all commissaries and +quartermasters not in the field, and not in the bureaus in Richmond, and +appointing _agents_ instead, over 45 years of age. This will make a +great fluttering, but the Richmond rascals will probably escape. + +Military men here consider Augusta in danger; of course it is! How could +it be otherwise? + +Information from the United States shows that an effort to obtain +"peace" will certainly be made. President Lincoln has appointed +ex-Presidents Fillmore and Pierce and Hon. S. P. Chase, commissioners, +to treat with ours. The two first are avowed "peace men;" and may God +grant that their endeavors may prove successful! Such is the newspaper +information. + +A kind Providence watches over my family. The disbursing clerk is paying +us "half salaries" to-day, as suggested in a note I wrote the Secretary +yesterday. And Mr. Price informs me that the flour (Capt. Warner's) so +long held at Greensborough has arrived! I shall get my barrel. It cost +originally $150; but subsequent expenses may make it cost me, perhaps, +$300. The market price is from $800 to $1000. I bought also of Mr. Price +one-half bushel of red or "cow-peas" for $30; the market price being $80 +per bushel. And Major Maynard says I shall have a load of government +wood in a few days! + +FEBRUARY 3D.--The report that the United States Government had appointed +commissioners to meet ours is contradicted. On the contrary, it is +believed that Gen. Grant has been reinforced by 30,000 men from +Tennessee; and that we shall soon hear thunder in Richmond. + +Gen. Lee writes urgently in behalf of Major Tannahill's traffic for +supplies, in Northeastern North Carolina and Southeastern Virginia, for +the army. Large amounts of commissary stores are obtained in exchange +for cotton, tobacco, etc; but the traffic is in danger of being broken +up by the efforts of bureau officials and civilian speculators to +participate in it--among them he mentions Major Brower +(Commissary-General's office, and formerly a clerk)--and asks such +orders as will be likely to avert the danger. The traffic is with the +_enemy_; but if conducted under the exclusive control of Gen. Lee, it +would be of vast benefit to the army. + +The House of Representatives yesterday passed a singular compensation +bill, benefiting two disbursing clerks and others already rich enough. I +have written a note to Senator Johnson, of Missouri, hoping to head it +off there, or to so amend it as to make it equable and just. All the +paths of error lead to destruction; and every one seems inclined to be +pressing therein. + +The freezing of the canal has put up the price of wood to about $500 per +cord--judging from the little one-horse loads for which they ask $50. + +One o'clock P.M. Dark and dismal; more rain or snow looked for. +Certainly we are in a dark period of the war--encompassed by augmenting +armies, almost starving in the midst of plenty (hoarded by the +speculators), our men deserting--and others skulking duty, while +Congress and the Executive seem paralyzed or incapable of thought or +action. + +The President was better yesterday; but not out. They say it is +neuralgia in the shoulder, disabling his right arm. Yet he orders +appointments, etc., or forbids others. + +Major Noland, Commissary-General, has refused to impress the coffee in +the hands of speculators; saying there is no law authorizing it. The +speculators rule the hour--for all, nearly, are speculators! God save +us! we seem incapable of saving ourselves. + +No news to-day from Georgia and South Carolina--which means there is no +good news. If it be true that Gen. Thomas has reinforced Grant with +30,000 men, we shall soon _hear_ news without seeking it! The enemy will +not rest content with their recent series of successes; for system of +_easy communication_ will enable them to learn all they want to know +about our weak points, and our childish dependence on the speculators +for subsistence. + +After leaving thirty days' supplies in Charleston for 20,000 men--all +the rest have been ordered to Richmond. + +FEBRUARY 4TH.--Clear, but rained last night. From the South we learn +that Sherman is marching on Branchville, and that Beauregard is at +Augusta. + +The _great struggle_ will be in Virginia, south of Richmond, and both +sides will gather up their forces for that event. We can probably get +men enough, if we can feed them. + +The City Council is having green "old field pine" wood brought in on the +Fredericksburg railroad, to sell to citizens at $80 per cord--a +speculation. + +The Quartermaster's Department is also bringing in large quantities of +wood, costing the government about $40 per cord. Prior to the 1st inst., +the Quartermaster's Department _commuted_ officer's (themselves) +allowance of wood at $130 per cord! + +The President still suffers, but is said to be "better." + +Yesterday much of the day was consumed by Congress in displaying a _new +flag_ for the Confederacy--before the old one is worn out! Idiots! + +I have just seen on file a characteristic letter from Major-Gen. Butler, +of which this is a literal copy: + + "HEADQUARTERS DEPT. VA. AND N. C., + + "ARMY OF THE JAMES IN THE FIELD, + + "FORTRESS MONROE, Oct. 9th, 1864. + + "HON. ROBT. OULD--SIR: + + "An attempt was made this morning by private Roucher, Co. B, 5th + Penna. cavalry, to commit a rape upon the persons of Mrs. Minzer + and Mrs. Anderson, living on the Darbytown Road. + + "On the outrage being discovered, he broke through the picket line, + and fled for your lines. Our soldiers chased him, but were unable + to overtake him. + + "I have therefore the honor to request that you will return him, + that I may inflict the punishment which his dastardly offense + merits. I cannot be responsible for the good conduct of my + soldiers, _if they are to find protection from punishment by + entering your lines_. + + "I have the honor to be, your obt. servt., + + "(Signed) B. F. BUTLER, + + "_Major-Gen. Comd'g and Com. for Exchange_." + +The ladies were Virginians. + +I got my barrel (2 bags) flour to-day; 1 bushel meal, 1/2 bushel peas, +1/2 bushel potatoes ($50 per bushel); and feel pretty well. Major +Maynard, Quartermaster, has promised a load of wood. _Will these last +until_----? I believe I would make a good commissary. + +FEBRUARY 5TH.--Clear and cold. Our commissioners are back again! It is +said Lincoln and Seward met them at Fortress Monroe, and they proceeded +no further. No basis of negotiation but reconstruction could be listened +to by the Federal authorities. How could it be otherwise, when their +armies are marching without resistance from one triumph to +another--while the government "allows" as many emissaries as choose to +pass into the enemy's country, with the most solemn assurances that the +Union cause is spreading throughout the South with great +rapidity--while the President is incapacitated both mentally and +physically by disease, disaster, and an inflexible defiance of his +opponents--and while Congress wastes its time in discussions on the +adoption of a _flag_ for future generations! + +This fruitless mission, I apprehend, will be fraught with evil, unless +the career of Sherman be checked; and in that event the BATTLE for +RICHMOND, and Virginia, and the Confederacy, will occur within a few +months--perhaps weeks. The sooner the better for us, as delay will only +serve to organize the UNION PARTY sure to spring up; for many of the +people are not only weary of the war, but they have no longer any faith +in the President, his cabinet, Congress, the commissaries, +quartermasters, enrolling officers, and most of the generals. + +Judge Campbell was closeted for hours last night with Mr. Secretary +Seddon at the department. I have not recently seen Mr. Hunter. + +We have news from the Eastern Shore of Virginia. My wife's aunt, Miss +Sally Parsons, is dead--over 90 years of age. The slaves are free, but +remain with their owners--on wages. The people are prosperous, getting +fine prices for abundant crops. Only a few hundred Federal troops are in +the two counties; but these, under the despotic orders of Butler, levy +heavy "war contributions" from the unoffending farmers. + +FEBRUARY 6TH.--Bright and frosty. As I supposed, the peace commissioners +have returned from their fruitless errand. President Lincoln and Mr. +Seward, it appears, had nothing to propose, and would listen to nothing +but unconditional submission. The Congress of the United States has just +passed, by a two-thirds vote, an amendment to the Constitution +_abolishing slavery_. + +Now the South will soon be fired up again, perhaps with a new +impulse--and WAR will rage with greater fury than ever. Mr. Stephens +will go into Georgia, and reanimate his people. Gen. Wise spoke at +length for independence at the Capitol on Saturday night amidst +applauding listeners, and Governor Smith speaks to-night. + +Gen. Breckinridge is here and will take his seat to-morrow. Every effort +will be made to popularize the cause again. + +Hon. Mr. Foote is at Washington, in _prison_. + +Gen. Wise's brigade has sent up resolutions consenting to gradual +_emancipation_--but never to reunion with the North. + +There is a more cheerful aspect on the countenances of the people in the +streets. All hope of peace with independence is extinct--and valor alone +is relied upon now for our salvation. Every one thinks the Confederacy +will at once gather up its military strength and strike such blows as +will astonish the world. There will be desperate conflicts! + +Vice-President Stephens is in his seat to-day, and seems determined. + +Mr. Hunter is rolling about industriously. + +Gen. Lee writes that desertions are caused by the bad management of the +Commissary Department, and that there are supplies enough in the +country, if the proper means were used to procure them. + +Gen. Taylor sends a telegram from Meridian, Miss., stating that he had +ordered Stewart's corps to Augusta, Ga., as Sherman's movement rendered +a _victory necessary at once_. The dispatch was to the President, and +seems to be in response to one from him. So we may expect a battle +immediately near Augusta, Ga. Beauregard should have some 20,000 men, +besides Hardee's 15,000--which ought to be enough for victory; and then +good-by to Sherman! + +FEBRUARY 7TH.--A snow four inches in depth on the ground, and snowing. +Last night Governor Smith, President Davis, Senator Oldham (Texas), Rev. +Mr. Duncan, Methodist preacher, and a Yankee Baptist preacher, named +Doggell, or Burroughs, I believe, addressed a large meeting in the +African Church, on the subject of the Peace Mission, and the ultimatum +of the United States authorities. The speakers were very patriotic and +much applauded. President Davis (whose health is so feeble he should +have remained away) denounced President Lincoln as "His Majesty Abraham +the First"--in the language of the press--and said before the campaign +was over he and Seward might find "they had been speaking to their +masters," when demanding unconditional submission. He promised the +people great successes, after our destined reverses had run out, +provided they kept from despondency and speculation, and filled the +ranks of the army. He denounced the speculators, and intimated that they +might yet be called upon to "disgorge their earnings." + +A grand assemblage is called for next Thursday, to meet in the Capitol +Square. + +Congress will soon be likely to vote a negro army, and their +emancipation after the war--as Lee favors it. + +There was some fighting near Petersburg yesterday and the day before; +but the press is reticent--a bad sign. + +There is a rumor that Charleston has been evacuated! + +Gen. Lee again writes that desertions occur to an alarming extent, for +want of sufficient food. And he says there is enough subsistence in the +country, but that the Commissary Department is inefficiently +administered. + +Gen. Breckinridge is in his office to-day. + +A scramble is going on by the young politicians for the position of +Assistant Secretary of War, and Mr. Kean is supposed to be ahead in the +race. When a ship is thought to be sinking, even the cook may be +appointed captain! Anything, now, to keep out of the _field_--such is +the word among the mere politicians. + +It is rumored that Gen. Pegram (since confirmed) was killed in the +enemy's attack on our right near Petersburg, and that seven brigades +were engaged and repulsed the enemy. Still, there is no official +confirmation--and the silence of Gen. Lee is interpreted adversely. + +Senator Haynes, of Tennessee, and Senator Wigfall, of Texas, denounced +the President yesterday as mediocre and malicious--and that his blunders +had caused all our disasters. + +Our commissioners were not permitted to land at Fortress Monroe, but +Lincoln and Seward came on board. + +Judge Campbell is still acting as Assistant Secretary; but he looks very +despondent. If Beauregard gains a victory ----. + +FEBRUARY 8TH.--Rained all day yesterday--slush--bright this morning and +cool--ground still covered with snow. It is reported by Gen. Lee that +the losses on both sides on Monday were light, but the enemy have +established themselves on Hatcher's Run, and intrenched; still menacing +the South Side Railroad. It is also said fighting was going on yesterday +afternoon, when the dreadful snow and sleet were enough to subdue an +army! + +We have nothing from Charleston or Branchville, but the wires are said +to be working to Augusta. + +A deficiency of between $300,000,000 and $400,000,000 has been +discovered in the amount of our indebtedness! the present Secretary +being led into the error by the estimates of his predecessor, Memminger. +Congress is elaborating a bill, increasing taxation 100 per cent! An +acquaintance, who has 16 acres near the city, says he will sell, to +escape a tax of $5000. + +Senator Brown, of Mississippi, has introduced a resolution for the +employment of 200,000 negroes, giving them their freedom. + +Gen. Kemper is strongly recommended as Assistant Secretary of War. + +The wounded are still coming in from the fight beyond Petersburg. +Horrible weather, yesterday, for fighting--and yet it is said much of it +was done. + +Vice-President Stephens was in the department to-day. He has a ghostly +appearance. He is announced to speak in Richmond to-morrow; but I +believe he starts for Georgia _to-day_. He may publish a letter. He had +a long interview with Judge Campbell--with locked doors. + +Twelve M. The sun is melting the snow rapidly. + +The Legislature of Virginia has passed resolutions in favor of the +restoration of Gen. J. E. Johnston to a command. What will the President +_do_, after _saying_ he should never have another command? + +Intelligence was received to-day of the sudden death of Brig.-Gen. +Winder, in Georgia; from apoplexy, it is supposed. He was in command of +the prisons, with his staff of "Plug Uglies" around him, and Cashmeyer, +their sutler. + + "HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, + + "February 6th, 1865. + + "GENERAL S. COOPER. + + "The enemy moved in strong force yesterday to Hatcher's Run. Part + of his infantry, with Gregg's cavalry, crossed and proceeded on the + Vaughan Road--the infantry to Cattail Creek, the cavalry to + Dinwiddie Court House, when its advance encountered a portion of + our cavalry, and retreated. + + "In the afternoon, parts of Hill's and Gordon's troops demonstrated + against the enemy on the left of Hatcher's Run, near Armstrong's + Mill. Finding him intrenched, they were withdrawn after dark. + During the night, the force that had advanced beyond the creek + retired to it, and were reported to be recrossing. + + "This morning, Pegram's division moved down the right bank of the + creek to reconnoiter, when it was vigorously attacked. The battle + was obstinately contested several hours, but Gen. Pegram being + killed while bravely encouraging his men, and Col. Hoffman wounded, + some confusion occurred, and the division was pressed back to its + original position. Evans's division, ordered by Gen. Gordon to + support Pegram's, charged the enemy and forced him back, but was, + in turn, compelled to retire. Mahone's division arriving, the enemy + was driven rapidly to his defenses on Hatcher's Run. + + "Our loss is reported to be small; that of the enemy not supposed + great. R. E. LEE." + +FEBRUARY 9TH.--Bright, frosty, beautiful, after a cold night. + +We have nothing more specific from the fight of Tuesday, when we learn +another general was killed. It seems that most of Grant's army was in +the movement, and they have a lodgment several miles nearer the South +Side Railroad--the objective point. Their superior numbers must +ultimately prevail in maintaining the _longest line_. + +There is to be public speaking in the African Church to-day, or in the +Square, to reanimate the people for another carnival of blood. Mr. +Hunter, it is said, has been chosen to preside, and no man living has a +greater abhorrence of blood! But, perhaps, he cannot decline. + +Papers from the United States indicate that the peace epidemic prevails +in that country also to an _alarming_ extent: for the day (15th instant) +of drafting is near at hand; and even the Republican papers hope and +pray for peace, and reconstruction without slavery. + +Senator Brown's resolution to put 200,000 slaves in the army was voted +down in secret session. Now the slave_owners_ must go in themselves, or +all is lost. + +One of the President's pages says the President will make a speech at +the meeting to-day. He is a good political speaker, and will leave no +stone unturned to disconcert his political enemies in Congress and +elsewhere--and their name is legion. + +The President has ordered the nomination of ex-Gov. Bonham as +brigadier-general of a brigade of South Carolina cavalry, in opposition +to _Gen. Cooper's_ opinion: a rare occurrence, showing that Mr. Davis +can be flexible when necessity urges. Gen. Hampton recommended Bonham. + +The day is bright, but the snow is not quite all gone: else the meeting +would be very large, and in the Capitol Square. There will be much +cheering; but the rich men will be still resolved to keep out of the +army themselves. + +We have nothing from Charleston for several days. No doubt preparations +are being made for its evacuation. The stores will be brought here for +Lee's army. What will be the price of gold then? + +Mr. Seddon has published a correspondence with the President, showing +why he resigned: which was a declaration on the part of Congress of a +want of confidence in the cabinet. The President says such a declaration +on the part of Congress is extra-official, and subversive of the +constitutional jurisdiction of the Executive; and, in short, he would +not accept the resignation, if Mr. S. would agree to withdraw it. So, I +suppose the other members will hold on, in spite of Congress. + +FEBRUARY 10TH.--Bright and cold. It is estimated that the enemy lost +1500 men in the fight near Petersburg, and we 500. + +Sherman has got to the railroad near Branchville, and cut communications +with Augusta. + +At the meeting, yesterday, Mr. Hunter presided, sure enough; and made a +carefully prepared patriotic speech. There was no other alternative. And +Mr. Benjamin, being a member of the cabinet, made a significant and most +extraordinary speech. He said the white fighting men were exhausted, and +that black men must recruit the army--and it must be done at once; that +Gen. Lee had informed him he must abandon Richmond, if not soon +reinforced, and that negroes would answer. The _States_ must send them, +Congress having no authority. Virginia must lead, and send 20,000 to the +trenches in twenty days. Let the negroes volunteer, and be emancipated. +It was the only way to save the slaves--the women and children. He also +said all who had cotton, tobacco, corn, meat, etc. must _give_ them to +the government, not sell them. These remarks were not literally reported +in the _Dispatch_, but they were uttered. He read resolutions, adopted +in certain regiments, indorsing the President and his cabinet--of which +Mr. B. said, playfully, he was one. + +Yesterday, in the House, upon the passage of a bill revising the +Commissary Department, Mr. Miles said the object was to remove Col. +Northrop. [His removal _has_ been determined.] Mr. Baldwin said the +department had been well conducted. Mr. Miles said in these times the +test of merit must be success. The bill passed. + +Senator Hunter is at the department this morning, calling for the +statistics, prepared by my son Custis, of the fighting men in the +Southern States. Doubtless Mr. Hunter is averse to using the slaves. + +The new Secretary of War is calling for reports of "means and resources" +from all the bureaus. This has been done by no other Secretary. The +government allowed Lee's army to suffer for months with the _itch_, +without knowing there were eight hundred barrels of soap within a few +hours' run of it. + +From the ordnance report, I see we shall have plenty of powder--making +7000 pounds per day; and 55,000 rifles per annum, besides importations. +So, if there must be another carnival of blood, the defense can be +maintained at least another year, provided the _right men_ have the +management. + +A violent opposition is likely to spring up against Mr. Benjamin's +suggestions. No doubt he is for a desperate stroke for independence, +being out of the pale of mercy; but his moral integrity is impugned by +the representatives from Louisiana, who believe he has taken bribes for +passports, etc., to the injury of the cause. He feels strong, however, +in the strength of the President, who still adheres to him. + +There is much excitement among the slaveowners, caused by Mr. Benjamin's +speech. They must either fight themselves or let the slaves fight. Many +would prefer submission to Lincoln; but that would not save their +slaves! The Proclamation of Emancipation in the United States may yet +free the South of Northern domination. + +FEBRUARY 11TH.--Cloudy and cold; froze hard last night. + +Yesterday a bill was introduced into both houses of Congress authorizing +the enlistment of 200,000 slaves, _with consent of their owners_, which +will probably be amended. Mr. Miles, as a test vote, moved the rejection +of the bill; and the vote _not_ to reject it was more than two to one, +an indication that it will pass. + +The failure of the peace conference seems to have been made the +occasion of inspiring renewed zeal and enthusiasm for the war in the +United States, as well as here. So the carnival of blood will be a +"success." + +The enemy claim an advantage in the late battle on the south side of the +James River. + +Sherman's movements are still shrouded in mystery, and our generals seem +to be _waiting_ for a development of his intentions. Meantime he is +getting nearer to Charleston, and cutting railroad communications +between that city and the interior. The city is doomed, unless Hardee or +Beauregard, or both, successfully take the initiative. + +Here the price of slaves, men, is about $5000 Confederate States notes, +or $100 in specie. A great depreciation. Before the war, they commanded +ten times that price. + +It is rumored that _hundreds_ of the enemy's transports have come into +the James River. If it be Thomas's army reinforcing Grant, Richmond is +in immediate peril! Information of our numbers, condition, etc. has +been, doubtless, communicated to the enemy--and our slumbering +government could not be awakened! + +Wigfall, of Texas, Graham, of North Carolina, Orr and Miles, of South +Carolina, oppose the employment of negro troops, and Gen. Wickham, of +this department, openly proclaims such a measure as the end of the +Confederacy! We are upon stirring times! Senator Wigfall demands a new +cabinet, etc. + +Two P.M. The sun has come out; warmer. But it does not disperse the +prevailing gloom. It is feared Richmond must be abandoned, and our +forces concentrated farther South, where supplies may be more easily +had, and where it will be a greater labor and expense for the enemy to +subsist his armies. + +Assistant Secretary of War, Judge Campbell, is still furloughing, +detailing, and discharging men from the army; and yet he thinks the +country is pretty nearly exhausted of its fighting population! His +successor is not yet appointed; the sooner the better, perhaps. + +FEBRUARY 12TH.--Bright, windy, cold, and disagreeable. + +There was nothing new at the department this morning. Nothing from +below; nothing from South Carolina. Perhaps communications are cut +between this and Charleston. All are anxious to hear the result of the +anticipated battle with Sherman, for somehow all know that the order to +fight him was sent from Richmond more than a week ago. + +People's thoughts very naturally now dwell upon the proximate future, +and the alternatives likely to be presented in the event of the +abandonment of Richmond, and consequently Virginia, by Lee's army. Most +of the _male_ population would probably (if permitted) elect to remain +at their homes, braving the fate that might await them. But the women +are more patriotic, and would brave all in following the fortunes of the +Confederate States Government. Is this because they do not participate +in the hardships and dangers of the field? But many of our men are weary +and worn, and languish for repose. These would probably remain quiescent +on parole, submitting to the rule of the conqueror; but hoping still for +foreign intervention or Confederate victories, and ultimate +independence. + +Doubtless Lee could protract the war, and, by concentrating farther +South, embarrass the enemy by compelling him to maintain a longer line +of communication by land and by sea, and at the same time be enabled to +fall upon him, as occasion might offer, in heavier force. No doubt many +would fall out of the ranks, if Virginia were abandoned; but Lee could +have an army of 100,000 effective men for years. + +Still, these dire necessities may not come. The slaveowners, +speculators, etc., hitherto contriving to evade the service, may take +the alarm at the present aspect of affairs, and both recruit and subsist +the army sufficiently for victory over both Grant and Sherman; and then +Richmond will be held by us, and Virginia and the Cotton States remain +in our possession; and we shall have peace, for exhaustion will manifest +itself in the United States. + +We have dangerous discussions among our leaders, it is true; and there +may be convulsions, and possibly expulsion of the men at the head of +civil affairs: but the war will not be affected. Such things occurred in +France at a time when the armies achieved their greatest triumphs. + +One of the greatest blunders of the war was the abandonment of Norfolk; +and the then Secretary of War (Randolph) is now safely in Europe. That +blunder brought the enemy to the gates of the capital, and relinquished +a fertile source of supplies; however, at this moment Lee is deriving +some subsistence from that source by connivance with the enemy, who get +our cotton and tobacco. + +Another blunder was Hood's campaign into Tennessee, allowing Sherman to +raid through Georgia. + +FEBRUARY 13TH.--Coldest morning of the winter. + +My exposure to the cold wind yesterday, when returning from the +department, caused an attack of indigestion, and I have suffered much +this morning from disordered stomach and bowels. + +From Northern papers we learn that Gen. Grant's demonstration last week +was a very formidable effort to reach the South Side Railroad, and was, +as yet, a decided failure. It seems that his spies informed him that +Gen. Lee was evacuating Richmond, and under the supposition of Lee's +great weakness, and of great consequent demoralization in the army, the +Federal general was induced to make an attempt to intercept what he +supposed might be a retreat of the Confederate army. There will be more +fighting yet before Richmond is abandoned, probably such a carnival of +blood as will make the world start in horror. + +The New York _Tribune_ still affects to believe that good results may +come from the recent peace conference, on the basis of reunion, other +basis being out of the question. The new amnesty which it was said +President Lincoln intended to proclaim has not appeared, at least our +papers make no mention of it. + +Gen. Lee has proclaimed a pardon for all soldiers, now absent without +leave, who report for duty within 20 days, and he appeals to their +patriotism. I copy it. + + "HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES, + + "February 11th, 1865. + + "GENERAL ORDERS NO. 2. + + "In entering upon the campaign about to open, the general-in-chief + feels assured that the soldiers who have so long and so nobly borne + the hardships and dangers of the war require no exhortation to + respond to the calls of honor and duty. + + "With the liberty transmitted by their forefathers they have + inherited the spirit to defend it. + + "The choice between war and abject submission is before them. + + "To such a proposal brave men, with arms in their hands, can have + but one answer. + + "They cannot barter manhood for peace, nor the right of + self-government for life or property. + + "But justice to them requires a sterner admonition to those who + have abandoned their comrades in the hour of peril. + + "A last opportunity is offered them to wipe out the disgrace and + escape the punishment of their crimes. + + "By authority of the President of the Confederate States, a pardon + is announced to such deserters and men improperly absent as shall + return to the commands to which they belong within the shortest + possible time, not exceeding twenty days from the publication of + this order, at the headquarters of the department in which they may + be. + + "Those who may be prevented by interruption of communications, may + report within the time specified to the nearest enrolling officer, + or other officer on duty, to be forwarded as soon as practicable; + and upon presenting a certificate from such officer, showing + compliance with this requirement, will receive the pardon hereby + offered. + + "Those who have deserted to the service of the enemy, or who have + deserted after having been once pardoned for the same offense, and + those who shall desert, or absent themselves without authority, + after the publication of this order, are excluded from its + benefits. Nor does the offer of pardon extend to other offenses + than desertion and absence without permission. + + "By the same authority, it is also declared that no general amnesty + will again be granted, and those who refuse to accept the pardon + now offered, or who shall hereafter desert or absent themselves + without leave, shall suffer such punishment as the courts may + impose, and no application for clemency will be entertained. + + "Taking new resolution from the fate which our enemies intend for + us, let every man devote all his energies to the common defense. + + "Our resources, wisely and vigorously employed, are ample, and with + a brave army, sustained by a determined and united people, success, + with God's assistance, cannot be doubtful. + + "The advantages of the enemy will have but little value if we do + not permit them to impair our resolution. Let us, then, oppose + constancy to adversity, fortitude to suffering, and courage to + danger, with the firm assurance that He who gave freedom to our + fathers will bless the efforts of their children to preserve it. + + "R. E. LEE, _General_." + +The Senate did nothing on Saturday but discuss the policy of abolishing +the Bureau of Conscription, the office of provost marshal outside of our +military lines. + +Gov. Smith's salary is to be increased to $20,000, and he is still +exempting young justices, deputy sheriffs, deputy clerks, constables, +etc. + +FEBRUARY 14TH.--Bright and cold. Very cold, and fuel unattainable. + +The papers speak of heavy raids in process of organization: one from +Newbern, N. C., against Raleigh, and one from East Tennessee against +Salisbury and our communications. + +The news from South Carolina is vague, only that the armies are in +active motion. So long as Sherman keeps the initiative, of course he +will succeed, but if Beauregard should attack, it may be different. + +Yesterday some progress was made with the measure of 200,000 negroes for +the army. Something must be done--and _soon_. + +Gen. Wise sent me a letter of introduction to Gen. Breckinridge +yesterday. I sent it in to-day. I want the system of passports changed, +and speculation annihilated, else the cause is lost. I expect no action, +for impediments will be interposed by others. But my duty is done. I +have as little to lose as any of them. The generals all say the system +of passports in use has inflicted great detriment to the service, a fact +none can deny, and if it be continued, it will be indeed "idiotic +suicide," as Gen. Preston says. + +The weather is moderating, but it is the most wintry 14th of February I +remember to have seen. Yet, as soon as the weather will admit of it, the +carnival of blood must begin. At Washington they demand unconditional +submission or extermination, the language once applied to the Florida +Indians, a few hundred of whom maintained a war of seven years. Our +cities may fall into the hands of the enemy, but then the populations +will cease to subsist on the Confederacy. There is no prospect of peace +on terms of "unconditional submission," and most of the veteran troops +of the enemy will return to their homes upon the expiration of their +terms of enlistment, leaving mostly raw recruits to prosecute the work +of "extermination." + +Meantime the war of the factions proceeds with activity, the cabinet and +the majority in both Houses of Congress. The President remains +immovable in his determination not to yield to the demand for new men in +the government, and the country seems to have lost confidence in the +old. God help us, or we are lost! The feeble health of the President is +supposed to have enfeebled his intellect, and if this be so, of course +_he_ would not be likely to discover and admit it. Mr. Speaker Bocock +signs a communication in behalf of the Virginia delegation in Congress +asking the dismissal of the cabinet. + +The Northern papers mention a gigantic raid in motion from Tennessee to +Selma, Montgomery, and Mobile, Ala., consisting of 40,000 cavalry and +mounted infantry, _a la Sherman_. They are resolved to give us no rest, +while we are distracted among ourselves, and the President refuses to +change his cabinet, etc. + +Gen. Grant telegraphed the Secretary of War at Washington, when our +commissioners were in his camp, that he understood both Messrs. Stephens +and Hunter to say that peace might be restored on the basis of REUNION. + +FEBRUARY 15TH.--Moderated last night; this morning sleety and dangerous. + +Gen. Lee was in the city yesterday, walking about briskly, as if some +great event was imminent. His gray locks and beard have become white, +but his countenance is cheerful, and his health vigorous. + +The papers say Wheeler has beaten Kilpatrick (Federal cavalry general) +back five miles, somewhere between Branchville and Augusta. So he did +once or twice when Sherman was marching on Savannah, and he took it +while Bragg remained at Augusta. The news of a victory by Beauregard +over Sherman would change the face of affairs in that quarter, and +nothing less will suffice. + +It is surprising that the Federal authorities do not seem to perceive +that in the event of a forced reconstruction of the Union, and a war +with any European power, the South would rise again and join the latter. +Better recognize a separate nationality, secure commercial advantages, +and have guarantees of neutrality, etc. + +Scouts report Gen. Thomas (Federal), with 30,000 men, encamped in the +vicinity of Alexandria, Va., awaiting fair weather to march upon +Richmond from that direction. The number is exaggerated no doubt, but +that Richmond is to be subjected to renewed perils, while Congress is +wasting its time in idle debate, is pretty certain. + +The Senate passed a bill yesterday abolishing the Bureau of +Conscription, and I think it will pass the House. The President ought to +have abolished it months ago--years ago. It may be too late. + +Col. St. John, Chief Mining and Niter Bureau, has been nominated as the +new Commissary-General. + +FEBRUARY 16TH.--Cloudy; rained yesterday and last night. + +We have no important news from South Carolina, except the falling back +toward Columbia of our troops; I suppose before superior numbers. +Branchville is evacuated. + +The roads will not admit of much movement in the field for some days. +But pretty heavy cannonading is heard down the river. + +Congress did nothing yesterday; it is supposed, however, that the bill +recruiting negro troops will pass--I fear when it is too late. + +Meantime the President is as busy as a bee making appointments and +promotions, and many meritorious men are offended, supposing themselves +to be overslaughed or neglected. + +The published letter taking leave of Mr. Secretary Seddon rasps Congress +severely, and is full of professions of esteem, etc. for the retiring +Secretary. The members of Congress reply with acrimony. + +The quartermaster at Charlotte, N. C., dispatches the Secretary of War +that he has there some millions in specie, government funds, besides +specie of the banks for safe keeping. He also desires the removal of the +"Foreign Legion" there, paroled prisoners taken from the enemy and +enlisting in our service. They are committing robberies, etc. + +I saw Gen. Lee at the department again this morning. He seems vigorous, +his face quite red, and very cheerful. He was in gray uniform, with a +blue cloth cape over his shoulders. + +Exchange of prisoners has been resumed, and many of our men are +returning from captivity. Gen. Grant has the matter under his control. + +Gen. Pillow has been appointed commander of prisons in place of Gen. +Winder, deceased. + +Only 4-5/8 pounds bacon were issued as meat ration to detailed men this +month. + +I learn that some 2000 of our men, confined at Point Lookout, Md., as +prisoners of war, during the last two months, offered to take the oath +of allegiance, which was refused, because it would reduce the number to +exchange. + +By the last flag of truce boat a negro slave returned. His master took +the oath, the slave _refused_. He says "Massa had no principles." + +FEBRUARY 17TH.--Frosty morning, after a rain last night. + +We have no authentic war news this morning, from any quarter. + +Congress is at work in both Houses on the Negro bill. It will pass, of +course, without some unforeseen obstacle is interposed. + +A letter from Gen. Lee to Gen. Wise is published, thanking the latter's +brigade for resolutions recently adopted, declaring that they would +consent to gradual emancipation for the sake of independence and peace. +This is a strong indication (confirmatory) that Gen. Lee is an +emancipationist. From all the signs slavery is doomed! But if 200,000 +negro recruits can be made to fight, and can be enlisted, Gen. Lee may +maintain the war very easily and successfully; and the powers at +Washington may soon become disposed to abate the hard terms of peace now +exacted. + +How our fancies paint the scenes of peace now which were never +appreciated before! Sitting by our cheerless fires, we summon up +countless blessings that we could enjoy, if this war were only over. We +plan and imagine many things that would be bliss to us in comparison +with the privations we suffer. Oh, what fine _eating_ and comfortable +_clothes_ we shall have when we enjoy another season of repose! We will +hunt, we will "go fishing," we will cultivate nice gardens, etc. Oh for +peace once more! Will this generation, with their eyes open, and their +memories fresh, ever, ever go to war again? + +There is a _dark_ rumor that Columbia, S. C., has been taken possession +of by the enemy; but I hardly believe it, for Gen. Beauregard would +fight for it. + +Gen. Beauregard telegraphs from Columbia, S. C., _yesterday_, that Gen. +Pillow proposes to gather troops west of that point, and Gen. B. +approves it. The President hesitates, and refers to _Gen. Cooper_, etc. + +Eleven o'clock A.M. Raining again; wind east. + +Mr. Hunter looks rather cadaverous to-day; he does not call on the new +Secretary often. Gen. B. is a formidable rival for the _succession_--if +there should be such a thing. + +To-day my son Thomas drew his rations. I have also had another load of +coal from Lieut. Parker, C. S. N., out of his contract, at $30, a saving +of nearly $100! that will take us through the winter and spring. We also +bought another bushel of black beans at $65. + +Alas! we have news now of the capture of Columbia, S. C., the capital of +the State. A dark day, truly! And only this morning--not three short +hours ago--the President hesitated to second Beauregard's desire that +Gen. Pillow--although not a "red tapist"--should rouse the people to the +rescue; but _Gen. Cooper_ must be consulted to throw obstacles in the +way! This will be a terrible blow; and its consequences maybe calamitous +beyond calculation. Poor South Carolina! her day of agony has come! + +FEBRUARY 18TH.--Rained last night; but this is as lovely a morning as +ever dawned on earth. A gentle southern breeze, a cloudless sky, and a +glorious morning sun, whose genial warmth dispels the moisture of the +late showers in smoky vapors. + +But how dark and dismal the aspect of our military affairs! Columbia +fallen and Charleston (of course) evacuated. My wife wept, my daughter +prayed, upon hearing the news. South Carolina was superior to all the +States in the estimation of my wife, and she regarded it as the last +stronghold. Now she despairs, and seems reckless of whatever else may +happen in Sherman's career of conquest. + +A dispatch to Gen. Bragg states that Thomas's army (the ubiquitous) is +landing at Newbern, N. C.! This is to cut Lee's communications and +strike at Raleigh perhaps. + +The people are stunned and sullen; sometimes execrating the President +for retaining a cabinet in which the country has no confidence, etc. + +One hundred for one is asked for gold. + +The President was at work very early this morning making appointments in +the army. But that does no good to the cause, I fear. A sufficient +number of men must _be_ placed in the ranks, or there will be no +military success. + +The Senate has passed a bill abolishing the "Bureau of Conscription," +and it is now before the House. That is one step in the right +direction. Hon. J. Goode yesterday made a speech in favor of its +abolition, in which he said 150,000 men had been "handled" by the bureau +during the last twelve months, and only 13,000 had been sent to the +army! But it did not pass--no vote was taken; it is to be hoped it will +pass to-day. + +It is rumored that the "money-printing machine" was lost at Columbia, +including a large amount of "treasure"--if Confederate Treasury notes be +worthy that appellation. + +FEBRUARY 19TH.--Another bright and glorious morning. I hear of no news +whatever from the South--although I know that important events are +transpiring--and the reticence of the government is construed very +unfavorably. Hence if Beauregard has fought a battle, it is to be +apprehended that he did not gain the day; and if this be so, South +Carolina lies at the conqueror's feet. + +I thought I heard brisk cannonading in the distance (down the river) +this morning, but am not certain. I saw Mr. Hunter going briskly toward +the Executive department. He does not come often now to the War Office. + +The new Secretary has a large audience of members of Congress every +morning. + +The President and three of his aids rode out this afternoon (past our +house), seemingly as cheerful as if each day did not have its calamity! +No one who beheld them would have seen anything to suppose that the +capital itself was in almost immediate danger of falling into the hands +of the enemy; much less that the President himself meditated its +abandonment at an early day, and the concentration of all the armies in +the Cotton States! + +FEBRUARY 20TH.--Another morning of blue skies and glorious sunshine. +Sherman is reported to be marching northward, and to have progressed +one-third of the way between Columbia and Charlotte, N. C.; where we had +"millions of specie" a few days ago. + +Some of the lady employees, sent by Mr. Memminger to Columbia last year, +have returned to this city, having left and lost their beds, etc. + +Grant's campaign seems developed at last. Sherman and Thomas will +concentrate on his left, massing 200,000 men between Lee and his +supplies, effectually cutting his communications by flanking with +superior numbers. It is probable Charleston, Wilmington, and Richmond +will fall without a battle; for how can they be held when the enemy +stops supplies? and how could the garrisons escape when once cut off +from the interior? + +And yet Congress has done nothing, and does nothing, but waste the +precious time. I fear it is too late now! It is certainly too late to +raise recruits for service in the campaign now in _active operation_, a +fact which our politician leaders seem to be unconscious of. Even our +furloughed troops cannot now rejoin their regiments from their distant +homes. + +Then, if Lee must evacuate Richmond, where can he go? No one knows! + +My belief is that the only chance for Lee--and a desperate one--is to +beat Grant _immediately_, before the grand junction can be formed. + +Letters are beginning to come in from the South, advocating the +abandonment of Richmond, and the march of Lee's army into East Tennessee +and Northern Georgia, and so on down to Montgomery, Ala., etc. etc.; +concentrating in the Cotton States. What an ugly programme! How many +would then follow the fortunes of this government? How many heads of +bureaus, etc. would abandon it? How would it be possible for those with +families on their hands to get transportation? A great many other +questions might be asked, that few could answer at this time. + +Charleston was evacuated on Tuesday last--nearly a week ago--so says the +_Examiner_, and no one doubts it. + +Mr. Hunter seems more depressed to-day than I have ever seen him. He +walks with his head down, looking neither to the right nor the left. + +I shall expect soon to hear of a battle. Beauregard must have nearly +50,000 men--such as they are, poor fellows! The rich have generally +bribed themselves out of the service through the complicated machinery +of the "Bureau of Conscription." + +Senator Brown, of Mississippi, I am sorry to see, often retards +legislation by motions to postpone; and the Senate listens to him, not +knowing what to do. Hours now are worth weeks hereafter. + +The President has made Wm. M. Browne--one of his aids, an Englishman and +a Northern newspaper reporter--a brigadier-general. This does not help +the cause. Mr. B. knows no more about war than a cat; while many a +scarred colonel, native-born, and participants in a hundred fights, sue +in vain for promotion. + +Governor Clarke (Mississippi) telegraphs the President that nothing +keeps the negroes from going to the enemy but the fear of being put in +the Federal army; and that if it be attempted to put them in ours, all +will run away, etc. + +FEBRUARY 21ST.--Another bright and glorious morning. + +Charleston fell on Thursday night last. A large number of heavy guns +fell into the hands of the enemy. The _confidential_ telegraph operators +remained with the enemy. They were Northern men; but it is the policy of +those in possession of this government to trust their enemies and +neglect their friends. + +Congress passed yesterday a bill abolishing the "Bureau of Conscription" +in name--nothing more, if I understand it. The bill was manipulated by +Judge Campbell, who has really directed the operations of the bureau +from the beginning. + +The negro bill also passed one House, and will pass the other to-day. + +Also a bill (in one House) abolishing provost marshals, except in camps +of the army. + +These measures may come too late. The enemy is inclosing us on all sides +with great vigor and rapidity. A victory by Beauregard would lift up the +hearts of the people, now prone in the dust. + +Mr. D. H. London (on the street) is smiling this morning. He says there +is no doubt but that we shall be speedily recognized by France, and that +Gen. Lee has gone South to checkmate Sherman. I fear some one has been +deceiving Mr. London, knowing how eager he is for a few grains of +comfort. He is a rich man. + +A dispatch was sent from the department to Gen. Lee this morning, at his +headquarters, supposed to be near Petersburg. Gold was selling at $60 +for $1 yesterday. This may be a "dodge" of the brokers, who want to +purchase; or it may be the government selling specie. + +A gentleman from South Carolina reports that the Georgians (militia and +reserves, I suppose) refused to enter South. Carolina in obedience to +Gen. Beauregard's orders, and that Gen. B. has not exceeding 10,000 +reliable men. If this be so, Sherman may march whither he chooses! This +is very bad, if it be true, and more and more endangers the capital. + +Surgeon-General S. P. Moore's estimates for the year's expenses of his +bureau are $46,000,000. + +FEBRUARY 22D.--Bright and frosty. A fine February for fruit. + +Yesterday the Senate postponed action on the Negro bill. What this means +I cannot conjecture, unless there are dispatches from abroad, with +assurances of recognition based upon stipulations of emancipation, which +cannot be carried into effect without the consent of the States, and a +majority of these seem in a fair way of falling into the hands of the +Federal generals. + +The House passed the bill to abolish quartermasters and commissaries in +a modified form, excepting those collecting tax in kind; and this +morning those officers in this city under forty-five years of age +advertise the location of their places of business as collectors of tax +in kind, Capt. Wellford, a kinsman of Mr. Seddon, among the rest, the +very men the bill was intended to remove! Alas for Breckinridge and +independence! + +The following dispatch has just been received from Gen. R. E. Lee: + + "HEADQUARTERS, February 22d, 1865. + + "From dispatches of Gen. Bragg of 21st, I conclude he has abandoned + Cape Fear River. He says he is embarrassed by prisoners. Enemy + refuses to receive or entertain propositions. I expect no change + will be made by Gen. Grant. It is his policy to delay. Have + directed prisoners to be sent to Richmond by rail or highway, as + may be most practicable; if wrong, correct it. + + "R. E. LEE." + +This looks like the speedy fall of Wilmington, but not of Richmond. + +To-day is the anniversary of the birth of Washington, and of the +inauguration of Davis; but I hear of no holiday. Not much is doing, +however, in the departments; simply a waiting for calamities, which come +with stunning rapidity. The next news, I suppose, will be the evacuation +of Wilmington! Then Raleigh may tremble. Unless there is a speedy turn +in the tide of affairs, confusion will reign supreme and universally. + +We have here now some 4000 or 5000 paroled prisoners returned by the +Federal authorities, without sufficient food for them, and soon there +may be 10,000 Federal prisoners from Wilmington, which it seems cannot +be exchanged there. Is it the policy of their own government to starve +them? + +Mr. Burgwyn, of North Carolina, writes to the President (11th inst.) +that some 15,000 bales of cotton are locked up in Wilmington, belonging +to speculators, awaiting the coming of the enemy, when the city will +certainly fall into their hands. He says Gen. Bragg's orders regarding +its removal are wholly disregarded; and he implores the President to +prevent its falling into the enemy's hands, and disgracing his State as +Georgia was disgraced by the cotton taken at Savannah. He says these +speculators have an understanding with the enemy. The President +indorses, simply, "For attention--J. D." + +I bought quarter ounce early York cabbage-seed to-day at $10 per ounce. + +FEBRUARY 23D.--Raining; the most inclement February for years. + +It is stated that Gen. J. E. Johnston has been replaced in command of +the army in front of Sherman; a blunder, for Beauregard's friends will +raise a clamor. + +Grant's men fired salutes yesterday in honor of the DAY--22d--and had +the Richmond papers read to them by order of Gen. Grant--accounts of the +fall of Charleston. Our government will continue this fatal policy of +allowing easy communication between Richmond and the enemy, begun by Mr. +Benjamin, and continued by his successors! It will ruin us, and would +destroy any cause. Next, our papers will announce the fall of +Wilmington. + +Three preachers--Hoge, Burroughs, and Edwards--have sent in a +proposition to the President, to take the stump and obtain subscriptions +of rations for the troops. The President marks it "special," and refers +it to the Secretary "for attention and advice." Humbugged to the end! +These men might fight, but they won't. They will speak two words for the +soldiers, and one for themselves. I believe two of them are _Northern_ +men. What idiocy! If they meddle at all in the carnival of blood, I +would put them in the ranks. + +Gen. Bragg says he is greatly outnumbered by the enemy's two corps near +Wilmington. Of course he will evacuate. + +There is no money (paper) in the Treasury. Mr. Trenholm, seeing Mr. +Memminger abused for issuing too much paper money, seems likely to fall +into the opposite error of printing too little, leaving hundreds of +millions of indebtedness unpaid. This will soon rouse a hornet's nest +about his ears! + +Gold is arriving from Charlotte, N. C., and I suppose from other places. +Its accumulation here, when known to the enemy, as it certainly will be, +only endangers the city more and more. + +Mr. Harman, of Staunton, suggests that every house in Virginia be +visited, and one third the subsistence for man and beast be bought at +market price. He says that would subsist the army. + +FEBRUARY 24TH.--Rained all day yesterday; cloudy and cool this morning. +We have no news--only rumors that Wilmington has been abandoned, that A. +P. Hill's corps (Lee's army) has marched into North Carolina, etc. + +Yesterday the Senate voted down the bill to put 200,000 negroes in the +army. The papers to-day contain a letter from Gen. Lee, advocating the +measure as a _necessity_. Mr. Hunter's vote defeated it. He has many +negroes, and will probably lose them; but the loss of popularity, and +fear of forfeiting all chance of the succession, may have operated on +him as a politician. What madness! "Under which King, Benzonian?" + +The President and Gen. Breckinridge rode out to Camp Lee yesterday, and +mingled with the returned prisoners, not yet exchanged. They made +speeches to them. The President, being chilled, went into a hut and sat +down before a fire, looking ill and wan. + +The Bureau of Conscription being abolished, the business is to be turned +over to the generals of reserves, who will employ the reserves mainly in +returning deserters and absentees to the army. The deserters and +absentees will be too many for them perhaps, at this late day. The +mischief already effected may prove irremediable. + +A dispatch from Gen. Lee, this morning, states that Lieut. McNeill, with +30 men, entered Cumberland, Maryland, on the 21st inst., and brought off +Gens. Crook and Kelly, etc. This is a little affair, but will make a +great noise. We want 300,000 men in the field instead of 30. However, +this may be the beginning of a new species of warfare, by detached +parties. Our men, of course, have the best knowledge of the country, and +small bands may subsist where armies would starve. The war can be +prolonged indefinitely, if necessary, and probably will be, unless there +should be some relaxation of the stringency of measures on the part of +the United States Government. + +The markets are now almost abandoned, both by sellers and purchasers. +Beef and pork are sold at $7 to $9 per pound, and everything else in +proportion. Butter, from $15 to $20. + +The President walked down to his office after 11 o'clock this morning, +very erect, having heard of Lieut. McNeill's exploit. + +Another dispatch from Gen. Lee says detachments of Gen. Vaughan's +cavalry a few days ago captured two of the enemy's posts in Tennessee +beyond Knoxville, with 60 prisoners, horses, etc. + +The following letter from Gen. Lee, on the subject of putting negroes +into the army, clearly defines his views on that important subject: + + "HEADQUARTERS CONFEDERATE STATES ARMIES, + + "February 18th, 1865. + + "HON. E. BARKSDALE, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, RICHMOND. + + "SIR:--I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter + of the 12th inst., with reference to the employment of negroes as + soldiers. I think the measure not only expedient, but necessary. + The enemy will certainly use them against us if he can get + possession of them; and as his present numerical superiority will + enable him to penetrate many parts of the country, I cannot see the + wisdom of the policy of holding them to await his arrival, when we + may, by timely action and judicious management, use them to arrest + his progress. I do not think that our white population can supply + the necessities of a long war without overtaxing its capacity and + imposing great suffering upon our people; and I believe we should + provide resources for a protracted struggle--not merely for a + battle or a campaign. + + "In answer to your second question, I can only say that, in my + opinion, the negroes, under proper circumstances, will make + efficient soldiers. I think we could at least do as well with them + as the enemy, and he attaches great importance to their assistance. + Under good officers, and good instructions, I do not see why they + should not become soldiers. They possess all the physical + qualifications, and their habits of obedience constitute a good + foundation for discipline. They furnish a more promising material + than many armies of which we read in history, which owed their + efficiency to discipline alone. I think those who are employed + should be freed. It would be neither just nor wise, in my opinion, + to require them to serve as slaves. The best course to pursue, it + seems to me, would be to call for such as are willing to come with + the consent of their owners. An impressment or draft would not be + likely to bring out the best class, and the use of coercion would + make the measure distasteful to them and to their owners. + + "I have no doubt that if Congress would authorize their reception + into service, and empower the President to call upon individuals or + States for such as they are willing to contribute, with the + condition of emancipation to all enrolled, a sufficient number + would be forthcoming to enable us to try the experiment. If it + proved successful, most of the objections to the measure would + disappear, and if individuals still remained unwilling to send + their negroes to the army, the force of public opinion in the + States would soon bring about such legislation as would remove all + obstacles. I think the matter should be left, as far as possible, + to the people and to the States, which alone can legislate as the + necessities of this particular service may require. As to the mode + of organizing them, it should be left as free from restraint as + possible. Experience will suggest the best course, and it would be + inexpedient to trammel the subject with provisions that might, in + the end, prevent the adoption of reforms suggested by actual trial. + + "With great respect, + + "Your obedient servant, + + "R. E. LEE, _General_." + +FEBRUARY 25TH.--Raining. There are more rumors of the evacuation of +Wilmington and even _Petersburg_. No doubt that stores, etc. are leaving +Petersburg; but I doubt whether it will be evacuated, or Richmond, +either. Grant may, and probably will, get the Danville Railroad, but I +think Lee will disappoint him in the item of evacuation, nevertheless; +for we have some millions in gold--equal to 300,000,000 paper--to +purchase subsistence; and it is believed Virginia alone, for _specie_, +can feed the army. Then _another_ army may arise in Grant's rear. + +From the published accounts in the enemy's journals, we learn that +Charleston fell on the 18th inst. They say one-third of the city was +burned by us. I presume they saw the ruins of the old fire; and that +most of the citizens, except the destitute, had left the town. All the +cotton was destroyed by the inhabitants. They say an explosion killed +several hundred of our people. They boast of capturing 200 guns, and a +fine lot of ammunition--the latter, it seems to me, might have been +destroyed. + +I hear the deep booming of guns occasionally--but still doubt the policy +or purpose of evacuating Petersburg. + +Mr. Hunter's eyes seem blood-shotten since he voted against Lee's plan +of organizing negro troops. He also voted against displacing the brood +of quartermasters and commissioners. + +The papers are requested to say nothing relative to military operations +in South and North Carolina, for they are read by Gen. Grant every +morning of their publication. The garrisons of Charleston and Wilmington +may add 20,000 men to our force opposing Sherman, and may beat him yet. + +FEBRUARY 26TH.--Cloudy and cool; rained all night. No news from the +South, this morning. But there is an ugly rumor that Beauregard's men +have deserted to a frightful extent, and that the general himself is +afflicted with disease of mind, etc. + +Mr. Hunter is now reproached by the slaveowners, whom he thought to +please, for defeating the Negro bill. They say his vote will make +Virginia a free State, inasmuch as Gen. Lee must evacuate it for the +want of negro troops. + +There is much alarm on the streets. Orders have been given to prepare +all the tobacco and cotton, which cannot be removed immediately, for +destruction by fire. And it is generally believed that Lieut.-Gen. A. P. +Hill's corps has marched away to North Carolina. This would leave some +25,000 men to defend Richmond and Petersburg, against, probably, 60,000. + +If Richmond be evacuated, most of the population will remain, not +knowing whither to go. + +The new Secretary of War was at work quite early this morning. + +The "Bureau of Conscription" and the Provost Marshal's office are still +"operating," notwithstanding Congress has abolished them both. + +FEBRUARY 27TH.--Bright and windy. The Virginia Assembly has passed +resolutions _instructing_ the Senators to vote for the negro troops +bill--so Mr. Hunter must obey or resign. + +It is authoritatively announced in the papers that Gen. J. E. Johnston +has taken command of the army in front of Sherman (a perilous +undertaking), superseding Beauregard. + +Grant is said to be massing his troops on our right, to precipitate +them upon the South Side Railroad. Has Hill marched his corps away to +North Carolina? If so, Richmond is in very great danger. + +The _Examiner_ to-day labors to show that the evacuation of Richmond +would be fatal to the cause. The _Sentinel_ says it has authority for +saying that Richmond will _not_ be given up. "Man proposes--God +disposes." It is rumored that Fayetteville, N. C., has fallen into the +hands of the enemy. + +I saw Col. Northrop, late Commissary-General, to-day. He looks down, +dark, and dissatisfied. Lee's army _eats_ without him. I see nothing of +Lieut.