“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.”
“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 toagitatethe matter of disloyalty, but rather to wink at it, and let it die out—if it will; if itwon’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’clockp.m.The day has grown dark and cold, indicatingsnow, 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 formilitaryofficers, 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 otherproperty 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 Secretaryis diligentin 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. Theslaveseverywhere are onfullrations.
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.
TheExaminerthis 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 priceof 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 shouldnotsink, 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 icicleshang 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 forpeace—while the papers are filled with accounts of theleniencyof 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 ConfederateStates 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 burnallthe 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 mybirth-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 acrashof the government itself. No doubt large amounts of gold havebeen 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 isstarvation; 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 onSunday, 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 remainsdown 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 thathehas 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.
Foursteamers 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 or40 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 allowingthemselvesto 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 issaid 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 isquotedat $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 thisafterthe paper was sent in by the President. But the estimatewasmade, 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 billestablishing 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 apoliticalcombination.
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 beingdetained 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 Presidentdidsign the bill creating a general-in-chief, and depriving Gen. Bragg of his staff.
Major-Gen. Jno. C. Breckinridgehasbeen 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.
TheEnquirerseems 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 smalldetails. 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 madeon our partfor reconstruction? There are many smiling faces in the streets, betokening a profound desire for peace.
January 29th.—Clear, and moderating.
To-day at 10a.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. Iftheycannot 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, andultimatelyto 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 havesufferedso much that almost any treaty, granting us independence, will be accepted by the people. All the commissioners must guard against is any appearance of aprotectorateon the part of the United States. If thehonorof 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? Blairmusthave understood this, and made it known tohisPresident. Then what else but independence, on some terms, could be the basis forfurtherconference? I believe our people would, for the sake of independence, agree to an alliance offensive and defensive with the United States, and agreeto 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 anunpopulartreaty. 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 YorkTribunestates that peace must come soon, because it hasreliable informationof the exhaustion of our resources. Thismeans 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 twop.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 hishand, they say.
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.
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 anycavalry 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 formonths, 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 todepreciategold.
Yesterday the Senate passed a billdroppingall commissaries and quartermasters not in the field, and not in the bureaus in Richmond, and appointingagentsinstead, 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 theenemy; 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’clockp.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 soonhearnews without seeking it! The enemy will not rest content with their recent series of successes; for system ofeasy communicationwill 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.
Thegreat strugglewill 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 Departmentcommutedofficer’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 anew flagfor 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: