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.
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 wasnotdestroyed, and he retreated from before Nashville with some 20,000 men. Doubtless he lost many cannon; but theFederal 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 armiesmustbe 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, thePeopleare 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 sinceOctober1st, 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 formerfrom $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 (12m.) 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 theDispatchto-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 wasforty-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 theassignment 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 theCommissary-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 withhisbureau. 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 himtherefor?
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 activeoperations 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 desertingbackto 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, wassmokedout 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 thequi 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 possibleeastof 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 toGen. 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 beslaughtered. 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!
TheExamineris 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 relievedhereand sentelsewhere.
The Piedmont Railroad has been impressed. Asecretact 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 allthe 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 permissionto remove it within the enemy’s lines; or “better still,” to have it shipped abroad on government account byreliableparties. This indicates a purpose to die “full-handed,” if the governmentmustdie, and to defeat the plans of the enemy to get the cotton. Is the FederalGovernmenta 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 PresidentDavis, and a strong reconstructionparty 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 isrevolutionary.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 Staterefuseto 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 sayshewould 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 nottwo 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.Theywill not offend the speculators and hoarders by taking much flour from them. No—domiciliary visits withbayonetsalone 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 enemycame inat 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 weintelligence 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 ourpoliticalfunctionaries 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 orderspreventing 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 noolderthan 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 topropositionshas 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 notyetbeen 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 issaidthat 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 suspicionsof 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 inauguraterealnegotiations. 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 ofhabeas corpus. Thus the time of ourgreatdignitaries is consumed removing molehills, while mountains are looming up everywhere.
The following dispatch was received here at 11a.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 takenlastnight, 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 anotherBoabdilthe Unlucky.
Dr. Woodbridge announced in the Monumental Church, yesterday, that only five ladies had responded to the call to knit socks for the soldiers! Arichcongregation, 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. Lamarhas applied to take the oath of allegiance, to save his cotton and other property.
TheExaminerto-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: