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UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

REBEL WAR CLERK'S

D I A ET

COXFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL.

BY

J. B. JONES,

CLERE nr THE WAR DEPARTMENT OP TBE CONFEDERATE STATES GOVERNMENT;
AUTHOR OP "WILD WESTERN SCENES," ETC. ETC.

VOL. I.

PHILADELPHIA:
J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO.
1866.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, by
J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO.,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the
Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

PREFACE.

This Diart was written with the knowledge of
the President and the Secretary of War. I informed
them of it by note. They did not depreciate criticism
on their ofl&cial conduct; for they allowed me still to
execute the functions of a very important position in
the Grovemment until the end of its career.
My discriminating friends will understand why I
accepted the poor title of a clerkship, after having
declined the Chargeship to Naples, tendered by Mr.
Calhoun during the administration of President Polk.
J. B. J.
OxANCocK, Accomac Co., Va. ,
March, 1866.

(iii)

CONTENTS.

VOLUME I.
CHAPTER I.
My flight from the Xorth and escape into Virginia. — Revolutionary
scene at Richmond. — The Union Convention passes the Ordinance of
Secession. — Great excitement prevails in the South  13
CHAPTER IL
Depart for Montgomery. — Interview with President Davis. — My posi
tion in the Government. — Government removed to Richmond. — My
family  30
CHAPTER III.
Troops pour into Richmond. — Beginning of hostilities. — Gen. Lee made
a fuU general. — Major-Gen. Polk. — A battle expected at Manassas... 47
CHAPTER IV.
My family in Xorth Carolina. — Volunteers daily rejected. — Gen. Winder
appears upon the stage. — Toombs commissioned. — Hunter Secretary
of State. — Duel prevented. — Col. B. Secretary for a few hours. — Gen.
Garnett killed. — Battle of Manassas. — Great excitement. — Col. Bar
tow  57
CHAPTER V.
My son Custis appointed clerk in the War Department. — N. Y. Herald
contains a pretty correct army list of the C. S. — Appearance of the
"Plug Uglies." — President's rupture with Beauregard. — -President
sick. — Alien enemies ordered away. — Brief interview with the Pres
ident. — "Immediate." — Large numbers of cavalry offering. — Great
preparations in the North  69
CHAPTER VI.
Four hundred thousand troops to be raised. — Want of arms. — Yankees
offer to sell them to us. — Walker resigns. — Benjamin succeeds. — Col.
J. A. Washington killed. — Assigned, temporarily, to the head of the
passport office  77
CHAPTER VII.
An order for the publication of the names of alien enemies. — Some ex
citement. — Efforts to secure property. — G. A. Myers, lawyer, actively
engaged. — Gen, Price gains a victory in Missouri. — Billy Wilson's
cut-throats cut to pieces at Fort Pickens. — A female spy arrives from
Washington. — Great success at Leesburg or Ball's Bluff  82
1* (v)

CONTEXTS.

CHAPTER VIII.

Quarrel between Gen. Beauregard and Mr. Benjamin. — Great naval
preparations in the North. — The loss of Port Royal, S. C, takes
some prestige. — The affair at Belmont does not compensate for it. —
The enemy kills an old hare. — Missouri secedes. — Mason and Slidell
captured. — French Consul and the actresses. — The lieutenant in dis
guise. — Eastern Shore of Virginia invaded. — Messrs. Breckinridge
and Marshall in Richmond  89
CHAPTER IX.
Gen. Lee ordered South. — Gen. Stuart ambuscaded at Drainsville. —
W. H. B. Custis returns to the Eastern Shore. — Winder's detectives.
— Kentucky secedes  Judge Perkins's resolution. — Dibble goes
North. — Waiting for Great Britain to do something. — Mr. Ely, the
Yankee M. C  96
CHAPTER X.
Seward gives up Mason and Slidell. — Great preparations of the enemy.
— Gen. Jackson betrayed. — Mr. Memminger's blunders. — Exagger
ated reports of our troops in Kentucky and Tennessee  103
CHAPTER XI.
Fall of Fort Henry. — Of Fort Douelson. — Lugubrious Inauguration
of the President in the Permanent Government. — Loss of Roanoke
Island  108
CHAPTER Xn.
Nashville evacuated.— Martial law.— Passports.— Com. Buchanan's
naval engagement.— Gen. Winder's blunders. — Mr. Benjamin Secre
tary of State. — Lee commander-in-chief. — Mr. G. W. Randolph Sec
retary of War  112
CHAPTER XIII.
Gen. Beauregard succeeds Gen. Sydney Johnston —Dibble, the traitor.
—Enemy at Fredericksburg.- They say we will be subdued by the
15th of June.— Lee rapidly concentrating at Richmond.- Webster,
the spy, hung  -jig
CHAPTER XIV.
Disloyalists entrapped.— Norfolk abandoned.— Merrimac blown up —
Army falling back.— Mrs. Davis leaves Richmond.- Preparing to
burn the tobacco.— Secretary of War trembles for Richmond —
Richmond to be defended.— The tobacco.— Winking and blinkin.'
—Johnstons great battle.— Wounded himself.— The wounded —
The hospitals  ,,,.,
CHAPTER XV.
Huger fails again.--A wounded boy.— The killed and wounded.— Lee
assumes command.-Lee prepares to attack McClellan.— Beauregard
watches the gold.-Our generals scattered.-Hasty letter from Gen
Lee. — Opening of grand battle.— First dav, 26th June.— Second"
etc.-Lee s consummate skill.-Every day "for a week it rages —
Streets crowded with Blue Jackets.-MeClellan retires. isi

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XVI.
Terrific fighting. — Anxiety to visit the battle-field.— Lee prepares for
other battles. — Hope for the Union extinct.- Gen. Lee brings for
ward conscripts — Gen. Cobb appointed to arrange exchange of
prisoners. — Mr. Ould as agent. — Pope, the braggart, comes upon
the stage. — Meets a braggart's fate. — The war transferred to North
ern Virginia  140
CHAPTER XVII.
Vicksburg shelled. — Lee looks toward Washington. — Much manoeu
vring in Orange County. — A brigade of the enemy annihilated. —
McClellan flies to Washington. — Cretans. — Lee has a mighty army. —
Missouri risings. — Pope's coat and papers captured. — Cut up at
Manassas. — Clothing captured of the enemy  147
CHAPTER XVIII.
Lee announces a victory. — Crosses the Potomac— Battle of Sharps-
burg. — McClellan pauses at the Potomac. — Lee moves mysteriously.
— The campaign a doubtful one in its material results. — Horrible
scene near Washington. — Conscription enlarged. — Heavy loss at
Sharpsburg. — 10,000 in the hospitals here  161
CHAPTER XIX.
McClellan has crossed the Potomac. — Another battle anticipated. — I
am assured here that Lee had but 40,000 men engaged at Sharps
burg. — He has more now, as he is defending Virginia. — Radicals of
the North want McClellan removed. — Our President has never taken
the field. — Lee makes demonstrations against McClellan. — A Jew
store robbed last night. — We have 40,000 prisoners excess over the
~ — enemj. — My family arrived from Raleigh. — My wife's substitute for
coffee.^=Foul passports. — My friend Brooks dines and wines with
members of Congress. — The Herald and Tribune tempt us to return ^"— *
to the Union. — Lee writes, no immediate advance of McClellan. — Still
a rumor of Bragg's victory in Kentucky. — Enemy getting large rein
forcements. — Diabolical order of Governor Baylor. — Secretary's esti
mate of conscripts and all others, 500,000 — ^Bragg retreating from
Kentucky. — Bickering between Bragg and Beauregard. — Lee wants
Confederate notes made a legal tender. — There will be no second
Washington  160
CHAPTER XX. ^
Gen. Lee in Richmond: beard white. — First proposition to trade cotton*^
to the enemy. — Secretary in favor of it. — All the letters come through
my hands again. — Lee falling back.^jOOO negrpp^ at work on the
fortifications. — Active operations looked for. — Beauregard advises
non-combatants to leave the city. — Semmes's operations. — Making a
nation. — Salt works lost in Virginia. — Barefooted soldiers. — Intrigues
of Butler in New Orleans. — Northern army advancing everywhere. —
Breach between the President and Secretary of War. — President's
servant arrested for robbing the Treasury. — Gen. J. E. Johnston in
town. — Secretary has resigned. — Hon. J. A. Seddon appointed Sec
retary of War. — The enemy marching on Fredericksburg. — Lee writes
"Ihat he will be ready for them. — Kentuckians will not be hog drivers.

VIII CONTENTS.
—Women and children flying from the vicinity of Fredericksburg.—
Fears for Wilmington.— No beggars —Quiet on the Rappahannock.
-^M. Paul, French Consul, saved the French tobacco.— Gen. John
ston goes West.— President gives Gov. Pettit full authority to trade
cotton to France  CHAPTER XXI.
The great crisis at hand.— The rage for speculation raises its head.—
Great battle of Fredericksburg.— The States called on for supplies.-
Randolph resigns as brigadier-general. — South Carolina^ honor. —
Loss at Fredericksburg. — Great contracts. — Lee's ammunition bad. —
Small-pox here  ^^^
CHAPTER XXIL
Lee in winter quarters. — Bragg's victory in the Southwest. — The Pres
ident at Mobile. — Enemy withdraw from Vicksburg. — Bragg retreats
as usual. — Bureau of Conscription. — High rents. — Flour contracts in
Congress. — Efforts to escape conscription.— Ships coming in freely. —
— Sneers jit negro troops. — Hopes of French intervention.^Gen. Bains
blows himself up. — Davis would be the last to give up. — Gov. Vance
protests against Col. August's appointment as commandant of con
scripts. — Financial difficulties in the United States  2'2S
CHAPTER XXIII.
Proposed fixture of prices. — Depreciation in the North. — Gen. Hooker
in command of the U. S. forces. — Lee thinks Charleston will be at
tacked. — Congress does nothing. — Some fears for Vicksburg. — Pem-
berton commands — Wise dashes into Williamsburg. — Rats take food
from my daughter's hand. — Lee wants the meat sent from Georgia
to Virginia, where the fighting will be. — Gen. Winder uneasy about
my Diary. — Gen. Johnston asks to be relieved in the West  252
CHAPTER XXIV.
Removed into Clay Street.— Gen. Toombs resigned. — Lincoln dictator. —
He can call 3,000,000 of men.- — President is sick. — His office is not a
bed of roses. — Col. Gorgas sends in his oath of allegiance. — Confed
erate gold $5 for $1.— Explosion of a laboratory.— Bad weather
everywhere. — Fighting on the Mississippi River. — Conflict of views
in the Conscription Bureau. — Confederate States currency $10 for
$1. — Snow a foot deep, but melting. — Wcihavc-n^-ftegre-regimtipts
inuuiE-eervioe. — Only 6000 conscripts frbm East Tennessee. — How
seven were paroled by one. — This is to be the crisis campaign. — Lee
announces the campaign open  265
CHAPTER XXV.
Symptoms of bread riots— Lee forming depots of provisions near the
Rappahannock.— Beauregard ready to defend Charleston.— He has
rebuffed the enemy severely.— French and British advancing money
on cotton.— The Yankees can beat us in bargaining.— Gen. Lee anx
ious for new supplies.— The President appeals to the people to raise
food for man and beast— Federal and Confederate troops serenading
each other on the Rappahannock.- Cobbler's wages §3000 per an
num.— Wrangling in the Indian country.- Only 700 conscripts per

CONTENTS. IX
month from Virginia. — Longstreet at Suffolk.— The President's well
eye said to be failing. — .\ "iccounoissancol" — Wejirejjlantiiig much
grain. — Picking up pins. — Beautiful season. — Gen. Johnston in Ten- ""
nessge. — Longstreet's successes in that State. — Lee complains that his
army is not fed. — We fear for Vicksburg now. — Enemy giving up
plunder in Mississippi. — Beauregard is busy at Charleston. — Gen.
Marshall, of Kentucky, fails to get stock and hogs. — Gen. Lee calls
for Longstreet's corps. — The enemy demonstrating on the Rappahan
nock  284
CHAPTER XXVI.
Lee snuffs a battle in the breeze. — Hooker's army supposed to be 100,000
men. — Lee's perhaps 5o, 000 efficient. — I am planting potatoes. — Part
of Longstreet's army gone up. — Enemy makes a raid. — Great vic
tory at ChancellorviUe. — Hot weather. — Our poor wounded coming
in streams, in ambulances and on foot. — Hooker has lost the game. —
Message from the enemy. — They ask of Lee permission to bury their
dead. — Granted, of course. — Hooker fortifying. — Food getting scarce
again. — Gen. Lee's thanks to the army. — Crowds of prisoners coming
in. — Lieut.-Gen. Jackson dead. — Hooker's raiders "hooked" a great
many horses. — Enemy demand 500,000 more men. — Beauregard com
plains that so many of his troops are taken to Mississippi. — Enemy
at Jackson, Miss. — Strawberries. — R. Tyler. — My cherries are coming -""
on finely. — Ewelland Hill appointed lieutenant-generals. — President
seems to doubt Beauregard's veracity. — Hon. D. M. Lewis cuts his
wheat to-morrow. May 28th  Johnston says our troops are in fine
spirits around Vicksburg. — Grant thunders on. — Planofsfirsile^in-
Bnrrection  303
CHAPTER XXVII.
Vicksburg refuses to surrender to Grant. — Spiritualism at the Whit^^
House. — Lee is pushing a little northward. — It is said Grant kas
lost 40,000 men. — He is still pounding Vicksburg. — Petty mjiuary
organizations. — Mr. Randolph busy. — Foolish passport rules. — Great
battle imminent, but speculation may defeat both sides. — Early's
victory. — We have only supplies of corn from day to day. — Chambers-
burg struck. — CoL Whiting complains of blockade-running at Wil
mington. — False alarm. — Grant stiU before Vicksburg  338
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Enemy threatening Richmond. — The city is safe. — Battle of Gettys
burg. — Great excitement. — Yankees in great trouble.- — Alas! Vicks
burg has fallen.— President is sick. — Grant marching against John
ston at Jackson. — Fighting at that place. — Yankees repulsed at
Charleston. — Lee and Meade facing each other. — Pembertou surren
ders his whole army. — Fall of Port Hudson. — Second class conscripts
called for.— Lee has got back across the Potomac. — Lincoln getting
fresh troops. — Lee writes that he cannot be responsible if the soldiers
fail for want of food. — Rumors of Grant coming East. — Pemberton
in bad odor. — Hon. W. L. Yancey is dead  366

CONTENTS.

VOLUME II.

CHAPTER XXIX.
Some desertion.- Lee falling back.— Men still foolishly look for foreign
aid.— Speculators swarming.— God helps me to-day.— Conscripts.—
Memminger shipping gold to Europe.— Our women and children
making straw bonnets.— Attack on Charleston.— Robert Tyler as a
financier.— Enemy throw large shells into Charleston, five and a
half miles.— Diabolical scheme.— Gen. Lee has returned to the army. 3
CHAPTER XXX.
Situation at Wilmington. — Situation atCharleston. — Lincoln thinks there
is hope of our submission. — Market prices. — Ammunition turned over
to the enemy at Vicksburg.— Attack on Sumter. — Stringent con
scription order. — Disaffection in North Carolina. — Victory announced
by Gen. Bragg. — Peril of Gen. Bosecrans.— Surrender of Cumber
land Gap. — Rosecrans fortifying Chattanooga. — Mr. Seward on flag
of truce boat. — Burnside evacuating East Tennessee. — The trans-
Mississippi army. — Meade sending troops to Bosecrans. — Pemberton
in Richmond. — A suggestion concerning perishable tithes  30
CHAPTER XXXI.
Suffering of our wounded at Gettysburg. — Prisoners from the battle of
Chickamauga. — Charleston. — Policy in the Southwest. — From Gen.
Bragg. — Letter from President Davis. — Religious revival. — Departure
of the President for the Southwest. — About General Bragg. —
Movement of mechanics and non-producers. — About "French" to
bacco. — The markets. — Outrage in Missouri. — Speculations of govern
ment agents. — From Gen. Lee. — Judge Hastings's scheme. — Visit to
our prisons. — Letter from Gen. Kirby Smith. — President Davis at
Selma. — Gen. Winder's passports. — The markets. — Campbellites and
Methodists. — From Gen. Lee. — From the Southwest  57
CHAPTER XXXIL
Letters from various sections. — The President and Gen. Bragg. — State
of the markets. — Causes of the President's tour. — Gen. Duff Green —
Return of the President. — Loss of Hoke's and Haye's brigades. —
Letter from Gen. Howell Cobb. — Dispatch from Gen, Lee. — State of
the markets. — Letter from A. Moseley. — Mrs. Todd in Richmond. —
Vice-President Stephens on furloughs. — About Gen. Bragg and the
battle of Lookout Mountain  So
CHAPTER XXXIII.
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   HO
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Hospitalities of (he city to Gen. Morgan. — Call for a Dictator. — Letter
from Gen. Lee. — Letters from Gov. Vance. — Accusation against Gen.
Winder. — Treatment of Confederate prisoners (from the Chicago
Times). — Change of Federal policy.— Efforts to remove Col. Nor-

CONTENTS, Xi
throp. — Breach between the President and Congress. — Destitution of
our prisoners. — Appeal of Gen. Lee to the army. — New Conscription
Act. — Letter from Gen. Cobb  122
CH.iPTER XXXV.
Gen. Lovell applies for a command. — .\uspicious opening of 1864. —
ilr. Wright's resolutions. — Rumored approach of Gen. Butler. — Letter
from Gov. Brown. — Letter from Gen. Lee. — Dispatches from Gen.
Beauregard. — President Dni'-'- nngrtr" — Controversy between Gen.
Winder and Mr. Ould. —Robbery of Mr. Lewis Hayman. — Promotion
of Gen. Bragg, and the Examiner thereon. — Scarcity of provisions
in the army. — Congress and the President   140
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Attempt to capture Richmond. — Governor Vance and Judge Pearson.—
Preparations to blow up the "Libby" prisoners. — Letter from Gen
eral Lee. — Proposal to execute Dahlgren's raiders. — General Butler
on the Eastern Shore. — Colonel Dahlgren's body. — Destitution of the
army. — Strength of the Southwestern army. ^Destitution of my fam
ily. — Protest from South Carolina. — Difficulty with P. Milmo &Co. —
Hon. J. W. Wall  162
CHAPTER XXXVII.
Return of Mr. Ould and Capt. Hatch from Fortress Monroe. — Quarrel
between Mr. Memminger and Mr. Seddon. — Famine. — A victory in
Louisiana. — Vice-President Stephens's speech. — Victory of Gen. For
rest. — Capture of Plymouth, N. C. — Gen. Lee's bill of fare  179
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Dispatch from Gen. J. E. Johnston. — Dispatch from Gen. Lee. — Mr.
Saulsbury's resolution in the U. S. Senate. — Progress of the enemy. —
Rumored preparations for the flight of the President. — Wrangling of
high officials. — Position of the armies  196
CHAPTER XXXIX.
Beauregard's plan. — The battle. — Defeat near Staunton. — Fight at
Petersburg. — Decision about Marylanders. — Beauregard in disgrace.
— Dispatch from Gen. J. E. Johnston  223
CHAPTER XL.
Gen. Lee's dispatch announcing Gen. Hampton's victory. — Cost of a cup
of coffee. — From Gens. Johnston and S. D. Lee. — Gen. Early in
Maryland. — Rumored capture of Baltimore. — Letter from Gen. Lee. —
Dispatch from Gen. Hood. — Status of the local troops  241
CHAPTER XLI.
From the Northern papers. — Letter from J. Thompson, Canada. — From
Mr. McRae, our foreign agent. — Dispatch from Major-Gen. Maury. —
"General Order No. 65." — Battle of Reams's Station  258
CHAPTER XLII.
The Federal Presidency. — The Chicago Convention.— Fall of Atlanta.—
Bureau of Conscription. — From Gen. Hood.— Vice-President Stephens
on the situation.— Letter from Mrs. Mendenhall.— Dispatch from Gen.

Xii CONTENTS.
Lee.— Defeat of Gen. Early.— From Gov. Vance.— From Gov. Brown,
of Georgia. — Gen. Lee's indorsement of Col. Moseby. — Hon. Mr.
Foote. — Attack on Fort Gilmer. — Indiscriminate arrest of civilians.. 275
CHAPTER XLIII.
Attempt to retake Fort Harrison.— A false alarm. — Dispatches from
Gen. Lee. — Impressments. — Gen. Butler's generosity. — Matters in and
about the city. — Beverly Tucker's contract with a New York firm for
supplies  297
CHAPTER XLIV.
Proclamation for a day of public worship. — Gov. Allen, of Louisiana. —
Letter from Gen. Beauregard. — Departure for Europe. — Congress as
sembles. — Quarrel between Gens. Kemper and Preston. — Gen. For
rest doing wonders. — Tennessee. — Gen. Johnston on his Georgia cam
paign. — John Mitohel and Senator Foote. — Progress of Sherman. —
From Gov. Brown, of Georgia. — Capture of Gen. Pryor  320
CHAPTER XLV.
Desertions. — Bragg and Kilpatrick. — Rents. — Gen. Winder's manage
ment of prisoners.^Rumored disasters in Tennessee. — Prices. — Prog
ress of Sherman. — Around Richmond. — Capture of Fort McAlister. —
Rumored death of the President, — Yankee line of spies. — From Wil
mington and Charleston. — Evacuation of Savannah  343
CHAPTER XLVI.
Waning confidence in the President. — Blockade-running. — From the
South. — Beauregard on Sherman. — The expeditions against Wilming
ton. — Return of Mr. Pollard. — The Blairs in Richmond. — Arrest of
Hon. H. S. Foote. — Fall of Fort Fisher. — Views of Gen. Cobb. — Dis
mal. — Casualties of the war. — Peace commissioners for Washington^ 371
CHAPTER XLVII.
Gen. Lee appointed General-in-Chief. — Progress of Sherman.  The
markets. — Letter from Gen. Butler. — Return of the peace commis
sioners. — The situation. — From Gen. Lee. — U,aa_a£_Jiegroes as
s»l4iers.— Patrifliism of the women. — Pardon of deserters.  The
passporT system. —Oh for peace!— Gen. Lee on negro soldiers.  Con
ventions in Georgia and Mississippi..'^r^TTTr.  n.v..„  405
• CHAPTER XLVIII.
From the North.— Rumored defeat of Gen. Early.— Panic among offi
cials —Moving the archives.— Lincoln's inaugural— Victorv in North
Carolina.— Rumored treaty with France,— Sheridan's movements —
Letter from Lord John Russell.— Sherman's progress.— Desperate
condition of the government.— Disagreement between the President
and Congress- Development of Grant's combination.— Assault at
Hare's Hill.— Departure of Mrs. President Davis  436
CHAPTER XLIX.
Rumors of battles.— Excitement in the churches.— The South Side Road
captured by the enemy.-Evacuation of Richmond— Surrender of
Gen. Lee— Occupation of Richmond by Federal forces.-Address ?o
ofVrSnl ZiZr'^ ' ^- ''-'''''' ^°^ others.-Assassin:^o'n°
 4G4

A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY.

CHAPTER I.
Mv flight from the North and escape into Virginia.— Revolutionary scene
at Richmond. — The Union Convention passes the Ordinance of Seces
sion. — Great excitement prevails in the South.
Apkii 8th, 1861. Burlington, ISTew Jersey. — The expedition
sails to-day from Xew York. Its purpose is to reduce Port Moul
trie, Charleston harbor, and relieve Fort Sumter, invested by tlie
Confederate forces. Southern born, and editor of the Southern
Monitor, there seems to be no alternative but to depart imme
diately. For years the Southern Monitor, Philadelphia, whose
motto was " The Union as it was, the Constitution as it is," has
foreseen and foretold the resistance of the Southern States, in the
event of the success of a sectional party inimical to the institution
of African slavery, upon which the welfare and existence of the
Southern people seem to depend. And I must depart imme
diately ; for I well know that the first gun fired at Fort Sumter
will be the signal for an outburst of ungovernable fury, and I
should be seized and thrown into prison.
I must leave my family — my property — everything. My family
cannot go with me — but they may follow. The storm will not
break in its fury for a month or so. Only the most obnoxious
persons, deemed dangerous, will be molested immediately.
8 o'clock p.m. — My wife and children have been busy packing
my trunk, and making other preparations for my departure. They
are cheerful. They deem the rupture of the States a. fait accom
pli, but reck not of the horrors of war. They have contrived to
pack up, with other things, my fine old portrait of Calhoun, by
Jarvis. But I must leave my papers, the accumulation of twenty-
2 (l:;)

14 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIART
five years, comprising thousands of letters from predestined rebels.
My wife opposes my suggestion that they be burned. Among
them are some of the veto messages of President Tyler, and many
letters from him, Governor Wise, etc. With the latter I had a
correspondence in 1856, showing that this blow would probably
have been struck then, if Fremont had been elected.
April 9Tn.— My adieus over, I set out in the broad light of
day. When the cars arrived at Camden, I proceeded, with the
rest of the through passengers, in the boat to the navy yard, with
out going ashore in the city. The passengers were strangers to
me. Many could be easily recognized as Southern men; but
quite as many were going only as far as Washington, for their
reward. They were bold denouncers of the rebellion ; the others
w^re silent, thoughtful, but in earnest.
The first thing which attracted my attention, as the cars left the
Delaware depot, was a sign-board on my left, inscribed in large
letters, "Union Cemetery." My gaze attracted the notice of
others. A mocking bon-mot was uttered by a Yankee wit, which
was followed by laughter.
For many hours I was plunged in the deepest abstraction, and
spoke not a word until we were entering the depot at Washington,
just as the veil of night was falling over the scene.
Then I was aroused by the announcement of a conductor that,
failing to have my trunk rechecked at Baltimore, it had been left
in that city 1 Determined not to lose it, I took the return train
to Baltimore, and put up at Barnum's Hotel. Here I met with
Mr. Abell, publisher of the Baltimore Sun, an old acquaintance.
Somewhat contrary to my expectations, knowing him to be a na
tive of the North, I found him an ardent secessionist. So enthu
siastic was he in the cause, that he denounced both ^Maryland and
Virginia for their hesitancy in following the example of the Cotton
States ; and he invited me to furnish his paper with correspondence
from Montgomery, or any places in the South where I might be a
sojourner. April IOth. — Making an early start this morning, I once more
arrived at Washington City. I saw no evidences of a militixry
force in the city, and supposed the little army to be encamped at
the west end of the Avenue, guarding the Executive Mansion.
We took an omnibus without delay and proceeded to the

AT THE confederate STATES CAPITAL. 15
steamer. As soon as we left the shore, I fancied I saw many
of the passengers breathinix easier and more deeply. Certainly
there was more vivacity, since we were relieved of the presence of
Republicans. And at the breakfast titble there was a freer flow
of speech, and a very decided manifestation of secession proclivi
ties. Among the passengers was Major Holmes, who had just resigned
his commission in the U. S. army. He had been ordered to pro
ceed with the expedition against Charleston; but declined the
honor of fighting against his native land. The major is a little
deaf, but has an intellectual face, the predominant expression in
dicating the discretion and prudence so necessary for success
in a large field of operations. In reply to a question concerning
the military qualities of Beauregard and Bragg, he said they
were the flower of the young officers of the U. S. army. The
first had great genius, and was perhaps the most dashing and
brilliant officer in the country; the other, more sedate, neverthe
less possessed military capacities of a very high order. President
Davis, in his opinion, had made most excellent selections in the
appointment of his first generals. The major, however, was very
sad at the prospect before us ; and regarded the tenders of pecu
niary aid to the U. S. by the Wall Street capitalists as ominous of
a desperate, if not a prolonged struggle. At this time the major's
own State, North Carolina, like Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky,
Arkansas, and Missouri, yet remains in the Union.
We were delayed several hours at Aquia Creek, awaiting the
arrival of the cars, which were detained in consequence of a great
storm and flood that had occurred the night before.
April 10th and 11th, — These two days were mainly lost by
delays, the floods having swept away many bridges, which had not
yet been repaired. As we approached Richmond, it was observed
that the people were more and more excited, and seemed to be
pretty nearly unanimous for the immediate secession of the State.
Everywhere the Convention then in session was denounced with
bitterness, for its adherence to the Union ; and Gov. Letcher was
almost universally execrated for the chocks he had thrown under
the car of secession and Southern independence. I heard very
many who had voted for him, regret that they had ever supported
the clique of politicians who managed to secure his nomination.

16 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
And now I learned that a People's Spontaneous Convention would
assemble in Richmond on the 1 6th of the month, when, if the
other body persisted in its opposition to the popular will, the
most startling revolutionary measures would be adopted, involv
ing, perhaps, arrests and executions. Several of the members of
this body with whom I conversed bore arms upon their persons.
April 12th. — To-day I beheld the first secession flag that
had met my vision. It was at Polecat Station, Caroline County,
and it was greeted with enthusiasm by all but the two or three
Yankees in the train. One of these, named Tupps, had been ques
tioned so closely, and his presence and nativity had become so
well known, that he became alarmed for his safety, although no
one menaced him. He could not sit still a moment, nor keep
silence. He had been speculating in North Carolina the year be
fore, and left some property there, which, of course, he must save,
if needs bei, at the risk of his life. But he cared nothing for
slavery, and would neve;- bear arms against the South, if she saw
fit to "set up Government business for herself." He rather
guessed war was a speculation that wouldn't pay. His volubility
increased with his perturbation, and then he drank excessively
and sang Dixie. When we reached Richmond, he was beastly
drunk. Arrived at the Exchange Hotel, Richmond. A storm rages
above, and below in the miuds of men; but the commotion of the
elements above attracts less attention than the tempest of excite-
mcDC agitating the human breast. The news-boys are rushing in
all directions with extras announcing the bombardment of Fort
Sumter! This is the irrevocable blow 1 Every reflecting mind
here should know that the only alternatives now are successful
revolution or abject subjugation. But they do not lack for the
want of information of the state of public sentiment in the North.
It is in vain that the laggards are assured by persons just from
the North, that the Republican leaders now composing the cabi
net at Washington were prepared to hail the event at Charleston
as the most auspicious that could have happened for the accom
plishment of their designs; and that their purpose is the extinction
of slavery, at least in the border States; the confiscation of the
estates of rebels to reimburse the Federal Government for the ex
penses of the war which had been deliberately resolved on ; and to

AT TIIE CONFEPKUATE ST.VTES CUHTAI,. 17
gratify the cupidity of the "Wide- Awakes," and to give employ
ment to foreign mercenaries.
But it is not doubtful which course the current of feeling is
rapidly taking. Even in this hitherto Union city, secession de
monstrations are prevalent; and the very men who two days ago
upheld Gov. Letcher in his conservatism, are now stricken dumb
amid the popular clamor for immediate action. I am now
resolved to remain in Richmond for a season.
After tea I called upon Gov. Wise, who occupied lodgings at
the same hotel. He was worn out, and prostrated by a distressing
cough which threatened pneumonia. But ever and anon his
eagle eye assumed its wonted brilliancy. He was surrounded by
a number of his devoted friends, who listened with rapt attention
to his surpassing eloquence. A test question, indicative of the pur
pose of the Convention to adjourn without action, had that day
been carried by a decided majority. The governor once rose from
his recumbent position on the sofa and said, whatever the major
ity of Union men in the Convention might do, or leave undone,
Virginia must array herself on one side or the other. She must
fight either Lincoln or Davis. If the latter, he would renounce
her, and tender his sword and his life to the Southern Confed
eracy. And although it was apparent that his physique was re
duced, as he said, to a mere " bag of bones," yet it was evident
that his spirit yet struggled with all its native fire and animation.
Soon after President Tyler came in. I had not seen him for
several years, and was surprised to find him, under the weight of
so many years, unchanged in activity and energy of body and
mind. He was quite as ardent in his advocacy of prompt State
action as Wise. Having recently abandoned the presidency of the
Peace Congress at Washington, in despair of obtaining concessions
or guarantees of safety from the rampant powers then in the ascend
ency, he nevertheless believed, as did a majority of the statesmen
of the South, that, even then, in the event of the secession of all
the Southern States, presenting thus a united front, no war of great
magnitude would ensue. I know better, from my residence in the
North, and from the confessions of the Republicans with whom I
have been thrown in contact ; but I will not dissent voluntarily
from the opinions of such statesmen. I can only, when my opin
ion is desired, intimate my conviction that a great war of the sec-
2*

18 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
tions might have been averted, if the South had made an adequate
coup LVetat before the inauguration of Lincoln, and while the Dem
ocratic party everywhere was yet writhing under the sting and
mortification of defeat. Then the arm of the Republican party
would have been paralyzed, for the attitude of the Democratic
party would at least have been a menacing one; but now, the
Government has been suffered to fall into the possession of the
enemy, the sword and the purse have been seized, and it is too late
to dream of peace — in or out of the Union. Submission will be
dishonor. Secession can only be death, which is preferable.
Gov. Wise, smiling, rose again and walked to a corner of the
room where I had noticed a bright musket with a sword-bayonet
attached. He took it up and criticised the sword as inferior to
the knife. Our men would require long drilling to become expert
with the former, like the French Zouaves ; but they instinctively
knew how to wield the bowie-knife. The conversation turning
upon the probable deficiency of a supply of improved arms in the
South, if a great war should ensue, the governor said, with one of
his inevitable expressions of feeling, that it was not the improved
arm, but the improved man, which would win the day. Let brave
men advance with flint locks and old-fashioned bayonets, on the
popinjays of the Northern cities — advance on, and on, under the
fire, reckless of the slain, and he would answer for it with his life,
that the Yankees would break and run. But, in the event of the
Convention adjourning without decisive action, he apprehended
the first conflict would be with Virginians — the Union men of
Virginia. He evidently despaired, under repeated defeats, of see
ing an ordinance of secession passed immediately, and would have
preferred "resistance" to "secession."
April 13th.— After breakfast I accompanied Gov. Wise to his
room. He advised me to remain a few days before proceeding
elsewhere. He still doubted, however, whether Virginia would
move before autumn. He said tJiere was a majority of 500 Union
men then in the city. But the other Convention, "to meet on the
16th, might do something. He recommended me to a friend of his
who distributed the tickets, who gave me a card of admission.
April Uth.— Wrote all day for several journals.
April 15th.— Great demonstrations made throughout the day,
and hundreds of secession flags are flying in all parts of the city.'

at the confederate STATES CAPIT.M.. 19
At night, while sitting with Captain 0. Jennings Wise in the
editorial room of the Enquirer, I learned from the Northern ex
change papers, which still came to hand, that my office in Phila
delphia, "The Southern Jfonitor,'" had been sacked by the mob.
It was said ten thousand had visited my office, displaying a rope
with which to hang me. Finding their victim had escaped, they
vented their fury in sacking the place. I have not ascertained the
extent of the injury done ; but if they injured the building, it be
longed to H. B., a rich Republican. They tore down the signs
(it was a corner house east of the Exchange), and split them up,
putting the splinters in their hats, and wearing them as trophies.
They next visited the mansion of Gen. P., who had made his for
tune dealing in cotton, and had been a bold Northern champion
of Southern rights. But the general flinched on this trying occa
sion. He displayed the stars and stripes, and pledged "the boys"
to lead them in battle against the secessionists.
During the evening, a procession with banners and torch-lights
came up the street and paused before the Enquirer office. They
called for Captain Wise, and I accompanied him to the iron bal
cony, where he made them a soul-stirring speech. At its conclu
sion, he seized me by the arm and introduced me to the crowd. He
informed them of the recent proceedings in Philadelphia, etc., and
then ceased speaking, leaving me to tell my own story to the list
ening multitude. That was not my fault; I had never attempted
to make a public speech in my life ; and I felt that I was in a pre
dicament. Wise knew it, and enjoyed my embarrassment. I con
trived, however, to say to the people that the time for speaking
had gone by, and there was no time left for listening. They pro
ceeded up the street, growing like a snow-ball as they rolled on
ward. At every corner there were cheers uttered for Davis, and
groans for Lincoln.
Upon returning to my boarding-house (the hotel being found
too expensive), kept by Mrs. Samuels, and her sister. Miss Long,
I found the ladies making secession flags. Indeed, the ladies
everywhere seem imbued with the spirit of patriotism, and never
fail to exert their influence in behalf of Southern independence.
April 15th. — To-day the secession fires assumed a whiter heat.
In the Convention the Union men no longer utter denunciations
against the disunionists. They merely resort to pretexts and

20 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
quibbles to stave off the inevitable ordinance. They had sent a
deputation to Washington to make a final appeal to Seward and
Lincoln to vouchsafe them such guarantees as would enable them
to keep Virginia to her moorings. But in vain. They could not
obtain even a promise of concession. And now the Union mem
bers as they walk the streets, and even Gov. Letcher himself, hear
the indignant mutterings of the impassioned storm which threatens
every hour to sweep them from existence. Business is generally
suspended, and men run together in great crowds to listen to the
news from the North, where it is said many outrages are com
mitted on Southern men and those who sympathize with them.
Many arrests are made, and the victims thrown into Fort Lafay
ette. These crowds are addressed by the most inflamed members
of the Convention, and never did I hear more hearty responses
from the people.
April 16th. — This day the Spontaneous People's Convention
met and organized in Metropolitan Hall. The door-keeper stood
with a drawn sword in his hand. But the scene was orderly. The
assembly was full, nearly every county being represented, and the
members were the representatives of the most ancient and respect
able families in the State. David Chalmers, of Halifax County, I
believe, was the President, and Willoughby Newton, a life-long
Whig, among the Vice-Presidents. P. H. Aylett, a grandson of
Patrick Henry, was the first speaker. And his eloquence indicated
that the spirit of his ancestor survived in him. But he was for
moderation and delay, still hoping that the other Convention
would yield to the pressure of public sentiment, and place the
State in the attitude now manifestly desired by an overwhelming
majority of the people. He was answered by the gallant Capt.
Wise, who thrilled every breast with his intrepid bearing and
electric bursts of oratory. He advocated action, without reference
to the other Convention, as the best means of bringing the Union
ists to their senses. And the so-called Demosthenean Seddon, and
G. W. Randolph (grandson of Thomas Jefi'erson), Lieut.-Gov.
Montague, James Lyons, Judge Robertson, etc., were there.
Never, never did I hear more exalted and eflfective bursts of
oratory. And it was apparent that messages were constantly re
ceived from the other Convention. AVhat they were, I did not
learn at the moment ; but it was evident that the Unionists were

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 21
shaking in their shoes, and they certainly begged one — ^just one —
day's delay, which was accorded them. The People's Convention
agreed to adjourn till 10 o'clock a.m. the next day. But before
we separated a commotion was observed on the stage, and the
next moment a Mr. P., from Gov. Wise's old district, rushed for
ward and announced that he had just arrived from Norfolk, where,
under instructions, and with the acquiescence of Gov. Letcher, he
had succeeded in blocking the channel of the river; and this
would either secure to us, or render useless to the United States,
certain ships of the navy, stores, armament, etc., of the value of
millions of dollars. This announcement was received with the
wildest shouts of joy. Young men threw up their hats, and old
men buttoned their coats and clapped their hands most vigorously.
It was next hinted by some one who seemed to know something
of the matter, that before another day elapsed. Harper's Ferry
would fall into the hands of the secessionists.
At night the enthusiasm increases in intensity, and no further
opposition is to be apprehended from the influence of Tim Rives,
Baldwin, Clemens, etc. etc. It was quite apparent, indeed, that
if an ordinance of secession were passed by the new Convention,
its validity would be recognized and acted upon by the majority
of the people. But this would be a complication of the civil war,
now the decree of fate.
Perhaps the occurrence which has attracted most attention is
the raising of the Southern flag on the capitol. It was hailed with
the most deafening shouts of applause. But at a quiet hour of
the night, the governor had it taken down, for the Convention had
not yet passed the ordinance of secession. Yet the stars and
stripes did not float in its stead ; it was replaced by the flag of
Virginia. Ar-RIL IYth. — This was a memorable day. Whemwe assembled
at Metropolitan Hall, it could be easily perceived that we were on
the threshold of momentous events. All other subjects, except that
of a new political organization of the State, seemed to be moment
arily delayed, as if awaiting action elsewhere. And this plan of
political organization filled me with alarm, for I apprehended it
would result in a new conflict between the old parties — Whig and
Democrat. The ingenious discussion of this subject was probably
a device of the Unionists, two or three of them having obtained

22 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
seats in the Revolutionary Convention. I knew the ineradicable
instincts of Virginia politicians, and their inveterate habit of public
speaking, and knew there were well-grounded fears that we should
be launched and lost in an illimitable sea of argument, when the
business w^s Revolution, and death to the coming invader. Be
sides, I saw no hope of unanimity if the old party distinctions and
designations were not submerged forever.
These fears, however, were groundless. The Union had received
its blessure mortelle, and no power this side of the Potomac could
save it. During a pause in the proceedings, one of the leading
members arose and announced that he had information that the
vote was about being taken in the other Convention on the ordi
nance of secession. "Very well!" cried another member, "we will
give them another chance to save themselves. But it is the last !"
This was concurred in by a vast majority. Not long after, Lieut.-
Gov. Montague came in and announced the passage of the ordi
nance by the other Convention I This was succeeded by a moment
too thrilling for utterance, but was followed by tears of gladness
and rapturous applause. Soon after. President Tyler and Gov.
Wise were conducted arm-in-arm, and bare-headed, down the
center aisle amid a din of cheers, while every member rose to
his feet. They were led to the platform, and called upon to
address the Convention. The venerable ex-President of the
United States first rose responsive to the call, but remarked that
the exhaustion incident to his recent incessant labors, and the
nature of his emotions at such a momentous crisis, superadded to
the feebleness of age, rendered him physically unable to utter
what he felt and thought on such an occasion. Nevertheless, he
seemed to acquire supernatural strength as he proceeded, and he
spoke most effectively for the space of fifteen minutes. He gave
a brief history of all the struggles of our race for freedom, from
Magna Charta to the present day; and he concluded with a
solemn declaration that at no period of our history were we
engaged in a more just and holy effort for the maintenance of
liberty and independence than at the present moment. The career
of the dominant party at the North was but a series of ago-res-
sions, which fully warranted the steps we were taking for resist
ance and eternal separation ; and if we performed our whole duty
as Christians and patriots, the same benign Providence which

at the confederate st.vtes c.\pit.\l. 'J:!
favored the cause of our forefathers in the Revolution of IIIG,
would again crown our efforts with similar success. He said he
might not survive to witness the consummation of the work begun
that day ; but generations yet unborn would bless those who had
the high privilege of being participators in it. ^
He was succeeded by Gov. AVise, who, for a quarter of an hour,
electrified the assembly by a burst of eloquence, perhaps never
surpassed by mortal orator. During his pauses a silence reigned,
pending which the slightest breathing could be distinctly heard,
while every eye was bathed in tears. At times the vast assembly
rose involuntarily to their feet, and every emotion and expression
of feature seemed responsive to his own. During his speech he
alluded to the reports of the press that the oppressors of the North
had probably seized one of his children sojourning in their midst.
" But," said he, •' if they suppose hostages of my own heart's blood
will stay my hand in a contest for the maintenance of sacred
rights, they are mistaken.* Affection for kindred, property, and
life itself sink into insignificance in comparison with the over
whelming importance of public duty in such a crisis as this." He
lamented the blindness which had prevented Virginia from seizing
Washington before the Republican hordes got possession of it —
but, said he, we must do our best under the circumstances. It was
now Independence or Death — although he had preferred fighting
in the Union — and when the mind was made up to die rather than
fail, success was certain. For himself, he was eager to meet the
ordeal, and he doubted not every Southern heart pulsated in
unison with his own.
Hon. J. M. Mason, and many other of Virginia's distinguished
sons were called upon, and delivered patriotic speeches. And
finally. Gov. Letcher appeared upon the stage. He was loudly
cheered by the very men who, two days before, would gladly have
witnessed his execution. The governor spoke very briefly, merely
declaring his concurrence in the important step that had been
taken, and his honest purpose, under the circumstances, to dis
charge his whole duty as Executive of the State, in conformity to
the will of the people and the provisions of the Constitution.
Before the sine die adjournment, it was suggested that inasmuch
as the ordinance had been passed in secret session, and it was de
sirable that the enemy should not know it before certain prepara-

24 A rebel war clerk's diary
tions could be made to avert sudden injury on the border, etc., that
the fact should not be divulged at present.
April 18th, — In spite of every precaution, it is currently
whispered in the streets to-day that Virginia has seceded from the
Union ; and that the act is to be submitted to the people for rati
fication a month hence. This is perhaps a blunder. If the South
ern States are to adhere to the old distinct sovereignty doctrine,
God help them one and all to achieve their independence of the
United States. Many are inclined to think the safest plan would
be to obliterate State lines, and merge them all into an indivisible
nation or empire, else there may be incessant conflicts between the
different sovereignties themselves, and between them and the Gen
eral Government. I doubt our ability to maintain the old cumbrous,
complicated, and expensive form of government. A national ex
ecutive and Congress will be sufficiently burdensome to the people
without the additional expense of governors, lieutenant-governors,
a dozen secretaries of State, as many legislatures, etc. etc. It is
true. State rights gave the States the right to secede. But what
is in a name ? Secession by any other name would smell as sweet.
For my part, I like the name of Revolution, or even Rebellion,
better, for they are sanctified by the example of Washington and
his compeers. And separations of communities are like the sepa
rations of bees when they cannot live in peace in the same hive.
The time had come apparently for us to set up for ourselves, and
we should have done it if there had been no such thing as State
sovereignty. It is true, the Constitution adopted at Montgomery
virtually acknowledges the right of any State to secede from the
Confederacy ; but that was necessary in vindication of the action
of its fathers. That Constitution, and the permanent one to
succeed it, will, perhaps, never do. They too much resemble the
governmental organization of the Yankees, to whom we have bid
adieu forever in disgust.
April 19th.— Dispatches from ]\[ontgomery indicate that
President Davis is as firm a States right man as any other, per
fectly content to bear the burdens of government six years', and
hence I apprehend he will not budge in the business of guarding
Virginia until after the ratification of the secession ordinance.
Thus a month's precious time will be lost ; and the scene of con
flict, instead of being in Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, will be

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 25
in Virginia. From the ardor of the volunteers already beginning
to pour into the city, I believe 25,000 men could be collected and
armed in a week, and in another they might sweep the whole
Abolition concern beyond the Susquehanna, and afterward easily
keep them there. But this will not be attempted, nor permitted,
by the Convention, so recently composed mostly of Union men.
To-night we have rumors of a collision in Baltimore. A regi
ment of Nbrthern troops has been assailed by the mob. No good
can come of mob assaults in a great revolution.
Wrote my wife to make preparations with all expedition to
escape into Virginia. Women and children will not be molested
for some weeks yet; but I see they have begun to ransack their
baggage. Mrs. Semple, daughter of President Tyler, I am in
formed, had her plate taken from her in an attempt to get it away
from Ne.w York.
April 20th. — The news has been confirmed. It was a brick
bat " Plug Ugly" fight — the result of animal, and not intellectual
or pat-riotic instincts. Baltimore has better men for the strife
than bar-room champions. The absence of dignity in this assault
will be productive of evil rather than good. Maryland is probably
lost — for her fetters will be riveted before the secession of Virginia
will be communicated by the senseless form of ratification a month
hence. Woe, woe to the politicians of Virginia who have wrought
this delay ! It is now understood that the very day before the
ordinance was passed, the members were gravely splitting hairs
over proposed amendments to the Federal Constitution !
Guns are being fired on Capitol Hill in commemoration of se
cession, and the Confederate flag now floats unmolested from the
summit of the capitol. I think they had better save the powder,
etc. At night. We have a gay illumination. This too is wrong.
We had better save the candles.
April 21st. — Received several letters to-day which had been
delayed in their transmission, and were doubtless opened on the
way. One was from my wife, informing me of the illness of Cus
tis, my eldest son, and of the equivocal conduct of some of the
neighbors. The Rev. Mr. D., son of the late B  p, raised the
flag of the Union on his church.
The telegraphic wires are still in operation.
3

26 A rebel war clerk's diary
April 22d. — Early a few mornings since, I called on Gov. Wise,
and informed him that Lincoln had called out "70,000 men. "He
opened his eyes very widely and said, emphatically, "I don't be
lieve it." The greatest statesmen of the South have no concep
tion of the real purposes of the men now in power in the United
States. They cannot be made to believe that the Government at
Washington are going to wage war immediately. But when I
placed the President's proclamation in his hand, he read it with
deep emotion, and uttered a fierce "Hah !" Nevertheless, when I
told him that these 70,000 were designed to be merely the videttes
and outposts of an army of 100,000, he was quite incredulous.
He had not witnessed the Wide-Awake gatherings the preceding
fall, as I had done, and .listened to the pledges they made to sub
jugate the South, free the negroes, and hang Gov. Wise. I next
told him they would blockade our ports, and endeavor to cut off
our supplies. To this he uttered a most positive negative. He
said it would be contrary to the laws of nations, as had been de
cided often in the Courts of Admiralty, and would be moreover a
violation of the Constitution. Of course I admitted all this ; but
maintained that such was the intention of the Washington Cabinet.
Laws and Courts and Constitutions would not be impediments in
the way of Yankees resolved upon our subjugatioB. Presuming
upon their superior numbers, and under the pretext of saving the
Union and annihilating slavery, they would invade us like the
army-worm, which enters the green fields in countless numbers.
The real object was to enjoy our soil and climate by means of con
fiscation. He poohed me into silence with an indignant frown.
He had no idea that the Yankees would dare to enter upon such
enterprises in the face of an enlightened world. But I know them
better. And it will be found that they will learn how to fight, and
will not be afraid to fight.
April 23d.— Several prominent citizens telegraphed President
Davis to-day to hasten to Virginia with as many troops as he can
catch up, assuring him that his army will grow like a snow-ball as
It progresses. I have no doubt it would. I think it would swell
to 50,000 before reaching Washington, and that the people on the
route would supply the quartermaster's stores, and improvise an
adequate commissariat. I believe he could drive the Abolitionists
out of AVashington even yet, if he would make a bold dash and

AT THE CONFKDERATli; STATES CAPITAL, 21
that there would be a universal uprising- in all tho border States
this side of the Susquehanna. But he does not respond. A"ir-
ginia was too late moving-, and North Carolina, Tennessee, Ar
kansas, Kentucky, and Missouri hav& not seceded yet — though
all of them will soon follow Virginia. Besides, the vote on the
ratification in this State is to take place a month hence. It would
be an infringement of State rights, and would be construed as an
invasion of Virginia.' Could the Union men in the Convention,
after being forced to pass the ordinance, have dealt a more fatal
blow to their country ? But that is not all. The governor is ap
pointing his Union partisans to military positions. Nevertheless,
as time rolls on, and eternal separation is pronounced by the
events that must be developed, they may prove true to the best in
terests of their native land.
Every hour there are fresh arrivals of organized companies from
the country, tendering their services to the governor ; and nearly
all the young men in the city are drilling. The cadets of the Mil
itary Institute are rendering good service now, and Professor
Jackson is truly a benefactor. I hope he will take the field him
self; and if he does, I predict for him a successful career.
Apru, 24th. — Martial music is heard everywhere, day and
night, and all the trappings and paraphernalia of war's decorations
are in great demand. The ladies are sewing everywhere, even in
the churches. But the gay uniforms we see to-day will change
their hue before the advent of another year. All history shows
that fighting is not only the most perilous pursuit in the world,
but the hardest and the roughest work one can engage in. And
many a young man bred in luxury, will be killed by exposure in
the night air, lying on the damp ground, before meeting the
enemy. But the same thing may be said of the Northmen. And
the arbitrament of war, and war's desolation, is a foregone conclu
sion. How much better it would have been if the North had per
mitted the South to depart in peace ! With political separation,
there might still have remained commercial union. But they would
not. April 25th. — Ex-President Tyler and Vice-President Stephens
are negotiating a treaty which is to ally Virginia to the Confed
erate States.
April 26th. — To-day I recognize Northern merchants and

28 A rebel war clerk's diary
Jews in the streets, busy in collecting the debts due them. The
Convention has thrown some impediments in the way ; but I hear
on every hand that Southern merchants, in the absence of legal
obligations, recognize the demands of honor, and are sending
money North, even if it be used against us. This will not last long.
April 27th.  We have had a terrible alarm. The tocsin was
sounded in the public square, and thousands have been running
hither and thither to know its meaning. Dispatches have been
posted about the city, purporting to have been received by the
governor, with the startling information that the U. S. war steamer
Pawnee is coming up the James River for the purpose of shelling
the city 1
All the soldiery, numbering some thousands, are marching down
to Rocketts, and forming in line of battle on the heights command
ing the approaches. The howitzers are there, frowning defiance;
and two long French bronze guns are slowly passing through Main
Street in the same direction. One of them has just broken down,
and lies abandoned in front of the Post-Office. Even civilians, by
hundreds, are hurrying with shot-guns and pistols to the scene of
action, and field officers are galloping through the streets. Al
though much apprehension is apparent on many faces, it is but
just to say that the population generally are resolved to make a
determined defense. There is no fear of personal danger; it is
only the destruction of property that is dreaded. But, in my
opinion, the Pawnee is about as likely to attempt the navigation
of the River Styx, as to run up this river within shelling distance
of the city.
I walked down to the lower bridge, without even taking a
pocket-pistol, and saw the troops drawn up in line of battle await
ing the enemy. Toward evening the howitzers engaged in some
unprofitable practice, shelling the trees on the opposite side.
It was a false alarm, if not something worse. I fear it is an in
vention of the enemy to divert us from the generally conceived
policy of attacking Washington, and rousing up Maryland in the
rear of Lincoln.
Met with, and was introduced to. Gov. Letcher, in the evening,
at the Enquirer office. He was revising one of his many procla
mations; and is now undoubtedly as zealous an advocate of seces
sion as any man. He said he would be ready to fight in three or

at the confeper.-\,te states cvpit.vl. 29
four days: and that he would soon have arrangements completed
to blockade the Potomac by means of formidable batteries.
April 2Sth. — Saw Judge Si-arburg, who has resigned his seat
in the Court of Claims at Washington. I believe he brought his
family, and abandoned his furniture, etc. Also Dr. Garnett, who
left most of his effects in the hands of the enemy. He was a
marked man, being the son-in-law of Gov. Wise.
Many clerks are passing through the city on their way to Mont
gomery, where they are sure to find employment. Lucky men,
some of them ! They have eaten Lincoln bread for more than a
month, and most of them would have been turned out of office if
there had been no secession. And I observe among them some
who have left their wives behind to take care of their homes.
April 29th. — I wrote to my agent on the Eastern Shore to
send me the last year's rent due on the farm. But I learn that the
cruisers in the bay are intercepting the communications, and I fear
remittances will be impracticable. I hope my family are ready by
this to leave Burlington. Women and children have not yet been
interfered with. What if they should be compelled to abandon
our property there ? Mrs. Semple had her plate seized at New
York. At fifty-one, I can hardly follow the pursuit of arms ; but I will
write and preserve a Diary of the revolution. I never held or
sought office in my life ; but now President Tyler and Gov. Wise
say I will find employment at Montgomery. The latter will pre
pare a letter to President Davis, and the former says he will draw
up a paper in my behalf, and take it through the Convention him
self for signatures. I shall be sufficiently credentialed, at all
events — provided old partisan considerations are banished from
the new confederacy. To make my Diary full and complete as
possible, is now my business. And,
"When the hurly-burly's done.
When the battle's lost and won,"
if the South wins it, I shall be content to retire to my farm, pro
vided it falls on the Southern side of the line, and enjoy sweet
repose "under my own vine and fig-tree."
April 30th. — Gen. Kearney has been brought here, having
been taken on his way to Washington from Missouri. He mani-
3*

30 A rebel war clerk's diary
fested surprise at his captivity, and says that he is no enemy ; be
ing, I believe, Southern born. I learn it is the purpose of the
governor to release him. And this may be a blunder. I fear
about as much from ill-timed Southern magnanimity as from
Northern malignity.
The Pawnee "scare" turned out just as I thought it would.
She merely turned her nose up the river, and then put about and
steamed away again. It may do good, however, if it stimu
lates the authorities to due preparation against future assaults
from that quarter.

CHAPTER IL
Depart for Montgomery.— Interview with President Davis.— My position
in the Government.- Government removed to Richmond^— My family.
May 1st.— Troops are coming in from all directions, cavalry and
infantry; but I learn that none scarcely are accepted by the State.
This is great political economy, with a vengeance I How is Gov.
Letcher to be ready to fight in a few days ? Oh, perhaps he thinks
the army will spontaneously spring into existence, march without
transportation, and fight without rations or pay ! But the Con
vention has passed an act authorizing the enlistment of a regular
army of 12,000 men. If I am not mistaken, Virginia will have to
put in the field ten times that number, and the confederacy will
have to maintain 500,000 in Virginia, or lose the border States
And If the border States be subjugated, Mr. Seward probably
would grant a respite to the rest for a season
But by the terms of the. (Tyler and Stephens) treaty, the Con
federate States will reimburse Virginia for all her expenses; and
herefore I see no good reason why this State, of all others, being
oirnv 7r'' ''°"'.' °'* '""^'^'^ ^"*° ^^"^- every well-armel
me7nn' . T""'" ''''^^- '^^''' "^^ ^""« '-<^^S^ fo^ 25,000
m n novv, and that number, if it be too late to take Washington
?s^:^z::i^^^;Sn:r^°^— ---;.;

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 31
May 2d. — There are vague rumors of lawless outrages commit
ted on Southern men in Philadelphia^ and New York ; but they
are not well authenticated, and I do not believe them. The Yan
kees are not yet ready for retaliation. They know that game
wouldn't pay. No — they desire time to get their money out of
the South ; and they would be perfectly willing that trade should
go on, even during the war, for they would be the greatest gainers
by the information derived from spies and emissaries.- I see, too,
their papers have extravagant accounts of imprisonments and
summary executions here. Not a man has yet been molested.. It
is true, we have taken Norfolk, without a battle ; but the enemy
did all the burning and sinking.
May 3d. — No letters from my wife. Probably she has taken
the children to the Eastern Shore. Her farm is there, and she has
many friends in the county. On that narrow peninsula it is hardly
to be supposed the Yankees will send any troops. With the
broad Atlantic on one side and the Chesapeake Bay on the other,
it is to be presumed there will be no military demonstration by the
inhabitants, for they could neither escape nor receive reinforce
ments from the mainland. In the war of the first Revolution,
and the subsequent one with Great Britain, this peninsula escaped
the ravages of the enemy, although the people were as loyal to the
government of the United States as any; but the Yankees are
more enterprising than the British, and may have an eye to "truck
farms" in that fruitful region.
May 4th. — Met Wm. H. B. Custis, Esq., to-day in the square,
and had a long conversation with him. He has made up his mind
to sign the ordinance. He thinks secession might have been
averted with honor, if our politicians at Washington had not been
ambitions to figure as leaders in a new revolution. Custis was
always a Democrat, and supported Douglas on the ground that
he was the regular nominee. He said his negro property a month
before was worth, perhaps, fifty thousand dollars; now his slaves
would not bring probably more than five thousand; and that
would be the fate of many slaveowners in Virginia.
May 5th. — President Tyler has placed in my hands a memorial
to President Davis, signed by himself and many of the members
of the Convention, asking appropriate civil employment for me in
the new government. I shall be content to obtain the necessary

32 A REBEL WAR OLERK'S DIARY
position to make a full and authentic Diary of the transactions of
the government. I could not hope for any commission as a civil
officer, since the leaders who have secured possession of the gov
ernment know very well that, as editor, I never advocated the pre
tensions of any of them for the Presidency of the United States.
Some of them I fear are unfit for the positions they occupy. But
the cause in which we are embarked will require, to be successful,
the efforts of every man. Those capable of performing military
duty, must perform it; and those physically incapable of wielding
the bayonet and the sword, must wield the pen. It is no time to
stand on ceremony or antecedents. The post of duty is the post
of honor. In the mighty winnowing we must go through, the
wheat will be separated from the chaff. And many a true man
who this day stands forth as a private, will end as a general. And
the efficient subordinate in the departments may be likewise ex
alted if he deserves it, provided the people have rule in the new
confederacy. If we are to have a monarchy for the sake of econ
omy and stability, I shall submit to it in preference to the
domination of the Northern radicals.
May 6th. — To-day a Yankee was caught in the street ques
tioning some negroes as to which side they would fight on, slavery
or freedom. He was merely rebuked and ordered out of the
country. Another instance of Southern magnanimity ! It will
only embolden the insidious enemy.
May 7th. — Col. R. E. Lee, lately of the United States army,
has been appointed major-general, and commander-in-chief of the
army in Virginia. He is the son of " Light Horse Harry" of the
Revolution. The North can boast no such historic names as we,
in its army. Gov. Wise is sick at home, in Princess Ann County,
but has sent me a strong letter to President Davis. I fear the
governor will not survive many months.
May 8th. — The Convention has appointed five members of
Congress to go to Montgomery : Messrs. Hunter, Rives, Brocken-
borough. Staples, and  . I have not yet seen Mr. Hunter ;
he has made no speeches, but no doubt he has done all in his
power to secure the passage of the ordinance, in his quiet but
effective way. To-day President Tyler remarked that the politi
cians in the Convention had appointed a majority of the members
from the old opposition party. The President would certainly

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 33
have been appointed, if it had not been understood he did not
desire it. Debilitated from a protracted participation in the ex
citing scenes of the Convention, he could not bear the fatigue of
so long a journey at this season of the year.
May 9th. — The Examiner still fires shot and shell at Gov.
Letcher and the dominant majority in the Convention, on account
of recent appointments. It is furious over the selection of Mr.
Baldwin, recently a leading Union man, for inspector-general ; and
seems to apprehend bad results from thrusting Union men forward
in the coming struggle. The Enquirer is moderate, and kind to
Gov. Letcher, whose nomination and subsequent course were so
long the theme of bitter denunciation. It is politic. The Whig
now goes into the secession movement with all its might. Mr.
Mosely has resumed the helm ; and he was, I believe, a secessionist
many years ago. The Dispatch, not long since neutral and con
servative, throws all its powers, with its large circulation, into the
cause. So we have perfect unanimity in the press. Per contra,
the New York Herald has turned about and leap-frogged over
the head of the Tribune into the front ranks of the Republicans.
No doubt, when we win the day, the Herald will leap back again.
Ma-? IOth. — The ladies are postponing all engagements until
their lovers have fought the Yankees. Their influence is great.
Day after day they go in crowds to the Fair ground where the
1st S. C. Vols, are encamped, showering upon them their smiles,
and all the delicacies the city affords. They wine them and cake
them — and they deserve it. They are just from taking Fort
Sumter, and have won historic distinction. I was introduced to
several of the privates by their captain, who told me they were
worth from $100,000 to half a million dollars each. The Tribune
thought all these men would want to be captains ! But that is
not the only hallucination the North labors under, judging from
present appearances ; by closing our ports it is thought we can be
subdued by the want of accustomed luxuries. These rich young
men were dressed in coarse gray homespun I We have the best
horsemen and the best marksmen in the world, and these are the
qualities that will tell before the end of the war. We fight for
existence — the enemy for Union and the freedom of the slave.
Well, let the Yankees see if this "new thing" will pay.
May 11th. — Robert Tyler has arrived, after wonderful risks

34 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
and difficulties. When 1 left Mr. Tyler in the North, the people
were talking about electing him their representative in Congress.
They tempted him every way, by threats and by promises, to make
them a speech under the folds of the "star spangled banner"
erected near his house. But in vain. No doubt they would have
elected him to Congress, and perhaps have made him a general, if
he had fallen down and worshiped their Republican idol, and
fought against his father.
May 12th.  To-day I set out for Montgomery. The weather
was bright and pleasant. It is Sunday. In the cars are many
passengers going to tender their services, and all imbued with the
same inflexible purpose. The corn in the fields of Virginia is
just becoming visible ; and the trees are beginning to disclose
their foliage.
May 13th. — We traveled all night, and reached Wilmington,
N. C, early in the morning. There I saw a Northern steamer
which had been seized in retaliation for some of the seizures of the
New Yorkers. And there was a considerable amount of ord
nance and shot and shell on the bank of the river. The people
everywhere on the road are for irfemediable, eternal separation.
Never were men more unanimous. And North Carolina has passed
the ordinance, I understand, without a dissenting voice. Better
still, it is not to be left to a useless vote of the people. The work
is finished, and the State is out of the Union without contingency
or qualification. I saw one man, though, at Goldsborough, who
looked very much like a Yankee, and his enthusiasm seemed more
simulated than real ; and some of his words were equivocal. His
name was Dibble.
To-day I saw rice and cotton growing, the latter only an inch
or so high. The pine woods in some places have a desolate
appearance ; and whole forests are dead. I thought it was caused
by the scarifications for turpentine ; but was told by an intelligent
traveler that the devastation was produced by an insect or worm
that cut the inner bark.
The first part of South Carolina we touched was not inviting.
Swamps, with cane, and cypress knees, and occasionally a plung
ing aligator met the vision. Here, I thought the Yankees, if they
should carry the war into the far south, would fare worse than
Napoleon's army of invasion in Russia.

at the confederate STATES CAPITAL. 35
But railroads seldom run through the fairest and richest por
tions of the country. They must take the route where there is the
least grading. We soon emerged, however, from the marshy dis
trict, and then beheld the vast cotton-fields, now mostly planted in
corn. A good idea. And the grain crops look well. The corn,
in one day, seems to have grown ten inches.
In the afternoon we were whisked into Georgia, and the face of
the country, as well as the color of the soil, reminded me of some
parts of France between Dieppe and Rouen. No doubt the grape
could be profitably cultivated here. The corn seems to have
grown & foot since morning.
May 14th. — The weather is very warm. Day before yesterday
the wheat was only six or eight inches high. To-day it is two or
three feet in height, headed, and almost ripe for the scythe.
At every station [where I can write a little] we see crowds of
men, and women, and boys; and during our pauses some of the
passengers, often clergymen, and not unfrequently Northern born,
address them in soul-stirring strains of patriotic eloquence. If
Uncle Abe don't find subjugation of this country, and of such a peo
ple as this, is truly a "big job" on his hands, I am much mistaken.
Passed the Stone Mountain at 11 o'clock a.m. It appears at a
distance like a vast artificial formation, resembling the pictures of
the pyramids.
Arrived at Montgomery 10 o'clock p.m., and put up at the
Montgomery House. The mosquitoes bled me all night. Mos
quitoes in the middle of May! And as they never cease to bite
till killed by the frost, the pest here is perennial.
May 15th. — From my window at the top of the house, I see
corn in silk and tassel. Three days ago the corn I saw was not
three inches high. And blackberries are in season. Strawberries
and peas are gone.
This city is mostly situated in a bottom on the Alabama River.
Being fatigued I did not visit the departments to-day, but em
ployed myself in securing lodgings at a boarding-house. Here I
met, the first time, with my friend Dr. W. T. Sawyer, of Hollow
Square, Alabama. A skillful surgeon and Christian gentleman,
his mission on earth seems to be one of pure beneficence. He had
known me before we met, it appears ; and I must say he did me
many kind offices.

36

A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY

In the afternoon I walked to the capitol, a fine structure with
massive columns, on a beautiful elevation, where I delivered seve
ral letters to the Virginia delegation in Congress. They were
exceedingly kind to me, and proffered their services very freely.
May 16th —Met John Tyler, Jr., to-day, who, with his native
cordiality, proffered his services with zeal and earnestness. He
introduced me at once to Hon. L. P. Walker, Secretary of War,
and insisted upon presenting me to the President the next day.
Major Tyler had recently been commissioned in the army, but is
now detailed to assist the Secretary of War in his correspondence.
The major is favorably known in the South as the author of seve
ral Southern essays of much power that have been published in a
Review, signed "Python."
The principal hotel is the Exchange, as in Richmond; the
entrance to the bar, reading-room, etc. is by a flight of stairs
from the street to the second story, with stores underneath. Here
there is an incessant influx of strangers coming from all directions
on business with the new government. But the prevalent belief
is that the government itself will soon travel to Richmond. The
buildings here will be insufficient in magnitude for the transaction
of the rapidly increasing business.
May ] 7th. — Was introduced to the President to-day. He was
overwhelmed with papers, and retained a number in his left hand,
probably of more importance than the rest. He received me with
urbanity, and while he read the papers I had given him, as I had
never seen him before, I endeavored to scrutinize his features, as
one would naturally do, for the purpose of forming a vague esti
mate of the character and capabilities of the man destined to per
form the leading part in a revolution which must 'occupy a large
space in the world's history. His stature is tall, nearly six feet ;
his frame is very slight and seemingly frail ; but when he throws
back his shoulders he is as straight as an Indian chief. The feat
ures of his face are distinctly marked with character ; and no one
gazing at his profile would doubt for a moment that he beheld
more than an ordinary man. His face is handsome, and his thin
lip often basks a pleasant smile. There is nothing sinister or re
pulsive in his manners or appearance ; and if there are no special
indications of great grasp of intellectual power on his forehead and
on his sharply defined nose and chin, neither is there any evidence

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES C.VPITAL. 37
of weakness, or that he could be easily moved from any settled
purpose. I think he has a clear perception of matters demanding
his cognizance, and a nice discrimination of details. As a poli
tician he attaches the utmost importance'to consistency — and here
I differ with him. I thinli that to be consistent as a politician, is
to change with the circumstances of the case. When Calhoun and
Webster first met in Congress, the first advocated a protective
tariff and the last opposed it. This was told me by Mr. Webster
himself, in 1842, when he was Secretary of State ; and it was con
firmed by Mr. Calhoun in 1S44, then Secretary of State himself.
Statesmen are the physicians of the public weal ; and what doctor
hesitates to vary his remedies with the new phases of disease ?
When the President had completed the reading of my papers,
and during the perusal I observed him make several emphatic
nods, he asked me what I wanted. I told him I wanted employ
ment with my pen, perhaps only temporary employment. I
thought the correspondence of the Secretary of War would in
crease in volume, and another assistant besides Major Tyler would
be required in his office. He smiled and shook his head, saying
that such work would be only temporary indeed; which I con
strued to mean that even he did not then suppose the war was to
assume colossal proportions.
May 18th. — To-day I had another interview with the Presi
dent. He advised me to see the Secretary of the Treasury without
delay; but the Treasury would not answer so well for my Diary.
May 19th. — 9he Secretary of War sent for me this morning,
and said he required more assistance in his correspondence, then
increasing daily ; but the act of Congress limiting salaries would
prevent him from offering me an adequate compensation. He
could only name some ten or twelve hundred dollars. I told him
my great desire was employment, and facilities to preserve inter
esting facts for future publication. I was installed at once, with
Major Tyler, in the Secretary's own office. It was my duty to
open and read the letters, noting briefly their contents on the
back. The Secretary would then indicate in pencil marks the an
swers to be written, which the major and I prepared. These were
signed by the Secretary, copied in another room, and mailed. I
was happy in the discharge of these duties, and worked assidu
ously day and night. 1

38 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
May 20th.— Mr. Walker, the Secretary of War, is some forty-
seven or eight years of age, tall, thin, and a little bent; not by age,
but by study and bad health. He was a successful lawyer, and
having never been in governmental employment, is fast working
himself down. He has not yet learned how to avoid unnecessary
labor ; being a man of the finest sensibilities, and exacting with
the utmost nicety all due deference to the dignity of his official
position. He stands somewhat on ceremony with his brother offi
cials, and accords and exacts the etiquette natural to a sensitive
gentleman who has never been broken on the wheel of office. I
predict for him a short career. The only hope for his continuance
in office is unconditional submission to the President, who, being
once Secretary of War of the United States, is familiar witti all
the wheels of the department. But soon, if I err not, the Presi
dent will be too much absorbed in the fluctuations of momentous
campaigns, to give much of his attention to any one of the depart
ments. Nevertheless Mr. Walker, if he be an apt scholar, may
learn much before that day; and Congress may simplify his duties
by enacting a uniform mode of filling the offices in the field. The
applications now give the greatest trouble ; and the disappointed
class give rise to many vexations.
May 21st. — Being in the same room with the Secretary, and
seen by all his visitors, I am necessarily making many new ac
quaintances ; and quite a number recognize me by my books which
they have read. Among this class is Mr. Benjamin, the Minister
of Justice, who, to-day, informed me that he and "Senator Bayard
had been interested, at Washington, in my " Story of Disunion."
Mr. Benjamin is of course a Jew, of French lineage, born I believe
in Louisiana, a lawyer and politician. His age may be sixty, aud
yet one might suppose him to be less than forty. His hair md
eyes are black, his forehead capacious, his face round and as intel
lectual as one of that shape can be ; and ^Ir. B. is certainly a man
of intellect, education, and extensive reading, combined with natu
ral abilities of a tolerably high order. Upon his lip there seems
to bask an eternal smile ; but if it be studied, it is not a smile-
yet it bears no unpleasing aspect.
ISIay 22d.— To-day I had, in our office, a specimen of Mr.
Memminger's oratory. He was pleading for an installment of the
claims of South Carolina on the Confederacy; and Mr. Walker,

at tiie confederate states O-U'ITAl,. 39
always hesitating, argued the other side, merely for delay. Both
are fine speakers, with most distinct enunciation and mnsical voices.
The demand was audited and paid, amounting, I believe, to several
hundred thousand dollars.
And I heard and saw Mr. Toombs to-day, the Secretary of State.
He is a portly gentleman, but with the pale face of the student and
the marks of a deep thinker. To gaze at him in repose, the cas
ual spectator would suppose, from his neglect of dress, that he was
a planter in moderate circumstances, and of course not gifted with
extraordinary powers of intellect; but let him open his mouth, and
the delusion vanishes. At the time alluded to he was surrounded
by the rest of the cabinet, in our office, and the topic was the pol
icy of the war. He was for taking the initiative, and carrying the
war into the enemy's country. And as he warmed with the sub
ject, the man seemed to vanish, and the genius alone was visible.
He was most emphatic in the advocacy of his policy, and bold
almost to rashness in his denunciations of the merely defensive
idea. He was opposed to all delays, as fraught with danger ; the
enemy were in the field, and their purposes were pronounced.
Why wait to see what they meant to do ? If we did that, they
would not only invade us, but get a permanent foothold on our
soil. We must invade or be invaded ; and he was for making the
war as terrible as possible from the beginning. It was to be no
child's play; and nothing could be gained by reliance upon the
blunders and forbearance of the Yankees. News had been re
ceived of the occupation of Alexandria and Arlington Heights, in
Virginia ; and if we permitted them to build fortifications there,
we should not be able to expel them. He denounced with bit
terness the neglect of the authorities in Virginia. The enemy
should not have been permitted to cross the Potomac. During
the month which had elapsed since the passage of the ordinance in
Virginia, nothing had been done, nothing attempted. It was true,
the vote on ratification had not been taken ; and although that
fact might shield the provisional government from responsibility,
yet the delay to act was fraught with danger and perhaps irrepa
rable injury. Virginia alone could have raised and thrown across
the Potomac 25,000 men, and driven the Yankees beyond the Sus
quehanna. But she, to avoid responsibility, had been telegraphing
Davis to come to the rescue ; and if he (Toombs) had been in
Davis's place, he would have taken the responsibility.

