Waning confidence in the President.--Blockade running.--From the South.--
Beauregard on Sherman.--The expeditions against Wilmington.--Return
of Mr. Pollard.--The Blairs in Richmond.--Arrest of Hon. H. S.
Foote.--Fall of Fort Fisher.--Views of Gen. Cobb.--Dismal.--
Casualties of the War.--Peace commissioners for Washington.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 1ST, 1865.--Snowed a few inches in depth during the
night--clear and cool morning. The new year begins with the new rumor
that Gen. Hood has turned upon Gen. Thomas and beaten him. This is
believed by many. Hood's army was _not_ destroyed, and he retreated from
before Nashville with some 20,000 men. Doubtless he lost many cannon;
but the Federal accounts of his disaster were probably much
exaggerated.
The cabinet still remains.
The President is considered really a man of ability, and eminently
qualified to preside over the Confederate States, if independence were
attained and we had peace. But he is probably not equal to the role he
is now called upon to play. He has not the broad intellect requisite for
the gigantic measures needed in such a crisis, nor the health and
physique for the labors devolving on him. Besides he is too much of a
politician still to discard his old prejudices, and persists in keeping
aloof from him, and from commanding positions, all the great statesmen
and patriots who contributed most in the work of preparing the minds of
the people for resistance to Northern domination. And the consequence is
that many of these influential men are laboring to break down his
administration, or else preparing the people for a return to the old
Union. The disaffection is intense and wide-spread among the politicians
of 1860, and consternation and despair are expanding among the people.
Nearly all desire to see Gen. Lee at the head of affairs; and the
President is resolved to yield the position to no man during his term of
service. Nor would Gen. Lee take it.
The proposition to organize an army of negroes gains friends; because
the owners of the slaves are no longer willing to fight themselves, at
least they are not as "eager for the fray" as they were in 1861; and the
armies _must_ be replenished, or else the slaves will certainly be lost.
Thus we begin the new year--Heaven only knows how we shall end it! I
trust we may be in a better condition then. Of one thing I am certain,
the PEOPLE are capable of achieving independence, if they only had
capable men in all departments of the government.
The President was at St. Paul's to-day, with a knit woolen cap on his
head. Dr. Minnegerode preached a sermon against the croakers. His son
has been appointed a midshipman by the President.
JANUARY 2D.--Cold, and indications of snow.
Offered the owner of our servant $400 per annum. He wants $150 and
clothing for her. Clothing would cost perhaps $1000. It remains in
abeyance.
Saw Gen. Wise dancing attendance in the Secretary's room. He looks
seasoned and well, and may be destined to play a leading part "in human
affairs" yet, notwithstanding his hands have been so long bound by those
who contrive "to get possession." It is this very thing of keeping our
great men in the "background" which is often the cause of calamities,
and if persisted in, may bring irretrievable ruin upon the cause.
The government has forbidden the transportation of freight, etc.
(private) from Georgia to Virginia, and perhaps from the intermediate
States.
On Saturday the government entered the market to sell gold, and brought
down the price some 33 per cent. A spasmodic effort, the currency is
gone beyond redemption.
It is said Gen. Hood has collected a large amount of supplies of meat,
etc. He is in North Alabama, and probably Gen. Thomas will march toward
Virginia.
The Secretary had his head between his knees before the fire when I
first went in this morning. Affairs are gloomy enough--and the question
is how Richmond and Virginia shall be saved. Gen. Lee is despondent.
From the Northern papers we learn that Gen. Butler's expedition against
Wilmington, N. C, was a failure. Gen. Bragg is applauded here for this
successful defense.
The salaries of the clergymen have been raised by their congregations to
$10,000 and $12,000. I hear that Dr. Woodbridge received a Christmas
gift from his people of upwards of $4000, besides seven barrels of
flour, etc. _He owns his own house, his own servants_, stocks, etc. Most
of these fortunate ministers are natives of the North, but true to the
Southern cause, so far as we know. God knows I am glad to hear of any
one, and especially a minister, being made comfortable.
JANUARY 3D.--Calm and quiet; indications of snow.
By a communication sent to Congress, by the President, it is ascertained
that 500,000 pairs shoes, 8,000,000 pounds bacon, 2,000,000 pounds
saltpeter, 50 cannon, etc. etc., have been imported since October 1st,
1864.
When the enemy's fleet threatened Wilmington, the brokers here (who have
bribed the conscript officers) bought up all the coffee and sugar in the
city. They raised the price of the former from $15 to $45 per pound,
and the latter to $15, from $10. An application has been made to Mr.
Secretary Seddon to order the impressment of it all, at schedule prices,
which he will be sure not to do.
Congress paid their respects to the President yesterday, by waiting upon
him in a body.
There is a rumor of some fighting (12 M.) below, but I have not learned
on which side of the river. It arises from brisk cannonading, heard in
the city, I suppose.
I bought an ax (of Starke) for $15, mine having been stolen. I was asked
from $25 to $35 for no better. Mr. Starke has no garden seeds yet.
The following article in the _Dispatch_ to-day, seemingly well
authenticated, would seem to indicate that our armies are in no danger
of immediately becoming destitute of supplies; but, alas! the
publication itself may cause the immediate fall of Wilmington.
"BLOCKADE-RUNNING.--Notwithstanding the alleged ceaseless vigilance of
the Yankee navy in watching blockade-runners on the Atlantic and Gulf
Coast of the Confederate States, their close attention has amounted to
comparatively little. Setting aside all that has been imported on State
and individual account, the proceeds of the blockade have been very
great. The restrictions imposed upon foreign commerce by the act of
Congress of last session prohibiting, absolutely, during the pending
war, the importation of any articles not necessary for the defense of
the country--namely: wines, spirits, jewelry, cigars, and all the finer
fabrics of cotton, flax, wool, or silk, as well as all other merchandise
serving only for the indulgence of luxurious habits,--has not had the
effect to reduce the number of vessels engaged in blockade-running; but,
on the contrary, the number has steadily increased within the last year,
and many are understood to be now on the way to engage in the business.
"The President, in a communication to Congress on the subject, says that
the number of vessels arriving at two ports only from the 1st of
November to the 6th of December was _forty-three_, and but a very small
proportion of those outward bound were captured. Out of 11,796 bales of
cotton shipped since the 1st of July last, but 1272 were lost--not quite
11 per cent.
"The special report of the Secretary of the Treasury in relation to the
matter shows that there have been imported into the Confederacy at the
ports of Wilmington and Charleston since October 26th, 1864, 8,632,000
pounds of meat, 1,507,000 pounds of lead, 1,933,000 pounds of saltpeter,
546,000 pairs of shoes, 316,000 pairs of blankets, 520,000 pounds of
coffee, 69,000 rifles, 97 packages of revolvers, 2639 packages of
medicine, 43 cannon, with a large quantity of other articles of which we
need make no mention. Besides these, many valuable stores and supplies
are brought, by way of the Northern lines, into Florida; by the port of
Galveston and through Mexico, across the Rio Grande.
"The shipments of cotton made on government account since March 1st,
1864, amount to $5,296,000 in specie. Of this, cotton, to the value of
$1,500,000, has been shipped since the 1st of July and up to the 1st of
December.
"It is a matter of absolute impossibility for the Federals to stop our
blockade-running at the port of Wilmington. If the wind blows off the
coast, the blockading fleet is driven off. If the wind blows landward,
they are compelled to haul off to a great distance to escape the
terrible sea which dashes on a rocky coast without a harbor within three
days' sail. The shoals on the North Carolina Coast are from five to
twenty miles wide; and they are, moreover, composed of the most
treacherous and bottomless quicksands. The whole coast is scarcely
equaled in the world for danger and fearful appearance, particularly
when a strong easterly wind meets the ebb tide.
"It is an easy matter for a good pilot to run a vessel directly out to
sea or into port; but in the stormy months, from October to April, no
blockading vessel can lie at anchor in safety off the Carolina Coast.
Therefore supplies will be brought in despite the keenest vigilance."
JANUARY 4TH.--Bright, but several inches of snow fell last night.
The President wrote a long letter to the Secretary yesterday concerning
the _assignment of conscripts in Western North Carolina_, at most only a
few hundred, and the appointment of officers, etc. A small subject.
Congress has passed a resolution calling on the Secretary of War for
information concerning certain youths, alleged to have received
passports to Europe, etc. Also one relating to the Commissary-General's
traffic in Eastern North Carolina, within the enemy's lines. Also one
relating to instructions to Gen. Smith, trans-Mississippi Department,
who assumes control of matters pertaining to the Treasury Department.
General J. S. Preston, Superintendent Bureau of Conscription, writes a
long letter from South Carolina indorsing an act of the Legislature
authorizing the impressment of one-fifth of the slaves between eighteen
and fifty, for work on the fortifications within the State, but also
providing for impressment of an additional number by the Confederate
States Government. This, Gen. P. considers a treasonable move,
indicating that South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi,
etc. have a purpose to disintegrate Confederate authority, and that they
will not contribute another man, black or white, to the Confederate
service, to be commanded by Confederate States authority. And he has
several thrusts at Gen. Bragg and Gen. Kemper, and, indirectly, at the
President, for interfering with _his_ bureau. I see nothing in the act
to warrant his interpretations, and I have no faith in his predictions.
W. F. D. Saussure and others, Columbia, S. C., petition the government
to send a corps of Lee's army to save their State and Georgia from
devastation, as there are no adequate forces in them for defense. They
confess that Richmond is important to hold, but insist that Georgia and
South Carolina must be defended to hold it, etc. They are frightened
evidently.
Gen. Withers, Alabama, denounces the inefficiency of the conscript
system.
Lieut. Beverly Kermon writes from the Rappahannock that "thus far (to
Jan. 1st) our movements (in connection with Capt. T. N. Conrad) are
perfectly secret." The next day he was to go to the Potomac. What has
the Secretary sent him _there_ for?
J. R. Bledsoe presents a design for a "_new flag_," red, white, and blue
cross, which Gen. Lee thinks both original and beautiful.
Judge Campbell has a box of clothing, sent from London by J. B.
Bloodgood.
JANUARY 5TH.--Clear and cold.
It is understood now that Gen. Hood has crossed to the south side of the
Tennessee River with the debris of his army.
Gen. Butler has returned to Virginia from his fruitless North Carolina
expedition. It is supposed we shall have active operations again before
this city as soon as the weather and roads will permit.
But it really does seem that the States respectively mean to take
control of all their men not now in the Confederate States armies, and I
apprehend we shall soon have "confusion worse confounded."
The President sends, "for his information," to the Secretary of War, a
letter from Gen. Beauregard, dated at Augusta, Ga., Dec. 6th, 1864, in
relation to Gen. Sherman's movement eastward, and Gen. Hood's Middle
Tennessee campaign. It appears from Gen. B.'s letter to the President
that he (Gen. B.) had control of everything. He says he did not
countermand Gen. Hood's campaign, because Sherman had 275 miles the
start, and the roads were impracticable in Northern Georgia and Alabama.
But he telegraphed the Governors of Alabama, Georgia, etc., to
concentrate troops rapidly in Sherman's front, ordered a brigade of
cavalry from Hood to Wheeler, etc., and supposed some 30,000 men could
be collected to oppose Sherman's march, and destroy him. He computed
Sherman's strength at 36,000 of all arms. The result shows how much he
was mistaken. He will be held accountable for all the disasters. Alas
for Beauregard! Bragg only played the part of chronicler of the sad
events from Augusta. Yet the President cannot publish this letter of
Beauregard's, and the country will still fix upon him the responsibility
and the odium. Gen. Beauregard is still in front of Sherman, with
inadequate forces, and may again be responsible for additional
calamities.
Old Mr. F. P. Blair and his son Montgomery Blair are on their way here,
with authority to confer on peace and submission, etc.
Mr. Lewis, Disbursing Clerk of the Post-Office Department, on behalf of
lady clerks has laid a complaint before the President that Mr. Peck, a
clerk in the department, to whom was intrusted money to buy supplies in
North Carolina, has failed to make return of provisions or money,
retaining the latter for several months, while some of his friends have
received returns, besides 10 barrels flour bought for himself, and
transported at government expense. Some of the clerks think the money
has been retained for speculative purposes. It remains to be seen
whether the President will do anything in the premises.
The grand New Year's dinner to the soldiers, as I supposed, has produced
discontent in the army, from unequal distribution, etc. No doubt the
speculators got control of it, and made money, at least provided for
their families, etc.
Hon. J. R. Baylor proposes recruiting in New Mexico and Lower
California. The Secretary of War opposes it, saying we shall probably
require all the trans-Mississippi troops on this side the river. The
President differs with the Secretary, and writes a long indorsement,
showing the importance of Baylor's project, etc. Of course the Secretary
will "stint and say ay." The President thinks Col. B. can enlist the
Indian tribes on our side also.
There is a rumor that Mr. Foote, M. C., has gone into the enemy's lines.
He considered the difference between Davis and Lincoln as "between
tweedledum and tweedledee."
The prisoners of war (foreigners) that took the oath of allegiance and
enlisted in the Confederate States service, are deserting _back_ to the
Federal service, under Gen. Sherman's promise of amnesty.
JANUARY 6TH.--Cloudy and thawing.
No war news,--but it is known Sherman's army is not quiet, and must soon
be heard from in spite of the interdict of the government.
It is said Mr. Trenholm, Secretary of the Treasury, is in the market
buying gold, and that the fall has already been from $50 to $30 for one.
Corn-meal has risen from $50 up to $75 per bushel. Flour to $500 per
barrel.
Vice-President Stephens has not left the city, but presides in the
Senate.
Messrs. B. Woolley, Hart & Co., Nassau, N. P., write most pressing
letters for the liquidation of their claims against the Confederate
States Government. Perhaps they are becoming alarmed after making
prodigious profits, etc.
Conner's brigade and other troops are en route for South Carolina from
Lee's army.
Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary of War, was _smoked_ out of his room
to-day, and came into mine.
The judge, however, does but little more just now than grant passports
into the enemy's lines; permission to speculators to bring into the city
supplies for sale, often under pretense of being intended for their own
use; exemptions, details, etc. If he were disposed, he could realize a
million of dollars.
It is said the Hon. A. R. Wright went North to get his son paroled, who
is in prison there.
Judge Campbell talks of resigning.
JANUARY 7TH.--Rained yesterday and last night. Clear and windy to-day.
It is said the Blairs (who have been looked for on some sort of mission)
turned back after arriving in the camp of Gen. Grant. Of course they
could not treat with this government, under existing circumstances. The
President and his cabinet could not be expected to listen to such
proposals as they might be authorized to tender.
Butler's canal is said to be completed, and probably operations will
soon be recommenced in this vicinity.
Congress seems to be doing little or nothing; but before it adjourns it
is supposed it will, as usual, pass the measures dictated by the
President. How insignificant a legislative body becomes when it is not
independent. The Confederate States Congress will not live in history,
for it never really existed at all, but has always been merely a body of
subservient men, registering the decrees of the Executive. Even Mr.
Miles, of South Carolina, before introducing a bill, sends it to this
department for approval or rejection.
Detailed soldiers here are restricted in their rations this month to 31
pounds of meal, 21 pounds of salt beef, etc. The commissary agent, Mr.
Wilson, thinks no more "beef shanks" can be sold. I have been living on
them!
An order has been issued that all detailed men in the bureaus
(able-bodied) must go into Gen. Lee's army; and the local defense troops
will not be called out again except in the last necessity, and then only
during the emergency. I have not seen it, but believe Gen. Lee has some
such understanding with the President.
Mayor Arnold, and other rich citizens of Savannah, have held a meeting
(Union), and called upon Gov. Brown to assemble a State Convention, etc.
Mr. Hunter followed Judge Campbell into his office this morning (a
second visit), as if there were "any more news." The judge gravely
beckoned him into the office. I was out; so there must be news, when Mr.
H. (so fat) is on the _qui vive_.
Gen. Beauregard has been ordered to the West to take command of Hood's
army.
The Secretary of War has ordered Col. Bayne to have as much cotton as
possible _east_ of Branchville, S. C.
The farmers down the river report that Grant is sending off large bodies
of troops--so the Secretary says in a letter to _Gen. Lee_.