-Col. Ruffin. He always looks down and darkly. Gen. Breckinridge +seems to have his heart in the cause--not his soul in his pocket, like +most of his predecessors. + +I saw Admiral Buchanan to-day, limping a little. He says the enemy tried +to shoot away his legs to keep him from dancing at his granddaughter's +wedding, but won't succeed. + +Robert Tyler told me that it was feared Governor Brown, and probably +Stephens and Toombs, were sowing disaffection among the Georgia troops, +hoping to get them out of the army; but that if faction can be kept down +thirty days, our cause would assume a new phase. He thinks Breckinridge +will make a successful Secretary. + +The President and Gen. Lee were out at Camp Lee to-day, urging the +returned soldiers (from captivity) to forego the usual furlough and +enter upon the spring campaign now about to begin. The other day, when +the President made a speech to them, he was often interrupted by cries +of "furlough!" + +The ladies in the Treasury Department are ordered to Lynchburg, whither +the process of manufacturing Confederate States notes is to be +transferred. + +A committee of the Virginia Assembly waited on the President on +Saturday, who told them it was no part of his intention to evacuate +Richmond. But some construed his words as equivocal. Tobacco, cotton, +etc. are leaving the city daily. The city _is_ in danger. + +FEBRUARY 28TH.--Raining; warm. The Northern papers announce the capture +of Wilmington. No doubt the city has fallen, although the sapient +dignitaries of this government deem it a matter of policy to withhold +such intelligence from the people and the army. And wherefore, since the +enemy's papers have a circulation here--at least their items of news are +sure to be reproduced immediately. + +The Governor of Mississippi has called the Legislature of the State +together, for the purpose of summoning a convention of the people. +Governor Brown, of Georgia, likewise calls for a convention. One more +State calling a convention of all the States may be the consequence--if, +indeed, rent by faction, the whole country does not fall a prey to the +Federal armies immediately. Governor Brown alleges many bitter things in +the conduct of affairs at Richmond, and stigmatizes the President most +vehemently. He denounces the President's generalship, the Provost +Marshals, the passport system, the "Bureau of Conscription," etc. etc. +He says it is attempted to establish a despotism, where the people are +sovereigns, and our whole policy should be sanctioned by popular favor. +Instead of this it must be admitted that the President's inflexible +adherence to obnoxious and incompetent men in his cabinet is too well +calculated to produce a depressing effect on the spirits of the people +and the army. + +T. N. Conrad, one of the government's secret agents, says 35,000 of +Thomas's army passed down the Potomac several weeks ago. He says also +_that our telegraph operator in Augusta, Ga., sent all the military +dispatches to Grant_! + + + + +CHAPTER XLVIII + +From the North.--Rumored defeat of Gen. Early.--Panic among officials.-- + Moving the archives.--Lincoln's inaugural.--Victory in North + Carolina.--Rumored treaty with France.--Sheridan's movements.--Letter + from Lord John Russell.--Sherman's progress.--Desperate condition of + the Government.--Disagreement between the President and Congress.-- + Development of Grant's combination.--Assault at Hare's Hill.-- + Departure of Mrs. President Davis. + + +MARCH 1ST.--Cloudy, cold, and dismal. We have no news, except from the +North, whence we learn Lieut. Beall, one of our Canada raiders, has been +hung; that some little cotton and turpentine were burnt at Wilmington; +and that the enemy's columns are approaching us from all directions. +They say the rebellion will be crushed very soon, and really seem to +have speedy and accurate information from Richmond not only of all +movements of our army, but of the intentions of the government. They say +Lynchburg and East Tennessee now occupy the mind of Gen. Lee; and they +know every disposition of our forces from day to day sooner than our own +people! What imbecile stolidity! Will we thus blunder on to the end? + +Congress has passed an act organizing the artillery force of Lee's +army--submitted by Gen. Pendleton (Episcopal clergyman), who writes the +Secretary that Col. Pemberton (Northern man and once lieutenant-general) +is making efforts to induce the President to withhold his approval of +the bill, which he deprecates and resents, as the bill is sanctioned by +the judgment of Gen. Lee. From this letter I learn we have 330 guns and +90 mortars under Lee; enough to make a _great noise_ yet! + +Lieut.-Gen. Grant has directed Col. Mulford, Agent of Exchange, to say +that some 200 prisoners escaped from us, when taken to Wilmington for +exchange, and now in his lines, will be held as paroled, and credited in +the general exchange. Moreover, all prisoners in transitu for any point +of exchange, falling into their hands, will be held as paroled, and +exchanged. He states also that all prisoners held by the United States, +whether in close confinement, in irons, or under sentence, are to be +exchanged. Surely Gen. Grant is trying to please us in this matter. Yet +Lieut. Beall was executed! + +MARCH 2D.--Raining. No well-authenticated news; but by many it is +believed Staunton is in the hands of the enemy, and Lynchburg menaced. +Nevertheless, the government is sending a portion of the archives and +stores to Lynchburg! + +The clergymen are at work begging supplies for the soldiers; and they +say the holding of Richmond and the success of the cause depend upon the +success of their efforts, the government being null! A large per cent. +of these preachers is of Northern birth--and some of them may possibly +betray the cause if they deem it desperate. This is the history of such +men in the South so far. But the President trusts them, and we must +trust the President. + +Hon. Wm. C. Rives has resigned his seat in Congress. Alleged causes, ill +health and great age--over 70. + +The Negro bill still hangs fire in Congress. + +Roger A. Pryor is to be exchanged. He was the guest of Forney in +Washington, and had interviews with President Lincoln. + +The government is impressing horses in the streets, to collect the +tobacco preparatory for its destruction in the event of the city falling +into the hands of the enemy. This fact is already known in the North and +published in the papers there. A pretty passport and police system, +truly! + +I saw a paper to-day from Mr. Benjamin, saying it had been determined, +in the event of burning the tobacco, to exempt that belonging to other +governments--French and Austrian; but that belonging to foreign subjects +is not to be spared. This he says is with the concurrence of the British +Government. Tobacco is being moved from the city with all possible +expedition. + +MARCH 3D.--Raining and cold. This morning there was another arrival of +our prisoners on parole, and not yet exchanged. Many thousands have +arrived this week, and many more are on the way. How shall we feed them? +Will _they_ compel the evacuation of the city? I hope not. Capt. Warner, +Commissary-General, is here again; and if assigned to duty, has +sufficient business qualifications to collect supplies. + +Thank God, I have some 300 pounds of flour and half that amount of +meal--bread rations for my family, seven in number, for more than two +months! I have but 7-1/2 pounds of meat; but we can live without it, as +we have often done. I have a bushel of peas also, and coal and wood for +a month. This is a guarantee against immediate starvation, should the +famine become more rigorous, upon which we may felicitate ourselves. + +Our nominal income has been increased; amounting now to some $16,000 in +paper--less than $300 in specie. But, for the next six months (if we can +stay here), our rent will be only $75 per month--a little over one +dollar; and servant hire, $40--less than eighty cents. + +It is rumored that Gen. Early has been beaten again at Waynesborough, +and that the enemy have reached _Charlottesville_ for the first time. +Thus it seems our downward career continues. We _must_ have a victory +soon, else Virginia is irretrievably lost. + +Two P.M. The wind has shifted to the south; warm showers. + +Three P.M. It is said they are fighting at Gordonsville; whether or not +the enemy have Charlottesville is therefore uncertain. I presume it is +an advance of Sheridan's cavalry whom our troops have engaged at +Gordonsville. + +MARCH 4TH.--Raining hard, and warm. We have vague reports of Early's +defeat in the Valley by an overwhelming force; and the gloom and +despondency among the people are in accordance with the hue of the +constantly-occurring disasters. + +Brig.-Gen. J. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance, has been rebuked by Gen. Lee +for constantly striving to get mechanics out of the service. Gen. Lee +says the time has arrived when the necessity of having able-bodied men +in the field is paramount to all other considerations. + +Brig.-Gen. Preston (Bureau of Conscription) takes issue with Gen. Lee on +the best mode of sending back deserters to the field. He says there are +at this time 100,000 _deserters_! + +C. Lamar, Bath, S. C, writes to the President that ----, a bonded +farmer, secretly removed his meat and then burnt his smoke-house, +conveying the impression that all his meat was destroyed. The President +sends this to the Secretary of War with the following indorsement: "For +attention--this example shows the vice of class exemption, as well as +the practices resorted to to avoid yielding supplies to the government." + +The Legislature of North Carolina has passed resolutions exempting +millers, blacksmith, etc.--in contravention of the act of Congress--and +directing Gov. Vance to correspond with the Secretary of War on the +subject. This bears an ugly aspect. + +Gen. Early's little army is scattered to the winds. Charlottesville has +been in possession of the enemy, but at last accounts Gen. Rosser, in +Sheridan's rear, held it. Sheridan advanced to Scottsville; and is no +doubt still advancing. Lynchburg is rendered unsafe; and yet some of the +bureaus are packing up and preparing to send the archives thither. They +would probably fall into the hands of the enemy. + +Gen. Lee is in the city--where there is much confusion of tongues--and +impatient, waiting for the next scene of the drama. If there was to be +concert of action between Grant and Sheridan, probably the copious rains +have prevented it. + +Two P.M. There is almost a panic among officials here who have their +families with them, under the belief that the city may be suddenly +evacuated, and the impossibility of getting transportation. I do not +share the belief--that is, that the event is likely to occur +immediately; but if it should occur, I know my wife and children will +remain--for a season. We must "pray that our flight be not in the +winter." + +Gen. Lee was closeted with the Secretary of War several hours to-day. It +is reported that Gen. L.'s family are preparing to leave the city. + +MARCH 5TH.--Bright and cool; some frost this morning. + +I saw an officer yesterday from Early's command. He said the enemy +entered Charlottesville on Friday at half-past two o'clock P.M., between +2000 and 3000 strong, cavalry, and had made no advance at the latest +accounts. He says Gen. Early, when last seen, was flying, and pursued by +some fifteen well-mounted Federals, only fifty paces in his rear. The +general being a large heavy man, and badly mounted, was undoubtedly +captured. He intimated that Early's _army_ consisted of only about 1000 +men! Whether he had more elsewhere, I was unable to learn. I have not +heard of any destruction of property by the enemy. + +There is still an accredited rumor of the defeat of Sherman. Perhaps he +may have been checked, and turned toward his supplies on the coast. + +I learn by a paper from Gen. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance, that the +machinery of the workshops here is being moved to Danville, Salisbury, +and other places in North Carolina. He recommends that transportation be +given the families of the operatives; and that houses be built for them, +with permission to buy subsistence at government prices, for twelve +months, that the mechanics may be contented and kept from deserting. +This would rid the city of some thousands of its population, and be some +measure of relief to those that remain. But how long will we be allowed +to remain? All depends upon the operations in the field during the next +few weeks--and these may depend upon the wisdom of those in possession +of the government, which is now at a discount. + +The Secretary of the Treasury is selling gold for Confederate States +notes for reissue to meet pressing demands; the machinery for +manufacturing paper money having just at present no certain abiding +place. The government gives $1 of gold for sixty of its own paper; but +were it to cease selling gold, it would command $100 for $1. + +MARCH 6TH.--A bright frosty morning. + +This day I am fifty-five years of age. + +It is now reported that Gen. Early made his escape, and that most of his +men have straggled into this city. + +One body of Sheridan's men are said to have been at Gordonsville +yesterday, coming hitherward, while another were near Scottsville, +aiming for the South Side Railroad. + +The Adjutant-General, having granted furloughs to the returned prisoners +two days ago, to-day revokes them. Will such vacillating policy +conciliate the troops, and incite them to heroic deeds? + +The President and his wife were at church yesterday; so they have not +left the city; but Gen. Lee's family, it is rumored, are packing up to +leave. + +I bought a quarter of a cord of oak wood this morning to mix with the +green pine, and paid $55 for it. + +Gen. Early's cavalry, being mostly men of property, were two-thirds of +them on furlough or detail, when the enemy advanced on Charlottesville; +and the infantry, being poor, with no means either to bribe the +authorities, to fee members of Congress, or to aid their suffering +families, declined to fight in defense of the property of their rich and +_absent_ neighbors! We lost four guns beyond Charlottesville, and our +forces were completely routed. + +There are rumors to-day that a column of the enemy's cavalry has reached +Hanover County. Gen. R. E. Lee has ordered Major-Gen. Fitz Lee's cavalry +to march against them. + +Twelve M. They are bringing boxes to the War Office, to pack up the +archives. This certainly indicates a sudden removal in an emergency. It +is not understood whether they go to Danville or to Lynchburg; that may +depend upon _Grant's_ movements. It may, however, be Lee's purpose to +_attack_ Grant; meantime preparing to fall back in the event of losing +the day. + +Four days hence we have a day of fasting, etc., appointed by the +President; and I understand there are but _three_ day's rations for the +army--a nice calculation. + +Gen. Johnston telegraphs the Secretary that his army must suffer, if not +allowed to get commissary stores in the North Carolina depots. The +Secretary replies that of course his army must be fed, but hopes he can +buy enough, etc., leaving the stores already collected for Lee's army, +_which is in great straits_. + +MARCH 7TH.--Bright and frosty. + +Yesterday we had no certain accounts of the movements of Sheridan. His +force was said to be near Charlottesville--at Keswich. Fitz Lee's +cavalry and Pickett's infantry were sent in that direction. Not a word +has yet appeared in the Richmond papers concerning this movement from +the Valley--the papers being read daily in the enemy's camp below. We +hear of no corresponding movement on the part of Grant; and perhaps +there was none. + +Preparations to evacuate the city are still being made with due +diligence. If these indications do not suffice to bring the speculators +into the ranks to defend their own property (they have no honor, of +course), the city and the State are lost; and the property owners will +deserve their fate. The extortioners ought to be hung, besides losing +their property. This would be a very popular act on the part of the +conquerors. + +On the 4th inst., the day of inauguration at Washington, the troops +(Federal) near Petersburg got drunk, and proposed an hour's truce to +have a friendly talk. It was refused. + +I met my friend Brooks to-day, just from Georgia, in a pucker. He says +the people there are for reunion. Mr. B. rented his house to Secretary +Trenholm for $15,000--furnished. It would now bring $30,000. But he is +now running after teams to save his tobacco--_he_ a speculator! + +A letter was received yesterday from ----, Selma accusing the Assistant +Secretary of War, Judge Campbell, his brother-in-law, Judge Goldthwait, +and Judge Parsons, of Alabama, with disloyalty, and says Judge C. is +about to issue passports for delegates to go to the _Chicago_ +Convention, soon to assemble, etc. etc. He says Judge C. is the Fouche +of the South. The letter is dated August 23d, 1864, and the President +_now_ sends it to the Secretary "for his information." + +Judge Campbell has exercised almost exclusive control of the +conscription and the passport business of the government since his +appointment. The President and Secretary must attach some importance to +the communication of Mr. ----, the first for sending over the letter at +this juncture--the latter, for having just called in Lieut.-Col. Melton, +A. A. G., who is assigned a position in his office, and is now +superintending the business of _passports_. This arrangement also cuts +the earth under the feet of Mr. Kean, Chief of the Bureau of War. + +The raid of Sheridan has caused some speculators to send their surplus +flour into the city for sale. Some sold for $700 per barrel to-day, a +decline of $50. + +D. H. London says the enemy captured the tobacco at Hamilton's Crossing +(near Fredericksburg) this morning. I doubt it, but would not deplore +it, as it belongs to speculators, sent thither for barter with the +enemy. No doubt many articles will decline in price--the owners fearing +the coming of the enemy. + +The packing up of the archives goes on, with directions to be as quiet +as possible, so as "not to alarm the people." A large per cent. of the +population would behold the exodus with pleasure! + +MARCH 8TH.--Damp and foggy. We have no military news yet--9 A.M. + +President Lincoln's short inaugural message, or homily, or sermon, has +been received. It is filled with texts from the Bible. He says both +sides pray to the same God for aid--one upholding and the other +destroying African slavery. If slavery be an offense,--and woe shall +fall upon those by whom offenses come,--perhaps not only all the slaves +will be lost, but all the accumulated products of their labor be swept +away. In short, he "quotes Scripture for the deed" quite as fluently as +our President; and since both Presidents resort to religious +justification, it may be feared the war is about to assume a more +sanguinary aspect and a more cruel nature than ever before. God help us! +The history of man, even in the Bible, is but a series of bloody wars. +It must be thus to make us appreciate the blessings of peace, and to bow +in humble adoration of the great Father of all. The Garden of Eden could +not yield contentment to man, nor heaven satisfy all the angels. + +It is said the enemy have left Fredericksburg--bought all the tobacco, I +suppose. + +To-day the _State_ made distribution in this city of cotton cloth, three +yards to each member of a family, at $5.50 for 7-8 and $6.25 for 4-4 +width. The State paid about $3 per yard for it, and the profits make a +portion of its revenue, or, perhaps, the revenue of its _officers_ and +_agents_. Nevertheless, there was a large crowd, and one man fainted. +The shops sell at $12 to $15 per yard. + +Raining at 12 M. All quiet below. + +Another report of the defeat of Sherman is current to-day, and believed +by many. + +MARCH 9TH.--Rained all night; clearing away this morning. Warm. Nothing +positive from Sherman, Grant, or Sheridan. The enemy's papers say Gen. +Early and 18,000 men were captured--which is nonsense. + +Yesterday the Senate passed the Negro troops bill--Mr. Hunter voting for +it under instructions. + +The enemy did capture or destroy the tobacco sent to Fredericksburg by +the speculators to exchange for bacon--and 31 cars were burned. No one +regrets this, so far as the speculators are concerned. + +Letters from North Carolina state that the country is swarming with +deserters--perhaps many supposed to be deserters are furloughed soldiers +just exchanged. It is stated that there are 800 in Randolph County, +committing depredations on the _rich_ farmers, etc.; and that the +quartermaster and commissary stores at Greensborough are threatened. + +Meal is selling at $2 per pound, or $100 per bushel, to-day. Bacon, $13 +per pound. + +Two P.M. Cloudy, and prospect of more rain. It is quite warm. + +A great many officers are here on leave from Lee's army--all operations +being, probably, interdicted by the mud and swollen streams. Sheridan +failed to cross to the south side of James River, it being certainly his +intention to cross and form a junction with Grant, cutting the Danville +and South Side Roads on his way. + +I saw Mr. Benjamin to-day without his usual smile. He is not at ease. +The country demands a change of men in the cabinet, and he is the most +obnoxious of all. + +Again, there is a rumor of peace negotiations. All men know that no +peace can be negotiated except for reconstruction--and, I suppose, +emancipation. + +MARCH 10TH.--Raining and cold. This is the day appointed by the +government for prayer, fasting, etc.; and the departments, shops, etc. +are closed. The people, notwithstanding the bad weather, pretty +generally proceeded to the churches, which will be open morning, noon, +and night, for it is a solemn occasion, and thousands will supplicate +Almighty God to be pleased to look upon us with compassion, and aid us, +in this hour of extremity, to resist the endeavors of our enemies to +reduce us to bondage. + +The morning papers contain a dispatch from Lee, giving an account of a +successful battle in North Carolina. I append it, as the first success +chronicled for a great length of time. + + "HEADQUARTERS, ETC., March 9th, 1865. + + "HON. J. C. BRECKINRIDGE, SECRETARY OF WAR. + + "Gen. Bragg reports that he attacked the enemy, yesterday, four + miles in front of Kinston, and drove him from his position. He + disputed the ground obstinately, and took up a new line three miles + from his first. + + "We captured 3 pieces of artillery and 1500 prisoners. + + "The number of the enemy's dead and wounded left on the field is + large. Ours comparatively small. + + "The troops behaved most handsomely, and Major-Gens. Hill and Hoke + exhibited their usual zeal and energy. R. E. LEE." + +MARCH 11TH.--Bright and frosty. From a published correspondence between +Gens. Hampton and Sherman, on the subject of retaliatory executions, it +is mentioned by the former that the City of Columbia, S. C. was burned +by the latter. + +Dispatches this morning inform us of some little successes--Hampton over +Kilpatrick in the South, and Rosser over a body of the enemy at +Harrisonburg, in the North. + +Some 1500 prisoners, paroled, arrived this morning--making some 10,000 +in the last fortnight. I fear there will soon be a great scarcity of +arms, when the negroes are drilled, etc. + +Mrs. Hobson, of Goochland County, a relative of my wife, has offered a +home to my eldest daughter Anne. Mr. H. is wealthy, and his mansion is +magnificent. It is lighted with gas, made on the plantation. + +I am often called upon to lend a copy of the "Wild Western Scenes." My +copy is lost. I learn that new editions of my works are published in the +United States, where the stereotype plates were deposited. _Here_, as in +old times in the North, the publishers prefer to issue publications upon +which they pay no copyright--and, I believe, most of our publishers are +not Southern men by birth, and hence have no care but for the profits of +the business. + +Congress was to adjourn to-day. But it is said the President has +requested them to remain a short time longer, as further legislation +will be required _growing out of a treaty with France, about to be +consummated_. It is said an alliance has been agreed upon, offensive and +defensive, etc. etc. If this should be true! It is but rumor yet--but +was first mentioned, gravely, by Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary of +War. + +MARCH 12TH.--Bright and frosty. About one o'clock last night, there was +an alarm, supposed to be the approach of the enemy from the +West--Sheridan's cavalry--and the tocsin sounded until daylight. It was +a calm moonlight night, without a cloud in the sky. Couriers reported +that the enemy were at the outer fortifications, and had burned Ben +Green's house. Corse's brigade and one or two batteries passed through +the city in the direction of the menaced point; and all the local +organizations were ordered to march early in the morning. Mr. Secretary +Mallory and Postmaster-General Reagan were in the saddle; and rumor says +the President and the remainder of the cabinet had their horses saddled +in readiness for flight. About a year ago we had Dahlgren's raid, and it +was then announced that the purpose was to burn the city and put to +death the President, the cabinet, and other prominent leaders of the +"rebellion." Perhaps our leaders had some apprehension of the fate +prepared for them on that occasion, and may have concerted a plan of +escape. + +As well as I can learn from couriers, it appears that only some 1200 or +1500 of the enemy's cavalry advanced toward the city, and are now (10 +A.M.) retiring--or driven back by our cavalry. But it is a little +extraordinary that Gen. Lee, with almost unlimited power, has not been +able to prevent 1200 Federals riding from Winchester to Richmond, over +almost impracticable roads, without even a respectable skirmish wherein +1000 men were opposed to them. It is true Early was routed--but that was +more than a week ago, and we have no particulars yet. The enemy's papers +will contain them, however. + +MARCH 13TH.--Bright and pleasant. + +The reports of the army of Sheridan (mostly mounted infantry) being +within a few miles of the city were at least premature. Subsequent +reports indicate that none of the enemy's cavalry have been in the +vicinity of Richmond, but that his force, a pretty strong one, is some +20 miles up the river, with pontoon trains, etc., manifesting a purpose +to cross the James and cut the Danville Road. In this they will be +disappointed probably. + +The President vetoed several bills last week, among them the one +legislating out of office most of the able-bodied post-quarter-masters +and commissaries. There is much anxiety to learn the nature of the +communication he intends laying before Congress in a few days, and for +the reception of which the session has been prolonged. The prevalent +supposition is that it relates to foreign complications. Some think the +President means to tender his resignation, but this is absurd, for he +would be the last man to yield. To-day it is understood the Secretary of +War is to be absent from his office, closeted with the President. + +Gen. Johnston is concentrating on the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad, +and perhaps a battle will occur near Goldsborough. Its issue will decide +the fate of Raleigh, perhaps of Richmond. + +The President had the Secretary of War and Mr. Benjamin closeted nearly +the entire day yesterday, Sunday. Some important event is in embryo. If +Lee's army can be fed--as long as it can be fed--Richmond is safe. Its +abandonment will be the loss of Virginia, and perhaps the cause. To save +it, therefore, is the problem for those in authority to solve. If we had +had competent and honest men always directing the affairs of the +Confederacy, Richmond never would have been in danger, and long ere this +independence would have been achieved. But passports have been sold, +political enemies have been persecuted, conscription has been converted +into an engine of vengeance, of cupidity, and has been often made to +subserve the ends of the invader, until at last we find ourselves in a +deplorable and desperate condition. + +Gen. Wise, who has been here a few days on sick furlough, has returned +to his command, still coughing distressfully, and distressed at the +prospect. + +Miers W. Fisher, member of the Virginia Secession Convention, neglected +by the government, and racked with disease, is about to return to the +Eastern Shore of Virginia. He may submit and die. He might have done +good service, but the politicians who controlled the Confederate States +Government ignored him because he had once been a supporter of Gov. Wise +for the Presidency. + +There is a report that Sheridan's force has crossed the James River. If +this be so, the Danville Road is in danger, and the President and his +cabinet and Congress are all in a predicament. No wonder there is some +commotion! But the report may not be true. It is also said Grant is +crossing his army to the north side of the river. This may be a feint, +but stirring events are casting their shadows before! + +MARCH 14TH.--Bright and pleasant, but indications of change. + +The papers contain no news from the armies, near or remote. But there +was some alarm in the upper portion of the city about 9 P.M. last night, +from a signal seen (appended to a balloon) just over the western +horizon. It was stationary for ten minutes, a blood-red light, seen +through a hazy atmosphere. I thought it was Mars, but my eldest +daughter, a better astronomer than I, said it was neither the time nor +place for it to be visible. The air was still, and the dismal barking of +the ban-dogs conjured up the most direful portents. All my neighbors +supposed it to be a signal from Sheridan to Grant, and that the city +would certainly be attacked before morning. It was only a camp signal of +one of our own detachments awaiting the approach of Sheridan. + +Sheridan's passage of the James River has not been confirmed, and so the +belief revives that he will assault the city fortifications on the +northwest side, while Grant attacks elsewhere. + +Yesterday the President vetoed several bills, and sent back others +unsigned, suggesting alterations. Among them is the Conscript and +Exemption bills, which he has detained _ten days_, as Senators say, on a +point of constructive etiquette, insisting that the President and +Secretary ought to make certain details and exemptions instead of +Congress, etc. It is precious time lost, but perhaps in view of the +great calamities immediately threatening the country, Congress may +yield. But ten days might be enough time lost to lose the cause. + +The communication referred to by the President, in detaining Congress, +has not yet been sent in, unless it be one of his qualified vetoes, and +conjecture is still busy, some persons going so far as to hint that it +relates to a _capitulation_, yielding up Richmond on certain terms. I +have not heard of any demands of Grant of that nature. + +A dispatch from Gen. R. E. Lee, received this morning, says Fitz Lee's +cavalry was at Powhatan C. H. last night (so it was not Fitz's signal), +and had been ordered to cross to the north side of the James, which may +not be practicable above Richmond. We shall probably see them pass +through the city to-day. He says the roads are bad, etc. Sheridan, then, +has not crossed the river. + +Gen. Lee sends to the department this morning a copy of a fierce letter +from Lord John Russell, British Secretary of State, to our commissioners +abroad, demanding a discontinuance of expeditions fitted out in Canada, +and the building and equipping of cruisers in British ports. It says +such practices must cease, for they are not only in violation of British +law, but calculated to foment war between Great Britain and the United +States, which Lord John is very much averse to. The communication is +sent to _Washington, D. C._, and thence forwarded by Mr. Seward to +Lieut.-Gen. Grant, who sends it by flag of truce to Gen. Lee. Great +Britain gives us a kick while the Federal generals are pounding us. + +The enemy have Fayetteville, N. C. Hardee and Hampton crossed the Cape +Fear on the 11th inst. Sherman's army was then within 7 miles of +Fayetteville. Bragg, after his fight near Kinston, had to fall back, his +rear and right wing being threatened by heavy forces of the enemy coming +up from Wilmington. + +Some of Sheridan's force did cross the James, but retired to the north +side. So telegraphs Gen. Lee. + +MARCH 15TH.--Warm and cloudy. My cabbages coming up in the garden. + +The papers contain no war news whatever, yet there is great activity in +the army. + +Sheridan's column is said to be at Ashland, and Grant is reported to be +sending swarms of troops to the north side of the river, below, "in +countless thousands." + +The President's message, for the completion of which Congress was +desired to remain, has been sent in. I will preserve this splendidly +exordiumed and most extraordinary document. It is a great legal triumph, +achieved by the President over his enemies in Congress, and if we are +permitted to have more elections, many obnoxious members will be +defeated, for the sins of omission and commission. The President strikes +them "between wind and water," at a time, too, when no defense would be +listened to, for he says the capital was never in such danger before, +and shows that without prodigious effort, and perfect co-operation of +all branches of the government, the cause is lost, and we shall have +negro garrisons to keep us in subjection, commanded by Northern +officers. He will have the satisfaction, at least, of having to say a +portion of the responsibility rested with his political opponents. Mr. +Benjamin, who is supposed to have written a portion of the message, was +very jubilant yesterday, and it is said the President himself was almost +jocund as he walked through the Capitol Square, returning home from his +office. + +It is now rumored that a French agent is in the city, and that the +President, besides his message, sent to Congress a secret communication. +I doubt--but it may be so. + +Gen. Hood is here, on crutches, attracting no attention, for he was not +successful. + +Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary of War, said to Mr. Wattles, a +clerk, to-day, that we were now arrived at the last days of the +Confederacy. Mr. Wattles told me that the judge had been convinced, as +far back as 1863, that the cause was nearly hopeless. + +Some 1200 of Fitz Lee's cavalry passed through the city at 2 P.M. Gen. +Longstreet has been ordered by Gen. Lee to attack Sheridan. He +telegraphs back from north of the city that he "cannot find them," and +this body of cavalry is ordered to reconnoiter their position. I know +not how many more men Fitz Lee has in his division, but fear at least +_half_ have passed. + +MARCH 16TH.--Clouds and sunshine; warm. Splendid rainbow last evening. + +We have nothing new in the papers from any quarter. Sheridan's position +is not known yet, though it must be within a short distance of the city. +There was no battle yesterday. Sheridan reports the killing of Commodore +Hollins, and says it was done because he attempted to escape at +Gordonsville. + +Sherman's march through South Carolina is reported to have been cruel +and devastating. Fire and the sword did their worst. + +Congress, the House of Representatives rather, yesterday passed a bill +suspending the privilege of the writ of _habeas corpus_. The Senate will +concur probably. Also the President's suggestion amending the Conscript +act has been passed. The President has the reins now, and Congress will +be more obedient; but can they save this city? Advertisements for +recruiting negro troops are in the papers this morning. + +It is rumored that Sheridan has crossed the Chickahominy and got off +without hinderance. If this be so, Gen. Lee will be criticised. + +One P.M. It is ascertained that Sheridan has withdrawn to the York +River, and abandoned any attempt on Richmond. + +And it is supposed by high military authority that but for the +providential freshet, Sheridan would have succeeded in crossing the +James River, and cutting the Danville Railroad, which would have +deprived Lee's army of supplies. The freshet rendered his pontoon bridge +too short, etc. This may be claimed as a direct interposition of +Providence, at a time when we were fasting, praying, etc., in accordance +with the recommendation of the government. + +MARCH 17TH.--Bright and cool. A violent southeast gale prevailed last +evening, with rain. Of course we have no news in the papers from any +quarter. Sheridan having retired, all the local troops returned +yesterday. + +After all, the President does not reap a perfect triumph over Congress. +The bill suspending the writ of _habeas corpus_ passed the House by only +four majority; and in the Senate it was defeated by nine against six for +it! So the President cannot enjoy Cromwell's power without the exercise +of Cromwell's violence. + +We shall have a negro army. Letters are pouring into the department from +men of military skill and character, asking authority to raise +companies, battalions, and regiments of negro troops. It is the +desperate remedy for the very desperate case--and may be successful. If +300,000 efficient soldiers can be made of this material, there is no +conjecturing where the next campaign may end. Possibly "over the +border," for a little success will elate our spirits extravagantly; and +the blackened ruins of our towns, and the moans of women and children +bereft of shelter, will appeal strongly to the army for vengeance. + +There is a vague rumor of another battle by Bragg, in which he did not +gain the victory. This is not authentic; and would be very bad, if true, +for then Sherman's army would soon loom up in our vicinity like a +portentous cloud. + +The Commissary-General, in a communication to the Secretary urging the +necessity of keeping the trade for supplies for Lee's army, now going on +in Eastern North Carolina, a profound secret, mentions the "miscarriage +of the Fredericksburg affair," which proves that the government _did_ +send cotton and tobacco thither for barter with the enemy. + +One reason alleged for the refusal of Congress to suspend the writ of +_habeas corpus_, is the continuance of Mr. Benjamin in the cabinet. + +MARCH 18TH.--Bright and windy. The following telegram was received this +morning from Gen. R. E. Lee: "Gen. Johnston reports that on the 16th +Gen. Hardee was repeatedly attacked by four divisions of the enemy a few +miles south of Averysborough, but always (cipher). The enemy was +reported at night to have crossed Black River, to the east of Varina +Point, with the rest of the army. Gen. Hardee is moving to a point +twelve miles from Smithfield. Scofield's troops reported at Kinston, +repairing railroad. Cheatham's corps not yet up. North Carolina +Railroad, with its enormous amount of rolling stock, only conveys about +500 men a day." + +There has always been corruption--if not treason--among those having +charge of transportation. + +Yesterday the President vetoed another bill--to pay certain arrears to +the army and navy; but the House resented this by passing it over his +head by more than a two-thirds vote. The Senate will probably do the +same. We have a spectacle of war among the politicians as well as in the +field! + +Gen. Whiting, captured at Wilmington, died of his wounds. The government +would never listen to his plans for saving Wilmington, and rebuked him +for his pertinacity. + +It is now said Sheridan has crossed the Pamunky, and is returning toward +the Rappahannock, instead of forming a junction with Grant. Senator +Hunter's place in Essex will probably be visited, and all that region of +country ravaged. + +It is rumored that RALEIGH has fallen! + +By consulting the map, I perceive that after the battle of Thursday (day +before yesterday), Hardee fell back and Sherman advanced, and was within +less than thirty miles of Raleigh. + +The President, it is understood, favors a great and _decisive_ battle. + +Judge Campbell said to-day that Mr. Wigfall had sent him Mr. +Dejarnette's speech (advocating the Monroe doctrine and alliance with +the United States), with a message that he (Mr. W.) intended to read it +between his sentence and execution, thinking it would tend to reconcile +him to death. The judge said, for his own part, he would postpone +reading it until after execution. + +MARCH 19TH.--As beautiful a spring morning as ever dawned since the sun +spread its glorious light over the Garden of Eden. + +Cannon is heard at intervals down the river; and as we have had a few +days of wind and sunshine, the surface of the earth is becoming +practicable for military operations. + +I heard no news at the department; but the belief prevails that Raleigh +has fallen, or must speedily fall, and that Richmond is in danger--a +danger increasing daily. + +Thousands of non-combatants and families, falling weekly within the +power of Sherman's army, have succumbed to circumstances and perforce +submitted. I suppose most of those remaining in Savannah, Charleston, +Wilmington, etc. have taken the oath of allegiance to the United States; +and I hear of no censures upon them for doing so. Whether they will be +permitted long to enjoy their property--not their slaves, of +course--will depend upon the policy adopted at Washington. If it be +confiscated, the war will certainly continue for years, even under the +direction of President Davis, who is now quite unpopular. If a contrary +course be pursued, the struggle may be more speedily terminated--perhaps +after the next great battle. + +And Mrs. Davis has become unpopular with the ladies belonging to the old +families. Her father, Mr. Howell, it is said was of low origin, and this +is quite enough to disgust others of "high birth," but yet occupying +less exalted positions. + +Ladies are now offering their jewels and plate at the Treasury for the +subsistence of the army. It is not a general thing, however. + +Yesterday bacon was selling at $20 per pound, and meal at $140 per +bushel. If Sherman cuts the communication with North Carolina, no one +doubts that this city must be abandoned by Lee's army--and yet it may +not be so if diligent search be made for food. The soldiers and the +people may suffer, but still subsist until harvest; and meantime the God +of battles may change the face of affairs, or France may come to our +relief. + +Four P.M. It is reported that the enemy have taken Weldon. They seem to +be closing in on every hand. Lee must soon determine to march +away--whether northward or to the southwest, a few weeks, perhaps days, +will decide. The unworthy men who have been detained in high civil +positions begin now to reap their reward! And the President must +reproach himself for his inflexible adherence to a _narrow idea_. He +_might_ have been successful. + +MARCH 20TH.--Sunny and pleasant, but hazy in the south. + +Cannon heard, quite briskly, south of the city. The papers report that +Gen. Hardee repulsed Sherman on the 16th. But the official dispatch of +Gen. Johnston says Hardee retired, and Sherman advanced after the +fighting was over. + +Congress adjourned _sine die_ on Saturday, without passing the measures +recommended by the President. On the contrary, a committee of the Senate +has reported and published an acrimonious reply to certain allegations +in the message, and severely resenting the "admonitions" of the +Executive. + +When the joint committee waited on the President to inform him that if +he had no further communication to make them they would adjourn, he took +occasion to fire another broadside, saying that the measures he had just +recommended he sincerely deemed essential for the success of the armies, +etc., and, since Congress differed with him in opinion, and did not +adopt them, he could only hope that the result would prove he was +mistaken and that Congress was right. But if the contrary should appear, +_he_ could not be held responsible, etc. This is the mere _squibbing_ of +politicians, while the enemy's artillery is thundering at the gates! + +The Secretary of War visited Gen. Lee's headquarters on Saturday +afternoon, and has not yet returned. Breath is suspended in expectation +of some event; and the bickering between the President and the Congress +has had a bad effect--demoralizing the community. + +Governor Vance writes (17th instant) to the Secretary of War, that he +learns an important secret communication had been sent to Congress, +concerning probably his State, and asks a copy of it, etc. The Secretary +sends this to the President, intimating that the communication referred +to was one inclosing a view of our military "situation" by Gen. Lee, in +which he concurred. The President returns Gov. V.'s letter, stating that +he does not know his purpose, or exactly what he refers to; but [red +tape!] until Congress removes the injunction of secrecy, no one can have +copies, etc. Yet he suggests that Gov. V. be written to. + +Flour is held at $1500 per barrel. + +Senator Hunter publishes a card to-day, denying that he is in favor of +reconstruction, which has been rumored, he says, to his injury, and +might injure the country if not denied. + +A correspondence between Generals Lee and Grant is published, showing +that Gen. Longstreet has misunderstood Gen. Ord (Federal) in a late +conversation, to the effect that Gen. Grant would be willing to meet +Gen. Lee to consult on the means of putting an end to the war. The +President gave Lee full powers; but Gen. Grant writes Gen. Lee that Gen. +Ord must have been misunderstood, and that he (Grant) had no right to +settle such matters, etc. Sad delusion! + +Assistant Secretary Campbell has given one of his clerks (Cohen, a Jew) +a passport to return home--New Orleans--_via_ the United States. + +The government is still sending away the archives. + +MARCH 21ST.--Clear and warm. Apricots in blossom. At last we have +reliable information that Johnston has checked one of Sherman's columns, +at Bentonville, capturing three guns. This success is a great +relief--more as an indication of what is to follow, than for what is +accomplished. So Bragg and Johnston have both shown successful fight +lately. Beauregard next. Sherman has three full generals in his front, +with accumulating forces. A few days more will decide his fate--for +immortality or destruction. + +There are many red flags displayed this morning in Clay Street, for +sales of furniture and renting of houses to the highest bidders. They +have postponed it until the last moment to realize the highest possible +prices--and they will get them, in consequence of Johnston's success, +which revives the conviction that Richmond will not be evacuated. But +they have overreached themselves in demanding extortionate prices--such +prices depreciating the currency--$1500 being equivalent to one barrel +of flour! If it be determined to abandon the city, what will houses rent +for then? + +Lord Russell's letter, forwarded from Washington some days ago, after +much consultation here, was sent back to Gen. Lee by the Secretary of +State, declining to receive a communication from a neutral power through +a hostile one, and expressing doubts of its _authenticity_. Gen. Lee +returns the papers to-day, suggesting that the expression of doubts of +the _authenticity_ be omitted--but will, at all events, when returned to +him again, have it delivered to Gen. Grant. Mr. Benjamin thinks there is +some occult diplomatic danger in the papers--at least he is idle, and +wants some diplomatic work on his hands, in the regular way. How to +avoid doing anything whatever, diplomatically, with this matter before +him, is the very quintessence of diplomacy! He can look at it, read it, +handle it, and return it to Lord John, and then diplomatically prove +that this government never had any knowledge of its existence! + +The following official dispatch, from Gen. Lee, was received yesterday: + + "HEADQUARTERS ARMIES CONFEDERATE STATES, + + "March 20th, 1865. + + "HON. JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE, SECRETARY OF WAR. + + "Gen. J. E. Johnston reports that about 5 P.M. on the 19th inst. he + attacked the enemy near Bentonsville, routed him, capturing three + guns. A mile in rear, the enemy rallied upon fresh troops, but was + forced back slowly until 6 o'clock P.M., when, receiving more + troops, he apparently assumed the offensive, which movement was + resisted without difficulty until dark. This morning he is + intrenched. + + "Our loss is small. The troops behaved admirably well. + + "Dense thickets prevented rapid operations. R. E. LEE." + +MARCH 22D.--Rained last night; clear and cool this morning. The report +of another battle, since Sunday, in North Carolina, is not confirmed. + +The "Bureau of Conscription" still lives, notwithstanding the action of +Congress! The President himself, who favored its abolition, yet being +displeased with some of the details of the act, seems to have finally +withheld his approval; and so Col. G. W. Lay, son-in-law of Judge +Campbell, is again acting Superintendent. The great weight (wealth) of +Gen. Preston perhaps saved it--and may have lost the cause. However, it +is again said Judge Campbell will soon retire from office. He considers +the cause already lost--the work quite accomplished. + +To-day some of our negro troops will parade in the Capitol Square. + +The Texas cavalry in Virginia--originally 5000--now number 180! + +Congress adjourned without adopting any plan to reduce the currency, +deeming it hopeless, since the discovery of a deficiency, in Mr. +Memminger's accounts, of $400,000,000! So the depreciation will go on, +since the collection of taxes is rendered quite impracticable by the +operations of the enemy. Yet buying and selling, for what they call +"dollars," are still extensively indulged; and although the insecurity +of slave property is so manifest, yet a negro man will bring $10,000 at +auction. This, however, is only equivalent to about $100. Land, when the +price is reduced to the gold standard, is similarly diminished in price. + +MARCH 23D.--Clear, with high wind. Nothing further from North Carolina. +A dispatch from Gen. Lee states that he has directed Gen. Cobb to +organize an expedition into _Tennessee_, to cut the enemy's +communications. Gen. Wafford, of Kentucky, is in Georgia, with 2000 +mounted men, etc. + +Beef in market this morning sold at $12 to $15 per pound; bacon at $20, +and butter at $20. + +The parade of a few companies of negro troops yesterday was rather a +ridiculous affair. The owners are opposed to it. + +Gen. Rains sends in an indorsement, alleging that owing to the deception +of Quartermaster Rhett (not furnishing transportation), he failed to +arrest the approach of the enemy on a narrow causeway; and Columbia, +S. C., and his shells, etc. fell into the hands of the enemy. + +A dispatch from Lee states that Gen. Thomas is at Knoxville, and that +the enemy has commenced his advance from _that_ direction--is repairing +railroads, etc. The same dispatch says Gen. J. E. Johnston is removing +his wounded to Smithsville from Bentonville; that the intrenchments of +the enemy and greatly superior numbers of Sherman render further +offensive operations impracticable. + +Grant's grand combination is now developed. Sherman from the Southwest, +70,000; Grant himself from the South, 70,000; Thomas, from the West, +40,000; and Sheridan, with 15,000 cavalry from the North--some 200,000 +men converging toward this point. To defend it we shall have 120,000 +men, without provisions, and, without some speedy successes, no +communications with the regions of supply or transportation! Now is +coming the time for the exercise of great generalship! + +Gen. Early has been sent to the West--Tennessee. + +MARCH 24TH.--Clear and very windy. The fear of utter famine is now +assuming form. Those who have the means are laying up stores for the day +of siege,--I mean a closer and more rigorous siege,--when all +communications with the country shall cease; and this makes the +commodities scarcer and the prices higher. There is a project on foot to +send away some thousands of useless consumers; but how it is to be +effected by the city authorities, and where they will be sent to, are +questions I have not heard answered. The population of the city is not +less than 100,000, and the markets cannot subsist 70,000. Then there is +the army in the vicinity, which _must_ be fed. I suppose the poultry and +the sheep will be eaten, and something like a pro rata distribution of +flour and meal ordered. + +There is a rumor of a great victory by Gen. Johnston in North Carolina, +the taking of 4500 prisoners, 70 guns, etc.--merely a rumor, I am sure. +On the contrary, I apprehend that we shall soon have news of the capture +of Raleigh by Sherman. Should this be our fate, we shall soon have three +or four different armies encompassing us! + +I tried in vain this morning to buy a small fish-hook; but could not +find one in the city. None but coarse large ones are in the stores. A +friend has promised me one--and I can make _pin-hooks_, that will catch +minnows. I am too skillful an angler to starve where water runs; and +even minnows can be eaten. Besides, there are eels and catfish in the +river. The water is always muddy. + +MARCH 25TH.--Clear and cool. + +It is reported that Grant is reinforcing Sherman, and that the latter +has fallen back upon Goldsborough. This is not yet confirmed by any +official statement. A single retrograde movement by Sherman, or even a +delay in advancing, would snatch some of his laurels away, and enable +Lee to obtain supplies. Yet it may be so. He may have been careering the +last month on the unexpended momentum of his recent successes, and +really operating on a scale something more than commensurate with the +forces of his command. Should this be the case, the moral effect on our +people and the army will be prodigious, and a series of triumphs on our +side may be the consequence. + +The Northern papers chronicle the rise in flour here--to $1500 per +barrel--a few days ago, and this affords proof of the fact that every +occurrence of military importance in Richmond is immediately made known +in Washington. How can success be possible? But our authorities are +confirmed in their madness. + +There were some movements yesterday. Pickett's division was ordered from +this side of the river to the Petersburg depot, to be transported in +haste to that town; but it was countermanded, and the troops now (9 +A.M.) are marching back, down Main Street. I have not learned what +occasioned all this. + +The marching and countermarching of troops on this side of the river +very much alarmed some of the people, who believed Lee was about to +evacuate the city. + +Eleven A.M. Gen. Lee attacked the enemy's fort (Battery No. 5) near +Petersburg this morning, the one which has so long been shelling the +town, and captured it, with 600 prisoners, and several guns. This may +interfere with Gen. Grant's projects on his left wing, against the +railroad. + +It is rumored that Gen. Grant is moving heavy bodies of troops toward +Weldon, to reinforce Sherman. + +MARCH 26TH.--Frost last night. Cloudy, cold, and windy to-day. + +Suffered much yesterday and last night with disordered bowels--from +cold. This, however, may relieve me of the distressing cough I have had +for months. + +After all, I fear Lee's attempt on the enemy's lines yesterday was a +failure. We were compelled to relinquish the fort or battery we had +taken, with all the guns we had captured. Our men were exposed to an +enfilading fire, not being supported by the divisions intended to +co-operate in the movement. The 600 prisoners were completely +surprised--their pickets supposing our troops to be merely _deserters_. +This indicates an awful state of things, the enemy being convinced that +we are beaten, demoralized, etc. + +There was a communication for the Secretary this morning, from +"headquarters;" but being marked "confidential," I did not open it, but +sent it to Gen. Breckinridge. + +Pickett's division has been marching for Petersburg all the morning. + +MARCH 27TH.--Bright, calm, but cold,--my disorder keeping me at home. + +The dispatch of Gen. Lee, I fear, indicates that our late attempt to +break the enemy's lines was at least prematurely undertaken. + +The _Dispatch_ newspaper has an article entreating the people not to +submit "_too hastily_," as in that event we shall have no benefit of the +war between France and the United States--a certain event, the editor +thinks. + + "HEADQUARTERS ARMY CONFEDERATE STATES, + + "March 25th, 1865--11.20 P.M. + + "HON. J. C. BRECKINRIDGE, SECRETARY OF WAR. + + "At daylight this morning, Gen. Gordon assaulted and carried the + enemy's works at Hare's Hill, capturing 9 pieces of artillery, 8 + mortars, and between 500 and 600 prisoners, among them one + brigadier-general and a number of officers of lower grade. + + "The lines were swept for a distance of four or five hundred yards + to the right and left, and two efforts made to recover the captured + works were handsomely repulsed. But it was found that the inclosed + works in rear, commanding the enemy's main line, could only be + taken at a great sacrifice, and our troops were withdrawn to their + original position. + + "It being impracticable to bring off the captured guns, owing to + the nature of the ground, they were disabled and left. + + "Our loss, as reported, is not heavy. Among the wounded are Brig. + Gen. Terry, flesh wound, and Brig.-Gen. Phil. Cooke, in the arm. + + "All the troops engaged, including two brigades under Brig.-Gen. + Ransom, behaved most handsomely. The conduct of the sharpshooters + of Gordon's corps, who led the assault, deserves the highest + commendation. + + "This afternoon there was skirmishing on the right, between the + picket lines, with varied success. At dark the enemy held a + considerable portion of the line farthest in advance of our main + work. + + "[Signed] R. E. LEE." + +MARCH 28TH.--Cloudy and sunshine; but little wind. Too ill to go to the +department, and I get nothing new except what I read in the papers. Some +of the editorials are very equivocal, and have a squint toward +reconstruction. + +The President, and one of his Aids, Col. Lubbock, ex-Governor of Texas, +rode by my house, going toward Camp Lee. If driven from this side the +Mississippi, no doubt the President would retire into Texas. + +And Lee must gain a victory soon, or his communications will be likely +to be interrupted. Richmond and Virginia are probably in extreme peril +at this moment. + +MARCH 29TH.--Slightly overcast, but calm and pleasant. + +I am better, after the worst attack for twenty years. The only medicine +I took was blue mass--ten grains. My wife had a little tea and +loaf-sugar, and a solitary smoked herring--and this I relish; and have +nothing else. A chicken, I believe, would cost $50. I must be careful +now, and recuperate. Fine weather, and an indulgence of my old passion +for angling, would soon build me up again. + +The papers give forth an uncertain sound of what is going on in the +field, or of what is likely to occur. Unless food and men can be had, +Virginia must be lost. The negro experiment will soon be tested. Custis +says letters are pouring in at the department from all quarters, asking +authority to raise and command negro troops: 100,000 recruits from this +source might do wonders. + +I think Lee's demonstrations on Grant's front have mainly in view the +transportation of subsistence from North Carolina. + +Mrs. President Davis has left the city, with her children, for the +South. I believe it is her purpose to go no farther at present than +Charlotte, N. C.--rear of Sherman. Some of their furniture has been sent +to auction. Furniture will soon be _low_ again. + +It is now believed that the government will be removed with all +expedition to Columbus, Ga. But it is said Richmond will still be held +by our army. _Said!_ Alas! would it not be too expensive--"too much for +the whistle?" + +Shad are selling at $50 per pair. If Richmond should be left to strictly +military rule, I hope it will rule the prices. + +It is reported that Gen. Johnston has fallen back on Weldon; some +suppose to attack _Grant's_ rear, but no doubt it is because he is +pressed by Sherman with superior numbers. + +A dispatch from Gen. Lee, to-day, states the important fact that Grant's +left wing (cavalry and infantry) passed Hatcher's Run this morning, +marching to Dinwiddie C. H. The purpose is to cut the South Side and +Danville Roads; and it may be accomplished, for we have "here no +adequate force of cavalry to oppose Sheridan; and it may be possible, if +Sheridan turns his head this way, that shell may be thrown into the +city. At all events, he may destroy some bridges--costing him dear." But +pontoon bridges were sent up the Danville Road yesterday and to-day, in +anticipation, beyond the bridges to be destroyed. + +MARCH 30TH.--Raining rapidly, and warm. + +Again the sudden change of weather may be an interposition of Providence +to defeat the effort of the enemy to destroy Gen. Lee's communications +with his Southern depots of supplies. I hope so, for faith in man is +growing weaker. + +Our loss in the affair of the 25th instant was heavy, and is now +admitted to be a disaster; and Lee himself was there! It amounted, +probably, to 3000 men. Grant says over 2000 prisoners were registered by +his Provost Marshal. It is believed the President advised the desperate +undertaking; be that as it may, many such blows cannot follow in quick +succession without producing the most deplorable results. The government +would soon make its escape--_if it could_. Mrs. Davis, however, soonest +informed of our condition, got away in time. + +Dispatches from Generalissimo Lee inform the Secretary that large +expeditions are on foot in Alabama, Mississippi, etc., and that Thomas's +army is rapidly advancing upon Virginia from East Tennessee, while no +general has yet been designated to command our troops. + +The papers say nothing of the flank movement commenced yesterday by +Grant. This reticence cannot be for the purpose of keeping _the enemy_ +in ignorance of it! + +I am convalescent, but too weak to walk to the department to-day. The +deathly "sick man," as the Emperor of Russia used to designate the +Sultan of Turkey, is our President. His mind has never yet comprehended +the magnitude of the crisis. + +Custis says letters still flow in asking authority to raise negro +troops. + +In the North the evacuation of Richmond is looked for between the 1st +and 25th of April. They may be fooled. But if we lose the Danville Road, +it will only be a question of time. Yet there will remain too great a +breadth of territory for subjugation--if the _people_ choose to hold +out, and soldiers can be made of negroes. + +It is reported (believed) that several determined assaults were made on +our lines yesterday evening and last night at Petersburg, and repulsed +with slaughter; and that the attack has been renewed to-day. Very heavy +firing has been heard in that direction. Gen. Lee announces no result +yet. + +We have 2,000,000 bread rations in the depots in North Carolina. + +MARCH 31ST.