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.