JANUARY 8TH.--Bright and cold. Snowed yesterday, and windy.
Gen. Whiting writes that he had only 400 men in Fort Fisher, and it was
a miracle that it was not taken. He looked for it, and a determined
effort would have carried it. He says there is no reason to suppose the
attempt has been abandoned, and it must fall if a sufficient force be
not sent thither.
If the enemy are apprised of the weak condition of the fort, it is
probable Grant has been sending another and a stronger expedition there,
and it may be apprehended that before many days Wilmington will cease to
be of value to us as a blockade-running port of entry.
I saw the Hon. Mr. Montague to-day, who told me there was a strong party
in Congress (which he opposed) in favor of making Gen. Lee generalissimo
without the previous concurrence of the President. He says some of the
Georgia members declare that their State will re-enter the Union unless
Lee be speedily put at the head of military affairs in the field--he
being the only man possessing the unlimited confidence of the people. I
agreed with him that the President ought to be approached in a proper
manner, and freely consulted, before any action such as he indicated;
and I told him that a letter from Gen. Beauregard, dated 6th of
December, to the President, if ever published, would exculpate the
latter from all blame for the march (unopposed) of Sherman through
Georgia.
Col. Baylor, whom the President designated the other day as the proper
man to raise troops in New Mexico, Arizona, Lower California and in
Mexico, is the same man who invited the Indians to a council in 1861, to
receive presents, whisky, etc., and then ordered them, men, women, and
children, to be _slaughtered_. Even Mr. Randolph revolted at such
conduct. But now the government must employ him.
The rotund Mr. Hunter is rolling about actively to-day, hunting for more
news. His cheeks, though fat, are flat and emaciated--for he sees
affairs in a desperate condition, and he has much to lose.
JANUARY 9TH.--Bright, clear, and cold.
It is said the government depot at Charlotte, N. C., has been burned
(accidentally), consuming a large amount of corn.
We have nothing further of the movement of Grant's troops.
We have Hood's acknowledgment of defeat, and loss of 50 guns before
Nashville.
The papers contain the proceedings of a meeting in Savannah, over which
the Mayor presided, embracing the terms of submission offered in
President Lincoln's message. They have sent North for
provisions--indicating that the city was in a famishing condition. Our
government is to blame for this! The proceedings will be used as a
"form," probably, by other cities--thanks to the press!
The _Examiner_ is out this morning for a convention of all the
(Confederate) States, and denouncing the President. I presume the object
is to put Lee at the head of military affairs.
The rumor of the death of Gen. Price is not confirmed.
Gen. Pemberton has been relieved _here_ and sent _elsewhere_.
The Piedmont Railroad has been impressed. A _secret_ act of Congress
authorizes it.
Miers W. Fisher writes that if the cabinet indorses the newspaper
suggestions of giving up slavery and going under true monarchies, it is
an invitation to refugees like himself to return to their homes, and
probably some of the States will elect to return to the Union for the
sake of being under a republican government, etc. He says it is
understood that the Assistant Secretary often answers letters unseen by
the Secretary; and if so, he can expect no answer from Mr. S., but will
put the proper construction on his silence, etc.
Flour is $700 per barrel to-day; meal, $80 per bushel; coal and wood,
$100 per load. Does the government (alone to blame) mean to allow the
rich speculators, the quartermasters, etc. to starve honest men into the
Union?
JANUARY 10TH.--Rained hard all night. House leaking badly!
We have nothing new in the papers this morning. It is said with more
confidence, however, that Butler's canal is not yet a success. Daily and
nightly our cannon play upon the works, and the deep sounds in this
moist weather are distinctly heard in the city.
The amount of requisition for the War Department for 1865 is
$670,000,000, and a deficiency of $400,000,000!
Mr. Hunter had his accustomed interview with Judge Campbell this morning
in quest of news, and relating to his horoscope. His face is not plump
and round yet.
A Mr. Lehman, a burly Jew, about thirty-five years old, got a passport
to-day on the recommendation of the Secretary of the Treasury, to
arrange (as agent, no doubt) for the shipment of several thousand bales
of cotton, for which sterling funds are to be paid. No doubt it is
important to keep the government cotton out of the hands of the enemy;
and this operation seems to indicate that some fear of its loss exists.
Some 40,000 bushels of corn, etc. were consumed at Charlotte, N. C., the
other day. A heavy loss! Both the army and the people will feel it.
There seems already to exist the preliminary symptoms of panic and
anarchy in the government. All the dignitaries wear gloomy faces; and
this is a gloomy day--raining incessantly. A blue day--a miserable day!
The city council put up the price of gas yesterday to $50 per 1000 feet.
JANUARY 11TH.--Clear and pleasant. Cannon heard down the river.
Mr. E. A. Pollard, taken by the Federals in an attempt to run the
blockade last spring, has returned, and reports that Gen. Butler has
been relieved of his command--probably for his failure to capture
Wilmington. Mr. Pollard says that during his captivity he was permitted,
on parole, to visit the Northern cities, and he thinks the Northern
conscription will ruin the war party.
But, alas! the lax policy inaugurated by Mr. Benjamin, and continued by
every succeeding Secretary of War, enables the enemy to obtain
information of all our troubles and all our vulnerable points. The
United States can get recruits under the conviction that there will be
little or no more fighting.
Some $40,000 worth of provisions, belonging to speculators, but marked
for a naval bureau and the Mining and Niter Bureau, have been seized at
Danville. This is well--if it be not too late.
A letter from Mr. Trenholm, Secretary of the Treasury, to Mr. Wagner,
Charleston, S. C. (sent over for approval), appoints him agent to
proceed to Augusta, etc., with authority to buy all the cotton for the
government, at $1 to $1.25 per pound; and then sell it for sterling
bills of exchange to certain parties, giving them permission _to remove
it within the enemy's lines_; or "better still," to have it shipped
abroad on government account by _reliable_ parties. This indicates a
purpose to die "full-handed," if the government _must_ die, and to
defeat the plans of the enemy to get the cotton. Is the Federal
_Government_ a party to this arrangement? Gold was $60 for one
yesterday. I suppose there is no change to-day.
Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary, returned to his room to-day, mine
not suiting him.
Col. Sale, Gen. Bragg's military secretary, told me to-day that the
general would probably return from Wilmington soon. His plan for filling
the ranks by renovating the whole conscription system, will, he fears,
slumber until it is too late, when ruin will overtake us! If the
President would only put Bragg at the head of the conscription
business--_and in time_--we might be saved.
JANUARY 12TH.--Bright and frosty. Gold at $66 for one yesterday, at
auction.
Major R. J. Echols, Quartermaster, Charlotte, N. C., says the fire there
destroyed 70,000 bushels of grain, a large amount of sugar, molasses,
clothing, blankets, etc. He knows not whether it was the result of
design or accident. All his papers were consumed. A part of Conner's
brigade on the way to South Carolina, 500 men, under Lieut.-Col.
Wallace, refused to aid in saving property, but plundered it! This
proves that the soldiers were all poor men, the rich having bought
exemptions or details!
Gen. Lee writes on the 8th instant, that the troops sailing out of James
River are, he thinks, destined for another attack on Wilmington. But
none have left the lines in front of him, etc.
Gen. Lee also writes on the 9th instant, that the commissary agents have
established "a large traffic through our lines, in North Carolina, for
supplies;" and he desires the press to say nothing on the subject.
Mr. Ould, to whom it appears the Secretary has written for his opinion
(he was editor once, and fought a duel with Jennings Wise, Mr. Seddon
being his second), gives a very bad one on the condition of affairs. He
says the people have confidence in Mr. _Seddon_, but not in President
_Davis_, and a strong reconstruction party will spring up in Virginia
rather than adopt the President's ideas about the slaves, etc.
The Chief of the Treasury Note Bureau, at Columbia, S. C., asks where he
shall fly to if the enemy approaches. It is understood one of our
generals, when appealed to by the Secretary, exclaimed: "To the devil!"
Mr. Miles introduced a resolution yesterday (in Congress) affirming that
for any State to negotiate peace is _revolutionary_. _Ill timed, because
self-evident._
Gen. Bradley T. Johnson writes from Salisbury, N. C., that because the
travel hither has been suspended by the government, the Central Railroad
Company of that State _refuse_ to send the full amount of trains for the
transportation of soldiers. It must be impressed too.
I am assured by one of the President's special detectives that Francis
P. Blair, Sr. is truly in this city. What for? A rumor spreads that
Richmond is to be evacuated.
Gen. Lee writes for the Secretary's sanction to send officers everywhere
in Virginia and North Carolina, to collect provisions and to control
railroads, etc. The Secretary is sending orders to different commanders,
and says _he_ would rather have the odium than that it should fall on
Lee! The Commissary General approves Lee's measure.
Gen. Lee's dispatch was dated last night. He says he has not _two days'_
rations for his army!
Commissary-General Northrop writes to the Secretary that the hour of
emergency is upon us, and that Gen. Lee's name may "save the cause," if
he proclaims the necessity of indiscriminate impressment, etc.
JANUARY 13TH.--Clear and pleasant--but little frost. Beef (what little
there is in market) sells to-day at $6 per pound; meal, $80 per bushel;
white beans, $5 per quart, or $160 per bushel. And yet Congress is
fiddling over stupid abstractions!
The government will awake speedily, however; and after Congress hurries
through its business (when roused), the adjournment of that body will
speedily ensue. But will the President dismiss his cabinet in time to
save Richmond, Virginia, and the cause? That is the question. He can
easily manage Congress, by a few letters from Gen. Lee. But will the
potency of his cabinet feed Lee's army?
A great panic still prevails in the city, arising from rumors of
contemplated evacuation. If it should be evacuated, the greater portion
of the inhabitants will remain, besides many of the employees of
government and others liable to military service, unless they be forced
away. But how can they be fed? The government cannot feed, sufficiently,
the men already in the field.
Everybody is conjecturing what Mr. Blair has proposed; but no one
expects relief from his mission, if indeed he be clothed with diplomatic
powers--which I doubt.
The President, I believe, is calm, relying upon the loyalty of his
cabinet. But he is aware of the crisis; and I think his great reliance
is on Gen. Lee, and herein he agrees with the people. What will be the
issue of the present exigency, God only knows!
I believe there is a project on foot to borrow flour, etc. from citizens
for Gen. Lee's army. Many officers and men from the army are in the city
to-day, confirming the reports of suffering for food in the field.
There is a rumor that Goldsborough has been taken.
Mr. Secretary Seddon is appointing men in the various districts of the
city to hunt up speculators and flour; appointing such men as W. H.
McFarland and others, who aspire to office by the suffrages of the
people. _They_ will not offend the speculators and hoarders by taking
much flour from them. No--domiciliary visits with _bayonets_ alone will
suffice.
Of thirty Federal deserters sent to work on the fortifications of
Lynchburg, all but four ran away.
It is understood that the President announced to Congress to-day the
arrest of the Hon. H. S. Foote, member of that body, near
Fredericksburg, while attempting to pass into the enemy's lines. This,
then, may have been Capt. Norton's secret mission; and I believe the
government had traps set for him at other places of egress. Meantime the
enemy _came in_ at Savannah. This is considered the President's
foible--a triumph over a political or personal enemy will occupy his
attention and afford more delight than an ordinary victory over the
common enemy. Most men will say Mr. Foote should have been permitted to
go--if he desired it.
JANUARY 14TH.--Cloudy and cool. The news that Goldsborough, N. C., had
been taken is not confirmed. Nor have we intelligence of the renewal of
the assault on Fort Fisher--but no one doubts it.
The government sent pork, butchered and salted a few weeks ago, to the
army. An order has been issued to borrow, buy, or impress flour,
wherever found; but our _political_ functionaries will see that it be
not executed. The rich hoarders may control votes hereafter, when they
may be candidates, etc. If domiciliary visits were made, many thousands
of barrels of flour would be found. The speculators have not only
escaped hitherto, but they have been exempted besides.
The Assembly of Virginia passed a resolution yesterday, calling upon the
President to have revoked any orders placing restrictions upon the
transportation of provisions to Richmond and Petersburg. The President
sends this to the Secretary, asking a copy of any orders _preventing
carts from coming to market_.
Flour is $1000 per barrel to-day!
F. P. Blair, Sr., has been here several days, the guest of Mr. Ould,
agent of exchange. He left this morning for Grant's lines below the
city. I saw him in an open carriage with Mr. Ould, going down Main
Street. He looks no _older_ than he did twenty years ago. Many consider
Ould a fortunate man, though he is represented as a loser in the war.
Blair seemed struck by the great number of able-bodied men in the
streets.
Major Maynard, Quartermaster, says he will be able next week to bring
120 cords of wood to the city daily.
If Richmond be relinquished, it ought to be by convention and
capitulation, getting the best possible terms for the citizens; and not
by evacuation, leaving them at the mercy of the invaders. Will our
authorities think of this? Doubtful.
One of the President's pages told me to-day that Mr. Blair had several
interviews with the President at the latter's residence. Nothing
relating to _propositions_ has transpired.
The clerks are again sending out agents to purchase supplies. The
President has decided that such agents have no right to expend any money
but that contributed. This hits the Assistant Secretary of War, and Mr.
Kean, Chief of Bureau, and our agent, Mr. Peck, for whom so many barrels
of flour were purchased by the latter as agent, leaving the greater part
of the contribution unexpended; nay, more, the money has not _yet_ been
refunded, although contributed five months ago!
Some 700 barrels of flour were realized yesterday for the army.
JANUARY 15TH.--Clear and frosty. Guns heard down the river.
Dispatches came last night for ammunition--to Wilmington, I believe. We
have nothing yet decisive from Fort Fisher, but I fear it will fall.
Mr. Hunter was in the Secretary's office this morning before the
Secretary came. I could give him no news from Wilmington. He is much
distressed; but if the enemy prevails, I have no doubt he will stipulate
saving terms for Virginia. He cannot contemplate the ruin of his
fortune; political ruin is quite as much as he can bear. Always at the
elbow of the Secretary, he will have timely notice of any fatal
disaster. He is too fat to run, too heavy to swim, and therefore must
provide some other means of escape.
Last night and early this morning the Jews and others were busy, with
hand-carts and wheelbarrows, removing barrels of flour from the center
to the outskirts of the city, fearful of impressment. They need not
fear.
I have enough flour, meal, and beans (black) to subsist my family two
weeks. After that, I look to the kind Providence which has hitherto
always fed us.
It is now rumored that Mr. Blair came to negotiate terms for the
capitulation of Richmond, and that none were listened to. Better that,
if it must fall, than be given up to pillage and the flames. If burning
our cities had been the order in 1862, it might have been well; it is
too late now!
JANUARY 16TH.--Clear and frosty.
We learn vaguely that the attack on the defenses of Wilmington has been
progressing since Friday, and that the enemy's land forces have effected
a lodgment between Fort Fisher and the town.
Another "peace" visitor has arrived--Hon. Mr. Singleton, of the United
States Congress. It is _said_ that the President (Confederate States)
has pledged himself to appoint commissioners to fix terms of peace. This
is but a forlorn-hope. No terms of peace are contemplated by any of
these visitors but on the basis of reconstruction; and their utmost
liberality could reach no further than a permission for the Southern
States to decide, in convention, the question of emancipation. The
President having suggested, however, the propriety of putting the
negroes into the service, and emancipating them afterward, has aroused
the fears and suspicions of many of the people; and but few have
confidence in the integrity of the Secretary of State. Hence the
universal gloom and despondency of the croakers. There may be difficulty
in replenishing the Federal armies, and they may be depleted by spring;
and if so, Gen. Lee may be able to make another grand campaign with the
men and material now at his command. The issue of the next campaign may
inaugurate _real_ negotiations. Wilmington may be taken,
blockade-running may cease; but we have ammunition and other stores for
another campaign.
At last we have a dispatch from Gen. Lee, announcing the fall of Fort
Fisher. Most of the garrison, supposed to be 1500, were taken.
Gold was $70 for $1 on Saturday: what will it be to-day or to-morrow?
A voluminous correspondence is going on between Mr. Conrad (secret agent
to arrest disloyal men endeavoring to cross the Potomac) and Mr.
Secretary Seddon. Mr. Foote, arrested by their great skill, has applied,
indignantly, for a writ of _habeas corpus_. Thus the time of our _great_
dignitaries is consumed removing molehills, while mountains are looming
up everywhere.
The following dispatch was received here at 11 A.M. to-day from Gen.
Bragg's A. D. C.: "January 15th, 1865.--Official information from Gen.
Whiting, at Fort Fisher, up to 8 o'clock this evening, reports enemy's
attack on fort unsuccessful. Fresh troops are being sent to him."
This does not agree with the dispatch from Gen. Lee. It must have been
taken _last_ night, and after the hour indicated. Gen. Lee certainly
says it has fallen. It is gone, and I fear the "reinforcements"
also--with Gen. Whiting "to boot."
Alas for Bragg the unfortunate! He seems to be another BOABDIL the
Unlucky.
Dr. Woodbridge announced in the Monumental Church, yesterday, that only
five ladies had responded to the call to knit socks for the soldiers! A
_rich_ congregation, too. My daughters (poor) were among the five, and
handed him several pairs. They sent one pair to their cousin S. Custis,
Clingman's brigade, Hoke's North Carolina division.
Mr. Lewis, disbursing clerk of Post-Office Department, has sent in a
communication asking an investigation of the conduct of Mr. Peck, agent
to buy supplies for clerks. What will Mr. Seddon do now?
The Commissary-General says 100,000 bushels corn for Lee's army may be
got in Southwest Virginia.
JANUARY 17TH.--Cloudy, and spitting snow.
Mr. Foote's release from custody has been ordered by Congress.
The news of the fall of Wilmington, and the cessation of importations at
that port, falls upon the ears of the community with stunning effect.
Again we have a rumor of the retirement of Mr. Seddon.
There are more rumors of revolution, and even of displacement of the
President by Congress, and investiture of Gen. Lee. It is said the
President has done something, recently, which Congress will not
tolerate. Idle talk!
Mr. Foote, when arrested, was accompanied by his wife, who had a
passport to Tennessee. He said to the Provost Marshal, Doggett,
Fredericksburg, that he intended to accompany his family, passing
through Washington, and to endeavor to negotiate a peace. He deposited a
resignation of his seat in Congress with a friend, which he withdrew
upon being arrested. He was arrested and detained "until further
orders," by command of the Secretary of War.
Lieut.-Gen. Hood has been relieved, and ordered to report here.
The rumor gains belief that Gen. Breckinridge has been offered the
portfolio of the War Department by the President. This may be the act
alluded to which Congress will not agree to, perhaps, on the ground that
Gen. B. remained in the United States Senate long after secession. The
general is understood to be staying at G. A. Myers's house, which adds
strength to the rumor, for Myers has a keen scent for the sources of
power and patronage.
The Surgeon-General states that, during the years 1862 and 1863, there
were 1,600,000 cases of disease in hospitals and in the field, with only
74,000 deaths. There have been 23,000 discharges from the armies since
the war began.
The Provost Marshal at Fredericksburg telegraphs that his scouts report
the enemy have arrested Mrs. Foote, and threaten to rescue Mr. Foote.
The Secretary and the President concur in ordering his discharge. The
President says that will not be permission for him to pass our lines. He
will come here, I suppose.
Mentioning to R. Tyler the fact that many of the clerks, etc. of the War
Department favored revolution and the overthrow of the President, he
replied that it was a known fact, and that some of them would be hung
soon. He feared Mr. Hunter was a submissionist.
The Northern papers say Mr. _G. B. Lamar_ has applied to take the oath
of allegiance, to save his cotton and other property.
The _Examiner_ to-day has another article calling for a convention to
abolish the Constitution and remove President Davis.
Mr. Seward, United States Secretary of State, escorted Mrs. Foote to her
hotel, upon her arrival in Washington.
The following official telegram was received at the War Department last
night:
"HEADQUARTERS, January 15th, 1865.
"HON. J. A. SEDDON.
"Gen. Early reports that Gen. Rosser, at the head of three hundred
men, surprised and captured the garrison at Beverly, Randolph
County, on the 11th instant, killing and wounding a considerable
number and taking five hundred and eighty prisoners. His loss
slight. R. E. LEE."
JANUARY 18TH.--Cloudy and cool. Cannon heard down the river.
No war news. But blockade-running at Wilmington has ceased; and common
calico, now at $25 per yard, will soon be $50.
The stupor in official circles continues, and seems likely to continue.
A secret detective told the Assistant Secretary, yesterday, that a
certain member of Congress was uttering treasonable language; and, for
his pains, was told that matters of that sort (pertaining to members of
Congress) did not fall within his (detective's) jurisdiction. It is the
policy now not to _agitate_ the matter of disloyalty, but rather to wink
at it, and let it die out--if it will; if it _won't_, I suppose the
government must take its chances, whatever they may be.
Breckinridge, it is now said, will not be Secretary of War: the position
which Mr. Seddon is willing to abandon, cannot be desirable. And
Northrop, Commissary-General, is still held by the President, contrary
to the wishes of the whole Confederacy.
Flour is $1250 per barrel, to-day.
A detective reports that one of the committee (Mr. Mc------?) selected
by Mr. Secretary Seddon to hunt up flour for Gen. Lee's army, has a
large number of barrels secreted in his own dwelling! But they must not
be touched.
Gen. Lee writes that he thinks the crisis (starvation in the army) past.
Good.
In South Carolina we hear of public meetings of submission, etc.
JANUARY 19TH.--Clear and frosty. Among the rumors, it would appear that
the Senate in secret session has passed a resolution making Lee
generalissimo.
It is again said Mr. Seddon will resign, and be followed by Messrs.
Benjamin and Mallory, etc.
The following dispatch was received by the President yesterday:
"TUPELO, MISS., January 17th, 1865.--Roddy's brigade (cav.) is useless
as at present located by the War Department. I desire authority to
dispose of it to the best advantage, according to circumstances.--G. T.
BEAUREGARD, _General_."
The President sends it to the Secretary of War with this indorsement:
"On each occasion, when this officer has been sent with his command to
distant service, serious calamity to Alabama has followed. It is
desirable to know what disposition Gen. Beauregard proposes to make of
this force.--J. D."
We have nothing further from Wilmington. Bad enough.
Sherman is said to be marching on Charleston. Bad enough, too!
Our papers have glowing accounts of the good treatment the citizens of
Savannah received from the enemy.
Mr. Foote has arrived in the city--and it is said he will take his seat
in Congress to-day.
Gen. Whiting and Col. Lamb were taken at Fort Fisher--both wounded, it
is said--and 1000 of the garrison.
Mr. Peck paid back to the clerks to-day the unexpended balance of their
contributions for supplies, etc. The money is not worth half its value
some months ago. But Mr. P. secured ten barrels of flour for himself and
as many more for the Assistant Secretary, Mr. Kean, etc. etc.
One o'clock P.M. The day has grown dark and cold, indicating snow, and
a dismal gloom rests upon the faces of the increasing party of croakers.
We have famine, owing to the incapacity of the government, and the
rapacity of speculators. Wood, however, is coming in, but it is only for
_military_ officers, etc. No one can live on wood. Gold is $70 for $1,
and meal about $100 per bushel.
The House of Representatives (in secret session) has passed the Senate
joint resolution creating the office of commander-in-chief (for Gen.
Lee), and recommending that Gen. Johnston be reinstated, etc. It passed
by a vote of 62 to 14.
What will result from this? Is it not a condemnation of the President
and the administration that displaced Gen. J., etc.? Who will resign?
_Nous verrons!_
JANUARY 20TH.--Clear and cold. No news--that is bad news. Nothing has
transpired officially of the events and details near Wilmington, but
there is a rumor, exaggerated perhaps, of the fall of Wilmington itself.
No doubt Sherman is marching on Charleston, and if there be no battle
soon, it is feared he will take the city without one.
Mr. Foote made a speech in Congress yesterday--a savage one, I am told.
Going home yesterday at 3 o'clock, I met Mr. Foote, and told him what I
had heard. He said he could have wished me to hear every word of it. I
asked if it would not be printed. He held up a roll of manuscript,
saying he had written it in full, and that it would certainly be
published. The papers say in their brief reports, that he disavowed all
ideas of reconstruction. After he left the House, one of the Missouri
members offered a resolution for his expulsion, on the ground that he
had, unlawfully, attempted to pass into the enemy's lines, for the
purpose of negotiating a peace, etc. It was referred to the Committee on
Elections.
After this a resolution was introduced, that a joint committee be
appointed to prepare an address, etc., solemnly declaring that the war
shall be waged until independence be achieved, etc. Such addresses have
been repeatedly made, and at last seem to have a demoralizing effect.
People remember how many test votes were taken in the Virginia
Convention, showing that the State never would secede--and at length the
Convention passed an ordinance of secession! Nothing can save this
government long but military successes, and these depend upon having the
slave and other property owners in the field. This can never be done
without a renovation of the machinery used to fill up the ranks.
The President is calm. Some think him subdued. A few days or weeks will
determine.
Gen. Howell Cobb writes his views, etc. Utterly opposed to arming the
slaves--better emancipate them at once, conceding to the "_demands of
England and France_," and then enlist them. But he thinks a return to
the system of volunteering would answer to fill the ranks with white
men; also suggests that the President concede something to popular
sentiment--restore Gen. J. E. Johnston, etc. He says gloom and despair
are fast settling on the people.
J. P. McLean, Greensborough, N. C., in response to the request of Mr.
Secretary Seddon, gives information of the existence of many Union men
in that section, and suggests sudden death to ---- etc. The Secretary
_is diligent_ in getting such information; but lately it seems he never
applies the remedy.
Mr. Secretary Seddon thinks Mr. Peck's explanation of his purchasing
satisfactory; the Assistant Secretary, Chief of Bureau of War, and Mr.
Seddon's private clerk got an abundance of flour, etc.
Major Harman, Staunton, says provisions cannot be had in that section to
feed Early's army, unless one-fourth of all produce be bought at market
prices, and the people go on half rations. The _slaves_ everywhere are
on _full_ rations.
JANUARY 21ST.--A dark, cold, sleety day, with rain. Troopers and scouts
from the army have icicles hanging from their hats and caps, and their
clothes covered with frost, and dripping.
The _Examiner_ this morning says very positively that Mr. Secretary
Seddon has resigned. Not a word about Messrs. Benjamin and Mallory--yet.
The recent action of Congress is certainly a vote of censure, with great
unanimity.
It is said Congress, in secret session, has decreed the purchase of all
the cotton and tobacco! The stable locked after the horse is gone! If it
had been done in 1861----
Mr. Secretary Trenholm is making spasmodic efforts to mend the
currency--selling cotton and tobacco to foreign (Yankee) agents for gold
and sterling bills, and buying Treasury notes at the market
depreciation. For a moment he has reduced the price of gold from $80 to
$50 for $1; but the flood will soon overwhelm all opposition, sweeping
every obstruction away.
The Federal papers say they got 2500 prisoners at Fort Fisher.
It is said the President refuses to accept Mr. Seddon's resignation.
A rumor has sprung up to the effect that Judge Campbell, Assistant
Secretary of War, has also resigned. If this be so, it will soon produce
a great commotion among detailed and exempted men all over the country.
Rumors fly thick these dark days. It is a good time, however, for some
to resign. The President has need even of incompetent men, and may beg
them to remain, etc., and thus they are flattered. But if they really
feel that the ship is sinking, they will endeavor to jump ashore,
notwithstanding the efforts made to retain them. And then, if the ship
should _not_ sink, manned by different men!
I hear nothing more about Gen. Breckinridge as Mr. Seddon's successor,
but he is the guest of the old lawyer, G. A. Myers; and it is not
probable he is bestowing his bread and meat, in such times as these,
_for nothing_. He has made a fortune, and knows how to increase it--and
even Gen. B. would never be the wiser.
We have at last a letter from Gen. Hood, narrating the battle of
Franklin, Tenn. He says he lost about 4500 men--enemy's loss not stated.
Failure of Gen. Cheatham to execute an order the day before, prevented
him from routing the enemy. His account of the battle of Nashville I
have not yet seen--but know enough about it.
Both the Secretary and his Assistant have been pretty constantly
engaged, for some time past, in granting passports beyond our lines, and
generally into those of the enemy.
Congress has passed an act allowing reserve forces to be ordered
anywhere. Upon the heels of this, Governor Smith notifies the Secretary
of War that the two regiments of second class militia here, acting with
the reserves, shall no longer be under the orders of Gen. Kemper. He
means to run a tilt against the President, whereby Richmond may be lost!
Now "Tray, Blanche, and Sweetheart, bark at him."
JANUARY 22D.--Another day of sleet and gloom. The pavements are almost
impassable from the enamel of ice; large icicles hang from the houses,
and the trees are bent down with the weight of frost.
The mails have failed, and there is no telegraphic intelligence, the
wires being down probably. It rained very fast all day yesterday, and I
apprehend the railroad bridges have been destroyed in many places.
The young men (able-bodied) near the Secretary of War and the Assistant
Secretary, at the War Department, say, this morning, that both have
resigned.
It is said the Kentucky Congressmen oppose the acceptance of the
portfolio of war by Gen. Breckinridge.
Whoever accepts it must reform the conscription business and the
passport business, else the cause will speedily be lost. Most of our
calamities may be traced to these two sources.
JANUARY 23D.--Foggy, and raining. F. P. Blair is here again. If enemies
are permitted to exist in the political edifice, there is danger of a
crash. This weather, bad news, etc. etc. predispose both the people and
the army for _peace_--while the papers are filled with accounts of the
_leniency_ of Sherman at Savannah, and his forbearance to interfere with
the slaves. The enemy cannot take care of the negroes--and to feed them
in idleness would produce a famine North and South. Emancipation now is
physically impossible. Where is the surplus food to come from to feed
4,000,000 idle non-producers?
It is said by the press that Mr. Seddon resigned because the Virginia
Congressmen expressed in some way a want of confidence in the cabinet.
But Mr. Hunter was in the Secretary's office early this morning, and may
prevail on him to withdraw his resignation again, or to hold on until
---- all is accomplished.
Gen. Breckinridge, it is said, requires the removal of Northrop, before
his acceptance. Gen. Bragg is also named.
Congress, in creating the office of a commander-in-chief, also aimed a
blow at Bragg's staff; and this may decide the President to appoint him
Secretary of War.
A long letter came to-day from Governor Brown, dated Macon, Ga., Jan.
6th, 1865, in reply to a long one from the Secretary of War, filled with
criminations and recriminations, and a flat refusal to yield the old men
and boys in State service, in obedience to the call of the "usurping"
and "despotic" demand of the Confederate States Executive. Georgia
trembles, and may topple over any day!
Mr. Blair's return has excited many vague hopes--among the rest, even of
recognition by the United States Government! Yet many, very many
croakers, weary of the war, would acquiesce in reconstruction, if they
might save their property. Vain hopes.
It is rumored that a commissioner (a Louisianian) sailed to-day for
England, to make overtures to that government.
The government has ordered the military authorities at Augusta, Ga.
(Jan. 21), to remove or burn _all_ the cotton in that town if it is
likely to be occupied by the enemy.
Senator Hunter sends a letter to Mr. Seddon which he has just received
from Randolph Dickinson, Camp 57th Virginia, stating that it is needful
to inaugurate negotiations for the best possible terms without delay, as
the army, demoralized and crumbling, cannot be relied upon to do more
fighting, etc. Mr. Hunter indorses: "My dear sir, will you read the
inclosed? I fear there is too much truth in it. Can't the troops be
paid?
"Yours most truly, R. M. T. HUNTER."
JANUARY 24TH.--Clear and cool. It is now said Mr. Seddon's resignation
has not yet been accepted, and that his friends are urging the President
to persuade him to remain. Another rumor says ex-Gov. Letcher is to be
his successor, and that Mr. Benjamin has sent in his resignation.
Nothing seems to be definitely settled. I wrote the President yesterday
that, in my opinion, there was no ground for hope unless communication
with the enemy's country were checked, and an entire change in the
conscription business speedily ordered. I was sincere, and wrote plain
truths, however they might be relished. It is my _birth-right_.
It is said (I doubt it) that Mr. Blair left the city early yesterday.
