A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital Part 131

One o'clock P.M. Dark and dismal; more rain or snow looked for.

Certainly we are in a dark period of the war--encompa.s.sed by augmenting armies, almost starving in the midst of plenty (h.o.a.rded by the speculators), our men deserting--and others skulking duty, while Congress and the Executive seem paralyzed or incapable of thought or action.

The President was better yesterday; but not out. They say it is neuralgia in the shoulder, disabling his right arm. Yet he orders appointments, etc., or forbids others.

Major Noland, Commissary-General, has refused to impress the coffee in the hands of speculators; saying there is no law authorizing it. The speculators rule the hour--for all, nearly, are speculators! G.o.d save us! we seem incapable of saving ourselves.

No news to-day from Georgia and South Carolina--which means there is no good news. If it be true that Gen. Thomas has reinforced Grant with 30,000 men, we shall soon _hear_ news without seeking it! The enemy will not rest content with their recent series of successes; for system of _easy communication_ will enable them to learn all they want to know about our weak points, and our childish dependence on the speculators for subsistence.

After leaving thirty days' supplies in Charleston for 20,000 men--all the rest have been ordered to Richmond.

FEBRUARY 4TH.--Clear, but rained last night. From the South we learn that Sherman is marching on Branchville, and that Beauregard is at Augusta.

The _great struggle_ will be in Virginia, south of Richmond, and both sides will gather up their forces for that event. We can probably get men enough, if we can feed them.

The City Council is having green "old field pine" wood brought in on the Fredericksburg railroad, to sell to citizens at $80 per cord--a speculation.

The Quartermaster's Department is also bringing in large quant.i.ties of wood, costing the government about $40 per cord. Prior to the 1st inst., the Quartermaster's Department _commuted_ officer's (themselves) allowance of wood at $130 per cord!

The President still suffers, but is said to be "better."

Yesterday much of the day was consumed by Congress in displaying a _new flag_ for the Confederacy--before the old one is worn out! Idiots!

I have just seen on file a characteristic letter from Major-Gen. Butler, of which this is a literal copy:

"HEADQUARTERS DEPT. VA. AND N. C.,

"ARMY OF THE JAMES IN THE FIELD,

"FORTRESS MONROE, Oct. 9th, 1864.

"HON. ROBT. OULD--SIR:

"An attempt was made this morning by private Roucher, Co. B, 5th Penna. cavalry, to commit a rape upon the persons of Mrs. Minzer and Mrs. Anderson, living on the Darbytown Road.

"On the outrage being discovered, he broke through the picket line, and fled for your lines. Our soldiers chased him, but were unable to overtake him.

"I have therefore the honor to request that you will return him, that I may inflict the punishment which his dastardly offense merits. I cannot be responsible for the good conduct of my soldiers, _if they are to find protection from punishment by entering your lines_.

"I have the honor to be, your obt. servt.,

"(Signed) B. F. BUTLER,

"_Major-Gen. Comd'g and Com. for Exchange_."

The ladies were Virginians.

I got my barrel (2 bags) flour to-day; 1 bushel meal, 1/2 bushel peas, 1/2 bushel potatoes ($50 per bushel); and feel pretty well. Major Maynard, Quartermaster, has promised a load of wood. _Will these last until_----? I believe I would make a good commissary.

FEBRUARY 5TH.--Clear and cold. Our commissioners are back again! It is said Lincoln and Seward met them at Fortress Monroe, and they proceeded no further. No basis of negotiation but reconstruction could be listened to by the Federal authorities. How could it be otherwise, when their armies are marching without resistance from one triumph to another--while the government "allows" as many emissaries as choose to pa.s.s into the enemy's country, with the most solemn a.s.surances that the Union cause is spreading throughout the South with great rapidity--while the President is incapacitated both mentally and physically by disease, disaster, and an inflexible defiance of his opponents--and while Congress wastes its time in discussions on the adoption of a _flag_ for future generations!

This fruitless mission, I apprehend, will be fraught with evil, unless the career of Sherman be checked; and in that event the BATTLE for RICHMOND, and Virginia, and the Confederacy, will occur within a few months--perhaps weeks. The sooner the better for us, as delay will only serve to organize the UNION PARTY sure to spring up; for many of the people are not only weary of the war, but they have no longer any faith in the President, his cabinet, Congress, the commissaries, quartermasters, enrolling officers, and most of the generals.

Judge Campbell was closeted for hours last night with Mr. Secretary Seddon at the department. I have not recently seen Mr. Hunter.

We have news from the Eastern Sh.o.r.e of Virginia. My wife's aunt, Miss Sally Parsons, is dead--over 90 years of age. The slaves are free, but remain with their owners--on wages. The people are prosperous, getting fine prices for abundant crops. Only a few hundred Federal troops are in the two counties; but these, under the despotic orders of Butler, levy heavy "war contributions" from the unoffending farmers.

FEBRUARY 6TH.--Bright and frosty. As I supposed, the peace commissioners have returned from their fruitless errand. President Lincoln and Mr.

Seward, it appears, had nothing to propose, and would listen to nothing but unconditional submission. The Congress of the United States has just pa.s.sed, by a two-thirds vote, an amendment to the Const.i.tution _abolis.h.i.+ng slavery_.

Now the South will soon be fired up again, perhaps with a new impulse--and WAR will rage with greater fury than ever. Mr. Stephens will go into Georgia, and reanimate his people. Gen. Wise spoke at length for independence at the Capitol on Sat.u.r.day night amidst applauding listeners, and Governor Smith speaks to-night.

Gen. Breckinridge is here and will take his seat to-morrow. Every effort will be made to popularize the cause again.

Hon. Mr. Foote is at Was.h.i.+ngton, in _prison_.

Gen. Wise's brigade has sent up resolutions consenting to gradual _emanc.i.p.ation_--but never to reunion with the North.

There is a more cheerful aspect on the countenances of the people in the streets. All hope of peace with independence is extinct--and valor alone is relied upon now for our salvation. Every one thinks the Confederacy will at once gather up its military strength and strike such blows as will astonish the world. There will be desperate conflicts!

Vice-President Stephens is in his seat to-day, and seems determined.

Mr. Hunter is rolling about industriously.

Gen. Lee writes that desertions are caused by the bad management of the Commissary Department, and that there are supplies enough in the country, if the proper means were used to procure them.

Gen. Taylor sends a telegram from Meridian, Miss., stating that he had ordered Stewart's corps to Augusta, Ga., as Sherman's movement rendered a _victory necessary at once_. The dispatch was to the President, and seems to be in response to one from him. So we may expect a battle immediately near Augusta, Ga. Beauregard should have some 20,000 men, besides Hardee's 15,000--which ought to be enough for victory; and then good-by to Sherman!

FEBRUARY 7TH.--A snow four inches in depth on the ground, and snowing.

Last night Governor Smith, President Davis, Senator Oldham (Texas), Rev.

Mr. Duncan, Methodist preacher, and a Yankee Baptist preacher, named Doggell, or Burroughs, I believe, addressed a large meeting in the African Church, on the subject of the Peace Mission, and the ultimatum of the United States authorities. The speakers were very patriotic and much applauded. President Davis (whose health is so feeble he should have remained away) denounced President Lincoln as "His Majesty Abraham the First"--in the language of the press--and said before the campaign was over he and Seward might find "they had been speaking to their masters," when demanding unconditional submission. He promised the people great successes, after our destined reverses had run out, provided they kept from despondency and speculation, and filled the ranks of the army. He denounced the speculators, and intimated that they might yet be called upon to "disgorge their earnings."

A grand a.s.semblage is called for next Thursday, to meet in the Capitol Square.

Congress will soon be likely to vote a negro army, and their emanc.i.p.ation after the war--as Lee favors it.

There was some fighting near Petersburg yesterday and the day before; but the press is reticent--a bad sign.

There is a rumor that Charleston has been evacuated!

Gen. Lee again writes that desertions occur to an alarming extent, for want of sufficient food. And he says there is enough subsistence in the country, but that the Commissary Department is inefficiently administered.

Gen. Breckinridge is in his office to-day.

A scramble is going on by the young politicians for the position of a.s.sistant Secretary of War, and Mr. Kean is supposed to be ahead in the race. When a s.h.i.+p is thought to be sinking, even the cook may be appointed captain! Anything, now, to keep out of the _field_--such is the word among the mere politicians.

It is rumored that Gen. Pegram (since confirmed) was killed in the enemy's attack on our right near Petersburg, and that seven brigades were engaged and repulsed the enemy. Still, there is no official confirmation--and the silence of Gen. Lee is interpreted adversely.

Senator Haynes, of Tennessee, and Senator Wigfall, of Texas, denounced the President yesterday as mediocre and malicious--and that his blunders had caused all our disasters.