40 A REBEL WAR CLERIv's DIARY
The Secretary of War well knew how to parry. these thrusts;
he was not responsible. He was as ultra a man as any; and all
he could do was to organize and arm the troops authorized by
Congress. Some thirty odd thousand were mustered in already;
and at least five thousand volunteers were offering daily. Mr.
Toombs said five hundred thousand volunteers ought to be ac
cepted and for the war. We wanted no six or twelve months'
men. To this the Secretary replied that the Executive could not
transcend the limits prescribed by Congress.
These little discussions were of frequent occurrence; and it soon
became apparent that the Secretary of War was destined to be the
most important man among the cabinet ministers. His position
afforded the best prospect of future distinction — always provided
he should be equal to the position, and his administration attended
with success. I felt convinced that Toombs would not be long
chafing in the cabinet, but that he would seize the first opportu
nity to repair to the field.
May 23d.— To-day the President took the cars for Pensacola,
where it had been said everything was in readiness for an assault
on Fort Pickens. Military men said it could be taken, and
Toombs, I think, said it ought to be taken. It would cost, per
haps, a thousand lives; but is it not the business of war to con
sume human life ? Napoleon counted men as so much powder to
be consumed ; and he consumed millions in his career of conquest.
But still he conquered, which he could not have done without the
consumption of life. And is it not better to consume life rapidly,
and attain results quickly, than to await events, when all history
shows that a protracted war, of immobile armies, alwavs engulfs
more men in the grave from camp fevers than usually fall in battle
during the most active operations in the field ?
To-day I saw Col. Bartow, who has the bearing and eye of a
gallant officer. He was attended by a young man named Lamar,
of fine open countenance, whom he desired to have as his aid;
bnt the regulations forbid any one acting in that capacity who was
not a lieutenant; and Lamar not being old enough to have a com
mission, he said he would attend the colonel as a volunteer aid till
he attained the prescribed age. I saw Ben McCulloch, also-an
unassuming but elastic and brave man. He will make his mark.
Also Capt. Mcintosh, who goes to the West. I think I saw him

AT THE COX FEDERATE STATES C.VPITAL. 41
in 1646, in Paris, at the table of Mr. King, our Minister ; but I
had no opportunity to ask him. He is all enthusiasm, and will
rise with honor or fall with glory. And here 1 beheld for the first
time Wade Hampton, resolved to abandon all the comforts of his
great wealth, and encounter the privations of the tented field in
behalf of his menaced country.
Arkansas and Tennessee, as I predicted, have followed the ex
ample of Virginia and North Carolina; and I see evidence daily
in the mass of correspondence, that Missouri and Kentucky will
follow in good time.
May 24th. — Congress passed, in secret session, a resolution to
remove the seat of government to Richmond ; but I learn it has
been vetoed by the President. There is a strong feeling against
going thither among some of the secessionists in the Cotton States.
Those who do not think there will be a great deal of fighting,
have apprehensions that the border States, so tardy in the seces
sion movement, will strive to monopolize the best positions and
patronage of the new government. Indeed, if it were quite cer
tain that there is to be no war for existence — as if a nation could
be free without itself striking the blow for freedom — I think there
would be a party — among the politicians, not the people — opposed
to confederating with the border slave States.
Some of his fellow-members tell many jokes on Mr. Hunter.
They say every time he passes the marble-yards going up to the
capitol, and surveys the tomb-stones, he groans in agony, and
predicts that he will get sick and die here. If this be true, I pre
dict that he will get the seat of government moved to Richmond,
a more congenial climate. He has a way of moving large bodies,
which has rarely failed him ; and some of his friends at the hotels,
already begin to hint that he is the proper man to be the first
President of the permanent government. I think he will be
President some day. He would be a safe one. But this whisper
at the hotel has produced no little commotion. Some propose
making him Secretary of War, as a sure means of killing him off.
I know a better way than that, but I wouldn't suggest it for the
world. I like him very much.
To-day the Secretary placed in my hands for examination and
report, a very long document, written by a deposed or resigned
Roman priest. He urged a plan to avert the horrors of war. He
4*

42 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
had been to see Lincoln, Gov. Letcher, etc., and finally obtained
an interview on " important business" with President Davis. The
President, not having leisure even to listen to his exordium, re
quested him to make his communication briefly in writing. And
this was i/!— about twenty pages of foolscap. It consisted chiefly
of evidences of the exceeding wickedness of war, and suggestions
that if both belligerents would only forbear to take up arms, the
peace might be preserved, and God would mediate between them.
Of course I could only indorse on the back "demented." But
the old man hung round the department for a week afterward, and
then departed, I know not whither. I forget his name, bnt his
paper is in the archives of the government. I have always dif
fered with the preachers in politics and war, except the Southern
preachers who are now in arms against the invader. I think
war is one of the providences of God, and certainly no book
chronicles so much fighting as the Bible. It may be to the human
race what pruning is to vegetation, a necessary process for the
general benefit.
May 25th. — There is to be no fight — no assault on Pickens.
But we are beginning to send troops forward in the right direc
tion — to Virginia. Virginia herself ought to have kept the in
vader from her soil. Was she reluctant to break the peace ? And
is it nothing to have her soil polluted by the martial tramp of the
Yankees at Alexandria and Arlington Heights ? But the wrath
of the Southern chivalry will some day burst forth on the ensan
guined plain, and then let the presumptuous foemen of the North
beware of the fiery ordeal they have invoked. The men I see
daily keeping time to the music of revolution are fighting men,
men who will conquer or die, and who prefer death to subjugation.
But the Yankee has no such motive to fight for, no thought of
serious wounds and death. He can go back to his own country;
our men have no other country to go to.
May 26th. — Was called on by the l^piscopal minister to-day,
Dr. Sawyer having informed him that I was a member of the
church — the doctor being one also. He is an enthusiastic young
man, and though a native of the North, seems to sympathize with
us very heartily. He prays for the President of the-Confederate
States. The President himself attends very regularly, and some
intimate that he intends to become a candidate for membership.

AT THE CONFEDER^VTE STATES CAPITAL. 43
I have not learned whether he has been baptized. Gen. Cooper,
the first on our list of generals in the regular army, is a member
of the church. The genertil was, I think, adjutant-general at
Washington. He is Northern born. Major Gorgas is likewise a
native of the North. He is Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance.
The Quartermaster-General, Major ]Myers, is said to be a Jew ;
while the Commissary-General is almost a Jesuit, so zealous is he
in the advocacy of the Pope.
Mr. Mallory, the Secretary of the Navy, I have seen but once ;
but I have heard him soundly abused for not accepting some
propositions and plans from Mobile and elsewhere, to build iron
clad steam rams to sink the enemy's navy. Some say Mr. M. is
an Irishman bom. He was in the United States Senate, and em
braced secession with the rest of the " conspirators" at Wash
ington. I saw the Vice-President to-day. I first saw Mr. Stephens at
Washington in 1843. I was behind him as he sat in the House of
Representatives, and thought him a boy, for he was sitting beside
large members. But when I got in front of him, it was apparent
he was a man — every inch a man.
There is some excitement in official circles here against Mr.
Browne, the Assistant Secretary of State, on the ground that he
interfered in behalf of a Mr. Hurlbut, a Northern man (prob
ably arrested), a writer in the English Reviews against slavery in
the South, and a correspondent for the New York Tribune. Mr.
B. is an Englishman, who came from Washington on the invita
tion of Mr. Toombs, and through his influence was appointed
Assistant Secretary of State, and the Southern gorge rises at it.
I doubt whether he will be molested.
I saw Major Tochman to-day, also a foreigner. He is author
ized to enlist a regiment or two of Polanders in New Orleans,
where I am told there are none.
And there are several Northern men here wanting to be gen
erals. This does not look much like Southern homogeneity. God
save us, if we are not to save ourselves I
How hot it is 1 But I like hot weather better than cold, and
would soon become accustomed to this climate. This morning
Mr. Hunter really seemed distressed ; but he has four inches on
Jiis ribs, and I not the eighth of an inch.

44 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
Since writing the foregoing, I have seen Mr. Hunter again, and
although there is no diminution of heat, he is quite cheerful.
Congress has again passed the resolution to remove the seat of
government to Richmond, and it is said the President will not
veto it this time. The President himself came into our office to
day and sat some time conversing with Secretary Walker. He
did not appear vexed at the determination of Congress, which he
must have been apprised of
May 26th. — The President is sick to-day — having a chill, I
believe. Adjutant- General Cooper was in, comparing notes with
the Secretary as to the number of regiments in the field. The
Secretary has a most astonishing memory, and could easily number
the forces without referring to his notes. The amount is not large,
it is true ; but, from the eagerness to volunteer, I believe if we
had the arms there might soon be organized an army of three or
four hundred thousand men. And yet it would seem that no one
dreams of armies of such magnitude. Wait till we sleep a little
longer ! A great many separate companies are accepted ; all
indeed that offer for three years or the war, provided they have
arms — even double-barreled shot-guns and hunting rifles. What
a deal of annoyance and labor it will be to organize these into
battalions, regiments, brigades, and divisions ! And then comes
the appointment of staff and field officers. This will be labor for
the President. But he works incessantly, sick or well.
We have an agent in Europe purchasing arms. This was well
thought on. And Capt. Huse is thought to be a good selection.
It will be impossible for Lincoln to keep all our ports hermeti
cally sealed. Hitherto improvident, it is to be hoped the South
will now go to work upon her own resources. We have plunged
into the sea of revolution, and must, unaided, sink or swim. The
Yankees say they are going to subdue us in six months. What
fools I
I tasted green corn to-day, and, although very fond of it, I
touched it lightly, because it seemed so much out of season. The
country around is beautiful, and the birds are singing as merrily as
if we were about to enter upon a perennial Sabbath-day, instead
of a desolating war. But the gunpowder will be used to destroy
the destroyer, man, and why should not the birds sing ? The
china-trees are beautiful, and abundant about the dwellings.

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPIT.-VL. 45
May 27th, — We leave Montgomery day after to-morrow. The
President goes to-day — but quietly — no one, not connected with
the Government, to have information of the fact until his arrival
in Richmond. It is understood that the ^linister of Justice (At
torney-General) accompanies him. There are a great number of
spies and emissaries in the country — sulficient, if it were known
when the train would pass, to throw it off the track. This pre
caution is taken by the friends of the President.
The day is pretty much occupied in the packing of boxes. It is
astonishing how vast a volume of papers accumulates in a short
space of time — but when we consider the number" of applications
for office, the wonder ceases.
May 28th. — Little or no business was done this day. The
Secretary announced that no more communications would be con
sidered by him in Montgomery. He placed in my charge a great
many unopened letters, and a special list of candidates for office,
with annotations. These I packed in my trunk.
As I was to precede the Secretary, and having some knowledge
of the capacity of the public buildings in Richmond, I was charged
with the duty of securing, if possible, suitable offices for the De
partment of War. I made hasty preparations for departure.
Before starting, something prompted me to call once more at
the post-office, where, to my surprise and delight, I found a letter
from my wife. She was in Richmond, with all the children. Tabby
and the parrot. She had left Burlington about the same time I had
left Richmond. At Havre-de-Grace, on the Susquehanna, which
they crossed in the night, my youngest daughter was compelled
with difficulty to stride over the sleeping bodies of Yankee soldiers.
She writes that she deposited, very carefully, our plate in the
bank I The idea that all might have been brought off if she had
only known it, is the source of her wretchedness; She writes that
she had been materially assisted by Mr. Grubb and his lady,
prompted by personal friendship, by humanity, and by those gener
ous instincts of the true nobility of heart imparted by the Creator.
Mr. G. is true to the Constitution and the Government under
which he lives — and would doubtless never consent to a rupture of
the Union under any circumstances. He has a son in the army
against us. And Col. Wall, another personal friend, boldly
shook hands with my family at parting, while the Wide-Awake

46 A REBEL WAR CLERIC'S DIARY
file leaders stood ^cowling by. I hope he may not suffer for his
temerity. These things occupied my thoughts during a sleepless night in
the cars. My abode in New Jersey had been a pleasant one. I
had a fine yard and garden, and many agreeable neighbors. I
loved my garden, and cultivated my own grapes, pears, peaches,
apples, raspberries, currants, and strawberries. I had fruits and
vegetables in the greatest profusion. And the thrushes and other
migratory birds had come to know me well, and sang me to sleep
at night, and awakened me with their strains in the morning. They
built their nest? near the windows, for the house was embowered
in trees, and half covered with ivy. Even my cats, for every living
thing was a pet to some one of the family, — when I think of thera
now, wandering about unprotected, give rise to painful emotions.
But even my youngest child was willing to make any sacrifice for
the sake of her country. The South is our only home — we have
been only temporary sojourners elsewhere.
May 29th and 30th, — The remainder of the journey was with
out interest, until we arrived at Wythville, Va., where it was dis
covered Gen. Floyd was in the cars. He was called out and
made a speech in vindication of his conduct at Washington, as
Secretary of War, wherein he had caused the transfer of arms, etc.
from the North to the South. He was then organizing a brigade
for the field, having been commissioned a brigadier-general by the
President. May 31st. — I arrived in Richmond about 1 o'clock p.m. The
meeting with my family was a joyful scene. All were well.
I lost no time in securing rooms for the department in the new
custom-house. Mr, Giles had been employed in this business by
the Congressional Committee, and I found him every way accom
modating. I succeeded without difficulty in convincing him that
the War Department was the most important one, and hence en
titled to the first choice of rooms. I therefore selected the entire
suites on both sides of the hall on the lower floor. The Treasury,
the Executive office. Cabinet chamber, and Departments of Jus
tice and the Navy were located on the floor above. This arrange
ment, however, was understood to be but a temporary one ; Me
chanics Hall was leased for future purposes ; and I was consulted
on the plan of converting it into suites of offices.

AT THE confederate STATES CAPITAL. 47

CHAPTER III.
Troops pour in>o Richmond. — Beginning of hostilities. — Gen. Lee made a
full general. — Major-Gen. Polk. — A battle expected at Manassas.
June 1st. — In the absence of the Secretary, I arranged the
furniture as well as I could, and took possession of the five offices
I had selected. But no business, of course, could be done before
his arrival. Yet an immense mass of business was accumulating —
letters by the hundreds were demanding attention.
And I soon found, as the other Secretaries came in, that some
dissatisfaction was likely to grow out of the appropriation by the
Secretary of War of the best offices. Mr. Toombs said the "war
office" might do in any ordinary building; but that the Treasury
should appropriately occupy the custom-house, which was fire
proof. For his own department, he said he should be satisfied
with a room or two anywhere. But my arrangement was not
countermanded by the President, to whom I referred all objectors.
His decision was to be final — and he did not decide against it. I
had given him excellent quarters ; and I knew he was in the habit
of having frequent interviews both with the Secretary of War and
the Adjutant-General, and this would be inconvenient if they were
in different buildings.
June 2d. — My wife had a little gold among her straightened
finances; and having occasion to purchase some article of dress,
she obtained seven and a half per cent, premium. The goods began
to go up in price, as paper money fell in value. At Montgomery
I bought a pair of fine French boots for $10 in gold — but packed
my old ones in the top of my trunk. I was under the necessity,
likewise, of buying a linen coat, which cost only $3.50. What
will be the price of such commodities a year hence if the blockade
continues ? It is fearful to contemplate ! And yet it ought to be
considered. Boarding is rising rapidly, and so are the blood
thirsty insects at the Carleton House.

48 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
June 3d.— The Secretary arrived to-day, sick ; and was accom
panied by Major Tyler, himself unwell. And troops are beginning
to arrive in considerable numbers. The precincts of the city will
soon be a series of encampments. The regiments are drilled here,
and these mostly forwarded to Manassas, where a battle must soon
occur, if the enemy, now in overwhelming numbers, should ad
vance. The Northern papers say the Yankee army will celebrate
the 4th of July in Richmond. Nous verrons. But no doubt hos
tilities have commenced. We have accounts of frightful massacres
in Missouri, by German mercenaries. Hampton has been occupied
by the enemy, a detachment having been sent from Fortress Mon
roe for that purpose. They also hold Newport News on the Pen
insula. There are rumors of a fight at PhilippL One Col.
Potterfield was surprised. If this be so, there is no excuseJor
him. I think the President will make short work of incompetent
commanders. Now a blunder is worse than a crime.
June 4th. — The Secretary is still sick. Having nothing better
to do, and seeing that eight-tenths of the letters received are
merely applications for commissions in the regular army — an or
ganization without men — and none being granted from civil life, I
employed myself writing certain articles for the press, hoping by
this means to relieve the Secretary of the useless and painful
labor of dictating negative rephes to numberless communications.
This had the sanction of both the President and the Secretary,
and produced, in some measure, the desired relief.
June 5th. — There are rumors of a fight down at Pig's Point
to-day ; and it is said our battery has torn the farthingale of the
Harriet Lane pretty extensively. The cannon was heard by
persons not many miles east of the citj'. These are the mutter
ings of the storm. It will burst some of these days.
June 6th. — We have hard work at the War Department, aud
some confusion owing to the loss of a box of papers in transitu
from Montgomery. I am not a betting man, but I would wager
a trifle that the contents of the box are in the hands of some cor
respondent of the New York Herald or Tribune. Our careless
people think that valor alone will win the day. The Yankees
desire, above all things, information of our condition aud move
ments, of which they will take advantage. We must learn by
dear-bought experience.

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPIT.VL. 49
Ju.vE 7th. — We have a Chief of the Bureau of War, a special
favorite, it is said, of Mr. Davis, I went into the Secretary's
room (I now occupy one adjoining), and found a portly gentleman
in a white vest sitting alone. The Secretary was out, and had
not instructed the new officer what to do. He introduced himself
to me, and admitted that the Secretary had not assigned him to
duty. I sa-w at a glance how the land lay. It was Col. A. T.
Bledsoe, lately of the University of Virginia ; and he had been
appointed by the President, not upon the recommendation of the
Secretary. Here was a muss not larger than a mustard-seed ; but
it might grow, for I knew well how sensitive was the nature of
the Secretary ; and he had not been consulted. And so I took
it upon myself to be cicerone to the stranger. He was very
grateful,^^for a long time. Col. B. had graduated at West Point
in the same class with the President and Bishop Polk, and subse
quently, after following various pursuits, being once, I believe, a
preacher, became settled as a teacher of mathematics at the Uni
versity of Virginia. The colonel stayed near me, aiding in the
work of answering letters; but after sitting an hour, and groaning
repeatedly when gazing at the mass of papers constantly accumu
lating before us, he said he believed he would take a number of
them to his lodging and answer them there. I saw nothing more of
him during the day. And once or twice, when the Secretary came
in, he looked around for him, but said nothing. Finally I in
formed him what I had done ; and, without signifying an assent,
he merely remarked that there was no room in his office for him.
June 8th. — This morning Col. Bledsoe came in with his letters,
some fifty in number, looking haggard and worn. It was, indeed,
a vast number. But with one of his humorous smiles, he said they
were short. He asked me to look over them, and I found them
mainly appropriate responses to the letters marked for answer, and
pretty closely in accordance with the Secretary's dictation. In
one or two instances, however, he had been unable to decipher the
Secretary's most difficult chirography — for he had no idea of
punctuation. In these instances he had wholly misconcieved the
meaning, and the replies were exactly the reverse of what they
were intended to be. These he tore up, and wrote others before
submitting any to the Secretary. 5

50 A REBEL WAR CLERIi'S DIARY
I had only written some thirty letters ; but mine were longer-
longer than there was any necessity for. I told the colonel that
the Secretary had a partiality for " full " letters, especially when ad
dressing any of his friends; and that Major Tyler, who had re
turned, and was then sitting with the Secretary, rarely dismissed
one from his pen under less than three pages. The colonel smiled,
and said when there was nothing further to say, it was economy to
say nothing. He then carried his letters into the Secretary's of
fice, clearing his throat according to custom on passing a door.
I trembled for him ; for I knew Mr. Walker had an aversion to
signing his name to letters of merely two or three lines. He re
turned again immediately, saying the Secretary was busy. He left
the letters, however.
Presently Major Tyler came out of the Secretary's room with
several voluminous letters in his own handwriting, duly signed.
The major greeted the colonel most cordially; and in truth his
manners of a gentleman are so innate that I believe it would be
utterly impossible for him to be clownish or rude in his address, if
he were to make a seriotft effort to be so.
The major soon left us and re-entered the Secretary's office;
but returned immediately bearing the colonel's fifty letters, which
he placed before him and then retired. The very first one the
colonel's eye rested upon, brought the color to his face. Every
line in it had been effaced, and quite a different answer substituted
in pencil marks between the lines I "I wrote that," said the col
onel, "according to his own dictation." And as every letter car
ried in its fold the one to which it was a reply, he exhibited the
Secretary's words in pencil marks. The colonel was right. The
Secretary had omitted the little word "not"; and hence the col
onel had written to the Georgian : "Your company of cavalry is
accepted." The Secretary refused almost uniformly to accept cav
alry, and particularly Georgia cavalry. I took blame to myself
for not discovering this blunder previously. But the colonel, with
his rapid pen, soon wrote another answer. About one-half the
letters had to be written over again ; and the colonel, smiling, and
groaning, and perspiring so extravagantly that he threw off his
coat, and occupied himself several hours in preparing the answers in
accordance with the Secretary's corrections. And when they were
done, Mr. S, S. Scott, who was to copy them in the letter-book.

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 51
complimented the colonel on their brevity. In response to this,
the colonel said, unfortunately, he wished he, Scott, were the sec
retary. Scott abused every one who wrote a long letter.
June 9th. — To-day the Secretary refused to sign the colonel's
letters, telling him to sign them himself — "by order of the Secre
tary of War." «
June 10th. — Yesterday the colonel did not take so many let
ters to answer; and to-day he looked about him for other duties
more congenial to his nature.
June 11th. — It is coming in earnest I The supposed thunder,
heard down the river yesterday, turns out to have been artillery.
A fight has occurred at Bethel, and blood — Yankee blood — has
flowed pretty freely. Magruder was assailed by some five thousand
Yankees at Bethel, on the Peninsula. His force was about nine
hundred ; bnt he was behind intrenchments. We lost but one man
killed and five wounded. The enemy's loss is several hundred.
That road to Richmond is a hard one to travel ! But I learn
there is a, panic about Williamsburg. Several young men from
that vicinity have shouldered their pens and are applying for clerk
ships in the departments. But most of the men of proper age in
the literary institutions are volunteering in defense of their native
land. June 12th. — Gen. Lee has been or is to be created a full gen
eral in the Confederate army, and will be assigned to duty here.
He is third on the list, Sydney Johnston being second. From all
I can see and infer, we shall make no attempt this year to invade
the enemy's country. Our policy is to be defensive, and it will be
severely criticised, for a vast majority of our people are for " car
rying the war into Africa" without a moment's delay. The sequel
will show which is right, the government or the people. At all
events, the government will rule.
June 13th. — Only one of the Williamsburg volunteers came
into the department proper; and he will make his way, for he is a
flatterer. He told me he had read my " Wild Western Scenes "
twice, and never was so much entertained by any other book. He
went to work with hearty good- will.
June 14th. — Col. Bledsoe has given up writing almost entirely,
but he groans as much as ever. He is like a fish out of water,
and unfit for office.

52 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
June 15th. — Another clerk has been appointed; a sedate one,
by the name of Shepherd, and a former pupil of the colonel's.
I received several hints that the Chief of the Bureau was not at
all a favorite with the Secretary, who considered him utterly unfit
for the position ; and that it could hardly be good policy for me to
be on terms of such intimacy with him. Policy ! A word I never
appreciated, a thing I never knew. All I know is that Col. Bled
soe has been appointed by the President to fill an important posi
tion ; and the same power appoints the secretaries, and can un
make them. Under these circumstances I find him permitted to
sit for hours and days in the department with no one to inform
him of the condition of the business or to facilitate him in the per
formance of his official duties. Not for any partiality in his be
half, or prejudice against the Secretary, I step forward and en
deavor to discharge my own duty. I strive to serve the cause,
whatsoever may be the consequences to my personal interests.
June 16th. — To-day, receiving dispatches from General Floyd,
in Western Virginia, that ten thousand Yankees were advancing
through Fayette County, and might intercept railroad communica
tion between Richmond and Chattanooga — the Secretary got me
to send a telegraphic dispatch to his family to repair hither with
out delay, for military reasons. About this time the Secretary's
health gave way again, and Major Tyler had another fit of indis
position totally disqualifying him for business. Hence I have
nearly all the correspondence of the department on my hands,
since Col. Bledsoe has ceased to write.
June 17th. — To-day there was a rumor in the streets that Har
per's Ferry had been evacuated by Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, and,
for the first time, I heard murmurs against the government. So
far, perhaps, no Executive had ever such cordial and unanimous
support of the people as President Davis. I knew the motive of
the evacuation, and prepared a short editorial for one of the pa
pers, suggesting good reasons for the retrograde movement ; and
instancing the fact that when Napoleon's capital was surrounded
and taken, he had nearly 200,000 men in garrison in the countries
he had conquered, which would have been ample for the defense of
France. This 1 carried to the Secretary at his lodgings, and he
was so well pleased with it he wanted me to accompany him to the
lodgings of the President, in the same hotel, and show it to him.

AT THE CONFEDER.VTE STATES CAPITAL. 63
This I declined, alleging it might be too late for the press. He
laughed at my diffidence, and disinclination on such occasions to
approach the President. I told him my desire was to serve the
cause, and not myselt". I suppose he was incredulous.
June 18th. — The city is content at the evacuation. The peo
ple have unbounded confidence in the wisdom of the administra
tion, and the ability of our generals. Beauregard is the especial
favorite. The soldiers, now arming daily, are eager for the fray;
and it is understood a great battle must come off before many
weeks; as it is the determination of the enemy to advance from the
vicinity of Washington, where they are rapidly concentrating.
But our people must curb their impatience. And yet we dare not
make known the condition of the army, — the awful fact which
may be stated here — and will not be known until after-years, — that
we have not enough ammunition at Manassas to fight a battle.
There are not percussion caps enough in our army for a serious
skirmi.-'h. It will be obviated in a few weeks; and until then I
pray there may be no battle. But if the enemy advance, our brave
men will give them the cold steel. We must win the first battle
at all hazards, and at any cost; and, after that, — how long after?
— we must win the last !
June 19th. — Yesterday I saw Colonel Bartow, still accompa
nied by young Lamar, his aid. I wish all our officers were in
spired by the same zeal and determination that they are. And
are they not ?
June 20th. — Gov. Wise has been appointed brigadier-general,
of a subsequent date to General Floyd's commission. He goes to
the West, where laurels grow ; but I think it will be difficult to
win them by any one acting in a subordinate capacity, and espe
cially by generals appointed from civil life. They are the aversion
of the West Pointers at the heads of bureaus.
June 21st. — A large, well-proportioned gentleman with florid
complexion and intellectual face, who has been whispering with
Col. Bledsoe several times during the last week, attracted my at
tention to-day. And when he retired, Colonel B. informed me it
was Bishop Polk, a classmate of his and the President's at West
Point. He had just been appointed a major-genera,], and assigned
to duty in the West, where he would rank Gen. Pillow, who was
exceedingly unpopular in Adjutant-Gen. Cooper's office. I pro

54 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
sume this arose solely from mistrust of his military abilities; for
he had certainly manifested much enthusiasm in the cause, and was
constantly urging the propriety of aggressive movements with his
command. All his purposed advances were countermanded. The
policy of the government is to be economical of the men. We have
but a limited, the enemy an inexhaustible number.
June 22d.  The Convention has appointed ten additional mem
bers to the Provisional Congress — President Tyler among them.
It will be observed that my Diary goes on, including every day.
Fighting for our homes and holy altars, there is no intermission
on Sunday. It is true, Mr. Memminger came in the other day
with a proposition to cease from labor on Sunday, but our Secre
tary made war on it. The President, however, goes to church
very regularly — St. Paul's.
On last Sunday the President surprised me. It was before
church time, and I was working alone. No one else was in the
large room, and the Secretary himself had gone home, quite ill.
I thought I heard some one approaching lightly from behind, but
wrote on without looking up ; even when he had been standing
some time at the back of my chair. At length I turned my head,
and beheld the President not three feet from me. He smiled, and
said he was looking for a certain letter referred by him to the
Secretary. I asked the name of the writer, which he told me. I
said I had a distinct recollection of it, and had taken it into the
Secretary with other papers that morning. But the Secretary was
gone. We then proceeded into the Secretary's office in search of
it. The Secretary's habit was to take the papers from his table,
and after marking on them with his pencil the disposition he
wished made of them, he threw them helter-skelter into a large
arm-chair. This chair now contained half a bushel; and the Pres
ident and I set to work in quest of the letter. We removed them
one by one; and as we progressed, he said with an impatient
smile, "it is always sure to be the last one." And so it was.
Having found it, he departed immediately ; and soon after I saw
him on his way to church.
June 23d. — Every day as soon as the first press of business is
over, the Secretary comes out of his office and taps me on the
shoulder, and invites me to ride with him in quest of a house.
We go to those offered for rent; but he cannot be suited.

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 55
June 24th. — To-day I was startled by the announcement from
Col. Bledsoe that he would resign soon, and that it was his pur
pose to ask the President to appoint me chief of the bureau in his
place. I said I preferred a less conspicuous position — and less
labor — but thanked him. He said he had no influence with the
Secretary — an incontrovertible fkct; and that he thought he
should return to the University. While we were speaking, the
President's messenger came in with a note to the colonel ; I did
not learn the purport of it, but it put the colonel in a good
humor. He showed me the two first words: "Dear Bledsoe." He
said nothing more about resigning.
I must get more lucrative employment, or find something for
my son to do. The boarding of my family, alone, comes to more
than my salary; and the cost of everything is increasing.
June 25th. — More accounts of battles and massacres in Mis
souri and Kansas. I never thought the Yankees would be per
mitted to ascend the Missouri River. What has become of the
marksmen and deer hunters of Missouri ? There has been also a
fight at Leesburg, and one near Romney, Va. Blood has been
shed in all of them. These are the pattering drops that must in
evitably be succeeded by a torrent of blood 1
June 26th. — The President revised one of my articles for the
press to-day, suggesting some slight modifications, which, perhaps,
improved it. It was not a political article ; but designed exclu
sively to advance the cause by inciting the people of Virginia
and elsewhere to volunteer for the war. Such volunteers are ac
cepted, and ordered into active service at once ; whereas six and
twelve months' men, unless they furnish their own arms, are not
accepted. It is certain the United States intend to raise a grand army, to
serve for three years or the war. Short enlistments constituted
the bane of Washington's army ; and this fact is reiterated a thou
sand times in his extant letters.
There are a great many applications for clerkships in the de
partments by teachers who have not followed their pupils to the
army. Army and naval officers, coming over at this late day,
are commissioned in our service. In regard to this matter, the
President is supposed to know best.
June 27th. — We have, I think, some 40,000 pretty well armed

56 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
men in Virginia, sent hither from other States. Virginia has — I
know not how many; but she should have at least 40,000 in the
field. This will enable us to cope with the Federal army of 70,000
volunteers, and the regular forces they may hurl against us. But
so far as this department is aware, Virginia has not yet two regi
ments in the service for three years, or the war. And here the war
will be sure to rage till the end !
June 28th. — We have a flaming comet in the sky. It comes
unannounced, and takes a northwestern course. I dreamed last
night that I saw a great black ball moving in the heavens,
and it obscured the moon. The stars were in motion, visibly, and
for a time afforded the only light. Then a brilliant halo illumin
ated the zenith like the quick-shooting irradiations of the aurora
borealis. And men ran in different directions, uttering cries of
agony. These cries, I remember distinctly, came from men. As
I gazed upon the fading and dissolving moon, I thought of the war
brotight upon us, and the end of the United States Government.
My family were near, all of them, and none seemed alarmed or dis
tressed. I experienced no perturbation ; but I awoke. I felt
curious to prolong the vision, but sleep had fled. I was grati
fied, however, to be conscious of the fact that in this illusory view
of the end of all things sublunary, I endured no pangs of remorse
or misgivings of the new existence it seemed we were about to en
ter upon.
June 29th. — I cannot support my family here, on the salary I
receive from the government ; and so they leave me in a few days
to accept the tendered hospitality of Dr. Custis, of Newbern, N. C,
my wife's cousin.
June 30th. — My family engaged packing trunks. They leave
immediately.

AT THE CONFEDERATE ST.VTES CAPITAL. 57

CHAPTER IV.
My family in Xorth Carolina. — Volunteers daily rejected. — Gen. AVinder
appears upon the stage. — Toombs commissioned. — Hunter Secretary of
State. — Duel prevented.— Col B. Secretary for a few hours. — Gen. Gar
nett killed. — Battle of Manassas. — Great excitement. — Col. Bartow.
July 1st. — My family are gone. We have moved the depart
ment to Mechanics' Hall, which will be known hereafter as the
War Department. In an evil hour, I selected a room to write
my letters in, quite remote from the Secretary's office. I thought
Mr. Walker resented this He had likewise been piqued at the
effect produced by an article I had written on the subject of the dif
ficulty of getting arms from Georgia with the volunteers from that
State. One of the spunky Governor's organs had replied with
acerbity, not only defending the Governor, but striking at the
Secretary himself, to whom the authorship was ascribed. My
article had been read and approved by the Secretary before its
insertion ; nevertheless he now regretted it had been written — not
that there was anything improper in it, but that it should have
been couched in words that suggested the idea to the Southern
editor that the Secretary might be its author. I resolved to med
dle with edged tools no more; for I remembered that Gil Bias
had done the same thing for the Duke of Lerma. Hereafter I
shall study Gil Bias for the express purpose of being his antith
esis. But I shall never rise until the day of doom brings us all to
our feet again.
July 2d. — There has been some brilliant fighting by several
brothers named Ashby, who led a mounted company near Romney.
One of the brothers, Richard, was slain. Turner Ashby put half
a dozen Yankees hors du combat with his own arm. He will
make a name. We have accounts of an extraordinary exploit of
Col. Thomas, of Maryland. Disguised as a French lady, he took
passage on the steamer St. Nicholas at Baltimore en route for
Washington. During the voyage he threw off his disguise, and in

58 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
company with his accomplices, seized the steamer. Coming down
the Bay, he captured three prizes, and took the whole fleet into
Fredericksburg in triumph. Lieut. Minor, C. S. N., participated
in this achievement. Gen. Patterson, who conciliated the mob in
Philadelphia, which had intended to hang me, seems to be true to
his pledge to fight the Southern people. He is now advancing
into Virginia at the head of a brigade.
July 3d.  The Secretary said to me to-day that he desired my
young friend, the classical teacher, to assist me in writing letters.
I told him I needed assistance, and Mr. Jacques was qualified.
Major Tyler's ill health keeps him absent half the time. There
was abundance of work for both of us. Mr. J. is an agreeable
companion, and omitted no opportunity to oblige me. But he
trenches on the major's manor, and can write as long letters as
any one. I would never write them, unless the subject-matter de
manded it; and so, all the answers marked "full" by the Secretary,
when the sum and substance is to be merely an affirmative or a
negative, will fall to my co-laborer's share.
July 4th. — These simple things provoked some remarks from
the young gentlemen in the department, and gave rise to predic
tions that he would soon supplant us all in the affections of the
Secretary. And he is nimble of foot too, and enters the Secre
tary's room twice to Col. B.'s or Major T.'s once. I go not
thither unless sent for ; for in a cause like this, personal advance
ment, when it involves catering to the caprices of functionaries
dressed in a little brief authority, should be spurned with con
tempt. But Col. Bledsoe is shocked, and renews his threats of
resignation. Major Tyler is eager to abandon the pen for the
sword; but Congress has not acted on his nomination; and the
West Pointers, many of them indebted to his father for their
present positions, are inimical to his confirmation.
July 5th.^ — ^We have news of a fight at Gainesville between Gen.
Patterson and Col. Jackson ; the latter, being opposed by over
whelming numbers, fell back after punishing the Philadelphia
general so severely that he will not be likely to have any more
stomach for fighting during the remainder of the campaign.
July 6th. — Col. Bledsoe complains that the Secretary still has
quite as little intercourse with him, personal and official, as pos
sible. The consequence is that the Chief of the Bureau is draw-

at THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 59
ing a fine salary and performing no service. Still, it is not with
out the sweat of his brow, and many groans.
July 7th. — Major Tyler's health has improved, but I do not
perceive a resumption of his old intimate relations with the Sec
retary. Yet he is doing the heavy epistolary work, being a lawyer;
and the correspondence sometimes embracing diverse legal points.
My intimacy with the colonel continues. It seems he would do
anything in the world for me. He has put Mr. Shepherd to issuing
passports to the camps, etc, — the form being dictated by the Sec
retary. These are the first passports issued by the government. I
suggested that they should be granted by and in the name of the
Chief of the Bureau of War — and a few were so issued — but the
Secretary arrested the proceeding. The Secretary was right,
probably, in this matter.
The President is appointing generals enough, one would sup
pose. I hope we shall have men for them. From five to ten
thousand volunteers are daily offered ^ — but not two thousand
are accepted. Some have no arms; and others propose to serve
only for six or twelve months. Infantry will not fight with hunt
ing rifles or shot-guns ; and the department will not accept
mounted men, on account of the expense of transportation, etc.
Oh, that I had power but for a week ! There should then be ac
cepted fifty regiments of cavalry. These are the troops for quick
marches, surprises, and captures. And our people, even down
to the little boys, are expert riders. If it were to be a short war
— or if it were to be a war of invasion on our part — it might he
good policy, economically, to discourage cavalry organizations.
But we shall want all our men ; and many a man would fight in
the saddle who could not or would not march in the infantry.
And mounted men are content to use the double-barreled shot
gun — one barrel for ball, the other for buck-shot and close quar
ters. July 8th. — There is a stout gray-haired old man here from
Maryland applying to be made a general. It is Major J. H.
Winder, a graduate of West Point, I believe ; and I think he will
be successful. He is the son, I believe, of the Gen. Winder whose
command in the last war with England unfortunately permitted
the City of Washington to fall into the hands of the enemy. I
have almost a superstitious faith in lucky generals, and a cor-

60 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
responding prejudice against unlucky ones, and their progeny.
But I cannot suppose the President will order this general into
the field. He may take the prisoners into his custody — and do
other jobs as a sort of head of military police ; and this is what I
learn he proposes. And the French Prince, Polignac, has been
made a colonel ; and a great nephew of Kosciusko has been com
missioned a lieutenant in the regular army. Well, Washington
had his Lafayette — and I like the nativity of these officers better
than that of the Northern men, still applying for commissions.
July 9th. — Mr. Toombs is to be a brigadier-general. That
is what I looked for. The two brothers Cobb are to be colonels ;
and Orr is to have a regiment.
Mr. Hunter succeeds Toombs in the State Department — and
that disposes of him, if he will stay there. It is to be an obscure
place ; and if he were indolent, without ambition, it would be the
very place for him. Wise is done for. He has had several fights,
always drawing blood ; but when he gets ready to make a great
fight, he is ordered back for fear of his "rashness,'' Exacting
obedience in his own subordinates, of course he will obey the
orders of Adjt.-Gen. Cooper. In this manner I apprehend that
the three giants of Virginia, Wise, Hunter, and Floyd, will be
neutralized and dwarfed at the behest of West Point. Napoleon's
marshals were privates once — ours — but perhaps West Point may
be killed off in the end, since they rush in so eagerly at the begin
ning of the war.
July 10th. — There are indications of military operations on a
large scale on the Potomac. We have intelligence that McDowell
is making preparations to advance against our forces at Manassas.
Gen. Johnston is expected to be there in time ; and for that pur
pose is manoeuvring Gen. Patterson out of the way. Our men
have caps now — and will be found in readiness. They have short-
commons under the Commissary Department; but even with
empty stomachs, they can beat the Yankees at the ordeal of dying.
Fighting is a sport our men always have an appetite for.
July 11th. — The colonel tried his hand to-day at dictating
answers to certain letters. Together we pitched upon the proper
replies, which, after being marked with his pencil, I elaborated
with the pen. These were first approved by the Secretary, then
signed by the Chief of the Bureau, and copied by Mr. Scott.

AT THE CONFEDEIL\TE STATES CAPITAL. t'l 1
To-day the colonel essayed a flight with his own plumage, I
followed his dictation substantially in the answers. But tho mo
ment the Secretary's eyes rested upon them, they were promptly
reversed. The Secretary himself, suspecting how it was, indeed
he saw the colonel's pencil marks, brought them to me, while
a humorous smile played upon his usually not very expressive
lip. When the colonel came in, and beheld what had been done,
he groaned, and requested me to write the proper answers. From
that day he ceased to have anything more to do with the cor
respondence than to sign bis name to the letters I prepared for
him. He remarked to-day that if he was to have nothing to do,
he would do nothing.
July 12th. — The colonel's temper is as variable as an April
day — ^now all smiles and sunshine, but by-and-by a cloud takes all
away. He becomes impatient with a long-winded story, told by
some business applicant — and storms whenever any one asks him
if the Secretary is in.
To-day, for the first time, I detected a smile on the lip of Col.
Myers, the Quartermaster-General, as he passed through the
office. A moment after, Gen. Walker, of Georgia, came in, and
addressed the colonel thus :
" Is the Secretary in ?"
Col. (with a stare). I don't know.
Gen. W. (returning the stare). Could you not ascertain for
me ? I have important business with him ; and am here by ap
pointment. Col. B. You can ascertain for yourself. I am not his door
keeper. There is his door.
Gen. W. (after a moment's reflection). I asked you a civil
questionr in a courteous manner, and have not deserved this harsh
ness, and will not submit to it.
Col. B. It is not courteous to presume I am acting in the ca
pacity of a messenger or door-keeper.
Just then the Secretary appeared at the door, having heard the
loud language, and Gen. W. immediately entered his office.
Afterward the colonel fumed and fretted like an angry volcano.
He disliked Col. Myers, and believed he had sent the general in
under prompting to annoy him about the Secretary, whom he
(Myers) really hated.

62 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
July 13th. — The Secretary made peace yesterday between the
general and the colonel, or a duel might have transpired.
To-day the colonel carried into the Secretary a number of ap
plications for commissions as surgeons. Among the applicants
were some of the colonel's friends. He returned soon after in a
rage, slamming the door after him, and then throwing down the
papers violently on the floor. He picked them up the next mo
ment, however, and sitting down beside me, became instantane
ously as gentle as a dove. He said the men of science were
thrust aside to give way to quacks ; but, laughing, he remarked
that the quacks would do well enough for the wounded  .
Our men- would have too much sense to submit to their mal
practice. July 14th. — The Secretary is sick again. He has been recom
mended by his physician to spend some days in the country ; and
to-morrow he will leave with his family. What will be the conse
quence ?
July 15th. — Early this morning. Major Tyler was seated in
the Secretary's chair, prepared to receive the visitors. This, I
suppose, was of course in pursuance of the Secretary's request ;
and accordingly the door-keeper ushered in the people. But not
long after Col. Bledsoe arrived, and exhibited to me an order from
the President for him to act as Secretary of War pro tern. The
colonel was in high spirits, and full dress ; and seemed in no
measure piqued at Major Tyler for occupying the Secretary's
chair. The Secretary must have been aware that the colonel was
to act during his absence — but, probably, supposed it proper that
the major, from his suavity of manners, was best qualified for the
reception of the visitors. He had been longer in the department,
and was more familiar with the routine of business. Yet the
colonel was not satisfied ; and accordingly requested me to inti
mate the fact to Major Tyler, of which, it seemed, he had no pre
vious information, that the President had appointed Col. Bledsoe
to act as Secretary of War during the absence of Mr. Walker.
The major retired from the office immediately, relinquishing his
post with grace.
July 16th.— The Secretary was back again this evening. He
could not procure comfortable quarters in the country. He seemed
ve.xed, but from what cause, I did not learn. The colonel, how-

AT THE COXFEDER.VTE STATES CAPIT.VL. 6)!
ever, had rushed the appointmenlf:. He was determined to bo
quick, because Mr. W. was known to be slow aud hesitating.
July 17th. — The news is not so good to-day. Gen. Gariiett's
small command has been defeated by the superior numbers of Gen.
McClellan. But the general himself was killed, fighting in the
rear of his retreating men. His example will not be without its
effect. Our generals will resolve never to survive a defeat. This
will embolden the enemy to attack us at ^lanassas, where their
suddenly acquired confidence will be snuffed out, or I am mis
taken. July 18th. — The major is sick again, and Jacques is away ;
therefore I have too much work, and the colonel groans for me.
He is proud of the appointments he made with such rapidity, and
has been complimented. And in truth there is no reason why the
thousands of applications should not be acted on promptly ; and
there are many against delay. A large army must be organized
immediately, and it will be necessary to appoint thousands of field
and staff officers — unless all the governors are permitted to do as
Gov. Brown desires to do. The Secretary is in better health, and
quite condescending. My work pleases him ; and I shouldn't be
astonished if he resented the sudden absence of Mr. Jacques. But
he should consider that Mr. J. is only an amateur clerk getting no
pay, rich, and independent of the government.
July 19th. — We had fighting yesterday in earnest, at Bull
Run! Several brigades were engaged, and the enemy were re
pulsed with the loss of several hundred left dead and wounded on
the field. That u-as fighting, and we shall soon have more of it.
Brig.-Gen. Holmes, my friend and fellow-fugitive, now stationed
near Fredericksburg, has been ordered by Gen. Beauregard to be
ready to march at an hour's notice. And Col. Northrop's chin
and nose have become suddenly sharper. He is to send up fight
ing rations for three days, and discerns the approach of sanguinary
events. Mr. Hunter calls every evening, just as the dusky shades of eve
descend, to inquire if we have any news,
July 20th. — The Secretary works too much — or rather does
not economize his labor. He procrastinates final action; and
hence his work, never being disposed of, is always increasing in
volume. Why does he procrastinate ? Can it be that his hesita-

(54 A REBEL WAR OLERK'S DIARY
tion is caused by the advice of the President, in his great solici
tude to make the best appointments ? We have talent enough in
the South to officer millions of men. Mr. Walker is a man of
capacity, and has a most extraordinary recollection of details.
But I fear his nerves are too finely strung for the official tread
mill. I heard him say yesterday, with a sigh, that no gentleman
can be fit for office. Well, Mr. Walker is a gentleman by educa
tion and instincts ; and is fastidiously tenacious of what is due a
gentleman. Will his official life be a long one ? I know one thing
— there are several aspiring dignitaries waiting impatiently for his
shoes. But those who expect to reach the Presidency by a suc
cessful administration of any of the departments, or by the be
stowal of patronage, are laboring under an egregious error. None
but generals will get the Imperial purple for the next twenty years
— if indeed the prematurely made "permanent'''' government should
be permanent.
July 21st, — The President left the city this morning for Ma
nassas, and we look for a battle immediately. I have always
thought he would avail himself of his prerogative as commander-
in-chief, and direct in person the most important operations in the
field ; and, indeed, I have always supposed he was selected to be
the Chief of the Confederacy, mainly with a view to this object,
as it was generally believed he possessed military genius of a high
order. In revolutions like the present, the chief executive occu
pies a most perilous and precarious position, if he be not a mili
tary chieftain, and present on every battle-field of great magnitude.
I have faith in President Davis, and believe he will gain great
glory in this first mighty conflict.
Early in the evening Secretary Walker returned from tea in
great excitement. He strode to and fro in the room where we
were sitting, d  g his office. He said a great battle was then
going on, and he wished himself present participating in its perils.
Again he denounced the office he filled— and seemed, for a time,
almost frantic with anxiety. He said all young men ought to be
in the field, and this was understood by those present, who had
merely shouldered their pens.
Before long the ball of the department was filled with people
eager to hear the news; and as successive dispatches were received,
the excitement increased. All the cabinet were in our office ;

AT THE CONFEDERATE ST.VTES CAPlTVI. G;")
and Hon. Howell Cobb, President of Congress, making deductions
from the dispatches, announced his belief that it was a drawn
battle. This moved the wrath of Col. Bledsoe, and he denounced
Cobb. Mr. Hunter did nothing but listen. It was night, now.
Finally, !Mr. Benjamin, who had gone to the Spottswood Hotel,
where ilrs. Davis resided, returned with news that stopped every
detracting tongue. Mrs. D. had just got a dispatch from the
President announcing a dearly-bought but glorious victory. Some
of the editors of the papers being present, and applying to me for
a copy of the dispatch, Mr. Benjamin said he could repeat it from
memory, which he did, and I wrote it down for the press. Then
joy ruled the hour ! The city seemed lifted up, and every one ap
peared to walk on air. Mr. Hunter's face grew shorter ; Mr.
Reagan's eyes subsided into their natural size ; and Mr. Benjamin's
glowed something like Daniel Webster's after taking a pint of
brandy. The men in place felt that now they held their offices
for life, as the permanent government would soon be ratified by
the people, and that the Rubicon had been passed in earnest. We
had gained a great victory ; and no doubt existed that it would
be followed up the next day. If so, the Federal city would in
evitably fall into our hands ; and this would soon be followed by
the expulsion of the enemy from Southern soil. All men seemed
to think that the tide of war would roll from that day northward
into the enemy's country, until we should win a glorious peace.
July 22d. — Both Col. B. and I were in a passion this morning
upon finding that the papers had published a dispatch from their
own agent at Manassas, stating that the President did not arrive
upon the field until the victory was won ; and therefore did not
participate in the battle at all. From the President's own dis
patch, and other circumstances, we had conceived the idea that he
was not only present, but had directed the principal operations in
the field. The colonel intimated that another paper ought to be
established in Richmond, that would do justice to the President;
and it was conjectured by some that a scheme was on foot to elect
some other man to the Presidency of the permanent government
in the autumn. Nevertheless, we learned soon after that the abused
correspondent had been pretty nearly correct in his statement.
The battle had been won, and the enemy were flying from the
field before the President appeared upon it. It had been won by
6*

66 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
Beauregard, who, however, was materially assisted by his superior
in command. Gen. Joseph E. Johnston. Gen. J. remained in the
rear, and brought up the reinforcements which gained the day.
Beauregard is, to-day, the most popular general in the service.
Besides some 500 prisoners, the enemy, it is said, had 4500 killed
and wounded. The casualties would have been much greater, if
the enemy had not broken and fled. We lost some 2000 men,
killed and wounded.
The President returned to-day and made a speech at the Spotts
wood Hotel, wherein he uttered the famous words: "Never be
haughty to the humble, or humble to the haughty." And he said
that no doubt the Confederate flag then floated over Fairfax C. H.,
and would soon be raised at Alexandria, etc. etc. Never heard
I more hearty cheering. Every one believed our banners would
wave in the streets of Washington in a few days ; that the enemy
would be expelled from the District and from'Marylaiid, and that
a peace would be consummated on the banks of the Susquehanna
or the Schuylkill. The President had pledged himself, on one
occasion, to carry the war into the enemy's country, if they would
not let us go in peace. Now, in that belief, the people were well
pleased with their President.
July 2od. — Jacques is back and as busy as a bee ; and, in truth,
there is work enough for all.
July 24th. — Yesterday we received a letter from Col. Bartow,
written just before the battle (in which he fell, his letter being re
ceived after the announcement of his death), urging the appoint
ment of his gallant young friend Lamar to a lieutenancy. I noted
these facts on the back of his letter, with the Secretary's approba
tion, and also that the request had been granted, and placed the
letter, perhaps the last he ever wrote, in the archives for preserva
tion. July 25th.— Bartow's body has arrived, and lies in state at the
Capitol. Among the chief mourners was his young friend Barton,
who loved him as a son loves his father. From Lamar I learned
some interesting particulars of the battle; He said when Bartow's
horse was killed, he, Lamar, was sent to another part of the field
for another, and also to order up certain regiments, Bartow then
being in command of a brigade. Lamar galloped through a hot
cross-fire to the regiments and delivered the order, but got no

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 67
horse. He galloped back, however, through the terrible fire, with
the intention of giving his own horse to Bartow, if none other
could be had. On his return he encountered Col. Jones, of the
4th Alabama, wounded, his arms being around the necks of two
friends, who were endeavoring to support him in a standing atti
tude. One of these called to Lamar, and asked for his horse,
hoping that Col. Jones might be able to ride (his thigh-bone was
terribly shattered), and thus get off the field. Lamar paused, and
promised as soon* as he could report to Bartow he would return
with that or another horse. Col. Jones thanked him kindly, but
cautioned him against any neglect of Bartow's orders, saying he
probably could not ride. Lamar promised to return immediately ;
and putting spurs to his noble steed, started off in a gallop. He
had not gone fifty yards before his horse fell, throwing him over
his head. He saw that the noble animal had been pierced by as
many as eight balls, from a single volley.- He paused a moment
and turned away, when the poor horse endeavored to rise and fol-
' low, bnt could not. He returned and patted the groaning and
tearful steed on his neck; and, while doing this, _y?De more balls
struck him, and he died instantly. Lamar then proceeded on
foot through a storm of bullets, and, untouched, rejoined Bartow
in time to witness his fall.
Our prisons are filled with Yankees, and Brig.-Gen. Winder has
employment. There is a great pressure for passports to visit the
battle-field. At my suggestion, all physicians taking amputating
instruments, and relatives of the wounded and slain, have been
permitted by the Secretary to go thither.
July 26th. — Many amusing scenes occur daily between the
Chief of the Bureau and applicants for passports. Those not in
cluded specially in the Secretary's instructions, are referred to the
Chief of the Bureau ; and Col. Bledsoe cannot bear importunity.
Sometimes he becomes so very boisterous that the poor applicants
are frightened out of the office.
July 27th. — A large number of new arrivals are announced
from the North. Clerks resigned at Washington, and embryo
heroes having military educations, are presenting themselves daily,
and applying for positions here. They represent the panic in
the North as awful, and ours is decidedly the winning side. These
gentry somehow succeed in getting appointments.

68 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
Our army does not advance. It is said both Beauregard and
Johnston are anxious to cross the Potomac ; but what is said is
not always true. The capabilities of our army to cross the Poto
mac are not known; and the policy of doing so if it were practi
cable, is to be determined by the responsible authority. Of one
thing I am convinced: the North, so far from desisting from the
execution of its settled purpose, even under this disagreeable re
verse, will be stimulated to renewed preparations on a scale of
greater magnitude than ever.
July 28th. — ^We have taken two prisoners in civilian's dress,
Harris and ¦  , on the field, who came over from Washington in
quest of the remains of Col. Cameron, brother of the Yankee Sec
retary of War. They claim a release on the ground that they are
non-combatants, but admit they were sent to the field by the Yankee
Secretary. Mr. Benjamin came to the department last night with
a message for Secretary Walker, on the subject. The Secretary
being absent, he left it with me to deliver. It was that the pris
oners were not to be liberated without the concurrence of the '
President. There was no danger of Secretary Walker releasing
them ; for I had heard him say the authorities might have obtained
the remains, if they had sent a flag of truce. Disdaining to con
descend thus far toward a recognition of us as belligerents, they
abandoned their dead and wounded; and he. Walker, would see
the prisoners, thus surreptitiously sent on the field, in a very hot
place before he would sign an order for their release. I was grati
fied to see Mr. Benjamin so zealous in, the matter.
July 29th. — Today quite a number of our wounded men on
crutches, and with arms in splints, made their appearance in the
streets, and created a sensation. A year hence, and we shall be
accustomed to such spectacles.
July 30th. — Nothing of importance to-day.
July 31st. — Nothing worthy of note.

AT THE CONFEDER/VTE STATES CAPITAL. G9

CHAPTER V.
My son Custis appointed clerk in the War Department.— N. Y. Herald con
tains a pretty correct army list of the C. S. — Appearance of "Plug Ug
lies.'' — President's rupture ivith Beauregard. — President sick. — Alien
enemies ordered away. — Brief interview with the President. — "Imme
diate." — Large numbers of cavalry offering. — Great preparations in the
North. August 1st. — Col. Bledsoe again threatens to resign, and again
declares he will get the President to appoint me to his place. It
would not suit me.
August 2d. — After some brilliant and successful fights, we
have a dispatch to-day stating that Gen. Wise has fallen back in
Western Virginia, obeying peremptory orders.
August .3d. — Conversed with some Yankees to-day who are to
be released to-morrow. It appears that when young Lamar lost
his horse on the plains of Manassas, the 4th Alabama Regiment
had to fall back a few hundred yards, and it was impossible
to bear Col. Jones, wounded, from the field, as he was large and
unwieldy. When the enemy came up, some half dozen of their
men volunteered to convey him to a house in the vicinity. They
were permitted to do this, and to remain with him as a guard.
*-6oon after our line advanced, and with such impetuosity as to
sweep everything before it. Col. Jones was rescued, and his
guard made prisoners. But, for their attention to him, he asked
their release, which was granted. They say their curiosity to see
a battle-field has been gratified, and they shall be contented to re
main at home in safety hereafter. They regarded us as rebels,
and believed us divided among ourselves. If this should be true,
the rebellion would yet be crushed ; but if we were unanimous and
continued to fight as we did at Manassas, it would be revolution,
and our independence must some day be acknowledged by the
United States. But, they say, a great many Northern men remain
to be gratified as they had been ; and the war will be a terrible

70 A REBEL WAR CLERK's DIARY
one before they can be convinced that a reduction of the rebellion
is not a practicable thing.
August 4tii.  To-day Mr. Walker inquired where my son
Custis was. 1 told him he was with his mother at Newbern,
N. C, He authorized me to telegraph him to return, and he
should be appointed to a clerkship.
August 5th, — Col. Bledsoe has a job directly from the Presi
dent : which is to adapt the volume of U. S. Army Regulations to
the service of the Confederate States. It is only to strike out
U. S. and insert C. S., and yet the colonel groans over it.
August 6th. — Custis arrived and entered upon the discharge
of his duties.
August 7th, — Saw Col. Pendleton to-day, but it was not the
first time. I have seen him in the pulpit, and heard him preach
good sermons. He is an Episcopal minister. He it was that
plowed such destruction through the ranks of the invaders at
Manassas. At first the battery did no execution ; perceiving this,
he sighted the guns himself and fixed the range. Then exclaim
ing, "Fire, boys ! and may God have mercy on their guilty souls!"
he beheld the lanes made through the regiments of the enemy.
Since then he has been made a colonel, and will some day be a
general; for he was a fellow-cadet at West Point with the Presi
dent and Bishop Polk.
A tremendous excitement! The New York Herald has been
received, containing a pretty accurate list of our military forces
in the different camps of the Confederate States, with names and
grades of the general officers. The Secretary told me that if he
had required such a list, a more correct one could not have been
furnished him. Who is the traitor? Is he in the Adjutant-Gen
eral's office? Many suppose so; and some accuse Gen. Cooper,
simply because he is a Northern man by birth. But the same infor
mation might be supplied by the Quartermaster's or Commissary-
General's office; and perhaps by the Ordnance Bureau; for all
these must necessarily be in communication with the different or
ganizations in the field. Congress was about to order an investi
gation ; but it is understood the department suggested that the
matter could be best searched into by the Executive. For my
part, I have no doubt tlieie are many Federal spies in the depart
ments. Too many clerks were imported from Washington. And

at the confederate states CAPITAL. 71
yet I doubt if any one in a subordinate position, without assist
ance from higher authority, could have prepared the list published
in the Herald
August 8th.— For some time past (but since the battle at Manas
sas) quite a number of Northern and Baltimore policemen have
made their appearance in Richmond. Some of these, if not in
deed all of them, have been employed by Gen. Winder. These
men, by their own confessions, have been heretofore in Baltimore,
Philadelphia, and New York, merely petty larceny detectives,
dwelling in bar-rooms, ten-pin alleys, and such places. How can
they detect political offenders, when they are too ignorant to com
prehend what constitutes a political offense? They are illiterate
men, of low instincts and desperate characters. But their low
cunning will serve them here among unsuspecting men. They
will, if necessary, give information to the enemy themselves, for
the purpose of convincing the authorities that a detective police is
indispensable ; and it is probable a number of them will be, all the
time, on the pay-rolls of Lincoln.
August 9th. — Gen. Magruder commands on the Peninsula.
President Tyler had a villa near Hampton, which the Yankees
despoiled in a barbarous manner. They cut his carpets, defaced
the pictures, broke the statues, and made kindling wood of the
piano, sofas, etc.
August IOth. — Mr. Benjamin is a frequent visitor at the de
partment, and is very sociable : some intimations have been thrown
out that he aspires to become, some day. Secretary of War. Mr.
Benjamin, unquestionably, will have great influence with the Pres
ident, for he has studied his character most carefully. He will
be familiar not only with his "likes," but especially with his "dis
likes." It is said the means used by Mr. Blair to hold Gen.
Jackson, consisted not so much in a facility of attaching strong
men to him as his friends, but in aiming fatal blows at the great
leaders who had incurred the enmity of the President. Thus Cal
houn was incessantly pursued.
August 11th. — There is a whisper that something like a rup
ture has occurred between the President and Gen. Beauregard ;
and I am amazed to learn that Mr. Benjamin is inimical to Gen.
B. I know nothing of the foundation for the report; but it is
said that Beauregard was eager to pass with his army into Mary-

Y2 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
land, immediately after the battle, and was prevented. It is now
quite apparent, from developments, that a small force would have
sufficed to take Washington, a few days or weeks after the battle.
But was Beauregard aware of the fact, before the opportunity
ceased to exist ? It is too late now !
August 12th. — There is trouble with Mr. Tochman, who was
authorized to raise a regiment or so of foreigners in Louisiana.
These troops were called (by whom ?) the Polish Brigade, though,
perhaps, not one hundred Polanders were on the muster-rolls;
Major Tochman being styled General Tochman by "everybody,"
he has intimated to the President his expectation of being com
missioned a brigadier. The President, on his part, has promptly
and emphatically, as is sometimes his wont, declared his purpose
to give him no such commission. He never, for a moment, thought
of making him more than a colonel. To this the major demurs,
and furnishes a voluminous correspondence to prove that his
claims for the position of brigadier-general had been recognized
by the Secretary of War.
August 13th. — The President sent to the department an inter
esting letter from Mr. Zollicoffer, in Tennessee, relating to the
exposed condition of the country, and its capacities for defense.
August 14th. — Zollicoffer has been appointed a brigadier-gen
eral ; and although not a military man by education, I think he
will make a good officer.
August 15th. — No clew yet to the spies in office who furnish
the Northern press with information. The matter will pass unin
vestigated. Such is our indifference to everything but desperate
fighting. The enemy will make good use of this species of infor
mation. August 16th. — The President is sick, and goes to the country.
I did not know until to-day that he is blind of an eye. I think an
operation was performed once in Washington.
August 17th. — Some apprehension is felt concerning the Presi
dent's health. If he were to die, what would be the consequences?
I should stand by the A'ice-President, of course, because " it is so
nominated in the bond," and because I think he would make as
efficient an Executive as any other man in the Confederacy. But
others think difl'erently ; and there might be trouble.
The President has issued a proclamation, in pursuance of the

at the confederate states CAPIT.VL. 73
act of Congress passed on the 8th instant, commanding all alien
enemies to leave in forty days; and the Secretary of AVar has in
dicated Nashville as the place of e.xit. This produces but little
excitement, except among the Jews, some of whom are converting
their effects into gold and departing.
Col. Bledsoe's ankles are much too weak for his weighty body,
but he can shuffle along quite briskly when in pursuit of a refrac
tory clerk; and when he catches him, if he resists, the colonel is
sure to leave him.
August 18th. — Nothing worthy of note.
August 19th. — The Secretary has gone to Orange C. H., to
see Col. Jones, of the 4th Alabama, wounded at Manassas, and
now in a dying condition.
Meeting with Mr. Benjamin this morning, near the Secretary's
door, I asked him if he did not think some one should' act as Sec
retary during Mr. Walker's absence. He replied quickly, and
with interest, in the affirmative. There was much pressing busi
ness every hour ; and it was uncertain when the Secretary would
return. I asked him if he would not speak to the President on
the subject. He assented ; but, hesitating a moment, said he
thought it would be better for me to see him. I reminded him of
my uniform reluctance to approach the Chief Executive, and he
smiled. He then urged me to go to the presidential mansion, and
in hi?, Mr. B.'s name, request the President to appoint a Secre
tary ad interim. I did so, for the President was in the city that
day, and fast recovering from his recent attack of ague.
Arrived at the mansion in Clay Street, I asked the servant if I
could see the President. He did not know me, and asked my
name, saying the President had not yet left his chamber. I wrote
my business on a card with a pencil, not omitting to use the name
of Mr. Benjamin, and sent it up. A mbment after the President
came down, shook hands with me, and, in his quick and rather
pettish manner, said "send me the order." I retired immediately,
and finding Mr. Benjamin still in the hall of the department, in
formed him of my success. Then, in conformity with his sugges
tion, I repaired to Adjutant- General Cooper, who wrote the order
that A. T. Bledsoe discharge the duties of Secretary of War during
the absence of Mr. Walker. This I sent by a messenger to the
President, who signed it. 7

74 a rebel war clerk's diary
Then I informed Col. Bledsoe of what had been done, and he
proceeded without delay to the Secretary's office. It was not long
before I perceived the part Mr. Benjamin and I had acted was
likely to breed a storm; for several of the employees, supposed
to be in the confidence of Mr. Walker, designated the proceeding
as an "outrage;" and some went so far as to intimate that Mr.
Benjamin's motive was to have some of his partisans appointed to
lucrative places in the army during the absence of the Secretary.
I know not how that was; but I am sure I had no thought but
for the public service. The Secretary ad in. made but few ap
pointments this time, and performed the functions quietly and with
all the dignity of which he was capable.
August 20th. — Secretary Walker returned last night, having
heard of the death of Col. Jones before reaching his destination.
I doubt whether the Secretary would have thought a second time
of what had been done in his absence, if some of his friends had
not fixed his attention upon it. He shut himself up pretty closely,
and none of us could see or hear whether he was angry. But
calling me into his room in the afternoon to write a dispatch
which he dictated, I saw, lying on his table, an envelope directed
in his own hand to the President. Hints had been circulated by
some that it was his purpose to resign. Could this communica
tion be his resignation ? It was placed so conspicuously before
me where I sat that it was impossible not to see it. It was
marked, too, "immediate.''''
August 21st. — Called in again by the Secretary to-day, I find
the ominous communication to the President still there, although
marked "immediate." And there are no indications of Mr.
Walker's quitting office that I can see.
August 22d. — "Immediate" is still there; but the Secretary
has not yet been to the council board, though yesterday was cab
inet day. Yet the President sends Capt. Josselyn regularly with
the papers referred to the Secretary. These are always given to
me, and after they are "briefed," delivered to the Secretary.
Among these I see some pretty sharp pencil marks. Among the
rest, the whole batch of Tochman papers being returned unread,
with the injunction that "when papers of such volume are sent to
him for perusal, it is the business of the Secretary to see that a
brief abstract of their contents accompany them."

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 75
August 23d. — No art^s yet of any amount from Europe ;
though our agent writes that he has a number of manufactories
at work. The U. S. agent has engaged the rest. All the world
seems to be in the market bnying arms. Mr. Dayton, U. S. Min
ister in Paris, has bought 30,000 flint-locks in France; and our
agent wants authority to buy some too. He says the French
statisticians allege that no greater mortality in battle occurs from
the use of the percussion and the rifled musket than from the old
smooth-bore flint-lock musket. This may be owing to the fact
that a shorter range is sought with the latter.
August 24th. — We are resting on our oars after the victory at
Manassas, while the enemy is drilling and equipping 500,000 or
600,000 men. I hope we may not soon be floating down stream !
We know the enemy is, besides, building iron-clad steamers — and
yet we are not even erecting casemate batteries! We are losing
precious time, and, perhaps, the government is saving money !
August 25th. — I believe the Secretary will resign ; but " im
mediate" still lies on his table.
News of a battle near Springfield, Mo. McCulloch and Price
defeat the Federals, killing and wounding thousands. Gen. Lyon
killed. August 26th. — What a number of cavalry companies are daily
tendered in the letters received at this department. Almost inva
riably they are refused ; and really it is painful to me to write
these letters. This government must be aware, from the statis
tics of the census, that the South has quite as many horses as the
North, and twice as many good riders. But for infantry, the
North can put three men in the field to our one. Ten thousand
mounted men, on the border of the enemy's country, would be
equal to 30,000 of the enemy's infantry; not in combat: but that
number would be required to watch and guard against the inroads
of 10,000 cavalry. It seems to me that we are declining the only
proper means of equalizing the war. But it is my duty to obey,
and not to deliberate.
August 27th. — We have news of a fight at Hawk's Nest,
Western Virginia. Wise whipped the Yankees there quite hand
somely. August 28th. — Beauregard offers battle again on the plains of
Manassas; but it is declined by the enemy, who retire behind their

76 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
fortifications. Our banners are advanced to Munson's Hill, in
sight of Washington. The Northern President and his cabinet
may see our army, with good glasses, from the roof of the White
House. It is said they sleep in their boots ; and that some of
them leave the city every night, for fear of being captured before
morning. Generals Johnston, Wise, and Floyd are sending here, daily, the
Union traitors they discover to be in communication with the
enemy. We have a Yankee member of Congress, Ely, taken at
Manassas ; he rode out to witness the sport of killing rebels as
terriers kill rats, but was caught in the trap himself. He says his
people were badly whipped ; and he hopes they will give up the
job of subjugation as a speculation that won't pay. Most of the
prisoners speak thus while in confinement.
August 29rH. — We have intelligence from the North that im
mense preparations are being made for our destruction ; and some
of our people begin to say, that inasmuch as we did not follow up
the victory at Manassas, it was worse than a barren one, having
only exasperated the enemy, and stimulated the Abolitionists to
renewed efforts. I suppose these critics would have us forbear to
injure the invader, for fear of maddening him. They are making
this war; we must make it terrible. With them war is a neie
thing, and they will not cease from it till the novelty wears off, and
all their fighting men are sated with blood and bullets. It must
run its course, like the measles. We must both bleed them and
deplete their pockets.
August 30th.— Gen. Floyd has had a fight in the West, and
defeated an Ohio regiment. I trust they were of the Puritan
stock, and not the descendants of Virginians.
August 31st.— We have bad news to-day. My wife and chil
dren are the bearers of it. They returned to the city with the
tidings that all the women and children were ordered to leave
Newbern. The enemy have attacked and taken Fort Hatteras,
making many prisoners, and threaten Newbern next. This is the
second time my family have been compelled to fly. But they are
well.

at the CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 77

CHAPTER VI.
Four hundred thousand troops to be raised. — Want of arms. — Yankees offer
to sell them to us, — Walker resigns. — Benjamin succeeds. — Col. J. A.
Washington killed. — Assigned, temporarily, to the head of the passport
office. September 1st. — The press and congressional critics are open
ing their batteries on the Secretary of War, for incompetency. He
is not to blame. A month ago, Capt. Lee, son of the general,
and a good engineer, was sent to the coast of North Carolina to
inspect the defenses. His report was well executed ; and the
recommendations therein attended to with all possible expedition.
It is now asserted that the garrison was deficient in ammunition.
This was not the case. The position was simply not tenable under
the fire of the U. S. ships of war.
September 2d. — I voluntarily hunted up Capt. Lee's report,
and prepared an article for the press based on its statements.
September 3d. — My article on the defenses of North Carolina
seems to have silenced the censures of the cavilers.
September 4th. — .1. R. Anderson, proprietor of the iron- works
here, has been appointed brigadier-general by the President. He,
too, was a West Pointer ; but does not look like a military genius.
He is assigned to duty on the coast of North Carolina.
September 5th. — Our Congress has authorized the raising and
organizing of four hundred regiments. The Yankee Congress,
500,000 men. The enemy will get their's first; and it is said that
between 600,000 and 700,000, for three years or the war, have al
ready been accepted by the U. S. Government. Their papers
boast that nearly a million volunteers were tendered. This means
mischief. How many will rush forward a year hence to volunteer
their services on the plains of the South? Full many ensanguined
plains will greet the horrific vision before this time next year;
and many a venal wretch coming to possess our land, will occupy
till the day of final doom a tract of six feet by two in some deso-
7*

IS A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
late and unfrequented swamp. The toad will croak his requiem,
and the viper will coil beneath the thistle growing over his head.
September 6th. — We are not increasing our forces as rapidly
as might be desired, for the want of arms. We had some 150,000
stand of small arms, at the beginning of the war, taken from the
arsenals; and the States owned probably 100,000 more. Half of
these were flint-locks, which are being altered. None have been
imported yet. Occasionally a letter reaches the department from
Nashville, offering improved arms at a high price, for gold.
These are Yankees. I am instructed by the Secretary to say they
will be paid for in gold on delivery to an agent in Nashville. The
number likely to be obtained in this manner, however, must be
small ; for the Yankee Government is exercising much vigilance.
Is not this a fair specimen of Yankee cupidity and character?
The New England manufacturers are furnishing us, with whom
they are at war, with arms to fight with, provided we agree to pay
them a higher price than is offered by their own Government!
The philosophical conclusion is, that this war will end when it
ceases to be a pecuniary speculation.
September 7th. — The Jews are at work. Having no nation
ality, all wars are harvests for them. It has been so from the day
of their dispersion. Now they are scouring the country in all
directions, buying all the goods they can find in the distant cities,
and even from the country stores. These they will keep, until the
process of consumption shall raise a greedy demand for all descrip
tions of merchandise.
Col. Bledsoe has resigned, but says nothing now about getting
me appointed in his place. That matter rests with the President,
and I shall not be an applicant.
September 8th. — Major Tyler has been appointed acting Chief
of the Bureau of War.
September 9th. — Matters in statu quo, and Major Tyler still
acting chief of the bureau.
September 10th. — Col. Bledsoe is back again ! He says the
President refuses to accept his resignation ; and tells me in confi
dence, not to be revealed for a few days, that Mr. Walker has ten
dered his resignation, and that it will be accepted.
September IItu,— The colonel enjoys a joke. He whispered
me to-day, as he beheld Major T3der doing the honors of his office,

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 79
that I might just hint at the possibility of his resumption soon of
the functions of chief of the bureau. But he said he wanted a few
days holiday.
September 12th. — Gen. Pillow has advanced, and occupied
Columbus, Ky. He was ordered, by telegraph, to abandon the
town and return to his former position. Then the order was coun
termanded, and he remains. The authorities have learned that the
enemy occupies Paducah.
September 13th. — The Secretary, after writing and tendering
his resignation, appointed my young friend Jaques a special clerk
with S2000 salary. This was allowed by a recent act.
September 14th. — Some of Mr. Walker's clerks must know
that he intends giving up the seals of office soon, for they are en
gaged day and night, and all night, copying the entire letter-book,
which is itself but a copy of the letters I and others have written,
with Mr. Walker's name appended to them. Long may they be a
monument of his epistolary administrative ability, and profound
statesmanship !
September 15th. — And, just as I expected, Mr. Benjamin is
to be Mr. Walker's successor. Col. Bledsoe is back again ; and it
devolved on me to inform Major Tyler that the old chief of the
bureau was now the new chief. Of course he resigned the seals of
office with the grace and courtesy of which he is so capable. And
then he informed me (in confidence) that the Secretary had re
signed, and would be appointed a brigadier-general in the army of
the Southwest; and that he would accompany him as his adjutant-
general. September 16th. — Mr. Benjamin's hitherto perennial smile
faded almost away as he realized the fact that he was now the
most important member of the cabinet. He well knew how ardu
ous the duties were ; but then he was robust in health, and capable
of any amount of labor.
It seems, after all, that Mr. Benjamin is only acting Secretary of
War, until the President can fix upon another. Can that be the
reason his smile has faded almost away ? But the President will
appoint him. Mr. Benjamin will please him; he knows how to
do it.
September 17th. — A man from Washington came into my of
fice to-day, saying he had important information from Washington.