To add to the confusion and despair of the country, the Secretary of the
Treasury is experimenting on the currency, ceasing to issue Treasury
notes, with unsettled claims demanding liquidation to the amount of
hundreds of millions. Even the clerks, almost in a starving condition,
it is said will not be paid at the end of the month; and the troops have
not been paid for many months; but they are fed and clothed. Mr.
Trenholm will fail to raise our credit in this way; and he may be
instrumental in precipitating a _crash_ of the government itself. No
doubt large amounts of gold have been shipped every month to Europe
from Wilmington; and the government may be now selling the money
intended to go out from that port. But it will be only a drop to the
ocean.
The Northern papers say Mr. Blair is authorized to offer an amnesty,
including all persons, with the "Union as it was, the Constitution as it
is" (my old motto on the "Southern Monitor," in 1857); but gradual
emancipation. No doubt some of the people here would be glad to accept
this; but the President will fight more, and desperately yet, still
hoping for foreign assistance.
What I fear is _starvation_; and I sincerely wish my family were on the
old farm on the Eastern Shore of Virginia until the next campaign is
over.
It is believed Gen. Grant meditates an early movement on our left--north
side of the river; and many believe we are in no condition to resist
him. Still, we have faith in Lee, and the President remains here. If he
and the principal members of the government were captured by a sudden
surprise, no doubt there would be a clamor in the North for their trial
and execution!
Guns have been heard to-day, and there are rumors of fighting below;
that Longstreet has marched to this side of the river; that one of our
gun-boats has been sunk; that Fort Harrison has been retaken; and,
finally, that an armistice of ninety days has been agreed to by both
governments.
JANUARY 25TH.--Clear, and very cold. We lost gun-boat Drewry yesterday
in an unsuccessful attempt to destroy the enemy's pontoon bridge down
the river. Fort Harrison was not taken as reported, nor is it likely to
be.
The rumor of an armistice remains, nevertheless, and Mr. Blair dined
with the President on _Sunday_, and has had frequent interviews with
him. This is published in the papers, and will cause the President to be
severely censured.
Congress failed to expel Mr. Foote yesterday (he is off again), not
having a two-thirds vote, but censured him by a decided majority. What
will it end in?
No successors yet announced to Seddon and Campbell--Secretary and
Assistant Secretary of War. Perhaps they can be persuaded to remain.
After all, it appears that our fleet did not return, but remains down
the river; and as the enemy's gun-boats have been mostly sent to North
Carolina, Gen. Lee may give Grant some trouble. If he destroys the
bridges, the Federal troops on this side the river will be cut off from
their main army.
It is said the President has signed the bill creating a
commander-in-chief.
Rev. W. Spottswood Fontaine writes from Greensborough, N. C., that ----
reports that Senator Hunter is in favor of Virginia negotiating a
separate peace with the United States, as the other States will probably
abandon her to her fate, etc.
I saw Mr. Lyons to-day, who told me Mr. Hunter dined with him yesterday,
and that Gen. Lee took tea with him last evening, and seemed in good
spirits, hope, etc. Mr. Lyons thinks Gen. Lee was always a thorough
emancipationist. He owns no slaves. He (Mr. Lyons) thinks that using the
negroes in the war will be equivalent to universal emancipation, that
not a slave will remain after the President's idea (which he don't seem
to condemn) is expanded and reduced to practice. He favors sending out a
commissioner to Europe for aid, on the basis of emancipation, etc., as a
dernier ressort. He thinks our cause has received most injury from
Congress, of which he is no longer a member.
If it be really so, and if it were generally known, that Gen. Lee is,
and always has been opposed to slavery, how soon would his great
popularity vanish like the mist of the morning! Can it be possible that
_he_ has influenced the President's mind on this subject? Did he
influence the mind of his father-in-law, G. W. Park Custis, to
emancipate his hundreds of slaves? Gen. Lee would have been heir to all,
as his wife was an only child. There's some mistake about it.
The Secretary of State (still there!) informs the Secretary of War
(still here!) that the gold he wrote about to the President on the 18th
inst. for Gen. Hardee and for Mr. Conrad, is ready and subject to his
order.
_Four_ steamers have run into Charleston with a large amount of
commissary stores. This is providential.
JANUARY 26TH.--Clear and cold. No further news from the iron-clad fleet
that went down the river.
Beef is selling at $8 per pound this morning; wood at $150 per cord.
Major Maynard, instead of bringing 120, gets in but 30 or 40 cords per
day. I am out of wood, and must do my little cooking in the parlor with
the coal in the grate. This is famine!
Congress passed a bill a few days ago increasing the number of
midshipmen, and allowing _themselves_ to appoint a large proportion of
them. Yesterday the President vetoed the bill, he alone, by the
Constitution, being authorized to make all appointments. But the Senate
immediately repassed it over the veto--only three votes in the negative.
Thus the war progresses! And Mr. Hunter was one of the three.
The President, in reply to a committee of the State Legislature, says
Gen. Lee has always refused to accept the command of all the armies
unless he could relinquish the immediate command of the Army of Northern
Virginia defending the capital; and that he is and ever has been willing
to bestow larger powers on Gen. Lee; but he would not accept them.
This makes me doubt whether the President has signed the bill creating a
commander-in-chief.
It is _said again_, that Commissary-General Northrop has resigned.
Doubtful.
Still, there are no beggars in the streets, except a few women of
foreign or Northern birth. What a people! If our affairs were managed
properly, subjugation would be utterly impossible. But all the statesmen
of the years preceding the war have been, somehow, "ruled out" of
positions, and wield no influence, unless it be a vengeful one in
private. Where are the patriots of the decade between 1850 and 1860?
"Echo answers where?" Who is responsible for their absence? A fearful
responsibility!
Gold is _quoted_ at $35 for $1--illusory! Perhaps worse.
The statistics furnished by my son Custis of the military strength of
the Confederate States, and ordered by the President to be preserved on
file in the department, seems to have attracted the attention of Mr.
Assistant Secretary Campbell, and elicited a long indorsement, saying a
calculation of the number of casualties of war was not made--all this
_after_ the paper was sent in by the President. But the estimate _was_
made, and included in the reduction from the 800,000, leaving 600,000.
Judge C thinks 200,000 have been killed, 50,000 permanently disabled,
and 55,000 are prisoners; still 500,000 availables would be left.
Custis has drafted, and will send to the President, a bill establishing
a Corps of Honor, with a view to excite emulation and to popularize the
service, now sadly needed.
JANUARY 27TH.--Clear, and coldest morning of the winter. None but the
rich speculators and quartermaster and commissary peculators have a
supply of food and fuel. Much suffering exists in the city; and prices
are indeed fabulous, notwithstanding the efforts of the Secretary of the
Treasury and the press to bring down the premium on gold. Many fear the
high members of the government have turned brokers and speculators, and
are robbing the country--making friends of the mammon of
unrighteousness, against the day of wrath which they see approaching.
The idea that Confederate States notes are improving in value, when
every commodity, even wood and coal, daily increases in price, is very
absurd!
The iron-clad fleet returned, without accomplishing anything--losing one
gun-boat and having some fifteen killed and wounded. The lower house of
Congress failed yesterday to pass the Midshipman bill over the
President's veto--though a majority was against the President.
It is said, and published in the papers, that Mrs. Davis threw her arms
around Mr. Blair and embraced him. This, too, is injurious to the
President.
My wood-house was broken into last night, and two (of the nine) sticks
of wood taken. Wood is selling at $5 a stick this cold morning; mercury
at zero.
A broker told me that he had an order (from government) to sell gold at
$35 for $1. But that is not the market price.
It is believed (by some credulous people) that Gen. J. E. Johnston will
command the army in Virginia, and that Lee will reside here and be
commander-in-chief. I doubt. The clamor for Gen. J. seems to be the
result of a _political_ combination.
Mr. Hunter came to the department to-day almost in a run. He is excited.
Lieut.-Gen. Hardee, of Charleston, 26th (yesterday), dispatches to the
Secretary that he has received an order from Gen. Cooper
(Adjutant-General) for the return of the 15th Regiment and 10th
Battalion North Carolina troops to North Carolina. He says these are
nearly the only regular troops he has to defend the line of the
Combahee--the rest being reserves, disaffected at being detained out of
their States. The withdrawal may cause the loss of the State line, and
great disaster, etc. etc.