--Raining; rained all night. My health improving, but +prudence requires me to still keep within the house. + +The reports of terrific fighting near Petersburg on Wednesday evening +have not been confirmed. Although Gen. Lee's dispatch shows they were +not quite without foundation, I have no doubt there was a false alarm on +both sides, and a large amount of ammunition vainly expended. + + "HEADQUARTERS, March 30th, 1865. + + "GEN. J. C. BRECKINRIDGE, SECRETARY OF WAR. + + "Gen. Gordon reports that the enemy, at 11 A.M. yesterday, advanced + against a part of his lines, defended by Brig.-Gen. Lewis, but was + repulsed. + + "The fire of artillery and mortars continued for several hours with + considerable activity. + + "No damage on our lines reported. R. E. LEE." + +We are sinking our gun-boats at Chaffin's Bluff, to obstruct the passage +of the enemy's fleet, expected soon to advance. + +Congress passed two acts, and proper ones, to which the Executive has +yet paid no attention whatever, viz.: the abolition of the Bureau of +Conscription, and of all Provost Marshals, their guards, etc. not +attached to armies in the field. If the new Secretary has consented to +be burdened with the responsibility of this contumacy and violation of +the Constitution, it will break his back, and ruin our already desperate +cause. + +Four P.M.--Since writing the above, I learn that an order has been +published abolishing the "Bureau of Conscription." + +Gov. Vance has written to know why the government wants the track of the +North Carolina Railroad altered to the width of those in Virginia, and +has been answered: 1st, to facilitate the transportation of supplies to +Gen. Lee's army from North Carolina; and 2d, in the event of disaster, +to enable the government to run all the locomotives, cars, etc. of the +Virginia roads into North Carolina. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIX. + +Rumors of battles.--Excitement in the churches.--The South Side Road + captured by the enemy.--Evacuation of Richmond.--Surrender of Gen. + Lee.--Occupation of Richmond by Federal forces.--Address to the + people of Virginia by J. A. Campbell and others.--Assassination of + President Lincoln. + + +APRIL 1ST.--Clear and pleasant. Walked to the department. + +We have vague and incoherent accounts from excited couriers of fighting, +without result, in Dinwiddie County, near the South Side Railroad. + +It is rumored that a battle will probably occur in that vicinity to-day. + +I have leave of absence, to improve my health; and propose accompanying +my daughter Anne, next week, to Mr. Hobson's mansion in Goochland +County. The Hobsons are opulent, and she will have an excellent asylum +there, if the vicissitudes of the war do not spoil her calculations. I +shall look for angling streams: and if successful, hope for both sport +and better health. + +The books at the conscript office show a frightful list of deserters or +absentees without leave--60,000--all Virginians. Speculation! + +Jno. M. Daniel, editor of the _Examiner_, is dead. + +The following dispatch from Gen. Lee is just (10 A.M.) received: + + "HEADQUARTERS, April 1st, 1865. + + "HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT DAVIS. + + "Gen. Beauregard has been ordered to make arrangements to defend + the railroad in North Carolina against Stoneman. Generals Echols + and Martin are directed to co-operate, and obey his + orders. R. E. LEE." + +A rumor (perhaps a 1st of April rumor) is current that a treaty has been +signed between the Confederate States Government and Maximilian. + +APRIL 2D.--Bright and beautiful. The tocsin was sounded this morning at +daybreak, and the militia ordered to the fortifications, to relieve some +regiments of Longstreet's corps, posted on this side of the river. These +latter were hurried off to Petersburg, where a battle is impending, I +suppose, if not in progress. + +A street rumor says there was bloody fighting yesterday a little beyond +Petersburg, near the South Side Road, in which Gen. Pickett's division +met with fearful loss, being engaged with superior numbers. It is said +the enemy's line of intrenchments was carried once or twice, but was +retaken, and remained in their hands. + +I hear nothing of all this at the department; but the absence of +dispatches there is now interpreted as bad news! Certain it is, the +marching of veteran troops from the defenses of Richmond, and replacing +them hurriedly with militia, can only indicate an emergency of alarming +importance. A decisive struggle is probably at hand--and may possibly be +in progress while I write. Or there may be nothing in it--more than a +precautionary concentration to preserve our communications. + +Mrs. Davis sold nearly all her movables--including presents--before +leaving the city. She sent them to different stores. + +An intense excitement prevails, at 2 P.M. It pervaded the churches. Dr. +Hoge intermitted his services. Gen. Cooper and the President left their +respective churches, St. James's and St. Paul's. Dr. Minnegerode, before +dismissing his congregation, gave notice that Gen. Ewell desired the +local forces to assemble at 3 P.M.--and afternoon services will not be +held. The excited women in this neighborhood say they have learned the +city is to be evacuated to-night. + +No doubt our army sustained a serious blow yesterday; and Gen. Lee may +not have troops sufficient to defend both the city and the Danville Road +at the same time. + +It is true! The enemy have broken through our lines and attained the +South Side Road. Gen. Lee has dispatched the Secretary to have +everything in readiness to _evacuate the city to-night_. The President +told a lady that Lieut.-Gen. Hardee was only twelve miles distant, and +might get up in time to save the day. But then Sherman must be in _his_ +rear. There is no wild excitement--_yet_. Gen. Kemper was at the +department looking for Gen. Ewell, and told me he could find no one to +apply to for orders. The banks will move to-night. Eight trains are +provided for the transportation of the archives, etc. No provision for +civil employees and their families. + +At 6 P.M. I saw the Hon. James Lyons, and asked him what he intended to +do. He said many of his friends advised him to leave, while his +inclination was to remain with his sick family. He said, being an +original secessionist, his friends apprehended that the Federals would +arrest him the first man, and hang him. I told him I differed with them, +and believed his presence here might result in benefit to the +population. + +Passing down Ninth Street to the department, I observed quite a number +of men--some in uniform, and some of them officers--hurrying away with +their trunks. I believe they are not allowed to put them in the cars. + +The Secretary of War intends to leave at 8 P.M. this evening. The +President and the rest of the functionaries, I suppose, will leave at +the same time. + +I met Judge Campbell in Ninth Street, talking rapidly to himself, with +two books under his arm, which he had been using in his office. He told +me that the chiefs of bureaus determined which clerks would have +transportation--embracing only a small proportion of them, which I found +to be correct. + +At the department I learned that all who had families were advised to +remain. No compulsion is seen anywhere; even the artisans and mechanics +of the government shops are left free to choose--to go or to stay. + +A few squads of local troops and reserves--guards--may be seen marching +here and there. Perhaps they are to burn the tobacco, cotton, etc., if +indeed anything is to be burned. + +Lee must have met with an awful calamity. The President said to several +ladies to-day he had hopes of Hardee coming up in time to save Lee--else +Richmond must succumb. He said he had done his best, etc. to save it. +Hardee is distant two or three days' march. + +The negroes stand about mostly silent, as if wondering what will be +their fate. They make no demonstrations of joy. + +Several hundred prisoners were brought into the city this +afternoon--captured yesterday. Why they were brought here I am at a +loss to conjecture. Why were they not paroled and sent into the enemy's +lines? + +At night. All is yet quiet. No explosion, no conflagration, no riots, +etc. How long will this continue? When will the enemy come? + +It was after 2 o'clock P.M. before the purpose to evacuate the city was +announced; and the government had gone at 8 P.M.! Short notice! and +small railroad facilities to get away. All horses were impressed. + +There is a report that Lieut.-Gen. A. P. Hill was killed, and that Gen. +Lee was wounded. Doubtless it was a battle of great magnitude, wherein +both sides had all their forces engaged. + +I remain here, broken in health and bankrupt in fortune, awaiting my +fate, whatever it may be. I can do no more. If I could, I would. + +APRIL 3D.--Another clear and bright morning. It was a quiet night, with +its million of stars. And yet how few could sleep, in anticipation of +the entrance of the enemy! But no enemy came until 9 A.M., when some 500 +were posted at the Capitol Square. They had been waited upon previously +by the City Council, and the surrender of the city stipulated--to occur +this morning. They were asked to post guards for the protection of +property from pillage, etc., and promised to do so. + +At dawn there were two tremendous explosions, seeming to startle the +very earth, and crashing the glass throughout the western end of the +city. One of these was the blowing up of the magazine, near the new +almshouse--the other probably the destruction of an iron-clad ram. But +subsequently there were others. I was sleeping soundly when awakened by +them. + +All night long they were burning the papers of the Second Auditor's +office in the street--claims of the survivors of deceased soldiers, +accounts of contractors, etc. + +At 7 A.M. Committees appointed by the city government visited the liquor +shops and had the spirits (such as they could find) destroyed. The +streets ran with liquor; and women and boys, black and white, were seen +filling pitchers and buckets from the gutters. + +A lady sold me a bushel of potatoes in Broad Street for $75, Confederate +States money--$5 less than the price a few days ago. I bought them at +her request. And some of the shops gave clothing to our last retiring +guards. + +Goods, etc. at the government depots were distributed to the poor, to a +limited extent, there being a limited amount. + +A dark volume of smoke rises from the southeastern section of the city, +and spreads like a pall over the zenith. It proceeds from the tobacco +warehouse, ignited, I suppose, hours ago, and now just bursting forth. + +At 8-1/2 A.M. The armory, arsenal, and laboratory (Seventh and Canal +Streets), which had been previously fired, gave forth terrific sounds +from thousands of bursting shells. This continued for more than an hour. +Some fragments of shell fell within a few hundred yards of my house. + +The pavements are filled with pulverized glass. + +Some of the great flour mills have taken fire from the burning +government warehouses, and the flames are spreading through the lower +part of the city. A great conflagration is apprehended. + +The doors of the government bakery (Clay Street) were thrown open this +morning, and flour and crackers were freely distributed, until the +little stock was exhausted. I got a barrel of the latter, paying a negro +man $5 to wheel it home--a short distance. + +Ten A.M. A battery (United States) passed my house, Clay Street, and +proceeded toward Camp Lee. Soon after the officers returned, when I +asked the one in command if guards would be placed in this part of the +city to prevent disturbance, etc. He paused, with his suite, and +answered that such was the intention, and that every precaution would be +used to preserve order. He said the only disturbances were caused by our +people. I asked if there was any disturbance. He pointed to the black +columns of smoke rising from the eastern part of the city, and referred +to the incessant bursting of shell. I remarked that the storehouses had +doubtless been ignited hours previously. To this he assented, and +assuring me that _they_ did not intend to disturb us, rode on. But +immediately meeting two negro women laden with plunder, they wheeled +them to the right about, and marched them off, to the manifest chagrin +of the newly emancipated citizens. + +Eleven A.M. I walked down Brad Street to the Capitol Square. The street +was filled with _negro troops_, cavalry and infantry, and were cheered +by hundreds of negroes at the corners. + +I met Mr. T. Cropper (lawyer from the E. Shore) driving a one-horse +wagon containing his bedding and other property of his quarters. He said +he had just been burnt out--at Belom's Block--and that St. Paul's Church +(Episcopal) was, he thought, on fire. This I found incorrect; but Dr. +Reed's (Presbyterian) was in ruins. The leaping and lapping flames were +roaring in Main Street up to Ninth; and Goddin's Building (late General +Post-Office) was on fire, as well as all the houses in Governor Street +up to Franklin. + +The grass of Capitol Square is covered with parcels of goods snatched +from the raging conflagration, and each parcel guarded by a Federal +soldier. + +A general officer rode up and asked me what building that was--pointing +to the old stone United States Custom House--late Treasury and State +Departments, also the President's office. He said, "Then it is +fire-proof, and the fire will be arrested in this direction." He said he +was sorry to behold such destruction; and regretted that there was not +an adequate supply of engines and other apparatus. + +Shells are still bursting in the ashes of the armory, etc. + +All the stores are closed; most of the largest (in Main Street) have +been burned. + +There are supposed to be 10,000 negro troops at Camp Lee, west of my +dwelling. + +An officer told me, 3 P.M., that a white brigade will picket the city +to-night; and he assured the ladies standing near that there would not +be a particle of danger of molestation. After 9 P.M., all will be +required to remain in their houses. Soldiers or citizens, after that +hour, will be arrested. He said we had done ourselves great injury by +the fire, the lower part of the city being in ashes, and declared that +the United States troops had no hand in it. I acquitted them of the +deed, and told him that the fire had spread from the tobacco warehouses +and military depots, fired by our troops as a military necessity. + +Four P.M. Thirty-four guns announced the arrival of President Lincoln. +He flitted through the mass of human beings in Capitol Square, his +carriage drawn by four horses, preceded by out-riders, motioning the +people, etc. out of the way, and followed by a mounted guard of thirty. +The cortege passed rapidly, precisely as I had seen royal parties ride +in Europe. + +APRIL 4TH.--Another bright and beautiful day. + +I walked around the burnt district this morning. Some seven hundred +houses, from Main Street to the canal, comprising the most valuable +stores, and the best business establishments, were consumed. All the +bridges across the James were destroyed, the work being done +effectually. Shells were placed in all the warehouses where the tobacco +was stored, to prevent the saving of any. + +The War Department was burned after I returned yesterday; and soon after +the flames were arrested, mainly by the efforts of the Federal troops. + +Gen. Weitzel commanded the troops that occupied the city upon its +abandonment. + +The troops do not interfere with the citizens here any more than they do +in New York--yet. Last night everything was quiet, and perfect order +prevails. + +A few thousand negroes (mostly women) are idle in the streets, or lying +in the Capitol Square, or crowding about headquarters, at the Capitol. + +Gen. Lee's family remain in the city. I saw a Federal guard promenading +in front of the door, his breakfast being just sent to him from within. + +Brig.-Gen. Gorgas's family remain also. They are Northern-born. + +It is rumored that another great battle was fought yesterday, at Amelia +Court House, on the Danville Road, and that Lee, Johnston and Hardee +having come up, defeated Grant. It is only rumor, so far. If it be true, +Richmond was evacuated prematurely; for the local defense troops might +have held it against the few white troops brought in by Weitzel. The +negroes never would have been relied on to take it by assault. + +I see many of the civil employees left behind. It was the merest +accident (being Sunday) that any were apprised, in time, of the purpose +to evacuate the city. It was a shameful _abandonment_ on the part of the +heads of departments and bureaus. + +Confederate money is not taken to-day. However, the shops are still +closed. + +APRIL 5TH.--Bright and pleasant. + +Stayed with my next door neighbors at their request last night--all +females. It was quiet; and so far the United States pickets and guards +have preserved perfect order. + +The cheers that greeted President Lincoln were mostly from the negroes +and Federals comprising the great mass of humanity. The white citizens +felt annoyed that the city should be held mostly by negro troops. If +this measure were not unavoidable, it was impolitic if conciliation be +the purpose. + +Mr. Lincoln, after driving to the mansion lately occupied by Mr. Davis, +Confederate States President, where he rested, returned, I believe, to +the fleet at Rocketts. + +This morning thousands of negroes and many white females are besieging +the public officers for provisions. I do not observe any getting them, +and their faces begin to express disappointment. + +It is said all the negro men, not entering the army, will be put to +work, rebuilding bridges, repairing railroads, etc. + +I have seen a _New York Herald_ of the 3d, with dispatches of the 1st +and 2d inst. from Mr. Lincoln, who was at City Point during the progress +of the battle. He sums up with estimate of 12,000 prisoners captured, +and 50 guns. + +The rumor of a success by Gen. Lee on Monday is still credited. _Per +contra_, it is reported that President Davis is not only a captive, but +will soon be exhibited in Capitol Square. + +The Rev. Mr. Dashiell, who visited us to-day, said it was reported and +believed that 6000 South Carolina troops threw down their arms; and that +a large number of Mississippians deserted--giving such information to +the enemy as betrayed our weak points, etc. + +Three P.M. I feel that this Diary is near its end. + +The burnt district includes all the banks, money-changers, and principal +speculators and extortioners. This seems like a decree from above! + +Four P.M. The Square is nearly vacated by the negroes. An officer told +me they intended to put them in the army in a few days, and that the +Northern people did not really like negro equality any better than we +did. + +Two rumors prevail: that Lee gained a victory on Monday, and that Lee +has capitulated, with 35,000 men. + +The policy of the conquerors here, I believe, is still undecided, and +occupies the attention of Mr. Lincoln and his cabinet. + +APRIL 6TH.--Showery morning. + +I perceive no change, except, perhaps, a diminution of troops, which +seems to confirm the reports of recent battles, and the probable success +of Lee and Johnston. But all is doubt and uncertainty. + +The military authorities are still reticent regarding the fate of those +remaining in Richmond. We are at their mercy, and prepared for our fate. +I except some of our ladies, who are hysterical, and want to set out on +foot "for the Confederacy." + +APRIL 7TH.