80 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
I went into the Secretary's room, and found Mr. Benjamin sur
rounded by a large circle of visitors, all standing hat in hand, and
quite silent. I asked him if he would see the gentleman from
Washington. He said he "didn't know who to see." This pro
duced a smile. He seemed to be standing there waiting for some
one to speak, and they seemed to be waiting an invitation from
him to speak. I withdrew from the embarrassing scene, remark
ing that my gentleman would call some other time. Meanwhile I
wrote down the information, and sent it to the President.
September 18th. — Gen. Floyd has been attacked at Gauley, by
greatly superior numbers. But he was intrenched, and slew hun
dreds of the enemy before he retreated, which was effected without
loss. September 19th.- — We hear of several splendid dashes of cav
alry near Manassas, under Col. Stuart; and Wise's cavalry in the
West are doing good service.
September 20th.— Col. J. A. Washington has been killed in a
skirmish. He inherited Mount Vernon. This reminds me that
Edward Everett is urging on the war against us. The universal
education, so much boasted of in New England, like their religion,
is merely a humbug, or wOrse than a humbug, the fruitful source
of crime. I shall doubt hereafter whether superior intelligence is
promotive of superior virtue. The serpent is wiser than the dove,
but never so harmless. Ignorance is bliss in comparison with
Yankee wisdom.
September 21st.— The Secretary has authorized me to sign
passports "for the Secretary of War." My son attends to his
letters. I have now an opportunity of seeing more. I have
authority to order transportation for the parents of soldiers, and
for goods and provisions taken to the camps.
September 22d.— Harris and Magraw, who were taken on the
field of Manassas, looking for the remains of Col. Cameron, have
been liberated by Gen. AVinder, on the order of the acting Secre
tary of War. This is startling ; for .Mr. Benjamin was the most
decided man, at the time of their capture, against their liberation.
Per contra, a .Mr. G., a rich New York merchant, and Mr. R., a
wealthy railroad contractor, whom I feared would break through
the meshes of the law, with the large sums realized by them here,
have been arrested by the Secretary's order, on the ground that

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPIT.VL. 81
they have no right to transfer the sinews of war to the North, to
be used against us.
September 23d. — Thousands of dollars worth of clothing and
provisions, voluntary and patriotic contributions to the army, are
arriving daily.
September 24tii. — The time is up for the departure of alien
enemies. This is the last day, according to the President's proc
lamation. We have had no success lately, and never can have suc
cess, while the enemy know all our plans and dispositions. Keep
them in total ignorance of our condition and movements, and they
will no more invade us than they would explore a vast cave, in
which thousands of rattlesnakes can be heard, without lights.
Their spies and emissaries here are so many torch-bearers for
them. September 25th. — Mr. Benjamin and Gen. Winder, after grant
ing a special interview to Messrs. G. and R-, have concluded to
let them depart for Pennsylvania and New York I Nor is this all.
I have an order from Mr. Benjamin to give passports, until fur
ther orders, to leave the country to all persons who avow them
selves alien enemies, whether in person or by letter, provided
they take no wealth with them. This may be a fatal policy, or
it may be a trap.
September 26th. — Had a conversation with the Secretary to
day, on the policy of sending Union men out of the Confederacy.
I told him we had 15,000 sick in the hospitals at Manassas, and
this intelligence might embolden the enemy to advance, capture
the hospitals, and make our sick men prisoners. He said such
prisoners would be a burden to them, and a relief to us. I re
marked that they would count as prisoners in making exchanges ;
and to abandon them in that manner, would have a discouraging
effect on our troops. He said that sending unfriendly persons out
of the country was in conformity with the spirit of the act of Con
gress, and recommended me to reperuse it and make explanations
to the people, who were becoming clamorous for some restriction
on the egress of spies.
September 27th. — To-day I prepared a leading editorial article
for the Enquirer, taking ground directly opposite to that advo
cated by Mr. Benjamin. It was written with the law before me,
which gave no warrant, as I could perceive, for the assumption of
the Secretary.

82 A rebel war clerk's diary
September 28th. — I sent the paper containing my article to
J. R. Davis, Esq., nephew of the President, avowing its author
ship, and requesting him to ask the President's attention to the
subject. September 29th. — To-day Mr. Benjamin issued several pass
ports himself, and sent several others to me with peremptory
orders for granting them.
September 30th. — A pretty general jail delivery is now taking
place. Gen. Winder, acting I suppose, of course, under the in
structions of the Secretary of War — and Mr. Benjamin is now
Secretary indeed^ — is discharging from the prisons the disloyal
prisoners sent hither during the last month by Gens. Johnston,
Floyd, and Wise. Not only liberating them, but giving them
transportation to their homes, mostly within the enemy's lines.
Surely if the enemy reciprocates such magnanimous courtesy, the
war will be merely child's play, and we shall be spared the usual
horrors of civil war. We shall see how the Yankees will appre
ciate this kindness.

CHAPTER VI L
An order for the publication of the names of alien enemies, — Some excite
ment. — Efforts to secure property. — G. A. Myers, lawyer, actively
engaged. — Gen. Price gains a victory in Jlissouri. — Billy Wilson's cut
throats cut to pieces at Fort Pickens. — A female spy arrives from Wash
ington. — Great success at Leesburg or Ball's Bluff.
October 1st. — I find that only a few hundred alien enemies de
parted from the country under the President's proclamation, allow
ing them forty days, from the H.th of August, to make their
arrangements; but under the recent order of .Mr. Benjamin, if I
may judge from the daily applications, there will be a large emi
gration. The persons now going belong to a different class of
people: half of them avowing themselves friendly to our cause,
and desiring egress through our lines on the Potomac, or in the
West, to avoid being published as alien enemies going under fiag

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPIT.-VL. S3
of truce via Norfolk and Fortress Monroe. Many of them declare
a purpose to return.
October 2d. — A day or two ago Col. Bledsoe, who visits mo
now very seldom, sent an order by ^Ir. Brooks for me to furnish
a list of the names of alien enemies for publication. This was
coaiplied with cheerfully ; and these publications have produced
some excitement in the community.
October 3d. — The President not having taken any steps in the
matter, I have no alternative but to execute the order of the Sec
retary. October 4th. — Sundry applications were made to-day to leave
the country under flag of truce, provided I would not permit the
names to be published. The reason for this request is that these
persons have connections here who might be compromised. I re
fused compliance. In one or two instances they intimated that
they would not have their names published for thousands of dol
lars. My response to this was such as to cause them to withdraw
their applications.
October 5th. — To-day several Southern-born gentlemen, who
have lived long in the North, and have their fortunes and families
there, applied for passports. They came hither to save the invest
ments of their parents in Northern securities, by having them trans
ferred to their children. This seems legitimate, and some of the
parties are old and valued friends of mine. I know their sympathies
are with their native land. Yet why are they so late in coming? I
know not. It is for me to send them out of the country, for such
is the order of the Secretary of War. The loyalty of the connec
tions of these gentlemen is vouched for in a note (on file) written
by Mr. Hunter, Secretary of State. Their names must be pub
lished as alien enemies. They will take no part in the war.
October 6th. — Nothing of importance.
October 7th. — Nothing of note.
October 8th. — Mr. Gustavus Myers, a lawyer of this city,
seems to take an active interest in behalf of parties largely en
gaged in business at Baltimore. And he has influence with the
Secretary, for he generally carries his points over my head. The
parties he engineers beyond our lines may possibly do us no harm ;
but I learn they certainly do themselves much good by their suc
cessful speculations. And do they not take gold and other prop-

84 ' A rebel war clerk's diary
erty to the North, and thereby defeat the object of the sequestra
tion act? The means thus abstracted from the South will certainly
be taxed by the North to make war on us.
October 9th. — Contributions of clothing, provisions, etc. are
coming in large quantities; sometimes to the amount of $iO,000
in a single day.
Never was there such a patriotic people as ours! Their blood
and their wealth are laid upon the altar of their country with
enthusiasm. I must say here that the South Carolinians are the gentlest peo
ple I ever met with. They accede to every requisition with cheer
fulness ; and never have I known an instance where any one of
them has used subterfuge to evade a rule, however hard it might
bear upon them. They are the soul of honor, truth, and patri
otism. October 10th. — A victory — but not in the East. I expect
none here while there is such a stream of travel flowing North
ward. It was in Missouri, at Lexington. Gen. Price has cap
tured the town and made several thousand prisoners, whom -he
dismissed on parole.
October 11th. — And Wise has had bloody fighting with Rose
crans in Western Virginia. He can beat the enemy at fighting;
but they beat him at manoeuvring, with the use of the guides Gen.
Winder has sent them from our prisons here.
October 12th. — Col. Wright has had a race with the Yankees
on the North Carolina coast. They fled to their works before his
single regiment with such precipitation as to leave many of their
arms and men behind. We lost but one man : and he was fat,
broke his wind, and died in the pursuit.
October 13th. — Another little success, but not in this vicinity.
Gen. Anderson, of South Carolina, in the night crossed to Santa
Rosa Island and cut up Billy Wilson's regiment of New York cut
throats and thieves, under the very guns of Fort Pickens.
October 14th. — Kissing goes by favor ! Col. M  r, of Ma^^
ryland, whose published letter of objuration of the United States
Government attracted much attention some time since, is under
the ban. He came hither and tendered his services to this govern
ment, but failed to get the employment applied for, though his
application was urged by Mr. Hunter, the Secretary of State, who

AT THE CONFEDER^VTE STATES CAPITAL. 85
is his relative. After remaining here for a long time, vainly
hoping our army would cross the Potomac and deliver his native
State, and finding his finances diminishing, he sought permission
of the Secretary to return temporarily to his family in Maryland,
expecting to get them away and to save some portion of his eff'ects.
His fidelity was vouched for in strong language by Mr. Hunter,
and yet the application has been refused ! I infer from this that
Mr. Benjamin is omnipotent in the cabinet, and that Mr. Hunter
cannot remain long in it.
October 15th. — I have been requested by Gen. Winder to-day
to refuse a passport to Col. M  r to leave the city in any direc
tion. So the colonel is within bounds 1 I learn that he differed
¦with Gen. Winder (both from Maryland) in politics. But if he
was a Whig, so was Mr. Benjamin. Again, I hear that Col. M.
had some difficulty with Col. Northrop, Commissary-General, audi
challenged him. This is a horse of another color. Col. N. is one
of the special favorites of the President.
October 16th. — Col. M. applied to me to-day for a passport
to Maryland, bringing a strong letter from Mr. Hunter, and also
a note from Col. Bledsoe, Chief of the Bureau of War. He seemed
thunderstruck when I informed him that Gen. Winder had obtained
an order from the Secretary of War to detain him. A few mo
ments after Gen. Winder came with a couple of his detectives (all
from Baltimore) and arrested him. Subsequently he was released
on parole of honor, not to leave the city without Gen. Winder's
permission. I apprehend bad consequences from this proceeding.
It may prevent other high-toned Marylanders from espousing our
side of this contest.
October 17th. — Hurlbut has been released from prison. Mr.
Hunter has a letter (intercepted) from Raymond, editor of the
New York Times, addressed to him since the battle of Manassas.
October 18th. — I cannot perceive that our army increasas
much in strength, particularly in Virginia. The enemy have now
over 660,000 in the field in various places, and seem to be prepar
ing for a simultaneous advance.
It is said millions of securities, the property of the enemy, are
transferred to the United States. It is even intimated that the
men engaged in this business have the protection of men in high

86 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
positions on both sides. Can it be possible that we have men in
power who are capable of taking bribes from the enemy ? If so,
God help the country !
October 19th. — Col. Ashby with 600 men routed a force of
1000 'Sankees, the other day, near Harper's Perry. That is the
cavalry again I The spies here cannot inform the enemy of the
movements of our mounted men, which are always made with
celerity. October 20th. — A lady, just from Washington, after striving
in vain to procure an interview with the Secretary of War, left
with me the programme of the enemy's coni^plated movements.
She was present with the family of Gen. Dix at a party, and heard
their purposes disclosed. They meditate an advance immediately,
with 200,000 men. The head of Banks's column is to cross near
Leesburg ; and when over, a movement upon our flank is intended
from the vicinity of Arlington Heights. This is truly a formida
ble enterprise, if true. We have not 70,000 effective men in
Northern Virginia. The lady is in earnest — and remains here.
I wrote down the above information and sent it to the Presi
dent; and understood that dispatches were transmitted immedi
ately to Gen. Johnston, by telegraph.
The lady likewise spoke of a contemplated movement by sea
with gun-boats, to be commanded by Burnside, Butler, etc.
In the evening I met Mr. Hunter, and told him the substance
of the information brought by the lady. He seemed much inter
ested, for he knows the calm we have been enjoying bodes no
good ; and he apprehends that evil will grow out of the order of
the Secretary of War, permitting all who choose to call themselves
alien enemies to leave the Confederacy. While we were speaking
(in the street) Mr. Benjamin came up, and told me he had seen
the letter I sent to the President. He said, moreover, that he
did not doubt the enemy intended to advance as set forth in the
programme. October 21st. — The enemy's papers represent that we have
some 80,000 men in Kentucky, aud this lulls us from vigilance and
effort in Virginia. The Secretary of AVar knows very well that
we have not 30,000 there, and that we are not likely to have more.
We supposed Kentucky would rise. The enemy knows this fact
as well as we do ; nevertheless, it has been his practice from the

AT THE confederate STATES CAPITAL. 87
beginning to exaggerate our numbers. It lulls us into fancied
security. October 22d. — We have news of a victory at Leesburg. It
appears that the head of one of the enemy's columns, 8000 strong,
attempted a passage of the Potomac yesterday, at that point pur
suant to the programme furnished by the lady from Washington.
That point had been selected by the enemy because the spies had
reported that there were only three Confederate regiments there.
But crossing a river in boats in the face of a few Southern regi
ments, is no easy matter. And this being the People's War,
although Gen. Evans, in command, had received orders to fall
back if the enemy came in force, our troops decided for themselves
to fight before retreating. Therefore, when seven or eight regi
ments of Yankees landed on this side of the river, two or three of
our regiments advanced and fired into them with terrible effect.
Then they charged ; and ere long such a panic was produced that
the enemy rushed in disorder into the river, crowding their boats
so much that several went to the bottom, carrying down hundreds.
The result was that the head of the serpent received a tremendous
bruising, and the whole body recoiled from the scene of disaster.
We had only some 1500 men engaged, and yet captured 1600
muskets ; and the enemy's loss, in killed, wounded, and prisoners,
amounted to 2000 men. This battle was fought, in some respects,
by the privates alone — much of the time without orders, and often
without officers.
October 23d. — The President is highly delighted at the result
of the battle of Leesburg; and yet some of the red-tape West
Point gentry are indignant at Gen. Evans for not obeying orders,
and falling back. There is some talk of a court-martial ; for it is
maintained that no commander, according to strict military rules,
should have offered battle against such superior numbers. They
may disgrace Gen. Evans; but I trust our soldiers will repeat the
experiment on every similar occasion.
October 24th. — We made a narrow escape; at least, we
have a respite. If the Yankee array had advanced with its
200,000 men, they would not have encountered more than 70,000
fighting Confederate soldiers between the Potomac and Richmond.
It was our soldiers (neither the officers nor the government) that
saved us ; and they fought contrary to rule, and even in opposition

88 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
to orders. Of course our officers at Leesburg did their duty man-
fulfy ; nevertheless, the soldiers had determined to fight, officers
or no officers.
But as the man in the play said, "it will suffice." The Yankees
are a calculating people : and if 1500 Mississippians and Virgi
nians at Leesburg were too many for 8000 Yankees, what could
200,000 Yankees do against 70,000 Southern soldiers? It made
them pause, and give np the idea of taking Richmond jthis year.
But the enemy will fight better every successiye year; and this
should not be lost sight of. They, too, are Anglo-Saxons.
October 25th. — Gen. Price, of Missouri, is too popular, and
there is a determination on the part of the West Pointers to "kill
him off." I fear he will gain no more victories.
October 26th. — Immense amounts of patriotic contributions,
in clothing and provisions, are daily registered.
October 27th. — Still the Jews are going out of the country
and returning at pleasure. They deplete the Confederacy of coin,
and sell their goods at 500 percent, profit. They pay no dutyT^
and Mr. Memminger has lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in
this way. ~
The press everywhere is thundering against the insane policy of
permitting all who avow themselves enemies to return to the
North ; and I think Mr. B. is beginning to wince under it. I
tremble when I reflect that those who made the ^present govern-
ment, and the one to succeed it, did not represent one-thirdoTfhe
people composing the inhabitants of the Confederate States.
October 28th. — The most gigantic naval preparations have
been made by the enemy ; and they must strike many blows on the
coast this fall and winter. They are building great numbers of
gun-boats, some of them iron-clad, both for the coast and for the
Western rivers. If they get possession of the Mississippi River,
it will be a sad day for the Confederacy. And what are we doing?
We have many difficulties to contend against ; and there is a defi
ciency in artisans and material. Nevertheless, the government is
constructing a monster at Norfolk, and several similar floating
batteries in the West. But we neglect to construct casemated
batteries ! Our fortifications, without them, must fall befOre^fllB"
iron ships of the enemy. The battle of Manassas has given us a
long exemption from the fatigues and horrors of war ; but this
calm will be succeeded by a storm.

at the confederjV.te states capital. 89
October 29th. — The election to take place during the ensuing
month creates no excitement. There will be less than a moiety of
the whole vote cast; and Davis and Stephens will be elected with
out opposition. No disasters have occurred yet to affect the pop
ularity of any of the great politicians ; and it seems no risks will
be run. The battle of Manassas made everybody popular — and
especially Gen. Beauregard. If he were a candidate, I am pretty
certain he would be elected.
October 30th. — I understand a dreadful quarrel is brewing be
tween Mr. Benjamin and Gen. Beauregard. Gen. B. being the
only individual ever hinted at as an opponent of Mr. Davis for
the Presidency, the Secretary of War fights him on vantage-
ground, and likewise commends himself to the President. Van
Buren was a good politician in his day, and so is Mr. Benjamin
in his way. I hope these dissensions may expend themselves
without injury to the country.
October 31st. — Mr. Benjamin, it is understood, will be a candi
date for a seat in the C. S. Senate. And I have learned from
several members of the Louisiana legislature that he will be de
feated. They charge him with hob-nobbing too much with North
ern friends ; and^say that he still retains membership in several
elubs in New York and Boston.

CHAPTER VIIL
Quarrel between Gen. Beauregard and Mr. Benjamin. — Great Naval prepa
rations in the NortTi. — The loss of Port Eoyal, S. C, takes some prestige.
— The affair at Belmont does not compensate for it. — The enemy kills an
old hare. — Missouri secedes. — Mason and Slidell captured. — French Con
sul and the actresses. — The lieutenant in disguise. — Eastern Shore of
Virginia invaded. — Messrs. Breckinridge and Marshall in Richmond.
Nq-vtember 1st. — There is an outcry against the appointment of
two major-generals, recommended, perhaps, by Mr. Benjamin, Gus
tavus W. Smith and Gen. Lovell, both recently from New York.
They came over since the battle of Manassas. Mr. Benjamin is
8=^

90 A REBEL WAR OLERK'S DIARY
perfectly indifferent to the criticisms and censures of the people and
the press. He knows his own ground ; and since he is sustained
by the President, we must suppose he knows his own footing in
the government. If defeated in the legislature, he may have a six
years' tenure in the cabinet.
No-VEMBER 2d. — It has culminated. Mr. Benjamin's quarrel
with Beauregard is openly avowed. Mr. Benjamin spoke to me
about it to-day, and convinced me at the time that Gen. B. was
really in the wrong. He said the general had sent in his jegortof
the battle of Manassas, in which he stated that he liad submitted a
plan to the department for the invasion of Maryland ; and no such
plan having been received, as Mr. B. says, and the matter being
foreign to the business in hand, the department had seen proper to
withhold the_report from publication. But this did not concern
him, Mr. B., because he was not the Secretary of War when the;
alleged plan had been sent to Richmond. But his difference with
the general grew out of an attempt of the latter to organize^troops
and confer commands without the sanction of the department. He
had rebuked the general, he said ; and then the general had ap
pealed to the President, who sustained the Secretary. Mr. B.
said that Gen. B. had ascertained who was strongest with the
President. November 3d. — From this day forth, I hope Mr. Benjamin and
I will be of better accord. I have an official order, directed by
him and written by Col. Bledsoe, to the effect that no more alien
enemies are to have passports. On the contrary, when any one
avows himself an alien enemy, and applies for permission to leave
the country, Gen. Winder is to take him in charge.
November 4th.— Several were arrested yesterday. Still I
doubt whether we are dealing fairly, even with enemies. They
have been encouraged to come into and go out of the country by
the facilities afforded them ; and now, without any sort of notifica
tion whatever, they are to be arrested when they present them
selves. I hate all traps and stratagems for the purpose of stimu
lating one to commit a wrong; and hence this business, although
it seems to afford employment, if not delight, to Gen. Winder and
his Baltimore detectives, is rather distasteful to me. And when
I reflect upon it, I cannot imagine how Mr. Benjamin may adjust the
matter with his conscience. It will soon cure itself, however ; a
few arrests will alarm them all.

AT THE CONFEDEILVTE STATES CAPITAL. 91
November 5th. — To my amazement, a man came to me to-day
for*a passport to Norfolk, saying he had one from the Secretary
to pass by flag of truce to Fortress Monroe, etc. He wished me
to give him one to show at the cars, not desiring to exhibit the
other, as it might subject him to annoying looks and remarks.
November 6th. — All accounts from the North indicate that
great preparations are being made to crush us on the coast this
winter. I see no corresponding preparations on our side.
November 7th. — AYe hear of the resignation of Gen. Scott,
as Commander-in-Chief of the U. S. forces.
November 8th. — There are many applications for passports to
leave the country. I have declared my purpose to sign no more
for the Secretary without his official order. But he is signing
them himself, as I find out by the parties desiring the usual pass
ports from me to leave the city. They, like guilty men, dislike to
exhibit their permits to leave the country at the depots. And the
Northern press bears testimony of the fact that the spies in our
midst are still at work, and from this I apprehend the worst con
sequences. Why did Mr. Benjamin send the order for every man
to be arrested who applied for permission to leave the country ?
Was it merely to deceive me, knowing that I had some influence
with certain leading journals? I am told he says, "no one leaves
the country now."
November 9th. — Gen. Winder and all his police and Plug Ugly
gang have their friends or agents, whom they continually desire to
send to Maryland. And often there comes a request from Gen.
Huger, at Norfolk, for passports to be granted certain parties to
go out under flag of truce. I suppose he can send whom he
pleases. We have news of a bloody bat.tle in the West, at Belmont.
Gen. Pillow and Bishop Polk defeated the enemy, it is said, kill
ing and wounding 1000. Our loss, some 500.
Port Royal, on the coast of South Carolina, has been taken by
the enemy's fleet. We had no casemated batteries. Here the
Yankees will intrench themselves, and cannot be dislodged. They
will take negroes and cotton, and menace both Savannah and
Charleston. November 10th. — A gentleman from Urbana, on the Rappa
hannock, informs me that he witnessed the shelling of that village

92 A rebel war clerk's DIARY
a few days ago. There are so few houses that the enemy did not
strike any of them. The only blood shed was that of an old htre,
that had taken refuge in a hollow stump.
November 11th. — Bad news. The Unionists in East Tennessee^
have burnt several of the railroad bridges between this and Chat-'
tanooga. This is one of the effects of the discharge of spies cap
tured in Western Virginia and East Tennessee. A military police,
if properly directed, composed of honest men, true Southern men,
might do much good, or prevent much evil ; but I must not criti
cise Gen. Winder's inefficiency, for he acts under the instructions
of Mr. Benjamin.
The burning of these bridges not only prevents the arrival of an
immense amount of clothing and provisions for the army, contrib
uted by the patriotic people, but it will embarrass the government
in the transmission of men and muniments of war, which an emer
gency may demand at any moment. Until the avenues by which
the enemy derives information from our country are closed, I shall
look for a series of disasters.
November 12th. — We have news of the enemy's gun-boats
penetrating the rivers of South Carolina. It is said they got
some cotton. Why was it not burnt?
November 13th. — Dry goods have risen more than a hundred
per cent, since spring, and rents and boarding are advancing in
the same ratio.
November 14th. — The enemy, knowing our destitution of gun
boats, and well apprised of the paucity of our garrisons, are send
ing expeditions southward to devastate the coast. They say New
Orleans will be taken before spring, aud communication be opened
with Cairo, at the mouth of the Ohio. They will not succeed so
soon; but success is certain ultimately, if Mr. Benjamin, Gen.
Winder, and Gen. Huger do not cease to pass Federal spies out
of the country.
November 15th. — We have intelligence that Missouri has
joined the Confederacy. She will be scourged by the vengeful
enemy ; but will rise some day and put her foot on the neck of
the oppressor. Missouri is a giant.
November 16tii,— Itis sickening to behold the corruption of
the commercial men, which so much wounds our afflicted country.
There are large merchants here who come over from Baltimore

AT THE confederate STATES CAPIT.VL. 93
breathing vengeance against the Northern "despots," and to make
a show of patriotism they subscribed liberally to equip some vol
unteer companies in the city ; bnt now they are sending their agents
North and importing large amounts of merchandise, which they
sell to the government and the people at most fabulous prices.
I am informed that some of them reaUze $50,000 per month profit !
And this after paying officials on both sides bonuses to wink at
their operations.
After the order of Mr. Benjamin for applicants for passports to
leave the country to be arrested, some of these men applied to me,
and I reported the facts to Gen. Winder; but they were not mo
lested. Indeed, they came to me subsequently and exhibited pass
ports they had obtained from the Secretary himself.
November 17th. — There are also quite a number of letter-car
riers obtaining special passports to leave the Confederacy. They
charge §1.50 postage to Washington and Maryland, and as much
coming hither. They take on the average three hundred letters,
and bring as many, besides diverse articles they sell at enormously
high prices. Thus they realize $] 000 per trip, and make two each
month. They furnish the press with Northern journals ; but they
give no valuable information : at least I have not conversed with
any who could furnish it. They seem particularly ignorant of the
plans and forces of the enemy. It is my belief that they render
as much service to the enemy as to us; and they certainly do ob
tain passports on the other side.
Gen. Winder and his alien detectives seem to be on peculiar
terms of intimacy with some of these men ; for they tell me they
convey letters for them to Maryland, and deliver them to their
families. This is an equivocal business. Why did they not bring
their families away before the storm burst upon them ?
November 18th. — To-day the Secretary told me, in reply to
my question, that he had authentic information of the seizure of
Messrs. Slidell and Mason, our commissioners to Europe, by Capt.
Wilkes, of the U. S. Navy, and while on board the steamer Trent,
a British vessel, at sea. I said I was glad of it. He asked
why, in surprise. I remarked that it would bring the Eagle cow
ering to the feet of the Lion. He smiled, and said it was, per
haps, the best thing that could have happened. And he cautions
me against giving passports to French subjects even to visit Nor-

94 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
folk or any of our fortified cities, for it was understood that for
eigners at Norfolk were contriving somehow to get on board the
ships of their respective nations.
November 19th. — To-day Monsieur Paul, French Consul, ap
plied in person for passports on behalf, I believe, of some French
players (Zouaves) to Norfolk. Of course I declined granting
them. He grew enthusiastic, and alleged that British subjects
had enjoyed the privilege. He said he cared nothing for the
parties applying in this instance; but he argued vehemently
against British subjects being favored over French subjects. I
sent a note concerning our interview to the Secretary ; and while
Monsieur Paul still sat in the office, the following reply came in from
the Secretary: "All you need do is to say to the French Consul,
when he calls, that you obey your instructions, and have no au
thority to discuss with him the rights of French subjects. J. P. B."
Monsieur Paul departed with "a flea in his ear." But he received
an invitation, to dine with the Secretary to-day.
November 20th. — I had a protracted and interesting interview
to-day with a gaudily dressed and rather diminutive lieutenant,
who applied for a passport to the Mississippi River, via Chatta
nooga, and insisted upon my giving him transportation also. This
demand led to interrogatories, and it appeared that he was not going
under special orders of the adjutant-general. It was unusual for
officers, on leave, to apply for transportation, and my curiosity
was excited. I asked to see his furlough. This was refused ; but
he told me to what company he belonged, and I knew there was
such a company in Bishop or Gen. Polk's command. Finally he
escaped further interrogatories by snatching up the passport I
had signed and departing hastily. But instead of the usual mili
tary salute at parting, he courtesied. This, when I reflected on
the fineness of his speech, the fullness of his breast, his attitudes
and his short steps, led me to believe the person was a woman in
stead of a lieutenant. Gen. AA'iuder coming in shortly after, upon
hearing my description of the stranger, said he would ascertain
all abont the sex.
November 21st. _:My mysterious lieutenant was arrested this
morning, on the western route, and proved, as I suspected, to be
a woman. But Gen. Winder was ordered by the Secretary to have
her released.

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES C.VPITAL. 95
November 22d, — We have information that the enemy have
invaded and taken possession of the Eastern Shore of A^irginia,
Accomac aud Northampton Counties. They invaded the two
counties with a force of 8000 men, and we had only 800 to oppose
them. Of course there could be no contest against such odds.
They carried my tenant to Drummondtown, the county seat, and
made bim (I suppose) assist in raising the United States flag over
the court-house.
November 23d. — J. C. Breckinridge and Humphrey Marshall,
of Kentucky, have been here ; and both have been made brigadier-
generals, and assigned to duty in the West. Although the former
retained his seat in the Senate of the United States for many
months after the war began, no one doubts that he is now with us,
and will do good service.
November 24th. — Gen. Floyd has retreated from Cotton Hill,
and the enemy threatens our western communications. Gen. Lee
has been sent to Western Virginia, but it is not an adequate field
for him. He should have command of the largest army in the
service, for his is one of the most capacious minds we have.
November 25th. — Yesterday Fort Pickens opened fire on our
batteries at Pensacola, but without effect. One of their ships was
badly crippled.
No-VEMBER 26th. — The enemy occupy Tybee Island, and threat
en Savannah. Vice-President Stephens was in my office to-day,
and he too deprecates the passage of so many people to the North,
who, from the admission of the journals there, give them informa
tion of the condition of our defenses. He thinks our affairs are
not now in a prosperous condition, and has serious apprehensions
for the fate of Savannah.
November 27th. — Saw President Tyler to-day. He augurs
the worst effects from the policy of permitting almost unrestricted
intercourse with the enemy's country in time of war.
November 28th. — Nothing of importance to-day. There will
be no such quiet time after this year.
November 29th. — Gen. Sydney Johnston has command of the
army in Tennessee and Kentucky. I wish it were only as strong
as the wily enemy is in the habit of representing it!
No-VEMBER 30th. — Mr. Benjamin has been defeated for the C.
S. Senate. Mr. Hunter has been named as a candidate for the

96

A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY

C. S. Senate from Virginia. I thought he would not remain in
the cabinet, after his relative was arrested (with no reason as^^ned)
by order of Mr. Benjamin. Besides, the office is a sinecure, and
may remain so for a long time, if the powers at Washington should
"stint, and say aye" to the demands of England.

CHAPTER IX.
Gen, Lee ordered South, — Gen. Stuart ambuscaded at Drainsville. — W. H.
B. Custis returns to the Eastern Shore.— Winder's detectives.— Kentucky
secedes. — Judge Perkins's resolution. — Dibble goes North. — Waiting for
Great Britain to do something.— Mr. Ely, the Yankee M. C.
December 1st. — The people here begin to murmur at the idea
that they are questioned about their loyalty, and often arrested, by
Baltimore petty larceny detectives, who, if they were patriotic
themselves (as they are all able-bodied men), would be in the
army, fighting for the redemption of Maryland.
December 2d. — Gen. Lee has now been ordered South for the de
fense of Charleston and Savannah, and those cities are safe ! Give
a great man a field worthy of his powers, and he can demonstrate
the extent of his abilities ; but dwarf him in an insignificant position,
and the veriest fool will look upon him with contempt. Gen. Lee
in the streets here bore the aspect of a discontented man, for he
saw that everything was going wrong; but now his eye flashes
with zeal and hope. Give him time and opportunity, and he will
hurl back the invader from his native land; yes, and he will com
mend the chalice of invasion to the lips of the North ; but not
this year — it is too late for that.
December 3d. — Several members of Congress came into my
office and denounced the policy which, the government seemed to
have adopted of permitting Yankees, and those who sympathize
with them, to be continually running over to the enemy with in
formation of our condition, and thus inviting attacks an^ raids at
points where we are utterly defenseless. They seemed surprised
when I told them that I not only agreed with them entirely, but

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 97
that I had really written most of the articles they had read in the
press denunciatory of the policy they condemned. 1 informed
them, moreover, that I had long since refused to sign any such
passports as they alluded to, at the risk of being removed. They
said they believed the President, in his multiplicity of employments,
was not aware of the extent of the practice, and the evil effects it
was certain to entail on the country ; and it was their purpose to
wait upon him and remonstrate against the pernicious practice of
Mr. Benjamin.
December 4th. — We are now tasting the bitter fruits of a too
indulgent treatment of our enemies. Yesterday Gen. Stuart's cav
alry and the 6th Regiment S. C. volunteers met with a bloody dis
aster at Drainsville. It appears that several of the traitors arrested
and sent hither by Gen. Johnston were subsequently discharged by
Gen. Winder, under the instructions of Mr. Benjamin, and sent to
their homes, in the vicinity of Drainsville, at the expense of the
government. These men, with revenge rankling in their breasts,
reported to Gen. Stuart that a large amount of forage might be
obtained in the vicinity of Drainsville, and that but a few compa
nies of the enemy were in the neighborhood. The geheral believ
ing these men to be loyal, since they seemed to have the confidence
of the War Department, resolved to get the forage ; and for that
purpose started some 80 wagons early the next morning, escorted
by several regiments of infantry and 1000 cavalry, hoping to cap
ture any forces of the enemy in the vicinity. Meantime the Drains
ville traitors had returned to their homes the preceding evening,
and sent off intelligence to the headquarters of the enemy of the
purpose of Gen. Stuart to send out in that direction, early the
next day, a foraging party consisting of so many wagons, and
small forces of infantry, artillery, and cavalry.
The enemj.hastened away to Drainsville an overwhelming force,
and ambuscaded the road, where it entered the woods, with artil
lery and men of all arms. Their line was the shape of a horse
shoe, and completely concealed from view.
Gen. Stuart had not entered far into the jaws of this trap, be
fore some of his trusty scouts reported the presence of the enemy.
Believing it to be only the pickets of the few companies previously
reported, the general advanced still farther; but at the same time
ordering the wagons 'to retire- He was soon undeceived by a
9

98 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
simultaneous and concentric fire of artillery and musketry, which
brought down many of his men. Nevertheless, he charged through
the lines in one or two places, and brought his guns to bear with
effect on such portions of the enemy's line as were not wholly pro
tected by the inequalities of the ground and the dense growth of
woods. He quickly ascertained, however, that he was contending
against vastly superior numbers, and drew off his forces in good
order, protecting his wagons. The enemy did not pursue, for
Stuart had rather more men than the informers reported to the
enemy. But we lost 200 men, while the enemy sustained but little
injury; their killed and wounded not exceeding 30.
This is the first serious wound inflicted on the country by Mr.
Benjamin's policy.
December 5th. — The account of the Drainsville massacre was
furnished me by an officer of the 6th S. C. Regiment, which suf
fered severely. The newspaper accounts of the occurrence, upon
which, perhaps, the history of this war will be founded, give a dif
ferent version of the matter. And hence, although not so designed
at first, this Diary will furnish more authentic data" of many of
the events of the war than the grave histories that will be writ
ten. Still, I do not aspire to be the Froissart of these interesting
times: but intend merely to furnish my children, and such others
as may read them, with reliable chronicles of the events passing
under my owii' observation.
December 6th. — It is rumored to-day, I know not on what
authority, that the President mentioned the matter of the Drains
ville disaster to the Secretary of AVar, and intimated that it was
attributed to the machinations of the Union men discharged from
prison here. It is said j\[r. Benjamin denied it — denied that any
such men had been discharged by Gen. Winder, or had been con
cerned in the affair at all. Of course the President had no alter
native but to credit the solemn assertions of his confidential ad
viser. But my books, and the register of the prisons, would
show that the Drainsville prisoners sent hither by Gen. Joseph E.
Johnston were discharged by Gen. Winder, and that their expenses
home were paid by the government; and officers of unimpeacha
ble veracity are ready to testify that Gen. Stuart was misled by
these very men.
December 7th.— Quite a commotion has been experienced in

AT THE CONFEDERATE SPATES O-VPITAL. HO
official circles by the departure of ^Ir. AV, II. B. Custis, late Union
member of the Virginia Convention, without obtaining a passport
to leave the city. Some of his secession constituents being in the
city^ reported that they knew it was his purpose to return to the
Eastern Shore of Virginia, and avow his adherence to the United
States authorities, alleging that he had signed the ordinance of
secession under some species of duress, or instruction. Under
these representations, it seems Gen. AA'inder telegraphed to Nor
folk, whither it was understood Custis had gone, to have him ar
rested. This was done; and it is said he bad passports from Gen.
Hu^er to cross the Chesapeake Bay. I must doubt this. What
right has a military commander to grant such passports ?
¦ December Sth. — I saw Mr. Benjamin to-day, and asked him
what disposition he intended to make of Mr. Custis. He was ex
cited, and said with emphasis that he was investigating the case.
He seemed offended at the action of Gen. AA'iuder, and thought it
was a dangerous exercise of military power to arrest persons of
such high standing, without the clearest evidence of guilt. Mr.
Custis had signed the ordinance of secession, and that ought to be
sufficieut evidence of his loyalty.
December 9th. — Gen. Winder informed me to-day that he had
been ordered to release Mr. Custis; and I learned that the Secre
tary of War had transmitted orders to Gen. Huger to permit him
to pass over the bay.
December IOth. — Nothing new.
December 11th. — Several of Gen. Winder's detectives came to
me with a man named Webster, who, it appears, has been going
between Richmond and Baltimore, conveying letters, money, etc.
I refused him a passport. He said he could get it from the Sec
retary himself, but. that it was sometimes difficult in gaining access
to him. I told him to get it, then; I would give him none.
December 12rH. — More of Gen. AVinder's men came with a
Mr. Stone, whom they knew and vouched for, and who wanted a
passport merely to Norfolk. I asked if it was not his design to
go farther. They said yes, but that Gen. Winder would write
to Gen. Huger to let him pass by way of Fortress Monroe. I
refused, and great indignation was manifested.
Deoe.mber 13rH. — One of the papers has a short account of the
application of Stone in its columns this morning. One of the re-

100 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
porters was present at the interview. The article bore pretty
severely upon the assumption of power by the military commander
of the department. Gen. Winder came in during the day, and
denied having promised to procure a passport for Stone from Gen.
Huger. December 14th. — Nothing.
December 15th.— The President's private secretary, Capt. Jos
selyn, was in to-day. He had no news.
December 16th. — We hear to-day that the loyal men of Ken
tucky have met in convention and adopted an ordinance of seces
sion and union with our Confederacy.
December 17th. — Bravo, Col. Edward Johnson ! He was
attacked by 5000 Yankees on the Alleghany Mountains, and he
has beaten them with 1200 men. They say Johnson is an ener
getic man, and swears like a trooper; and instead of a sword, he
goes into battle with a stout cane in his hand, with which he be
labors any skulking miscreant found dodging in the hour of
danger. December 18th. — Men escaped from the Eastern Shore of
Virginia report that Mr. Custis had landed there, and remains
quiet. December 19th. — Judge Perkins came in to-day and denounced
in bitter terms the insane policy of granting passports to spies and
others to leave the country, when every Northern paper bore tes
timony that we were betrayed by these people. He asked me how
many had been permitted to go North by Mr. Benjamin since the
expiration of the time named in the President's proclamation.
This I could not answer : but suggested that a resolution of in
quiry might elicit the information. He desired me to write such a
resolution. I did so, and he departed with it. An hour after
ward, I learned it had been passed unanimously.
December 20th. — A man by the name of Dibble, the identical
one I passed on my way to Montgomery last spring, and whom I
then thought acted and spoke like a Yankee, is here seeking per
mission to go North; he says to Halifax. He confesses that he
is a Yankee born ; but has lived in North Carolina for many years,
and has amassed a fortune. He declares the South does not contain
a truer Southern man than himself; and he says he is going to the
British Provinces to purchase supplies for the Confederacy. He

AT THE confederate Sl'ATES CAPIT.VL. 101
brought me an order from ilr, Benjamin, indorsed on the back of
a letter, for a passport. 1 declined to give it; and he departed in
anger, saying the Secretary would grant it.^ He knew this, for
he said the Secretary had promised him one,
December 21st, — Col. Bledsoe was in to-day. I had not seen
him for a long time. He had not been sitting in the office two
minutes before he uttered one of his familiar groans. Instantly
we were on the old footing again. He said Secretary Benjamin
had never treated him as Chief of the Bureau, any more than
Walker. December 22d. — Dibble has succeeded in obtaining a passport
from the Secretary himself.
December 23D.^Gen. T. J. Jackson has destroyed a principal
dam on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. That will give the
enemy abundance of trouble. This Gen. Jackson is always doing
something to vex the enemy; and I think he is destined to annoy
them more.
It is with much apprehension that I see something like a gen
eral relaxation of preparation to hurl back the invader. It seems
as if the government were waiting for England to do it; and after
all, the capture of Slidell and Mason may be the very worst thing
that could have happened. Mr. Benjamin, I learn, feels very confi
dent that a rupture between the United States and Great Britain is
inevitable. War with England is not to be thought of by Mr. Seward
at this juncture, and he will not have it. And we should not rely
upon the happening of any such contingency. Some of our officials
go so far as to hint that in the event of a war between the United
States and Great Britain, and our recognition by the former, it might
be good policy for us to stand neutral. The war would certainly be
waged on our account, and it would not be consistent with Southern
honor and chivalry to retire from the field and leave the friend
who interfered in our behalf to fight it out alone. The principal
members of our government should possess the highest stamp of
character, for never did there exist a purer people.
December 24th. — I am at work on the resolution passed by
Congress. The Secretary sent it to me, with an order to prepare
the list of names, and saying that he would explain the grounds
upon which they were permitted to depart. I can only give the
number registered in this office. 9*

102 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
December 25th,— Mr. Ely, the Yankee member of Congress,
who has been in confinement here since the battle of Manassas,
has been exchanged for Mr. Faulkner, late Minister to France,
who was captured on his return from Europe. Mr. Ely smiled at
the brown paper on which I had written his passport. I told him
it was Southern manufacture, and although at present in a crude
condition, it was in the process of improvement, and that "neces
sity was the mother of invention." The necessity imposed on us
by the blockade would ultimately redound to our advantage, and
might injure the country inflicting it by diminishing its own pro
ducts. He smiled again, and said he had no doubt we should rise
to the dignity of white paper.
December 26th. — I have been requested by several members of
Congress to prepare a bill, establishing a -passport office by law.
I will attempt it ; but it cannot pass, unless it be done in spite of
the opposition of the Secretary, who knows how to use his patron
age so as to bind members to his interest. He learned that at
Washington. December 27th.— Notwithstanding the severe strictures, and
the resolution of Congress, there is an increase rather than a dimi
nution of the number of persons going North. Some of our offi
cials seem to think the war is over, or that England will do the
balance of our fighting !
December 28th. — The fathers and mothers and sisters of our
brave soldiers continue to send their clothing^ and provisions.
They do not relax in the work of independence.
December 29th. — Persons are coming here from that portion
of Western Virginia held by the enemy, with passports from Gen.
Cox, the Yankee commander. They applied to me to-day for
passports to return to Kanawha, which I refused. They obtained
them from the Assistant Secretary of War, Mr. Ould.
December 30th, — Some of our officers on furlough complain of
the dullness of the war. The second year will be different.
December 31st. — Northern papers, received in this city, show
very conclusively that the enemy are pretty accurately informed of
the condition of our defenses and the paucity of the numbers in
our regiments.

AT THE Confederate states capit.vl. 103

CHAPTER X.
Seward gives up Mason and Slidell. — Great preparations of the enemy. —
Gen. Jackson betrayed. — Mr. Jlemrainger's blunders. — Exaggerated re
ports of our troops in Kentucky and Tennessee.
January 1st, 1862. — Seward has cowered beneath the roar of
the British Lion, and surrendered Mason and Slidell, who have
been permitted to go on their errand to England. Now we must
depend upon our own strong arms and stout hearts for defense.
January 2d. — The enemy are making preparations to assail us
everywhere. Roanoke Island, Norfolk, Beaufort, and Newbern ;
Charleston, Savannah, Mobile, Pensacola, and New Orleans are
all menaced by numerous fleets on the sea-board, and in the West
great numbers of iron-clad floating batteries threaten to force a
passage down the Mississippi, while monster armies are concentra
ting for the invasion of Tennessee and the Cotton States. Will
Virginia escape the scourge ? Not she ; here is the bull's-eye of
the mark they aim at.
January 3d. — The enemy have in the field, according to their
official reports, some three-quarters of a million of men ; we, about
250,000, or one-quarter of a million. This might answer for de
fense if we could only know where their blows will fall ; but then
they have a strong navy and thousands of transports, and we have
next to nothing afloat to oppose to them. And there is no entente
cordiale between Mr. Benjamin and any of our best generals.
.Ianuary 4th. — It is just as I feared. Gen. T. J. Jackson, sup
posing his project to be a profound secret, marched on the 1st
instant from Winchester, intending to surprise a force of the enemy
at Romney. But he had not proceeded half the distance before
he found a printed account of his intended expedition in a Balti
more paper at an inn on the roadside. This was treason of the
blackest dye,'-and will cost us a thousand men. The enemy, of
course, escaped, and our poor soldiers, frost-bitten and famished,
must painfully retrace all steps of this fruitless march.

104 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
January 5th. — There are rumors of a court-martial, and I fear
the enterprising Jackson will be made to suffer for the crime of
others. That men sympathizing with the Union cause were daily
leaving Richmond for Baltimore was known to all, but how they
gained intelligence of the contemplated movement of Jackson is
the mystery.
January 6th. — No news.
January 7th. — Brig-Gen. Wise is to command on Roanoke
Island. It is not far from Princess Ann County, where his place
of residence is. If they give him men enough, say half as many
as the enemy, he will defend it.
January 8th. — Dearth of news.
January 9th. — Butter is 50 cts. per pound, bacon 25 cts.,
beef has risen from 13 cts. to 30 cts., wood is selling for $8 per
cord, but flour is abundant, and cheap enough to keep us from
starving. January 10th. — The President is rarely seen in the streets now,
and it is complained that he is not so accessible as formerly in his
office. I do not know what foundation there is for these reports,
and see no reason to credit them. I know he rides out in the
afternoon, if the weather be fair, after the labors of the day, and he
is a regular attendant at St. Paul's Church. I am rather inchned
to credit the rumor that ie intends to join the church. All his
messages and proclamations indicate that he is looking to a
mightier power than England for assistance. There is a general
desire to have the cabinet modified and Christianized upon the
inauguration of the permanent government.
January 11th.- — We have three candidates in the field in this
district for Congress : President Tyler, James Lyons, and Wm.
II. McFarland. The first will, of course, walk over the track.
January 12th. — Gen. Wise, whose headquarters are to be
fixed at Nag's Head on the beach near Roanoke Island, reports
that the force he commands is altogether inadequate to defend the
position. Burnside is said to have 20,000 men, besides a numerous
fleet of gun-boats; and Gen. AVise has but 3000 effective men.
January 13th.— The department leaves Gen. Wise to his su
perior officer, Gen. Huger, at Norfolk, who has 15,000 men. But
I understand that Huger says AVise has ample means for the de
fense of the island, and refuses to let hini have more men. This

AT THE C0NFEDER;\.TE ST.VTES CAPITAL. 105
looks like a man-trap of the "Red-tapers" to get rid of a popu
lar leader. I hope the President will interfere.
January 14th. — All calm and quiet to-day.
January 15th. — I forgot to mention the fact that some weeks
ago I received a work in manuscript from London, sent thither
before the war, and brought by a bear-er of dispatches from our
Commissioner, Hon. Ambrose Dudley Mann, to whom I had writ
ten on the subject. I owe him a debt of gratitude for this kind
ness. AVhen peace is restored, I shall have in readiness some
contributions to the literature of the South, and my family, if I
should not survive, may derive pecuniary benefit from them. I
look for a long war, unless a Napoleon springs up among us, a
thing not at all probable, for I believe there are those who are con
stantly on the watch for such dangerous characters, and they may
possess the power to nip all embryo emperors in the bud.
Some of our functionaries are not justly entitled to the great
positions they occupy. They attained them by a species oi snap-
judgment, from which there may be an appeal hereafter. It is very
certain that many of our best men have no adequate positions, and
revolutions are mutable things.
January 16th. — To-day, Mr. Benjamin, whom I met in the hall
of the department, said, " I don't grant any passports to leave the
country, except to a few men on business for the government. I
have ceased to grant any for some time past." I merely remarked
that I was glad to hear it.
Immediately on returning to my office I referred to my book, and
counted the names of fifty persons to whom the Secretary had
granted passports within thirty days ; and these were not all agents
of the government. Mr. Benjamin reminded me of Daniel Web
ster, when he used to make solemn declarations that his friends in
office were likewise the partisans of President Tyler.
January 17th. — A Mr. O. Hendricks, very lately of the U. S.
Coast Survey, has returned from a tour of the coast of North
Carolina, and has been commissioned a lieutenant by the Secretary
of War. He says Burnside will take Roanoke Island, and that
Wise and all his men will be captured. It is a man-trap.
January 18th. — Gen. L. P. Walker, the first Secretary of War,
is assigned to duty in the Southwest under Gen. Bragg. How
can he obey the orders of one who was so recently under his com-

106 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
mand ? I think it probable he will resign again before the end of
the campaign.
January 19rH. — There has been a storm on the coast, sinking
some of the enemy's ships. Col. Allen, of New Jersey, was lost.
He was once at my house in Burlington, and professed to be friendly
to the Southern cause. I think he said he owned land and slaves
in Texas.
January 20th. — Mr. Memminger advertises to pay interest on
certain government bonds in specie. That won't last long. He
is paying 50 per cent, premium in treasury notes for the specie, and
the bonds are given for treasury notes. What sort of financiering
is this ?
January 21st. — A great number of Germans and others are
going to Norfolk, thinking, as one remarked, if they can't go to
the United States the United States will soon come to them. Many
believe that Burnside will get Norfolk. I think differently, but I
may be mistaken.
January 22d. — Some of the letter-carriers' passports from
Mr. Benjamin, which have the countenance of Gen. Winder, are
now going into Tennessee. What is this for ? We shall see.
January 23d. — Again the Northern papers give the most ex
travagant numbers to our army in Kentucky. Some estimates
are as high as 150,000. I know, and Mr. Benjamin knows, that
Gen. Johnston has not exceeding 29,000 effective men. And the
Secretary knows that Gen. J. has given him timely notice of the
inadequacy of his force to hold the position at Bowling Green.
The Yankees are well aware of our weakness, but they intend to
claim the astounding feat of routing 150,000 men with 100,000 !
And they suppose that by giving us credit for such a vast army,
we shall not deem it necessary to send reinforcements. Well, re
inforcements are not sent.
January 24th. — Beauregard has been ordered to the West. I
knew the doom was upon him ! But he will make his mark even at
Columbus, though the place seems to me to be altogether untena
ble and of no practicable importance, since the enemy may attack
both in front and rear. It would seem that some of the jealous
functionaries would submit to any misfortune which would destroy
Beauregard's popularity. But these are exceptions: tbey are few
and far between, thank Heaven !

AT THE CONFEDER.-VTE STATES C.VPITAL. 107
January 25th. — The French players have been permitted by
the Secretary to leave the country. But British subjects are now
refused passports.
January 2r>TH. — President Tyler has been elected to Congress
by an overwhelming majority.
January 27th. — The Secretary of War has issued such a per
emptory order to Gen. AA'ise, that the latter has no alternative but
to attempt the defense of Roanoke Island with 3000 men against
15,000 and a fleet of gun-boats. The general is quite sick, but he
will fight. His son, Capt. 0. Jennings Wise, who has been under
fire many times already, commands a company on the island. He
will deserve promotion. The government seems to have pro
scribed the great men of the past and their families, as if this gov
ernment icas the property of the few men who happen to wield
power at the present moment. Arrogance and p'resumption in
the South must, sooner or later, have a fall. The great men who
were the leaders of this revolution may be ignored, but they can
not be kept down by the smaller fry who aspire to wield the des
tinies of a great and patriotic people. Smith and Lovell, New
York politicians and Street Commissioners, have been made major-
generals, while Wise and Breckinridge are brigadiers.
January 2Sth. — -There must soon be collisions in the West on
a large scale; bnt the system of lying, in vogue among the Yan
kees, most effectually defeats all attempts at reliable computation
of numbers. They say we have 150,000 men in Tennessee and
Kentucky, whereas we have not 60,000. Their own numbers they
represent to be not exceeding 50,000, but I suspect they have three
times that number. The shadows of events are crowding thickly
upon us, and the events will speak for themselves — and that
speedily. January 29th. — What we want is a military man capable of
directing operations in the field everywhere. I think Lee is such
a man. But can he, a modest man and a Christian, aspire to such
a position ? Would not Mr. Benjamin throw his influence against
such a suggestion ? I trust the President will see through the
mist generated around him. '
January 30th. — Some of the mysterious letter-carriers, who
have just returned from their jaunt into Tennessee, are applying
again for passports to Baltimore, Washington, etc. I refuse them.

108 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
though they are recommended by Gen. Winder's men ; but they
will obtain what they want frpm the Secretary himself, or his
Assistant Secretary.
January 31st.— What if these men (they have passports)
should be going to Washington to report the result of their recon-
noissances in Tennessee? The Tennessee River is high, and we
have no casemated batteries, or batteries of any sort, on it above
Fort Henry.

CHAPTER XL
Fall of Fort Henry. — Of Fort Donelson. — Lugubrious Inauguration of the
President in the Permanent Government. — Loss of Roanoke Island.
February 1st. — We had a startling rumor yesterday that New
Orleans had been taken by the enemy, without firing a gun. I
hastened to the Secretary and asked him if it could be true. He
had not heard of it, and turned pale. But a moment after, recol
lecting the day on which it was said the city had fallen, he seized
a New Orleans paper of a subsequent date, and said the news
could not be true, since the paper made no mention of it.
February 2d. — The rumor of yesterday originated in the as
sertion of a Yankee paper that New Orleans would be taken with
out firing a gun. Some of our people fear it may be so, since Mr.
Benjamin's friend, Gen. Lovell, who came from New York since
the battle of Manassas, is charged with the defense of the city.
He delivered lectures, it is said, last summer on the defenses of
New York — in that city. Have we not Southern men of sufficient
genius to make generals of, for the defense of the South, without
sending to Ne'w York for military commanders?
February 3d. — AVe have intelligence of the sailing of an expe
dition from Cairo for the reduction of Fort Henry on the Tennes
see River. •
February 4th. — Burnside has entered the Sound at Hatteras
with his fleet of gun-boats and transports. The work will soon
begin.

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 109
February Sth. — I am sorry to hear that Gen. AA'^ise is quite ill.
But, on his back, as on his feet, he will direct operations, and the
enemy will be punished whenever he c6mes in reach of him.
February 6th. — The President is preparing his Inaugural
Message for the 22d, when he is to begin his new administration
of six years. He is to read it from the AVashington Monument in
Capitol Square.
February 7th. — We have vague rumors of fighting at Roanoke.
Nothing reliable.
February S-20th. — Such astounding events have occurred
since the Sth instant, such an excitement has prevailed, and so
incessant have been my duties, that I have not kept a regular jour
nal. I give a running account of them.
Roanoke has fallen before superior numbers, although we had
15.000 idle troops at Norfolk within hearing of the battle. The
government would not interfere, and Gen. Huger refused to allow
the use of a few thousand of his troops.
But Gen. Wise is safe ; Providence willed that he should escape
the "man-trap." When the enemy were abont to open fire on his
headquarters at Nag's Head, knowing him to be prostrated with
illness (for the island had then been surrendered after a heroic
defense), Lieutenants Bagly and Wise bore the general away in a
blanket to a distance of ten or fifteen miles. The Yankees would
have gladly exchanged-»all their prisoners for Gen. Wise, who is
ever a terror to the North.
Capt. 0. Jennings Wise fell, while gallantly cheering his men,
in the heat of the battle. A thousand of the enemy fell before a
few hundred of our brave soldiers. We lost some 2500 men, for
there was no alternative but to surrender.
Capt. Wise told the Yankee officers, who persisted in forcing
themselves in his presence during his dying moments, that the South
could never be subjugated. They might exterminate us, but every
man, woman, and child would prefer death to abject subjugation.
And he died with a sweet smile on his lip, eliciting the profound
respect of his most embittered enemies.
The enemy paroled our men taken 'on the island ; and we recov
ered the remains of the heroic Capt. Wise. His funeral here was
most impressive, and saddened the countenances of thousands who
10

110 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
witnessed the pageant. None of the members of the government
were present ; but the ladies threw flowers and evergreens upon
his bier. He is dead — but history will do him justice ; and his
example will inspire others with the spirit of true heroism.
And President Tyler is no more on earth. He died after^ very
brief illness. There was a grand funeral, Mr. Hunter and others
delivering orations. They came to me, supposing I had written
one of the several biographies of the deceased which have appeared
during the last twenty years. But I had written none — and none
published were worthy of the subject. I could only refer them to
the bound volumes of the Madisonian in the State library for his
messages and other State papers. The originals are among ray
papers in the hands of the enemy. His history is yet to be writ
ten — and it will be read centuries hence.
Fort Henry has fallen. Would that were all ! The catalogue
of disasters I feared and foretold, under the policy adopted by the
War Department, may be a long and a terrible one.
The mission of the spies to East Tennessee is now apparent.
Three of the enemy's gun-boats have ascended the Tennessee River
to the very head of navigation, while the women and children on
its banks could do nothing more than gaze in mute despair. No
batteries, no men were there. The absence of these is what the
traitors, running from here to Washington, have been reporting
to the enemy. Their boats would no more have ventured up that
river without the previous exploration of spies, than Mr. Lincoln
would dare to penetrate a cavern without torch-bearers, in which
the rattle of venomous snakes could be heard. They have
ascended to Florence, and may get footing in Alabama and Mis
sissippi !
And Fort Donelson has been attacked by an immensely supe
rior force. We have 15,000 men there to resist, perhaps, 75,000 !
Was ever such management known before ? Who is responsible
for it? If Donelson falls, what becomes of the ten or twelve
thousand men at Bowling Green ?
February 21st.— All our garrison in Fort Henry, with Gen.
Tilghman, surrendered. I think we had only 1500 men there.
Guns, ammunition, and stores, all gone.
No news from Donelson— and that is bad news. Benjamin
says he has no definite information. But prisoners taken say the

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATKS CAPITAL. Ill
enemy have been reinforced, and are hurling 80,000 against our
15,000. February 22d. — Such a day! The heavens weep incessantly.
Capitol Square is black with umbrellas ; and a shelter has been
erected for the President to stand under.
I walked up to the monument and heard the Inaugural read by
the President. He read it well, and seemed self-poised in the
midst of disasters, which he acknowledged had befallen us. And
he admUted that there had been errors in our war policy. We had
attempted operations on too extensive a scale, thus diffusing our
powers which should have been concentrated. I like these candid
confessions. They augur a different policy hereafter, and we may
hope for better results in the future. We must all stand up for
our country.
Mr. Hunter has resigned, and taken his pla<;e in the Senate.
February 23d. — At last we have the astounding tidings that
Donelson has fallen, and Bnckner, and 9000 men, arms, stores,
everything are in possession of the enemy ! Did the President
know it yesterday ? Or did the Secretary keep it back till the new
government (permanent) was launched into existence ? Where
fore ? The Southern people cannot be daunted by calamity !
Last night it was still raining — and it rained all night. It was
a lugubrious reception at the President's mansion. But the Presi
dent himself was calm, and Mrs. Davis seemed in spirits. For a
long time 1 feared the bad weather would keep the people away ;
and the thought struck me when I entered, that if there were a
Lincoln spy present, we should have more ridicule in the Yankee
presses on the paucity of numbers attending the reception. But
the crowd came at last, and filled the ample rooms. The perma
nent government had its birth in storm, but it may yet flourish in
sunshine. For my own part, however, I think a provisional gov
ernment of few men, should have been adopted "for the war."
February 24th. — Gen. Sydney Johnston has evacuated Bowl
ing Green with his ten or twelve thousand men ! Where is his
mighty army now ? It never did exist !
February 25th. — And Nashville must fall — although no one
seems to anticipate such calamity. We must run the career of
disasters allotted us, and await the turning of the tide.
February 26th. — Congress, iu secret session, has authorized

112 A rebel war clerk's diary
the declaration of martial law in this city, and at some few other
places. This might be well under other circumstances ; but it
will not be well if the old general in command should be clothed
with powers which he has no qualifications to wield advantage
ously. The facile old man will do anything the Secretary ad
vises. Our army is to fall back from Manassas ! The Rappahannock
is not to be our line of defense. Of course the enemy will soon
strike at Richmond from some direction. I have given great
offense to some of our people by saying the policy of permitting
men to go North at will, will bring the enemy to the gates of the
city in ninety days. Several have told me that the prediction has
been marked in the Secretary's tablets, and that I am marked for
destruction if it be not verified. I reply that I would rather be
destroyed than that it should be fulfilled.
February 27th. — Columbus is to be evacuated. Beauregard
sees that it is untenable with Forts Henry and Donelson in pos
session of the enemy. He will not be caught in such a trap as
that. But he is erecting a battery at Island No. 10 that will give
the Yankees trouble. I hope it may stay the catalogue of dis
asters. February 28th. — These calamities may be a wholesome chast
ening for us. We shall now go to'work and raise troops enough to
defend the country. Congress will certainly pass the Conscription
Act recommended by the President.

CHAPTER XI L
Nashville evacuated.— Martial law.— Passports.— Com. Buchanan's naval
engagement.- Gen. Winder's blunders. — Mr. Benjamin Secretary of
State.— Lee commander-in-chief.— Jlr. G. W. Eandolph Secretary of War.
March 1st.— Itis certain that the City of Nashville has been
evacuated, and will, of course, be occupied by the enemy. Gen.
Johnston, with the remnant of his army, has fallen down to Mur-
freesborough, and as that is not a point of military importance,

AT THE CO-NFEOER ATE STATUS C.VPITAL. 113
will in turn be abandoned, and the enemy will drop out of the
State into Alabama or Mississippi.
March 2d. — Gen. Jos. E. Johnston has certainly made a skill
ful retrograde movement in the face of the enemy at Manassas.
He has been keeping McClellan and his 210,000 ^en at bay for a
long time with about 40,000. After the abandonment of his
works it was a long time before the enemy knew he had retrograded.
They approached very cautiously, and found that they had been
awed by a few Quaker guns — logs of wood in position, and so
painted as to resemble cannon. Lord, how the Yankee press will
quiz McClellan !
March 3d. — But McClellan would not advance. He could not
drag his artillery at this season of the year ; and so he is embark
ing his army, or the greater portion of it, for the Peninsula.
March 4th. — We shall have stirring times here. Our troops
are to be marched through Richmond immediately, for the defense
of Yorktown — the same town surrendered by Lord Cornwallis to
Washington. But its fall or its successful defense now will signify
nothing. March 5th. — Martial law has been proclaimed.
March 6th. — Some consternation among the citizens — they dis
like martial law.
March 7th. — Gen. Winder has established a guard with fixed
bayonets at the door of the passport office. They let in only a
few at a time, and these, when they get their passports, pass out
by the rear door, it being impossible for them to return through
the crowd.
March 8th. — Gen. Winder has appointed C/apt. Godwin Pro
vost Marshal.
March 9th. — Gen. Winder has appointed Col. Porter Provost
Marshal, — Godwin not being high enough in rank, I suppose.
MAacH 10th. — One of the friends of the Secretary of War
came to me to-day, and proposed to have some new passports
printed, with the likeness of Mr. Benjamin engraved on them. He
said, I think, the engraving had already been made. I denounced
the project as absurd, and said there were some five or ten thou
sand printed passports on hand.
March 11th. — I have summed up the amounts of patriotic con-
10*

114 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
tributions received by the army in Virginia, and registered on my
book, and they amount to $1,515,898.*
The people of the respective States contributed as follows :
North Carolirui  $32-5,417
Alabama  317,600
Mississippi  272,670
Georgia  244,885
South Carolina  137,206
Texas  87,800
Louisiana  61,950
Virginia*  48,070
Tennessee  17,000
Florida  2,350
Arkansas  950
March 12th. — Gen. Winder moved the passport office up to
the corner of Ninth and Broad Streets.
The office at the corner of Ninth and Broad Streets was a filthy
one ; it was inhabited — for they slept there — by his rowdy clerks.
And when I stepped to the hydrant for a glass of water, the tum
bler repulsed me by the smell of whisky. There was no towel to
wipe my hands with, and in the long basement room underneath,
were a thousand garments of dead soldiers, taken from the hospi
tals and the battle-field, and exhaling a most disagreeable, if not
deleterious, odor.
March 13th. — Nevertheless, I am (temporarily) signing my
name to the passports, yet issued by the authority of the Secretary
of War. They are filled up. and issued by three or four of the
Provost Marshal's clerks, who are governed mainly by my direc
tions, as neither Col. Porter nor the clerks, nor Gen. Winder him
self, have the slightest idea of the geography of the country occu
pied by the enemy. The clerks are all Marylanders, as well as the
detectives, and the latter intend to remain here to my great
chagrin. March 14th.— The Provost Marshal, Col. Porter, has had new
passports printed, to which his own name is to be appended. I am
requested to sign it for him, and to instruct the clerks generally.

* Virginia undoubtedly contributed -more than any other State, but they
were not mgisterpr)

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 115
March 15th. — For several days troops have been pouring
through the city, marching down the Peninsula. The enemy are
making demonstrations against Yorktown.
March 16th. — I omitted to note in its place the gallant feat of
Commodore Buchanan with the iron monster Merrimac in Hamp
ton Roads. He destroyed two of the enemy's best ships of war.
My friends. Lieutenants Parker and Minor, partook of the glory,
and were severely wounded.
March 17th. — Col. Porter has resigned his provost marshal-
ship, and is again succeeded by Capt. Godwin, a Virginian, and I
like him very well, for he is truly Southern in his instiucts.
March 18th. — A Mr. MacCubbin, of Maryland, has been ap
pointed by Gen. Winder the Chief of Police. He is wholly illit
erate, like the rest of the policemen under his command.
March 19th. — Mr. MacCubbin, whom I take to be a sort of
Scotch-Irishman, though reared in the mobs of Baltimore, I am
informed has given some passports, already signed, to some of his
friends. This interference will produce a rupture between Capt.
Godwin and Capt. MacCubbin; but as the former is a Virginian,
he may have the worst of it in the bear fight.
March 20th. — There is skirmishing every day on the Peninsula.
We have not exceeding 60,000 men there, while the enemy have
158,000. It is fearful odds. And they have a fleet of gun-boats.
March 21st. — Gen. Winder's detectives are very busy. They
have been forging prescriptions to catch the poor Richmond
apothecaries. When the brandy is thus obtained it is confiscated,
and the money withheld. They drink the brandy, and imprison
the apothecaries. 
March 22d. — Capt. Godwin, the Provost Marshal, was swear
ing furiously this morning at the policemen about their iniquitous
forgeries. March 23d. — Gen. Winder was in this morning listening to
something MacCubbin was telling him about the Richmond Whig.
It appears that, in the course of a leading article, enthusiastic for
the cause, the editor remarked, " we have arms and ammunition
now." The policemen, one and all, interpreted this as a violation
of the order to the press to abstain from speaking of the arrivals
of arms, etc. from abroad. Gen. Winder, without looking at the
paper, said in a loud voice, " Go and arrest the editor — and close

116 A REBEL WAR CLERK's DIARY
his office I" Two or three of the policemen started off on this
errand. Bat I interposed, and asked them to wait a moment,
until I could examine the paper. I found no infraction of the
order in the truly patriotic article, and said so to Gen. Winder.
" Well," said he, " if he has not violated the order, he must not be
arrested." He took the paper, and read for himself; and then,
without saying anything more, departed.
When he was gone, I asked MacCubbin what was the phraseology
of the order that " had been served on the editors." He drew it
from his pocket, saying it had been shown to them, and not left
with them. It was in the handwriting of Mr. Benjamin, and signed
by Gen. Winder. And I learned that all the orders, sumptuary
and others, had been similarly written and signed. Mr. Benjamin
used the pencil and not the pen in writing these orders, supposing,
of course, they would be copied by Gen. W.'s clerks. But they
were not copied. The policemen threaten to stop the Examiner
soon, for that paper has been somewhat offensive to the aliens
who now have rule here.
March 24th. — Gen. Walker, of Georgia — the same who had
the scene with Col. Bledsoe — has resigned. I am sorry that the
Confederate States must lose his services, for he is a brave man,
covered with honorable scars. He has displeased the Secretary
of War.
March 25th. — Gen. Bonham, of South Carolina, has also re
signed, for being overslaughed. His were the first troops that
entered Virginia to meet the enemy ; and because some of his
three months' men were reorganized into fresh regiments, his
brigade was dissolved, and his commission canceled.
Price, Beauregard, Walker, Bonham, Toombs, Wise, Floyd,
and others of the brightest lights of the South have been some
how successively obscured. And Joseph E. Johnston is a doomed
fly, sooner or later, for he said, not long since, that there could be
no hope of success as long as Mr. Benjamin was Secretary of
War. These words were spoken at a dinner-table, and will reach
the ears of the Secretary.
March 26th. — The apothecaries arrested and imprisoned some
days ago have been tried and acquitted by a court-martial. Gen.
Winder indorsed on the order for their discharge : "Not approved,
and you may congratulate yourselves upon escaping a merited
punishment."

at the confederate states capital. 117
March 27th. — It is said Mr. Benjamin has been dismissed, or
resigned. March 2Sth. — ^Ir. Benjamin has been promoted. He is now
Secretary of State.
His successor in the War Department is G. W. Randolph, a
lawyer of modest pretensions, who, although he has lived for seve
ral years in this city, does not seem to have a dozen acquaintances.
But he inherits a name, being descended from Thomas Jefferson,
and, I believe, likewise from the Mr. Randolph in Washington's
cabinet. Mr. Randolph was a captain at Bethel under Ma
gruder ; and subsequently promoted to a colonelcy. Announcing
his determination "to quit the military service more than a month
ago, he entered the field as a competitor for the seat in Congress
left vacant by the death of President Tyler. Hon. James Lyons
was elected, and Col. Randolph got no votes at all.
March 30th. — Gen. Lee is to have command of all the armies
— but will not be in the field himself. He will reside here. Con-l
gress passed an act to create a commanding general ; but this
was vetoed, for trenching on the executive prerogative — or failed
in some way. The proceedings were in secret session.
March 31st. — Gen. Joseph E. Johnston is to command on the
Peninsula. The President took an affectionate leave of him the
other day ; and Gen. Lee held his hand a long time, and admon
ished him to take care of his life. There was no necessity for him
to endanger it — as had just been done by the brave Sydney John
ston at Shiloh, whose fall is now universally lamented. This Gen.
Johnston (Joseph E.) I believe has the misfortune to be wounded
in most of his battles.

118 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY

CHAPTER XIIL
Gen. Beauregard succeeds Gen. Sydney Johnston. — Dibble, the traitor.^
Enemy at Fredericksburg. — They say we will be subdued by the 15th of
June. — Lee rapidly concentrating at Richmond. — Webster, the spy, hung.
April 1st. — Gen. Sydney Johnston having fallen in battle, the
command in the West devolved on Gen. Beauregard, whose recent
defense at Island No. 10 on the Mississippi, has revived his pop
ularity. But, I repeat, he is a doomed man.
April 2d. — Gen. Wise is here with his report of the Roanoke
disaster. April 3d. — Congress is investigating the Roanoke affair. Mr.
^Benjamin has been denounced in Congress by Mr. Foote and
others as the sole cause of the calamities which have befallen the
country. I wrote a letter to the President, offering to show that I had
given no passport to Mr. Dibble, the traitor, and also the evidences,
in his own handwriting, that Mr. Benjamin granted it.
April 4th. — The enemy are shelling our camp at Yorktown.
I can hear the reports of the guns, of a damp evening. We are
sending back defiance with our guns.
The President has not taken any notice of my communication.
Mr. Benjamin is too powerful to be affected by such proofs of such
small matters.
April 5th. — Newbern, N. C, has fallen into the hands of the
enemy ! Our men, though opposed by greatly superior numbers,
made a brave resistance, and killed and wounded 1000 of the in
vaders. The enemy were piloted up the river to Newbern by the same
Mr. Dibble to whom I refused a passport, but to whom the Sec
retary of War granted one.
The press everywhere is commenting on the case of Dibble —
but Mordecai still sits at the gate.
April 6th. — Two spies (Lincoln's detective police) have, been

AT THE CONFEDER.VTE STATES CAPITAL. 119
arrested here, tried by court-martial, and condemned to be hung.
There is an awful silence among the Baltimore detectives, which
bodes no harm to the condemned. They will not be executed,
though guilty.
April 7th. — R. G. H. Kean, a young man, and a connection
of Mr. Randolph, has been appointed Chief of the Bureau of War
in place of Col. Bledsoe, resigned at last. Mr. Kean was, I be
lieve, a lieutenant when Mr. Randolph was colonel, and acted as
his adjutant.
April Sth. — Col. Bledsoe has been appointed Assistant Secre
tary of War by the President. Now he is in his glory, and has
forgotten me.
April 9th. — There are several young officers who have sheathed
the sword, and propose to draw the pen in the civil service.
To-day I asked of the department a month's respite from labor,
and obtained it. But I remained in the city, and watched closely,
still hoping I might serve the cause, or at least prevent more in
jury to it, from the wicked facility hitherto enjoyed by spies to
leave the country.
April IOth. — The condemned spies have implicated Webster,
the letter-carrier, who has had so many passports. He will hang,
probably. Gen. Winder himself, and his policemen, wrote home
by him. I don't believe him any more guilty than many who used
to write by him ; and I mean to tell the Judge Advocate so, if
they give me an opportunity.
April 1 1th. — The enemy are at Fredericksburg, and the Yankee
papers say it will be all over with us by the 15th of June. I doubt
that. April 12th. — The committee (Congressional) which have been
investigating the Roanoke Island disaster have come to the con
clusion, unanimously, and the House has voted accordingly, and
¦with unanimity, that the blame and guilt of that great calamity
rest solely upon " Gen. Huger and Jndah P. Benjamin."
April 13th. — Gen. Wise now resolved to ask for another com
mand, to make another effort in defense of his country. Bnt, when
he waited upon the Secretary of War, he ascertained that there
was no brigade for him. Returning from thence, some of his
officers, who had escaped the trap at Roanoke, crowded round
him to learn the issue of his application.

120 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
" There is no Secretary of War I" said he.
" Wiat is Randolph ?" asked one.
" He is not Secretary of War !" said he ; " he is merely a clerk,
an underling, and cannot hold up his head in his humiliating
position. He never will be able to hold up his head, sir."
April 14th. — There will soon be hard fighting on the Pen
insula. April 15th. — Gen. Beauregard has written to Gen. Wise, offer
ing him a command in his army, if the government will consent to
it. It will not be consented to.
April 16th. — Troops are being concentrated rapidly in Vir
ginia by Gen. Lee.
April 17th. — To-day Congress passed an act providing for
the termination of martial law within thirty days after the mee'ting
of the next session. This was as far as they could venture ; for,
indeed, a majority seem to be intimidated at the glitter of bayonets
in the streets, wielded by the authority of martial law. The press,
too, has taken the alarm, and several of the publishers have con
fessed a fear of having their offices closed, if they dare to speak
the sentiments struggling for utterance. It is, indeed, a reign of
terror ! Every Virginian, and other loyal citizens of the South —
members of Congress and all — must now, before obtaining Gen.
Winder's permission to leave the city for their homes, bow down
before the aliens in the Provost Marshal's office, and subscribe to
an oath of allegiance, while a file of bayonets are pointed at his
back !
April 18th, — The President is thin and haggard; and it has
been whispered on the street that he will immediately be baptized
and confirmed. I hope so, because it may place a great gulf be
tween him and the descendant of those who crucified the Saviour.
Nevertheless, some of his enemies allege that professions of Chris
tianity have sometimes been the premeditated accompaniments of
usurpations. It was so with Cromwell and with Richard III.
Who does not remember the scene in Shakspeare, where Richard
appears on the balcony, with prayer book in hand and a priest on
either side ?
April 19th. — All believe we are near a crisis, involving the
possession of the capital.
April 21st. — A calm before the storm.

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 121
April 22d. — Dibble, the traitor, has been captured by our
soldiers in North Carolina.
April 23d. — The North Carolinians have refused to give up
Dibble to Gen. Winder. And, moreover, the governor has de
manded the rendition of a citizen of his State, who was arrested
there by one of Gen. Winder's detectives, and brought hither.
The governor says, if he be not delivered up, he will institute
measures of retaliation, and arrest evel'V alien policeman from
Richmond caught within the limits of his jurisdiction.
Is it not shameful that martial law should be playing such fan
tastic tricks before high heaven, when the enemy's guns are boom
ing within hearing of the capital?
April 24th — Webster has been tried, condemned, and hung.
April 25th. — Gen. Wise, through the influence of Gen. Lee,
who is a Christian gentleman as well as a consummate general, has
been ordered into the field. He will have a brigade, but not with
Beauregard. The President has unbounded confidence in Lee's
capacity, modest as he is.
Another change ! Provost Marshal Godwin, for rebuking the
Baltimore chief of police, is to leave us, and to be succeeded by a
Marylander, Major Griswold, whose family is now in the enemy's
country. April 26th. — Gen. Lee is doing good service in bringing for
ward reinforcements from the South against the day of trial — and
an awftd day awaits us. It is understood that he made fully known
to the President his appreciation of the desperate condition of
affairs, and demanded carte blanche as a condition of his accept
ance of the position of commanding general. The President
wisely agreed to the terms.
April 27th. — Gen. Lee is calm — but the work of preparation
goes on night and day.
April 28th. — We have rumors of an important cabinet meeting,'
wherein it was resolved to advise or command Gen, Johnston to evac
uate Yorktown and retire toward Richmond ! Also that Norfolk is
to be given up ! I don't believe it ; Lee's name is not mentioned.
April 29th. — Major Griswold is here, and so is a new batch of
Marylanders. April 30th, — Troops from the South are coming in and march
ing down the Peninsula. 11

122 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY

CHAPTERXIV.
Disloyalists entrapped. — Norfolk abandoned. — Merrimac blown up. —
Army falling back. — Mi^. Davis leaves Richmond — Preparing to burn
the tobacco. — Secretary of War trembles for Richmond. — Richmond to
be defended. — The tobacco. — Winking and blinking. — Johnston's great
battle. — Wounded himself. — The wounded. — The hospitals.
May 1st. — The ladies shower loaves of bread and slices of ham
on the passing troops.
May 2d. — An iniquitous-looking prisoner was brought in to-day
from Orange C. H., by the name of Robert Stewart. The evi
dence against him is as follows : He is a Pennsylvanian, though a
resident of Virginia for a number of years, and owns a farm in
Orange County. Since the series of disasters, and the seeming
downward progress of our affairs, Stewart has cooled his ardor
for independence. He has slunk from enrollment in the militia,
and under the Conscription Act. And since the occupation of
Fredericksburg by the enemy he has made use of such equivocal
language as to convince his neighbors that his sympathies are
wholly with the Northern invader.
A day or two since, near nightfall, three troopers, weary and
worn, halted at Stewart's house and craved food and rest for them
selves and horses. Stewart, supposing them to be Confederate
soldiers, declared he had nothing they wanted, and that he was des
titute of every description of refreshments. They said they were
sorry for it, as it was a long ride to Fredericksburg.
"Are you Union soldiers ?" asked Stewart, quickly.
"Yes," said they, "and we are on scouting duty."
" Come in ! Come in ! I have everything you want I'' cried Stew
art, and when they entered he embraced them.
A sumptuous repast was soon on the table, but the soldiers re
fused to eat! Surprised at this, Stewart demanded the reason;
the troopers rose, and said they were Confederate soldiers, and it
was their duty to arresta traitor. They brought him hither. Will
he, too, escape merited punishment ?

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES OAPITAIi. 123
May 3d — I fear there is something in the rumor that Norfolk
and Portsmouth and Yorktown and the Peninsula will be given up.
The Secretaries of War and Navy are going down to Norfolk.
May 4th. — The Yankees on the Peninsula mean to fight. AVell,
that is what our brave army pants for.
May 5th. — -The prospect of battle produces a joyous smile on
every soldier's face to-day.
May 6th, 7th. — We have not yet reached the lowest round
of the ladder. The Secretary is at Norfolk, and the place is to
be evacuated. I would resign first.
May 8th. — Norfolk and Portsmouth are evacuated! Our army
falling back ! The Merrimac is to be, or has been, blown up 1
May 9th. — My family, excepting my son Custis, started to-day
for Raleigh, N. C, where our youngest daughter is at school. But
it is in reality another flight from the enemy. No one, scarcely,
supposes that Richmond will be defended. But it must be !
May IOth. — The President's family have departed for Raleigh,
and the families of most of the cabinet to their respective homes,
or other places of refuge. The President has been baptized (at
home) and privately confirmed in St. Paul's Church.
May 11th. — The Baltimore detectives are the lords of the as
cendant. They crook a finger, and the best carriages in the street
pause, turn round, and are subject to their will. They loll and
roll in glory. And they ride on horseback, too — government
horses, or horses pressed from gentlemen's stables. One word of
remonstrance, and the poor victim is sent to Castle Godwin.
May 12th. — I suggested to the Provost Marshal several days
ago that there was an act of Congress requiring the destruction
of tobacco, whenever it might be in danger of falling into the
hands of the enemy. He ran to Gen. Winder, and he to some
one else, and then a hundred or more negroes, and as many
wagons, were "pressed" by the detectives. They are now gath
ering the weed from all quarters, and piling it in " pressed" ware
houses, mixed with "combustibles," ready for the conflagration.
And now the consuls from the different nations are claiming
that all bought on foreign account ought to be spared the torch.
Mr. Myers, the little old lawyer, has been employed to aid them.
He told me to-day that none ought to be burnt, that the Yankees
having already the tobacco of Missouri, Kentucky, and Maryland,

124 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
if we burn ours it will redound to their benefit, as it will enhance
the price of that in their hands. That is a Benjamite argument.
He hastened away to see the Secretary of State, and returned,
saying, in high glee (supposing I concurred with him, of course), Mr.
B. agreed with him. I told him, very gravely, that it mattered
not who agreed with him ; so soon as the enemy came to Richmond
all the tobacco would be burned, as the retiring army would attend
to it; several high officers were so resolved. He looked astounded,
aud departed.
May ] 3th. — This morning Ilearned that the consuls had carried
the day, and were permitted to collect the tobacco alleged to be
bought on foreign account in separate warehouses, and to place the
flags of their respective nations over them. This was saving the
property claimed by foreigners whose governments refused to rec
ognize us (these consuls are accredited to the United States), and
destroying that belonging to our own citizens. I told the Provost
Marshal that the act of Congress included all tobacco and cotton,
and he was required by law to see it all destroyed. He, however,
acknowledged only martial law, and was, he said, acting under the
instructions of the Secretary of State. What has the Secretary
of State to do with martial law ? Is there really no Secretary of
War? Near the door of the Provost Marshal's office, guarded by bay
oneted sentinels, there is a desk presided over by Sergeant Crow,
who orders transportation on the cars to such soldiers as are per
mitted to rejoin their regiments. This Crow, a Marylander, keeps
a little black-board hung up and notes With chalk all the regiments
that go down the Peninsula. To-day, I saw a man whom I sus
pected to be a Yankee spy, copy with his pencil the list of regi
ments; and when I demanded his purpose, he seemed confused.
This is the kind of information Gen. McClellan can afford to pay
for very liberally. I drew the Provost Marshal's attention to this
matter, and he ordered a discontinuance of the practice.
May 14th.— Our array has fallen back to within four miles of
Richmond. Much anxiety is felt for the fate of the city. Is there
no turning point in this long lane of downward progress ? Truly
it may be said, our affairs at this moment are in a critical condition.
I trust in God, and the chivalry and patriotism of the South in the
field.

AT THE CONFEDERATE ST.VTF.S CAPITAL. 125
The enemy's fleet of gun-boats are ascending James River, and
the obstructions are not completed. AVe have but ono or two
casemated guns in battery, but we have bravo men there.
May 15th. — The enemy's gun-boats, ]\Ionitor, Galena, etc. are
at Drewry's Bluff, eight miles below the city, shelling our batteries,
and our batteries are bravely shelling them. The President rode
down to the vicinity this morning, and observed the firing.
The guns are heard distinctly in the city, and yet there is no
consternation manifested by the people. If the enemy pass the
obstructions, the city will be, it is true, very much at their mercy.
They may shell us out of it, and this may occur any hour. South
of the city the enemy have no forces, and we can find refuge there.
I suppose the government would go to Lynchburg. I shall remain
with the army, and see that the tobacco be burnt, at all hazards,
according to law. I have seen some of our generals, and am con
vinced that the Baltimore rabble, and those that direct them, will
be suppressed, or exterminated, if they attempt to throw impedi
ments in the way of our soldiers in the work of destroying the
tobacco, as enjoined by Congress.
Our marksmen will keep up an incessant fire into the port-holes
of the gun-boats; and if it be at all practicable, we will board
them. So hope is by no means extinct. But it is apprehended, if
the enemy get within shelling distance of the city, there will be an
attack along our lines by McClellan. We must beat him there, as
we could never save our guns, stores, etc. retreating across the
river. And we will beat him, for we have 80,000 men, and more
are coming.
Joyful tidings ! the gun-boats have been repulsed 1 A heavy
shot from one of our batteries ranged through the Galena from
stem to stern, making frightful slaughter, and disabling the ship ;
and the whole fleet turned about and steamed down the river I
We have not lost a dozen men. We breathe freely ; and the gov
ernment will lose no time in completing the obstructions and
strengthening the batteries.
May 16th. — McClellan is intrenching — that is, at least, signifi
cant of a respite, and of apprehension of attack.
May 17th. — Gen. Lee has admonished Major Griswold on the
too free granting of passports. Will it do any good ?
11*

126 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
May 18th.— All quiet to-day except the huzzas as fresh troops
arrive. May 19th.  AA^e await the issue before Richmond. It is still
believed by many that it is the intention of the government and the
generals to evacuate the city. If the enemy were to appear in
force on the south side, and another force were to march on us
from Fredericksburg, we should be inevitably taken, in the event
of the loss of a battle — an event I don't anticipate. Army, gov
ernment, and all, might, it is true, be involved in a common ruin.
Wrote as strong a letter as I could to the President, stating what
I have every reason to believe would be the consequences of the
abandonment of Richmond. There would be demoralization and
even insubordination in the army. Better die here I With the
exception of the business portion of the city, the enemy could not
destroy a great many houses by bombardment. But if defeated
and driven back, our troops would make a heroic defense in the
streets, in the walled grave-yards, and from the windows. Better
electrify the world by such scenes of heroism, than surrender the
capital and endanger the cause. I besought him by every consid
eration, not to abandon Richmond to the enemy short of the last
extremity. The legislature has also passed resolutions calling upon the C.
S. Government to defend Richmond at all hazards, relieving the
Confederate authorities, in advance, of all responsibility for any
damage sustained.
This will have its effect. It would be pusillanimous to retire
now. But every preparation had been made to abandon it. The
archives had been sent to Columbia, S. C, and to Lynchburg.
The tracks over the bridges had been covered with plank, to facili
tate the passage of artillery. Mr. Randolph had told his page,
and cousin, "you must go with my wife into the country, for to
morrow the enemy will be here." Trunks were packed in readi
ness — for what ? Not one would have been taken on the cars 1
The Secretary of the Treasury had a special locomotive and cars,
constantly with steam up, in readiness to fly with the treasure.
Nevertheless, many of the old secessionists have resolved not to
leave their homes, for there were no other homes for them to fly
to. They say they will never take the oath of allegiance to the

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 127
despised government of the North, but suffer whatever penalties
may be imposed on thera. There is a sullen, bnt generally a calm
expression of inflexible determination on the countenances of the
people, men, women, and children. But there is no consternation ;
we have learned to contemplate death with composure. It would
be at least an effectual escape from dishonor: and Northern
domination is dishonor.
May 20th. — The President, in response to the Legislative
Committee, announced that Richmond would be defended. A
thrill of joy electrifies every heart, a smile of triumph is on every
lip. The inhabitants seem to know that their brave defenders in
the field will prove invincible; and it is understood that Gen. Lee
considers the city susceptible of successful defense. The ladies
are in ecstasies.
M.\y 21 ST. — There are skirmishes every day, and we can hear
both the artillery and musketry from the hills on the outskirts of
the city, whither some of us repair every afternoon.
But the Provost Marshal's administration is abominable. Mr.
Garnett, M. C.,told me that in an interview with the President,
the latter informed him that he had just received a letter from
Gen. Johnston, stating that the enemy not only knew everything
going on within our lines, but seemed absolutely to know what we
intended doing in the future, as if the most secret counsels of the
cabinet were divulged.
Count Mercier, the French Minister residing at Washington,
has been here on a mysterious errand. They said it referred to
our recognition. He had prolonged interviews with Mr. Benja
min. I think it was concerning tobacco. There are $60,000,000
worth in Richmond, at French prices. For $1,000,000, Mr.
Seward might afford to wink very hard; and, after distributing
several other millions, there would be a grand total profit both to
the owners and the French Emperor. I smile at their golden ex
pectations, for I know they will not be realized. If one man can
prevent it, the South shall never be betrayed for a crop of tobacco.
This is a holy cause we are embarked in, worthy to die for.
The British Minister, Lord Lyons, has embarked for England,
to report to his government that "the rebellion is on its last legs,"
and must speedily succumb. He is no prophet, or the son of a
prophet.

128 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
May 22d. — There is lightning in the Northwest, and the deep
thunder of avenging guns is heard at Washington ! Gen. Jack
son, sent thither by Gen. Lee, is sweeping everything before him,
defeating Shields, Banks, Fremont, and one or two other Yankee
major-generals, with his little corps d'armee! And his coadjutor,
Ewell, is worthy of his companionship. He Ji as swept them out
of the valley, scattering their hosts like quails before the fowler 1"
They fly in every direction ; and the powers at Washington are
trembling for the safety of their own capital. Glorious Jackson !
and he gives, as is justly due, the glory to God.
May 23d. — Oh, the extortioners ! Meats of all kinds are sell
ing at 50 cts. per pound ; butter, 75 cts.; coffee, $1.50; tea, $10;
boots, $30 per pair; shoes, $18; ladies' shoes, §15; shirts, $6 each.
Houses that rented for $500 last year, are SIOOO now. Boarding,
from $30 to $40 per month. Gen. Winder has issued an order
fixing the maximum prices of certain articles of marketing, which
has only the effect of keeping a great many things out of market.
The farmers have to pay the merchants and Jews their extortion
ate prices, and complain very justly of the partiality of the general.
It does more harm than good.
May 24th. — Every day the two armies are shelling each other,
more or less ; and every gun can be heard from the Hospital Hill,
north of the city, whither many repair to listen.
May 25th. — The enemy send up several balloons every day.
Sometimes three can be seen at once. They are stationary, being
fastened by ropes to trees ; and give us an idea of the extent
of his lines. But with glasses they can not only see our camps
around the city, but they can view every part of the city itself.
May 26th.^ — Gen. Lee is siill strengthening the army. Every
day additional regiments are coming. AVe are now so strong
that no one fears the result when the great battle takes place.
McClellan has delayed too long, and he is doomed to defeat. The
tobacco savers know it well, and their faces exhibit chagrin and
disappointment. Their fortunes will not be made this year, and so
their reputations may be saved.
May 27th. — More troops came in last night, and were marched
to the camp at once, so that the Yankees will know nothing of it.
May 28th. — Prisoners and deserters from the enemy say the
Yankees get the Richmond papers, every day, almost as soon as

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPIT.VL. 129
we do. This is a great advantage they possess; and it demon
strates the fact that the Provost ^Marshal has interposed no effect
ual barriers between us and the enemy,
!M.AY 29th. — More troops are marching into the city, and Gen.
Lee has them sent out in such manner and at such times as to
elude the observations of even the spies.
May 30th. — It is said some of the enemy's mounted pickets
rode through the city last night ! Northern papers manifest much
confidence in the near approach of the downfall of Richmond, and
the end of the "rebellion." The 15th of June is the utmost limit
allowed us for existence. A terrific storm arose yesterday ; and
as our scouts report the left wing of the enemy on this side of the
Chickahominy, Gen. Johnston has determined to attack it to-mor
row. Thank God, we are strong enough to make the attack 1
May 31st. — Everybody is upon the tip-toe of expectation. It
has been announced (in the streets !) that a battle would take place
this day, and hundreds of men, women, and children repaired to
the hills to listen, and possibly to see, the firing. The great storm
day before yesterday, it is supposed, has so swollen the Chicka
hominy as to prevent McClellan's left wing from retreating, and
reinforcements from being sent to its relief. The time is well
chosen by Gen. Johnston for the attack, but it was bad policy to
let itjiejuiown where and when it would be made"; for, no doubt,
McClellan was advised of our plans an hour or so after they were
promulged in the streets. Whose fault is this ? Johnston could
hardly be responsible for it, because he is very reticent, and appre
ciates the importance of keeping his purposes concealed from the
enemy. Surely none of his subordinates divulged the secret, for
none but generals of division knew it. It must have been found out
and proclaimed by some one in the tobacco interest. It is true, Mr.
Randolph told Mr. Jacques a great battle would begin at 8 a.m.,
to-day; but he would not propagate such news as that!
But the battle did not occur at the time specified. Gen. Huger's
division was not at the allotted place of attack at the time fixed
upon. His excuse is that there was a stream to cross, and under
standing Gen. Longstreet was his senior in command (which is not
thefact, Tiowever), he permitted his division to have precedence.
All the divisions were on the ground in time but Huger's, but
still no battle. Thousands of impatient spectators are venting

130 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
their criticisms and anathemas, like an audience at a theater when
some accident or disarrangement behind the scenes prevents the
curtain from rising.
At last, toward noon, a few guns are heard ; but it was not till
4 P.M. that Huger's division came upon the field. Nevertheless,
the battle began in earnest before that hour ; and we could hear
distinctly not only the cannon but the musketry.
The hearts of our soldiers have been inspired with heroic reso
lution, and their arms nerved with invincible power to overcome
the difficulties known to be in the way. Every one is aware that
the camp of the enemy, on this side of the Chickahominy, is almost
impregnably intrenched; and in front of the works trees have been
cut down and the limbs sharpened, so as to interpose every obsta
cle to our advance.
Ever and anon after rapid firing of cannon, and a tremendous rat
tle of musketry, a pause would ensue ; and we knew what this meant !
A battery had been taken at the point of the bayonet, and we
cheered accordingly. One after another, we could in this manner
perceive the strongholds of the enemy fall into our hands.
Toward sundown it was apparent that the intrenched camp had
been taken ; and as the deep booming of cannon became more dis
tant, and the rattle of musketry less distinct, we felt certain that the
foe was flying, and that our men were pursuing them. But we
knew that our men would take everything they were ordered to
take. They care not for wounds and death. This is their only
country. But the enemy have a country to run to, and they hope
to live, even if defeated here. If they kill all our young men, the
old men and women, and even our children, will seize their arms
and continue the conflict.
At night. The ambulances are coming in with our wounded.
They report that all the enemy's strong defenses were stormed,
just as we could perceive from the sounds. They say that our
brave men suffered much in advancing against the intrenchments,
exposed to the fire of cannon and small arms, without being able
to see the foe under their shelter ; but when they leaped over the
breastworks and turned the enemy's guns on them, our loss was
more than compensated. Our men were shot in front ; the enemy
in the back — and terrible was the slaughter. We got their tents,
all standing, and a sumptuous repast that had just been served

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES C.VPITAL. 131
up when the battle began. Gen. Casey's headquarters were
taken, and his plate and smoking viands were found on his table.
His papers fell into our hands. We got a large amount of stores
and refreshments, so much needed by our poor braves I There
were boxes of lemons, oranges, brandies and wines, and all the
luxuries of distant lands which enter the unrestricted ports of the
United States. These things were narrated by the pale and bleed
ing soldiers, who smiled in triumph at their achievement. Not
one in the long procession of ambulances uttered a complaint.
Did they really suffer pain from their wounds ? This question was
asked by thousands, and the reply was, "not much." Women and
chiMren and slaves are wending to the hospitals, with baskets of
refreshments, lint, and bandages. Every house is offered for a
hospital, and every matron and gentle daughter, a tender nurse.
But how fares it with the invader ? Unable to recross the
swollen Chickahominy, the Yankees were driven into an almost
impenetrable swamjij whefeTheynmnst pass the night in water up
to their^ knees. The wounded borne off by them will have no
ministrations from their sisters and mothers, and their dead are
abandoned on the field. If Huger had come up at the time ap
pointed, the enemy would have been ruined.

CHAPTER XV.
Huger fails again. — A wounded boy. — The killed and wounded. — Lee
assumes command. — Lee prepares to attack McClellan — Beauregard
watches the gold. — Our generals scattered. — Hasty letter from Gen. Lee.
— Opening of grand battle. — First day^6th June. — Second, etc. — Lee's
consummate skill. — Every day for a week it rages. — Streets crowded
with Blue Jackets. — McClellan retires.
June 1st. — The ambulances are now bringing in the enemy's
wounded as well as our own. It is the prompting of humanity.
They seem truly grateful for this magnanimity, as they call it ; a
sentiment hitherto unknown to them.
The battle was renewed to-day, but not seriously. The failure
of Gen. Huger to lead his division into action at the time ap-

132 A REBEL WAR CLERK's DIARY
pointed, is alleged as the only reason why the left wing of the
enemy was not completely destroyed. But large masses of the
enemy did cross the river, on bridges constructed for the purpose,
and they had 50,000 men engaged against a much less number on
our part ; and their batteries played upon us from the north bank
of the Chickahominy. The flying foe kept under shelter of this
fire — and these guns could not be taken, as the pontoon bridge
was defended by heavy artillery.
All day the wounded were borne past our boarding-house in
Third Stseet, to the general hospital ; and hundreds, with shat
tered arms and slight flesh wounds, came in'on foot. I saw a boy,
not more than fifteen years old (from South Carolina), withhis
hand in a sling. He showed me his wound. A ball had entered
between the fingers of his left hand and lodged near the wrist,
where the flesh was much swollen. He said, smiling, "I'm going
to the hospital just to have the ball cut out, and will then return
to the battle-field. I can fight with my right hand."
The detectives are jubilant to-day. They say one of their
number,  , did heroic feats of arms on the field, killing a
Yankee colonel, and a private who came to the rescue. At all
events, they brought in a colonel's sword, pistols, and coat, as tro
phies. This story is to be in the papers to-morrow !
June 2d. — Great indignation is expressed by the generals in
the field at the tales told of the heroism of the amateur fighters.
They say  stripped a dead colonel, and was never in reach of
the enemy's guns. Moreover, the civilians in arms kept at such a
distance from danger that their balls fell among our own men, and
wounded some of them ! An order has been issued by one of the
major-generals, that hereafter any stragglers on the field of battle
shall be shot. No civilians are to be permitted to be there at all,
unless they go into the ranKS
Gen. Johnston is wounded — badly wounded, but not mortally.
It is his misfortune to be wounded in almost evei-ylDattTeTie fights.
Nevertheless, he has gained a glorious victory. Our loss in killed
and wounded will not exceed 5000 ; while the enemy's killed,
wounded, and prisoners will not fall short of 13,000. They lost,
besides, many guns, tents, and stores— all wrung from them at the
point of the bayonet, and in spite of their formidable abattis.
Prisoners taken on the field say : " The Southern soldiers would

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPIT.VL. 133
charge into hell if there was a battery before them — and they
would take it from a legion of devils !" The moral effect of this
victory must be great. The enemy have been taught that none of
the engines of destruction that can be wielded against ns, will pre
vent us from taking their batteries ; and so, hereafter, when we
charge upon them, they might as well run away from their own
guns. June 3d, — Gen. Lee henceforth assumes command of the
army in person. ''This may be hailed as the harbinger of bright
fortune?^- —
Jdne 4th. — Col. Bledsoe sent word to me to-day by my son
that he wished to see me. When I met him he groaned as usual,
and said the department would have to open another passport
office, as the major-generals in the field refused to permit the rela
tives of the sick and wounded in the camps to pass with orders
from Brig,-Gen. Winder or his Provost Marshal.
June 5th, — I reopened my office in the department.
June 6th. — Gen. Winder getting wind of what was going on,
had an interview, first with Mr. Benjamin, who instructed him
what to say; and then bringing forward the Provost Marshal, they
had a rather stormy interview with Mr. Randolph, who, as usual,
yielded to their protestations against having two passport offices,
while martial law existed.
And so Col. Bledsoe came in and told me to "shut up shop."
The Secretary had revoked his order.
Jdne 7th. — But business is in a great measure suspended, and
80 I have another holiday.
June 8th. — I learn that Col. Bledsoe has to grant passports
to the army, as the pickets have been instructed to let no one pass
upon the order of Gen. Winder or his Provost Marshal.
June 9th. — It is now apparent that matters were miserably
managed on the battle-field, until Gen. Lee assumed command
in person. Most of the trophies of the victory, and thousands of
arms, stores, etc. were pillaged by the promiscuous crowds of
aliens and Jews who purchased passports thither from the Provost
Marshal'^etectives. June 10th. — Col. Bledsoe sent for me again. This time he
wanted me to take charge of the letter room, and superintend the
young gentlemen who briefed the letters. This I did very cheer-
12

134 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
fully ; I opened all the letters, and sent to the Secretary the im
portant ones immediately. These, for want of discrimination, had
sometimes been suffered to remain unnoticed two or three days,
when they required instant action.
June Uth, 12th.— Gen. Smith, the New York street com
missioner, had been urged as commander-in-chief.
June 13th. — Gen. Lee is satisfied with the present posture of
affairs  and McClellan has no idea of attacking us now. He don't
say what he means to do himself.
June 14th. — The wounded soldiers bless the ladies, who nurse
them unceasingly.
June 15th. — What a change ! No one now dreams of the loss
of the capital.
June 17th. — It is not yet ascertained what amount of ordnance
stores we gained from the battle.
June 18th. — Lee is quietly preparing to attack McClellan.
The President, who was on the battle-field, is very cheerful.
June 19th. — To-day so many applications were made to the
Secretary himself for passports to the armies, and beyond the lines
of the Confederate States, that, forgetting the revocation of his
former order, he sent a note into the Assistant Secretary, saying
he thought a passport agent had been appointed to attend to such
cases ; and he now directed that it be done. Bledsoe came to me
immediately, and said : " Jones, you'll have to open a passport
office again — I shall sign no more."
June 20th. — Moved once more into the old office.
June 21st. — Gen. Beauregard is doubly doomed. A few weeks
ago, when the blackness of midnight brooded over our cause,
there were some intimations, I know not whether they were well
founded, that certain high functionaries were making arrange
ments for a fliglit to France ; and Gen. Beauregard getting inti
mation of an order to move certain snms in bullion in the ciistody
of an Assistant Treasurer in his military department, forbid its
departure until he could be certain that it was not destined to
leave the Confederacy. I have not learned its ultimate destina
tion ; but the victory of the Seven Pines intervening, Gen. Beaure
gard has been relieved of his command, " on sick leave. "^ But I
know his army is to be commanded permanently by Gen. Bragg.
There are charges against Beauregard. It is said the Yankee

AT TIIE CONFEDERATE ST.VTES C.VPITAL. 135
army might have been annihilated at Shiloh, if Beauregard had
fought a little longer.
June 23D.^-And Gen. Johnston, I learn, has had his day.
And Magruder is on "sick leave." He is too open in his censures
of the late Secretary of AVav. Bnt GeiL Huger comes off scot-
free ; he has always had the confidence of Mr. Benjamin, and used
to send the flag of truce to Fortress Monroe as often as could be
desired. June 24th. — Gen. Lee's plan works like a charm i Although
I have daily orders from Mr. Randolph to send persons beyond
our lines, yet the precautions of Lee most effectually prevent
any spies from knowing anything about his army. Even the
Adjutant-General, S. Cooper, don't know how many regiments are
ordered into Virginia, or where they are stationed. Officers re
turning from furlough, cannot ascertain in the Adjutant-General's
office where their regiments are ! They are referred to me for
passports to Gen. Lee's headquarters. No man with a passport
from Gen. Winder, or from his Provost Marshal, can pass the
pickets of Gen. Lee's army. This is the harbinger of success,
and I predict a career of glory for Lee, and for our country !
There are some vague rumors about the a,pproach of Stonewall
Jackson's army ; but no one knows anything about it, and but few
believe it. Recent Northern papers say he is approaching Win
chester, and I see they are intrenching in the valley to guard
against his terrible blows. This is capital ! And our people are
beginning to fear there will be no more fighting around Rich
mond until McClellan digs his way to it. The moment fighting
ceases, our people have fits of gloom and despondency ; but when
they snuff battle in the breeze, they are animated with confidence.
They regard victory as a matter of course ; and are only indignant
at our long series of recent reverses, when they reflect that our
armies have so seldom been led against the embattled hosts of the
enemy. June 25th. — The people of Louisiana are protesting strongly
against permitting Gen. Lovell to remain in command in that
State, since the fall of New Orleans (which I omitted to note in
regular order in these chronicles), and they attribute that dis
graceful event, some to his incompetency, and others to treason.
These remonstrances come from such influential parties, I think

136 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
the President must listen to them. Yes, a Massachusetts man
(they say Gen. L. came from Boston) was in command of the
troops of New Orleans when that great city surrendered without
firing a gun. And this is one of the Northern generals who came
over to our side after the battle of Manassas.
June 26th. — To-day a letter, hastily written by Gen. Lee to
the Secretary of War, stated that his headquarters would be at
 , or beyond that point, whence couriers could find him if there
should be anything of importance the Secretary might desire to
communicate during the day. This is the day of battle! Jack
son is in the rear of McClellan's right wing ! I sent this note to
the Secretary at once. I suppose Mr. Randolph had been pre
viously advised of Gen. Lee's intention to fight to-day; but I do
not know it. I know some of the brigadier-generals in the army
do not know it ; although they have all been ordered to their
commands. This is no uncommon order; bat it is characteristic
of Lee's secretiveness to keep all of his officers in profound igno
rance of his intentions, except those he means to be engaged. The
enemy cannot possibly have any intimation of his purpose, be
cause the spies here have no intelligence ; and none are permitted
to pass the rear pickets in sight of the city without my passport.
What a change since the last battle !
To-day, in compliance with an intimation of the President, all
in the departments, who felt so disposed, formed a military organ
ization for the defense of the city, and especially of the archives,
which had been brought back since the assumption of command
by Gen. Lee. Col. Bledsoe denounced the organization as a hum
bug ! Defending the government, or readiness to defend it, in
such times as these, is no humbug ! In the fluctuations of a great
battle, almost in the suburbs of the city, a squadron of the enemy's
horse might penetrate even to the office of the Chief Executive,
when a few hundred muskets, in the hands of old men and boys,
might preserve the papers.
After dinner I repaired, with Custis and a few friends, to my
old stand on the hill north of the Jews' Cemetery, and sat down
in the shade to listen. Many persons were there as usual — for
every day some firing could be heard — who said, in response to
my inquiries, that distant guns had been heard in the direction of
the Pamunky River.

AT THE CONFEDER.VTE ST.VTES CAPITAL. 137
" That is Jackson .'" I exclaimed, as the sounds were distinctly
discerned by myself; " and he is in their rear, behind their right
wing!" All were incredulous, and some doubted whether ho was within
a hundred miles of us. But the sounds grew more distinct, and
more frequent, and I knew he was advancing. But how long
could he advance in that direction without being overwhelmed ?
Everywhere else along the line a deathlike silence reigned, that
even the dropping fire of the pickets, usually so incessant, could
be heard.
This, suspense continued only a few minutes. Two guns were
then heard northeast of ns, and in such proximity as to startle
some of the anxious listeners. These were followed by three or
four more, and then the fire continued with increasing rapidity.
This was Gen. A. P. Hill's division in front of the enemy's right
wing, and Lee's plan of battle was developed. Hill was so near
us as to be almost in sight. The drums and fifes of his regiments,
as they marched up to the point of attack, could be easily heard ;
how distinctly, then, sounded his cannon in our ears! And the
enemy's guns, pointed in the direction of the city, were as plainly
discerned. I think McClellan is taken by surprise.
One gentleman, who had been incredulous on the subject of
a battle to-day, held his watch in his hand ten minutes, during
which time one hundred and ninety guns were heard. Saying he
believed a battle was in progress, he replaced the watch in his
pocket, and sat down on the ground to listen.
Another hour, and the reports come with the rapidity of seconds,
or 3600 per hour ! And now, for the first time, we hear the rattle
of small arms. And lo ! two gtins farther to the right, — from
Longstreet's division, I suppose. And they -were followed by
others. This is Lee's grand plan of battle : Jackson first, then
Hill, then Longstreet — time and distance computed with mathe
matical precision ! The enemy's balloons are not up now. They
know what is going on, without further investigations up in the
air. The business is upon earth, where many a Yankee will
breathe his last this night I McClellan must be thunderstruck at
this unexpected opening of a decisive battle. Our own people,
and even our own general officers, except those who were to
participate in the attack, were uninformed of Lee's grand pur-
12*

13,S A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
pose, until the booming of Jackson's guns were heard far on our
left. As the shades of evening fall, the fire seems to increase in
rapidity, and a gentle breeze rising as the stars come out, billows
of smoke are wafted from the battle-field. And now, occasionally,
we can distinctly see the bursting of shells in the air, aimed too
high by the enemy, and exploding far this side of our line of
battle. I
Darkness is upon us, save the glimmer of the stars, as the sul
phurous clouds sink into the humid valleys. But the flashes of
the guns are visible on the horizon, followed by the deep intona
tions of the mighty engines of destruction, echoing and reverber
ating from hill to hill, and through the vast valley of the James
in the rear.
Hundreds of men, women, and children were attracted to the
heights around the city to behold the spectacle. From the Capitol
and from the President's mansion, the vivid flashes of artillery
could be seen ; but no one doubted the result. It is only silence
and inaction we dread. The firing ceased at nine o'clock p.m.
The President was on the field, but did not interfere with Lee.
June 27th. — At the first dawn of day, the battle recommenced,
farther round to the east. This was enough. The enemy had
drawn in his right wing. And courier after courier announced the
taking of his batteries by our brave defenders ! But the battle rages
loud and long, and the troops of Jackson's corps, like the^march
of Fate, still upon McClellan's right flank and rear. ' Jackson's
horse, and the gallant Stuart, with his irresistible" cavalry, have
cut the enemy's communications with their base on the Pamunky.
It is said they are burning their stores I " ~ -
What genius ! what audacity in Lee ! He has absolutely taken
the greater portion of his army to the north side of the Chicka
hominy, leaving McClellan's center and left wing on the south
side, with apparently easy access to the city. This is (to the
invaders) impenetrable strategy. The enemy believes Lee's main
forces are here, and will never think of advancing. AVe have so
completely closed the avenues of intelligence that the enemy has
not been able to get the slightest intimation of our strength or the
dispositions of our forces.
June 28th. — The President publishes a dispatch from Lee,

at the CONFEDER^VTE states CAl'IT.VL. 139
announcing a victory ! The enemy has been driven from all his
intrenchments, losing many batteries.
Yesterday the President's life was saved by Lee. Every day
he rides out near the battle-field, in citizen's dress, marking the
fluctuations of the conflict, but assuming no direction of affairs in
the field. Gen. Lee, however, is ever apprised of his position ;
and once, when the enemy were about to point one of their most
powerful batteries in the direction of a certain farm-house oc
cupied by the President, Lee sent a courier in haste to inform him
of it. No sooner had the President escaped than a storm of shot
and shell riddled the house.
Some of the people still think that their military President is
on the field directing every important movement in person. A
gentleman told me to-day, that he met the President yesterday,
and the day before, alone, in the lanes and orchards, near the bat
tle-field. He issued no orders; but awaited results like the -rest
of us, praying fervently for abundant success.
To-day some of our streets are crammed with thousands of blue
jackets — Yankee prisoners. There are many field officers, and
among them several generals.
General Reynolds, who surrendered with his brigade, was thus
accosted by one of our functionaries, who knew him before the
war began :
" General, this is in accordance with McClellan's prediction ;
yon are in Richmond."
" Yes, sir," responded the general, in bitterness ; " and d — n me,
if it is not precisely in the manner I anticipated."
" Where is McClellan, general ?"
"I know not exactly; his movements have been so frequent of
late. But I think it probable he too may be here before night 1"
" I doubt that," said his fellow-prisoner. Gen. McCall; "beware
of your left wing ! Who commands there ?"
"Gen. Jackson."
" Stonewall Jackson ? Is he in this fight ? Was it really
Jackson making mince-meat of our right ? Then your left wing
is safe !"
Four or five thousand prisoners have arrived.
June 29th. — The battle still rages. But the scene has shifted
farther to the east. The enemy's army is now entirely on this

140 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
side of the Chickahominy. McClellan is doggedly retiring toward
the James River.
June 30th. — Once more all men are execrating Gen. Huger.
It is alleged that he again failed to obey an order, and kept his
division away from the position assigned it, which wouMhave
prevented the escape of McClellan. If this be so, who is re
sponsible, after his alleged misconduct at the battle of the Seven
Pines ?

CHAPTER XV L
Terrific fighting. — Anxiety to visit the battle-field. — Lee prepares for other
battles. — Hope for the Union extinct. — Gen. Lee brings forward con
scripts. — Gen. Cobb appointed to arrange exchange of prisoners. — .Mr.
Ould as agent. — Pope, the braggart, comes upon the stage. — Meets a
braggart's fate. — The war transferred to Northern Virginia.
July 1st. — To-day Gen. Magruder led his division into action
at Malvern Hill, it is said, contrary to the judgment of other com
manders. The enemy's batteries commanded all the approacbes
in most advantageous position, and fearful was the slaughter. A
wounded soldier, fresh from the field to-night, informs me that our
loss in killed in this engagement will amount to as many as have
fallen in all the others combined.
July 2d. — More fighting to-day. The enemy, although their
batteries were successfully defended last night at Malvern Hill,
abandoned many guns after the charges ceased, and retreated
hastily. The grand army of invasion is now some twenty-five
miles from the city, and yet the Northern papers claim the victory.
They say it was a masterly strategic movement of McCLellan, and
a premeditated change of base from the Pamunky to the James ;
and that he will certainly take^ Richmond in a week and end the
rebellion. July 3d. — Our wounded are now coming in fast, under the di
rection of the Ambulance Committee. I give passports to no one
not having legitimate business on the field to pass the pickets of

AT THE CONPEDER^VTE STATES OAIMTAL. 141
the army. There is no pilfering on this field of battle ; no " Plug
Ugly" detectives stripping dead colonels, and, Palstaff like, claim
ing to be made "either Earl or Duke" for killing them.
So great is the demand for vehicles that the brother of a North
Carolina major, reported mortally wounded, paid $100 for a hack
to bring his brother into the city. He returned with him a few
hours after, and, fortunately, found him to be not even dangerously
wounded. I suffer no physicians not belonging to the army to go upon the
battle-field without taking amputating instruments with them, and
no private vehicle without binding the drivers to bring in two or
more of the wounded.
There are fifty hospitals in the city, fast filling with the sick and
wounded. I have seen men in my office and walking in the streets,
whose arms have been amputated within the last three days. The
realization of a great victory seems to give them strength.
July 4th. — -Lee does not follow up his blows on the whipped
enemy, and some sage critics censure him for it. But he knows
that the fatal blow has been dealt this "grand army" of the North.
The serpent has been killed, though its tail still exhibits some spas
modic motions. It will die, so far as the Peninsula is concerned,
after sunset, or when it thunders.
The commanding general neither sleeps nor slumbers. Already
the process of reorganizing Jackson's corps has been commenced
for a blow at or near the enemy's capital. Let Lincoln beware the
hour of retribution.
The enemy's losses in the seven days' battles around Richmond,
in killed, wounded, sick, and desertions, are estimated at 50,000
men, and their losses in cannon, stores, etc., at some $50,000,000.
Their own papers say the work is to be begun anew, and subju
gation is put off six months, which is equivalent to a loss of
$500,000,000 inflicted by Lee's victory.
By their emancipation and confiscation measures, the Yankees
have made this a war of extermination, and added new zeal and
resolution to our brave defenders. All hope of a reconstruction
of the Union is relinquished by the few, comparatively, in the South,
who still clung to the delusion. It is well. If the enemy had pur
sued a different course we should never have had the same una
nimity. If they had made war only on men in arms, and spared

142 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
private property, according to the usages of civilized nations,
there would, at least, have been a neutral party in the South,
and never the same energy and determination to contest the last
inch of soil with the cruel invader. Now they will find that
3,000,000 of troops cannot subjugate us, and if subjugated, that
a standing army of half a million would be required to keep us in
subjection. July 5th — Gen. Lee is bringing forward the conscript regi
ments with rapidity; and so large are his powers that the Secre
tary of War has but little to do. .He is, truly, but a mere clerk.
The correspondence is mostly referred to the different bureaus for
action, whose experienced heads know what should be done much
better than Mr. Randolph could tell them.
July 6te. — Thousands of fathers, brothers, mothers, and sisters
of the wounded are arriving in the city to attend their suffering
relations, and to recover the remains of those who were slain.
July 7th. — Gen. Huger has been relieved of his command.
He retains his rank and pay as major-general "of ordnance."
Gen. Pope, Yankee, has been assigned to the command of the
army of invasion in Northern Virginia, and Gen. Halleck has
been made commanding general, to reside in Washington. Good !
The Yankees are disgracing McClellan, the best general they
have. July 8th. — Glorious Col. Morgan has dashed into Kentucky,
whipped everything before him, and got off unharmed. He had
but little over a thousand men, and captured that number of pris
oners. Kentucky will rise in a few weeks.
July 9th. — Lee has turned the tide, and I shall not be surprised
if we have a long career of successes. Bragg, and Kirby Smith,
and Loring are in motion at last, and Tennessee and Kentucky,
and perhaps Missouri, will rise again in "Rebellion."
July 10th. — I forgot to note in its place a feat of Gen.
Stuart and his cavalry, before the recent battles. He made a com
plete girdle around the enemy, destroying millions of their property,
and returned without loss. He was reconnoitering for Jackson,
who followed in his track. This made Stuart major-general.
I likewise omitted to note the death of the brave Gen. Ashby,
who fell ill one of Jackson's brilliant battles in the Valley. But
history will do him justice. [My chronicles are designed to assist

AT TIIE CONFEDERATE ST.VTES CAPIT.VL. 1 1 .3
history, and to supply the smaller incidents and details which the
grand historian would be likely to omit. J
July 11th. — Gen. Howell Cobb has been sent down the river
under flag of truce to negotiate a cartel with Gen. Dix for the ex
change of prisoners. It was decided that the exchange should be
conducted on the basis agreed to between the United States and
the British Government during the war of 1S12, and all men taken
hereafter will be released on parole within ten days after their cap
ture. AVe have some 8000 prisoners in this city, and altogether,
I dare say, a larger number than the enemy have of our men.
July 12th. — Mr. Ould has been appointed agent to effect ex
changes of paroled men. He is also acting as judge advocate.
July 13th. — We have some of Gen. Pope's proclamations and
orders. He is simply a braggart, and will meet a braggart's fate.
He announces his purpose to subsist his army in our country, and
moreover, he intends to shoot or hang our non-combating citizens
that may fall into his hands, in retaliation for the killing of any of
his thieving and murdering soldiers by our avenging guerrillas. He
says his headquarters will be on his horse, and that he will make
no provision for retreat. That he has been accustomed to see the
backs of his enemies! Well, we shall see how he will face a Stone
wall! July 14th. — Jackson and Ewell and Stuart are after Pope, but
I learn they are not allowed to attempt any enterprise for some
weeks yet. Fatal error, I fear. For we have advices at the de
partment that Pope has not now exceeding 20,000 men, but that
all the rolling stock of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad is ordered
West to bring reinforcements. Besides, the United States Gov
ernment is calling for 600,000 additional men. Then again, Mc
Clellan and Burnside will form a junction with Pope, and we will
be outnumbered. Bnt the President and Gen. Lee know best what
is to be done. We have lost many of the flower of Southern
chivalry in the late conflicts.
July 15th — Gen Pendleton has given McClellan a scare, and
might have hurt him if he had fired lower. He planted a number
of batteries (concealed) on the south side of the river, just oppo
site the enemy's camp. The river was filled with gun-boats and
transports. At a signal, all the guns were fired, at short range,
too, for some minutes with great rapidity, and then the batteries

144 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
were withdrawn. I happened to be awake, and could not conjec
ture what the rumpus meant. But we fired too high in the dark,
and did but little execution. Our shells fell beyond the enemy's
camp on the opposite side of the river. We lost a few men, by
accident, mostly. But hereafter in " each bush they fear an officer."
July 16th. — Gen. Lee is hurrying up reinforcements from the
South, old regiments and conscripts, and pays very little attention
to McClellan on the Peninsula, knowing no further enterprises
will be attempted by the enemy in that quarter for some time to
come. July 17th. — The people are too jubilant, I fear, over our
recent successes near the city. A great many skulkers from the
army are seen daily in the streets, and it is said there are 3000
men here subject to conscript duty, who have not been enrolled.
The business of purchasing substitutes is prevailing alarmingly.
July 18th. — To-day several ladies applied in person to the
Secretary of War for passports to Norfolk and Baltimore, and he
sent me written orders to grant them. They next applied to Gen.
Winder to go with the flag of truce, exhibiting their passports.
He repudiated them, however, and sent the ladies back to me, say
ing he wanted something with the Secretary's signature, showing
me to be authorized to sign them. I wrote such a note as I sup
posed he wanted, and the Secretary signed it as follows :
"Richmond, July 18th, 1862.
"Brig.-Gen. J. H. Winder.
"Sir : — The passports issued by J. B. Jones from this Depart
ment to pass the lines of the Confederate armies, and the lines of
the Confederate States, are granted by my direction, evidences of
which are on file in the Passport Office.
" Respectfully,
"G. W. Randolph,
"Secretary of War."
This, one of the ladies delivered to him. I hope I am now done
with Gen. Winder and his "Ping Ugly" dynasty.
July 19th, — This morning' early, while congratulating myself
on the evidence of some firmness and independence in the new
Secretary, I received the following note :

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 145
"Richmond, July 19th, 1862.
" Mr. J. B. Jones.
" Sir : — I have just been directed by the Secretary of War that
he has turned over the whole business of passports to Gen. AVin
der, and that applications for passports will not be received at this
office at all. " Very respectfully,
"A. G. Bledsoe,
"Asst. Sec. War."
Of course I ceased operations immediately. So large a con
course of persons now accumulated in the hall, that it was soon
necessary to put up a notice that Gen. Winder would grant them
passports. Bnt the current set back again. Gen. Winder refused'
to issue passports to the relatives of the sick and wounded in the
camps, well knowing the generals, his superiors in rank, would not
recognize his authority. He even came into the department, and
tore down the notice with his own hands.
July 20th. — I am back again, signing passports to the army.
But yesterday, during the interregnum, the Beaverdam Depot was
burnt by the enemy, information of its defenseless condition hav
ing been given by a Jew peddler, who obtained no passport from
me. July 21st. — A Marylander, a lieutenant employed by Gen.
Winder to guard the prisoners (the generals and other high
Yankee officers), came to me to-day, with a friend who had
just arrived from Baltimore, and demanded passports to visit
Drewry's Bluff, for the purpose of inspecting the defenses. I
refused, fearing he might (I did not like his face) have been cor
rupted by his prisoners. He said very significantly that he would
go in spite of me. This I reported to tlje Assistant Adjutant-
General, and also wrote a note to Gen. Wise, to examine him
closely if he came within his lines.
July 22d. — To-day Gen. Winder came into my office in a pas
sion with a passport in his hand which I had given, a week before,
to Mr. Collier, of Petersburg, on the order of the Assistant Secretary
of War — threatening me with vengeance and the terrors of Castle
Godwin, his Bastile ! if I granted any more passports to Peters
burg where he was military commander, that city being likewise
13

146 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
under martial law. I simply uttered a defiance, and he departed,
boiling over with rage.
July 23d. — To-day I received the following note from the
Secretary : "JtjLT23D, 1862.
" J. B. Jones, Esq.
" Sir : — You will not issue passports except to persons going to
the camps near Richmond.
"Passports elsewhere will be granted by Brig.-Gen. Winder.
"Respectfully, ,
" Geo. W. Randolph,
"Secretary of War."
July 24th. — Already the flood-gates of treasonable intelli
gence flowing North seem to be thrown wide open. The Balti
more papers contain a vast amount of information concerning our
condition, movements in progress, and projected enterprises. And
to crown all, these rascals publish in the same papers the passports
given them by Gen. Winder. I doubt not they are sold by the
detectives. Winder being ignorant.
July 25th. — More Northern papers received to-day, contain
ing news from the South. Most fortunately, they can know no
thing reliable of what is passing within Gen. Lee's lines. The
responsibility of keeping his gates closed against spies rests in a
great measure on myself, and I endeavor to keep even our own
people in profound ignorance of what transpires there.
July 26th. — There is a pause in the depreciation of C. S. secu
rities. July 27th. — Gen. Lovell, it is said, will be tried by a court-
martial. The same has been said of Generals Magruder and
Huger. But I doubt it.
July 28th.— The Examining Board of Surgeons, established
by the Secretary of War, has been abolished by order of Gen. Lee.
It was the only idea of the Secretary yet developed, excepting the
"handing over" of the "whole business of passports to Gen.
Winder." July 29Tn. — Pope's army, greatly reinforced, are committing
shocking devastations in Culpepper and Orange Counties. His
brutal orders, and his bragging proclamations, have wrought our

AT THE CONFEDER^VTE ST.VTES OAl'ir.VL. 147
men to such a pitch of exasperittion that, when tho day of battle
comes, there will be, must be terrible slaughter.
July 30th. — Both Gen. Jackson and Gen. Stuart were in the
department to-day. Their commands have preceded them, and
must be near Orange C. H. by this time. These war-worn heroes
(neither of them over forty years of age) attracted much attention.
Everybody wished to see them ; and if they had lingered a few
minutes longer in the hall, a crowd would have collected, cheer
ing to the echo. This they avoided, transacting their business iu
the shoptest possible space of time, and then escaping observation.
They have yet much work to do.
July 3Ist. — Gen. Breckinridge has beaten the Yankees at
Baton Rouge, but without result, as we have no co-operating fleet.

/A'
CHAPTER XVII.
Vicksburg shelled. — Lee looks toward Washington. — Much manceuvring in
Orange County. — A brigade of the enemy annihilated. — McClellan flies
to Washington. — Cretans. — Lee has a mighty army. — Missouri risings. —
Pope's coat and papers captured. — Cut up at Manassas. — Clothing cap
tured of the enemy.
August 1st. — Vicksburg has triumphantly withstood the shell
ing of the enemy's fleet of gun-boats. This proves that New Or
leans might have been successfully defended, and could have been
held to this day byjGen. LoveU. So, West Point is not always
the best criterion of one's fitness to command.
August 2d. — The Adjutant- General, "by order" (I suppose
of the President), is annulling, one after another, all Gen. Winder's
despotic orders.
August 3d, — There is a rumor that McClellan is "stealing
away" from his new base! and Burnside has gone up the Rappa
hannock to co-operate with Pope in his "march to Richmond."
August 4th. — Lee is making herculean efforts for an "on to
Washington," while the enemy think he merely designs a defense

148 A REBEL WAR OLERIC'S DIARY
of Richmond. Troops are on the move, all the way from Florida
to Gordonsville.
August 5th. — The enemy have postponed drafting, that com
pulsory mode of getting men being unpopular, until after the
October elections. I hope Lee will make the most of his time,
and annihilate their drilled and seasoned troops. He can put
more fighting men in Virginia than the enemy, during the next
two months. "Now's the day, and now's the hour !"
August 6th. — Jackson is making preparations to fight. I know
the symptoms. He has made Pope believe he's afraid of him.
August 7th. — Much incomprehensible manceuvring is going on
in Orange County.
August 8th. — We hear of skirmishing in Orange County, and
the enemy seem as familiar with the paths and fords as our own
people; hence some surprises, attempted by our cavalry, have
failed. August 9th. — Jackson and Ewell are waiting" and watching.
Pope will expose himself soon.
August 10th. — Jackson struck Pope yesterday ! It was a
terrible blow, for the numbers engaged. Several thousand of the
enemy were killed, wounded, and taken prisoners. Among the
latter is Gen. Prince, who arrived in this city this morning. He
affected to be ignorant of Pope's brutal orders, and of the Presi
dent's retaliatory order concerning the commissioned officers of
Pope's army taken in battle. When Prince was informed that he
and the fifty or sixty others taken with him were not to be treated
as prisoners of war, but as felons, he vented his execrations upon
Pope. They were sent into close confinement.
August 11th. — Our killed, wounded, and captured did not
amount to more than 600. We might have captured a whole
brigade at one time during the battle, but did not. They charged
our batteries, not perceiving a brigade of our own lying concealed
just in the rear of the guns: so, when they advanced, shouting, to
within thirty yards of our troops, they rose and "let them have
it." Nine-tenths of the enemy fell, and the rest were soon dis
patched, before they could get away. One of their dying officers
said they would have surrendered to us, if we had demanded it.
He was reminded of Pope's beastly orders, and died with a horri
ble groan.

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES C.VPITAL. I tO
August 12th, — Pope claims a victory ! So did McClollan.
But truth will rise, in spite of everything, I will not quote Bry
ant literally, because he is an enemy in this war, aud falsifies his
own precepts.
August 13th, — McClellan is gone, bag and baggage, abandon
ing his "base;'' to attain which, he said he had instituted his
magnificeut strategic movements, resulting in an unmolested re
treat from the Peninsula and flight to Washington, for the defense
of his own capital. So the truth they crushed to earth on the
Chickahominy has risen again, and the Yankees, like the Cretans,
are to be known henceforth as a nation of liars.
August 14th. — Lee has gone up the country to command in
person. Now let Lincoln beware, for there is danger. A mighty
army, such as Napoleon himself would have been proud to com
mand, is approaching his capital. This is the triumph Lee has
been providing for, while the nations of the earth are hesitating
whether or not to recognize our independence.
August 15th. — Moved my office to an upper story of the Bank
of Virginia, where the army intelligence office is located — an office
that keeps a list of the sick and wounded.
August 16th. — We have intelligence from the West of a si
multaneous advance of several of our columns. This is the work
of Lee. May God grant that our blows be speedy and effectual
in hurling back the invader from our soil !
August 17th. — We have also news from Missouri of indica
tions of an uprising which will certainly clear the State of the
few Federal troops remaining there. The draft will accelerate
the movement. And then if we get Kentucky, as I think we
must, we shall add a hundred thousand to our army !
August 18th. — From Texas, West Louisiana, and Arkansas,
we shall soon have tidings. The clans are gathering, and 20,000
more, half mounted on hardy horses, will soon be marching for
the prairie country of the enemy. Glorious Lee I and glorious
Jackson ! They are destined to roll the dark clouds away from
the horizon.
August 19th. — Day and night our troops are marching; they
are now beyond the right wing of Pope, and will soon be accumu
lated there in such numbers as to defy the combined forces of Pope,
Burnside, and McClellan I

150 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
August 20th. — We have now a solution of the secret of Pope's
familiarity with the country. His guide and pilot is the identi
cal Robt. Stevmrt who was sent here to the Provost Marshal — a
prisoner. How did he get out ? They say money did it.
August 21st. — Some apprehensions are felt by a few for the
safety of this city, as it is supposed that all the troops have been
withdrawn. This is not so, however. From ten to fifteen thou
sand men could be concentrated here in twenty-four hours. Rich
mond is not in half the danger that Washington is.
August 22d. — Saw Vice-President Stephens to day, as cordial
and enthusiastic as ever.
August 23d. — Members of Congress are coming to my office
every day, getting passports for their constituents. Those I have
seen (Senator Brown, of Mississippi, among the rest) express a
purpose not to renew the act, to expire on the 18th September, au
thorizing martial law.
August 24th. — In both Houses of Congress tbey are thunder
ing away at Gen. Winder's Provost Marshal and his Plug Ugly
alien policemen. Senator Brown has been very bitter against
them. August 25th. — Mr. Russell has reported a bill which would
give us martial law in such a modified form as to extract its
venom. August 26th. — Mr. Russell's bill will not pass. The machinery
of legislation works too slowly.
Fredericksburg has been evacuated by the enemy ! It is said the
Jews rushed in and bought boots for $7.00, which they now demand
$25.00 for, and so with various other articles of merchandise.
They are now investing money in real estate for the first time,
which is evidence that they have no faith in the ultimate redemp
tion of Confederate money.
August 27th. — Huzza for Gen. Stuart! He has made another
circumvention of the enemy, getting completely in Pope's rear,
and destroying many millions worth of stores, etc.
August 28th. — Pope's coat was captured, and all his papers.
The braggart is near his end.
August 29th. — Bloody fighting is going on at Manassas. All
the news is good for us. It appears that Pope, in his consummate
egotism, refused to believe that he had been outwitted, and "pitched

AT THE" CONFEDERATE STATES CAPIT.VL. 151
into" our corps and divisions, believing them to be merely brigades
and regiments. He has been terribly cut np.
August 30th. — Banks, by the order of Pope, has burnt 400
Yankee cars loaded with quartermaster's and commissary stores.
But our soldiers have fared sumptuously on the enemy's provisions,
and captured clothing enough for half the army.
August 31st. — Fighting every day at Manassas.

./

CHAPTER XVIII.

Lee announces a victory. — Crosses the Potomac. — Battle of Sharpsburg. — -
McClellan pauses at the Potomac. — Lee moves mysteriously. — The cam
paign a doubtful one in its material results. — Horrible scene near Wash
ington. — Conscription enlarged. — Heavy loss at Sharpsburg. — 10,000 in
the hospitals here.
September 1st. — Official dispatches from Lee, announcing a
" signal victory," by the blessing of God, " over the combined
forces of the enemy." That is glory enough for a week. When
Lee says " signal victory," we know exactly what it means, and we
breathe freely. Our generals never modify their reports of vic
tories. They see- and know the extent of what has been done
before they speak of it, and they never mislead by exaggerated ac
counts of successes.
September 2d. — Winchester is evacuated 1 The enemy fled,
and left enough ordnance stores for a campaign ! It was one of
their principal depots.
September 3d. — We lament the fall of Ewell — not killed, but
his leg has been amputated. The enemy themselves report the
loss, in killed and wounded, o^. eight generals! And Lee says,
up to the time of writing, he had paroled 7000 prisoners, taken
10,000 stand of small arms, 50 odd cannon, and immense stores !
September 4th. — The enemy's loss in the series of battles, in
killed, wounded, and prisoners, is estimated at 30,000. Where is
the braggart Pope now ? Disgraced eternally, deprived of his com-

152 A rebel war clerk's diary
mand by his own government, and sent to Minnesota to fight the
Indians ! Savage in his nature, he is only fit to fight with savages !
September 5th — Our army knows no rest. But I fear this
incessant marching and fighting may prove too much for many of
the tender boys.
September 6th. — We have authentic accounts of our army
crossing the Potomac without opposition.
September 7th. — We see by the Northern papers that Pope
claimed a great victory over Lee and Jackson ! It was too much
even for the lying editors themselves ! The Federal army being
hurled back on the Potomac, and then compelled to cross it, it was
too transparently ridiculous for the press to contend for the vic
tory. And now they confess to a series of defeats from the 26th
June to the culminating calamity of the 30th August. They ac
knowledge they have been beaten — badly beaten — but they mil not
admit that our army has crossed into Maryland. Well, Lee's
dispatch to the President is dated "Headquarters, Frederick
City." We believe him.
September 8th. — But the Marylanders have not risen yet.
Some of our divisions have touched the soil of Pennsylvania.
And I believe the whole Yankee host would leave Washington,
escaping by the Potomac, if it were not for the traitors here, who
go to Norfolk and Baltimore by fiag of truce, and inform the Lin
coln Government (for pay) that we have no troops here — none
between this and Manassas, none all the way to Lee, while thou
sands in the army are prostrated with physical exhaustion.
September 9th.^ — Lord, what a scare they are having in the
North ! They are calling everybody to arms for the defense of
Philadelphia, and they are removing specie, arms, etc., from Har-
risburg and all the intervening towns. This is the chalice so long
held by them to our lips.
September IOth. — On the very day that Lee gained the signal
victory at Manassas, Kirby Smith gained one at Richmond, Ken
tucky, capturing thousands of prisoners. This is not chance — it
is God, to whom all the glory is due.
Septe.mber Uth — And Cincinnati is trembling to its center.
That abolition city, half foreign and half American, is listening
for the thunder of our avenging guns.
September 12th. — The ranks of the enemy are broken every-

AT TIIE CONFEDER.VTE ST.VTES CAPITAL. 153
where in the West. Buell is flying to Nashville as a city of ref
uge, but we have invincible columns interposed between him and
his country.
September 13th. — Buell has impressed 10,000 slaves, and is
fortifying Nashville.
September 14th. — Our army has entered the City of Lexing
ton, and the population hail our brave soldiers as deliverers. Three
regiments were organized there in twenty-four hours, and thirty
thousand recruits, it is thought, will flock to our standard in Ken
tucky. September 15th. — Our flag floats over the Capitol at Frank
fort ! And Gen. Marshall, lately the exile and fugitive, is en
camped with his men on his own farm, near Paris.
September 16th. — Intelligence from Missouri states that the
Union militia have rallied on the side of the South.
September 17th. — Everything seems to indicate the "breaking
up" of the armies of our enemies, as if our prayers had been an
swered, and the hosts of Lincoln were really to be "brought to
confusion." September Isth. — To-day, in response to the President's proc
lamation, we give thanks to Almighty God for the victories He has
blessed us with.
September 19th. — And God has blessed us even more abund
antly than we supposed. The rumor that our invincible Stone
wall Jackson had been sent by Lee to Harper's Ferry, and had
taken it, is true. Nearly 12,000 men surrendered there on the
15th inst, after the loss of two or three hundred on their side, and
only three killed and a few wounded on ours. We got 90 guns,
15,000 stand of small arms, 18,000 fine horses, 200 wagons, and
stores of various kinds, worth millions.
September 20th. — AVhile Jackson was doing his work, Mc
Clellan, who has been restored to command, marched at the head
of 100,000 men to the rescue of Harper's Ferry, but D. P. Hill,
with his single division, kept him at bay for many hours, until
Longstreet came to his assistance, and night fell upon the scene.
But Lee soon concentrated his weary columns at Sharpsburg,
near Shepherdstown, and on the 17th inst. gave battle. We got
the first news of this battle from a Northern paper — the Philadel
phia Inquirer — which claimed a great victory, having killed and

154 A rebel war OLERK'S DIARY
taken 40,000 of our men, made Jackson prisoner, and wounded
Longstreet ! But the truth is, we lost 5000 and the enemy 20,000.
At the next dawn Lee opened fire again — bnt, lo ! the enemy had
fled! September 2Lst. — We have one day of gloom. It is said that
our army has retreated back into Virginia.
SEPfEMBER 22d. — There are rumors that only Jackson's corps
recrossed the Potomac to look after a column of the enemy sent
to recapture Harper's Ferry and take Winchester, our grand
depot. September 23d. — Jackson, the ubiquitous and invincible, fell
upon Burnside's division and annihilated it. This intelligence has
been received by the President.
We have, also, news from Kentucky. It comes this time in the
New York Herald, and is true, as far as it goes. A portion of
Buell's army, escaping from Nashville, marched to Mumfordsville,
where Bragg cut them to pieces, taking 5000 prisoners ! It can
not be possible that this is more than half the truth.
The newsboys are selling extras in the streets containing these
glorious accounts.
September 24th. — The papers this morning are still in doubt
whether Lee has returned to the Virginia side of the Potomac, or
remains in Maryland. My theory is that he is perdue for the
present, hoping all the enemy's forces will enter Virginia, from
Washington — when he will pounce upon that city and cut off their
retreat. The Northern papers contain intimations of the existence of a
conspiracy to dethrone Lincoln, and put a military Dictator at the
head of the government. Gen. Fremont is named as the man. It
is alleged that this movement is to be made by the Abolitionists,
as if Lincoln were not sufficiently radical for them !
A call has been made by Congress for explanations of the arrest
of a citizen of Virginia, by Gen. AVinder, for procuring a substi
tute for a relative. Gen, AV., supposing his powers ample, under
martial law, had forbidden agents to procure substitutes. This
was in contravention of an act of Congress, legalizing substitutes.
If Winder be sustained, it is said we shall have inaugurated a
military despotism.
I have just seen persons from the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPIT.VL. 155
They say my farm there has not been disturbed * by the enemy. I
think it probable they knew nothing about its ownership, or it
would have been devastated. ]\ly agent sent me a little money,
part of the rent of year before last. My tenant is getting rich.
After peace I shall reside there myself. How I long for the inde
pendent life of a farmer !
Wood is selling at $16 per cord, and coal at $9 per load. How
can we live here, unless our salaries are increased ? The matter
is under consideration by Congress, and we hope for favorable
action. Col. Bledsoe has resigned and gone back to his school at Char
lottesville. September 25th. — Blankets, that used to sell for $6, are now
$25 per pair ; and sheets are selling for $15 per pair, which might
have been had a year ago for $4. Common 4 4 bleached cotton
shirting is selling at $1 a yard.
Gen. Lee's locality and operations, since the battle of Sharps
burg or Shepherdstown, are still enveloped in mystery.
About one hundred of the commissioned officers of Pope's army,
taken prisoners by Jackson, and confined as felons in our prisons,
in conformity to the President's retaliatory order, were yesterday
released on parole, in consequence of satisfactory communications
from the United States Government, disavowing Pope's orders, I
presume, and stating officially the fact that Pope himself has been
relieved from command. -' " "^
We have taken, and paroled, within the last twelve or fifteen
vf ee\s, no less tha.n forty odd thousand jjrisoners! The United
States must owe us some thirty thousand men. This does not
look like progress in the work of subjugation.
Horrible ! I have seen men just from Manassas, and the battle
field of the 30th August, where, they assure me, hundreds of dead
Yankees still lie unburied ! They are swollen "as large as cows,"
say they, "and are as black as crows." No one can now under
take to bury them. When the wind blows from that direction, it
is said the scent of carrion is distinctly perceptible at the White

* It is held by the government now, .January, 1860, and my family are
homeless and destitute. Onancock, Accomac County, Va. — J. B. J.

156 A rebel war clerk's DIARY
House in Washington. It is said the enemy are evacuating Alex
andria. I do not believe this.
A gentleman (Georgian) to whom I gave a passport to visit the
army, taking two substitutes, over forty-five years of age, in place
of two sick young men in the hospitals, informs me that he got
upon the ground just before the great battle at Sharpsburg com
menced. The substitutes were mustered in, and in less than an
hour after their arrival, one of them was shot through the hat and
hair, but his head was untouched. He says they fought as well as
veterans. September 26th. — The press here have no knowledge of the
present locality of Gen. Lee and his army. But a letter was re
ceived from Gen. L. at the department yesterday, dated on this
side of the Potomac, about eighteen miles above Harper's Ferry.
It is stated that several hundred prisoners, taken at Sharpsburg,
are paroled prisoners captured at Harper's Ferry. If this be so
(and it is said they will be here to-night), I think it probable an
example will be made of them. This unpleasant duty may not be
avoided by our government.
After losing in killed and wounded, in the battle of Sharpsburg,
ten generals, and perhaps twenty thousand men, we hear no more
of the advance of the enemy ; and Lee seems to be lying perdue,
giving them an opportunity to ruminate on the difficulties and
dangers of "subjugation."
I pray we may soon conquer a peace with the North ; but then
I fear we shall have trouble among ourselves. Certainly there is
danger, after the war, that Virginia, and, perhaps, a sufficient
number of the States to form a new constitution, will meet in
convention and form a new government.
Gen. Stark, of Mississippi, who fell at Sharpsburg, was an ac
quaintance of mine. His daughters were educated with mine at
St. Mary's Hall, Burlington, N. J. — and were, indeed, under my
care. Orphans now !
September 27th. — The papers this morning contain accounts
of the landing of Yankees at White House, York River ; and of
reinforcements at Williamsburg and Suffolk. They might attempt
to take Richmond, while Lee's army is away ; for they know we
have no large body of troops here.
A battery passed through the city this morning early, at double-
quick, going eastward.

at the C0XFEDER.VTE STATES CAPIT.-VL. 157
Yesterday Congress passed an act, supplemental and amenda
ry to the Conscription Act of last April, authorizing the Presi-
int to call into the military service all residents between the ages
thirty-five and forty-five. The first act included only those be-
feen the ages of eighteen and thirty-five.
By the 1st of January there will be $300,000,000 Treasury notes
circulation. It is proposed in Congress to make a forced loan
one-fifth of the incomes of the people.
It is said Lincoln has issued a proclamation declaring the slaves
' Rebels free, on and after the 1st of January, 1863. This will
ily intensify the war, and add largely to our numbers in the
ild. A letter was received from General Lee to-day, dated at Mar-
Qsburg, giving a sad account of the army. It seems that with-
it some additional power given the President by Congress to
iforce discipline, he fears the army will melt away. He suggests
iat incompetent officers be reduced to the ranks, and that more
ringent regulations be adopted. He is in no condition to ad-
mce now, since so many thousands of his men are permitted to
ander away. We shall be afflicted with fresh invasions — and
lat, if nothing else, may cause the stragglers to return.
The substance of Lee's letter has been communicated to Con-
•ess, and that body, I understand, has postponed the day of ad-
urnment until the 6th October.
In future times, I wonder if it will be said that we had great
en in this Congress ? Whatever may be said, the truth is,
iere_are not a dozejLwithjjiy pretensions to statesmanship.
September 29th. — We have Lincoln's proclamation, freeing
1 the slaves from and after the 1st January next. And another,
jclaring martial law throughout the United States ! Let the
ankees ruminate on that ! Now for a fresh gathering of our
ans for another harvest of blood.
On Saturday the following resolutions were reported by Mr.
3mmes, from the Committee of the Judiciary, in the Senate :
" 1st. That no officer of the Confederate Government is by law
npowered to vest Provost Marshals with any authority whatever
ler citizens of the Confederate States not belonging to the land
id naval forces thereof, or with general police powers and duties
14

158 A rebel war clerk's diary
for the preservation of the peace and good order of any city, town,
or municipal district in any State of this Confederacy, and any
such exercise of authority is illegal and void.
" 2d, That no officer of the Confederate Government has con
stitutional or other lawful authority to limit or restrict, or in any
manner to control, the exercise of the jurisdiction of the civil judi
cial tribunals of the States of this Confederacy, vested in them by
the Constitution and laws of the States respectively ; and all orders
of any such officer tending to restrict or control or interfere with
the full and normal exercise of the jurisdiction of such civil judicial
tribunals are illegal and void."
We shall see what further action will follow. This is in marked
contrast to the despotic rule in the Yankee nation. Nevertheless,
the Provost Marshal here keeps his establishment in full blast.
He was appointed by Gen. Winder, of Maryland, who has been
temporarily subordinated by Major-Gen. Smith, of New York.
Since Gen. Smith has been in command, the enemy has made
raids to Leesburg, Manassas, and even Warrenton, capturing and
paroling our sick and wounded men. Who is responsible ?
Accounts from Nashville state that our cavalry is beleaguering
that city, and that both the United States forces there, and the
inhabitants of the town, are reduced nearly to starvation.
Buell, it is said, has reached Louisville. We hope to hear soon
of active operations in Kentucky. Bragg, and Smith, and Price,
and Marshall are there with abundant forces to be striking heavy
blows. Beauregard is assigned to the defense of South Carolina and
Georgia. Harper's Ferry is again occupied by the enemy — but we have
removed everything captured there. The Northern papers now
admit that the sanguinary battle of Sharpsburg was without
result. I sent my wife money to-day, and urged her to return to Rich
mond as soon as possible, as the enemy may cut the communica
tions — being within forty miles of the railroad. How I should like
to think they were cut to pieces 1 Then they would let us alone.
Hitherto 100,000 sick and wounded patients have been admitted
into the army hospitals of this city. Of these, about 10,000 have

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPIT.VL. 159
een furloughed, 3000 discharged from the service, and only 7600
ave died. At present there are 10,000 in the hospitals. There
! not so much sickness this year as there was last, nor is it near
3 fatal.
Many of the Northern papers seem to dissent from the policy of
iincoln's proclamation, and hope that evil consequences may not
row out of it. But how can it be possible for the people of the
Torth to submit to martial law ? The government which directs
nd enforces so obnoxious a tyranny cannot be sure of its stability.
Lud when the next army of invasion marches southward, it will
e likely to have enemies in its rear as well as in its front. The
"ribune exclaims "God bless Abraham Lincoln." Others, even
1 the North, will pray for " God to  him !''
Septembsr 30th. — Lincoln's proclamation was the subject of
iscussion in the Senate yesterday. Some of the gravest of our
jnators favor the raising of the black flag, asking and giving no
uarter hereafter.
The yellow fever is raging at Wilmington, North Carolina.
The President, in response to a resolution of inquiry concern-
ag Hyde, the agent who procured a substitute and was arrested
)r it, sent Congress a letter from the Secretary of Waf, stating
hat the action of Gen. Winder had not been approved, and th.at
Ir. Hyde had been discharged. The Secretary closes his letter
rith a sarcasm, which, I think, is not his own composition. He
sks, as martial law is still existing, though the writ of habeas
orpus is not suspended, for instructions as to the power of the
lilitary commander. Winder, to suppress tippling shops! Sev-
ral members declared that martial law existed in this city with-
ut any constitutional warrant. There is much bad feeling be-
iveen many members and the Executive.
No fighting has occurred on the Peninsula, and I believe Gen.
Vise has returned with his forces to Chaffin's Bluff.