Official statement of Gen. Hood's losses shows 66 guns, 13,000 small
arms, etc. The report says the army was saved by sacrificing
transportation; and but for this the losses would have been nothing.
JANUARY 28TH.--Clear and very cold; can't find a thermometer in the
city.
The President _did_ sign the bill creating a general-in-chief, and
depriving Gen. Bragg of his staff.
Major-Gen. Jno. C. Breckinridge _has_ been appointed Secretary of War.
May our success be greater hereafter!
Gen. Lee has sent a letter from Gen. Imboden, exposing the wretched
management of the Piedmont Railroad, and showing that salt and corn, in
"immense quantity," have been daily left piled in the mud and water, and
exposed to rain, etc., while the army has been starving. Complaints and
representations of this state of things have been made repeatedly.
Gold sold at $47 for one at auction yesterday.
Mr. Hunter was seen early this morning running (almost) toward the
President's office, to pick up news. He and Breckinridge were old rivals
in the United States.
The _Enquirer_ seems in favor of listening to Blair's propositions.
Judge Campbell thinks Gen. Breckinridge will not make a good Secretary
of War, as he is not a man of small _details_. I hope he is not going to
indulge in so many of them as the judge and Mr. Seddon have done, else
all is lost! The judge's successor will be recommended soon to the new
Secretary. There will be applicants enough, even if the ship of State
were visibly going down.
Although it is understood that Gen. Breckinridge has been confirmed by
the Senate, he has not yet taken his seat in the department.
The President has issued a proclamation for the observance of Friday,
March 10th, as a day of "fasting, humiliation, and prayer, with
thanksgiving," in pursuance of a resolution of Congress.
It seems that Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee will not be
represented in the cabinet; this may breed trouble, and we have trouble
enough, in all conscience.
It is said Mr. Blair has returned again to Richmond--third visit. Can
there be war brewing between the United States and England or France? We
shall know all soon. Or have propositions been made _on our part_ for
reconstruction? There are many smiling faces in the streets, betokening
a profound desire for peace.
JANUARY 29TH.--Clear, and moderating.
To-day at 10 A.M. three commissioners start for Washington on a mission
of peace, which may be possibly attained. They are Vice-President
Stephens, Senator R. M. T. Hunter, and James A. Campbell, Assistant
Secretary of War, and formerly a judge on the bench of the Supreme Court
of the United States, all of them heartily sick of war, and languishing
for peace. If _they_ cannot devise a mode of putting an end to the war,
none can. Of course they have the instructions of the President, with
his ultimata, etc., but they will strive earnestly for peace.
What terms may be expected? Not independence, unless the United States
may be on the eve of embarking in a foreign war, and in that event that
government will require all the resources it can command, and they would
not be ample if the war should continue to be prosecuted against us.
Hence it would be policy to hasten a peace with us, stipulating for
valuable commercial advantages, being the first to recognize us over all
other powers, hoping to restore the old trade, and _ultimately_ to
reconstruct the Union. Or it may proceed from intimations of a purpose
on the part of France and England to recognize us, which, of itself,
would lead inevitably to war. The refusal of the United States to
recognize the Empire of Mexico is an offense to France, and the
augmentation of the armament of the lakes, etc. is an offense to
England. Besides, if it were possible to subjugate us, it would be only
killing the goose that lays the golden egg, for the Southern trade would
be destroyed, and the Northern people are a race of manufacturers and
merchants. If the war goes on, 300,000 men must be immediately detailed
in the United States, and their heavy losses heretofore are now sorely
felt. We have no alternative but to fight on, they have the option of
ceasing hostilities. And we have suffered so much that almost any
treaty, granting us independence, will be accepted by the people. All
the commissioners must guard against is any appearance of a PROTECTORATE
on the part of the United States. If the _honor_ of the Southern people
be saved, they will not haggle about material losses. If negotiations
fail, our people will receive a new impulse for the war, and great will
be the slaughter. Every one will feel and know that these commissioners
sincerely desired an end of hostilities. Two, perhaps all of them, even
look upon eventual reconstruction without much repugnance, so that
slavery be preserved.
JANUARY 30TH.--Bright and beautiful, but quite cold; skating in the
basin, etc.
The departure of the commissioners has produced much speculation.
The enemy's fleet has gone, it is supposed to Sherman at Charleston.
No doubt the Government of the United States imagines the "rebellion"
_in articulo mortis_, and supposes the reconstruction of the Union a
very practicable thing, and the men selected as our commissioners may
confirm the belief. They can do nothing, of course, if independence is
the ultimatum given them.
Among the rumors now current, it is stated that the French Minister at
Washington has demanded his passports. Mr. Lincoln's message, in
December, certainly gave Napoleon grounds for a quarrel by ignoring his
empire erected in Mexico.
Mr. Seddon still awaits his successor. He has removed Col. and
Lieut.-Col. Ruffin from office.
Mr. Bruce, M. C. from Kentucky, and brother-in-law to Mr. Seddon, is
named as Commissary-General.
The President has vetoed another bill, granting the privilege to
soldiers to receive papers free of postage, and the Senate has passed it
again by a two-thirds vote. Thus the breach widens.
Some of our sensible men have strong hopes of peace immediately, on
terms of alliance against European powers, and commercial advantages to
the United States. I hope for even this for the sake of repose and
independence, if we come off with honor. We owe nothing to any of the
European governments. What has Blair been running backward and forward
so often for between the two Presidents? Has it not been clearly stated
that independence alone will content us? Blair _must_ have understood
this, and made it known to _his_ President. Then what else but
independence, on some terms, could be the basis for _further_
conference? I believe our people would, for the sake of independence,
agree to an alliance offensive and defensive with the United States, and
agree to furnish an army of volunteers in the event of a war with
France or England. The President has stigmatized the affected neutrality
of those powers in one of his annual messages. Still, such a treaty
would be unpopular after a term of peace with the United States. If the
United States be upon the eve of war with France and England, or either
of them, our commissioners abroad will soon have proposals from those
governments, which would be accepted, if the United States did not act
speedily.
JANUARY 31ST.--Bright and frosty.
The "peace commissioners" remained Sunday night at Petersburg, and
proceeded on their way yesterday morning. As they passed our lines, our
troops cheered them very heartily, and when they reached the enemy's
lines, they were cheered more vociferously than ever. Is not this an
evidence of a mutual desire for peace?
Yesterday, Mr. De Jarnette, of Virginia, introduced in Congress a
resolution intimating a disposition on the part of our government to
unite with the United States in vindication of the "Monroe doctrine,"
_i.e._ expulsion of monarchies established on this continent by European
powers. This aims at France, and to aid our commissioners in their
endeavors to divert the blows of the United States from us to France.
The resolution was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
If there be complication with France, the United States may accept our
overtures of alliance, and our people and government will acquiesce, but
it would soon grow an _unpopular_ treaty. At this moment we are hard
pressed, pushed to the wall, and prepared to catch at anything affording
relief. We pant for a "breathing spell." Sherman is advancing, but the
conquest of territory and liberation of slaves, while they injure us,
only embarrass the enemy, and add to their burdens. Now is the time for
the United States to avert another year of slaughter and expense.
Mr. Foote has been denouncing Mr. Secretary Seddon for selling his wheat
at $40 per bushel.
It is rumored that a column of the enemy's cavalry is on a raid
somewhere, I suppose sent out from Grant's army. This does not look like
peace and independence. An extract from the New York _Tribune_ states
that peace must come soon, because it has _reliable information_ of the
exhaustion of our resources. This means that we must submit
unconditionally, which may be a fatal mistake.
The raiders are said to be on the Brooke Turnpike and Westhaven Road,
northeast of the city, and menacing us in a weak place. Perhaps they are
from the Valley. The militia regiments are ordered out, and the locals
will follow of course, as when Dahlgren came.
Hon. Mr. Haynes of the Senate gives information of a raid organizing in
East Tennessee on Salisbury, N. C., to liberate the prisoners, cut the
Piedmont Road, etc.
Half-past two P.M. Nothing definite of the reported raid near the city.
False, perhaps.
No papers from the President to-day; he is disabled again by neuralgia,
in his _hand_, they say.