--Slight showers. + +Wm. Ira Smith, tailor, and part owner of the _Whig_, has continued the +publication as a Union paper. + +I visited the awful crater of the magazine. One current or stream of +fire and bricks knocked down the east wall of the cemetery, and swept +away many head and foot stones, demolishing trees, plants, etc. + +It is said President Lincoln is still in the city. Dr. Ellison informed +me to-day of the prospect of Judge Campbell's conference with Mr. +Lincoln. It appears that the judge had prepared statistics of our +resources in men and materials, showing them to be utterly inadequate +for a prolongation of the contest, and these he exhibited to certain +prominent citizens, whom he wished to accompany him. Whether they were +designed also for the eye of President Lincoln, or whether he saw them, +I did not learn. But one citizen accompanied him--GUSTAVUS A. MYERS, the +little old lawyer, who has certainly cultivated the most friendly +relations with all the members of President Davis's cabinet, and it is +supposed he prosecuted a lucrative business procuring substitutes, +obtaining discharges, getting passports, etc. + +The ultimatum of President Lincoln was Union, emancipation, disbandment +of the Confederate States armies. Then no oath of allegiance would be +required, no confiscation exacted, or other penalty; and the Governor +and Legislature to assemble and readjust the affairs of Virginia without +molestation of any character. + +Negotiations are in progress by the clergymen, who are directed to open +the churches on Sunday, and it was intimated to the Episcopalians that +they should pray for the President of the United States. To this they +demur, being ordered by the Convention to pray for the President of the +Confederate States. They are willing to omit the prayer altogether, and +await the decision of the military authority on that proposition. + +APRIL 8TH.--Bright and pleasant weather. + +We are still in uncertainty as to our fate, or whether an oath of +allegiance will be demanded. + +Efforts by Judge Campbell, Jos. R. Anderson, N. P. Tyler, G. A. Myers +and others, are being made to assemble a convention which shall withdraw +Virginia from the Confederacy. + +Hundreds of civil employees remained, many because they had been +required to _volunteer_ in the local defense organization or lose their +employment, and the fear of being still further perfidiously dealt with, +forced into the army, notwithstanding their legal exemptions. Most of +them had families whose subsistence depended upon their salaries. It is +with governments as with individuals, injustice is sooner or later +overtaken by its merited punishment. + +The people are kinder to each other, sharing provisions, etc. + +A New York paper says Gen. H. A. Wise was killed; we hear nothing of +this here. + +Roger A. Pryor is said to have remained voluntarily in Petersburg, and +announces his abandonment of the Confederate States cause. + +APRIL 9TH.--Bright and beautiful. Rev. Mr. Dashiell called, after +services. The prayer for the President was omitted, by a previous +understanding. + +Rev. Dr. Minnegerode, and others, leading clergymen, consider the cause +at an end. A letter from Gen. Lee has been found, and its authenticity +vouched for (Rev. Dr. M. says) by Judge Campbell, in which he avows his +conviction that further resistance will be in vain--but that so long as +it is desired, he will do his utmost in the field. + +And Dr. M. has information of the capture of three divisions of +Longstreet since the battle of Sunday last, with some eight +generals--among them Lieut.-Gen. Ewell, Major-Gen. G. W. Custis Lee, +etc. + +The clergy also seem to favor a convention, and the resumption by +Virginia of her old position in the Union--minus slavery. +Charlottesville has been named as the place for the assembling of the +convention. They also believe that Judge Campbell remained to treat with +the United States at the request of the Confederate States Government. I +doubt. We shall now have no more interference in Caesar's affairs by the +clergy--may they attend to God's hereafter! + +Ten o'clock P.M. A salute fired--100 guns--from the forts across the +river, which was succeeded by music from all the bands. The guard +promenading in front of the house says a dispatch has been received from +Grant announcing the surrender of Lee! + +I hear that Gen. Pickett was killed in the recent battle! + +APRIL 10TH.--Raining. I was startled in bed by the sound of cannon from +the new southside fort again. I suppose another hundred guns were fired; +and I learn this morning that the Federals declare, and most people +believe, that Lee has really surrendered his army--if not indeed all the +armies. + +My Diary is surely drawing to a close, and I feel as one about to take +leave of some old familiar associate. A _habit_ is to be +discontinued--and that is no trifling thing to one of my age. But I may +find sufficient employment in revising, correcting, etc. what I have +written. I never supposed it would end in this way. + +Ten A.M. It is true! Yesterday Gen. Lee surrendered the "Army of +Northern Virginia." His son, Custis Lee, and other generals, had +surrendered a few days previously. The men are paroled by regimental +commanders, from the muster rolls, and are permitted to return to their +homes and remain undisturbed until exchanged. The officers to take their +side-arms and baggage to their homes, on the same conditions, etc. There +_were_ 290 pieces of artillery belonging to this army a few weeks ago. +This army was the pride, the hope, the prop of the Confederate cause, +and numbered, I believe, on the rolls, 120,000 men. All is lost! No head +can be made by any other general or army--if indeed any other army +remains. If Mr. Davis had been present, he never would have consented to +it; and I doubt if he will ever forgive Gen. Lee. + +APRIL 11TH.--Cloudy and misty. It is reported that Gen. Johnston has +surrendered his army in North Carolina, following the example of Gen. +Lee. But no salutes have been fired in honor of the event. The President +(Davis) is supposed to be flying toward the Mississippi River, but this +is merely conjectural. Undoubtedly the war is at an end, and the +Confederate States Government will be immediately extinct--its members +fugitives. From the tone of leading Northern papers, we have reason to +believe President Lincoln will call Congress together, and proclaim an +amnesty, etc. + +Judge Campbell said to Mr. Hart (clerk in the Confederate States War +Department) yesterday that there would be no arrests, and no oath would +be required. Yet ex-Captain Warner was arrested yesterday, charged with +ill treating Federal prisoners, with registering a false name, and as a +dangerous character. I know the contrary of all this; for he has been +persecuted by the Confederate States authorities for a year, and forced +to resign his commission. + +My application to Gen. Shepley for permission to remove my family to the +Eastern Shore, where they have relatives and friends, and may find +subsistence, still hangs fire. Every day I am told to call the _next_ +day, as it has not been acted upon. + +APRIL 12TH.--Warm and cloudy. Gen. Weitzel publishes an order to-day, +requiring all ministers who have prayed for the President of the +Confederate States to pray hereafter for the President of the United +States. He will not allow them to omit the prayer. + +In answer to my application for permission to take my family to the +Eastern Shore of Virginia, where among their relations and friends +shelter and food may be had, Brevet Brig.-Gen. Ludlow indorsed: +"Disallowed--as none but loyal people, who have taken the oath, are +permitted to reside on the Eastern Shore of Virginia." This paper I left +at Judge Campbell's residence (he was out) for his inspection, being +contrary in spirit to the terms he is represented to have said would be +imposed on us. + +At 1-1/2 P.M. Another 100 guns were fired in Capitol Square, in honor, I +suppose, of the surrender of JOHNSTON'S army. I must go and see. + +Captain Warner is still in prison, and no one is allowed to visit him, I +learn. + +Three P.M. Saw Judge Campbell, who will lay my paper before the military +authorities for reconsideration to-morrow. He thinks they have acted +unwisely. I said to him that a gentleman's _word_ was better than an +enforced oath--and that if persecution and confiscation are to follow, +instead of organized armies we shall have bands of assassins everywhere +in the field, and the stiletto and the torch will take the place of the +sword and the musket--and there can be no solid reconstruction, etc. He +says he told the Confederate States authorities months ago that the +cause had failed, but they would not listen. He said he had telegraphed +something to Lieut.-Gen. Grant to-day. + +The salute some say was in honor of Johnston's surrender--others say it +was for Lee's--and others of Clay's birthday. + +APRIL 13TH.--Raining. Long trains of "supply" and "ammunition" wagons +have been rolling past our dwelling all the morning, indicating a +movement of troops southward. I suppose the purpose is to _occupy_ the +conquered territory. Alas! we know too well what military occupation is. +No intelligent person supposes, after Lee's surrender, that there will +be found an army anywhere this side of the Mississippi of sufficient +numbers to make a stand. No doubt, however, many of the dispersed +Confederates will join the trans-Mississippi army under Gen. E. Kirby +Smith, if indeed, he too does not yield to the prevalent surrendering +epidemic. + +Confederate money is valueless, and we have no Federal money. To such +extremity are some of the best and wealthiest families reduced, that the +ladies are daily engaged making pies and cakes for the Yankee soldiers +of all colors, that they may obtain enough "greenbacks" to purchase such +articles as are daily required in their housekeeping. + +It is said we will be supplied with rations from the Federal +commissariat. + +APRIL 14TH.--Bright and cool. + +Gen. Weitzel and his corps having been ordered away; Major-Gen. Ord has +succeeded to the command at Richmond, and his corps has been marching to +Camp Lee ever since dawn. I saw no negro troops among them, but presume +there are some. + +Gen. Weitzel's rule became more and more despotic daily; but it is said +the order dictating prayers to be offered by the Episcopal clergy came +from Mr. Stanton, at Washington, Secretary of War. One of the clergy, +being at my house yesterday, said that unless this order were modified +there would be no services on Sunday. To-day, Good Friday, the churches +are closed. + +The following circular was published a few days ago: + + "TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA. + + "The undersigned, members of the Legislature of the State of + Virginia, in connection with a number of the citizens of the State, + whose names are attached to this paper, in view of the evacuation + of the City of Richmond by the Confederate Government, and its + occupation by the military authorities of the United States, the + surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, and the suspension of + the jurisdiction of the civil power of the State, are of opinion + that an immediate meeting of the General Assembly of the State is + called for by the exigencies of the situation. + + "The consent of the military authorities of the United States to + the session of the Legislature in Richmond, in connection with the + Governor and Lieutenant-Governor, to their free deliberation upon + public affairs, and to the ingress and departure of all its members + under safe conducts, has been obtained. + + "The United States authorities will afford transportation from any + point under their control to any of the persons before mentioned. + + "The matters to be submitted to the Legislature are the restoration + of peace to the State of Virginia, and the adjustment of questions + involving life, liberty, and property, that have arisen in the + State as a consequence of the war. + + "We therefore earnestly request the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, + and members of the Legislature to repair to this city by the 25th + April (instant). + + "We understand that full protection to persons and property will be + afforded in the State, and we recommend to peaceful citizens to + remain at their homes and pursue their usual avocations, with + confidence that they will not be interrupted. + + "We earnestly solicit the attendance, in Richmond, on or before the + 25th of April (instant), of the following persons, citizens of + Virginia, to confer with us as to the best means of restoring peace + to the State of Virginia. We have procured safe conduct from the + military authorities of the United States for them to enter the + city and depart without molestation: Hon. R. M. T. Hunter, A. T. + Caperton, Wm. C. Rives, John Letcher, A. H. H. Stuart, R. L. + Montague, Fayette McMullen, J. P. Holcombe, Alexander Rives, B. + Johnson Barbour, James Barbour, Wm. L. Goggin, J. B. Baldwin, + Thomas S. Gholson, Waller Staples, S. D. Miller, Thomas J. + Randolph, Wm T. Early, R. A. Claybrook, John Critcher, Wm. Towns, + T. H. Eppes, and those other persons for whom passports have been + procured and especially forwarded that we consider it to be + unnecessary to mention. + + "A. J. Marshall, Senator, Fauquier; James Neeson, Senator, Marion; + James Venable, Senator elect, Petersburg; David I. Burr, of House + of Delegates, Richmond City; David J. Saunders, of House of + Delegates, Richmond City; L. S. Hall, of House of Delegates, Wetzel + County; J. J. English, of House of Delegates, Henrico County; Wm. + Ambers, of House of Delegates, Chesterfield County; A. M. Keily, of + House of Delegates, Petersburg; H. W. Thomas, Second Auditor of + Virginia; St. L. L. Moncure, Chief Clerk Second Auditor's office; + Joseph Mayo, Mayor of City of Richmond; Robert Howard, Clerk of + Hustings Court, Richmond City; Thomas U. Dudley, Sergeant Richmond + City; Littleton Tazewell, Commonwealth's Attorney, Richmond City; + Wm. T. Joynes, Judge of Circuit Court, Petersburg; John A. + Meredith, Judge of Circuit Court, Richmond; Wm. H. Lyons, Judge of + Hustings Court, Richmond; Wm. C. Wickham, Member of Congress, + Richmond District; Benj. S. Ewell, President of William and Mary + College; Nat. Tyler, Editor Richmond _Enquirer_; R. F. Walker, + Publisher of _Examiner_; J. R. Anderson, Richmond; R. R. Howison, + Richmond; W. Goddin, Richmond; P. G. Bayley, Richmond; F. J. Smith, + Richmond; Franklin Stearns, Henrico; John Lyons, Petersburg; Thomas + B. Fisher, Fauquier; Wm. M. Harrison, Charles City; Cyrus Hall, + Ritchie; Thomas W. Garnett, King and Queen; James A. Scott, + Richmond. + + "I concur in the preceding recommendation. + + "J. A. CAMPBELL. + + "Approved for publication in the _Whig_, and in handbill form. + + "G. WEITZEL, Major-Gen. Commanding. + + "RICHMOND, VA., April 11th, 1865." + +To-day the following order is published: + + "HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA, + + "RICHMOND, VA., April 13th, 1865. + + "Owing to recent events, the permission for the reassembling of the + gentlemen recently acting as the Legislature of Virginia is + rescinded. Should any of the gentlemen come to the city under the + notice of reassembling, already published, they will be furnished + passports to return to their homes. + + "Any of the persons named in the call signed by J. A. Campbell and + others, who are found in the city twelve hours after the + publication of this notice, will be subject to arrest, unless they + are residents of the city. + + "E. O. C. ORD, Major-Gen. Commanding." + +Judge Campbell informs me that he saw Gen. Ord yesterday, who promised +to grant me permission to take my family to the Eastern Shore of +Virginia, and suggesting some omissions and alterations in the +application, which I made. Judge C. is to see him again to-day, when I +hope the matter will be accomplished. + +Judge Campbell left my application with Gen. Ord's youngest adjutant, to +whom he said the general had approved it. But the adjutant said it would +have to be presented again, as there was no indorsement on it. The judge +advised me to follow it up, which I did; and stayed until the adjutant +did present it again to Gen. Ord, who again approved it. Then the polite +aid accompanied me to Gen. Patrick's office and introduced me to him, +and to Lieut.-Col. John Coughlin, "Provost Marshal General Department of +Virginia," who indorsed on the paper: "These papers will be granted when +called for." + +APRIL 17TH.--Bright and clear. + +I add a few lines to my Diary. It was whispered, yesterday, that +President Lincoln had been assassinated! I met Gen. Duff Green, in the +afternoon, who assured me there could be no doubt of it. Still, +supposing it might be an April hoax, I inquired at the headquarters of +Gen. Ord, and was told it was true. I cautioned those I met to manifest +no _feeling_, as the occurrence might be a calamity for the South; and +possibly the Federal soldiers, supposing the deed to have been done by a +Southern man, might become uncontrollable and perpetrate deeds of horror +on the unarmed people. + +After agreeing to meet Gen. Green this morning at the Provost Marshal's +office, and unite with him in an attempt to procure the liberation of +Capt. Warner, I returned home; and saw, on the way, Gen. Ord and his +staff riding out toward Camp Lee, with no manifestations of excitement +or grief on their countenances. + +Upon going down town this morning, every one was speaking of the death +of Lincoln, and the _Whig_ was in mourning. + +President Lincoln was killed by Booth (Jno. Wilkes), an actor. I suppose +his purpose is to live in history as the slayer of a tyrant; thinking to +make the leading character in a tragedy, and have his performance acted +by others on the stage. + +I see no grief on the faces of either officers or men of the Federal +army. + +R. A. Pryor and Judge W. T. Joynes have called a meeting in Petersburg, +to lament the calamity entailed by the assassination. + +I got passports to-day for myself and family to the Eastern Shore, +taking no oath. We know not when we shall leave. + +I never swore allegiance to the Confederate States Government, but was +true to it. + +APRIL 19TH.--Yesterday windy, to-day bright and calm. + +It appears that the day of the death of President Lincoln was appointed +for illuminations and rejoicings on the surrender of Lee. There is no +intelligence of the death of Mr. Seward or his son. It was a dastardly +deed--surely the act of a madman. + + + +THE END. + + + + +Footnotes: + +[1] Virginia undoubtedly contributed more than any other State, but they +were not registered. + +[2] It is held by the government _now_, January, 1866, and my family are +homeless and destitute. _Onancock, Accomac County, Va._--J. B. J. + + + + +Transcriber's Notes: + +Passages in italics are indicated by _underscore_. + +The following misprints in Volume I have been corrected: + "their's" corrected to "theirs" (page 77) + "increasas" corrected to "increases" (page 85) + "instrutcted" corrected to "instructed" (page 164) + "conntry" corrected to "country" (page 238) + "Legisture" corrected to "Legislature" (page 242) + "Deparment" corrected to "Department" (page 244) + "ha" corrected to "he" (page 251) + "a" corrected to "at" (page 255) + "reappeard" corrected to "reappeared" (page 275) + "calvary" corrected to "cavalry" (page 308) + "assults" corrected to "assaults" (page 335) + "peisoners" corrected to "prisoners" (page 360) + "degees" corrected to "degrees" (page 362) + "Wendesday" corrected to "Wednesday" (page 365) + +The following misprints in Volume II have been corrected: + "furnance" corrected to "furnace" (page 17) + "miraculousl" corrected to "miraculously" (page 17) + "13TH" corrected to "15TH" (page 44) + "Corolina" corrected to "Carolina" (page 44) + "affirmalive" corrected to "affirmative" (page 79) + "nothwithstanding" corrected to "notwithstanding" (page 84) + "necestity" corrected to "necessity" (page 93) + "2D" corrected to "3D" (page 123) + "develope" corrected to "develop" (page 135) + "Henly's" corrected to "Henley's" (page 166) + "APRIL" corrected to "MAY" (page 199) + "May 19TH" corrected to "May 9TH" (page 203) + "appropiate" corrected to "appropriate" (page 233) + "at at" corrected to "at" (page 257) + "commads" corrected to "commands" (page 292) + "Tallahassie" corrected to "Tallahassee" (page 292) + "Opeleka" corrected (twice) to "Opelika" (page 302) + "not" corrected to "now" (page 309) + "Congrees" corrected to "Congress" (page 316) + "Weeler" corrected to "Wheeler" (page 333) + "few few" corrected to "few" (page 337) + "Georagia" correctedt to "Georgia" (page 341) + "Octoberr" corrected to "October" (page 373) + "sufferred" corrected to "suffered" (page 402) + "sufferred" corrected to "suffered" (page 419) + "parol" corrected to "parole" (page 438) + "Peterburg" corrected to "Petersburg" (page 463) + "Lietenant" corrected to "Lieutenant" (page 477) + +Other than the corrections listed above, printer's inconsistencies in +spelling, punctuation, and hyphenation usage have been retained. + +The two footnote markers [1] (Vol. I, page 114) are intentional to +reflect the presentation in the original text. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the +Confederate States Capital, by John Beauchamp Jones + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY *** + +***** This file should be named 31087.txt or 31087.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/1/0/8/31087/ + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Stephanie Eason, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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