160 A rebel war clerk's DIARY

CHAPTER XIX.
McClellan has crossed the Potomac. — Another battle anticipated. — I am
assured here that Lee had but 40,000 men engaged at Sharpsburg. — He
has more now, as he is defending Virginia. — Radicals of the North want
McClellan removed. — Our President has never taken the field, — Lee
makes demonstrations against McClellan. — A .Tew st-ore robbed last night.
— We have 40,000 prisoners excess over (he enemy. — My family arrived
from Raleigh. — My wife's substitute for coffee. — Foul passports.- — My
friend Brooks dines and wines with members of Congress. — The Herald
and Tribune tempt us to return to the Union - — Lee writes, no immediate
advance of McClellan. — Still a rumor of Bragg's victory in Kentucky. —
Enemy getting large reinforcements. — Diabolical order of Governor Bay
lor. — Secretary's estimate of conscripts and all others, -500,000 — Bragg
retreating from Kentucky. — Bickering between Bragg and Beauregard. —
Lee wants Confederale notes made a legal tender. — There will be no
second Washington.
October 1st. — They are still striking at martial law in the
Sjcnate, as administered by Gen. Winder. A communication
from the Secretary of War admits that Gen. W. was authorized
to suppress substitute agencies — "but this did not justify impress
ment and confiscation." It appears that Gen Winder ordered the
agents to be impressed into the service, and the money paid for
substitutes to be confiscated I Notwithstanding his blundering
ignorance is disavowed, he is still retained in command.
The enemy are at Warrenton ; and McClellan's army has
crossed the Upper Potomac. Another battle is imminent — and
fearful will be the slaughter this time. Lee had but little if any
more than 40,000 in the battle of Sharpsburg ; the Northern papers
said McClellan had 200,000 ! a fearful odds. But Lee now has
70,000— and, besides, he will be defending A'irginia. McClellan,
with his immense army, must advance, or else relinquish command.
The Abolitionists of the North have never liked him, and they
wield the power at present. A defeat of Lee near AAlnchester
would produce consternation here.
There are, as usual, thousands of able-bodied men still in our

at the confederate states CAvrt'.vL. 161
streets. It is probable every man, able to march, will be required
on the field of battle. If we can get out all, we shall certainly
gain the day, and establish our independence.
How shall we subsist this winter? There is not a supply of
wood or coal in the city — and it is said there are not adequate
means of transporting it hither. Flour at $16 per barrel, and
bacon at 75 cts. per pound, threaten a famine. And yet there
are no beggars in the streets. We must get a million of men in
arms and drive the invader from our soil. We are capable of it,
and we must do it. Better die in battle than die of starvation
produced by the enemy.
The newspapers are printed on half sheets — and I think the
publishers ma^e money ; the extras (pubUsHed almost every day)
are sold to the newsboys for ten cents, and often sold by them for
twenty-five cents. These are mere~slips of paper, seldom contain
ing more than a column — which is reproduced in the next issue.
The matter of the extras is mostly made up from the Northern
papers, brought hither by persons running the blockade. The
supply is pretty regular, and dates are rarely more than three or
four days behind the time of reception. We often get the first
accounts of battles at a distance in this way, as our generals and
our govefnmeht are famed for a prudential reticence. When the
Northern papers simply say they have gained a victory, we re
joice, knowing their Cretan habits. The other day they announced,
for European credulity, the capture and killing of 40,000 of our
men : this staggered us ; but it turned out that they did capture
700 of our stragglers and 2000 wounded men in field hospitals.
Now they are under the necessity of admitting the truth. Truth,
like honesty, is always the best policy.
October 2d. — News from the North indicate that in Europe
all expectation of a restoration of the Union is at an end ; and
the probability is that we shall soon be recognized, to be followed,
possibly, by intervention. Nevertheless, we must rely upon our
own strong arms, and the favor of God. It is said, however, an
iron steamer is being openly constructed in the Mersey (Liver
pool), for the avowed purpose of opening the blockade of Charles
ton harbor.
Yesterday in both Houses of Congress resolutions were intro-
14*

162 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
duced for the purpose of retaliating upon the North the barbari
ties contemplated in Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.
The Abolitionists of the North want :McClellan removed— I
hope they may have their will. The reason assigned by his
friends for his not advancing farther into Virginia, is that he has
not troops enough, and the Secretary of War has them not to send
him. I hope this may be so. Still, I think he must fight soon if
he remains near Martinsburg.
The yellow fever is worse at Wilmington. I trust it will not
make its appearance here.
A resolution was adopted yesterday in the Senate, to the effect
that martial law does not apply to civilians. But it 7ias been
applied to them here, and both Gen. Winder and his Provost
Marshal threatened to apply it to me.
Among the few measures that may be attributed to the present
Secretary of War, is the introduction of the telegraph wires into
his office. It may possibly be the idea of another; but it is not
exactly original ; and it has not been productive of good. It has
now been in operation several weeks, all the way to Warrenton;
and yet a few days ago the enemy's cavalry found that section of
country undefended, and took Warrenton itself, capturing in that
vicinity some 2000 wounded Confederates, in spite of the Secre
tary's expensive vigilance. Could a Yankee have been the in
ventor of the Secretary's plaything ? One amused himself tele
graphing the Secretary from Warrenton, that all was quiet there ;
and that the Yankees had not made their appearance in that
neighborhood, as had been rumored! If we had imbeciles in the
field, our subjugation would be only pastime for the enemy. It
is well, perhaps, that Gen. Lee has razeed the department down to
a second-class bureau, of which the President himself is the chief.
I see by a correspondence of the British diplomatic agents, that
their government have decided no reclamation can be made on
us for burning cotton and tobacco belonging to British subjects,
where there is danger that they may fall into the hands of the
enemy. Thus the British government do not even claim to have
their subjects in the South favored above the Southern people.
But Mr. Benjamin is more liberal, and he directed the Provost
Marshal to save the tobacco bought on foreign account. So far,
however, the grand' speculation has failed.

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. If,'.]
October 3d. — Gen. Wise was countermanded in his march
against Williamsburg, by !Major-Gen. Gustavus AA^. Smith. He
had 2700 men, the enemy 1500, and he would have captured and
slain them all. Gen. Wise was the trusted and revered Governor
of Virginia, while Smith was the Street Commissioner in New
York. A strong letter from Vice-President Stephens is published to
day, in which it is successfully maintained that no power exists,
derived either from the Constitution or acts of Congress, for the
declaration of martial law. He says all punishments inflicted by
military governors on civilians are clearly illegal.
There is a rumor that we have Louisville, but it does not seem
to be authentic. We have nothing from Lee, and know not
exactly where McClellan is.
Many people thought the President himself would take the
field. I doubt not he would have done so if the Provisional
Government had continued in existence until independence was
achieved. October 4th. — A splendid aurora borealis last night.
Yesterday, most of the delegation in Congress from Kentucky
and Tennessee petitioned the President to order Gen. Breckin
ridge, at Knoxville, to march to the relief of Nashville, and expel
the enemy, without waiting for orders from Gen. Bragg, now in
Kentucky. The President considers this an extraordinary request,
and will not, I suppose, grant it.
It is said Gen. Lee is advancing against Gen. McClellan at
Martinsburg. If Lee attacks him, and beats him, he will probably
be ruined, for the Potomac will be in his rear.
The enemy's paper, printed at Nashville, thinks Bragg has
taken Louisville. I hope so. I think we shall get Nashville
soon. Gen. Butler, the Yankee commander in New Orleans, has issued
an order to all the inhabitants of that city, sympathizing with the
Southern Confederacy, to present themselves immediately, and
take the oath of allegiance, when they will be recommended for
pardon. If they do not comply with the order, they will be arrested
by his police, cast into prison, and their property confiscated.
These are the orders which rally our men and make them fight
like heroes. How many Yankees will bleed and die in consequence

1G4 A rebel war clerk's DIARY
of this order ? And Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation will
seal the doom of one hundred thousand of his own people 1
A letter from Gen, Lee, dated October 1st, says that McClellan
has not crossed the Potomac. Some of his scouts have been at
Martinsburg, or in its vicinity. It is not to be supposed that Lee
can be amused by McClellan, while a force of any magnitude is
sent against Richmond. Some fear this, but I don't.
October (,th, Monday. — A Jew store, in Main Street, was
robbed of $8000 worth of goods on Saturday night. They were
carted away. This is significant. The prejudice is very strong
against the extortionists, and I apprehend there will be many
scenes of violence this winter. And our own people, who ask
four prices for wood and coal, may contribute to produce a new
Reign of Terror. The supplies necessary for existence should
not be withheld from a suffering people. It is dangerous.
There is great diversity of opinion yet as to the locality of
McClellan's army and Lee's intentions.
A dispatch from Gen. Van Dorn, in West Tennessee, indicates
that we are gaining a victory over Rosecrans. The battle was in
progress, not completed.
October 7th. — Nothing further has been heard from Corinth.
A great battle is looked for in Kentucky. All is quiet in Northern
Virginia. Some 2500 Confederate prisoners arrived from the North last
evening. They are on parole, and will doubtless be exchanged
soon, as we have taken at least 40,000 more of the enemy's men
than they have captured of ours.
Yesterday, Congress^ which has prolonged the session until the
13th instant, passed a bill increasing the pay of soldiers four dollars
per month. I hope they will increase our pay before they ad
journ. Congress also, yesterday, voted down the proposition of a
forced loan of one-fifth of all incomes. But the Committee of
Ways and Means are instrutcted to bring forward another bill.
This evening Custis and 1 expect the arrival of my family from
Raleigh, N. C. AA'^e have procured for them one pound of sugar,
80 cents; cue quart of milk, 25 cents; one pound of sausage-
meat, 37^ cents; four loaves of bread, as large as my fist, 20 cents
each; and we have a little coffee, which is selling at $2.50 per
pound. In the morning, some one must go to market, else there

at the confederate ST.VTES CAPITAL. 165
will be short-commons. Washing is $2,50 per dozen pieces.
Common soap is worth- 75 cents per pound.
October 8TH.^At last we have definite accounts of the battle
of Corinth, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday last. AA'e have
been defeated, and fearful has been the slaughter on both sides.
The enemy had overwhelming numbers. We have no particulars,
further than that our army retreated This is bad for Van Dorn
and Price.
My family arrived last night, well, and pleased with the cottage,
which they call Robin's Nest. But we were saddened by the loss
of a trunk — the most valuable one — containing some heavy spoons,
forks, and other plate, saved from the wreck at Burlington; my
wife's velvet cloak, satin dress (bought in Paris), my daughter's
gold watch, and many other things of value. Twelve trunks, the
right numfier, were delivered ; but one did not belong to us.
October 9th. — Early this morning I was at the depot. The
superintendent suggested that I should send some one to Weldon
in search of the trunk. He proffered to pass him free. This was
kind ; bnt I desired first to look among the baggage at the depot,
and the baggage-master was called in. Only two were unclaimed
last night ; bnt he said a gentleman had been there early in the
morning looking for his trunk, who stated that by some mistake
he had got the wrong one last night. He said he stopped at the
Exchange, and I repaired thither without delay, where I found
my trunk, to the mutual joy of the traveler and myself. It was
sent to the cottage, and the stranger's taken to the hotel. Had it
not been for my lucky discovery, we should have had no spoons,
forks, etc.
My wife has obviated one of the difficulties of the blockade, by
a substitute for coffee, which I like very well. It is simply corn
meal, toasted like coffee, and served in the same manner. It
costs five or six cents per pound — coffee, $2.50.
I heard a -foolish North Carolinian abusing the administration
to-day. He said, among other things, that the President himself,
and his family, had Northern proclivities. That the President's
family, when they fled from Richmond, in May, took refuge at St.
Mary's Hall, Raleigh, the establishment of the Rev. Dr. Smedes,
a Northern man of open and avowed partiality for the Union;
and that the Rev. Dr. Mason of the same place, with whom they

166 A rebel war clerk's diary
were in intimate association, was a Northern man, and an open
Unionist.' That the President's aid, and late Assistant Secretary
of State, was an Englishman, imported from the North ; Gen.
Cooper, the highest in rank of any military officer, was a Northern
man ; Col. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance, was also a Northern man;
Gen. Lovell, who was in the defeat at Corinth, and who had sur
rendered New Orleans, was from Pennsylvania; Gen. Smith, in
command of Virginia and North Carolina, from New York; and
Gen. Winder, commanding this metropolis, a Marylander, and his
detectives strangers and aliens, who sold passports to Lincoln's
spies for $100 each. He was furious, and swore all the distresses
of the people were owing to a Nero-like despotism, originating
in the brain of Benjamin, the Jew, whose wife lived in Paris.
The Senate, yesterday, passed the following resolutions, almost
unanimously: 1st. Resolved by the Congress of the Confederate States of
America, That no officer of the Confederate Government is by
law empowered to vest Provost Marshals with any authority
whatever over citizens of the Confederate States not belonging to
the land or naval forces thereof or with general police powers and
duties for the preservation of the peace and good order of any
city, town, or municipal district in any State of this Confederacy,
and any such exercise of authority is illegal and void.
2d. Resolved, That no officer of the Confederate Government
has constitutional or other lawful authority to limit or restrict, or
in any manner to control the exercise of the jurisdiction of the
civil judicial tribunals of the States of this Confederacy, vested in
them by the constitutions and laws of the States respectively, and
all orders of any such officer, tending to restrict or control or in
terfere with the full and normal exercise of the jurisdiction of such
civil judicial tribunals are illegal and void.
3d. Resolved, That the military law of the Confederate States
is, by the courts and the enactments of Congress, limited to the
land and naval forces and the militia when in actual service,
and to such other persons as are within the lines of any army,
navy, corps, division or brigade of the army of the Confederate
States. Yesterday, the Dispateh contained an article, copied from the
Philadelphia Inquirer, stating that a certain person who had

at the CONFEDEILVTE STATUS C.VPITAL. 167
been in prison here, arrested by order of Gen. Winder, for dis
loyalty, and for attempting to convey information to the enemy,
had succeeded in obtaining his release ; aud, for a bribe of $100,
a passport to leave the Confederacy had been procured from Gen.
Winder's alien detectives. The passport is printed in the Phila
delphia paper, and the bearer, the narrative says, has entered the
United States service.
This must have been brought to the attention of the President;
for a lady, seeking a passport to go to her son, sick and in prison
in the North, told me that when she applied to Gen. Winder to
day, he said the President had ordered him to issue no more
passports. And subsequently several parties, government agents
and others, came to me with orders from the Secretary (which I
retain on file), to issue passports for them. I hope this may be
the end of Winder's reign.
A letter from Gen. Lee states that, in view of certain move
ments, he had, without waiting for instructions, delivered the
sword, horse, etc. of Gen. Kearney, lately killed, to his wife, who
had made application for them. The movements referred to we
shall know more about in a few days.
Gen. Van Dorn dispatches the department that his army is
safe; that he took thirteen guns and 700 prisoners. So it was
not so disastrous a defeat. But the idea of charging five times
his number !
October IOth. — Mr. Brooks called this morning to get me to
draft a passport bill, which he said he would get Congress to pass.
I doubt it. I wrote the bill, however. He says fifteen or twenty
members of Congress visit his house daily. They dine with him,
and drink his old whisky. Mr. B. has a superb mansion on Clay
Street, which he bought at a sacrifice. He made his money at
trade. In one of the rooms Aaron Burr once dined with Chief
Justice Marshall, and Marshall was assailed for it afterward by
Mr. Jefferson. It was during Burr's trial, and Marshall was his
judge. Mr. Wickham, who was Burr's counsel, then occupied the
house, and gave a dinner party. Marshall did not know Burr was
to be one of the guests. I got these facts from Mr. Foote, whom
I met there the other evening.
A letter from Gen. Bragg to the President, indicates but too
clearly that the people of Kentucky hesitate to risk the loss of

168 A REBEL WAR OLERK'S DIARY
property by joining us. Only one brigade has been recruited so
far. The general says 50,000 more men are requisite. Can he
have them? None !
October Uth. — There are rumors of Abolition gun-boats in
the York and James Rivers. A battery of long range guns was
sent down yesterday.
It is said that an army of raw Abolitionists, under Sigel, has
marched from Alexandria toward Culpepper County. If this be
so, we shall soon have more fighting, and more running, I hope.
Lee keeps his own counsel — wisely.
October 13th. — Northern papers, received last night, speak of
a battle at Perryville, Kentucky, on the 9th instant, in which the
Abolitionists lost, by their own confession, 2000 killed and wounded,
which means 10,000. They say Bragg's forces held a portion of
the field after the battle. If this prove not a glorious victory for
our arms, I don't know how to read Abolition journals.
I see that our Congress, late on Saturday night (they adjourn
to-day), passed an act increasing the salaries of officers and em
ployees in the departments residing at Richmond. This will make
the joint compensation of my son and myself $3000; this is not
equal to $2000 a year ago. But Congress failed to make the
necessary appropriation. The Secretary might use the contingent
fund. Another act authorizes the President to appoint twenty ad
ditional brigadier- generals, and a number of lieutenant-generals.
The New York Herald, and even the Tribune, are tempting ns
to return to the Union, by promises of protecting slavery, and an
offer of a convention to alter the Constitution, giving us such
guarantees of safety as we may demand. This is significant. We
understand the sign.
Letters from Gen. Lee do not indicate an immediate purpose to
retire from the Potomac ; on the contrary, he has ordered Gen.
Loring, if practicable, to menace Wheeling and Pennsylvania,
and form a junction with him via the Monongahela and Upper
Potomac. But Loring does not deem it safe to move all his forces
(not more than 6000) by that route ; he will, however, probably
send his cavalry into Pennsylvania.
Aud Gen. Lee does not want any more raw conscripts. They
get sick immediately, aud prove a burden instead of a benefit. He

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 1G9
desires them to be kept in camps of instruction, until better sea-
S07ied (a term invented by Gen. AVise) for the field.
Senator Brown, of Mississippi, opposed the bill increasing our
salaries, on the ground that letters from himself, indorsed by the
President, applying for clerkships for his friends, remained un
answered. He did not seem to know that this was exclusively
the fault of the head clerk, Mr. Randolph, who has the title of
Secretary of War.
And the Examiner denounces the bill, because it seems to
sanction a depreciation of our currency ! What statesmanship !
What logic !
October 14th. — Congress adjourned yesterday at five o'clock
P.M. I have heard nothing of Mr. Brooks and the Passport Bill
I drafted. The truth is that, with few exceptions, the members of
this Congress are very weak, and very subservient to the heads of
departments. Congress has given him (the President) power to suspend the
writ of habeas corpus anywhere, until thirty days after the reas
sembling of Congress — and they have failed to pass the joint
resolution declaring no power exists under the Constitution to
institute martial law. They voted it separately, but flinched
when put to the test to act conjointly ; and martial law still exists
in this city.
We have Northern accounts of a dash into Pennsylvania by
Gen. Stuart and 1500 of his cavalry. He went as far as Cham-
bersburg, which surrendered ; and he was gathering horses, etc.,
for the use of the army, paying for them in Confederate notes.
They say he did not disturb any other description of private prop
erty without paying for it. I hope he is safely back again by this
time. The Northern papers claim a victory in Kentucky — but I
shall wait until we hear from Bragg.
Gen. Magruder has been assigned to duty in Texas. What
Gen. Johnston is to do, does not yet appear. A great many new
assistant adjutants and inspector-generals are to be appointed for
the generals, lieutenant-generals, majors, and brigadier-generals,
having rank and pay of colonels, majors, captains, and lieutenants
of cavalry. Like the Russian, perhaps, we shall have a purely
military government;" audit may be as good as any other.
15

]70 A REBEL WAR clerk's DIARY
Gold, in the North, is selling at 28 per cent, premium ; and
Exchange on England at $1.40. This is an indication that the
Abolitionists are bringing distress upon their own country.
The financial bill did not pass— so there is to be no forced loan.
Neither did a bill, making Confederate notes a legal tender — so
there will be a still greater depreciation.
Gen. Hardee is a lieutenant-generaL
October 15th. — A young man showed me a passport to-day to
return to Washington. It appears that Secretary Randolph has.
adopted another plan, which must be a rare stroke of genius. The
printed passport is " by order of the Secretary of War," and is
signed by "J. H. Winder, Brig.-Gen." But this is not all: on
the back it is "approved — by order of Major-Gen. Gustavus W.
Smith," and signed by one of Smith's " adjutants." So the com
mand of the Secretary of War is approved by the New Yorker,
Smith, after being first manipulated by Winder. It is an improve
ment, at all events, on the late mode of sending out spies — they
cannot get passports for bribes now, without Smith's adjutant
knowing something about it. Heretofore the " Plug Uglies''
might take the bribe, and by their influence with Gen. Winder,
obtain his signature to a blank passport.
The following was received yesterday :
"Winchester, Va,, Oct. 14, 1862.
"Hon. G. W. Randolph.
" The cavalry expedition to Pennsylvania has returned safe.
They passed through Mercersburg, Chambersburg, Emmetsburg,
Liberty, New Market, Syattstown, and Burnesville. The expedi
tion crossed the Potomac above Williamsport, and recrossed at
White's Ford, making the entire circuit, cutting the enemy's com
munications, destroying arms, etc., and obtaining many recruits.
"R. E. Lee, General."
Thus, Gen. Stuart has made another circle round the enemy's
army ; and hitherto, every time he has done so, a grand battle
followed. Let McClellan beware!
A letter, just received from Gen. Lee, says there is no appre
hension of an immediate advance of McClellan's army. This he

AT THE confederate STATES CAPITAL. 171
has ascertained from his scouts sent out to obtain information.
He says the enemy is in no condition to advance. Will they go
into winter quarters ? Or will Lee beat them up in their quarters ?
But the government has desired Lee to fall back from the Po
tomac ; and Lee, -knowing best what he should do at present, de
clines the honor. He says he is now subsisting his army on what,
if he retreated, would subsist the enemy, as he has but limited
means of transportation. He says, moreover, that our cavalry
about Culpepper and Manassas (belonging to the command of
Gen. Gustavus W. Smith), should be more active and daring in
dashing at the enemy ; and then, a few weeks hence, McClellan
would go into winter quarters. That would insure the safety of
Richmond until spring.
There is a rumor, generally credited, that Bragg has led the
enemy, in Kentucky, into an ambuscade, and slaughtered 25,000.
A traveler from the West reports having read an account to this
effect in the Louisville Journal. If the Journal really says so —
that number won't cover the loss. The Abolitionist journals are
incorrigible liars. And, indeed, so are many of those who bring
us news from the West.
October 16th. — There is no confirmation of the reported vic
tory in Kentucky.
An Englishman, who has been permitted to go North, publishes
there a minute and pretty accurate description of our river de
fenses. I have written a leading article for the Whig to-morrow, on
" Martial Law and Passports.'' My plan is to organize committees
in all the border counties to examine the passports of strangers
seeking egress from the country ; and to permit loyal citizens, not
desiring to pass our borders, or the lines of the armies, to travel
without passports. An officer and a squad of soldiers at the
depots can decide what soldiers are entitled to pass on the roads.
October 17th, — The article in the Whig is backed by one of
a similar character in the Examiner. We shall see what effect
they will have on the policy adopted by the Secretary of War.
Although still unofficial, we have confirmatory accounts of
Bragg's victory in Kentucky. The enemy lost, they say, 25,000
men. Western accounts are generally exaggerated.

172 A rebel war clerk's diary
The President has appointed the following lieutenant-generals:
Jackson, Longstreet, (Bishop) Polk, Hardee, Pemberton, Holmes,
and Smith (Kirby).
The raid of Stuart into Pennsylvania was a most brilliant
affair. He captured and destroyed much public property — re
specting that of individuals. The Abolitionists are much mortified,
and were greatly frightened. The plan of this expedition was
received at the department to-day — just as conceived and pre
pared by Lee, and it was executed by Stuart in a masterly
manner. Advices from Winchester inform the government that McClel
lan is receiving large reinforcements. He may be determined to
cross the Potomac and offer battle — as nothing less will satisfy the
rabid Abolitionists. Gen. Lee is tearing up the rails on the road
from Harper's Ferry.
Our improvident soldiers lose a great many muskets. We
should not have arms enough on the Potomac, were it not for
those captured at Harper's Ferry. An order will be issued,
making every man responsible for the safe-keeping of his gun.
October 18th. — Major-Gen. Jones telegraphs from Knoxville,
Tenn., that a wounded officer arrived from Kentucky, reports a
victory for Bragg, and that he has taken over 10,000 prisoners.
We shall soon have positive news.
A letter from Admiral Buchanan states that he has inspected
the defenses of Mobile, and finds them satisfactory.
I traversed the markets this morning, and was gratified to find the
greatest profusion of all kinds of meats, vegetables, fruits, poultry,
butter, eggs, etc. But the prices are enormously high. If the
army be kept away, it seems the supply must soon be greater than
the demand. Potatoes at $5 per bushel, and a large crop ! Half-
grown chickens at |1 each I Butter at $1.25 per pound! And
other things in the same proportion.
Here is a most startling matter. Gov. Baylor, appointed Gov
ernor of Arizona, sent an order some time since to a mjjitary com
mander to assemble the Apaches, under pretense of a treaty —
and when they came, to kill every man of them, and sell their
children to pay for the whisky. This order was sent to the
Secretary, who referred it to Gen. Sibley, of that Territory, to

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 173
ascertain if it were genuine. To-day it came back from Gen. S.
indorsed a true bill. Now it will go to the President— and we
shall see what will follow. He cannot sanction such a perfidious
crime. I predict he will make Capt. Josselyn, his former private
Secretary, and the present Secretary of the Territory, Governor
in place of Baylor.
October 20th. — The news from Kentucky is very vague. It
seems there has been a battle, which resulted favorably for us, so
far as the casualties are concerned. But then Bragg has fallen
back forty miles, and is probably retiring toward Cumberland
Gap, that he may not be taken in the rear by the enemy's forces
lately at Corinth.
The President intends suspending the Conscription Act in
Western Virginia, for the purpose, no doubt, of organizing an
army of Partisan Rangers in that direction.
It seems, from recent Northern papers received in this city, that
the elections in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana have gone
against" the Abolitionists. What then ? If the war should be
waged by the Democrats for the restoration of the Union, and
waged according to the rules of civilized nations, respecting non-
combatants, and exempting private property from pillage, it would
be a still more formidable war than that now waged against us.
I have just received the following note from the Secretary:
"OoTOEEK 17th, 18S2.
"Mr. J. B. Jones will hereafter refer all applicants for passports
to Gen. Smith's Adjutant- General, and grant none from the de
partment.
" George W. Randolph,
"Sec. of War."
Neither the acting Assistant Secretary, nor Mr. Kean, with his
whole alphabet of initials, could be certain whether the order re
ferred merely to applicants to go out of the Confederacy, or all
applicants of whatever kind. If the latter, I am fundus officio,
so far as passports are concerned. But Capt. Kean says there is
plenty of work for me to do ; and I presume I will not be entirely
out of employment. 15*

174 A rebel war clerk's diary
I took a good look at Mr. Randolph to-day. He is thin, frail.
His face is pale, and will soon be a mass of wrinkles, although he
is not over forty. His eyes are extremely small, blue, and glisten
very much.
October 21st. — Still nothing definite from Kentucky, more
than the retreat of Bragg. Gen. Loring is here — he would not
act upon the suggestions of Lee, and so he is recalled.
The government is uneasy about Richmond. They want a
portion of Lee's army sent hither. But Lee responds, that
although he is not advised of the condition of things on the south
side of James River, yet, if he detaches a portion of his army, he
may be too weak to encounter McClellan, if he should advance.
I saw the Secretary again this morning ; he wished me to turn
over all the passport business to the military. I said I was glad
to be rid of that business, and would never touch it again.
October 22d. — Back at the department at work, but not much
to do yet. The mails are not heavy.
We have Bragg's report of the battle of Perryville. He^at
the enemy from his positions, driving him back two miles, when
night set in. But finding overwhelming masses accumulating
around him, he withdrew in good order to Bryattsville. Thus
Kentucky is given up for the present 1
McClellan has retired back into Maryland, hoping, I suppose,
Lee will follow and fall into his ambuscade.
The President will call out, under the Conscription Act, all be
tween the ages of eighteen and forty. This will furnish, according
to the Secretary's estimate, 500,000, after deducting the exempts.
A great mistake.
' A letter from Gen. Lee indicates that he is in favor of making
' Treasury notes a legal tender. It was so with Washington con-
' cerning Continental money — but Congress pays no attention to
i, the subject. Why does not the President recommend it ? It
^ would then pass — for, at present, he is master.
The paper from the Provost Marshal, referred by the latter to
the President, came back to-day. The Secretary, in referring it,
seems to incline to the opinion that the writ of habeas corpus not
being suspended, there was no remedy for the many evils the Pro
vost Marshal portrayed. The President, however, did not wholly

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 175
coincide in that opinion. He says : " The introduction and sale of
liquors must be prevented. Call upon the city authorities to with
hold licenses, and to abate the evil in the courts, or else an order
will be issued, .mch as the necessity requires."
Judge Campbell, late of the United States Supreme Court, has
been appointed Assistant Secretary of War.
October 23d.— The Gov. of Florida calls for aid, or he thinks
bis State will fall. ^
Albert Pike, writing from Texas, says if the Indian Territory
be not attended to "instantly," it will be lost.
Per contra, we have a rumor that Lee is recrossing thePotomac
into Maryland.
October 24th. — Bragg is in full retreat, leaving Kentucky, and
racing for Chattanooga — the point of interest now. But Beaure
gard, from whom was taken the command of the Western army,
day before yesterday repulsed with slaughter a large detachment
of the Yankees that had penetrated to the Charleston and Savan
nah Railroad. Thus, in spite of the fantastic tricks of small men
here, the popular general is destined to rise again.
October 25th. — Many severe things are alleged against the
President for depriving Beauregard of the comniand of the West
ern army. It is alleged that Bragg reported that the enemy would
have been annihilated at Shiloh, if Beauregard had fought an hour
longer. Now, it appears, that Bragg would have annihilated the
enemy at Perryville, if he had fought an hour longer ! And just
at the moment of his flying out of Kentucky, news comes of Beau
regard's victory over the enemy in the South. Nor is this all.
The enemy some time since intercepted a letter from Beauregard
to Bragg (a copy of which was safely sent to the government here),
detailing his plan of the campaign in the West, if he had not
beeiTmijustly deprived of the command. But Bragg chose to
make a plan of his^ own, or was directed to disregard Beauregard's
advice. No one doubts that Beauregard's plan would have been
successful, and would have given us Cincinnati and Louisville ;
but that of Bragg, as the one sent him by the government, has re
sulted in th^loss of Kentucky, and, perhaps, Tennessee ! -
Brig.-Gen? Edward Johnson is recommended by Gen. Lee for
promotion to major-general, and to be placed in command of the
army in Western Virginia.

176 A rebel war clerk's diary A
October 27th. — From information (pretty direct from Wash
ington), I believe it is the purpose of the enemy to make the most
strenuous efforts to capture Richmond and Wilmington this fall
and winter. It has been communicated to the President that if it
takes their last man, and all their means, these cities must fall.'
Gen. Smith is getting negroes to work on the defenses, and the
subsistence officers are ordered to accumulate a vast amount of
provisions here.
Letters from Beauregard show that the Commissary-General,
because he thinks Charleston cannot be defended, opposes the
provisioning the forts as the general would have it done ! The
general demands of the government to know whether he is to be
overruled, and if so, he must not be held responsible for the con
sequences. We shall see some of these days which side the Pres
ident will espouse. Beauregard is too popular, I fear, to meet
with favor here. But it is life or death to the Confederacy, and
danger lurks in the path of public men who endanger the liberties
of the people.
October 28th. — Gen. Bragg is here, but will not probably be
deprived of his command. He was opposed by vastly superior
numbers, and succeeded in getting away with the largest amount
of provisions, clothing, etc., ever obtained by an army. He brought
out 15,000 horses and mules, 8000 beeves, 50,000 barrels of pork,
a great number of hogs, 1,000,000 yards of Kentucky cloth, etc.
The army is now at Knoxville, Tennessee, in good condition.
But before leaving Kentucky, Morgan made still another capture
of Lexington, taking a whole cavalry regiment prisoners, destroy
ing several wagon trains, etc. It is said Bragg's train of wagons
was forty miles long ! A Western tale, I fear.
Letters from Lee urge the immediate completion of the railroad
from Danville to Greenville, North Carolina, as of vital import
ance. He thinks the enemy will cut the road between this and
Weldon. He wants Confederate notes made a legal tendeF; and
the President says that, as the courts cannot enforce^pgment in
anything else, they are substantially a legal tender already. And
he suggests the withholding of pay from officers during their ab
sence from their regiments. A good idea.
Everything indicates that Richmond will be assailed this fall.

AT THE CONFEDER.VTE STATES CAPITAL. 177
and that operations in the field are not to be suspended in the
winter. Polk, Bragg, Cheatham, etc. are urging the President to make
Col. Preston Smith a brigadier- general. Unfortunately, Bragg's
letter mentioned the fact that Beauregard had given Smith com
mand of a brigade at Shiloh ; and this attracting the eye of the
President, he made a sharp note of it with his pencil. "What
authority had he for this ?" he asked ; and Col. Smith will not be
appointed. October 29th. — There was a rumor yesterday that the enemy
were marching on Weldon; but we have no confirmation of it
to-day. Loring, after all, did not send his cavalry into Pennsylvania, I
presume, since nothing has been heard of it.
The Charleston Mercury has some strictures on the President
for not having Breckinridge in Kentucky, and Price in Missouri,
this fall. They would doubtless have done good service to the
cause. The President is much absorbed in the matter of appoint
ments. Gen. Wise was again ordered down the Peninsula last Satur
day ; and again ordered back when he got under way. They will
not let him fight.
October 30th. — The Commissary-General is in hot water on
account of some of his contracts, and a board of inquiry is to sit
on bim.
The President has delayed the appointment of Gen. E. John
son, and Gen. Echols writes that several hundred of his men
have deserted; that the enemy, 10,000 or 15,000 strong, is press
ing him, and he must fall back, losing Charleston, Virginia, the
salt works, and possibly the railroad. He has less than 4000
men !
Bnt we have good news from England — ^if it be true. The New
York Express says Lord Lyons is instructed by England, and
perhaps on the part of France and other powers, to demand of
the United States an armistice; and in the event of its not being
acceded to, the governments will recognize our independence.
One of the President's personal attendants told me this news was
regarded as authentic by our government. I don't regard it so.

178 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
Yesterday the whole batch of "Plug Ugly" policemen, in the
Provost Marshal's " department," were summarily dismissed by
Gen. Winder, for "malfeasance, corruption, bribery, and incom
petence." These are the branches : the roots should be plucked
up, and Gen. Winder and his Provost Marshal ought to resign.
I believe the President ordered the removal.
October 31st. — If it be not a Yankee electioneering trick to
operate at the election in New York, on the fourth of November,
the Northern correspondence with Europe looks very much like
speedy intervention in our behalf.
Winder has really dismissed all his detectives excepting Cash-
meyer, about the worst of them.
If we gain our independence by the valor of our people, or
assisted by European intervention, I wonder whether President
Davis will be regarded by the world as a second Washington ?
What will his own country say of him ? I know not, of course;
but I know what quite a number here say of him now. They say
he is a small specimen of a statesman, and no military chieftain at
all. And worse still, that he is a capricious tyrant, for lifting up
Yankees and keeping down great Southern men. Wise, Floyd,
etc. are kept in obscurity ; while Pemberton, who commanded the
Massachusetts troops, under Ijincoln, in April, 1861, is made a
lieutenant-general ; G. W. Smith and Lovell, who were office
holders in New York, when the battle of Manassas was fought,
are made major-generals, and^;he former put in command over
Wise inJVirginia, and all the generals in North Carolina. Rip
ley, another Northern general, was sent to South Carolina, and
Winder, from Maryland, has been allowed to play the despot in
. Richmond and Petersburg. Washington was~WlIgne3? ~ — -"

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES C.VPITAL. 179

CHAPTER XX.
General Lee in Richmond: beard white. — First proposition to trade cotton
to the enemy. — Secretary in favor of it. — .Vll the letters come through
my hands again. — Lee falling back. — 5000 negroes at work on the forti
fications. — .\ctive operations looked for. — Beauregard advises non-com
batants to leave the city. — Semmes's operations. — Making a nation. —
Salt works lost in Virginia. — Barefooted soldiers. — Intrigues of Butler in
Xew Orleans. — Xorthern army advancing everywhere. — Breach between
the President and Secretary of War. — President's servant arrested for
robbing the Treasury. — Gen. J. E. Johnston in town. — Secretary has re
signed. — Hon. J. A. Seddon appointed Secretary of War. — The enemy
marching on Fredericksburg. — Lee writes that he will be ready for them.
— Kentuckians will not be hog drivers. — Women and children flying from
the vicinity of Fredericksburg. — Fears for Wilmington. — No beggars. —
Quiet on the Rappahannock. — M. Paul, French Consul, saved the French
tobacco. — Gen. Johnston goes West. — President gives Gov. Pettit full
authority to trade cotton to France.
November 1st. — Gen. Winder's late policemen have fled the
city. Their monstrous crimes are the theme of universal execra
tion. But I reported them many months ago, and Gen. Winder
was cognizant of their forgeries, correspondence with the enemy,
etc. The Secretary of War, and the President himself, were in
formed of them, but it was thought to be a "small matter."
Gen. Lee made his appearance at the department to-day, and
was hardly recognizable, for his beard, now quite white, has
been suffered to grow all over his face. But he is quite robust
from his exercises in the field. His appearance here, coupled with
the belief that we are to have the armistice, or recognition and
intervention, is interpreted by many as an end of the war. But I
apprehend it is a symptom of the falling back of our army.
I have been startled to-day by certain papers that came under
my observation. The first was written by J. Foulkes, to L. B.
Northrop, Commissary- General, proposing to aid the government
in procuring meat and bread for the army from ports in the
enemy's possession. They were lo be paid for in cotton. The

180 A rebel war clerk's diary
next was a letter from the Commissary-General to G. W. Ran
dolph, Secretary of War, urging the acceptance of the proposi
tion, and saying without it, it would be impossible to subsist the
army. He says the cotton proposed to be used, in the South
west will either be burned or fall into the hands of the enemy;
and that more than two-thirds is never destroyed when the enemy
approaches. But to effect his object, it will be necessary for the
Secretary to sanction it, and to give orders for the cotton to pass
the lines of the army. The next was from the Secretary to the
President, dated October thirtieth, which not only sanctioned
Colonel Northrop's scheme, but went further, and embraced shoes
and blankets for the Quartermaster-General. This letter inclosed
both Foulkes's and Northrop's. They were all sent back to-day
by the President, with his remarks. He hesitates, and does not
concur. But says the Secretary will readily see the propriety of
postponing such a resort until January — and he hopes it may not
be necessary then to depart from the settled policy of the govern
ment — to forbear trading cotton to the Yankees, etc. etc.
Mr. Benjamin, Secretary of State, has given Mr. Dunnock per
mission to sell cotton to the Yankees and the rest of the world on
the Atlantic and Gulf coast. Can it be that the President knows
nothing of this ? It is obvious that the cotton sold by Mr. Dun
nock (who was always licensed by Mr. Benjamin to trade with
people in the enemy's country beyond the Potomac) will be very
comfortable to the enemy. And it may aid Mr. Dunnock and
others in accumulating a fortune. The Constitution defines trea
son to be giving aid and comfort to the enemy. I never supposed
Mr. Randolph would suggest, nay urge, opening an illicit trade
with "Butler, the Beast." This is the first really dark period of
our struggle for independence.
We have acres enough, and laborers enough, to subsist
30,000,000 of people; and yet we have the spectacle of high func
tionaries, under Mr. Davis, urging the necessity of bartering cot
ton to the enemy for stores essential to the maintenance of the
army ! I cannot believe it is a necessity, but a destitution of that
virtue necessary to achieve independence. If they had any knowl
edge of these things in Europe, they would cease their commends
ations of President Davis.
Mr. Randolph says, in his letter to the President, that trading

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. ISl
with ports in possession of the enemy is forbidden to citizens, and
not to the government! The archives of the department show
that this is not the first instance of the kind entertained by the
Secretary. He has granted a license to vitizei>s in Mobile to
trade cotton in New Orleans for certain supplies in exchange, in
exact compliance with Gen. Butler's proclamation. Did Pitt ever
practice such things during his contest with Napoleon ? Did the
Continental Government ever resort to such equivocal expedients?
A member of Washington's cabinet (and he, too, was a Randolph)
once violated the "settled policy of the government,'' but he was
instantly deprived of the seals of office. He acted under the ad
vice of Jefferson, who sought to destroy Washington ; and the
present Secretary Randolph is a grandson of Jefferson. Wash
ington, the inflexible patriot, frowned indignantly upon every'
departure from the path of rectitude.
I can do nothing more than record these things, and watch !
November 2d, Sunday. — 1 watch the daily orders of Adjutant
and Inspector- Gen. Cooper. These, when "by command of the
Secretary of War," are intelligible to any one, but not many are
by his command. When simply " by order," they are promulgated
by order of the President, without even consulting the Secretary;
and they often annul the Secretary's orders. They are edicts, and
sometimes thought very arbitrary ones. One of these orders says
liquor shall not be introduced into the city ; and a poor fellow,
the other day, was sentenced to the ball-and-chain for trying to
bring hither his whisky from Petersburg. On the same day Gov.
Brown, of Georgia, seized liquor in his State, in transitu over the
railroad, belonging to the government 1
Since the turning over of the passports to Generals Smith and
Winder, I have resumed the position where all the letters to the
department come through my hands. I read them, make brief
statements of their contents, and send them to the Secretary. Thus
all sent by the President to the department go through my hands,
being epitomized in the same manner.
The new Assistant Secretary, Judge Campbell, has been order
ing the Adjutant-General too peremptorily ; and so Gen. Cooper
has issued an order making Lieut. -Col. Deas an Acting Assistant .
Secretary of War, thus creating an office in defiance of Congress. '
November 3d. — The right wing of Lee's army has fallen back
16

182 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
as far as Culpepper County, and the enemy advances. Active
movements are speedily looked for; many suppose a desperate
attempt to take Richmond.
Our government has decided that no one shall be permitted to
go North for thirty days.
A requisition for heavy guns to defend Cumberland Gap, elicited
from the Inspector of Ordnance a statement of the fact that we are
"short" of guns for the defense of Richmond.
There was a rumor yesterday that the enemy was marching in
force on Petersburg. This, at all events, was premature.
A letter from Hon. C. C. Clay, Senator, says there is much de
fection in North Alabama, and that many people are withdrawing
themselves to avoid conscription.
u/ Just at this time, if it were not for Lincoln's proclamation, if
the war were conducted according to the rules of civilized nations,
I verily believe a very formidable party in favor of Reconstruc
tion might spring up in the South. With a united South, two
million of Abolitionists could not subjugate us.
November 4th. — An expose of funds in the hands of disburs
ing agents shows there are nearly seventy millions of dollars not
accounted for !
The members of the legislature are fearful of an attack on the
Southern Railroad, and asks that Gen. Mahone be sent to Peters
burg. The government is impressing flour at $12 per barrel, when it is
selling at $24 ; and as the railroads are not allowed to transport
any for private use, it may be hoped ice shall have our bread
cheaper some of these days. But will the government make itself
popular with the people ?
The Examiner says a clerk in the War Department is making
money in the substitute business. If this be true, it is rank cor
ruption 1 But, then, what is the cotton business ?
The Chief of Ordnance Bureau, Col. J. Gorgas (Northern by
birth), recommends the Secretary of War to remove the lighter
guns, some sixty in number, from the lower tiers of Forts Sumter,
Moultrie, and Morgan, for the defense of the rivers likely to be
.ascended by the enemy's gun-boats.
• I saw, to-day, the President's order to revoke the authority
heretofore given Gov. Baylor to raise a brigade, and in regard to

AT THE CONFEDERATE- STATES CAPITAL 1S3
his conduct as governor (ordering the massacre of the Indians
after collecting them under pretense of forming a treaty of peace).
The President suggests that nothing be done until the Gov
ernor be heard in his own defense. It was diabolical! If it
had been consummated, it would have affixed the stigma of infamy
to the government in all future time, and might have doomed us
to merited subjugation.
November 5th — Major Ruffin, in the Commissary Depart
ment, says the army must go on half rations after the 1st of Jan
uary next.
It is alleged that certain favorites of the government have a
monopoly. of transportation over the railroads, for purposes of
speculation and extortion !
November 6th. ^I believe the commissaries and quartermas
ters are cheating the government. The Quartermaster-General
sent in a paper, to-day, saying he did not need the contributions
of clothes tendered by the people of Petersburg, but still would
pay for them. They were offered for nothing.
The Commissary-General to-day says there is not wheat enough
in Virginia (when a good crop was raised) for Gen. Lee's army,
and unless he has millions in money and cotton, the army must dis
band for want of food. I don't believe it.
There are 5000 negroes working on the fortifications near the
city, and 2500 are to work on the Piedmont Railroad.
We are all hoping that New York and other States declared
against the Republicans, at the elections in the United States, on
Tuesday last. Such a communication would be regarded as the
harbinger of peace. We are all weary of the war, but must and
will fight on, for no other alternative remains. Everything, how
ever, indicates that we are upon the eve of most interesting events.
This is the time for England or France to come to the rescue, and
enjoy a commercial monopoly for many years. I think the Sec
retary of War has abandoned the idea of trading cotton to the
enemy. It might cost him his head.
November 7th. — Yesterday I received from the agent of the
City Councils fourteen pounds of salt, having seven persons in my
family, including the servant. One pound to each member, per
month, is allowed at 5 cts. per pound. The extortionists sell it at
70 cts. per pound. One of them was drawing for his family. He

184 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
confessed it ; but said he paid 50 cts. for the salt he sold at 70 cts.
Profit $10 per bushel ! I sent an article to-day to the Enquirer, .
suggesting that fuel, bread, meat, etc. be furnished in the same
manner. We shall soon be in a state of siege.
Last night there was a heavy fall of snow.
The authorities of Charleston, with the concurrence of Beaure
gard, advise all the non-combating population to leave the city,
and remove their personal property. The city will be defended to
the last extremity.
What a change in the Executive Department 1 Before the elec
tion, the President was accessible to all ; and even a member of
Congress had no preference over the common citizen. But now
there are six aids, cavalry colonels in rank and pay, and one of
them an Englishman, who see the people, and permit .only certain
ones to have access to the President. This looks like the begin
ning of an imperial court. But what may not its ending be ?
I see that Mr. Hurlbut, incarcerated once as a spy, or as a
writer for an Abolition paper in New York, and a Northern man
himself, after being protected by Mr. Browne (the English A.D.C.
of the President) and released by Mr. Benjamin from prison, has
escaped to the North, and is out in a long article in the Times!
He says he got a passport from Gen. Winder's Provost Marshal.
Mr. James Lyons thought he had made H. a Southern man; what
does he think now ?
The "290" or Alabama, the ship bought in Europe, and com
manded by Capt. Semmes, C. S. N.,is playing havoc with the com
merce of the United States. If we had a dozen of them, our foes
would suffer incalculably, for they have an immense amount of
shipping. I see Semmes had captured the Tonawanda, that used
to lie at the foot of Walnut Street, Philadelphia; but he released
her, first putting the master under bond to pay President Davis
$80,000 after the war. I hope he will pay it, for I think the
President will want the money.
November 8tii. — The European statesmen, declining interven
tion in our behalf, have, nevertheless, complimented our President
by saying he has, at all events, "made a nation." He is pleased
with this, 1 understand. But it is one of the errors which the wise
men over the water arc ever liable to fall into. The " nation " was
made before the President existed : indeed, the nation made the
President.

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPIT.VL. 185
We have rumors of fighting near the mouth of the Shenandoah,
and that our arms were successful. It is time both armies were in
winter quarters. Snow still lies on the ground here.
We have tidings from the North of the triumph of the Democrats
in New York, New Jersey, etc. etc. This news produces great
rejoicing, for it is hailed as the downfall of Eepublican despotism.
Some think it will be followed by a speedy peace, or else that the
European powers will recognize us without further delay. I should
not be surprised if Seward were now to attempt to get the start of
England and France, and cause our recognition by lihe United
States. I am sure the Abolitionists cannot now get their million
men. The drafting must be a failure.
The Governor of Mississippi (Pettus) informs the President that
a Frenchman, perhaps a Jew, proposes to trade salt for cotton —
tea sacks of the first for one of the latter. The Governor says
he don't know that he has received the consent of "Butler, the
Beast'' (but he knows the trade is impossible without it), but that
is no business of his. He urges the traffic. And the President
has consented to it, and given him power to conduct the exchange
in spite of the military authorities. The President says, however,
that twenty sacks of salt ought to be given for one of cotton.
Salt is worth in New Orleans about one dollar a sack, cotton $160
per bale. The President informed the Secretary of what had
been done, and sends him a copy of his dispatch to Gov. Pettus.
He don't even ask Mr. Randolph's opinion.
November 9th. — Itis too true that Charleston, Va., andthe great
Kanawha salt works have been abandoned by Gen. Echols for the
want of an adequate force to hold them. If the President had
only taken Gen. Lee's advice a month ago, and ordered a few thou
sand more men there, under the command of Gen. Ed. Johnson,
we should have kept possession of the works. The President may
seem to be a good nation-maker in the eyes of distant statesmen, but
he does not seem to be a good salt-maker forjtbenation. The works
he has just relinquished to the ^enemy manufacture 7000 bushels
of salt per day — two million and a half a year — an ample supply
for the entire population of the Confederacy, and an object ade
quate to the maintenance of an army of 50,000 in that valley.
Besides, the troops necessary for its occupation will soon be in
winter quarters, and quite as expensive to the government as if in
16*

1,S6 A rebel war clerk's diary
the valley. A Caesar, a Napoleon, a Pitt, and a Washington, all
great nation-makers, would have deemed this work worthy their
attention. Only three days ago the President wrote to the Secretary that
the idea of trading cotton to the enemy must be postponed until
the first of January, and perhaps indefinitely, but now he informs
Mr. Randolph that he has sent the requisite authority to his friend.
Gov. Pettus, to launch out in that trade.
No, the people have made the nation. It is a people's war, and
it is the momentum of a united, patriotic people, which carries
everything with it. Our brave men win victories under adverse
circumstances, and often under incompetent officers, and the people
feed and clothe the armies in spite of the shortcomings of dishon
est commissaries and quartermasters. They are now sending ten
thousand pairs of shoes to Lee's army in opposition to the will of
the Jew Myers, Quartermaster- General, who says everything must
be contracted and paid for jDy his agents, according to red-tape
rule and regulation.
The weather continues cold, 38°, and snow still lies on the
ground This must produce a cessation of hostilities, and afford
Lincoln's drafted recruits opportunity for meditation.
If it be true that the Democrats have carried the day in the
North, I think the war is approaching a termination.
November IOth. — A day or two ago some soldiers marched
through the city without shoes, in the snow. A committee of cit
izens to-day obtained an order from the War Department, for the
impressment of all the boots, shoes, blankets, and overcoats in the
shops. AVhat a commotion among the Jews ! '
It is certain that the enemy are advancing upon Culpepper, on
the way to Richmond, in great force. This we have in letters from
Gen. Lee, dated 7th inst., near Culpepper C. H. He says the
enemy's cavalry is very numerous, while our horses have the "sore
tongue," and tender hoofs. Lee has ordered the stores, etc. from
Gordonsville to Lynchburg. He says Jackson may possibly march
through one of the gaps and fall upon the enemy's flank, and inti
mates that an opportunity may be offered to strike the invaders "a
blow." Yesterday, Sunday, a cavalry company dashed into Fredericks
burg, and after robbing the stores, and reporting that the Demo-

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES C.VPITAL. 1S7
crats had swept the North, that England and France had recog
nized us, etc., they dashed out again.
The President sent to the department to day, icithout comment,
a defense by Col. Baylor of his atrocious order for the massacre of
the Indians. It was in a Texas paper. Baylor acknowledges its
genuineness, and says the Apaches murdered our people invited to
make a treaty with them, and he says it is his intention to retaliate
by extermination of them. ^^ 
Another proposition was received by the government today
from a French firm of Xew Orleans merchants, to furnish us salt,
meat, shoes, blankets, etc., in unlimited quantities, and guarantee
their delivery, if we will allow them, with the proceeds of salt, the
privilege of buying cotton on the Mississippi River," and they will,
moreover, freight French ships above New Orleans, and gua£antee
that not a bale shall be landed in any U. S. port. Is it not
certain that "Bntler, the Beast," is a party to the speculation?.^
This is a strong temptation, and we shall see what response our
government will make to this proposition to violate an act of
Congress. November 11th. — More projects from the Southwest. Mr.
Jno. A. S. has just arrived from New Orleans, where, he states
in his communication to the government, he had interviews and
correspondence with the U. S. authorities, Butler, etc., and they
had given him positive assurances that he will be permitted to take
any supplies to the planters (excepting arms and ammunition)
in exchange for cotton, which may be shipped to any part of the
world. S. says that Butler will let us have anything for a bribe.
No doubt ! And Mr. L., President of the L. Bank, writes that he
will afford facilitjes to Mr. S It remains to be seen what our
government will do in these matters. They smack of treason.
It is said heavy firing was heard yesterday in the direction of
Culpepper C. H., and it is supposed a battle is in progress to-day.
No danger of it.
November 12th. — The heavy firing heard did no execution.
Letters from Gen. Lee indicate no battle, unless the enemy should
make an egregious blunder. He says he has not half men enough
to resist McClellan's advance with his mighty army, and prefers
manceuvring to risking his army. He says three-fourths of our
cavalry horses are sick with sore-tongue, and their hoofs are fall-

188 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
ing off, and the soldiers are not fed and clad as they should- be.
He urges the sending of supplies to Gordonsville.
And we have news of a simultaneous advance of Northern
armies everywhere; and everywhere we have the same story of
deficiency of men and provisions. North and south, east and
west of us, the enemy is reported advancing.
Soon we shall have every one blaming the Secretary of War for
the deficiency of men, and of quartermaster and commissary stores.
The Commissary-General, backed by the Secretary of War,
made another effort to-day to obtain the President's permission to
trade cotton with "Butler, the Beast." But the President and
Gov. Pettus will manage that little matter without their assist
ance. Major Ruffin's (Commissary's Bureau) statement of the alarm
ing prospects ahead, unless provisions be obtained outside of the
Confederacy (for cotton), was induced by reports from New
Orleans. A man was in the office to-day exhibiting Butler's
passport, and making assurances that all the Yankee generals are
for sale — for cotton. Butler will make a fortune — and so will
some of our great men. Butler says the reason he don't send
troops into the interior is that he is afraid we will burn the
cotton. It is reported that a fleet of the enemy's gun-boats are in the
James River.
Novemb!er 13Tn. — The President has rebuked the Secretary of
War in round terms for ordering Gen. Holmes to assume the com
mand on this side the Mississippi. Perhaps Mr. Randolph has
resolved to be really Secretary. This is the first thing I have
ever known him to do without previously 'obtaining the Presi
dent's sanction — and it must be confessed, it was a matter of some
gravity and importance. Of course it will be countermanded. I
have not been in the Secretary's office yet, to see if there is an
envelope on his table directed to the President marked "Imme
diate." But he has not been to see the President — and that may
be significant, as this is the usual day.
A gentleman, arrived to-day from Maryland, reports that Gen.
McClellan has been removed, and the command given to Burn
side I lie says, moreover, that this change has given umbrage to
the army. This may be our deliverance; for if McClellan had

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 189
been let alone two weeks longer (provided he ascertained our
present condition), he might have captured Richmond, which
would be holding all Eastern and much of Central Virginia.
This blunder seems providential.
We learn, also, that the Democracy have carried Illinois, Mr.
Lincoln's own State, by a very large majority. This is hailed
with gladness by our people ; and if there should be a "rebellion
in the North," as the Tribune predicts, this intervention of the
Democrats will be regarded altogether in our favor. Let them
put down the radical Abolitionists, and then, no doubt, they will
recover some of our trade. It will mortify the Republicans, here
after, when the smoke clears away, to learn that Gen. Butler was
trading supplies for our army during this November, 1862 — and it
will surprise our secessionists to learn that our government is
trading him cotton !
November 14th. — An order has gone forth to-day from the
Secretary of War, that no more flour or wheat shall leave the
States. This order was given some time ago — then relaxed, and
now reissued. How soon will he revoke it again ?
Never before did such little men rule such a great people. Our
rulers are like children or drunken men riding docile horses, that
absolutely keep the riders from falling off by swaying to the right
and left, and preserving an equilibrium. There is no rule for any
thing, and no stability in any policy.
To-day more propositions from Frenchmen (in New Orleans)
have been received. Butler is preparing to do a^reat business^:—
and no objection to the illicit traffic is filed by the Secretaries of
State or Treasury.
Yesterday one of the President's servants was arrested for
stealing Treasury notes. The Treasury Department is just under
the Executive Department ; and this negro (slave) has been used
by the President to take important papers to the departments.
The amount abstracted was $5000 — unsigned — but some one, per
haps the negro, for he is educated, forged the Register's and
Treasurer's names. i
I saw Gen. J. E. Johnston standing idle in the street to-day. '
November 15th. — " Now, by St. George, the work goes
bravely on !" Another letter on my desk from the President to
the Secretary. Well, being in an official envelope, it was ray duty

190 A rebel war clerk's diary
to open it, note its contents, and send it to the Secretary. The
Secretary has been responding to the short espistle he received
yesterday. It appears he could not clearly understand its purport.
But the President has used such plain language in this, that it
must be impossible to misunderstand him. He says that the trans
ferring of generals commanding important military districts, with
out conference with him and his concurrence ; and of high dis
bursing officers; and, above all, the making of appointments with
out his knowledge and consent, are prerogatives that do not
pertain to the Secretary of War in the first instance; and can
only be exercised by him under the direction of the Chief Execu
tive. In regard to appointments, especially, the President has no
constitutional authority nor any disposition to transfer the power.
He discussed their relative duties, — for the benefit of all future
Secretaries, I suppose.
But it looks like a rupture. It seems, then, after acting some
eight months merely in the humble capacity of clerk, Mr. Ran
dolph has all at once essayed to act the President.
The Secretary of War did not go to the President's closet to
day. This is the third day he has absented himself Such inci
dents as. these preceded the resignation of Mr. Walker. It is a
critical time, and the Secretary of War ought to confer freely
with the President.
November I 6th, Sunday. — Yesterday the Secretary of War
resigned his office, and his resignation was promptly accepted by
the President.
November 17th. — A profound sensation has been produced in
the outside world by the resignation of Mr. Randolph ; and most
of the people and the press seem inclined to denounce the Presi
dent, for they know not what. In this matter the President is not
to blame ; but the Secretary has acted either a very foolish or a
very desperate part. It appears that he wrote a note in reply to
tho last letter of the President, stating that as no discretion was
allowed him in such matters as were referred to by the President,
ho begged respectfully to tender his resignation. The President
responded, briefly, that inasmuch as the Secretary declined acting
any longer as one of his constitutional advisers, and also declined
a |iersonM confere/ice, no alternative remained but to accept his
resiu;uation.

AT the CONFEDKU.VTE ST.VTES CAPIT.VL. 191
Randolph's friends would make it appear that he resigned in
consequence of being restricted in his action; but he knows very
well that the latitude allowed him became less and less circum
scribed; and that, hitherto, he was well content to operate within
the prescribed limits. Therefore, if it was not a silly caprice, it was
a deliberate purpose, to escape a cloud of odium he knew must
sooner or later burst around him.
A letter from Gen. Magruder, dated 10th inst., at Jackson,
Mississippi, intimates that we shall lose Holly Springs. He has
also been in Mobile, and doubts whether that city can be success
fully defended by Gen. Forney, whose liver is diseased, and
memory impaired. He recommends that Brig.-Gen. Whiting be
promoted, and assigned to the command in place of Forney, re
lieved. A letter from Gen. Whiting, near Wilmington, dated 13tb. inst.,
expresses serious apprehensions whether that place can be held
against a determined attack, unless a supporting force of 10,000
men be sent there immediately. It is in the command of Major-
Gen. G. A. Smith.
More propositions to ship cotton in exchange for the supplies
needed by the country. The President has no objection to ac
cepting them all, provided the cotton don't go to any of the
enemy's ports. How can it be possible to avoid this liability, if
the cotton be shipped from the Mississippi River ?
November ISth. — Well, the President is a bold man ! He has
put in Randolph's place, temporarily at least, Major-Gen. Gus
tavus W. Smith — who was Street Commissioner in the City of
New York, on the day that Capt. G. W. Randolph was fighting
the New Yorkers at Bethel 1
Gen. Wise is out in a card, stating that in response to a requi
sition for shoes for his suffering troops, Quartermaster-Gen. A. G,
Myers said, "Let them suffer."
The enemy attacked Fredericksburg yesterday, and there was
some skirmishing, the result of which we have not heard. It is
rumored they are fighting there to-day. We have but few regi
ments between here and Fredericksburg.
November 19th. — Hon. James A. Seddon (Va.) has been ap
pointed Secretary Of War. He is an able man (purely a civilian),
and was member of our Revolutionary Convention, at Metropoli-

192 A REBEL WAR OLERK's DIARY
tan Hall, 16th April, 1861. But some thought him then rather
inclined to restrain than to urge decisive action. He is an orator,
rich, and frail in health. He will not remain long in office if he
attempts to perform all the duties.
Two letters were received from Gen. Lee to-day. Both came
unsealed and open, an omission of his adjutant-general, Mason.
The first inclines to the belief that Burnside intends to embark his
army for the south side of James River, to operate probably in
Eastern North Carolina.
The second, dated 17th inst. 6g- p.m., saysthe scouts report
large masses advancing on Fredericksburg, and it may be Burn-
side's purpose to make that towu his base of operations. (Per
haps for a pleasant excursion to Richmond.) Three brigades of
the enemy had certainly marched to Fredericksburg. A division
of Longstreet's corps were marched thither yesterday, 18th, at
early dawn. Lee says if the reports of the scouts be confirmed,
the entire corps will follow immediately. And he adds : " Before
the enemy's trains can leave Fredericksburg (for Richmond) this
whole army will be in position." These letters were sent imme
diately to the President.
A letter from Gen. Holmes calls for an immediate supply of
funds ($24,000,000) for the trans- Mississippi Department. A letter
from Gen. Pike says if Gen. Hindman (Ark.) is to control there,
the Indian Country will be lost.
We shall soon have a solution of Burnside's intentions. Lee is
in spirits. He knows Burnside can be easily beaten with greatly
inferior numbers.
AVe hear of sanguinary acts in Missouri — ten men (civilians)
being shot in retaliation for one killed by our rangers. These
acts exasperate our people, and will stimulate them to a heroic
defense. The cars this afternoon from the vicinity of Fredericksburg were
crowded with negroes, having bundles of clothing, etc., their
owners sending them hither to escape the enemy. A frightened
Jew, who came in the train, said there was au army of 100,000
near Fredericksburg, and we should hear more in a few days. I
doubt it not.
Salt sold yesterday at auction for $1.10 per pound. Boots are
now bringing $50 per pair ; candles (tallow) 75 cts. per pound ; but-

AT THE CONFEDERATE ST.VTES CAPIT.VL. 193
ter $2,00 per pound. Clothing is almost unattainable. AA'e are
all looking shabby enough.
Mr. K., the young Chief of the Bureau, who came in with Mr.
Randolph, declines the honor of going out with him, to the great
chagrin of several anxious applicants. It is an office "for life."
I shall despair of success unless the President puts a stop to
Gen. Winder's passport operations, for, if the enemy be kept ad
vised of our destitute condition, there will be no relaxation of
efforts to subjugate us. And Europe, too, will refuse to recognize
us, I believe there are traitors in high places here who encourage.
the belief in the North and in Europe that we must soon succumb.
And some few of onr influential great men might be disposed to
favor reconstruction of the Union on the basis of the Democratic
party which has just carried the elections in the North.
Everything depends upon the result of approaching military
operations. If the enemy be defeated, and the Democrats of the
North should call for a National Convention — but why anticipate ?
November 20th, — A letter from Brig, H. Marshall, Abingdon,
Ky., in reply to one from the Secretary, says his Kentuckians are
not willing to be made Confederate hog-drivers, but they will pro
tect the commissary's men in collecting and removing the hogs.
Gen. ;^L criticises Gen. Bragg's campaign very severely. He says
the people of Kentucky looked upon their fleeting presence as a
horse-show, or military pageantry, and not as indicating the stern
reality of war. Hence they did not rise in arms, and hence their
diffidence in following the fortunes of the new Confederacy. Gen.
M. asks if it is the purpose of the government to abandon Ken
tucky, and if so, is he not functus officio, being a Kentucky gen
eral, commanding Kentucky troops ?
Col. Myers has placed on file in the department a denial of
having said to Gen. Wise's quartermaster, "Let them suffer."
Several ladies, near relatives of Judge Campbell, Assistant Sec
retary of War, came over yesterday under flag of truce. They
lived, I believe, in Alexandria.
Another requisition has been made by the engineer for 5000
negroes to work on the fortifications of Richmond.
No letters were received from Gen. Lee to-day, and he may be
busy in the field. Accounts say the enemy is planting batteries
on the heights opposite Fredericksburg. 17

194 A REBEL WAR CLERK's DIARY
It has been raining occasionally the last day or two. I hope
the ground is soft, and the mud deep ; if so, Burnside cannot move
on Richmond, and we shall have time to prepare for "contingen
cies." Yesterday salt sold at auction for $1.30 per pound. We are
getting into a pretty extreme condition.
November 21st. — It rained all night, which may extinguish
Burnside's ardent fire. He cannot drag his wagons and artillery
through the melting snow, and when it diies we may look for an
other rain.
The new Secretary is not yet in his seat. It is generally sup
posed he will accept.
President Davis hesitates to retaliate life forlife in regard to the
Missouri military executions.
Common shirting cotton, and Yankee calico, that used to sell
at 12|^ cts. per yard, is now $1.75 ! What a temptation for the
Northern manufacturers ! AAHiat a rush of trade there would be if
peace should occur suddenly ! And what a party there would be
in the South for peace (and unity with Northern Democrats) if
the war were waged somewhat differently. The excesses of the
Republicans compel our people to be almost a unit. This is all
the better for us. Still, we are in quite a bad way now, God
knows !
The passengers by the cars from Fredericksburg this morning
report that Gen. Patrick (Federal) came over under a flag of
truce, demanding the surrender of the town, which was refused by
Gen. Lee, in compliance with the unanimous sentiments of the
people. Gen. Patrick, it is stated, said if it were not surrendered
by 9 A.M. to-day, it would be shelled.
Mr. Dargan, M. C, writes to the President from Mobile that
the inhabitants of that city are in an awful condition. ^Nleal is
selling for $3.50 per bushel, and wood at $15 per cord, and that the
people are afraid to bring supplies, apprehending that the govern
ment agents will seize them. The President (thanks to him !) has
ordered that interference with domestic trade must not be per
mitted. Mr. Seddon has taken his seat. He has, at least, a manly ap
pearance — his predecessor was said to look like a m  y.
The President has ordered our generals in Missouri, if the Yan-

.4T THE CONFEDERATE ST.VTES C.VriT.VL. I'.lT)
kee accounts of the executions of our people be true, to execute
the next ten Federal officers taken in that State.
The Enquirer, to-day, publishes Col. Haylor's order to execute
the Indians in Arizona, coupled with ^Ir, Randolph's condemna
tion of the act. Who furnished this for publication ?
It is rumored that Fredericksburg is in flames, shelled by the
enemy. We will know how true this is before night.
November 23d. — The cars which came in from the North last
night brought a great many women, children, and negroes from
Fredericksburg and its vicinity. The benevolent and patriotic
citizens here had, I believe, made some provision for their accom
modation. Bnt the enemy had not yet shelled the town.
There is a rumor that Jackson was to appear somewhere in the
rear of the enemy, and that the Federal stores which could not be
moved with the army had been burnt at Manassas.
Yesterday the President remitted the sentence of a poor lad,
sentenced to ball-and-chain for six months, for cowardice, etc. He
had endured the penalty three months. I like this act, for the boy
had enlisted without the consent of his parents, and was only six
teen years of age.
J. R. Anderson & Co. (having drawn $500,000 recently on the
contract) have failed to furnish armor for the gun-boats — the
excuse being that iron could not be had for their rolling-mills. The
President has ordered the Secretaries of the Navy and AA'ar to
consult on the propriety of taking railroad iron, on certain tracks,
for that purpose.
November 24th. — Fredericksburg not shelled yet; but the
women and children are flying hither. The enemy fired on a train
of women and children yesterday, supposing the cars (baggage)
were conveying military stores. The Northern press says Burn
side is determined to force his way, directly from the Rappahan
nock to Richmond, by virtue of superior numbers. The thing Lee
desires him to attempt.
The enemy are landing troops at Newport News, and we shall
soon hear of gun-boats and transports in the James River. But
no one is dismayed. We have supped on horrors so long, that
danger now is an accustomed condiment. Blood will flow in tor
rents, and God will award the victory.
Another letter from Gen. Whiting says there is every reason to

196 A REBEL WAR OLERK'S DIARY
suppose that Wilmington will be attacked immediately, and if re
inforcements (10,000) be not sent him, the place cannot be defended
against a land assault. Nor is this all : for if the city falls, with
the present force only to defend it, none of our men can escape.
There is no repose for us !
November 25th. — Fredericksburg is not shelled yet ; and, more
over, the enemy have apologized for the firing at the train contain
ing women and children. Affairs remain in statu quo — the mayor
and military authorities agreeing that the town shall furnish neither
aid nor comfort to the Confederate army, and the Federals agreeing
not to shell it — for the present.
Gen. Corcoran, last year a prisoner in this city, has landed his
Irish brigade at Newport News. It is probable we shall be assailed
from several directions simultaneously.
No beggars can be found in the streets of this city. No cry
of distress is heard, although it prevails extensively. High officers
of the government have no fuel in their houses, and give nearly
$20 per cord for wood for cooking purposes. And yet there are
millions of tons of coal almost under the very city!
November 26th. — No fighting on the Rappahannock yet, that
I hear of; and it is said the enemy are moving farther down the
river. Can. they mean to cross? Nothing more is heard of Gen.
Corcoran, with his Irish bogtrotters, on the Peninsula.
The government has realized 50,000 pounds of leather from two
counties in Eastern North Carolina, in danger of falling into the
hands of the enemy. This convinces me that there is abundance
of leather in the South, if it were properly distributed. It is held,
like everything else, by speculators, for extortioners' profits. The
government might remedy the evils, and remove the distresses of
the people; but instead of doing so, the bureaus aggravate them
by capricious seizures, and tyrannical restrictions on transporta
tion. Letters are coming in from every quarter complaining of
the despotic acts of government agents.
Mr. J. Foulkes writes another letter to the department on his
cotton scheme. He says it must be embraced now or never, as
the enemy will soon make such dispositions as would prevent his
getting supplies through their lines. The Commissary- General
approves, and the late Secretary approved; but what will the new
one do ? The President is non-committal.

AT THE CONFEDER.VTE STATES CAPITAL. 197
What a blunder France and England made in hesitating to
espouse our cause ! They might have had any commercial ad
vantages. November 27th. — Some of the late Secretary's friends are
hinting that affairs will go amiss now, as if he would have pre
vented any disaster ! Who gave up Norfolk? That was a calam
itous blunder I Letters from North Carolina are distressing
enough. They say, but for the influence of Gov. Vance, the
legislature would favor reconstruction !
Gen. Marshall writes lugubriously. He says his men are all
barefoot. Gen, Magruder writes that Pemberton has only 20, OOP men,
and should have 50,000 more at once— else the Mississippi Valley
will be lost, and the cause ruined. He thinks there should be a
concentration of troops there immediately, no matter how much
other places might suffer; the enemy beaten, and the Mississippi
secured at all hazards. If not. Mobile is lost, and perhaps Mont
gomery, as well as Vicksburg, Holly Springs, etc.
One of our paroled men from Washington writes the President
that, on the 6th instant, Burnside had but seventy regiments ; and
the President seemed to credit it ! The idea of Burnside advanc
ing with seventy regiments is absurd. But how many absurd
ideas haire been entertained by the government, and have influ
enced it ! Xous verrons.
November 28Tn. — All is quiet on the Rappahannock; the
enemy reported to be extending his line up the river some twenty
miles, intending to find a passage. He might have come over last
week but for a ru.ie of Gen. Lee, who appeared near Fredericks
burg twenty-four hours in advance of the army. His presence
deceived Burnside, who took it for granted that our general was
at the head of his army !
M. Paul carried the day yesterday, in the Confederate Court, in
the matter of $2,000,000 worth of tobacco, which, under pretense
of its belonging to French citizens (though bought by Belmont,
of New York, an alien enemy), is rescued from sequestration. In
other words, the recognition of M. Paul as Consul, and the valid
ity of his demands, deprives the Confederate Government of two
milhons; and really acknowledges the exequatur of the United
17*

198 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
States, as M. Paul is not Consul to the Confederate States but to
the United States. This looks like submission ; and a greaf-?ee
has been realized by somebody. If the enemy were to take Rich
mond, this tobacco would be destroyed by the military.
Gen. Joseph E. Johnston is assigned to the command of the
army of the AA^est.
To-day we have a dispatch from Gov. Pettus, saying authority
to pass cotton through the lines of the army, and for salt to have
ingress, must be given immediately. The President directs the
Secretary to transmit orders to the generals to that effect. He
says the cotton is to go to France without touching any port in
the possession of the enemy.
November 29th. — The Quartermaster-General publishes a no
tice that he will receive and distribute contributions of clothing,
etc. to the army, and even pay for the shirts $1 each ! Shirts are
selling at $1 2. The people will not trust him to convey the cloth
ing to their sons and brothers, and so the army must suffer on.
But he is getting in bad odor. A gentleman in Alabama writes
that his agents are speculating in food : the President tells the
Secretary to demand explanations, and the Secretary does so. Col.
Myers fails, I think, to make the exhibit required, and it may be
the worse for him.
I see by the papers that another of Gen. Winder's police has
escaped to Washington City, and is now acting as a Federal de
tective. And yet many similar traitors are retained in service
here !
The Governor of North Carolina writes the President that his
State intends to organize an army of 10,000 men for its own de
fense, besides her sixty regiments in the Confederate States ser
vice ; and asks if the Confederate States Government can furnish
any arms, etc. The President sends this to the Secretary of War,
for his advice. He wants to know Mr. Seddon's views on the
subject — a delicate and embarrassing predicament for the new
Secretary, truly! He must know that the President frowns on all
military organizations not under his own control, and that he
counteracted all Gen. Floyd's efforts to raise a division under
State authority. Beware, Mr. Seddon ! The President is a little
particular concerning his prerogatives ; and by the advice you
now give, you stand or fall. AVhat is North Carolina to the Em-

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 199
pire ? You tread on dangerous ground. Forget your old State-
Rights doctrine, or off goes your head.
November 30th. — It is said there is more concern manifested
in the government here on the indications that the States mean
to organize armies of non-conscripts for their own defense, than
for any demonstration of the enemy. The election of Graham
Confederate States Senator in North Carolina, and of H, V.
Johnson in Georgia, causes some uneasiness. These men were
not original secessionists, and have been the objects of aversion,
if not of proscription, by the men who secured position in the
Confederate States Government. Nevertheless, they are able
men, and as true to Southern independence as any. But they are
opposed to despotic usurpation — and their election seems like a
rebuke and condemnation of military usurpation.
From all sections of the Confederacy complaints are coming in
that the military agents of the bureaus are oppressing the people ;
and the belief is expressed by many, that a sentiment is prevailing
inimical to the government itself

CHAPTER XXL
The great crisis at hand. — The rage for speculation raises its head. — Great
battle of Fredericksburg. — The States called on for supplies. — Randolph
resigns as Brigadier-Generah — South Carolina honor. — Loss at Frede
ricksburg. — Great contracts. — Lee's ammunition bad. — Small-pox here,
December 1st, Monday. — There is a rumor to-day that we are
upon the eve of a great battle on the Rappahannock. I doubt
it not. I am sorry to see that Col. McRae, a gallant officer, has resigned
his commission, charging the President with partiality in appoint
ing junior officers, and even his subordinates, brigadiers over his
head. Nevertheless, he tenders his services to the Governor of
his State, and will be made a general. But where will this end ?
I fear in an issue between the State and Confederate authorities.
The news from Europe is not encouraging. France is willing

200 A REBEL WAR -OLERK'S DIARY
to interfere, and Russia is ready to participate in friendly media
tion to stay the effusion of blood — but England seems afraid of
giving offense to the United States. They refer to the then ap
proaching elections in the North, and lay some stress on the antici
pated change in public opinion. Popular opinion ! What is it
worth in the eyes of European powers ? If it be of any value, and
if the voice of the people should be allowed to determine such
contests, why not leave it to a vote of the Southern people to de
cide under which government they will live? But why make such
an appeal to monarchies, while the Republican or Democratic
government of the North refuses to permit 8,000,000 of people to
have the government they unanimously prefer ? Can it be pos
sible that the United States are ignorant of popular sentiment
here ? I fear so ; I fear a few traitors in our midst contrive to
deceive even the Government at Washington. Else why a pro
longation of the war ? They ought to know that, under almost
any conceivable adverse circumstances, we can maintain the war
twenty years. And if our lines should be everywhere broken, and
our country overrun — it would require a half million soldiers to
hold us down, and this would cost the United States $500,000,000
per annum.
God speed the day of peace ! Our patriotism is mainly in the
army and among the ladies of the South. The avarice and cupidity
of the men at home, could only be excelled by ravenous wolves;
and most of our sufferings are fully deserved. Where a people
will not have mercy on one another, how can they expect mercy?
They depreciate the Confederate notes by charging from $20 to
$40 per bbl. for flour; $3,50 per bushel for meal; $2 per lb. for
butter; $20 per cord for wood, etc. When we shall have peace,
let the extortionists be remembered ! let an indelible stigma be
branded upon them.
A portion of the people look like vagabonds. We see men and
women and children in the streets in dingy and dilapidated clothes ;
and some seem gaunt and pale with hunger — the speculators, and
thieving quartermasters and commissaries only, looking sleek and
comfortable. If this state of things continue a year or so longer,
they will have their reward. There will be governmental bank
ruptcy, and all their gains will turn to dust and ashes, dust and
ashes I

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 201
And I learn they are without shirts in the North — cotton being
unattainable. A universal madness rules the hour ! AVhy not
throw aside the instruments of death, and exchange commodities
with each other ? Subjugation is an impossibility. Then why
not strive for the possible and the good in the paths of peace ?
The Quakers are the wisest people, after all. I shall turn Quaker
after this war, in one sense, and strive to convince the world that
war is the worst remedy for evils ever invented — and man the
most dangerous animal ever created.
December 2d. — There was skirmishing this morning on the
line of the Rappahannock. The Chief of Ordnance is ordering
arms and ammunition to Gen. Pettiberton, in Mississippi. This
indicates a battle in the Southwest.
A writer in the London Times, who is from Nashville, Tenn.,
says the South is willing to go into Convention with the North,
and be bound by its decisions. I doubt that.
Bnt the Enquirer to-day contains a communication from T. E.
Chambliss, not the Virginia member of Congress, proposing the
election of Commissioners from North and South, to put an end
to the war. What can this mean but reconstruction on the old
Democratic basis ? It will not meet with favor, unless we meet
great reverses this winter. Still, but few have faith in foreign in
tervention, to terminate the war ; and there is a growing party
both in the North and the South opposed to its indefinite prolonga
tion. If we beat Burnside, I think it will be the last battle of
magnitude. If he beats us, no one can see the end of the struggle.
But from every State complaints are made against the military
agents of the Confederate Government, for their high-handed op
pressions. We may split up into separate States, and then con
tinue the war — bnt it will be a sad day for us I The President
ougTit to change his cabinet immediately, and then change his
policy. He should cultivate the friendship and support of the
people, and be strong in their affections, if he would rule with a
strong hand. If he offends and exasperates them, they will break
his power to pieces. And he should not attempt to destroy, nor
permit others to destroy, the popular leaders. That way lies his
own destruction.
December 3d. — One of the President's Aids, Mr. Johnston, has
asked the Secretary's permission for Mrs, E. B. Hoge, Mrs. M.

202 A rebel war olerk's diary
Anderson, Miss Judith Venable, and Mrs. Pv. J. Breckinridge,
with children and servants, to leave Richmond by flag of truce,
and proceed to their homes in Kentucky. Of course it will be
granted — the President sanctions it, but does not commit himself
by ordering it.
There was no fighting on the Rappahannock yesterday, and no
rumors to-day.
Letters were received from Gen. Lee to-day. He says several
thousand of his men are barefoot! He suggests that shoes be
taken from the extortioners at a fair price. That is right. He
also recommends a rule of the department putting cavalry on foot
when they cannot furnish good horses, and mounting infantry that
can and will procure them. This would cause better care to be
taken of horses. Gen. Lee also writes for more arms — which may
indicate a battle. But the weather is getting bad again, and the
roads will not admit of marching.
Mr. Gastrell, M. C, writes to the Secretary of War for per
mission for Messrs, Frank and Gemot, a Jew firm of Augusta,
Ga., to bring through the lines a stock of goods they have just
purchased of the Yankees in Memphis. Being a member of Con
gress, I think his request will be granted. And if all such applica
tions be granted, I think money-making will soon absorb the war,
and bring down the prices of goods.
We are a confident people. There are no symptoms of trepida
tion, although a hostile army of 150,000 men is now within two
day's march of our capital. A few of guilty consciences, the ex
tortioners, may feel alarm — but not the women and children.
They reflect that over one hundred thousand of the enemy were
within four miles of the city last spring and summer — and were
repulsed. The negroes are the best-clad people in the South. They have
their Sunday clothing, and the half-worn garments af their mas
ters and mistjesses ; and having worn these but once a week, they
have a decidedly fresher aspect than the dresses of their owners.
They are well fed, too, at any cost, and present a happy appear
ance. And they are happy. It is a great mistake of the Aboli
tionists, in supposing the slaves hail their coming with delight;
on the contrary, nearly all the negroes regard their approach with
horror.

AT THE C0NFEDER.\TE STATES CAPITAL. 203
It might be well for the South if 500,000 of the slaves were
suddenly emancipated. The loss would not be felt — and the North
would soon be conscious of having gained nothing ! My friend.
Dr. Powell, near the city, abandoned his farm last summer, when
it was partly in possession of the enemy, leaving fifty negroes on
it — which he could have sold for $50,000. They promised not to
leave hini,juid_they kept their word. Judge DonneU, in North
Carolina, has left his plantation with several hundred thousand
dollars worth on it — rather risking their loss than to seU them.
December 4th, — All is quiet (before the storm) on the Rappa
hannock, Gen. Jackson's corps beiug some twenty miles lower
down the river than Longstreet's, It is said BurnsMe has been
removed already and Hooker given the command.
Gen. S, Cooper takes sides with Col. Myers against Gen. Wise.
Gen. W.'s letter of complaint of the words, "Let them suffer," was
referred to Gen. C, who insisted upon sending the letter to the
Quartermaster- General before either the Secretary or the Presi
dent saw it, — and it was done. Why do the Northern men here
hate Wise ?
Gen. Lee dispatches to-day that there is a very large amount of
corn in the Rappahannock Valley, which can be procured, if wagons
be sent from Richmond. What does this mean ? That the enemy
will come over and get it if we do not take it away ?
A letter from the President of the Graniteville Cotton Mills,
complains that only 75 per ct. profit is allowed by Act of Con
gress, whose operatives are exempted from military duty, if the
law be interpreted to include sales to individuals as well as to the
government, and suggesting certain modifications. He says he
makes 14,000 yards per day, which is some 4,000,000 per annum.
It costs him 20 cts. per yard to manufacture cotton cloth, includ
ing, 'of course, the cotton, and 75 per ct. will yield, I believe,
$500,000 profits, which would be equivalent to 32 cts. per yard.
But the market price, he says, is 68 cts. per yard, or some
$2,000,000 profits! This war is a great encourager of domestic
manufacturers, truly !
The Governor sends out a proclamation to-day, saying the Pres
ident has called on him and other governors for assistance, in return
ing absent officers and men to their camps ; iu procuring supplies of
food and clothing for the army ; in drafting slaves to work on for-

204 A rebel war clerk's diary
tifications ; and, finally, to put down the extortioners. The Gov
ernor invokes the people to respond promptly and fully. But how
does this speak for the government, or rather the efficiency of the
men who by " many indirect ways" came into power? Alas 1 it is
a sad commentary.
The President sent a hundred papers to the department to-day,
which he has' been diligently poring over, as his pencil marks bear
ample evidence. They were nearly all applications for office, and
this business constitutes much of his labor.
December 5th. — Yesterday there was some little skirmishing
below Fredericksburg. But it rained last night, and still rains.
Lee has only 30,000 or 40,000 effective men.
We have the Federal President's Message to-day. It is mod
erate in tone, and is surprising for its argument on a new proposi
tion that Congress pass resolutions proposing amendments to the
Constitution, allowing compensation for all slaves emancipated be
tween this and the year 1900 ! He argues that slaves are property,
and that the South is no more responsible for the existence of slavery
than the North 1 The very argument I have been using for twenty
years. He thinks if his proposition be adopted that " several of the
border States will embrace its terms, and that the Union will be
reconstructed." He says the money expended in this way will not
amount to so much as the cost of a war of subjugation. He is
getting sick of the war, and therein I see the " beginning of the
end" of it. It is a good sign for us, perhaps. I should not be
surprised if his proposition had advocates in the South.
Lt..-Col. T. C. Johnson sent in a communication to-day. He
alludes to an interview with the Secretary, in which the latter in
formed him that the government intended to exchange cotton for
supplies for the army, and Lt.-Col. J. suggests that it be extended
to embrace all kinds of merchandise for. the people, and informs
him that New York merchants are willing to send merchandise to
.. our ports if we will permit their ships to return laden with cotton,
at 50 cts. per pound, and pledging themselves to furnish goods at
50 per cent, advance on cost. He advocates a trade of this na
ture to the extent of $100,000,000, our government (and not in
dividuals) to sell the cotton. The goods to be sold by the gov
ernment to the merchants here. I know not what answer the
Secretary will make. But I know our people are greedy for the
merchandise.

.-VT TIIE CONFEDEliATE STATES CAPIT.VL. * 205
The enemy have shelled Port Royal, below Fredericksburg, in
retaliation for some damage done their gun-boats in the river by
one of onr land batteries. And we have news of the evacuation
of Winchester by the enemy. The Northern papers say Burnside
(who is not yet removed) will beat Lee on the Rappahannock, and
that their army on the James River will occupy Richmond. AVhen
Lee is beaten, perhaps Richmond will fall.
A large number of our troops, recruited in Kentucky, have
returned to their homes. It is said, however, that they wiU fight
the enemy there as guerrillas.
The President has appointed his nephew, J. R. Davis, a briga
dier-general. I suppose no president could escape denunciation,
nevertheless, it is to be regretted that men of mind, men who
wrought up the Southern people, with their pens, to the point of
striking for national independence, are hurled into the background
by the men who arranged the programme of our government.
De Bow was offexed a lower clerkship by Mr. Secretary Memmin
ger, which he spurned ; Fitzhugh accepted the lower class clerk
ship Mr. M. offered him after a prolonged hesitation ; and others,
who did more to produce the revolution than any one of the high
functionaries now enjoying its emoluments, are to be found in the
lowest subordinate positions ; while Tom, Dick, and Harry, never
heard of before, young, and capable of performing military service,
rich, and able to live without office, are heads of bureaus, chief
clerks of departments, and staff-officers flourishing their stars 1
Even this is known in the North, and they exult over it as a just
retribution on those who were chiefly instrumental in fomenting
revolution. But they forget that it was ever thus, and that our
true patriots and bold thinkers who furnish our lesser men, in
greater positions, with ideas, are still true and steadfast in the
cause they have advocated so long.
December 7th. — La.st night was bitter cold, and this morning
there was ice on my wash-stand, within five feet of the fire. Is this
the "sunny South" the North is fighting to possess ? How much
suffering must be in the armies now encamped in Virginia ! I sup
pose there are not less than 250,000 men in arms on the plains of
Virginia, and many of them who survive the war will have cause
to remember last night. Some must have perished, and thousands,
no doubt, had frozen limbs. It is terrible, and few are aware that
18

206 • A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
the greatest destruction of life, iu such a war as this, is not pro
duced by wounds received inbattle, but by disease, contracted from
exposure, etc., in inclement seasons. But the deadly bullet claims
its victims. A friend just returned from the battle-field of June,
near the city, whither he repaired to recover the remains of a rel
ative, says the scene is still one of horror. So great was the
slaughter (27th June) that we were unable to bury our own dead
for several days, for the battle raged a whole week, and when the
work was completed, the weather having been extremely hot, if
was too late to inter the enemy effectually, so the earth was merely
thrown over them, forming mounds, which the rains and the wind
have since leveled. And now the ground is thickly strewn with
the bleaching bones of the invaders. The flesh is gone, bnt their
garments remain. He says he passed through a wood, not a tree
of which escaped the missiles of the contending hosts. Most of
the trees left standing are dead, being often perforated by scores
of Minie-balls, but thousands were prostrated by cannon-balls and
shells. It will long remain a scene of desolation, a monument 'of
the folly and wickedness of man.
And what are we fighting for ? What does the Northern Gov
ernment propose to accomplish by the invasion ? Is it supposed
that six or eight million of free people can be exterminated?
How many butchers would be required to accomplish the beneficent
feat ? More, many more, than can be sent hither. The Southern
people, in such a cause, would fight to the last, and when the men
all fell, the women and children would snatch their arms and slay
the oppressors. Without complete annihilation, it is the merest
nonsense to suppose our property can be confiscated.
But if a forced reconstruction of the Union were consummated,
does the North suppose any advantage would result to that sec
tion ? In the Union we could not be compelled to trade with them
again. Nor would intercourse of any kind be re-established.
Their ships would be destroyed, and their people could never come
among us but at the risk of ill treatment. They could not main
tain a standing army of half a million, and they could not disarm
us in such an extensive territory.
The best plan, the only plan, to redeem the past and enjoy
blessings in the future, is to cease this bootless warfare and be the
first to recognize our independence. We are exasperated with

AT THE CONFEDERATE ST.iTES CAPITAL. 207
Europe, and like the old colonel in Bulwer's play, we can like a
brave foe after fighting him. Let the North do this, and we will
trade with its people, I have no doubt, and a mutual respect will
grow up in time, resulting, probably, in combinations against Euro
pean powers in their enterprises against governments on this con
tinent. December 8th. — A letter from Gen. Lee, received to-day,
states that, in the recent campaigns, he has experienced the
effects of^ having inferior artillery and fixed ammunition. But
this discrepancy is rapidly disappearing, from captures of the
enemy's batteries, etc. He recommends that our 12-pounder how
itzers and 6-pounder smooth boresv,be recast into 12-pounder
Napoleons, 10-pounder Parrott guns, and 3-inch rifle cannon.
He wants four 12-pounder Napoleons sent him immediately, for
a special purpose. His next battle will be principally with
artillery. Gov. Vance sends a-letter, referring to an order of the govern
ment that 'all cotton not removed west of the Weldon and Wil
liamsburg Railroad, Jjyjhe 16th instant, is to be destroyed.) He
says his State is purebasiqg 15,000 to 20,000 bales, to establish a
credit in Europe, and a^s that the Confederate Government
authorities wUl respect the cotton designed for this purpose. He
says he will destroy it himself, when the enemy approaches. He
^•s, moreover, that the order will have an unhappy effect; that
many of the people have already lost their slaves, grain, etc. from
the inroads of the enemy, and have nothing to live on but their
cotton. If it remains where it is, how can they subsist on it with
out selling it to the enemy? And that would be treason, pretty
nearly. But why does the government issue such an order in
North Carolina, when the government itself is selling, not destroy
ing, the cotton of Mississippi ?
The President of the Central Railroad says that Messrs. Hax-
hall, Crenshaw & Co., who have the gigantic contract with the
government to furnish flour, and who have a preference of trans
portation by the contract, are blocking up their depots, and fail to
remove the grain. They keep whole trains waiting for days to be
unladen ; and thus hundreds of thousands of bushels, intended for
other mills and the people are delayed, and the price kept up to
the detriment of the community. Thus it is that the government

208 A' REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
contractors are aiding and abetting the extortioners. And for
this reason large amounts of grain may fall into the hands of the
enemy. December 9Tn. — W  1, another of Provost Marshal Gris-
wold's policemen, has arrived in Washington. I never doubted
he was secretly in the Yankee service here, where many of his fel
lows still remain, betraying the hand that feeds them. Gen.
Winder and the late Secretaries of War must be responsible for
all the injury they may inflict upon the country.
Yesterday, the President received a letter from a gentleman
well known to him, asserting that if Mississippi and Alabama he
overrun by the enemy, a large proportion of the people of those
States will certainly submit to the Government of the United
States. The President sent this letter to the Secretary of War
"for his information."
A letter from W. P. Harris, Jackson, Mississippi, urges the
government to abandon the cities and eastern seaboard, and con
centrate all the forces in the West, for the defense of the Mis
sissippi Valley and River, else the latter must be lost, which will
be fatal to the cause, etc.
Hon. J. 5. Reagan has written a savage letter to the Secretary
of War, withdrawing certain papers relating to an application for
the discharge from service of his brother-in-law, on account of
feeble health. He says he will not await the motions (uncertain)
of the circumlocution office, and is unwilling to produce evidence
of his statements of the disability of his relative. Mr. Seddon will
doubtless make a spirited response to this imputation on his office.
We have a rumor that Morgan has made another brilliant raid
into Kentucky, capturing 1800 of the enemy.
The small-pox is spreading in this city to an alarming extent.
This is the feast to which Burnside is invited. They are vaccina
ting the clerks in the departments.
Gen. Floyd writes the government that, as the enemy cannot
advance from the AVest before spring, Echol's and Marshall's
forces (10,000) might be used on the seaboard. I wish they were
here. The United States forces in the field, by their own estimates,
amount to 800,000. We have not exceeding 250,000; but they
are not aware of that.

AT THE OONFEDER.\TE STATES CAPITAL. 209
December IOth. — Not a word from the Rappahannock. But
there soon will be.
Official dispatches from Gen. Bragg confirm the achievement of
Col. Morgan, acting as brigadier-general. There was a fight,
several hundred beiug killed and wounded on both sides ; but
Morgan's victory was complete, his captures amounting to 1800
men, a battery, wagon train, etc.
We have also a dispatch that Major- Gen. LoveU, the Yankee,
had a battle with the enemy, killing, wounding, and capturing 34 I
A characteristic letter was received to-day from Mr. Sanford,
Alabama, recommending Col. Dowdell for a brigadiership. I hope
he may get it, as he is a gallant Southerner. Mr. S. has some
hard hits at the government ; calling it a government of chief
clerks and subordinate clerks. He hopes Mr. Seddon will not be
merely a clerk.
Gen. Jos. E. Johnston has written from the West a gloomy
letter to Mr. Wigfall, Texan Senator. He 'says he is ordered to
reinforce Lieut.-Gen. Pemberton (another Northern general) from
Bragg's army. Pembertpn is retreating on Grenada, Mississippi,
followed by 40,000 of the enemy. How is he. Gen. J., to get
from Tennessee to Grenada with reinforcements, preceded by one
army of the enemy, and followed by another ?
Mr. Wigfall recommends the Secretary (as if he could do it !)
to concentrate all the armies of the West, and beat the enemy out
of the Mississippi Valley. Gen. Johnston says Lieut.-Gen. Holmes
has been ordered to reinforce Pemberton. Why, this is the very
thing Mr. Randolph did, and lost his clerkship for it ! The
President must have changed his mind.
Gen. Randolph sent in his resignation as brigadier-general to
day. The younger brigadiers, Davis (the President's nephew)
and Pryor, have been recently assigned to brigades, and this may
have operated on Randolph as an emetic.
There are two war steamers at Charleston from abroad ; one a
Frenchman, the other an Englishman. Gen. Beauregard enter
tained the officers of the first the other day.
Gen. Banks has sailed down the coast on an expedition, the
nature of which, no doubt, wiU be developed soon.
December 11th. — Gen. Lee dispatched this morning eariy that
the enemy were constructing three pontoon bridges, and that
18*

210 A rebel war clerk's diary
firing had commenced on both sides. At nine o'clock a.m. the
firing increased, and Gen, Lee dispatched for ammunition, looking
to the contingency of a prolonged battle.
At three p,m,, Gen, Lee says, the enemy had been repulsed in
two of their attempts to throw bridges over the river; but the
third attempt would probably succeed, as it was under cover of
batteries which commanded the river, and where his sharpshooters
could not reach the workmen. But, he says, his batteries com
mand the plain where the enemy must debouch. We may speedily
hear of a most sanguinary conflict.
Burnside must have greatly superior numbers, or else he is a
great fool to precipitate his men into a plain, where every Southern
soldier is prepared to die, in the event of failure to conquer !
There is no trepidation here; on the contrary, a settled calnj^on
the faces of the people, which might be mistaken for indifference.
They are confident of the success of Lee, and really seem appre
hensive that Burnside will not come over and fight him in a de
cisive battle. We shall soon see, now, of what stuff Burnside and
his army are made. I feel some anxiety; because the destruction
of our little army on the Rappt;hannock might be the faU of Rich
mond. It is rumored that the President started two days ago for the
West — Tennessee and Mississipjii. No papers have been sent in
by him since Tuesday, and it may be true. If so, he means to re
turn speedily. I think we shall soon have news from the lower
James River.
A letter from the Governor of Alabama calls urgently for heavy
guns, and a reserve force, for the defense of Mobile.
Major Hause, the government's agent in Europe, has purchased,
up to this time, 157,000 stand of arms, besides many cannon, much
ammunition, quartermaster's stores, etc. A portion was lost in
transitu, however, but not a large amount. Besides the large
sums he has expended, he has obtained credit to the extent of
$6,000,000! They are caUing for a guard at Petersburg against incendiaries.
A factory was burned the other night. This is bad.
Scully and Lewis, condemned to die as spies, have been pardoned
by the President, and are to be sent North.
Another dispatch from Gen. Lee, dated 3 J p.m., says the enemy

AT the CONFEDERATE ST.VTES CAPIT.VL. 211
has nearly completed his bridge, and will probably commence
crossing this evening or in the morning. The bulletin boards in
the city purport to give intelligence of the passage having been
effected in part ; but I do not see how the editors could have ob
tained their information.
At 6 P.M., passengers by the Fredericksburg train (which left
at 1 P.M.) report the sheUing of the town, and a great battle iu
progress on this side of the river. I doubt both ; and I saw but
one excited man (a Jew) who said he was in Fredericksburg when
the shelling began. I do not believe it. The cars were not within
four miles of the town, and perhaps merely conjectured the can
nonading they heard to be directed at the town. There were no
ladies or children in the cars. But doubtless the enemy will cross
the river, and there will be a battle, which must result in a great
mortality. December 12th. — The enemy have possession of Fredericks
burg, and succeeded in crossing a large portion of their force
three miles below, on their pontoon bridge. Up to 3 p.m. to-day,
we have no other inteUigence but that "they are fighting." We
shall know more, probably, before night.
The President has passed through East Tennessee on his way to
Mississippi. Lient.-Col. Nat Tyler, publisher of the Enquirer, the organ of
the government, was in my office this morning, denouncing Mr.
Memminger, Secretary of the Treasury. He says Mr. M.'s head
is as worthless as a pin's-head. He alsolJenounced the rules of
admission to our Secretary, adopted by Mr. R. G. H. Kean, Chief
of the Bureau, and asked for a copy of them, that he might de
nounce them in his paper. It appears that Mr. Jacques is to
say who can see the Secretary ; and to do this, he must catechize
each applicant as to the nature of his business. This is deemed
insulting by some of the hot bloods, and will make friend Mr. J.'s
position rather a disagreeable and derogatory one.
December 13th. — After all, Fredericksburg was severely
shelled — whether designedly or incidentally in the fight, does not
yet appear.
Our army has faUen back a little — for a purpose. Lee knows
every inch of the ground.
Again we have rumors of a hostile fleet being in the river; and

212 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
Major-Gen. G. W. Smith has gone to Petersburg to see after the
means of defense, if an attack should be made in that quarter.
Some little gloom and despondency are manifested, for the first
time, in this community.
Major-Gen. S. Jones writes that although the Federal Gen.
Cox has left the valley of the Kanawha, 5000 of his men remain;
and he deems it inexpedient, in response to Gen. Lee's suggestion,
to detach any portion of his troops for operations elsewhere. He
says Jenkins's cavalry is in a bad condition.
Here is an instance of South Carolina honor. During the battle
of AA'^illiamsburg, last spring, W. R. Erwin, a private in Col. Jen
kins's Palmetto sharpshooters, was detailed to take care of the
wounded, and was himself taken prisoner The etiemy supposing
him to be a surgeon, he was paroled. He now returns to the
service ; and although the mistake could never be detected, he in
sists on our government exchanging a private of the enemy's for
himself With the assurance that this will be done, he goes again
to battle.
Yesterday flour and tobacco had a fall at auction. Some sup
pose the bidders had in view the contingency of the capture of the
city by the enemy.
In the market-house this morning, I heard a man Speaking
loudly, denounce a farmer for asking about $6 a bushel for his
potatoes, and hoping that the Yankees would take them from him
for nothing 1
December 14th, Su.xd.ay. — Yesterday was a bloody day. Gen.
Lee telegraphs that the enemy attacked him at 9 am, and as
the fog. lifted, the fire ran along the whole line, and the conflict
raged until darkness (6 p.m.) put an end to the battle. The
enemy was repulsed at all points, he continued, thanks be to God !
But we have to mourn, as usual, a heavy loss. Lee expects
another blow at Burnside to-day.
It is understood that Gens. Hood, Texas, was wounded ; T. R. R.
Cobb, Georgia, and a brigadier from South Carolina were killed.
A dispatch says that where our generals fell, the colonels could
no longer restrain their regiments ; and the men ran into the
ranks of the enemy, and, animated with a spirit of desperation,
slaughtered the foe in great numbers with their bayonets, pistols,
and knives.

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPIT.VL. 2 I 3
x'reparations are being made here for the reception of the
wounded. The request was to provide for a large number.
Last night, at nine o'clock, a number of regiments which had
been encamped among the fortifications northwest of the city,
were marched down to Drewry's Bluff. It is probable Gen. Smith
has heard of the enemy's approach from that quarter. I hope he
may prove the right man in the right place.
It is rumored that we were repulsed yesterday, this side of Suf
folk. At this critical moment the President is away.
A dispatch from Gen. Lee says Gen. Wade Hampton dashed
into Dumfries, the other side of the Rappahannock, and in the
rear of the enemy, capturing some wagons, and taking a few men.
This seems most extraordinary. If he be not taken himself, the
diversion must have a good effect ; but if he be taken, it will be
considered a wild and desperate sally, boding no good to the cause.
But Lee knows what he is about.
From the dispositions of our troops (few in number) in the
vicinity of Richmond, at this moment, it seems to me that Gen.
Smith is putting the city to great hazard. There are not a thou
sand men to guard the approach from the head of York River;
and if a dozen of the enemy's swift transports were to dash up
that river, the city could be surprised by 5000 men !
Ten o'clock a.m. No dispatches from Lee have come over the
wires to-day. He may have interdicted others. We got no in
telligence whatever. From this I infer the battle was resumed at
early dawn, and the general deems it best to have no announce
ments but results. If this be so, it is a day big with events — and
upon its issue may depend the fate of governments. And yet our
people exhibited no trepidation. The foreign portion of the pop
ulation may be seen grouped on the pavements indulging in specu
lation, and occasionally giving vent to loud laughter, when a Jew
is asked what will be the price of his shoes, etc. to-morrow. They
care not which side gains the day, so they gain the profits.
But our women and children are going to church as usual, to
pray for the success of the cause, and not doubting but that our
army will triumph as usual on the field of combat. It is a bright
and lovely Sabbath morning, and as warm as May.
December 15th. — Yesterday evening several trains laden with

214 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
wounded arrived in the city. The remains of Brig.-Gen. T. R.
R. Cobb, of Georgia, were brought down. Brig.-Gen. Gregg, of
South Carolina, is said to be mortally wounded. It is now be
lieved that Major-Gen. Ilood, of Texas, did not fall. The number
of our killed and wounded is estimated, by a surgeon who came
with the wounded, to be not over a thousand.
To-day, stragglers from the battle-field say that our loss in
killed and wounded is 3000. It is all conjecture.
There was heavy skirmishing all day yesterday, and until today
at noon, when the telegraph operator reports that the firing had
ceased. We know not (yet) what this means. We are still send
ing artillery ammunition to Gen. Lee.
Gen. Evans dispatches from Kinston, N. C, that on the 14th,
yesterday, he repulsed the enemy, 15,000 strong, and drove them
back to their boats in Neuse River. A portion of Gen. R. A.
Pryor's command, in Isle of Wight County, was engaged with the
enemy's advance the same day. They have also landed at Glou
cester Point. This is pronounced a simultaneous attack on our
harbors and cities in Virginia and North Carolina. Perhaps we
shall have more before night. Our people seem prepared for any
event. Another long train of negroes have just passed through the city,
singing, to work on the fortifications.
December 16th. ^To-day the city is exalted to the skies ! Gen.
Lee telegraphed that the enemy had disappeared from his front,
probably meditating a design to cross at some other place. Such
were his words, which approach nearer to a practical joke, and an
inkling of exultation, than anything I have seen from his pen.
He has saved the capital. Before the enemy could approach
Richmond from " some other place," Lee would be between him
and the city, and if he could beat him on the Rappahannock he
can beat him anywhere.
Doubtless Burnside has abandoned his heavy stores, siege guns,
etc., and at this moment our army must occupy the town. Lee
allowed the invaders to cross the river, and, in exact accordance
with his promise, made a month ago, before they could advance
from Fredericksburg, his "whole army was in position." They
could not debouch without passing through our crescent line, the
extreme ends of which touched the river above and below them.

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES C.VPITAL. 215
They attempted this on Saturday, and met with a bloody defeat,
and until last night, when they retraced their steps, were confined
to an exceedingly narrow and uncomfortable strip of land along
the south bank of the river.
Our loss in the battle will not exceed, perhaps, 2000 men, not
more than 500 being slain. It is estimated that the enemy's loss
is over 10,000, and it may greatly exceed that number, as our posi
tions were strong and our batteries numerous. The enemy fought
well, charging repeatedly over the plain swept completely by our
guns, and leaving the earth strewn with their dead. We have
many prisoners, but I have heard no estimate of the number.
The enemy have taken Kinston, N. C, having overwhelming
numbers, and a letter from Gen. Bragg, dated at Raleigh, yester
day, says it is probable Goldsborough will fall into their hands.
This will cut onr railroad communication with AA^ilmington, which
may likewise fall — but not without its price in blood.
Why not let the war cease now ? It is worse than criminal to
prolong it, when it is apparent that subjugation is an impossi
bility. There were no stragglers from Lee's army, and never were men
in better spirits and condition. They are well clad and fed, and
exceedingly anxious for Burnside to resume his "On to Richmond"
after the skirmish of Saturday. They call it but a skirmish, for
not a brigade was blown, not a regiment fatigued.
Although men shake hands over this result, they all say they
never looked for any other termination of Burnside. The ladies
say he is now charred all over. Well, he may come again by some
other route, but I have doubts. The rigors of winter are sufficient
punishment for his troops. Itis said Burnside intended to resume
the battle on Sunday morning, but his generals reported that their
men could not be relied upon to approach our batteries again. I
shall look with interest for the next Northern papers.
December 17.th. — A dispatch from Gen. G. W. Smith, last
night, says we have repulsed the enemy from Kinston, N. C, but
a dispatch this morning says a cavalry force has cut the railroad
near Goldsborough, broken down the wires, and burnt the bridge.
We had no letters from beyond that point this morning.
Last night large quantities of ammunition and some more regi
ments were sent to North Carolina. This is done because Rich-

216 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
mond is relieved by the defeat and retreat of Burnside. But sup
pose it should not be relieved, and a force should be sent suddenly
np the James and York Rivers ?
We have not a word from Fredericksburg, and it is probable
Burnside's batteries still command the town. Lee is content and
has no idea of crossing the river.
There are two notable rumors in the streets : first, that we have
gained a great battle in Tennessee ; and, second, that the govern
ment at Washington has arrested John Van Buren and many other
Democratic leaders in the North, which has resulted in a riot,
wherein 1000 have fallen, making the gutters in New York ran
with blood !
Gen. Lee's official report says our loss in the battle of the 13th
in killed and wounded did not exceed 1200, whereas our papers
said 2050 wounded have already been brought to this city.
Well, our government must have spies at Washington as an off
set to Federal spies here among Gen. Winder's policemen ; for we
knew exactly when the enemy would begin operations in North
Carolina, and ordered the cotton east of the Weldon Railroad to
be burnt on the 16th inst., yesterday, and yesterday the road was
cut by the enemy. I have not heard of the cotton being burnt —
and I don't believe it was destroyed. Nor do I believe Gen.
Smith knew that Burnside would be defeated in time to send
troops from here to North Carolina.
Elwood Fisher died recently in Georgia, and his pen, so highly
prized by the South for its able vindication of her rights, was for
gotten by the politicians who have power in the Confederate Gov
ernment. All Mr. Memminger would offer him was a lowest class
clerkship. He died of a broken heart He was more deserving,
but less fortunate, than Mr. M.
It was Mr. Memminger, it seems, who refused to contribute any
thing to supply the soldiers with shoes, and the press is indignant
They say he is not only not a native South Carolinian, but Hes
sian born.
December 18th. — We have more accounts of the battle of
Fredericksburg now in our possession. Our loss in kiUed and
wounded will probably be more than the estimate in the official
report, while Federal prisoners report theirs at 20,000. This may
be over the mark, but the Examiner's correspondent at Fredericks-

AT the CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 217
burg puts down their loss at 19,000. The Northern papers of the
14th inst (while they supposed the battle still undecided) express
the hope that Burnside will fight his last man and fire his last car
tridge on that field, rather than not succeed in destroying Iiee's
army! Lee's army, after our victory, is mostly uninjured. The
loss it sustained was not a " flea-bite.''
The enemy, in their ignominous flight on Saturday night, left
their dead propped up as sentinels and pickets, besides 3000 on the
plain. Accounts from North Carolina indicate the repulse of the
enemy, though they have burnt some of the railroad bridges. We
shall hear more anon. Reinforcements are flying to the scene of
action. December 19th. — Gen. Burnside acknowledges a loss of up
wards of 5000, which is good evidence here that his loss was not
less than 15,000. The Washington papers congratulate them
selves on the escape of their army, and say it might have been
easily captured by Lee. They propose, now, going into winter
quarters. We have nothing further from North Carolina or Mississippi.
Gen. Banks's expedition had passed Hilton Head.
A Mr. Bunch, British Consul, has written an impudent letter to
the department, alleging that an Irishman, unnaturalized, is forci
bly detained in one of our camps. He says his letters have not
been answered, which was great discourtesy, and he means to in
form Lord John Russell of it This letter was replied to in
rather scathing terms, as the Irishman had enlisted and then
deserted. Besides, we are out of humor with England now, and
court a French alliance.
The President was at Chattanooga on the 15th instant; and
writes the Secretary that he has made some eight appointments of
brigadiers, and promotions to major-generals. Major-Gen. Buck-
ner is assigned to command at Mobile.
We are straightened for envelopes, and have taken to turning
those we receive. This is economy ; something new in the South.
My family dines four or five times a week on liver and rice. We
cannot afford anything better ; others do not live so well.
Custis and I were vaccinated to-day, with the rest of the officers
of the department. 19

218 A rebel war clerk's DIARY
The Northern papers now want the Federal army to go into
winter quarters. This was, confessedly, to be the final effort to
take Richmond. It failed. Many of the people regard the disaster
of Burnside as the harbinger of peace.
An officer from the field informs me that all our generals were
sadly disappointed, when it was discovered that Burnside had fled.
They wanted one more blow at him, and he would have been com
pletely destroyed.
December 20Tn. — Last accounts from Fredericksburg state
that the enemy are retiring toward the Potomac aud Washington.
We have got some of their pontoon bridges, and other things left
behind. It is now very cold, with a fair prospect of the Potomac
freezing over. Let them beware I
But we were in a bad way : our army, instead of numbering
200,000 as the Federal journals report, did not exceed 50,000
men; and not half that number went into action. The Secretary
of War had ordered several regiments from Gen. S. Jones, in
Western Virginia; now sent to North Carolina.
There is no mail yet from beyond Goldsborough, and the news
from North Carolina seems vague and unsatisfactory. They say
we beat the enemy at Kinston ; yet they have destroyed a portion
of the railroad between Goldsborough and Wilmington. They say
the Federals are retreating on Newbern ; yet we know they made
500 of our men prisoners after they crossed the Neuse. It is re
ported that our loss is small, and the enemy's large; and that our
3000 men fought successfully their 18,000. However, we have
sent some 15,000 reinforcements.
It is reported that the Federals are evacuating Nashville ; bnt
reports from the West are not always reliable.
A communication has been received by Secretary Seddon from
S. B. M., of Vicksburg, proposing to purchase shoes, blankets, etc.
in the United States, and sell them to the government for cotton
or for Confederate notes. This was referred to the Quartermaster-
General, who favors it Now what will Mr. Secretary do ? Bet
ter wait till the President returns !
The late Secretary of War, Mr. Randolph, has formed a part
nership with Mr. G. A. Myers. To-day a paper was sent in by them
to the new Secretary, containing the names often clients, all Jews
and extortioners, who, it appears, at the beginning of the war, and

AT THE CONFEDER.-VTE STATES CAPITAL. 219 •
before Virginia had fully seceded, joined several A^'irginia compa
nies of artillery, but did not drill with them. They hired substi
tutes for a small sum, all, as the memorial sets forth, being foreign
ers of the class subsequently exempted by act of Congress. And
these counselors demand the exemption of tho Jew extortioners
on the ground that they once furnished substitutes, now out of the
service ! And it is probable they will carry their point, and gain
large fees. Substitutes now are worth $2000 — then, $100.
A dispatch from Charleston to-day says: "Iron steamer Colum
bia, formerly the Giraffe, of Liverpool, with cargo of shoes, blank
ets, Whitworth guns, and ammunition, arrived yesterday." I
suppose cargoes of this nature have been arriving once a week
ever since the war broke out. This cargo, and the ship, belong to
the government.
9 o'clock p.m. — After a very cold day, it has become intensely
frigid. I have two fires in our little Robin's Nest (frame) on the
same floor, and yet ice forms rapidly in both rooms, and we have
been compelled to empty the pitchers ! This night I doubt not
the Potomac will be closed to Burnside and his transports ! Dur
ing the first Revolution, the Chesapeake was frozen over. If we
have a winter like that we shall certainly have an armistice in
Virginia without the intervention of any other than the Great
Power above. But we shall suffer for the want of fuel : wood is
$18 per cord, and coal $14 per cart load.
Gen. Bonham, who somehow incurred the dislike of the author
ities here, and was dropped out of the list of brigadiers, has been
made Governor of South Carolina.
And Gen. Wise, who is possessed of perhaps the greatest mind
in the Confederacy, is still fettered. They will not let him fight a
battle, because he is "ambitions !' When Norfolk was (wickedly)
given up, his home and all his possessions fell into the hands of
the enemy. He is now without a shelter for his head, bivouacing
with his devoted brigade at Chaffin's farm, below the city. He is
the senior brigadier in the army, and will never be a major-general.
December 21st, Sunday. — Nothing, yet has been done by the
immense Federal fleet of iron-clad gun-boats which were to devas
tate our coast this winter. But the winter is not over yet, and I
apprehend something will be attempted. However, we shall make
a heroic defense of every point assailed.

220 A rebel war clerk's diary
I omitted to state, in connection with the partnership formed
between Mr. Myers and Mr. Randolph, that the former had
already succeeded, when the latter was Secretary of War, in get
ting the substitutes of the Jew extortioners out of the army, on
the ground that they were not domiciled in this country ; and now
both are intent on procuring the exemption of the principals.
This may be good practice, but it is not good service. Every
man protected and enriched by the government, owes service to
the country in its hour of peril.
I am glad to hear that W. H. B. Custis, of the Eastern Shore
of Virginia, takes no part in the war. This is the proper course
for him under the circumstances. It is said he declined a high
position tendered by the Federal Government No doubt he has
been much misrepresented: his principles are founded on the
Constitution, which is violated daily at Washington, and ther,e-
fore he can have no sympathy with that government.
December 22d. — We shall never arrive at the correct amount
of casualties at the battle of Fredericksburg. The Enquirer to
day indicates that our loss in killed, wounded, and missing (pris
oners), amounted to nearly 4000. On the other hand, some of the
Federal journals hint that their loss was 25,000. Gen. Armstrong
(Confederate), it is said, counted 3500 of their dead on the field;
and this was after many were buried. There are flve wounded to
one killed. But where Burnside is now, or what he will attempt
next, no doubt Lee knows; but the rest of our people are pro
foundly ignorant in relation thereto. The New York Herald
says : " The finest and best appointed army the world ever saw, has
been beaten by a batch of Southern ragamuffins !" And it advises
that the shattered remains of the army be put into winter quar
ters. The weather has greatly moderated. I hope, now, it will con
tinue moderate !
Mr. Crenshaw, who has the gigantic flour contract with the
War Department, effected with ^tr. Randolph, has just (in the
President's absence) made another contract with Mr. Seddon. "
The department becomes a partner with him, and another party
in England, in a huge commercial transaction, the object of which
is to run goods in, and cotton out AA''e shall have our Girards,
as well as the United States. Mr. Crenshaw proceeds to England

AT THE CONFEDER.VTE STATES CAPIT.VL. 221
immediately, bearing letters of credit to Jlr. Mason, our Minis
ter, etc.
An immense sum is to be sent West to pay for stores, etc., and
Mr. Benjamin recommends the financial agent to the department.
The Ulicit trade with the United States has depleted the country
of gold, and placed us at the feet of the Jew extortioners. It still
goes on. Mr7"Seddon has granted passports to two agents of a
Mr. Baumgartien — and how many others I know not. These Jews
have the adroitness to carry their points. They have injured the
cause more tban the armies of Lincoln. Well, if we gain our in
dependence, instead of being the vassals of the Yankees, we shall
find all our wealth in the hands of the Jews.
The accounts from North Carolina are still conflicting. It is
said the enemy have retired to Newbern ; but still we have no let
ters beyond Goldsborough. From Raleigh we learn that the legis
lature have postponed the array bill until the 20th of January.
December 23d. — The battle of Fredericksburg is still the topic,
or the wonder, and it transpired more than nine days ago. It will
have its page in history, and be read by school-boys a thousand
years hence. The New York Times exclaimsy. "God help us — for
man cannot." This is another war sheet. The Tribune is be
wildered, and knows not what to say. The Herald says "every
thing by turns, and nothing long." Its sympathies are ever with
the winning party. But it is positively asserted that both Seward
and his son have resigned, to be followed by the rest of the cabinet.
That example might be followed here without detriment to our
cause. And it is said Burnside has resigned. I doubt that — but
no doubt he will be removed. It is said Fremont has been
appointed his successor. That would be good news. I think
Halleck will be removed, and McClellan will be recalled. No
matter. It is said our President will command in Mississippi himself —
the army having no confidence in Pemberton, because he is a
Yankee.
• We have a letter to-day from Gen. Pike (another Yankee), say
ing the Indian country is lost — lost, because Gens. Holmes and
Hindman — Southern men — won't let him have his own way !
The news from North Carolina is still cloudy. Gen. G. W.
Smith is there (another Northern man).
19*

222 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
Gen. Elzey has been appointed to command this department dur
ing Gen. L.'s absence. Gen. E. is a Marylander. In the President's
absence, it is said this appointment wats made by Gen. S. Cooper
(another Yankee) to insult A'"irginia by preventing the capital from
being in the hands of a Virginian. The Richmond papers occa
sionally allude to the fact that the general highest in rank in the
Confederacy is a Yankee — Gen. S. Cooper.
Gen. Lee says his ammunition is bad in quality, and that his
new guns burst in the late battle — all under charge of the chief
of the Bureau of Ordnance — another Yankee. Gen. D. H. Hill
writes a scathing letter to the department in response to a rebuke
from the new Secretary, occasioned by some complaints oT Major
Palfrey in Gen. Cooper's (A. and I. General) office. I do not
know where Major P. came from ; but the fact that he was not in
the field, gave the general occasion to rasp him severely. It
must have been caused by an order transferring, furloughing, or
discharging some soldier in Gen. H.'s division — and his patience
vanished at the idea of having his men taken out of the ranks
without consulting him, by carpet knights and civilian lawyers.
He says 8000 are now absent from his command — and that Gen.
Johnston's army, last spring, was reduced from the same cause to
40,000 men, where he had to oppose 138,000 of the "rascally
Yankees." He concludes, however, by saying it is the duty of
subordinate generals in the field to submit in all humility to the
behests of their superiors comfortably quartered in Richmond.
But if justice were done, and the opinions of the generals in the
field were regarded in the matter of discharges, etc., the lawyers,
who have grown fat on fees by thinning our ranks, would be com
pelled to resort to some more laudable means of making a living.
A letter from Gov. Shorter, of Alabama, introduces Judge
Rice, agent for P. S. Gerald and J. R. Powell, who propose to
bring goods into the Confederate States through Mexico, to be
paid for in cotton, etc. This was referred by the Secretary to the
Quartermaster- General — who protests against it on the ground
that it might interfere with his agents already engaged in the
business. The President publishes a retaliatory proclamation to-day
against Gen. Butler, for hanging Mr. Munford, of New Orleans,
who took down the United States flag before the city had sur-

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 223
rendered. He declares Butler to be out of the pale of civiliza
tion ; and orders any commander who may capture him, to hang
him as an outlaw. And all commissioned officers serving under
Butler, and in arms with negroes, to be reserved for execution.
There is a rumor that an agent of the Federal Government has
arrived in the city, to propose an armistice. No armistice, unless
on the basis of uti possidetis ante bellum!
Bethel, Leesburg, and Fredericksburg are victories memorable
for our great success when fighting in advantageous positions.
They teach a lesson to generals ; and it will be apparent that no
necessity exists for so great an^ expenditure of life in the prosecu
tion of this war. The disparity of numbers should be considered
by our generals. I fear the flower of our chivalry mostly perished
in storming batteries. It is true a prestige was gained. _
Dece.mber 24th. — The Louisville Journal says the defeat of
Burnside is "sickening," and that this sad condition of affairs
cannot be borne long.
It is said that Confederate bonds are bringing quite as much in
New York as in Richmond ; and that the bonds of Southern men
are freely discounted in the North. These, if true, are indications
of approaching peace. Cotton at 50 cents per pound, and our
capacity to produce five million bales per annum, must dazzle the
calculating Yankees. A single crop worth $1,000,000,000 1 What
interest or department of industry in the United States can
promise such results ?
Letters were received to-day from Nassau, dated 12th December.
Mr. L. Heyliger, our agent, reports a number of steamers sailing,
and abont to sail, with large amounts of stores and goods of all
kinds, besides plates for our navy. A Mr. Wiggs has several
steamers engaged in this business. Our government own some,
and private individuals (foreign speculators) are largely engaged
in the trade. Most of these steamers run sixteen miles an hour.
A Mr. Hart, agent for S. Isaac Campbell & Co., London, pro
poses to clothe and equip 100,000 men for us, and to receive cer
tificates for specific amounts of cotton. This same house has, on
this, it is said, advanced as much as $2,000,000 on our account.
This looks cheering. We have credit abroad. But they are
Jews. Mr. Heyliger says he has seen letters from the United States,

224 A rebel war clerk's diary
conveying information that Charleston is to be attacked about the
holidays — the ensuing week — by four iron-clad gun-boats. Well,
I believe we have three there ; so let them come I
Every day we have propositions to supply the army and the
country with goods, for cotton ; and they succeed in delivering
stores, etc., iu spite of the vigilance of the Federal blockading
squadrons. There is a prospect that we shall have abundance of
everything some of these days. But there is some wrangling.
The Quartermaster-General complains to-day that Lieut-Gen.
Pemberton has interfered with his agents, trading cotton for
stores. Myers is a Jew, and Pemberton a Yankee — so'let them
fight it out.
December 25th, Christmas Day. — Northern papers show
that there is much distraction in the North ; that both Seward
and Chase, who had resigned their positions, were with difficulty
persuaded to resume them. Thfs news, coupled with the recent
victory, and some reported successes in the West (Van Dorn's
capture of Holly Springs), produces some effect on the spirits of
the people here ; and we have a merrier Christmas than the last
one. It is said the Federal Congress is about to provide for the or
ganization of 100 regiments of negroes. This does not occasion
anxiety here. The slaves, once armed, would cut their way back
to their masters. The only possible way to restore the Union — -
if indeed it be possible — is to withdraw all the Federal troops,
and maintain an effective blockade. There might possibly ensue
dissensions among our politicians and States, detrimental to any
required unity of purpose. But the Yankees, with all their smart
ness, cannot perceive this. They can never appal us with horrors,
for we have fed upon nothing else for so long a period, that we
have become accustomed to them. And they have not men
enough to subjugate us and hold us in subjugation. Two millions
would not suffice I
The boys are firing Chinese crackers everywhere, and no little
gunpowder is consumed in commemoration of the day.
But turkeys are selling at $11 each! Shoes for $25 per pair.
Salt, however, has fallen from $1.50 to 33 cents per pound. Fresh
meats sell at from 35 to 50 cents per pound.
A silver (lever) watch, which had been lying in my trunk for

AT THE CONFEDERATE ST.\.TES C.VPIT.\L. 225
two years, and which cost me $25, sold at auction yesterday for
$75. This sufficed for fuel for a month, and a Christmas dinner.
At the end of another month, my poor family must be scattered
again, as this house will be occupied by its owner. I have adver
tised for boarding in the country, but get no response. It would
require $300 per month to board my family here, and that is more
than my income. What shall we do ? Trust in God 1
December 26th. — We have no news to-day — not even a rumor.
We are ready for anything that may come. No doubt the as
sailants of Mobile, WUmington, or Charleston, will meet with
determined resistance.
The President will be in Richmond about the first day of Janu
ary. I saw a man who traveled with him in Alabama.
Vicksburg, I understand, cannot be taken by water. And
Grant the Federal general, is said to be retreating out of Mis
sissippi. December 27th. — The' successes in the West have been con
firmed. Morgan captured 2000 and Van Dorn 1500 prisoners
at Holly Springs. They likewise destroyed a large amount of
stores. We have intelligence of a great armament, under Gen. Sher
man, sailing from Memphis against Vicksburg. At the last ac
counts the President was at Vicksburg; and he may be witness
of this decisive struggle for the possession of the Mississippi
River, the result of which involves immense interests. We await
with much anxiety the issue of the naval operations during the
ensuing month. We are content with the land achievements of
this year ; and if we should be equally successful in resisting the
enemy's fleets, we shall deem ourselves fortunate indeed.
The agents of the Commissary and Quartermaster- General make
grievous complaints against Lieut-Gen. Pemberton, at Grenada,
Mississippi; they say he interferes with their arrangements to
procure supplies — for cotton ; and it is intimated that he has
some little arrangements of his own of that nature. This illicit
trade is very demoralizing in its nature.
Oh, that peace would return I But with Independence !
Decemblr 28th. — AVe have no news to-day from the West.
If the great battle has been fought at Vicksburg, we ought to
know it to-day or to-morrow; and if the enemy be beaten, it

226 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
should be decisive of the war. It would be worse than madness
to continue the contest for the Union.
Several fine brass batteries were brought down from Fredericks
burg last night, an indication that the campaign is over for the
winter in that direction.
If we should have disasters in the West, and on the Southern
seaboard, the next session of Congress, to begin a fortnight hence,
will be a stormy one.
December 29th. — We have a dispatch from Vicksburg at last
The enemy, 25,000 strong, were repulsed three times yesterday,
and finally driven back seven miles, to their gun-boats. It was no
battle, for our loss was only 30, and that of the enemy 400. It
will be fought to-day, probably.
It is said an attempt will be made this week on Weldon, as well
as Charleston.
Our Morgan has been in Kentucky again, and captured 1200
men. Glorious Morgan I
The accounts from the United States are rather cheering. The
Herald proposes a convention of all the " loyal States," that re
construction may be tried in that way. A dispatch from Ten-
• nessee says, even the New York Tribune expresses the opinion
that our independence must be recognized. The Philadelphia
Press proposes another route to Richmond via the rivers, and
thinks Richmond may be taken yet, and the rebellion crushed.
The surgeon in charge of the Howard Hospital reports that the
small-pox is greatly on the increase, and terminating fatally in
almost every case. He says men die of it without eruptions on
the surface, the disease striking inward. It is proposed to drive
away the strangers (thousands in number), if they will not leave
voluntarily. There are too many people here for the houses, and
the danger of malignant diseases very great.
My vaccination was not a success ; very little inflammation and
a small scab being the only evidences. But I have a cough, and
much lassitude.
December 30tii, — AA''e have another crisis. Dispatches from
Mui-freesborough state the hostile armies are facing each other,
and not a mile apart; the skirmishing increases, and a decisive
battle may occur at any moment
From Vicksburg we have no further intelligence ; but from the

AT THE CONFEDERATE ST.VTES CAPITAL. 227
Rappahannock we learn that both artillery and infantry were dis
tinctly heard yesterday in the direction of Dumfries, Is Stuart
there ?
December 31st. — There were more skirmishes near Vicksburg
yesterday; and although several of the Louisiana regiments are
said to have immortalized themselves (having lost only two or
three men each), 1 suppose nothing decisive was accomplished. I
have not implicit faith in Western dispatches ; they are too often
exaggerations. And we have nothyig further from Murfrees-
borough. But there is reliable intelligence from Albemarle Sound, where
a large fleet of the enemy's transports appeared yesterday. We
must look now for naval operations. Perhaps Weldon is aimed at.
Gen. Wise writes a remarkable letter to the department His
son, just seventeen years old, a lieutenant in 10th Virginia Cavalry,
was detailed as ordnance officer of the general's brigade, when that
regiment was taken from his father. Now Gen. Cooper, the Northern
head of the Southern army, orders him to the 10th Cavalry. The
general desires his son to remain with him, or that the lieutenant
may be permitted to resign. He says he asks no favors of the
administration, and has never received any. His best blood (Capt
0. J. AV.) has been given to the country, and his home and prop
erty lost by the surrender of Norfolk, etc.
To-day, Gen. Winder's account for disbursement of "secret
service" money was sent in. Among the persons who were the
recipients of this money, I noticed Dr. Rossvally, a notorious
spy, and S  w, one of his policemen, who, with W  11, very
recently fled to the enemy, and is now in the service of the United
States, at Washington !
Gen. Lee has given the command in Northwestern Virginia to
Gen. W. E. Jones; and he asks the Secretary to hold a major he
has captured as a hostage for the good conduct of the Federal
Gen. Milroy, who is imitating Gen. Pope in his cruelties to
civilians.

228 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY

CHAPTER XXIL
Lee in winter qunrters. — Bragg's victory in the Southwest. — The President
at Mobile. — Enemy withdraw from Vicksburg. — Bragg retreats as usual.
— Bureau of Conscription. — High rents. — Flour contracts in Congress. —
Efforts to escape conscription." — Ships coming in freely. — Sneers at negro
troops. — Hopes of French intervention. — Gen. Rains blows himself up. —
Davis would be the last to give up. — Gov. Vance protests against Col.
August's appointment as commandant of conscripts. — Financial diffi
culties in the United States.
January 1st, 1863. — This first day of the year dawned in gloom,
but the sun, like the sun of Austerlitz, soon beamed forth in great
splendor upon a people radiant with smiles and exalted to the
empyrean. A letter from Gen. H. Marshall informed the government that
Gen. Floyd had seized slaves in Kentucky and refused to restore
them to their owners, and that if the government did not promptly
redress the wrong, the Kentuckians would at once "take the law
into their own hands."
We had a rumor (not yet contradicted) that the enemy, or
traitors, had burned the railroad bridge between Bristol and'
Knoxville, cutting our communication with the West
Then it was said (and it was true) that Gen. Lee had sent his
artillery back some 30 miles this side of the Rappahannock, pre
paratory to going into wintfer quarters. Bnt this was no occasion
for gloom. Lee always knows what is best to be done.
Next there was a rumor (not yet confirmed, but credited) that
Stuart had made another of his wonderful reconnoissances, captur
ing prisoners and destroying much of the enemy's stores beyond the
Rappahannock. Then came a dispatch from Bragg which put us almost "beside"
ourselves with joy, and caused even enemies to pause and shake
hands in the street Yesterday he attacked Rosecrans's army near
Murfreesborough, and gained a great victory. He says he drove
him from all his positions, except on the extreme left, and after ten

AT THE CONFEDEILVTE STATES CAPITAL. 229
hours' fighting, occupied the whole of the field except (those ex
ceptions !) the point named. We had, as trophies, thirty-one guns,
two generals, 4000 prisoners, and 200 wagons. This is a Western
dispatch, it is true, but it has Bragg's name to it, and he does not
willingly exaggerate. Although I, for one, shall await the next
dispatches with anxiety, there can be no question about the vic
tory on the last day of the bloody year 1862. Bragg says the
loss was heavy on both sides.
I noticed that one of the brass pieces sent down by Lee to go to
North Carolina had been struck by a ball just over the muzzle,
and left a glancing mark toward the touch-hole. That ball, prob
ably, killed one of our gunners.
January 2d, — A dispatch from Gov. Harris gives some addi
tional particulars of the battle near Murfreesborough, Tenn. He
says the enemy was driven back six miles, losing four generals
killed and three captured, and that we destroyed $2,000,000 com
missary and other stores. But still we have no account of what
was done yesterday on the " extreme left."
Gen. Stuart has been near Alexandria, and his prisoners are
coming in by every train. He captured and destroyed many
stores, and, up to the last intelligence, without loss on his side.
He is believed, now, to be in Maryland, having crossed the Poto
mac near Leesburg.
The mayor of our city, Jos. Mayo, meeting two friends last
night, whom he recognized bnt who did not recognize him, play
fully seized one of them, a judge, and, garroter fashion, demanded
his money or his life. The judge's friend fell upon the mayor
with a stick and beat him dreadfully before the joke was dis
covered. The President was at Mobile on the 30th December, having
visited both Murfreesborough and Vicksburg, but not witnessing
either of the battles.
We are in great exaltation again ! Dispatches from Gen.
Bragg, received last night, relieve ns with the information that the
stronghold of the enemy, which he failed to carry on the day of
battle, was abandoned the next day; that Forrest and Morgan
were operating successfully far in the rear of the invader, aud
that Gen. Wheeler had made a circuit of the hostile army after
the battle, burning several hundred of their wagons, capturing an
20

230 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
ordnance train, and making more prisoners. Bragg says the
enemy's telegraphic and railroad communications with his rear have
been demolished, and that he will follow up the defeated foe. I
think we will get Nashville now.
January 3d. — To-day we have a dispatch from Vicksburg stat
ing that the enemy had re-embarked, leaving their intrenching in
struments, etc., apparently abandoning the purpose of assaulting
the city. This is certainly good news.
Gen. Stuart did not cross the Potomac, as reported in the North
ern press, but, doubtless, the report produced a prodigious panic
among the Yankees. But when Stuart was within eight miles of
Alexandria, he telegraphed the government at Washington that if
they did not send forward larger supplies of stores to Burnside's
army, he (Stuart) would not find it worth while to intercept them.
Capt Semmes, of the Alabama, has taken another prize — the
steamer Ariel — but no gold being on board, and having 800 pas
sengers, he released it, under bonds to pay us a quarter milUon
dollars at the end of the war.
A large meeting has been held in New York, passing resolutions
in favor of peace. They propose that New Jersey send a delega
tion hither to induce us to meet the United States in convention
at Louisville, to adopt definitive terms of peace, on the basis of
the old Union, or, that bein^^mpracticable, separaEiom Too
late ! ' " ~"
January 4th. — We have nothing additional from Murfreesbo
rough, but it is ascertained that the bridges burned by the enemy
on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad cannot be repaired in a
month. It really does seem that some potent and malign influence, resi
dent at the capital, some high functionary, by some species of oc-
cultation, controlling the action of the government, a Talleyrand in
the pay of both governments, and balancing or equalizing disasters
between them to magnify his importance and increase his reward,
has been controlling many events since the beginning of this war,
and is still engaged in the diabolical work. It now appears that
several regiments were withdrawn from the vicinity of Bristol, whose
presence there was necessary for the protection of the railroad and
the bridges. They were brought hither after Lee's defeat of
Burnside, for the protection of the capital ! The President was

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 231
away, and Mr. Seddon was now in the War Office. But Gen. Cooper
is oM in office, and should have known better; and (Jen. G, AV.
Smith certainly must have known better. Just suppose we had
been beaten at Murfreesborough, and our communications cut,
west and east and south ! There would have been no escape.
It had even been proposed to take a large portion of Lee's men
from him, so that he must be inevitably defeated on the P^appa-
hannock, but Lee's resignation would have shocked the people un
bearably. Great injury was done him by abstracting some 20,000
of his men by discharges, transfers, and details. Nothing bnt his
generalship and the heroism of his men saved ns from ruin. The
disasters of Donelson, Newbern, Nashville, Memphis, Roanoke,
New Orleans, Norfolk, etc. may be traced to the same source.
But all new governments have been afflicted by a few evil-disposed
leaders. Onr people in arms have upheld the State ; they have success
fully resisted the open assaults of the invader, and frustrated the
occult machinations of the traitors in our midst. We have great
generals, but what were they without great men to obey them ?
Generals have fallen, and divisions and brigades have fought on
without them. Regiments have lost their field officers and contin
ued the fight, and companies have maintained their position after
all their commissioned officers were stricken down. The history
which shall give the credit of their achievements to others will be
a vile calumny. Our cause would have been ruined if it had not
been for the bravery and heroism of the people — the privates in
our armies.
There is a rumor this morning that the enemy are advancing
toward Petersburg from Suffolk. If this be so, some spy, under
the protection of martial law, has informed the Yankees of our
defenseless condition at that place, being alarmed at the success of
our brave and patriotic men in the West.
January 5th. — We learn from Gen. Bragg that the enemy did
not retire far on the 2d inst., but remain still in the vicinity of
Murfreesborough. He says, however, that our cavalry are still
circling the Yankees, taking prisoners and destroying stores.
During the day an absurd rumor was invented, to the effect that
Bragg had been beaten. We are anxious to learn the precise par
ticulars of the battle. It is to be feared that too many of Bragg's

232 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
men were ordered to reinforce Pemberton. If that blunder should
prove disastrous, the authorities here wiU have a hornet's nest
about their ears. The President arrived yesterday, and his pa
triotic and cheering speech at Jackson, Miss., appeared in all the
papers this morning.
We hear of no fighting at Suffolk. But we have dispatches
from North Carolina, stating that a storm assailed the enemy's
fleet off Hatteras, sinking the Monitor with all on board, and so
crippling the Galena that her guns were thrown overboard ! This
is good news — ^if it be confirmed.
A letter from Major Boyle, in command at GordonsviUe, gives
information that the smugglers and extortioners are trading to
bacco (contraband) with the enemy at Alexandria. He arrested
B. Nussbaum, E. Wheeler, and S. Backrack, and sent them witji
their wagons and goods to Gen. Winder, Richmond. But instead
of being dealt with according to law, he learns that Backrack
is back again, and on his way to this city with another wagon
load of goods from, Yankee-land, and will be here to-day or to
morrow. I sent the letter to the Secretary, and hope it will not
be intercepted on its way to him from the front office. The Sec
retary never sees half the letters addressed him, or knows of one-
half the attempts of persons to obtain interviews. The Assistant
Secretary's duty is to dispose of the less important communica
tions, bnt to exhibit his decisions.
January 6th. — To-day we are all down again. Bragg has
retreated from Murfreesborough. It is said he saved his prisoners,
captured cannon, etc., but it is not said what became of his own
wounded. The Northern papers say they captured 500 prisoners
in the battle, which they claim as a victory. I do not know how
to reconcile Bragg's first dispatches, and particularly the one
saying he had the whole field, and would follow the enemy, with
this last one announcing his withdrawal and retirement from the
field. Eight thousand men were taken from Bragg a few days before
the battle. It was not done at the suggestion of Gen. Johnston ;
for I have seen an extract of a letter from Gen. J. to a Senator
(AVigfall), deprecating the detachment of troops from Bragg, and
expressing grave apprehensions of the probable consequences.
A letter was received from R. R. Collier, Petersburg, to-day,

AT THE CONFEDER.VTE ST.VTES C.VPITAL. 233
in favor of civil liberty, and a,gaiust the despotism of martial
law. Senator Clark, of Missouri, informed me to-day that my nephew,
R. H. Musser, has been made a colonel (under Hindman or
Holmes), and has a fine regiment in the trans-Mississippi Depart
ment. Lewis E. Harvie, president of the railroad, sends a communica
tion to the Secretary (I hope it will reach him) inclosing a request
from Gen. Winder to permit liquors to be transported on his road
to Clover Hill. Mr. Harvie objects to it, and asks instructions
from the Secretary. He says Clover Hill is the point from which
the smuggling is done, and that to place it there, is equivalent to
bringing it into the city.
January 7th — To-day I was requested to aid, temporarily, in
putting in operation a new bureau, created by the military author
ities, not by law, entitled the Bureau of Conscription. From con
scription all future recruits must be derived. I found Gen. Rains,
the chief, a most affable officer; and Lieut.-Col. Lay, his next
officer, was an acquaintance. I shall not now, perhaps, see so
much of the interior of this moving picture of Revolution ; my
son, however, will note important letters. It is said that Sumner's
corps (of Burnside's army) has landed in North Carolina, to take
Wilmington. We shall have news soon.
We are sending troops rapidly from Virginia to North Caro-
Una. The Northem papers say the following dispatch was sent to
Washington by our raiding Stuart: "Gen. Meigs will in future
please furnish better mules ; those you have furnished recently
are very inferior." He signed his own name.
A large body of slaves passed through the city to-day, singing
happily. They had been working on the fortifications north of the
city, and go to work on them south of it They have no faith in
the efficacy of Lincoln's Emancipation.
But it is different in Norfolk ; 4000 enfranchised slaves marched
in procession through the town the other day in a sort of frantic
jubilee. They will bewail their error ; and so will the Abolition
ists. They will consume the enemy's commissary stores ; and if
they be armed, we shall get their arms.
Lee and Beauregard were telegraphed to-day in relation to the
20*

234 . A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
movement on Wilmington ; and the President had the cabinet
with him many hours.
Gen. Rains is quite certain that the fall of New Orleans was the
result of treachery.
By the emancipation. Gen. Wise's county. Princess Ann, is ex
cepted — and so are Accomac and Northampton Counties ; but I
have no slaves. All I ask of the invaders is to spare my timber,'
and I will take care of the land — and I ask it, knowing the request
will never be known by them until the war is over.
January 8rH. — Gen. French writes that the enemy at Suffolk
and Newbern amounted to 45,000; and this force now threatens
Weldon and AVilmington, and we have not more than 14,000 to
oppose them. With generalship that should suffice.
All the Virginia conscripts are ordered to Gen. Wise, under
Major-Gen. Elzey. The conscripts from other States are to be
taken to Gen. Lee. If the winter should allow a continuance of
active operations, and the enemy should continue to press us, we
might be driven nearly to the wall. We must help ourselves all
we can, and, besides, invoke the aid of Almighty God !
We have nothing fresh from Bragg — nothing from Vicksburg —
and that is bad news.
I like Gen. Rains. He comes in and sits with me every day.
Col. Lay is the active business man of the bureau. The general
is engaged in some experiments to increase the efficiency of small
arms. He is very affable and communicative. He says he never wit
nessed more sanguinary fighting than at the battle of the Seven
Pines, where his brigade retrieved the fortunes of the day ; for at
one time iFwaJlost. He was also at Yorktown and Williamsburg;
and he cannot yet cease condemning the giving up of the Peninsula,
Norfolk, etc. Gen. Johnston did that, backed by Randolph and
Mallory. We have all been mistaken in the number of troops sent to the
rescue of North Carolina ; but four or five regiments, perhaps
3000 men, have gone thither from Virginia. A letter from Gen.
Lee, dated the 5th inst, says hp has not half as many men as
Burnside, and cannot spare any. He thinks North Carolina, her
self, will be able to expel the Federals, who probably meditate
only a marauding expedition. And he supposes Bragg's splendid

AT THE C0NFEDEB.VTE STATES <\VPIT.VL. ^ 2:i-'>
victory (what did he suppose the next day?) may arrest the in
roads of the enemy everywhere for a season. At this moment I
do not believe we have 200,000 men in the field against 800,000 !
But what of that after seeing Lee beat 100,000 with only 20,000
in action ! True, it was an ambuscade.
January 9th. — The Northern papers say the Federals have
taken Vicksburg; but we are incredulous. Yet we have no reli
able intelligence from thence ; and it may be so. It would be a
terrible blow, involving, for a time, perhaps, the loss of the Mis
sissippi River.
But we have cheering news from Galveston, Texas. Several of
our improvised gun-boats attacked the enemy's war vessels in the
harbor, and after a sanguinary contest, hand to hand, our men
captured the Harriet Lane, a fine United States ship of war, iron
clad. She was boarded and taken. Another of the enemy's ships,
it is said, was blown up by its officers, rather than surrender, and
many perished. If this be Magruder's work, it will make him
famous. Our public offices are crowded with applicants for clerkships,
mostly wounded men, or otherwise unfit for field duty.
How can we live here ? Boarding is $60 per month, and I have
six to support ! They ask $1800 rent for a dwelling — and I have
no furniture to put in one. Gen. Rains and I looked at one to
day, thinking to take it jointly. Bnt neither of us is able to fur
nish it. Perhaps we shall take it, nevertheless.
January 10th. — We have news from the West, which is be
lieved to be reliable, stating that Bragg captured 6000 prisoners
altogether in his late battles ; took 30 cannon, 800 stand of arms,
and destroyed 1500 wagons and many stores. The estimated
loss of the enemy in killed and wounded is put down at 12,000.
Our loss in killed and wounded not more than half that number.
To-day we have official inteUigence confirming the brilliant
achievement at Galveston ; and it was Magruder's work. He has
men under him fitted for desperate enterprises ; and he has
always had a penchant for desperate work. So we shall expect
to hear of more gaUant exploits in that section. He took 600
prisoners. We have news also from Vicksburg, and the city was not taken ;
on the contrary, the enemy had sailed away. I trust this is reli-

236 , A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
able ; but the Northern papers persist in saying that Vicksburg
has fallen, and that the event took place on the 3d inst
Six hundred women and children — refugees — arrived at Peters
burg yesterday from the North. They permit them to come now,
when famine and pestilence are likely to be added to the other
horrors of war I AA^e are doomed to suffer this winter !
January 11th. — The message of Gov. Seymour, of New York,
if I am not mistaken in its import and purposes, will have a dis
tracting effect on the subjugation programme of the government
at Washington. I shall look for riots, and perhaps rebellions and
civil wars in the North.
Mr. Stanley, ycleped Governor of North Carolina, has written
a letter (dated 31st December) to Gen. French, complaining that
our soldiery have been guilty of taking slaves from their humane
and loyal masters in Washington County, against their will ; and
demanding a restoration of them to their kind and beneficent
owners, to whom they are anxious to return. Gen. French replies
that he will do so very cheerfully, provided the United States
authorities will return the slaves they have taken from masters
loyal to the Confederate States. These may amount to 100,000.
And he might have added that on the next day all — 4,000,000 —
were to be emancipated, so far as the authority of the United
States could accomplish it
The enemy's gun-boats (two) came up the York River last week,
and destroyed an oyster boat. Beyond the deprivation of oysters,
pigs, and poultry, we care little for these incursions.
January 12th. — The news of the successful defense of Vicks
burg is confirmed by an official dispatch, to the effect that the
enemy had departed up the Mississippi River. By the late
Northern papers, we find they confess to a loss of 4000 men in
the several attacks upon the town ! Our estimate of their loss did
not exceed that many hundred. They lost two generals, Morgan
and another. We did not lose a hundred men, according to our
accounts. The Herald (N. Y.) calls it " another Fredericksburg
affair." The estimate of the enemy's loss, at Murfreesborough, from 12,000
to 20,000, iu killed, wounded, and prisoners, and ours at from four
to nine thousand. Bragg says he will fight again near the same
place, and his men are in high spirits.

.\T THE CONFEDERATE STATES O.VPIT.-VL. 237
Our men fight to kill now, since the emancipation doom has
been pronounced. But we have had a hard rain and nightly frosts,
which will put an end to campaigning during the remainder of the
winter. The fighting will be on tho water, or near it.
The legislature is in session, and resolutions inimical to the
passport system have already been introduced. But where are
State Rights now ?
Congress meets to-morrow.
January 13th. — The generals in North Carolina are impor
tunate for reinforcements. They represent the enemy as in great
force, and that Weldon, Goldsborough, Raleigh, and Wilmington
are in extreme peril. Lee cannot send any, or, if he does, Rich
mond will be threatened again, and possibly taken.
How shall we live ? Boarding ranges from $60 to $100 per
month. Our landlord says he will try to get boarding in the
country, and if he succeeds, probably we may keep the house we
now occupy, furnished, at a rent of $1200, for a mere robin's nest
of four rooms ! But I hope to get the house at the corner of First
and Casey, in conjunction with" Gen. Rains, for $1800. It has a
dozen rooms.
January 14th. — Gen. Beauregard, some of whose forces have
been taken from him and sent to the defense of Wilmington, is
apprehensive that they may be lost, in the event of the enemy
making a combined naval and land attack, and then Charleston
and Savannah would be in great peril. Gens. Smith and Whiting
call lustily for aid, and say they have not adequate means of de
fense. Some 4000 more negroes have been called for to work on
the fortifications near Richmond. I believe 10,000 are at work
now. A letter "by order" of the Secretary of War to Col. Godwin,
in King and Queen County, written by Judge Campbell, says
J;hat blockaders are allowed to run through, provided they be not
suspicions parties. The government takes what it wants at seventy-
five per cent, and releases the rest. The parties are liable to have
their goods confiscated by the Secretary of the Treasury, who,
however, the letter proceeds to say, has never molested any one in
the illicit trade— smuggling. 0
In Congress, yesterday, Mr. Foote called for a committee to in-

238 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
vestigate the commissary's contract with Haxhall, Crenshaw & Co.,
and was particularly severe on Major Ruffin, in the commissary's
office, whom he understood was a partner in the flour concern.
Mr, Foote introduced a series of resolutions to-day, tempting
the Northern States to make peace with us separateTy^Jexcluding"
the New England States, and promising commercial advantages,
etc. But we must treat as independent States, pledging a league
with those that abandon the United States Government — offensive
and defensive — and guaranteeing the navigation of the_Mississippi
River to the Northwestern ,States. They were referred^ to the
Committee on Foreign Relations, of which he is the chairman.
This is nothing.
But neither yesterday nor the day before was there a quorum of
both houses ; a sad spectacle in such a season of gloom. It was
enlivened, however, by a communication from the Surgeon-General,
proposing to send surgeons to vaccinate all the members. They
declined the honor, though the small-pox is raging frightfully.
To-day a quorum was found in each house, and the President's
message was sent in. I have not read it yet.
January 15th. — The President's message is highly applauded.
It is well written ; but I do not perceive much substance in it be
sides some eloquent reproaches of England and France for the
maintenance of th"eir~neufrality, which in ~eflccrTS^ greatly more
beneficial to the United States than to us. The President essays
to encourage the people to continued effort and endurance — and
such encouragement is highly judicious at this dark epoch of the
struggle. He says truly we have larger armies, and a better
supply of arms, etc., now, than we have had at any time pre
viously. The President says he will, unless Congress directs differently,
have all Federal officers that we may capture, handed over to the
States to be dealt with as John Brown was dealt with. The
Emancipation Proclamation, if not revoked, may convert the war__,
into a most barbarous conflict.
Mr. Foote, yesterday, introduced a resolution requesting the
recall of our diplomatic agents ; and, after a certain time, to
notify the foreign consuls to leave the country, no longer recog
nizing them in an official capacity.
A bill was introduced making Marylanders subject to conscription.

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 239
January 16th. — Gen. Lee is in the city, doubtless to see about
the pressure upon him for reinforcements in North Carolina. Gen.
Smith still writes from Goldsborough for more men, with doleful
forebodings if they be refused.
From Eastern Tennessee, we have bad accounts of outrages by
the disloyal inhabitants, who have fled, to escape conscription, to
the mountains and caves, many of them taking their families. At
night they emerge from their hiding-places, and commit depreda
tions on the secessionists.
It has been blowing a gale for two days, and there are rumors
of more losses of the enemy's ships on the coast of North
Carolina. A letter was received by the government to-day from Arizona,
justifying Col. Baylor for his policy of dealing with the Indians.
I do not hear of any steps yet on the part of the President.
A report of the commandant at Camp Holmes, Raleigh, N. C,
states that 12,000 conscripts have been received there altogether;
8000 have been sent off to regiments, 2000 detailed on govern
ment work, 500 deserted, etc.
The Enquirer to-day publishes the fact that a ship, with stores,
merchandise, etc., has just arrived at Charleston; that six more
are on the way thither, and that a steamer has successfully run the
blockade from Wilmington with cotton. This notification may
increase the vigUance of the blockading fleet. The Enquirer is
also perpetually tilting with the Raleigh Standard. I doubt the
policy of charging the leading journals in North Carolina with
predilections for the L'nion. I believe the Enquirer has no settled
editor now.
Mr. Foote favors tke conscription of Marylanders. If such an
act should be likely to pass. Gen. Winder will be beset with ap
plications to leave the Confederacy.
January 17th. — Gen. Lee has left the city. His troops, en
camped thirty miles north of Richmond, marched northward last
night So it is his determination to cross the Rappahannock?
Or is it a demonstration of the enemy to prevent him from sending
reinforcements to North Carolina ? We shall know speedily.
North Carolina, one would think, is soon to be the scene of
carnage; and it is asked what can 16,000 men do against 60,000 ?
The enemy began the attack on Fort CasweU yesterday; no

240 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
result. But one of his blockaders went ashore in the storm, and
we captured the officers and crew.
All the conscripts in the West have been ordered to Gen.
Bragg. Shall we starve ? Yesterday beef was sold for 40 cts. per pound;
to-day it is 60 cts. Lard is $1.00. Butter $2.00. They say the
sudden rise is caused by the prisoners of Gen. Bragg, several
thousand of whom have arrived here, and they are subsisted from
the market. Thus they injure us every way. But, n'importe, say
some; if Lincoln's Emancipation be not revoked, but few more
prisoners will be taken on either side. That would be a barbar
ous war, without quarter.
I see that Col, J. W. Wall, of New Jersey, has been nominated,
and I suppose will be elected, U. S. Senator. He was confined
for months in prison at Fort Lafayette. I imagine the colonel is
a bold, able man.
January 18th. ^It was bitter cold last night, and everything
is frozen this morning ; there will be abundance of ice next summer,
if we keep our ice-houses.
In these times of privation and destitution, I see many men,
who were never prominent secessionists, enjoying comfortable posi
tions, and seeking investments for their surplus funds. Surely
there must be some compensation in this world or the next for the
true patriots who have sacrificed everything, and still labor in sub
ordinate positions, with faith and patient suffering. These men
and their families go in rags, and upon half-rations, while the others
fare most sumptuously.
We are now, in effect in a state of siege, and none but the opu
lent often those who have defrauded the government, can obtain
a sufficiency of food and raiment. Calico, which could once be
bought for 12^ cts. per yard, is now selling at $2.25, and a lady's
dress of calico costs her about $30.00. Bonnets are not to be had.
Common bleached cotton shirting brings $1.50 per yard. All
other dry goods are held in the same proportion. Common tallow
candles are $1.25 per pound ; soap, $1.00 ; hams, $1.00 ; oppossum
$3.00; turkeys $4 to $11.00; sugar, brown, $L00; molasses $8.00
per gallon; potatoes $6.00 per bushel, etc.
These evils might be remedied by the government, for there is no
great scarcity of any of the substantials and necessities of life in

at THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 241
the country, if they were only equally distributed. The difficulty
is in procuring transportation, and the government monopolizes
the railroads and canals.
Our military men apprehend no serious consequences from the
army of negroes in process of organization by the Abolitionists at
Washington. Gen. Rains says the negro cannot fight, and will
always run away. He told me an anecdote yesterday which hap
pened under his own observation. An officer, when going into
battle, charged his servant to stay at his tent and take care of
his property. In the fluctuations of the battle, some of the enemy's
shot fell in the vicinity of the tent, and the negro, with great white
eyes, fled away with all his might. After the fight, and when the
officer returned to his tent, he was vexed to learn that his slave
had run away, but the boy soon returned, confronting his indignant
master, who threatened to chastise him for disobedience of orders.
Caesar said : " Massa, yon told me to take care of your property,
and dis property" (placing his hand on his breast) " is worf fifteen
hundred dollars."' He escaped punishment.
Some 200,000 of the Abolition army will be disbanded in May
by the expiration of their terms of enlistment, and we have every
reason to believe that their places cannot be filled by new recruits.
If we hold out until then, we shall be able to resist at all vital
points. January 19th. — We have rumors of fighting this morning on
the Rappahannock ; perhaps the enemy is making another advance
upon Richmond.
There was a grand funeral to-day, — Gen. D. R. Jones's; he died
of heart disease.
Gen. Bragg dispatches that Brig.-Gen. Wheeler, with his cav
alry, got in the rear of Rosecrans a few days ago, and burned a
railroad bridge. He then penetrated to the Cumberland River,
and destroyed three large transports and bonded a fourth, which
took off his paroled prisoners. After this he captured and de
stroyed a gun-boat and its armament sent in quest of him.
We have taken Springfield, Missouri.
Rosecrans sends our officers, taken at Murfreesborough, to Alton,
III., to retaUate on ns for the doom pronounced in our President's
proclamation, and one of his generals has given notice that if we
21

242 A REBEL WAR OLERK'S DIARY
burn a railroad bridge (in our own country) all private property
within a mile of it shall be destroyed. The black flag next.
We have no news from North Carolina.
Mr, Caperton was elected C. S. Senator by the Virginia Legis-
ture on Saturday, in place of Mr. Preston, deceased.
An intercepted letter from a Mr. Sloane, Charlotte, N. C, to
A. T. Stewart & Co., New York, was laid before the Secretary of
War yesterday. He urged the New York merchant, who has con
tributed funds for our subjugation, to send merchandise to the
South, now destitute, and he w'ould act as salesman. The Secre
tary indorsed " conscript him," and yet the Assistant Secretary has
given instructions to Col. Godwin, in the border counties, to wink
at the smugglers. This is consistency ! And the Assistant Secre
tary writes "by order of- the Secretary of War !"
January 20th. — The rumor of fighting on the Rappahannock
is not confirmed. But Gen. Lee writes that his beeves are so poor
the soldiers won't eat the meat He asks the government to send
him salt meat
From Northern sources we learn that Arkansas Post has fallen,
and that we have lost from 5000 to 7000 men there. If this be
true, our men must have been placed in a man-trap, as at Roanoke
Island. Mr. Perkins, in Congress, has informed the country that Mr.
Memminger, the Secretary of the Treasury, has hitherto opposed
and defeated the proposition that the government buy all the
cotton. Mr. M. should never have been appointed. He is head
strong, haughty, and tyrannical when he imagines he is dealing
with inferiors, and he deems himself superior to the rest of man
kind. But he is no Carolinian by birth or descent
We see accounts of public meetings in New Jersey, wherein the
government at AA^'ashington is fiercely denounced, and peace de
manded, regardless of consequences. Some of the speakers openly
predicted that the war would spread into the North, if not term
inated at once, and in that event, the emancipationists would have
foes to fight elsewhere than in the South. Among the participants
I recognize the names of men whom I met in convention at Tren
ton in 1860. They clamor for the "Union as it was, the Consti
tution as it is," adopting the motto of my paper, the " Southern
Monitor," the office of which was sacked in Philadelphia in April,

AT THE CONFEDER.VTE ST.VTES C.VPITAL. 243
1861. Our government will never agree to anything short of in
dependence. President Davis will be found inflexible on that point.
There was a rumor yesterday that France had recognized us.
The news of the disaster of Burnside at Fredericksburg having
certainly been deemed very important in Europe. But France
has not yet acted in our behalf. AVe all pray for the Emperor's
intervention. We suffer much, and but little progress is made in
conscription. Nearly all our resources are in the field. Another
year of war, and  !
January 21st. — Last night the rain fell in torrents, and to-day
there is a violent storm of wind from the N.W. This may put an
end, for a season, to campaigning on land, and the enemy's fleet
at sea may he dispersed. Providence may thus intervene in our
behalf. It is feared that we have met with a serious blow in Arkansas,
bnt it is not generally believed that so many (5000 to 7000 men)
surrendered, as is stated in the Northern papers. Gen. Holmes is
responsible for the mishap.
Conscription drags its slow length along. It is not yet adding
many to the army. The Assistant Secretary of War, and several
others, "by order of the Secretary of War," are granting a fearful
number of exemptions daily. Congress, I hope, will modify the
exemption bill immediately. It is believed enrolling officers, sur
geons, and others are permitting thousands to remain at home "for
a price." Even clerks in the War Department, it is said, are
driving a lucrative buyness in "getting men off," who should be
on duty, in this war of independence. Young men in the depart
ments, except in particular cases, will not stand in good repute
"when the burly burly 's done, when the battle's lost and won."
Congress is at work projecting the organization of a Supreme
Court. January 22d. — We have reliable intelligence of the sinking of
the U. S. gun-boat Hatteras, in the Gulf, by the Alabama. She
was iron-clad, and all the officers and crew, with the exception of
five, went down.
Gen. Whiting telegraphs to-day for the use of conscripts near
Wilmington, in the event of an emergency. Several ships have
just come in safely from abroad, and it is said a large number are
on the way.

244 A REBEL WAR OLERK'S DIARY
Mr. Miles yesterday reported, from the Military Committee, a
bill repealing the existing exemption law, and embracing all male
residents between the ages of 18 and 45 year.s. The President or
Secretary of War, to have authority to grant exemptions in cer
tain cases, if deemed expedient This ought to give us 200,000
more men. And they will be required.
A resolution was passed demanding of the Commissary and
Quartermaster-General the number of their employees capable of
performing military duty. It would be well to extend the inquiry
to the War Deparment itself.
' A letter from Norfolk states that at a grand ball, in celebration
of the emancipation of the negroes, Gen. Vieille opened the dance
with a mulatto woman of bad character as his partner; and Mrs. V.
had for her partner a negro barber.
January 23d. — The Northern papers are filled with what pur
ports to be the intercepted correspondence of Mr. Benjamin with
Messrs. Mason and Slidell. Lord John Russell is berated. The
Emperor of France is charged with a design to seize Mexico as a
colony, and to recognize Texas separately, making that State in
effect a dependency, from which cotton may be procured as an
offset to British India. He says the French Consuls in Texas are
endeavoring to detach Texas from the Confederacy. If this be a
genuine correspondence, it will injure the South ; if it be false
(if the allegations be false), it will still injure us. I have no doubt
of its genuineness; and that Mr. Sanders, once the correspondent
of the New York Tribune, was the bearer. If Texas leaves us,
so may Louisiana — and the gigantic Houmas speculation may turn
out well at last.
Mr. Curry has brought forward a copyright biU ; Mr. Foster, of
Alabama, has introduced a bill to abolish the passport system —
leaving the matter to railroad conductors.
A dispatch from Gen. Bragg assures us that our cavalry are still
capturing and destroying large amounts of Rosecrans's stores on
the Cumberland River.
Col. Wall has been elected Senator from New Jersey. They
say he is still pale and ill from his imprisonment, for opinion sake.
I hope he will speak as boldly in the Senate as out of it.
I met Gen. Davis to-day (the President's nephew), just from
Goldsborough, where his brigade is stationed. He is in ^neplumage
— and I hope he will prove a game-cock.

AT THE CONFEDER.VTE STATES CAPITAL. 24 5
Major-Gen. French, in command at Petersburg, is a Northern
man. Our native generals are brigadiers. It is amazing that
all the superior officers in' command near the capital should be
Northern men. Can this be the influence of Gen. Cooper? It
may prove disastrous !
January 24th. — Gen. Smith writes that he deems Wilmington
in a condition to resist any attacks.
The exposition of Mr. Benjamin's dispatches has created pro
found mortification in the community.
Another transport has been taken from the enemy in the Cum
berland River. No further news from Arkansas.
There is a white flag (small-pox) within seventy yards of our
house. But it is probable we must give up the house soon, as the
owner is desirous to return to it — being unable to get board in
the country.
Gen. Rains, who has been making a certain sort of primer, met
with an accident this morning ; one of them exploded in his hand,
injuring his thumb and finger. He was scarcely able to sign his
name to official documents to-day.
Mr. Hunter has brought forward a measure for the funding of
Treasury notes, the redundant circulation having contributed to
produce the present fabulous prices in the market.
In the New Jersey Legislature petitions are flowing in denun
ciatory of Lincoln's Emancipation scheme, which would cast into
the free States a large excess of profitless population.
January 25th — Gen. Lee mentions, in his recent correspond
ence, an instance of the barbarity of some of the Yankee soldiers
in the Abolition Army of the Potomac. They thrust into the
Rappahannock River a poor old negro man, whom they had taken
from his master, because he had the small-pox; and he would have
been drowned had he not been rescued by our pickets. It is sur
mised that this dreadful disease prevails to an alarming extent in
the Yankee army, and probably embarrasses their operations.
Onr men have all been vaccinated ; and their recklessness of dis
ease and death is perhaps a guarantee of exemption from afflic
tion. Their health, generally, is better than it has ever been
before. The government at Washington has interdicted the usual ex
change of newspapers, for the present. This gives rise to con-
21=^

246 A REBEL war-clerk's DIARY
jecture that Lincoln experiences grave difficulties from the ad
verse sentiment of his people and his armies regarding his Eman
cipation Proclamation. And it is Hkely he has met with grave
losses at sea, for the invading army in North Carolina has retired
back on Newbern. But the season for naval enterprises is not
over, and we are prepared to expect some heavy blows before
April. The revelations in the intercepted dispatches captured with Mr.
Sanders, whose father is a notorious political adventurer, may be
most unfortunate. They not only show that we even were nego
tiating for six war steamers, but give the names of the firms in
Europe that were to furnish them. The project must now be
abandoned. And Louis Napoleon will be enraged at the sus
picions and imputations of our Secretary of State regarding his
occult policy.
Gen. Rains has invented a new primer for shell, which will ex
plode from the slightest pressure. The shell is buried just beneath
the surface of the earth, and explodes when a horse or a man
treads upon it He says he would not use such a weapon in ordi
nary warfare; but has no scruples in resorting to any means of
defense against an army of Abolitionists, invading our country for
the purpose, avowed, of extermination. He tried a few shell on
the Peninsula last spring, and the explosion of only four sufficed
to arrest the army of invaders, and compelled them to change their
line of march.
January 26th. — The Northern ' papers say Hooker's grand
division crossed the Rappahannock, ten miles above Falmouth,
several days ago.
Burnside has issued an address to his army, promising them
another battle immediately.
Gen. Lee advises the government to buy all the grain in the
counties through which the canal runs. He says many farmers are
hoarding their provisions, for extortionate prices.
I have no house yet Dr. Wortham had one ; and although I
applied first, he let Mr. Reagan, the Postmaster-General, have it.
He is a member of President Davis's cabinet — and receives $6000
salary. There is much indignation expressed by the street talkers
against Mr. Benjamin and Mr. Sanders, in the matter of the in-

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 247
tercepted dispatches : against ^Ir. Benjamin for casting such
imputations on Napoleon and his consular agents, and for sending
his dispatches by such a messenger, in the absence of the Presi
dent ; against Sanders for not destroying the dispatches. Many
think the information was sold to the United States Govern
ment Col. Wall has made a speech in Philadelphia. He said he
should take his seat in the United States Senate as an advocate
of peace; and he boldly denounced the Lincoln administration.
Our official report shows that our military authorities, up to this
time, have burnt 100,000 bales of cotton in Arkansas. I have not
learned the amount destroyed in other States — but it is large.
Gen. Lee thinks the object of the expeditions of the enemy on the
Southern coast is to procure cotton, etc. The slaves can do them
no good, and the torch will disappoint the marauders.
Strong and belligerent resolutions have been introduced in the
United States Congress against France, for her alleged purpose
to obtain dominion in Mexico. It is violative of the Monroe doc
trine. And Mr. Benjamin's accusation against the consuls (em
bracing a French design on Texas) might seem like a covert pur
pose to unite both the Confederate and the United States against
France — and that might resemble premeditated reconstruction.
But diplomatists must be busy — always at their webs. President
Davis would be the last man to abandon the ship Independence.
January 27th. — It is too true that several thousand of our
men were captured at Arkansas Post, and that Little Rock is now
in danger.
There seems to be no probability, after all, of an immediate ad
vance of the enemy across the Rappahannock.
But there are eight iron-clad gun-boats and ninety sail at
Beaufort, North Carolina, and, it is reported, 52,000 men. Wil
mington will probably be assailed.
Mr. Foote said, yesterday, if Indiana and Illinois would recede
from the war, he should be in favor of aiding them with an army
against Lincoln. And all the indications from the North seem to
exhibit a strong sentiment among the people favoring peace.
But the people are not the government, and they sink peace and
reconstruction together.
Yesterday Mr. Crockett, of Kentucky, said, in the House of

248 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
Representatives, that there was a party in favor of forming a Cen
tral Confederacy (of free and slave States) between the Northern
and Southern extremes. Impracticable.
To-day we have news of the bombardment of Fort McAlister,
near Savannah. No result known. Now we shall have tidings
every few days of naval operations. Can Savannah, and Charles
ton, and Wilmington be successfully defended ? They may, if
they wiU emulate the example of Vicksburg. If they fall, it will
stagger this government — -before the peace party in the North can
operate on the Government of the United States. But it would
not "crush the rebellion."
January 28th. — The bombardment of Fort McAUster con
tinued five hours yesterday, when the enemy's boats drew off. The
injury to the fort can be repaired in a day. Not a man was kiUed
or a gun dismounted. The injury done the fleet is not known.
But the opinion prevails here that if the bombardment was con
tinued to-day, the elongated shot of the enemy probably demol
ished the fort.
Last night and all this day it snowed incessantly — melting
rapidly, however. This must retard operations by land in Vir
ginia and probably in North Carolina.
January 29th. — It appears from the Northern press that the
enemy did make three attempts last week to cross the Rappa
hannock ; but as they advanced toward the stream, the elements
successfully opposed them. It rained, it snowed, and it froze.
The gun carriages and wagons sank up to the hubs, the horses to
their bodies, aud the men to their knees; and so all stuck fast
in the mud.
I saw an officer to-day from the army in North Carolina. He
says the prospect for a battle is good, as soon as the roads admit
of marching.
We have nothing further from the bombardment near Savan
nah. The wires may not be working — or the fort may be taken.
Gov. Vance has sent to the department a strong protest against
the appointment of Col. August as commandant of conscripts in
Northern Tennessee. Col. A. is a A'irginiau — that is the only
reason. Well, Gen. Rains, who commands all the conscripts in
the Confederate States, is a North Carolinian. . But the War
Department has erred in putting so many strangers in command

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES C.VPITAL. 249
of localities, where natives might have been selected. Richmond,
for instance, has never yet been in the command of a Southern
general. There are indications of a speedy peace, although we are en
vironed by sea and by land as menacingly as ever. The Tribune
(New York) has an article which betrays much desperation. It
says the only way for the United States Government to raise
$300,000,000, indispensably necessary for a further prosecution of
the war, is to guarantee (to the capitalists) that it will be the last
call for a loan, and that subjugation will be accomplished in ninety
days, or never. It says the war must then be urged on furiously,
and negro soldiers sent among the slaves to produce an insurrection I
If this will not suffice, then let peace be made on the best possible
terms. The New York 'World denounces the article, and is for
peace at once. It says if the project (diabolical) of the Tribune
fails, it may not be possible to make peace on any terms. In this
I see indications of a foregone conclusion. All over the North,
and especially in the Northwest the people are clamoring for peace,
and denouncing the Lincoln Emancipation Proclamation. I have
no doubt, if the war continues throughout the year, we shall have
the spectacle of more Northern men fighting against the United
States Government than slaves fighting against the South.
Almost every day, now, ships from Europe arrive safely with
merchandise: and this is a sore vexation to the Northern mer
chants. We are likewise getting, daily, many supplies from the
North, from blockade-runners. No doubt this is winked at by the
United States military authorities, and perhaps by some of the
civil ones, too.
If we are not utterly crushed before May (an impracticable
thing), we shall win our independence.
January 30th. — There is a rumor that Kentucky has voted to
raise an army of 60,000 men to resist the execution of Lincoln's
Emancipation Proclamation.
Fort Caswell, below Wilmington, has been casemated with iron ;
but can it withstand elongated balls weighing 480 pounds ? I fear
not There are, however, submarine batteries; yet these may be
avoided, for Gen. Whiting writes that the best pilot (one sent
thither some time ago by the enemy) escaped to the hostile fleet
since Gen. Smith visited North CaroUna, which is embraced within

250 A REBEL WAR OLERK'S DIARY
his command. This pilot, no doubt, knows the location of aU onr
torpedoes. Nothing further from Savannah.
Mr. Adams, the United States Minister at London, writes to
Mr. Seward, Secretary of State, dated 17th of October, 1862, that
if the Federal army shall not achieve decisive successes by the
month of February ensuing, it is probable the British Parliament
will recognize the Confederate States. To-morrow is the last day
of January.
I cut the following from yesterday's Dispatch :
"The Results of Extortion and Speculation. — The state of
affairs brought about by the speculating and extortion practiced
upon the public cannot be better illustrated than by the following
grocery bill for one week for a small family, in which the prices
before the war and those of the present are compared :
1860. 1863.
Bacon, 10 lbs. at -SI  SlO 00
Flour, 30 lbs. at 12Jc  3 75
Sugar, 5 lbs. at SI 15  5 75
Coffee, 4 lbs. at So  20 00
Tea (green), J lb. at S16  8 00
Lard, 4 lbs. at SI  4 00
Butter, 3 lbs. at $1 75  5 25
Meal, 1 pk. at SI  1 00
Candles, 2 lbs. at Si 25  2 50
Soap, 5 lbs. at SI 10  5 -50
Pepper and salt (about)  2 50

Flour, 30 lbs. at 5c 

.... 1 50

40

Coffee, 4 1b3. atl2Jc 
Tea (green), Jib. at $1....
Lard, 4 lbs. at 12Jc 

50
5050

Butter, 3 lbs. at 25c 
Meal, 1 pk. at 25c 

75
25

Candles, 2 lbs. at 15c 
Soap, 5 lbs. at lOc 

3050

Pepper and salt (about) 

10

Total 

... S6 55

Total  StiS 25
" So much we owe the speculators, who have stayed at home to
prey upon the necessities of their fellow-citizens."
We have just learned that a British steamer, with cannon and
other valuable cargo, was captured by the enemy, two days ago,
while trying to get in the harbor. Another, similarly laden,
got safely in yesterday. We can afford to lose one ship out of
three — that is, the owners can, and then make money.
Cotton sells at seventy-five cents per pound in the L^nited
States. So the blockade must be felt by the eneray as well as
ourselves. AVar is a two-edged sword.
January 3 1st. — AA"e have dispatches from Charleston, to-day,
which reconcile us to the loss of the cargo captured by the block
ading squadron early in the week. An artillery company captured

AT THE CONFEDERATE ST.VTES CAPIT.VL. 251
a fine gun-boat in Stone River (near Charleston) yesterday even
ing. She had eleven guns and 200 men.
But this morning we did better still. Our little fleet of two
iron-clads steamed out of Charleston harbor, and boldly attacked
the blockading fleet. We crippled two of their ships, and sunk
one, completely raising the blockade, for the time being. This
will frustrate some of their plans, and may relieve Wilmington.
The attack on Fort McAlister was a failure. The monitor
which assaulted the fort sustained so much injury, that it had to
retire for repairs.
Several blockade- runners between this and Williamsburg were ar
rested and sent to Gen. Winder to-day by Lieut. G. D. Wise. Gen.
W. sent them to Gen. Rains. Mr. Petit and Mr. James Custis
(from Williamsburg) came with them to endeavor to procure their
liberation. Gen. Rains sent them back to Gen. W., with a note
that he had no time to attend to such matters. Such business
does not pertain to his bureau. I suppose they will be released.
Major Lear, of Texas, who was at the capture of the Harriet
Lane, met on the captured steamer his mortally-wounded son, the
lieutenant. ,
A few days ago, Lieut Buchanan was killed on a United States
gun-boat by onr sharpshooters. He was the son of Admiral Bu
chanan, in the Confederate service, now at Mobile. Thus we are
reminded of the wars of the roses — father against son, and brother
against brother. God speed the growth of the Peace Party, North
and South ; bnt we must have independence.
Mr. Honter was in our office to-day, getting the release of a son
of the Hon. Jackson Morton, who escaped from Washington, where
ha had resided, and was arrested here as a conscript. The Assist
ant Secretary of War ruled him entitled to exemption, although
yesterday others, in the same predicament, were ruled into the
service.

252

A REBEL WAR OLERK'S DIARY

CHAPTER XXIIL
Proposed fixture of prices. — Depreciation in the North. — Gen. Hooker in
command of the U. S. forces. — Lee thinks Charleston will be attacked. —
Congress does nothing. — Some fears for Vicksburg. — Pemberton com
mands. — Wise dashes into Williamsburg. — Eats take food from my daugh
ter's hand. — Lee wants the meat sent from Georgia to Virginia, where
the fighting will be. — Gen. Winder uneasy about my Diary. — Gen. John
ston asks to be relieved in the West.
February 1st. — The Virginia Legislature, now in session, has
a bill under discussion for the suppression of extortion. One of the
members, Mr. Anderson, read the following table of the prices of

AGEICULTURAL PBODUCE.

Before the war.

White wheat, per bushel  $1 50
Flour, p»r barrel  7 507000 7

Corn, per bushel.
Hay, per hundred  1
Hides, per pound 
¦Beef, per pound  8
Bacon, per pound  13
Lard, per pound  15
Butter, per pound  30
Irish potatoes  1 00
Sweet potatoes  1 00
Apple brandy  1 00
Wool, per pound  30

Now.

White wheat, per bushel  84 50
Flour, per barrel  22 00
Corn, per bushel  3 50
Hay, per hundred  3 50
Hides, per pound  40
Beef, per pound  50
Bacon, per pound  60
Lard, per pound  1 00
Butter, per pound  1 50
Irish potatoes  5 00
Sweet potatoes  6 00
Apple i)randy  15 00
Wool, per pound  2 00

MANUFACTUKES.

Bar iron, per pound 
Nails, per pound 
Leather, sole, per pound 
" upper, per pound....

44
25

Bar iron, per pound  20
Nails, per pound  60
Leather, sole, per pound  2 50
" upper, per pound.... 3 50

Osnaburgs, per yard 
Brown cotton, per yard..
Sheeting, per yard 

COTTON GOODS.

10
10 15

Osnaburgs, per yard  75
Brown cotton, per yard  75
Sheeting, per yard  1 25

WOOLEN GOOrS.

Coarse jeanes  45
Crenshaw's gray  2 00

Coarse jeanes  4 00
Crenshawis gray  28 00

AT THE CONFEDEILVTE STATES C.VriT.Vl,.

5I1S0KI.T..\\K01IS.
Coarse shoes  SI -i'^ Oonrse slices  S15 00

High-quartered shoes  3 50
Boots  7 50
Wool hats, per dozen  7 00

High-quartered shoes  2.^i DO
lijots  60 nil
Wool hats, per dozen  50 00

Dividends on stocks in cotton companies, worth in May, 1861, $25 to $50
per share, now from SH- to S140, «
It is doubtful whether the bill will pass, as most of the members
are agriculturists.
It is said and believed that several citizens from lOinois and
Indiana, now in this city, have been sent hither by influential par
ties, to consult our government on the best means of terminating
the war; or, that failing, to propose some mode of adjustment
between the Northwestern States and the Confederacy, and new
combination against the Yankee States and the Federal adminis
tration. Burnside has at last been removed; and Franklin and Sumner
have resigned. Gen. Hooker now commands the Federal Army
of the Potomac — if it may be still called an army. Gen. JI  ,
who knows Hooker well, says he is deficient in talent and charac
ter; and many years ago gentlemen refused to associate with him.
He resigned from the army, in California, and worked a potatoe
patch, Yankee like, on speculation — and failed.
February 2d. — After the feat at Charleston, Gen. Beaure
gard and Commodore Ingraham invited the consuls resident to
inspect the harbor, and they pronounced the blockade raised, no
United States ship being seen off the coast Then the general and
the commodore issued a proclamation to the world that the port
was open. If this be recognized, then the United States will
have to give sixty days' notice before the port can be closed again
to neutral powers; and by that time we can get supplies enough
to suflice us for a year. Before night, however, some twenty
blockaders were in sight of the bar. It is not a question of right,
or of might with France and England — but of inclination. When
ever they, or either of them, shall be disposed to relieve us, it can
be done.
There was a fight near Suffolk yesterday, and it is reported that
onr troops repulsed the enemy. 22

254 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
The enemy's gun-boats returned to the bombardment of Fort
McAlister, and met no success. They were driven off. But still,
I fear the fort must succumb.
Senator Saulsbury, of Delaware, has been arrested by the Ser-
geant-at-Arms of the Senate, for his denunciation of Lincoln as an
"imbecile." And a Philadelphia editor has been imprisoned for
alleged "sympathy with secessionists." These arrests signify more
battles — more blood.
February 3d. — It appears that Gen. Pryor's force, 1500 strong,
was attacked by the enemy, said to be 5000 in number, on the
Blackwater. After some sheUing and infantry firing. Gen. P. re
tired some eight miles, and was not pursued. Our loss was only
fifty; it is said the enemy had 500 killed and wounded; but I
know not how this was ascertained.
Gold in the North now brings 58^ cents premium. Exchange
seUs at ILYS. Cotton at 96 cents per pound !
They are getting up a fine rumpus in the North over the im
prisonment of an editor. ,
To-day, when conversing with Judge Perkins in relation to
having a passport system established by law, he admitted the ne
cessity, but despaired of its accomplishment. " For," said he,
" nothing can be done in Congress which has not the sanction of
the Executive." He meant, I thought, from his manner and tone,
that the Executive branch of the government was omnipotent, hav
ing swallowed up the functions of the other co-ordinate branches.
I cannot understand this, for the Executive has but little appoint
ing patronage, the army being completely organized, having sup
plementary generals, and all officers, under the grade of brigadiers,
being promoted as vacancies occur.
February 4th. — One of the enemy's iron-clad gunboats has
got past our batteries at A'icksburg. Gen. Pemberton says it was
struck " three times." But it is through.
The enemy's presses reiterate the assertion that Gen. Longstreet
is in Tennessee with his corps; and that the detachments from
Gen. Lee's army amount to "15,000 men. This is evidently for the
purpose to encourage Hooker's army to cross the Rappahannock.
These presses must know that Gen. Lee's whole army was less
thau 75,000 men; that Longstreet is still with him, and that only
one small brigade has been sent away to North Carolina. AA'ell,

AT THj; CONFEDERATE STATES C.VriT.VL. 255
let them come! They will be annihilated. But is it not diaboli
cal in the New York Post, Times, etc. to urge their own people
on to certain destruction ? If Hooker had 300,000, he could not
now come to Richmond I
We have extremely cold weather now; and, probably, the rivers
in Virginia will be frozen over to-night
February 5th. — It snowed again last night. Tuesday night
the mercury was 8° below zero.
A dispatch from Gen. Beauregard says sixty sail of the enemy
have left Beaufort N. C, for Charleston. A British frigate (Cad
mus) has arrived at Charleston with intelligence that the Federal
fleet of gun-boats will attack the city immediately; and that the
British consul is ordered away by the Minister at Washington.
The attack wUl be by sea and land. God help Beauregard in this
fearful ordeal !
February 6th. — Gen. Lee thinks Charleston will be assailed,
and suggests that all the troops in North Carolina be concentrated
near Wilmington, and he will undertake the defense of the rest of
the State. Nevertheless, if the government deems it more im
portant to have his troops sent to North Carolina, than to retain
them for the defense of Richmond, he must acquiesce. But he
thinks Hooker will attempt the passage of the Rappahannock,
at an early day, if the weather will admit of it. In regard to
the last attempt of Burnside to cross his army (when he stuck
in the mud). Gen. Lee says it was fortunate for the Federals
that they failed to get over. No doubt he was prepared for their
reception. Congress is doing nothine^ but voting money for themselves.
The President (some of the members say) is their master, and .
they await his nod. These are his enemies.
February 7th. — We have a dispatch from Texas, of another
success of Gen. Magruder at Sabine Pass, wherein he destroyed a
large amount of the enemy's stores.
Bnt we are calmly awaiting the blow at Charleston, or a
Savannah, or wherever it may fall. AA^e have confidence in Beau
regard. We are more anxious regarding the fate of Vicksburg. North
ern man as he is, if Pemberton suffers disaster by any default, he
will certainly incur the President's eternal displeasure. Missis-

256 A rebel war clerk's diary
sippi must be defended, else the President himself may feel the
pangs of a refugee. " That mercy I to others show.
That mercy show to me!"
February 8th. — From inteUigence received yesterday evening,
it is probable the Alabama, Harriet Lane, and Florida have met
off the West Indies, and turned upon the U. S. steamer Brooklyn.
The account says a large steamer was seen on fire, and three
others were delivering broadsides into her. The United States
press thought the burning steamer was the Florida.
From Charleston or Savannah we shall soon have stirring news.
They may overpower onr forces, but our power there will be com
pletely exhausted before resistance ceases. There will be no more
"giving up," as with New Orleans, Norfolk, etc. Yet there is a
feverish anxiety regarding Vicksburg. Pemberton permitted one
iron-clad gun-boat to pass, and all our boats below are now at its
mercy. The House of Representatives, at Washington, has passed the
"negro soldier bill." This will prove a "Pandora's Box," and the
Federals may rue the day that such a measure was adopted.
February 9th. — Gen. Lee requests that all dispatches passing
between his headquarters and the War Department be in cipher.
He says everything of importance communicated, he has observed,
soon becomes the topic of public conversation ; and thence is soon
made known to the enemy.
The iron-clad gun-boat, which got past Vicksburg, has been up
the Red River spreading devastation. It has taken three of our
steamers, forty officers on one, and captured large amounts of
stores and cotton.
Gen. Wise made a dash into Williamsburg last night, and cap
tured the place, taking some prisoners.
Custis (ray son) received a letter to-day from Miss G., Newbern,
via underground railroad, inclosing another for her sweet-heart in
the army. She says they are getting on tolerably well in the
I hands of the enemy, though the slaves have been emancipated.
She says a Yankee preacher (whom she calls a white-washed
negro) made a speculation. He read the Lincoln Proclamation
to the negroes : and then announced that none of them had been

AT THE CONFllDER.VTE .ST.VTKS CAPITAL. 257
legally married, and might be liable to prosecution. To obviate
this, he proposed to marry them over, charging only a dollar for
each couple. He realized several thousand dollars, and then re
turned to the North. This was a legitimate Yankee speculation ;
and no doubt the preacher will continue to be an enthusiastic
advocate of a war of subjugation. As long as the Arankees can
make money by it, and escape killing, the war will continue.
Febkdaby 10th. — No stirring news yet. The enemy's fleet is
at Port Royal, S. 0. Everywhere we are menaced with over
whelming odds. Upon God, and our own right arms, we must
rely, and we do rely.
To-day, in cabinet council, it is believed it was decided to call
out all conscripts under forty-five years of age. The President
might have done it without consulting the cabinet.
Yesterday Mrs. Goddin, the owner or wife of the owner of the
house I occupy, faUing to get board in the country, and we having
failed to get another house, took possession of one room of the
little cottage. We have temporarily the rest: parlor, dining-
room, and two chambers — one of them 8 by 11 — at the rate of
$800 per annum. This is low, now; for ordinary dwellings, with
out furniture, rent for $1800. Mr. G. has an hereditary (I be
lieve) infirmity of the mind, and is confined by his father in an
asylum. Mrs. G. has four little children, the youngest only a
few weeks old. She has a white nurse, who lost her only child
(died of scarlet fever) six days ago ; her husband being in the
army. It is a sad spectacle.
To-day beef was selling in market at one dollar per pound.
And yet one might walk for hours in vain, in quest of a beggar.
Did such a people ever exist before ?
February 11th. — There is a rumor that Major-Gen. Gustavus
W. Smith has tendered his resignation.
Some idea may be formed of the scarcity of food in this city
from the fact that, while my youngest daughter was in the kitchen
to-day, a young rat came out of its hole and seemed to beg for
something to eat; she held out some bread, which it ate from her
hand, and seemed grateful. Several others soon appeared, and
were as tame as kittens. Perhaps we shall have to eat them I
February 12th. — Congress has not yet restricted the class of
exempts, and the work of conscription drags heavily along. All
22*

258 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
under forty-five must be called, else the maximum of the four hun
dred regiments cannot be kept up. It reminds me of Jack Falstaff's
mode of exemption. The numerous employees of the Southern
Express Co. have been let off, after transporting hither, for the
use of certain functionaries, sugars, etc. from Alabama. And so
in the various States, enroUing and other officers are letting thou
sands of conscripts slip through their hands.
February 13th. — There is a rumor in the papers that some
thing like a revolution is occurring, or has occurred, in the West;
and it is stated that the Federal troops demand the recall of the
Emancipation Proclamation. They also object to serving with
negro troops.
But we ought to look for news of terrific fighting at Savannah
or Charleston. No doubt all the troops in the field (Federal) or
on the water will be hurled against us before long, so as to effect
as much injury as possible before defection can spread extensively,
and before the expiration of the enlistments of some 200,000 men
in May.
And what are we doing ? But little. The acceptance of sub
stitutes who desert and the exemption of thousands who should
be fighting for the country, employ hundreds of pens daily in this
city. Alas, that so many dishonest men have obtained easy places 1
The President has been grossly imposed upon.
February 14th. — A beautiful day. Yet Gen. Lee is giving
furloughs, two to each company. If the weather should be dry,
perhaps Hooker will advance : a thing desired by our people,
being confident of his destruction.
The papers issued extras to-day with news from the Northwest,
based upon the account of a "reliable gentleman," who has just
run the blockade. He says Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois
have resolved to meet in convention, at Frankfort, Ky., for the
purpose of seceding from the United States, and setting up a
confederacy for themselves, or joining the Southern Confed
eracy. 1 fear the "reliable gentleman " is not to be relied upon.
Yet it would be well for the Western States, a just retribution to
New England, and a very great relief to us.
Gen. Lee is urging the department to have the meat at Atlanta
brought to his array without delay. It is here the army will be
wanted.

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES C.VPITAL. 259
I saw pigs to-day, not six weeks old, selling in market at $10 a
piece. I met Col. Bledsoe to-day, on a visit to the city, who told me
Fenelon never tasted meat and lived to be ninety years old. I
am no Fenelon, bnt I shall probably have to adopt his regimen.
I would barter, however, some of his years for a good supply of
food. We must have peace soon, or a famine.
February 15th. — Already, as if quite certain that the great
Northwest would speedily withdraw from the Eastern United
States, our people are discussing the eventualities of such a mo
mentous occurrence. The most vehement opposition to the admis
sion of any of the non-slaveholding States, whose people have
invaded our country and shed the blood of our people, into this
Confederacy, is quite manifest in this city. But Virginia, "the Old
Mother," would, I think, after due hesitation, take back her erring
children, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and perhaps one or two more, if
tbey earnestly desired to return to her parental protection.
Some of the Cotton States might revolt at such a project, and
even the cabinet might oppose the scheme of adding several pow
erful free States to the Confederacy ; but it would not all suffice
to prevent it, if they desire to join ns. It is true, the constitution
would have to be modified, for it is not to be supposed that slaves
would be held in any of the States referred to ; but then slavery
would be recognized by its proper term, and ample guarantees
would be agreed upon by the great free States which abandon the
United States on the issue of emancipation.
Ohio, Indiana, and lUinois, added to the thirteen Confederate
States, would speedily constitute us a people of sufficient military
power to defy the menaces of the arms of the greatest powers of
the earth ; and the commercial and agricultural prosperity of the
country would amaze the world.
I am of the opinion that Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Ken
tucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri would
form a league of union with Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana, even if
the rest of the Southern States were to reject the alliance. But
who can foresee the future through the smoke of war, and amid
the clash of bayonets ? Nevertheless, division and subdivision
would relieve all of the burden of debt, for they would repudi
ate the greater part, if not the whole, of the indebtedness of both

200 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
the present governments, which has been incurred in ravaging
the country and cutting each other's throats. The cry will be:
"We wiU not pay the price of blood — for the slaughter of our
brothers!" February 16th. — Another gun-boat has got past Vicksburg.
But three British steamers have run into Charleston with valuable
cargoes. Gen. Lee is now sending troops to Charleston, and this strength
ens the report that Hooker's army is leaving the Rappahannock.
They are probably crumbling to pieces, under the influence of the
peace party growing up in the North. Some of them, however,
it is said, are sent to Fortress Monroe.
Our Bureau of Conscription ought to be called the Bureau of
Exemption. It is turning out a vast number of exempts. The
Southern Express Company bring sugar, partridges, turkeys, etc.
to the potential functionaries, and their employees are exempted
during the time they may remain in the employment of the com
pany. It is too bad 1
I have just been reperusing Frederick's great campaigns, and
find much encouragement. Prussia was not so strong as the Con
federate States, and yet was environed and assailed by France,
Austria, Russia, and several smaller powers simultaneously. And
yet Frederick maintained the contest for seven years, and finally
triumphed over his enemies. The preponderance of numbers
against him in the field was greater than that of the United
States against us ; and Lee is as able a general as Frederick.
Hence we should never despair.
February 17th. — Gen. Lee is not sending troops to Charles
ton. He is sending them here for the defense of Richmond, which
is now supposed to be the point of attack, by land and by water, and
on both sides of the James River. Well, they have striven to
capture this city from every point of the compass but one — ^the
south side. Perhaps they will make an attempt from that direc
tion; and I must confess that I have always apprehended the
most danger from that quarter. But we shall beat them, come
whence they may !
February IStii. — INlr. H  s, another of Gen. Winder's de
tectives, has gone over to the eneray. He went on a privateering
cruise from AVilmington ; the vessel he sailed in captured a brig,

at the CONFEDEILVTE STATES CAPITAL. 261
an(j H  s was put in command of the prize, to sail into a Con
federate port Instead of this, however, H  s sailed away for
one of the West India islands, and gave up his prize to Com.
Wilkes, of the United States Navy.
One or two of the regiments of Gen. Lee's army were in the
city last night The men were pale and haggard. They have
hnt a quarter of a pound of meat per day. But meat has been
ordered from Atlanta. I hope it is abundant there.
AU the necessaries of life in the city are still going up higher in
price. Butter, $3 per pound; beef, $1 ; bacon, §1.25; sausage-
meat, $1; and even liver is selling at 50 cents per pound.
By degrees, quite perceptible, we are approaching the condition
of famine. What effect this will produce on the community is to
he seen. The army must be fed or disbanded, or else the city
must be abandoned. How we, "the people," are to live is a
thought of serious concern.
Gen. Lee has recommended that an appeal be made to the
people to bring food to the army, to feed their sons and brothers ;
but the Commissary-General opposes it; probably it will not be
done. No doubt the army could be half fed in this way for
months. Bnt the "red tape" men are inflexible and inscrutable.
Nevertheless, the commissaries and quartermasters are getting
rich. February 19th. — The resignation of Gen. Gustavus W. Smith
has been accepted by the President. It was well done — the ac
ceptance, I mean. AA'ho will Gen. Winder report to now? Gen.
Winder has learned that I am keeping a diary, and that some
space in it may be devoted to the history of martial law. He said
to Capt Warner, his commissary of prisons, that he would patron
ize it. The captain asked me if Gen. Winder's rule was not dwelt
upon in it I said doubtless it was ; but that I had not yet re
vised it, and was never in the habit of perusing my own works
until they were completed. Then I carefully corrected them for
the press.
Major-Gen. Pickett's division marched through the city to-day
for Drewry's Bluff. Gen. Lee writes that this division can beat the
army corps of Hooker, supposed to be sent to the Peninsula. It
has 12,000 men — an army corps 40,000. Brig.-Gen. Hood's di
vision is near the city, on the Chickahominy. Gen. Lee warns the

262 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
government to see that Gens. French and Pryor be vigilant, and to
have their scouts closely watching the enemy at Suffolk. He
thinks, however, the main object of the enemy is to take Charles
ton ; and he suggests that every available man be sent thither.
The rest of his army he wOl keep on the Rappahannock, to watch
the enemy still remaining north of that river.
I sent a communication to the President to-day, proposing to
reopen my register of "patriotic contributions" to the army, for
they are suffering for meat. I doubt whether he will agree to it
If the war be prolonged, the appeal must be to the people to feed
the army, or else it will dissolve.
February 20th. — We have exciting news from the West The
iron-shod gun-boat. Queen of the West, which run past Pember-
ton's batteries some time since, captured, it appears, one of onr
steamers in Red River, and then compelled our pilot to steer the
Queen of the West farther up the river. The heroic pilot ran the
boat under our masked batteries, and then succeeded in escaping
by swimming. The Queen of the West was forced to surrender.
This adventure has an exhilarating effect upon our spirits.
Hon. James Lyons sent to the President to-day a petition,
signed by a majority of the members of Congress, to have me ap
pointed major in the conscription service.
February 21st. — Major-Gen. Hood's division passed through
the city today, and crossed over the river. I hope an attack wiU
be made at Suffolk. It is too menacing a position to allow the
invader to occupy it longer.
No attack on Charleston yet, and there is a rumor that the
command of the expedition is disputed by Foster and Hunter. If
it hangs fire, it will be sure to miss the mark.
February 22d. — This is the anniversary of the birth of Wash
ington, and of the inauguration of President Davis, upon the
installation of the permanent government of the Confederate
States. It is the ugliest day I ever saw. Snow fell all night,
and was falling fast all day, with a northwest wind howling furi
ously. The snow is now nearly a foot deep, and the weather
very cold.
My communication to the President, proposing an appeal to the
people to furnish the army with meat and clothing (voluntary
contributions), was transmitted to the Secretary of War yester-

AT THE CONFEDER^VTE ST.VTES CAPIT.VL. 263
day, without remark, other than the simple rel'erence. The plan
will not be adopted, in all probability, for the Secretary will con
sult the Commissary and Q,uartermaster-General, and they will
oppose any interference with the business of their departments.
Red tape will win the day, even if our cause be lost. Our soldiers
must be fed and clothed according to the "rules and regulations,"
or suffer and perish for the want of food and clothing!
I have some curiosity to learn what the President has indorsed,
or may indorse, on the paper sent him by Mr. Lyons, signed by
half the members of Congress. Will he simply refer it to the
Secretary ? Then what will the Secretary do ? My friends in
Congress will likewise be curious to learn the result
February 23d. — I saw a letter from Gen. Lee to-day, suggest
ing to the government on appeal to the Governors of the States
to aid more directly in recruiting the armies. He says the people
habitually expect too much from the troops now in the field ; that
because we have gained many victories, it does not follow that we
shall always gain them ; that the legitimate fruits of victory have
hitherto been lost, for the want of numbers on our side; and,
finally, that all those who fail to go to the field at such a moment
ous period as this, are guilty of the blood of the brave soldiers
who perish in the effort to achieve independence.
This would be contrary to the "rules and regulations" as un
derstood by the Adjutant and Inspector- General (a Northern man),
and no doubt the .Secretary of War and the President will reject
the plan.
The petition of forty members of Congress in my behalf came
from Mr. Seddon, the Secretary, to our bureau to-day. He asks
the superintendent if there is a necessity for such an officer, one
whose rank is equal to that of a commandant of a camp of in
struction. He says important services only should require the
appointment of such an officer. AV^ell, Gen. Rains recommended
it I know not whether he can say more. I shall not get it, for
Congress has but little influence, just now.
February 24th. — Gen. Longstreet is now in command of Gen.
Smith's late department, besides his own corps. Richmond is
safe. Our papers contain a most astonishing speech purporting to
have been delivered by Mr. Conway, in the United States Congress.

264 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
Mr. C. is from Kansas, that hot-bed of AboUtionism. He is an
avowed Abolitionist ; and yet he advocates an immediate suspen
sion of hostilities, or at least that the Federal armies and fleets be
ordered to act on the defensive ; that the independence of the
Confederate States be recognized, upon the basis of a similar
tariff ; free-trade between the North and South ; free navigation
of the Mississippi, and co-operation in the maintenance of the
Monroe doctrine. I like the indications apparent in this speech.
Let us have a suspension of hostilities, and then we can have
leisure to think of the rest No doubt the peace party is growing
rapidly in the United States ; and it may be possible that the Re-
pubUcans mean to beat the Democrats in the race, by going be
yond them on the Southern question. The Democrats are for
peace and Union ; the Republicans may resolve to advocate not
only peace, but secession.
February 25th. — On the 18th inst. the enemy's battery on the
opposite side of the Mississippi River opened on Vicksburg. The
damage was not great ; but the fi'ont of the town is considered
untenable. The Conscription bill has passed the United States Senate,
which will empower the President to call for 3,000,000 men.
"Will they come, when he does caU for them?" That is to be
seen. It may be aimed at France ; and a war with the Emperor
might rouse the Northern people again. Some of them, however,
have had enough of war.
To-day I heard of my paper addressed to the President on the
subject of an appeal to the people to send food to the army. He
referred it to the Commissary-General, Col. Northrop, who sent it to
the War Department, with an indorsement that as he had no ac
quaintance with that means of maintaining an army (the patriotic
contributions of the people), he could not recommend the adoption
of the plan. Red tape is mightier than patriotism stiU. There
may be a change, however, for Gen. Lee approves the plan.
February 26th. — We have good news from Vicksburg to-day.
The Queen of the AA'est, lately captured by us, and another gun
boat, attacked the Indianola, the iron-clad Federal gun-boat which
got past our batteries the other day, and, after an engagement
sunk her. We captured all the officers and men.
February 27th. — No news from any quarter to-day.

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES C.VPITAL. 265
Gen. Joseph E. Johnston is discontented with his command in
the West The armies are too far asunder for co-operative action ;
and, when separated, too weak for decisive operations. There is
no field there for him, and he desires to be relieved, and assigned
to some other command.
I was surprised to receive, to-day, the following very official
letter from the Secretary of War :
"Richmond, V.v, Feb. 27th, 1863.
" J. B. Jones, Esq.
" Sir : — The President has referred your letter of the 19th inst.
to this department.
"In reply, you are respectfully informed that it is not deemed
judicious, unless in the last extremity, to resort to the means of
supply suggested. The patriotic motives that dictated the sug
gestion are, however, appreciated and acknowledged.
" Your obedient servant,
" Ja5ies a. Seddon, " Secretary of War."

CHAPTER XXIV.
Removed into Clay Street. — Gen. Toombs resigned. — Lincoln dietator. —
He can call 3,000,000 of men. — President is sick. — His office is not a bed
of roses. — Col. Gorgas sends in his oath of allegiance. — Confeder.ate gold
$5 for $1. — Explosion of a laboratory. — Bad weather everywhere. —
Fighting on the Mississippi River. — Conflict of views in the Conscription
Bureau. — Confederate States currency $10 for $1. — Snow a foot deep,
but melting. — We have no negro regiments in our service. — Only 6000
conscripts from East Tennessee. — How seven were paroled by one. — This
is to be the crisis campaign. — Lee announces the campaign open.
March Ist. — To-morrow we remove to new quarters. The
lady's husband, owning cottage, and who was confined for seven
months among lunatics, has returned, and there is not room for
two families. Besides, Mrs. G. thinks she can do better taking
boarders, than by letting the house. What a mistake I Beef sold
yesterday for $1.25 per pound ; turkeys, $15. Corn-meal $6 per
23

266 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
bushel, and all other articles at the same rates. No salaries can
board families now ; and soon the expense of boarding will exceed
the incomes of unmarried men. Owners and tenants, unless en
gaged in lucrative business, must soon vacate their houses and
leave the city.
But we have found a house occupied by three widows in Clay
Street. They have no children. They mean to board soon among
their relatives or friends, and then we get the house ; in the mean
time, they have fitted up two rooms for us. We should have gone
yesterday, but the weather was too bad. The terms will not exceed
the rent we are now paying, and the house is larger. I espied
several fruit trees in the back yard, and a space beyond, large
enough for a smart vegetable garden. How delighted I shaU be
to cultivate it myself! Always I have visions of peas, beans,
radishes, potatoes, corn, and tomatoes of my own raising ! God
bless the widows sent for our relief in this dire necessity !
Met Judge Reagan yesterday, just from the Council Board. I
thought he seemed dejected. He said if the enemy succeeded in
getting command of the Mississippi River, the Confederacy would
be "cut in two;'' and he intimated his preference of giving np
Richmond, if it would save Texas, etc. for the Confederacy. Texas
is his adopted State.
March 2d. — The enemy burnt the steamship NashvUle on Sat
urday near Savannah. She was employed taking provisions to
Fort McAlister. I think it was destroyed by an incendiary shell.
There is a rumor to-day of the burning of railroad bridges be
tween this aud Fredericksburg.
I signed an agreement to-day with Mr. Malsby to publish my
new "Wild AVestern Scenes." He is to print 10,000 copies, which
are to retail at §2 ; on this he pays me 12i- per cent, or 25 cents
for every copy sold ; $2500 if the whole are sold. He will not be
able to get it out before May.
We moved into the west end of Clay Street to-day, and like the
change. There are no children here except our own. The house
is a brick one, and more comfortable than the frame shell we
abandoned. March 3d. — We like our new quarters — and the three Samari
tan widows, without children. They lend us many articles indis
pensable for our comfort It is probable they wiU leave us soon

AT THE CONFEDER.VTE STATES C.VPITAL. 267
in the sole occupancy of the house. There is ground enough for
a good many vegetables — and meat is likely to be scarce enough.
Bacon is now $1.3T| cts. per pound, and flour ;^,'!0 per barrel.
The shadow of the gaunt form of famine is upon us 1 But the
pestilence of small-pox is abating.
AVe have now fine March weather; but the floods of late have
damaged the railroad bridges between this and Fredericksburg.
The Secretary of War requested the editors, yesterday, to say
nothing of this. We have no news from the AVest or from the
Southeast — but we shall soon have enough.
The United States Congress has passed the Conscription Act.
We shall see the effect of it in the North ; I predict civil war
there; and that will be our "aid and comfort."
Gen. Toombs has resigned ; and it is said Pryor has been made
a major-general. Thus we go up and down. The President has
issued a proclamation for prayer, fasting, etc., on the twenty-
seventh of this month. There will certainly be fasting — and prayer
also. And God has helped us, or we should have been destroyed
ere this.
March 4th. — The enemy bombarded Fort McAlister again
yesterday, several gun-boats opening fire on it. It lasted all
day; during which one of the iron-clads retired, perhaps injured.
We had only two men wounded and one gun (8 in. columbiad)
dismounted. The fort was but little injured.
Recent Northern papers assert that their gun-boats have all
passed through the canal opposite Vicksburg. This is not true — ¦
yet. Lincoln is now Dictator, his Congress having given him power
to call out all the male population between the ages of twenty and
thirty-five years, and authority to declare martial law whenever he
pleases. The Herald shouts for Lincoln — of course. We must
fight and pray, and hope for revolution and civil war in the North,
which may occur any day.
Our cavalry, under Gen. Jones, has done some brilliant skirmish
ing recently in the vicinity of Winchester; and as soon as the
March winds dry the earth a little, 1 suppose Hooker will recom
mence the "Onto Richmond." We shall be weaker the next cam
paign, but our men are brave.
March 5th. — Yesterday the government seized the flour in the

268 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
mills and warehouses; and now the price has risen from $30 ^p
$40 per barrel I wrote to the Commissary, in view of the dis
satisfaction of the people, and to prevent disturbances, advising
him to seize the 5000 barrels in the hands of the small specula
tors, and to allow so many pounds per month to each inhabitant,
at the rate paid by government. This would be beneficent and
popular, confining the grumblers to the extortioners. But he will
not do It, as the Constitution only provides for impressments for
the public use.
Our dinner to-day (for seven, for the servant has an equal share)
consisted of twelve eggs, $1.25; a little corn bread, some rice and
potatoes. How long shall we have even this variety and amount?
Bad beef in market, this morning, sold at $1.25 per pound.
After bombarding Fort McAlister on the 3d inst. and all night,
the enemy's fire ceased. The fort was not much injured, says the
dispatch. There is a rumor to-day that the fort has been re
duced — but no one believes it.
Gen. Van Dorn has had a fight in Tennessee, kUUng and wound
ing 1000 and capturing 2600 prisoners. Our loss is said to have
been heavy.
Gen. Lee writes that now, since Lincoln may call out 3,000,000
men, and has §900,000,000 voted him, we must put out all our
strength, if we expect to keep the field. We shall certainly have
an exciting time. But there may be use for some of the Federal
troops in the North ! If not, I apprehend that Richmond must
withstand another siege and assault It is said they have dropped
the " Constitution and the Union" in the United States, and raised
the cry of the "Nation" and the "Flag." This alarms me. If
they get up a new sensation, they will raise new armies.
Gold is selling at a premium of $4.25 in Confederate notes.
We bought a barrel of flour to-day (that is, my wife paid for
one not yet delivered), from a dealer who was not an extortioner,
for the modertite sum of §28.00. This, with what we have on hand,
ought to suffice until the growing wheat matures.
For tea we had meal coffee, and corn cakes without butter. But
we had a half-pint of molasses (for seven) which cost 75 cts. The
gaunt specter is approaching nearer every day !
Every morning there is a large crowd of Irish and Germans be
sieging Gen. AA'iuder's office for passports to go North. Is it

AT THE CONFEDER-VTE STATES OAriT.VI,. 269
famine they dread, or a desire to keep out of the war? Will they
not be conscripted in the North ? They say they can get consular
protection there.
March 6th. — I have meditated on this day, as the anni
versary of my birth, aud the shortening lapse of time between me
and eternity. I am now fifty-three years of age. Hitherto I have
dismissed from my mind, if not with actual indifference, yet with
far more unconcern than at present, the recurring birthdays which
plunged me farther in the vale of years. But now I cannot con
ceal from myself, if so disposed, that I am getting to be an old
man. My hair is gray — but nevertheless my form is still erect,
and my step is brisk enough. ^ly fancies, tastes, and enjoyments
have not changed perceptibly ; and I can and often do write with
out glasses. I desire to live after this war is over, if it be the will
of God — if not I hope to exist in a better world.
We have no news of interest to-day. A letter says the non-
combatants, even the women and children, heedless of danger,
were voluntary spectators of the bombardment of A^cksburg the
other day. The shells often exploded near them, and behind them,
hut the fascination was so great that they remained on the ground ;
even one had an arm carried away by a ball ! Can such a people
he subjugated?
Houses (furnished) are beginning to be offered more plentifully
than ever before ; their occupants and owners finding their ordi
nary incomes insufficient for subsistence. I suppose they mean to
find in the country an escape from famine prices prevailing in the
city. There is a rumor this evening of the fall of Vicksburg ; but that
ramor has been whispered here several times during the last few
months. No one believes it W^hen Vicksburg falls, many an in
vader will perish in its ruins.
March 7th. — The President is sick, and has not been in the
Executive Office for three days. Gen. Toombs, resigned, has pub
lished a farewell address to his brigade. He does not specify of
what his grievance consists ; but he says he cannot longer hold his
commission with honor. The President must be aware of his
perilous condition. AVhen in adversity, some of those he has
trusted, discuss the bases of reconstruction ; and when we are
prosperous, others, in similar positions, agitate the question of re-

270 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
organization — the motive of both being his ruin. But I suppose
he has calculated these contingencies, and never anticipated paving
a bed of roses to recline upon during the terrible, and sometimes
doubtful struggle for independence.
The rumor that Vicksburg had fallen is not confirmed ; on the
contrary, the story that the Indianola, captured from the enemy,
and reported to have been blown up, was unfounded. We have
Gen. Pemberton's official assuranc'e of this.
Col. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance, a Pennsylvanian, sent into the
department to-day, with a request that it be filed, his oath of alle
giance to this government, and renunciation of that of the United
States, and of his native State. This would indicate that the
location of his nativity has been the subject of remark. What
significance is to be attributed to this step at this late day, I
know not, and care not. An error was committed in placing
Northern men in high positions to the exclusion of Southern men,
quite as capable of filling them.
March 8th. — Judge Meredith's opinion, that foreigners,
Marylanders, and others, who have served in the army, have be
come domiciled, and are liable to conscription, has produced a
prodigious commotion. Gen. Winder's door is beset with crowds
of eager seekers of passports to leave the Confederacy ; and as
these people are converting their Confederate money into gold, the
premium on specie has advanced.
Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary of War, has decided that
Judge Meredith's opinion is not authority ; and hence his son-in-
law, Lieut.-Col. Lay, who at present wields the Conscription
Bureau, acts accordingly. But Gen. Rains has a contrary
opinion ; and he intended to see the President yesterday, who is
understood to coincide with Judge Meredith. It is also aUeged
that Secretary Seddon concurs in this opinion ; and if this be the
case, an explosion is imminent — for Judge Campbell must have
given instructions "by order of the Secretary," without the Secre
tary's knowledge or consent.
I advised the general to see the President and Secretary once a
week, and not rely upon verbal instructions received through a
subordinate; he said the advice was good, and he should follow it.
But he is much absorbed in his subterrene batteries.
March 9th. — We have no news to-day. But the next act of

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 271
this terrible drama is near at hand. The Northern papers have
reports of the fall of Vicksburg and Charleston. Unfounded.
They also say 22,000 men have deserted from the Army of the
Potomac. This is probably true.
There is much denunciation of the recent seizure of flour ; but
this is counteracted by an appalling intimation in one of the papers
that unless the army be subsisted, it will be withdrawn from the
State, and Virginia must fall into the hands of the enemy. The
loss of Virginia might be the loss of the Confederacy.
March IOth. — No war news of importance.
Just at this time there is a large number of persons passing to
and from the North. They are ostensibly blockade-runners, and
they do succeed in bringing from the enemy's country a large
amount of goods, on which an enormous profit is realized. The
Assistant Secretary of War, his son-in-law, Lt.-Col. Lay, the
controUing man in the Bureau of Conscription, and, indeed, many
heads of bureaus, have received commodities from Maryland,
from friends running the blockade. Gen. Winder himself, and his
Provost Marshal Griswold (how much that looks like a Yankee
name !), and their police detectives, have reaped benefit from the
same source. But this intercourse with the enemy is fraught with
other matters. Communications are made by the disloyal to the
enemy, and onr condition — bad enough, heaven knOws ! — is made
known, and hence the renewed efforts to subjugate us. This
iUicit intercourse, inaugurated under the auspices of Mr. Benja
min, and continued by subsequent Ministers of War, may be our
ruin, if we are destined to destruction. Already it has unques
tionably cost us thousands of Uves and milUons of dollars. I feel
if a duty to make this record.
Today We have a violent snow-storm — a providential armis
tice. It has been ascertained that Hooker's army is still near the
Rappahannock, only some 20,000 or 30,000 having been sent to the
Peninsula and to Suffolk. No doubt he will advance as soon as
the roads become practicable. If Hooker has 150,000 men, and
advances soon. Gen. Lee cannot oppose his march ; and in all
probability we shall again hear the din of war, from this city, in
AprU and May. The fortifications are strong, however, and 25,000
men may defend the city against 100,000 — provided we have sub-

272 A REBEL WAR OLERK'S DIARY
sistence. The great fear is famine. But hungry men wiU fight
desperately. Let the besiegers beware of them 1
We hope to have nearly 400,000 men in the field in May, and I
doubt whether the enemy will have over 500,000 veterans at the
end of that month. Their new men will not be in fighting condi
tion before July. W^e may cross the Potomac again.
March 11th. — Gen. Fitzhugh Lee has made a dash into Fair
fax (near Washington) a day or two ago, and captured the Federal
Gen. Slaughter and other officers, in their beds.
Last night one of the government warehouses in this city was
burnt. It is supposed to have been the work of an incendiary
traitor ; perhaps in retaliation for the recent impressment of flour.
Yesterday the lower house of Congress passed a resolution re
stricting impressments. This has a bad aspect
The Bureau of Conscription, to-day, under the direction of
Col. Lay, decided that all clerks in the departments, appointed
subsequent to the eleventh of October last, are liable to be en
rolled for service. Yet the colonel himself has a clerk appointed
in January last.
Gold seUs at $5 in Confederate States notes for one ; U. S.
Treasury notes are at a premium here of $2.50. Even the notes
of our State banks are at 60 per cent, premium over Confederate
notes. This is bad for Mr. Memminger. Au abler financier would
have worked out a different result.
All the patriotism is in the army ; out of it the demon avarice
rages supreme. Every one seems mad with speculation ; and the
extortioners prey upon every victim that faUs within their power.
Nearly all who sell are extortioners. We have at the same time,
and in the same community, spectacles of the most exalted virtue
and of the most degrading vice.
Col. Mattel, the former commandant of conscripts for North
Carolina, who was wounded at Kinston, and yet was superseded
by Col. Lay's friend, Col. August, is now to be restored, and Col.
A. relieved. Upon this Col. L. has fallen sick.
Mr. Dufficid, whom Col. Lay and !Mr. Jacques had appointed
A. A. G. over me, has not yet, for some cause, got his commis
sion. The Secretary or some one else may have "intervened."
March 12th. — To-day we have no array news.
Mr. Richard Smith issued the first number of The Sentinel

at the confederate states capital. 273
yesterday morning. Thus we have five daily morning papers, all
on half sheets. The Sentinel has a biography of the President,
and may aspire to be the "organ."
John Mitchel, the Irishman, who was sentenced to a penal
colony for disturbances in Ireland, some years ago, is now the
leading editor of the Enquirer. He came hither from the North
recently. His "compatriot'' Meagher, once lived in the South
and advocated our "institutions." He now commands a Federal
brigade. What Mitchel wiU do finally, who knows ? My friend
R. Tyler, probably, had something to do with bringing him here.
As a poHtician, however, he must know there is no Irish element
in the Confederate States. I am sorry this Irish editor has been
imported. The resignation of Gen. Toombs is making some sensation iu
certain circles. He was among the foremost leaders of the rebel
lion. He was Secretary of State, and voluntarUy resigned to
enter the army. I know not precisely what his grievance is, un
less it be the faUure of the President to promote him to a higher
position, which he may have deemed himself entitled to, from his
genius, antecedents, wealth, etc. But it is probable he will cause
some disturbance. Duff Green, who is everywhere in stormy
times, told me to-day that Gen. Toombs would be elected Gover
nor of Georgia this fall, and said there were intimations that Geor
gia might make peace with the United States ! This would be
death to the government — and destruction to Toombs. It must
be a mistake. He cannot have any such design. If he had, it
would be defeated by the people of Georgia, though they sighed
for peace. Peace is what all most desire — but not without inde
pendence. Some there are, in all the States, who would go back
into the Union, for the sake of repose and security. But a ma
jority would not have peace on such terms.
StiU, it behooves the President to be on his guard. He has
enemies in the South, who hate him much.
March 13th. — To-day a great calamity occurred in this city.
In a large room of one of the government laboratories an explo
sion took place, kUling instantly five or six persons, and wound
ing, it is feared fatally, some thirty others. Most of them were
little indigent girls !
March 14th. — Gen. Pemberton writes that he has 3000 hogs-

274 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
heads of sugar at Vicksburg, which he retains for his soldiers to
subsist on when the meat fails. Meat is scarce there as weU as
here. Bacon now sells for $1.50 per pound in Richmond. But
ter $3. I design to cultivate a little garden 20 by 50 feet; but
fear I cannot get seeds. I have sought in vain for peas, beans,
corn, and tomatoes seeds. Potatoes are §12 per bushel. Ordi
nary chickens are worth $3 a piece. My youngest daughter put
her earrings on sale to-day — price $25 ; and I think they wiU
bring it for which she can purchase a pair of shoes. The area of
subsistence is contracting around us; but my children are more
enthusiastic for independence than ever. Daily I hear them say
they would gladly embrace death rather than the rule of the Yan
kee. If all our people were of the same siind, our final success
would be certain.
This day the leading article in the Examiner had a striking,
if not an ominous conclusion. Inveighing against the despotism
of the North, the editor takes occasion likewise to denounce the
measure of impressment here. He says if our Congress should
follow the example of the Northern Congress, and invest our
President with dictatorial powers, a reconstruction of the Union
might be a practicable thing ; for our people would choose to be
long to a strong despotism rather than a weak one — the strong
one being of course the United States with 20,000,000, rather
than the Confederate States with S. 000,000. There may be some
thing in this, but we shall be injured by it ; for the crowd going
North wUl take it thither, where it wiU be reproduced, and stim
ulate the invader to renewed exertions. It is a dark hour. But
God disposes. If we deserve it, we shall triumph; if not, why
should we ?
But we cannot fail without more great battles; and who knows
what results may be evolved by them? Gen. Lee is hopeful; and
so long as we keep the field, and he commands, the foe must bleed
for every acre of soil they gain.
M.VRCii 15tii. — Another cold, disagreeable day. March so far
has been as cold aud terrible as a winter month.
^Iarch 16tu. — Gen. Hill is moving toward Newbern, N. C,
and may attack the enemy there.
The weather continues dreadful — sleeting; and movements of
armies must perforce be stayed. But the season of slaughter is
approaching.

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 275
There was an ominous scantiness of supply in the market this
morning, and the prices beyond most persons — mine among the
rest Col Lay got turkeys to-day from Raleigh; on Saturday par
tridges, by the Express Company. Fortunate man 1
March 17th. — On Saturday, the enemy's lower Mississippi
fleet attacked our batteries at Port Hudson. The result reported
is that only one of their gun-boats got past, and that in a damaged
condition. The frigate Mississippi, one of the best war steamers
of the United States, was burned, and the rest retired down the
river, badly repulsed. We sustained no loss.
To-day, the Secretary of War sent in a paper indorsing Judge
Meredith's opinion in regard to foreigners who have accepted
service in onr country, viz., that they are liable to conscription.
This is in the teeth of the decision of the Assistant Secretary,
Judge Campbell, Col. Lay's father-in-law, and upon which the
hnreau has been acting, although Gen. Rains, the Superintendent,
permitted it with reluctance, upon the assurance of Col. L. that
such was the wiU of the department. This business may produce
an explosion.
I walked with Gen. Rains this afternoon in Capitol Square.
He is annoyed at the action of Col. Lay in following the instruc
tions of the Assistant Secretary of War in regard to foreigners.
The decision had not the sanction of the Secretary of War, Mr.
Seddon. He thinks several thousand men may have been per
mitted to escape military service by it. He intended to lay Judge
Campbell's decision before the President, but it disappeared very
mysteriously from his desk. And to-day it reappeard just as
mysteriously. And, simultaneously, and quite as mysteriously, a
paper appeared, signed by Mr. Seddon, Secretary of War, sug
gesting that the bureau act in conformity with Judge Meredith's
opinion, directly in the teeth of Mr. Assistant Secretary Camp-
befl's decision ! And it was dated March 13th, full four days
before. What delayed it, and who brought it, no one seemed to
know. Col. Lay suggested that it be sent back, with an indorse
ment that the bureau had been already acting under the decision
of Judge Campbell (just the reverse of the opinion). Assistant
Secretary of War, "by order of the Secretary of War."
To this Gen. R. demurred, and said the bureau would conform

276 A REBEL WAR OLERK'S DIARY
its action to Mr. Seddon's suggestions ; and he charged a clerk
to preserve that paper. Col. L. grumbled awfully at Mr. Sed
don's off-hand decision, without mature reflection.
Gen. Stewart (of Maryland) was at the office a short time before,
and advocated Mr. Seddon's views ; for he knew how many Mary
landers would be embraced in the decision, as well as other
foreigner's. Lieut-Col. A. C. Jones, Assistant Adjutant- General, had, in
the name of the bureau, notified Gen. Winder, this morning, that
Marylanders, etc. were not liable to bear arms for the South
after being in the service two years I
The general says he will have all the commandants of conscripts
written to immediately ; and that he will have an interview with
the Secretary of War in relation to the matter.
Every man we can put in the field is demanded; and many fear
we shall not have a sufficient number to oppose the overwhelming
tide soon to be surging over the land. At such a crisis, and in
consideration of all the circumstances attending this matter, in
volving the loss of so many men, one is naturally startled at Judge'
Campbell's conduct.
March 18th. — I sent an extract from my Diary x)f yesterday to
the Hon. T. H. Watts, Minister of Justice. I know not whether
he will appreciate its importance ; but he has professed friendship
for me.
, The city is in some excitement to-day, for early this morning we
had inteUigence of the crossing of the Rappahannock by a portion
of the Federal army. During the day the division of Hood de
filed through the streets, at a quick pace, marching back to Lee's
army. But the march of troops and the rumbling of artiUery
have ceased to be novel spectacles to our community. Some
aged ladies ran out as they passed, calHng the bronzed Texans
their "children," and distributed loaves of bread aud other food
among them. I never saw a merrier set than these brave soldiers,
who have been through the "fire and the flood" numberless times.
Some of them had three or four loaves on their bayonets.
Gen. Lee himself left early this morning, on an extra train,
having been "caught napping" here, the first time. The enemy
crossed the river yesterday.
But during the day a dispatch was received from Gen. J. E. B.

AT THE CONFEDER.VTE STATES CAPITAL. 277
Stuart (cavalry), stating that he had attacked the eneray on this
side of the river, and beaten him back, forcing him to recross
with loss. The particulars of the fight were not stated ; but it is
believed we lost a brigadier-general, killed.
March 19th. — Snowing. It is estimated that we lost 250
men, kUled, wounded, and taken, in the fight on the Rappahan
nock; the enemy's loss is not knowu, but certainly was heavy,
since they were defeated, and fled back, hotly pursued.
Confederate money still depreciates, in spite of the fundHig act.
Some of the brokers are demanding ten dollars Confederate notes
for one in gold ! That is bad, and it may be worse.
The enemy are advancing from Corinth, and there are not suf
ficient troops to resist them. Gen. Johnston says if men are
taken from Bragg, his army may be destroyed ; and none can be
ordered from Mobile, where there are only 2500 for land defense.
March 20th. — The snow is eight inches deep this morning,
and it is stiU falling fast.
Not a beggar is yet to be seen in this city of 100,000 in
habitants !
Hood's division, mostly Texans, whose march to the Rappa
hannock was countermanded when it was ascertained that the
enemy had been beaten back across the river, were all the morning
defiling through Main Street, in high spirits, and merrily snow
balling each other. And these men slept last night out in the
snow without tents ! Can such soldiers be vanquished ?
Yesterday Floyd's division of State troops were turned over to
the Confederacy — only about 200 !
We have no further particulars of the fight on the Rappahan
nock; we know, however, that the enemy were beaten, and that
this snow-storm must prevent further operations for many days.
Several Eastern Shore families, I learn, are about to return to
their homes. This is no place for women and children, who have
homes elsewhere. We are all on quarter-rations of meat, and but
few can affortj to buy clothing at the present prices.
March 21st. — The snow is nearly a foot deep this morning, as
it continued to faU all night, and is faUing still. It grows warmer,
however. But we now learn that the Indianola was destroyed in the Mis
sissippi by the officers, upon the appearance of a simulated gun-
24

278 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
boat sent down, without a crew ! This was disgraceful, and some
one should answer for it
Col. Godwin writes from King and Queen County, that many
of the people there are deserting to the enemy, leaving their
stock, provisions, grain, etc., and he asks permission to seize their
abandoned property for the use of the government Mr. Secretary
Seddon demands more specific information before that step be
taken. He intimates that they may have withdrawn to avoid
conscription. March 22d. — It was thawing all night, and there is a heavy fog
this morning. The snow will disappear in a few days.
A very large number of slaves, said to be nearly 40,000, have
been collected by the enemy on the Peninsula and at adjacent
points, for the purpose, it is supposed, of co-operating with
Hooker's army in the next attempt to Rapture Richmond.
The snow has laid an embargo on the usual slight supplies
brought to market, and all who had made no provision for such a
contingency are subsisting on very short-commons. Corn-meal is
seUing at from $6 to $8 per bushel. Chickens $5 each. Turkeys
$20. Turnip greens $8 per bushel. Bad bacon $1.50 per pound.
Bread 20 cts. per loaf. Flour $38 per barrel, — and other things in
proportion. There are some pale faces seen in the streets from de
ficiency of food ; but no beggars, no complaints. We are all in
rags, especially our underclothes. This for liberty !
The Northern journals say we have negro regiments on the
Rappahannock and in the West This is utterly untrue. We
have no armed slaves to fight for ns, nor do we fear a servile in
surrection. We are at no loss, however, to interpret the meaning
of such demoniac misrepresentations. It is to be seen of what
value the negro regiments employed against us wiU be to the in
vader. March 23d. — The snow has nearly disappeared, and the roads
are very bad. No food is brought to the market, and such as
may be found in the city is held at famine prices.
I saw a letter to-day from Bishop Lay, in Arkansas. He says
affairs in that State wear a dark and gloomy aspect. He thinks
the State is lost.
Gen. Beauregard writes the Hon. Mr. Miles that he has not men
enough, nor heavy guns enough, for the defense of Charleston.

at THE CONFEDERATE STATES C.VPITAL. 279
If this were generally known, thousands would despair, being con
vinced that those charged with the reins of power are incompe
tent, unequal to the crisis, and destined to conduct them to destruc
tion rather than independence.
March 24th. — Judge Lyons has granted an injunction, arrest
ing the impressment of flour by the Secretary of War, and
Congress is debating a bill which, if passed, will be a marked
rebuke to the government.
Notwithstanding the wishes of the Secretary of War, the Pres
ident and Gen. Rains, Lt-Col. Lay is still exempting Maryland
ers, and even foreigners who have bought real estate, and resided
for years in this country, if they have " not taken the oath of
domicile." In Eastern Tennessee, 25,500 conscripts were enrolled, and yet
only 6000 were added to the army. The rest were exempted,
detailed, or deserted. Such is the working of the Conscription
Act, fettered as it is by the Exemption Law, and still executed
under Judge Campbell's decision. Gen. Rains has the title, but
does not execute the functions of Superintendent of the Bureau
of Conscription. The President has been informed of every
thing. March 25th. — ^We have no news to-day, excepting the falling
back of Rosecrans from Murfreesborough, and a raid of Morgan
and capture of a train of cars. Rosecrans means, perhaps, to aid
in the occupation of the Mississippi River. It wiU be expensive
in human life.
Although our conscription is odious, yet we are collecting a
thousand per week. The enemy say they will crush the rebellion
in ninety days. In sixty days half their men will return to their
homes, and then we may take Washington. God knows, but man
does not, what will happen.
March 26th. — We have dispatches (unofficial) from the West,
stating that one of the enemy's gun-boats has been sunk in attempt
ing to pass Vicksb^g, and another badly injured. Also that an
engagement has occurred on the Yazoo, the enemy having several
gun-boats sunk, the rest being driven back.
It snowed a little this morning, and is now clear and cold.
Mr. Seddon is vexed at the unpopularity of the recent impress
ments by his order. It was an odious measure, because it did not

280 A REBEL WAR CLERIC'S DIARY
go far enough and take all, distributing enough among the people
to crush the extortioners.
March 27th.— This is the day appointed by the President for
fasting and prayers. Fasting in the midst of famine ! May God
save this people ! The day wiU be observed throughout the Con
federacy. The news from the West destruction of more of the enemy's
gun-boats, seems authentic. So far we have sustained no disasters
this spring, the usual season of success of the enemy by water.
Mr. G. W. Randolph was the counsel of the speculators whose
flour was impressed, and yet this man, when Secretary of War,
jordered similar impressments repeatedly. " Oh, man ! dressed in
a little brief authority,'' etc.
Mr. Foote has brought forward a bill to prevent trading with
the enemy. Col. Lay even gets his pipes from the enemy's coun
try. Let Mr. Foote smoke that !
A gentleman said, to-day, if the Yankees only knew it, they
might derive all the benefits they seek by the impracticable scheme
of subjugation, without the expenditure of human life, by simply
redoubling the blockade of our ports, withdrawing their armies to
the borders, and facilitating trade between the sections. We would
not attack them in their own country, and in a month millions of
their products would be pouring into the South, and cotton, to
bacco, etc. would go to the North in vast quantities. I wonder
the smart Yankee never thinks of this ! Let both sides give pass
ports freely, and an unlimited intercourse would be immediately
established. March 28th. — We have nothing additional or confirmatory
from the AVest A letter from Gen. Beauregard states that he has
but 17,000 men in South Carolina, and 10,000 in Georgia, 27,000
in all. He asks more, as he will be assailed, probably, by 100,000
Federals. The President refers this important letter to the Secre
tary of War, simply with the indorsement, "this is an exact state
ment of affairs in South Carolina and Georgia."
Col. Lay predicts that we shall be beaten in thirty days, or else
we shall then be in the way of beating the enemy. A safe predic
tion — but what is his belief? This deponent saith not There
will be fearful odds against us, and yet our men in the field fear
nothing.

at the confederate STATES C.A.PIT.-VL. 281
We are sending Napoleons up to Lee. But the weather, which
has been fine for the last two days, is wet again. If Hooker
makes a premature advance, he will be sure to "march back again."
An amusing letter was received from an officer in Tennessee to
day. He was taken prisoner by seven Federals when straying
some distance from camp, and subsequently hearing the men ex
press some anxiety to be at home again with their families, gave
them some brandy which he happened to possess. He then sug
gested a plan by which they might return to their homes, viz., to
become his prisoners, and being paroled by him. After consulta
tion, they agreed to it and released him. He then paroled them,
giving them the usual certificates to exhibit to their officer, and
so, taking another drink, they pursued their different ways. If
this disposition prevails extensively among the Western Federals,
we may look for speedv results in that quarter. Rosecrans may
lose his laurels in a most unexpected manner.
March 29rH. — No news. Yet a universal expectation. What
is expected is not clearly defined. Those who are making money
rapidly no doubt desire a prolongation of the war, irrespective of
political consequences. But the people, the majority in the United
States, seem to have lost their power. And their representatives
in Congress are completely subordinated by the Executive, and
rendered subservient to his will. President Lincoln can have any
measure adopted or any measure defeated, at pleasure. Such is
the irresistible power of enormous executive patronage. He may
extend the sessions or terminate them, and so, all power, for the
time being, reposes in the hands of the President.
A day of reckoning wiU come, for the people of the United
States will resume the powers of which the war has temporarily
dispossessed them, or else there will be disruptions, and civil war will
submerge the earth in blood. The time has not arrived, or else
the right men have not arisen, for the establishment of despotisms.
Everything depends upon the issues of the present campaign,
and upon them it may be bootless to speculate. No one may fore-
teU the fortunes of war — I mean where victory will ultimately perch
in this frightful struggle. W^e are environed and invaded by not
less than 600,000 men in arms, and we have not in the field more
than 250,000 to oppose them. But we have the advantage of
occupying the interior position, always affording superior facilities
24*

2^82 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
for concentration. Besides, our men must prevail in combat, or
lose their property, country, freedom, everything,- at least this is
their conviction. On the other hand, the enemy, in yielding the
contest, may retire into their own country, and possess everything
they enjoyed before the war began. Hence it may be confidently
believed that in all the battles of this spring, when the numbers
are nearly equal, the Confederates wiU be the victors, and even
when the eneray have superior numbers, the armies of the South
will fight with Roman desperation. The conflict wiU be appalling
and sanguinary beyond example, provided the invader stand up to
it. That much is certain. And if our armies are overthrown, we
may be no nearer peace than before. The paper money would be
valueless, and the large fortunes accumulated by the speculators,
turning to dust and ashes on their lips, might engender a new ex
asperation, resulting in a regenerated patriotism and a universal
determination to achieve independence or die in the attempt
March 30th. — Gen. Bragg dispatches the government that
Gen. Forrest has captured 800 prisoners in Tennessee, and sev
eral thousand of our men are making a successful raid in Ken
tucky. Gen. Whiting makes urgent calls for reinforcements at Wilming
ton, and cannot be supplied with many.
Gen. Lee announces to the War Department that the spring
campaign is now open, and his army may be in motion any day.
Col. Godwin (of King and Queen County) is here trying to
prevail on the Secretary of War to put a stop to the blockade-
runners, .lews, and spies, daily passing through his lines with
passports from Gens. Elzey and Winder. He says the persons
engaged in this illicit traffic are all extortioners and spies, and
$50,000 worth of goods from the enemy's country pass daily.
Col. Lay still repudiates Judge Meredith's decision in his in
structions to the Commandants of Camps of Instruction. Well,
if we have a superabundance of fighting men in the field, the
foreign-born denizens and Marylanders can remain at home and
make money while the country that protects them is harried by
the invader.
The gaunt form of wretched famine still approaches with rapid
strides. Meal is now selling at $12 per bushel, and potatoes at
$16. Meats have almost disappeared from the market, and none

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAriT.Vl,. 283
but the opulent can afford to pay $'5.50 per pound for butter.
Greens, however, of various kinds, are coming in ; and as the
season advances, we may expect a diminution of prices. It is
strange that on the 30th of March, even iu the "sunny South,"
the fruit-trees are as bare of blossoms and foliage as at mid-win
ter. We shall have fire until the middle of ^lay, — six months of
winter !
I am spading up my little garden, and hope to raise a few vege
tables to eke out a miserable subsistence for my family. My
daughter Ann reads Shakspeare to me o' nights, which saves my
eyes. March 31st. — Another stride of the grim specter, and corn-
meal is selling for $17 per bushel. Coal at §20.50 per ton, and
wood at $30 per cord. And at these prices one has to wait several
days to get either. Common tallow candles are selling at $1 per
pound. I see that some furnished houses are now advertised for
rent ; and I hope that all the population that can get away, and
subsist elsewhere, will leave the city.
The lower house of Congress has passed a most enormous tax
hill, which I apprehend cannot be enforced, if it becomes a law.
It wiU close half the shops — but that may be beneficial, as thou
sands have rushed into trade and become extortioners.
I see some batteries of light artillery going toward Petersburg.
This is to be used against the enemy when he advances in that
direction from Suffolk. No doubt another attempt will be made
to capture Richmond. But Lee knows the programme, I doubt
not

284 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY

CHAPTER XXV.
Symptoms of bread riots. — Lee forming depots of provisions near the Rap-
pahaunoclc. — Beauregard ready to defend Cliarleston. — He has rebuffed
the enemy severely. — French and Britisjj advancing money on cotton. —
The Yankees can beat us in bargaining. — Gen. Lee anxious for new sup
plies. — The President appeals to the people to raise food for man and
beast. — Federal and Confederate troops serenading each other on the
Rappahannock. — Cobbler's wages $3000 per annum. — Wrangling in the
Indian country, — Only 700 conscripts per month from Virginia. — Long-
street at Suffolk. — The President's well eye said to be failing. — A "recon-
noissance!" — We are planting much grain. — Picking up pins. — Beautiful
season. — Gen. Johnston iu Tennessee. — Longstreet's successes in that
State. — Lee complains that his army is not fed. — We fear for Vicksburg
now. — Enemy giving up plunder in Mississippi. — Beauregard is busy at
Charleston. — Gen. Marshall, of Kentucky, fails to get stock and hogs. —
Gen. Lee calls for Longstreet's corps. — The enemy demonstrating on the
Rappahannock. April 1st. — It is said we have taken Washington, a village in
North Carolina. And it is represented that large supplies of meat,
etc. can be taken from thence and the adjacent counties.
Every day we look for important intelligence from Charlesto^i,
and from the West.
Mr. Seddon, the Secretary of War, has receded from his posi
tion in regard to resident aliens.
April 2d. — This morning early a few hundred women and boys
met as by concert in the Capitol Square, saying they were hungry,
and must have food. The number continued to sweU until there
were more than a thousand. But few men were among them, and
these were mostly foreign residents, with exemptions in their
pockets. About nine a.m. the mob emerged from the western
gates of the square, and proceeded down Ninth Street, passing
the War Department, and crossing Main Street, increasing in mag
nitude at every step, but preserving silence and (so far) good
order. Not knowing the meaning of such a procession, I asked
a pale boy where they were going. A young woman, seemingly

AT THE CONFEDERATE ST.VTES CAPIT.VL. 2^5
emaciated, but yet with a smile, answered that they were going to
find something to eat I could not, for the life of me, refrain from
expressing the hope that they might be successful ; and I remarked
they were going in the right direction to find plenty iu the hands
of the extortioners. I did not follow, to see what they did ; but
I learned an hour after that they marched through Gary Street,
and entered diverse stores of the speculators, which they proceeded
to empty of their contents. They impressed all the carts aud
drays in the street, which were speedily laden with meal, flour,
shoes, etc. I did not learn whither these were driven ; but prob
ably they were rescued from those in charge of them. Neverthe
less, an immense amount of provisions, and other articles, were
borne by the mob, which continued to increase in numbers. Au
eye-witness says he saw a boy come out of a store with a hat full
of money (notes); and I learned that when the mob turned up
into Main Street, when all the shops were by this time closed, they
broke in the plate-glass windows, demanding silks, jewelry, etc.
Here they were incited to pillage valuables, not necessary for sub
sistence, by the class of residents (aliens) exempted from military
duty by Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary of War, in contra
vention of Judge Meredith's decision. Thus the work of spolia
tion went on, until the military appeared upon the scene, sum
moned by Gov. Letcher, whose term of service is near its close.
He had the Riot Act read (by the mayor), and then threatened to
fire on the mob. He gave them five minutes' time to disperse in,
threatening to use military force (the city battalion being present)
if they did not comply with the demand. The timid women fell
hack, and a pause was put to the devastation, though but few
heUeved he would venture to put his threat in execution. If he
had done so, he would have been hung, no doubt.
About this time the President appeared, and ascending a dray,
spoke to the people. He urged them to return to their homes, so
that the bayonets there menacing them might be sent against the
common enemy. He told them that such acts would bring /a??ii?ie
upon them in the only form which could not be provided against,
as it would deter people from bringing food to the city. He said
he was wiUing to share his last loaf with the suffering people (his
best horse had been stolen the night before), and he trusted we
would all bear our privations with fortitude, and continue united

286 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
against the Northern invaders, who were the authors of all our
sufferings. He seemed deeply moved ; and indeed it was a fright
ful spectacle, and perhaps an ominous one, if the government does
not remove some of the quartermasters who have contributed very
much t(r bring about the evil of scarcity. I mean those who have
allowed transportation to forestaUers and extortioners.
Gen. Elzey and Gen. Winder waited upon the Secretary of War
in the morning, asking permission to call the troops from the
camps near the city, to suppress the women ant^ children by a
summary process. But Mr. Seddon hesitated, and then declined
authorizing any such absurdity. He said it was a municipal or
State duty, and therefore he would not take the responsibility of
interfering in the matter. Even in the moment of aspen conster
nation, he was still the politician.
I have not heard of any injuries sustained by the women and
children. Nor have I heard how many stores the mob visited ; and
it must have been many.
AU is quiet now (three p.m.) ; and I understand the government
is issuing rice to the people.
April Sd.^ — Gen. D. H. Hill writes from North Caroling, that
the business of conscription is miserably mismanaged in that State.
The whole business, it seems, has resolved itself into a machine for
making money and putting pets in office.
No account of yesterday's riot appeared in the papers to-dry,
for obvious reasons. The mob visited most of the shops, and the
pillage was pretty extensive.
Crowds of women, Marylanders and foreigners, were standing at
the street corners to-day, stiU demanding food ; which, it is said,
the government issued to thera. About midday the City BattaUon
was marched down Main Street to disperse the crowd.
Congress has resolved to adjourn on the 20th April. The tax
bill has not passed both Houses yet.
Gen. Blanchard has been relieved of his command in Louisiana.
He was another general from Massachusetts.
April 4th — It is the belief of some that the riot was a pre
meditated aft'air, stimulated from the North, and executed through
the instrumentality of emissaries. Some of the women, and others,
have been arrested. ^
AVe have news of the capture of another of the enemy's gun-

AT THE CONFEDERATE ST.VTES CVPIT.VL. 2S7
boats, in Berwick Bay, Louisiana, with five guns. It is said to
have been done by cavalry.
A dispatch just received from Charleston states that the
enemy's monitors were approaching the forts, seven in number,
and that the attack was commencing. This is joyful news to our
people, so confident are they that Gen. Beauregard will beat
them. April 5th. — Snow fell all night, and a depth of several inches
covers the earth 4^his morning. It will soon melt, however, as it is
now raining. The Northern invaders who anticipate a pleasant
sojourn during the winter and spring in this climate, have been
very disagreeably disappointed in these expectations.
A surgeon was arrested yesterday for saying there was "a power
behind the throne greater than the throne." Upon being asked
by the mayor what power he alluded to, he answered " the people. "
He was released.
April 6th. — It seems that it was a mistake about the enemy's
monitors approaching the forts in Charleston harbor; but the
government has dispatches to the effect that important movements
are going on, not very distant from Charleston, the precise nature
of which is not yet permitted to transpire.
Generals Johnston and Bragg write that Gen. Pillow has se
cured ten times as many conscripts, under their orders, as the
bureau in Richmond would have done. Judge Campbell, as
Assistant Secretary of War, having arrested Gen. P.'s operations,
Generals J. and B. predict that our army in Tennessee will begin,
immediately, to diminish in numbers.
The rails of the York River RaUroad are being removed to-day
toward Danville, in view of securing a connection with the N. C.
Central Road. It seems that the government thinks the enemy
will again possess the York River Railroad, but it cannot be pos
sible a retreat out of Virginia is meditated.
April 7th. — Nothing definite has transpired at Charleston, or
if so, we have not received information of it yet
From the West, we have accounts, from' Northern papers, of
the faUure of the Yankee Yazoo expedition. That must have its
effect Judge CampbeU, Assistant Secretary of War, has decided in
one instance (page 125, B. B. Conscript Bureau), that a paroled

288 A REBEL WAR OLERK'S DIARY
political prisoner, returning to the South, is not subject to con
scription. This is in violation of an act of Congress, and general
orders. It appears that grave judges are not aU inflexibly just,
and immaculately legal in their decisions. Col. Lay ordered the
commandant of conscripts (Col. Shields) to give the man a pro
tection, without any reason therefor.
It is now said large depots of provisions are being formed on
the Rappahannock. This does not look like an indication of a
retrograde movement on the part of Gen. Lee. Perhaps he wiU
advance. This afternoon dispatches were received from Charleston. Not
withstanding all the rumors relative to the hostUe fleet being else
where, it is now certain that all the monitors, iron-clads, and trans
ports have succeeded in passing the bar, and at the last accounts
were in readiness to begin the attack. And Beauregard was pre
pared to receive it. To-morrow we shall have exciting intelligence.
If we are to believe what we hear from South Carolinians, recently
from Charleston (I do believe it), Charleston will not be taken.
If the ground be taken, it will not be Charleston. If the forts
fall, and our two rams be taken or destroyed, the defenders wiU
still resist. Rifle-pits have been dug in the streets; and if driven
from these, there are batteries beyond to sweep the streets, thus
involving the enemy and the city in one common ruin.
April 8th. — We learn to-day that the enemy bombarded our
forts at Charleston, yesterday, two hours and a half. But few of
our men were injured, and the forts sustained no damage of conse
quence. On the other hand, several of the iron-clads and monitors
of the enemy were badly crippled ; one of the latter, supposed to
be the Keokuk, was sunk. Since then the bombardment has not
been renewed. But no doubt the enemy wUl make other efforts to
reduce a city which is the particular object of their vengeance.
Every one is on the qui vice for further news from Charleston.
Success there will make Beauregard the most popular man in the
Confederacy, Lee excepted.
Speculation is running wUd in this city ; and the highest civil
and military officers are said to be engaged, directly or indirectly,
in the disgraceful business of smuggUng. Mr. Memminger can
not be ignorant of this ; and yet these men are allowed to retain
their places.

AT THE CONFEDERATE ST.VTES CAPITAL. 289
April 9th. — Nothing additional has occurred at Charleston,
the enemy not having renewed the attack. At A'icksburg all was
quiet, and the enemy abandoning their canal. Such news must
have a depressing effect upon the North. They will see that their
monitors and iron-clads have lost their terrors. They have lost
some twenty war steamers within the last few months; and how
many of their merchantmen have been destroyed on the ocean, we
have no means of knowing.
British and French capitalists have taken a cotton loan of
$15,000,000, which is now selling at a premium of four per cent.
in those countries. Onr government can, if it will, soon have a
navy of Alabamas and Floridas.
But we are in danger of being sold to the enemy by the block
ade-runners in this city. High officers, civU and military, are
said, perhaps maliciously, to be engaged in the unlawful trade
hitherto carried on by the Jews. It is said that the flag of truce
boats serve as a medium of negotiations between official dignitaries
here and those at Washington ; and I have no doubt many of the
Federal officers at Washington, for the sake of lucre, make no
scruple to participate in the profits of this treasonable traffic.
They can beat us at this game : cheat us in bargaining, and excel
ns in obtaining information as to the number and position of
troops, fortifications, etc.
April IOth. — We are not informed of a renewal of the attack
on Charleston. It is said our shot penetrated the turret of the
Keokuk, sunk.
In New York they have been exulting over the capture of
Charleston, and gold declined heavily. This report was circulated
by some of the government officials, at Washington, for purposes
of speculation.
Col. Lay announced, to-day, that he had authority (oral) from
Gen. Cooper, A. and I, G., to accept Marylanders as substitutes.
Soon after he ordered in two, in place of Louisianian sutlers, whom
he accompanied subsequently — I know not whither. Bnt this
verbal authority is in the teeth of published orders.
April 11th. — Gen. Beauregard telegraphs that Gen. Walker
has destroyed another Federal gun-boat in Coosa River. They
are looking for a renewal of the attack on Charleston, and are
ready for it 25

290 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
Gen. Lee writes that he is about sending a cavalry brigade into
Loudon County to bring off commissary's and quarterraaster's
stores. This will frighten the people in Washington City ! He
also writes that unless the railroads be repaired, so as to^admit of
speedier transportation of supplies, he cannot maintain his pres
ent position much longer.
The President has published a proclamation, to-day, appeaUng
to the patriotism of the people, and urging upon them to abstain
from the growth of cotton and tobacco, and raise food for man
and beast. Appended to this is a plan, "suggested by the Secre
tary of War," to obtain from the people an immediate supply of
meat, etc. in the various counties and parishes. This is my plan,
so politely declined by the Secretary ! Well, if it will benefit the
governraent, the government is welcome to it; and Mr. Seddon
to the credit of it
April 12Tn. — Gen. Van Dorn, it is reported, has captured or
destroyed another gun-boat in the West.
Night before last another riot was looked for in this city by the
mayor, and two battalions of Gen. Elzey's troops were ordered into
the city. , If the President could only see the necessity of placing
this city under the command of a native Southern general, he might
avoid much obloquy. The Smiths, Winders, and Elzeys, who are
really foreigners, since the men from their States are not liable
to conscription (vide Judge Campbell's decision), are very obnox
ious to the people. Virginians can never be reconciled to the
presence of a mercenary Swiss guard, and will not submit to im
ported masters.
Notwithstanding the Enquirer urges it, and Mr. Barksdale, of
Mississippi, persistently advocates it. Congress still refuses to con
fer additional powers on the President. Twice, within the last
i week. Congress has voted down the proposition to clothe the
I President with power to suspend the writ of habeas corpus.
Congress has likewise refused to reconsider the vote postponing
the consideration of the biU to create a Court of Claims, Judge
S  was here, working for it; but was doomed to disappoint
ment. A few nights since a full Federal band came within a hundred
yards of our raen, the Rappahannock only separating them, and
played "Dixie." Our men cheered them lustily. Then they played

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CVPIT.VL. 291
"Yankee Doodle," when the Yankees cheered. After this they
played "Home, sweet Home!" and all parties cheered them.
There may be something significant in this. The pickets have
orders not to fire on each other, ^^'hen no demonstration is in
progress. Our members of Congress get salaries of $2750. A cobbler (free
negro), who mends shoes for my family, told me yesterday that he
earned $10 per day, or $3000 per annum.
A pair of pantaloons now costs $40; boots, $60 ; and so on.
We have warm weather at last, and dry. Armies will soon be
in motion.
Our government and people seem now to despair of European
intervention. But the President says our armies are more numer
ous, and better armed and disciplined than at any period during
the war. Hence the contest will be maintained indefinitely for in
dependence. With these feelings the third year of the war opens.
May God have mercy on the guilty men who determine more blood
shall be shed. The South would willingly cease the sanguinary
strife, if the invader would retire from our territory ; but just as
willingly will she fight hereafter as heretofore, so long as a foeman
sets foot upon her soil. It must soon be seen with what alacrity
onr people will rush to the battle-field !
April 13th. — The Federal monitors, gun-boats, and transports
no more menace the City of Charleston! The fleet has sailed
away, several of the iron-clads towed out of the harbor being
badly damaged. But before leaving that part of the coast, the
Yankees succeeded in intercepting and sinking the merchant
steamer Leopard, having 40,000 pairs of shoes, etc. on board for
onr soldiers. It is supposed they will reappear before Wilming
ton; our batteries there are ready for them.
Gen. 'Wise assaUed the enemy on Saturday, at Williamsburg,
captured the town, and drove the Federals into their fort — Ma
gruder. The President was ill and nervous on Saturday. His wife, who
lost her parent at Montgomery, Ala., a month ago, and who re
paired thither, is still absent.
Congress still refuses to clothe the President with dictatorial
powers. Senator Oldham, of Texas, made a furious assault on the Secre-

292 A REBEL WAR OLERK'S DIARY
tary of War, last Saturday. He says Senators, on the most urgent
public business, are subjected to the necessity of writing their names
on a slate, and then awaiting the pleasure of some lackey for per
mission to enter the Secretary's office. He was quite severe in
his remarks, and moved a caU on the President for certain infor
mation he desired.
The Sentinel abuses Congress for differing with the President
in regard to the retention of diplomatic agents in London, etc.
And the Enquirer, edited by John Mitchel, the fugitive Irish
man, opens its batteries on the Sentinel. So we go.
April 14th. — We have nothing additional from Gen. Wise's
expedition against Williamsburg; but it was deprecated by onr
people here, whose families and negroes have been left in that
vicinity. They argue that we cannot hold the town, or any por
tion of the Peninsula in the neighborhood; and when the troops
retire, the enemy will subject the women and children to more
rigorous treatment, and take all the slaves.
We have news from Tennessee, which seems to indicate that
Gen. Van Dorn has been beaten, losing a battery, after a sanguin
ary battle of several hours. Van Dorn had only cavalry — 7000.
This has a depressing effect It seems that we lose all the battles
of any magnitude in the West. This news may have been received
by the President in advance of the public, and hence his indis
position. We shall have news now every day or so.
Albert Pike is out in a pamphlet against Gens. Holmes and
Hindman. He says their operations in Arkansas have resulted in
reducing our forces, in that State, from forty odd thousand to less
than 17,000. It was imprudent to publish such a statement
Albert Pike is a native Yankee, but he has lived a long time
in the South.
Gov. Vance is furious at the idea of conscribing magistrates,
constables, etc. in North Carolina. He says it would be an annihi
lation of State Rights — nevertheless, being subject to mUitia duty
by the laws of the State, they are liable under the Act of Con
scription. AA^ell, we are getting only some 700 conscripts per month in
Virginia— the largest State! At this rate, how are we to re
plenish the ranks as they become thinned in battle ? It is to be
hoped the enemy will find the same difficulty in filling up their

at the CONFEDERATE STATES CVPITAI,. 293
regiments, else we have rather a gloomy prospect before us. But
God can and will save us if it be Ilis pleasure.
April 15th. — There is a dispatch, unofticial, from the West,
contradicting the news of the defeat of A'an Dorn. On the Cum
berland River, another dispatch says, we have met with new suc
cesses, capturing or destroying several more gun-boats. And
Wheeler has certainly captured a railroad train in the rear of the
enemy, containing a large sum of Federal money, and a number
of officers.
We have nothing from the South, except a letter from Gen.
Whiting, in regard to some demonstration at Bull Bay, S. C.
Major Griswold, Provost Marshal, is now himself on trial
before a court-martial, for allowing 200 barrels of spirits to come
into the city. He says he had an order from the Surgeon- General;
but what right had he to give such orders ? It is understood he
will resign, irrespective of the decision of the court.
Congress, yesterday (the House of Representatives), passed a
series of resolutions, denying the authority of the government to
declare martial law, such as existed in this city under the adminis
tration of Gen. Winder. It was a great blunder, and alienated
thousands. We have a seasonable rain to-day.
April 16th. — The Federal papers have heard of the failure to
take Charleston, and the sinking of the Keokuk; and yet they
strive to mollify the disaster, and represent that but little damage
was sustained by the rest of the fleet Ttiose that escaped, they
say, have proved themselves invulnerable. The Keokuk had ninety
shots on the water line. No wonder it sunk !
Gen. Longstreet has invested Suffolk, this side of Norfolk, after
destroying one gun-boat and crippling another in the Nansemond
River. Unless the enemy get reinforcements, the garrison at Suf
folk may be forced to surrender. Perhaps our general may storm
their works !
I learn, to-day, that the remaining eye of the President is fail
ing. Total blindness would incapacitate him for the executive
office. A fearful thing to contemplate !
April 17rH. — From the Northern papers we learn that the
defeat at Charleston is called by the enemy a reconnoissance.
25*

294 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
This causes us much merriment here; McCleUan's defeat was
called a "strategical movement" and "change of base."
We have .some rumors to-day, to the effect that Gen. HiU is
likely to take Washington and Newbern, N. C.j Gen. Longstreet,
Suffolk ; and Gen. Wise, Fort Magruder, and the Peninsula — he
has not troops enough.
Gold advanced 7 per cent, in New York when the news of the
, " reconnoissance " reached that city.
f We are planting almost every acre in grain, to the exclusion of
cotton and tobacco — resolved never to be starved, nor even feel a
scarcity of provisions in future. We shall be cutting wheat in
another month in Alabama and other States.
Among the other rumors, it is said Hooker is falling back to
ward Washington, but these are merely rumors.
The President is in a very feeble and nervous condition, and is
really threatened with the loss of sight altogether. But he works
on; and few or no visitors are admitted. He remains at his
dwelling, and has not been in the executive office these ten days.
Col. Lay was merry again to-day. He ordered in another
foreign substitute (in North Carolina).
Pins are so scarce and costly, that it is now a pretty general
practice to stoop down and pick up any found in the street. The
boarding-houses are breaking up, and rooms, furnished and un
furnished, are rented out to messes. One dollar and fifty cents for
beef, leaves no margin for profit e^en at $100 per month, which is
charged for board, and'most of the boarders cannot afford to pay
that price. Therefore they take rooms, and buy their own scanty
food. I am inclined to think provisions would not be deficient, to
an alarming extent, if they were equally distributed. Wood is no
scarcer than before the war, and yet $30 per load (less than a
cord) is demanded for it, and obtained.
The other day Wilmington might have been taken, for the troops
were sent to Beauregard. Their places have since been filled by a
brigade from Longstreet. It is a monstrous undertaking to at
tempt to subjugate so vast a country as this, even with its dis
parity of population. AA^e have superior facilities for concentra
tion, while the invader must occupy, or penetrate the outer Unes
of the circumference. Our danger is from within, not from with
out. AA''e are distressed more by the extortioners than by the

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 295
enemy. Eternal infamy on the heads of speculators in articles of
prime necessity ! After the war, let them be known by the fortunes
they have amassed from the sufferings of the patriots and heroes !
—the widows and orphans !
This day is the anniversary of the secession of A^irginia. The
government at Washington did not believe the separation would
last two years! Nor do they believe now, perhaps, that it will
continue two years longer.
April 18th — We have nothing more from the Peninsula, Suf
folk, N. C, or Sonth Carolina; but it is rumored that the enemy's
gun-boats (seven or eight) have passed down the Mississippi in
spite of onr batteries at Vicksburg, which sunk one of them. If
this be true, it is bad news.
We have lovely weather now, and vegetation shows signs of
the return of the vernal season. We shall soon have blossoms
and roses in abundance, and table vegetables too, to dispel the
fears of famine. But we shall also have the horrid sounds of de
vastating war ; and many a cheerful dame and damsel to-day,
must soon put on the weeds of mourning.
Gen. Jos. E. Johnston has assumed the command of "the army
of Tennessee. Gen. Howell Cobb is preparing for the defense of
Florida. We do not hear a word from Lee or Jackson — but this
is the ominous silence preceding their decisive action.
Bacon feU to-day from $2 to $1 50 per pound, and butter from
83.50 to $3.25; potatoes are §16 per bushel. And yet they say
there is no scarcity in the country. Such supplies are hoarded
and hidden to extort high prices from the destitute. An intel
ligent gentleman from North Carolina told me, to-day, that food
was never more abundant in his State ; nevertheless, the extor
tioners are demanding there very high prices.
This evening we have dispatches (unofficial) confirmatory of the
passing of Vicksburg by the enemy's gun-boats. One of them was
destroyed, and two disabled, whUe five got by uninjured. This is
not cheering. No doubt an attack by land will be made, by su
perior numbers, and blood will gush in streams !
It is now said that Longstreet has captured two gun-boats in
the Nansemond, and taken 600 prisoners ; and that the Yankees
in Norfolk have been thrown into great commotion. The general
in command there, VeUle, has adopted very stringent measures to

296 A REBEL WAR CLERK'B DIARY
keep the people sympathizing with our cause in subjection. Per
haps he fears an outbreak.
The weather continues fine, and we must soon have important
operations in the field.
April 19th, Sunday. — It is now said Longstreet captured two
transports, instead of gun-boats, and 600 prisoners.
Mr. Benjamin reports that the enemy's gun-boats, which passed
Vicksburg, have recaptured the Queen of the West ! It must be
so, since he says so.
Mr. Baldwin, the other day, in Congress, asserted a fact, on his
own knowledge, that an innocent man had been confined in prison
nearly two years, in consequence of a mistake of one of Gen.
W^inder's subordinates in writing his name, which was Simons ;
he wrote it Simmons I
April 20th. — AVe have nothing definite from Suffolk, or from
Washington, N. C.
But we have Northern accounts of their great disaster at
Charleston. It appears that during the brief engagement on the
7th inst., all their monitors were so badly damaged that they were
unable to prolong or to renew the contest. They will have to he
taken to New York for repairs ; and will not go into service again
before autumn. Thus, after nearly a year's preparation, and the
expenditure of $100,000,000, all their hopes, so far as Charleston
is concerned, have been frustrated in a few brief hours, under the
fire of Beauregard's batteries. They complain that England fur
nished us with the steel-pointed balls that penetrated their iron
turrets. To this there can be no objection ; indeed it may be pro
ductive of good, by involving the Abolitionists in a new quarrel:
but it is due to candor to state that the balls complained of were
manufactured in this city.
It was a Federal account of the retaking the Queen of the
AVest, reported by Mr. Benjamin ; and hence, it is not generally
believed. It is thought by many that Hooker will change his base from
the Rapptxhannock to the Pamunky, embarking his army in trans
ports. If this be so, we shall again have the pleasure of hearing
the thunders of battle, this summer, in Richmond.
Gen. Lee has been quite ill, but is now recovering.
April 21st. — Gen. Longstreet lost, it is said, two 32-pounder

AT THE CONFEDER.VTE ST.VTES CAPITAL. 297
guns yesterday, with which he was firing on the enemy's gun
boats. A force was landed and captured the battery.
Gen. Lee writes that his men have each, daily, but a quarter
pound of meat and 16 ounces of flour. They have, besides, 1 pound
of rice to every ten men, two or three times a week. lie says
this may keep them alive; but that at this season they should
have more generous food. The scurvy and the typhoid fever are
appearing among them. Long-street and HiU, however, it is
hoped will succeed in bringing off supplies of provision, etc. —
such being the object of their demonstrations.
Gen. Wise has fallen back, being ordered by Gen. Elzey not to
attempt the capture of Fort Magruder — a feat he could have ac
complished. April 22d. — The President is reported to be very ill to-day —
dangerously ill — with inflammation of the throat, etc. While this
is a source of grief to nearly all, it is the subject of secret joy to
others. I am sure I have seen some officers of rank to-day, not
fighting officers, who sincerely hope the President will not re
cover. He has his faults, but upon the whole is no doubt well
qualified for the position he occupies. I trust he will recover.
The destruction of the Queen of the West, and of another of
our steamers, is confirmed. Is not Pemberton and Blanchard re
sponsible ?
The loss of two guns and forty men the other day, on»the Nan
semond, is laid at the door of Major-Gen. French, a Northern
man 1 Can it be Gen. Cooper (Northern) who procures the ap
pointment of so many Northern generals in our army ?
I cut the following from the Dispatch of yesterday :
Produce, etc. — Bacon has further declined, and we now quote
$1.25 to $1.30 for hog-round; butter, $2.25 to $3 per pound;
beans in demand at $20 per bushel. Corn is lower — we quote at
$6 to $6.50 per bushel ; corn meal, $7 to $9 per bushel — the latter
figure for a Umited quantity ; candles, $3.50 to $3.75 per pound ;
fruit— dried apples, $10 to §12; dried peaches, $15 to $18 per
bushel; flour— superfine, $31 to $:j2 ; extra, $34 ; family, $36 ;
hay is in very small supply — sales at $15 per cwt.; lard, $1.65 to
$1.70 per pound ; potatoes— Irish, $i to $10 ; sweet, $10 to $11
per bushel; rice, 25 to 33 cents per pound; wheat, $6-50 to $7
per bushel.

298 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
Groceries.— Snga,rs have a declining tendency : we quote brown
at $1.15 to $1.25; molasses, $9 to $10 per gallon; coffee, $4 to
$4.50; salt, 45 cents per pound; whisky, $28 to $35; apple
brandy, $24 to $25 ;- French brandy, $65 per gallon.
April 23d.— The President's health is improving. His eye is
better ;- and he would have been in his office to-day (the flrst time
for three weeks) if the weather (raining) had been fine.
The expenses of the war amount now to $60,000,000 per month,
or $720,000,000 per annum. This enormous expenditure is owing
to the absurd prices charged for supplies by the farmers, to save
whose slaves and farms the war is waged, in great part. They
are charging the government $20 per hundred weight, or $400 per
ton for hay ! Well, we shall soon see if they be reluctant to pay
the taxes soon to be required of them — one-tenth of aU their
crops, etc. If they refuse to pay, then what will they deserve ?
April 24Tn. — We lost five fine guns and over a hundred men
on the Nansemond ; and we learn that more of the enemy's gun
boats and transports have passed Vicksburg ! These are untoward
tidings. Gens. Pemberton and French are severely criticised.
We had a tragedy in the street to-day, near the President's
office. It appears that Mr. Dixon, Clerk of the House of Repre
sentatives, recently dismissed one of his under clerks, named Ford,
for reasons which I have not heard ; whereupon the latter notified
the former of an intention to assault him whenever they should
meet About two -p.m. they met in Bank Street; Ford asked
Dixon if he was ready ; and upon an affirmative response being
given, they both drew their revolvers and commenced firing.
Dixon missed Ford, and was wounded by his antagonist, but did
not fall. He attempted to fire again, but the pistol missed fire.
Ford's next shot missed D. and wounded a man in Main Street,
some seventy paces beyond ; but his next fire took effect in
Dixon's breast, who fell and expired in a few moments.
Many of our people think that because the terms of enlistment
of so many in the Federal array will expire next month, we shall
not have an active spring campaign. It may be so ; but I doubt
it. Blood must flow as freely as ever !
April 25th. — AVe have bad news from the West The enemy
(cavalry, I suppose) have penetrated Mississippi some 200 miles,
down to the railroad between A'icksburg and Meridian. This is

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 299
in the rear and east of Vicksburg, and intercepts supplies They
destroyed two trains. This dispatch was sent to the Secretary of
War by the President without remark. The Enquirer this morn
ing contained a paragraph stating that Gen. Pemberton was ex
changing civilities with Gen. Sherman, and had sent him a beautiful
bouquet! Did he have any conception of the surprise the enemy
was executing at the moment? AVell, Mississippi is the Presi
dent's State, and if he is satisfied with Northern generals to
defend it, he is as likely to be benefited as any one else.
Gen. Beauregard is urging the government to send more heavy
guns to Savannah.
I saw an officer to-day just from Charleston. He says none of
the enemy's vessels came nearer than 900 yards of our batteries,
and that the Northern statements about the monitors becoming
entangled with obstructions are utterly false, for there were no
obstructions in the water to impede them. But he says one of
the monitors was directly over a torpedo, containing 4000 pounds
of powder, which we essayed in vain to ignite.
April 26th. — This being Sunday I shall hear no news, for I
will not be in any of the departments.
There is a vagne understanding that notwithstanding the repulse
of the enemy at Charleston, still the Federal Government collects
the duties on merchandise brought into that port, and, indeed, into
all other ports. These importations, although purporting to be
conducted by British adventurers, it is said are really contrived by
Northern merchants, who send hither (with the sanction of the
Federal Government, by paying the duty in advance) British and
French goods, and in return ship onr cotton to Liverpool, etc.,
whence it is sometiraes reshipped to New York. The duties paid
the United States are of course paid by the consumers in the Con
federate States, in the form of an additional per centum on the
prices of merchandise. Soma suppose this arrangement has the
sanction of certain members of our governraent The plausibility
of this scheme (if it really exists) is the fact that steamers having
munitions of war rarely get through the blockading fleet without
trouble, whUe those having only raerchandise arrive in safety almost
daily. Gen. D. Green intimates that Mr. Memminger, and Frazer
& Co., Charleston, are personally interested in the profits of heavy
impoctatioasr— '

300 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
April 27th.— A dispatch from Montgomery, Ala., states that
the enemy have penetrated as far as Enterprise, Miss., where we
had a small body of troops, conscripts. If this be merely a raid,
it is an extraordinary one, and I feel some anxiety to learn the con
clusion of it. It is hard to suppose a small force of the enemy
would evince such temerity. But if it be supported by an army,
and the position maintained, Vicksburg is doomed. We shaU get
no more sugar from Louisiana.
April 28th. — The enemy's raid in Mississippi seems to have
terminated at Enterprise, where we collected a force and offered
battle, but the invaders retreated. It is said they had 1600 cav
alry and 5 guns, and the impression prevails that but few of them
will ever return. It is said they sent back a detachment of 200
men some days ago with their booty, watches, spoons, jewelry, etc.
rifled from the habitations of the non-corabating people.
I saw Brig.-Gen. Chilton to day, Chief of Gen. Lee's Staff.
He says, when the time comes. Gen. Lee will do us all justice. I
asked hira if Richmond were safe, and he responded in the affirm
ative. I am glad the Secretary of War has stopped the blockade-run
ning operations of Gen. Winder and Judge Campbell, Assistant
Secretary of War. Until to-day. Gen. W. issued many passports
which were invariably approved by Judge Campbell, but for some
cause, and Heaven knows there is cause enough, Mr. Secretary has
ordered that no more passports be granted Marylanders or foreign
ers to depart from the Confederacy. I hope Mr. S. wiU not "back
down" from this position.
To-day I returned to the department from the Bureau of Con
scription, being required at my old post by Mr. Kean, Chief of the
Bureau of War, my friend, Jacques, being out of town with a
strangury. Thus it is; when Congress meets I am detailed on ser
vice out of the department, and whe;i Congress adjourns they send
for me back again. Do they object to my acquaintance with the
members ?
A few weeks ago I addressed the President a letter suggesting
that an alphabetical analysis be made of letter and indorsement
books, embracing principles of decisions, and not names. This I
did for the Bureau of Conscription, which was found very useful.
Precedents could thus be readily referred to when, as was often the

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 301
case, the names of parties could not be recollected. It happened,
singularly enough, that this jiaper came into ray hands with forty-
nine others to-day, at the department, where I shall wholly remain
hereafter. The President seemed struck with the idea, and in
dorsed a reference on it to the "State, Treasury, War, and Navy
Departments," and also to the Attorney-General. I shall be curi
ous to know what the Secretary thinks of this plan. No matter
what the Secretary of War thinks of it; he declined my plan of
deriving supplies directly from the people, and then adopted it
April 29th. — Gen. Beauregard is eager to have completed the
"Torpedo Ram,'' building at Charleston, and wants a " great gun"
for it But the Secretary of the Navy wants all the iron for
mailing his gun-boats. Mr. Miles, of South Carolina, says the
ram will be worth two gun-boats.
The President of the Manassas Gap Railroad says his company
is bringing all its old iron to the city. Wherefore ?
The merchants of Mobile are protesting against the impressment
by government agents of the sugar and molasses in the city. They
say this conduct will double the prices. So Congress did not and
cannot restrain the military authorities.
Gen. Humphrey Marshall met with no success in Kentucky.
He writes that none joined him, when he was led to expect large
accessions, and that he could get neither stock nor hogs. Alas,
poor Kentucky ! The brave hunters of former days have disap
peared from the scene.
The Secretary of War was not permitted to see my letter which
the President referred to him, in relation to au alphabetical analy
sis of the decisions of the departments. The Assistant Secretary,
Judge Campbell, and the young Chief of the Bureau of War, sent
it to the Secretary of the Navy, who, of course, they knew had no
decisions to be preserved. Mr. Kean, I learn, indorsed a hearty ap
proval of the plan, and said he would put it in operation in the War
Office. But he said (¦with his concurrence, no doubt) that Judge
Campbell had suggested it some time before. Well, that may be ;
bnt I first suggested it a year ago, and before either Mr, K. or
Judge Campbell were in office. Office makes curious changes in
men ! Still, I think Mr. Seddon badly used in not being permit
ted to see the communications the President sends him. I have
26

302 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
the privilege, and wiU use it, of sending papers directly to the
Secretary. Gen. Lee telegraphs the President to-day to send- troops to
Gordonsville, and to hasten forward supplies. He says Lt.-Gen.
Longstreet's corps might now be sent from Suffolk to him. Some
thing of magnitude is on the tapis, whether offensive or defensive,
I could not judge from the dispatch.
We had hail this evening as large as puUets' eggs.
The Federal papers have accounts of .briUiant successes in
Louisiana and Missouri, having taken 1600 prisoners in the former
State and defeated Price at Cape Girardeau in the latter. Whether
these accounts are authentic or not we have no means of knowing
yet. We have nothing further from Mississippi.
It is said there is some despondency in Washington.
Our people wiU die in the last ditch rather than be subjugated
and see the confiscation of their property.
April 30th. — The enemy are advancing across the Rappahan
nock, and the heavy skirmishing which precedes a battle has begun.
We are sending up troops and supplies with all possible expedi
tion. Decisive events are looked for in a few days. But if aU of
Longstreet's corps be sent up, we leave the southern approach to
the city but weakly defended. Hooker must have overwhelming
numbers, else he would not venture to advance in the face of Lee's
army! Can he believe the siUy tale about our troops being sent
from Virginia to the Carolinas? If so, he will repent his error.
We hear of fighting in Northwestern Virginia and in Louisiana,
but know not the result. The enemy have in possession aU of
Louisiana west of the Mississippi River. This is bad for us, —
sugar and salt will be scarcer still. At Grand Gulf our batteries
have repulsed their gun-boats, but the battle is to be renewed.
The railroad presidents have met in this city, and ascertained that
to keep the tracks in order for military purposes, 49,500 tons of
rails must be manufactured per annum, and that the Tredegar
Works here, and the works at Atlanta, cannot produce more than
20,000 tons per annum, even if engaged exclusively in that work!
They say that neither individual nor incorporated companies wUl
suffice. The government must manufacture iron or the roads must
fail! A cheering letter was received from Gov. Vance to-day, stating

AT THE CONFEDER.VTE STATES CAPITAL. 303
that, upon examination, the State (North Carolina) contains a
much larger supply of meat and grain than was supposed. The
State Government will, in a week or so, turn over to the Confeder
ate Government 250,000 pounds of bacon, and a quantity of corn;
and as speculators are driven out of the market, the Confederate.
States ageuts will be able to purchase large supplies from the peo
ple, who really have a considerable surplus of provisions. He
attributes this auspicious state of things to the cessation of arbi
trary impressments.

CHAPTER XX VL
Lee snuffs a battle in the breeze. — Hooker's army supposed to be 100,000
men. — Lee's perhaps -5-5,000 efficient. — I am planting potatoes. — Part of
Longstreet's army gone up. — Enemy makes a raid. — Great victory at
ChancellorviUe. — Hot weather. — Our poor wounded coming in streams,
in ambulances and on foot. — Hooker has lost the game. — Message from
the enemy. — They ask of Lee permission to bury their dead. — Granted,
of course. — Hooker fortifying. — Food getting scarce again. — Gen. Lee's
thanks to the army. — Crowds of prisoners coming in. — Lieut.-Gen. Jackson
dead. — Hooker's raiders "hooked" a great many horses. — Enemy demand
500,000 more men. ^Beauregard complains that so many of his troops
are taken to Mississippi. — Enemy at Jackson, Miss. — Strawberries. — -R.
Tyler. — My cherries are coming on finely. — Ewell and Hill appointed
heutenant-generals. — President seems to doubt Beauregard's veracity. —
Hon. D. M. Lewis cuts his wheat to morrow, May 28lh. — Johnston says
onr troops are in fine spirits around Vicksburg. — Grant thunders on —
Plan of servile insurrection.
May 1st. — Gov. Vance writes that Gen. Hill desires hira to
caU out the militia, beUeving the enemy, balked in the attempt on
Charleston, will concentrate their forces against North Carolina.
But the Governor is reluctant to call the non-conscripts from the
plow in the planting season. He thinks the defense of North
Carolina has not been adequately provided for by the government,
and that his State has been neglected for the benefit of others.
He asks heavy guns; and says half the armament hurled against
Charleston would suffice for the capture of Wilmington.

304 A REBEL WAR CLBRK'S DIARY
A protest, signed by the thousands of men taken at Arkansas
Post, now exchanged, against being kept on this side of the Mis
sissippi, has been received. The protest was also signed by the
members of Congress from Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mis
souri. Capt Causey, of the Signal Corps, writes that there are only a
few battalions of the enemy on the Peninsula ; but that rations
for 40,000 men are sent to Suffolk.
Gen. Lee announces the crossing of the Rappahannock at Port
Royal (which the Yankees pillaged) and at places above Frede
ricksburg. Gen. Stuart is hovering on their flank. A great battle
may happen any moment.
L. E. Harvey, president of Richmond and Danville RaUroad,
asks for details to repair locomotives, else daily trains (freight)
must be reduced to tri-weekly trains — and then the army cannot
be sustained in Virginia.
Hon. Mr. Garnett asked (and obtained) permission for a Mr.
Hurst (Jew?) to pass our lines, and bring Northern merchandise
to Richmond for sale. He vouches for his loyalty to Virginia.
Congress has before it a bill rendering this traffic criminal.
May 2d. — The awful hour, when thousands of human lives are
to be sacrificed in the attempt to wrest this city from the Confed
erate States, has come again. Now parents, wives, sisters, broth
ers, and little children, both in the North and in the South, hold
their breath in painful expectation. At the last accounts the two
armies, yesterday, were drawn up in battle array, facing each
other. No water flowed between them, the Northern army being
on this side of the Rappahannock. We have no means of know
ing their relative numbers ; but I suspect Gen. Hooker commands
more than 100,000 men, while Gen. Lee's army, perhaps, does not
exceed 55,000 efficients.
Accounts by passengers, and reports from the telegraph operators
at the northern end of the line, some ten or twelve miles this side
of the armies, indicate that the battle was joined early this morn
ing. Certainly heavy cannonading was heard. Yet nothing im
portant transpired up to 3 p.m., when I left the department else I
should have known it. Still, the battle may be raging, without,
as yet, decisive result, aud the general may not have leisure to be
dictating dispatches.

at the confederate ST.VTES CAPIT.VL. 305
Yet the heavy artillery may be only the preliminary overture to
the desperate engagement; and it seems to me that several days
might be spent in manceuvring into position before the shock of
arms occurs, which will lay so many heads low in the dust.
Bnt a great battle seems inevitable. All the world knows the
fighting qualifications of Gen. Lee, and the brave army he com
mands; and Gen. Hooker will, of course, make every effort to
sustain his reputation as "fighting Joe." Besides, he commands,
for the first time, an army: and knows well that failure to fight, or
failure to win, will consign him to the same disgrace of all his
predecessors who have hitherto commanded the "Army of the
Potomac. "
It is certain that a column of Federal cavalry, yesterday, cut. the
Central Railroad at Trevillian's depot, which prevents communi
cation with Gordonsville, if we should desire to send heavy stores
thither. And some suppose Lee is manceuvring to get in the rear
of Hooker, which would place the enemy between him and Rich
mond ! He could then cut off his supplies, now being drawn by
wagons some twenty or thirty miles, and spread alarm even to
Washington. But, then, how would it be with Richmond, if
Hooker should accept the position, and if the force at Suffolk
should advance on the south side of the river, and gun-boats and
transports were to come, simultaneously, up the York and James ?
Has Hooker the genius to conceive such a plan ? Suppose it
were so, and that he has shipped his. supplies from the Potomac —
the supplies which Stuart expects to capture — with the desperate
resolution, abandoning his base on the Rappahannock, to force a
junction with the heavy detachments south and east of this city ?
A Napoleon would get Richmond — but then Lee might get Wash
ington! Longstreet's corps is somewhere in transitu between
Petersburg and GordonsviUe, and would no doubt be ordered
here, and it might arrive in time. Our defenses are strong ; but
at this moment we have only Gen. Wise's brigade, and a few bat-
taUons at the batteries, to defend the capital — some 5000 in aU.
This is mere speculation, to be succeeded speedily by awful facts.
The inhabitants here do not doubt the result, although there is a
feverish anxiety to get intelligence; There is no such thing as
fear, in this community, of personal danger, even among the wo-
26=^

306 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
men and children; but there is some alarm by the opulent inhab
itants, some of whom, for the sake of their property, would submit
to the invader. One thing is pretty certain, Richmond will not
faU by assault without costing the lives of 50,000 men, which is
about equal to its population in ordinary times.
Well, I am planting potatoes in my little garden, and hope to
reap the benefit of them. I pay 50 cts. per quart for seed pota
toes, and should be chagrined to find my expenditure of money
and labor had been for the benefit of the invader ! Yet it may be
so ; and if it should be, still there are other little gardens to
cultivate where we might fly to. We have too broad and too
long a territory in the revolted States to be overrun and possessed
by the troops of the United States.
May 3d — We have no further news from the army, except the
usual skirmishing. A number of our wounded arrived last evening.
An officer reports that, from what he could see of the enemy's
conduct, the soldiers do not come to the point with alacrity. He
thinks they fight with reluctance, and are liable to be routed any
hour by inferior numbers.
Troops were sent up in special trains last night, and also this
morning. These are some of the regiments which Gen. D. P. Hill
had in North Carolina ; and hence the complaints of Gov. Vance,
that his State did not have its just proportion of the protection of
the governraent. Of Longstreet's movements, I am not advised.
But there will be news enough in a few days.
The President's health is still precarious, and he is stiU threat
ened with the loss of his remaining eye.
The Vice-President was in my office yesterday, and told me his
health is quite as good as usual. One would suppose him to be
afflicted with aU manner of diseases, and doomed to speedy disso
lution; but, then, he has worn this appearance during the last
twenty years. His eyes are magnificent, and his mind is in the
meridian of intellectual vigor.
There has been some commotion in the city this afternoon and
evening, but no painful alarm, produced by intelligence that the
enemy's cavalry, that cut the road at Trevillian's depot, had reached
Ashland and destroyed the depot Subsequent rumors brought
them within eight miles of the city; and we have no force of any
consequence here. The account was brought from Ashland by a

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 307
Mr. Davis, who kUled his horse in riding eighteen miles in one
hour and a half.
Later in the day a young man, sixteen years old (Shelton), reached
the city from Hanover on a United States horse, the enemy having
foraged on his father's farm and taken his blooded steed, lie
says, when he escaped from them (having been taken prisoner this
morning) 1500 were at his father's place, and three times as many
more, being 6000 iu aU, were resting a short distance apart on
another farm ; but such ideas of numbers are generally erroneous.
They told him they had been in the saddle five days, and had
burnt all the bridges behind them to prevent pursuit It was after
this that they cut the road at Ashland. They professed to have
fresh horses taken from our people, leaving their own. I think
they will disappear down the Pamunky, and of course will cut the
Central and York River Roads, and the wires. Thus communi
cation with Lee's army is interrupted !
The Fredericksburg train, of course, failed to arrive to-day at
6 P.M.; and it is rumored there were 700 of our wounded in it,
and that a great battle was fought yesterday by Lee. These are
rumors. May 4th. — This morning early the tocsin sounded, and the din,
kept np for several hours, intensified the alarm. ?The presence of
the enemy would not have produced a greater effect Bnt, in
truth, the enemy were almost in sight of the city. Hon. James
Lyons told me they were within a mile and a half of his house,
which is about that distance from the city. Thousands of men,
mostly old men and employees of the governraent, were instantly
organized and marched to the batteries.
Bnt the alarm subsided about 10 a.m. upon information being
received that the enemy were flying before Gen. Wise down the
Peninsula. After this the foUowing dispatch was received from Gen, Lee :
"MiirOED, May 8d, 1868.
" President DA^vqs.
"Yesterday Gen. Jackson, with three of his divisions, penetrated
to the rear of the enemy, and drove him from all his positions, from
the Wilderness to within one mile of ChancellorviUe. He was en
gaged at the same time, in front, by two of Longstreet's divisions.

308 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
This morning the battle was renewed. He was dislodged from aU
his positions around ChancellorviUe, and driven back toward the
Rappahannock, over which he is now retreating.
"Many prisoners were taken, and the enemy's loss, in killed and
wounded, large.,
"We have again to thank Almighty God for a great victory.
"I regret to state that Gen. Paxton was killed. Gen. Jackson
severely, and Generals Heth and A. P. Hill slightly, wounded.
(Signed) "R. E. Lee, General."
Enough is known to raise the spirits of all. Gen. Lee gives
thanks to God "for a great victory;" and he never misleads,
never exaggerates.
My son Custis got a musket and marched in one of the com
panies — I have not learned which — for the defense of the city. It
is a sultry day, and he will suffer.
The President was driven out in a light open carriage after the
reception of Gen. Lee's dispatch, and exhibited the finest spirits.
He was even diverted at the zeal of the old men and boys march
ing out with heavy muskets to the batteries.
Brig.-Gen. Pryor, who has been under arrest (I know not for
what offense), volunteered in a company of horse, and gaUoped
away with the rest in pursuit of the enemy.
May 5th. — To-day the excitement was quite as great as ever,
for bodies of the enemy are still in the vicinity. They are like
frightened quails when the hawks are after them, skurrying about
the country in battalions and regiments. Fitzhugh Lee defeated
one of their parties, and reports that the entire calvary force of
Hooker, in anticipation of certain victory, had been detached in
the rear of Lee's army. This force comprises twenty-eight regi
ments, or 15,000 mounted men ! Now that Hooker is defeated —
our operator at Guiney's station dispatches to-day that it is report
ed there, and believed, that Hooker and his staff are prisoners —
it may be reasonably doubted whether one-half of this wild cavalry
will escape. It was the mad pranks of a desperate commander.
Hooker cast all upon the hazard of the die — and lost
Among the mad pranks of the enemy, they sent a message over
the wires to-day from Louisa County, I believe, to this purport:
" For Heaven's sake, come and take us. AA'e are broken down,
and wiU surrender.''

AT THE CONFEDERATE ST.VTES C.VPITAL. 309
They captured an engine sent out yesterday to repair the road.
The white men escaped, leaving two free negroes. The Yankees
made the negroes put on a full head of steam, and run the loco
motive into the river.
One of the enemy was taken sleeping at one of our city bat
teries near the river.
My friend. Dr. Powell, on the Brooke Turnpike, sent his little
son, mounted on his finest horse, on an errand to a neighbor. The
lad feU in with, as he called them, "some Yankee Dutchmen,"
who presented their pistols and made him dismount. They took
his horse and allowed him to return.
At the hour we were dining yesterday, the enemy were within
two and a half mUes of us on the Brooke road, and might have
thrown shell into this part of the city.
Col. D. J. Godwin writes a long letter to the Secretary of War,
from King and Queen Counties, concerning the great number of
suspicious persons continually passing our lines into those of the
enemy, with passports from this city ; and the great injury done
by the information they give. Unquestionably they have not only
given information, but have furnished guides to the many regi
ments of cavalry now skurrying through the country. But the
Baltimore Plug Uglies, under the protection of Gen. Winder, are
the masters, now Mr. Secretary Seddon has yielded again.
A letter was received from Gen. J. E. Johnston to-day. He
is too unwell to take the field, and suggests, if it be desirable to
be in regular communication with Gen. Bragg, that the President
send out a confidential officer. He says the army is suffering for
meat and if it retires into East Tennessee, supplies must be ob
tained from its flanks instead of from its rear, which would be dan
gerous. The letter was dated a week ago, and gives no indications
of a battle. The general says he is exchanging sugar for bacon ;
bnt condemns the practice of allowing our people to sell cotton to
the enemy for supplies. In my opinion none but government cot
ton should be exchanged for subsistence. He says the people are
subjugated by trade. He suggests that our men when paroled,
and not exchanged, may do duty otherwise than in arms — as is
practiced by the enemy.
H. D. Bird, general superintendent of the railroad, writes from
Petersburg that the movements of cars with ammunition, etc. are

310 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
thrown into confusion by the neglect of telegraph agents in giving
timely notice. This is an unfortunate time for confusion. I sent
the letter to the Secretary, and know that it was not "filed" on
the way to him.
A communication came in to-day from the Committee of Safety
at Mobile, Ala., charging that J. S. Clark, Wm. G. Ford, and
 Hurt, have been shipping cotton to New Orleans, after pre
tending to clear it for Nassau. It says Mr. Clarke was an inti
mate crony of Gen. Butler's speculating brother. It also intimates
that the people believe the government here winks at these viola
tions of the act of Congress of April, 1862.
Very curiously, a letter came from the Assistant Secretary's
room to-day for "file," which was written April 22d, 1861, by
R. H. Smith to Judge Campbell — a private letter — warning him
not to come to Mobile, as nothing was thought of but secession,
and it was believed Judge C. had used his influence with Mr.
Seward to prevent secession. The writer deprecates civil war.
And quite as curiously, the Examiner to-day contains what pur
ports to be Admiral Buchanan's correspondence with the Lincoln
government two letters, the first in AprU, 1861, tendering his res
ignation, and the last on May 4th, begging, if it had not been done
already, that the government would not accept his resignation.
May 6th. — The excitement has subsided, as troops come pour
ing in, and many improvised cavalry companies go out in quest of
the fox — who has vanished we know not exactly whither.
It is believed we have taken 15,000 or 20,000 prisoners, and
that the enemy's killed, wounded, and prisoners must reach the
appalling number of 40,000.
Ou Sunday, the enemy opposite Fredericksburg sent over a
flag, asking permission to bury their dead. This was granted.
But when they came — two corps under Gen. Sedgwick came over
and fell upon our few regiments in the vicinity. So goes the
story. Then, it is said, when Gen. Lee ordered two of our divi
sions to drive Sedgwick back, the men, learning the enemy with
the flag of truce had given no quarter to their comrades, refused
to fight unless permitted to retaliate in kind. This was promised
them ; and then their charge was irret-istible, never pausing until
the Yankees were hurled back across the river. No prisoners were
taken. However this may be. Gen. Lee sends the following to
the President :

AT THE CONFEDERATE ST.VTES CAPITAL. 311
" [Received by telegraph from Guiney's Depot.]
" llE.MIQtARTKKS, lOo'clOcU .V M,,
•• Jlay 5, ISi;;!,
" To HIS Excellency, Prfsident Davis.
"At the close of the battle of ChancellorviUe, on Sunday, the
enemy was reported advancing from Fredericksburg in our rear.
" Gen. McLaws was sent back to arrest his progress, and repulsed
him handsomely that afternoon. Learning that this force con
sisted of two corps, under Gen. Sedgwick, I determined to attack
it and marched back yesterday with Gen. Anderson, and uniting
with Gens. McLaws and Early in the afternoon, succeeded by the
blessing of Heaven in driving Gen. Sedgwick over the river. We
have reoccnpied Fredericksburg, and no enemy remains sonth of
the Rappahannock in its vicinity.
" (Signed) R. E. Lee, General."
Another dispatch from Gen. Lee says Hooker is still on this
side of the river, at United States Ford, fortifying.
Gen. Longstreet is now closeted with the Secretary of War.
No doubt his entire corps will immediately rejoin Lee.
Jackson was wounded (his arm has been amputated) before the
great battle was fought, by our own men, in the gloom of the
evening, supposing him a Federal officer. He was reconnoitering
in front of the line.
S. S. H  writes to the department, proposing to send an
emissary to the North, to organize secret societies to destroy the
enemy's stores, ships, railroad bridges, etc. by an unexplained
process. TiUman, Griffin & Co. write to Judge Campbell to obtain them
permission to trade with Mexico. Does this mean trading cotton
with the enemy ? I know not whether the request was granted.
Mr. Benjamin, Secretary of State, writes to the Secretary to-day
for permission for some of his Louisiana friends to leave the
country in a government steamer.
It is said that the government at Washington is ordering their
troops from North CaroUna and other places ou the Southern sea
board towards Washington, and to reinforce Hooker — or Hooker's
army. I think Hooker himself will go the way of aU general flesh
that fails.

312 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
The President sent to the War Department fifty-five letters to
day, written to him on various subjects, but mostly asking ap-_
pointments. He had read them, and several had indorsed on them,
in his own hand, what he wished done in the premises. So he has
not lost his sight. He still attends to business at his dwelUng,
and has not been in his office for more than a month.
Secretary Seddon is gaunt and emaciated, with long straggling
hair, mingled gray and black. He looks like a dead man galva
nized into muscular animation. His eyes are sunken, and his feat
ures have the hue of a man who had been in his grave a fuU month.
But he is an orator, and a man of fine education — but in bM health,
being much afflicted with neuralgia. His administrative capacity
wiU be taxed by the results.
May 7th. — A scout came in to-day with the vexatious intelli
gence that a body of hostile cavalry is still in Louisa County.
And later in the day we have information that the Mattapony
bridge was burned last night ! Thus again is communication in
terrupted between Gen. Lee and the city I Our wounded cannot
be brought to the hospitals here, nor supplies sent to them 1 It
really does seem as if an organization of Union men here were
co-operating with the enemy, else they never could disappear and
reappear so often with impunity. Every one is asking what
Gens. Elzey and Winder are doing — and echo answers, what?
There is a great pressure for passports to leave the country.
Mr. Benjamin writes an indignant letter to the Secretary against
Gen. Whiting, at Wilmington, for detaining a Mr. Planner's
steamer, laden with cotton for some of the nationalities — Mr. B.
intimates a foreign or neutral power. But when once away from
our shore, many of these vessels steer for New York, depositing
large sums "for those whom it may concern."
Mr. J. B. Campbell, attorney for J. E. Hertz (Jew), writes a
long letter to "J. A. Campbell, Assistant Secretary of War,"
urging the payment of the slight sum of $25,200 for ninety kegs
of bicarbonate of soda seized by the agent of the department!
The true value is about $250 !
At two o'clock this afternoon a note was received by the Secre
tary of War from Lieut-Gen. Longstreet (still in the city), stating
that the President last night desired him to go to Gen. Lee imme
diately ; but the general, during the day, has become convinced

AT THE CONFEDEIL-VTE STATES CVPIT.VL. 313
that he should not leave the city until communications are re
established with Gen. Lee, and the city in a condition of det'ense
against the sudden dash of one or two columns of the enemy — an
event, he thiuks, meditated by the Yankees 1 And the persistency
of the Federal cavalry in hanging rouud the city in spite of all the
generals here, and the many companies, battalions, and regiments
vainly sent out in quest of them, would seem to indicate such pur
pose. But the raids in the West don't seem to flourish so well. We
have an official dispatch from Gen. Bragg, stating that Gen. Forrest
has captured 1600 of the enemy's cavalry in a body, near Rome,
Georgia. There are amusing scenes among the horrors of war, as the fol
lowing, taken from a paper to-day, shows :
"Taking the Oath under Protest — A few weeks ago a laugh
able incident occurred in the neighborhood of Nashville, which is
worthy of record. A saucy, dashing young girl, of the Southern
persuasion, was, with a number of other ladies, brought into the
presence of Gen. Rosecrans, in order that their Southern ardor
might be checked by the administration of the oath of loyalty.
The bold, bright-eyed Juno in question, objected to take the oath,
saying that her mother had taught her that it was unlady-like to
swear; her sense of morality forbid her to swear, and swear she
could and would not. The officer insisted that the lady must take
an oath before she left his presence.
"'Well, general,'" said bright eyes, 'if I must swear, I will; but
all sins of the oath must rest on your shoulders, for I swear on your
compulsion: "G — d d — m every Yankee to h— 1!'"
"And the defiant beauty tossed her dark curls and swept out of
the presence unmolested." — Nashville Union.
7 o'clock p.m. The report that the bridge over the Mattapony
had been burned by the enemy was false — invented probably by a
spy or emissary, who has enjoyed the freedom of the city under
the Dogberrys and Vergises imported hither to preserve the gov
ernment A number of trains containing our wounded men,
guarded by a detachment of troops, have arrived at the Fredericks
burg depot An officer just arrived from the army says we have
taken 15,000 prisoners. If this be so, the loss of the enemy during
the week in Virginia wiU not be less than 40,000. Our loss in
27

314 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
kiUed and wounded is estimated at from 8 to 10,000 — we lost a
few hundred prisoners. We have taken, it is said, 53 guns, and
lost 14.
I think the reports to-day of squadrons of the enemy's cavalry
seen in the surrounding counties are not reliable — they were
probably our own men in quest of the enemy.
May 8th. — To-day the city is in fine spirits. Hooker had
merely thrown up defenses to protect his flight across the river.
The following dispatch was received last night from Gen. Lee :
" Chakcelloeville, May 7th, 1863.
" To His Excellency, President Davis.
"After driving Gen. Sedgwick across the Rappahannock, on
the night of the 4th inst., I returned on the 5th to Chancellor
viUe. The march was delayed by a storm, which continued aU
night and the following day. In placing the troops in position on
the morning of the 6th, to attack Gen. Hooker, it was ascertained
he had abandoned his fortified position. The line of skirmishers
was pressed forward until they came within range of the enemy's
batteries, planted north of the Rappahannock, which, from the
configuration of the ground, completely coramanded this side.
His army, therefore, escaped with the loss of a few additional
prisoners. "(Signed) R. E. Lee, General."
Thus ends the career of Gen. Hooker, who, a week ago, was at
the head of an army of 150,000 men, perfect in drill, discipline,
and all the muniments of war. He came a confident invader
against Gen. Lee at the head of 65,000 " butternuts," as our
honest poor-clad defenders were called, and we see the result!
An active campaign of less than a week, aud Hooker is hurled
back in disgrace and irreparable disaster ! Tens of thousands of
his raen will never live to " fight another day" — and although the
survivors did "run away," it is doubtful whether they can be put
in fighting trim again for many a month.
And the raiding cavalry have not been heard from today. If
they be not back on the north side of the Rappahannock by this
time, it is probable they will reach Richmond in a few days with
out arms, and on foot

AT THE CONFEDERATE ST.VTES CVPIT.VL. 315
Gens. Hood's and Pickett's divisions (Longstreet's corps) are
now passing through the city — perhaps 15,000 of the best fighting
men in the South. Oh, what wisdom and foresight were evinced
by Gen. Lee, when, some ten days ago, he telegraphed the Presi
dent to send him Longstreet's corps, via Gordonsville ! It was
referred to the Secretary of War, who consulted with Gen. Cooper
— and of course it was not done. This corps was not in the battle.
If it had been on the field. Hooker's destruction would have been
speedy and complete; and his routetl regiments would have been
followed to the very gates of the Federal capital. As it was,
Lee lost a day in driving Sedgwick back — and then Hooker
"escaped," as Lee expresses it.
I do not understand the Assistant Secretary of War's official
correspondence. He sent in the other day a letter addressed to
hira two years ago to be filed — and to-day an envelope addressed
to him as Assistant Secretary by Mr. Benjarain, Secretary of State,
merely covering a letter (sealed) for R. S. Bunkee, Mobile, Ala
bama. Well, it is filed.
The pressure for permits to leave the Confederacy is not re
newed to-day. Judge Campbell will not have so many passports
to "approve,'' and I trust confidence in the perraanency of the
Confederacy wUl be unshaken. How must they feel who, in an
ticipation of Lee's defeat, had received, in advance, a pardon from
the powers at Washincrton !
Col. Lay was in to-day ; he thinks the North will be cheered a
little by their capture of Grand Gulf, in the AA'est But that is not
Vicksburg, or Charleston, or Richmond.
We have had short allowance of food yesterday and to-day ;
the country people "being afraid to come to market lest their
horses should be seized to go in quest of the enemy's cavalry.
My family dined to-day on eight fresh herrings, which cost two
dollars. The trains from Fredericksburg brought down several hundred
Federal officers; among them was a general, a large number of
colonels, lieutenant-colonels, raajors, captains, etc. These, when
exchanged, as I suppose they will be — for victory makes our govern
ment magnanimous — may, if they choose, deny the report that the
raiding cavalry destroyed the railroad.
Now what wUl the Tribune say ? It did say, a few months ago,

316 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
that if the effort to crush the rebeUion failed this spring, it would
be useless to prolong the war— and that peace should be made on
the best practicable terms. Since the beginning of the war, I
doubt not 500,000 men have been precipitated upon Virginia.
Where are they now? In the third year of the war, we see "the
finest army the world ever saw," overthrown by abont half its
numbers, and in full retreat toward its own frontier. Perhaps
100,000 invaders have found bloody graves in Virginia — and an
equal number have died of their wounds, or from disease con
tracted in this State. The number of maimed and disabled mnst
also be 100,000 — and yet Richmond is not taken, or likely to be.
To invade and subjugate a vast territory, inhabited by miUions of
warlike people, the assailants mnst always have four times as many
men as the assailed ; therefore we stand on an eqnal footing with
the United States in this war, and they may, if they be insane
enough, protract it indefinitely, and in the end reap no substantial
benefit On the contrary, the fortune of war may shift the scene
of devastation to their own homes. Perhaps Lee may follow up
this blow until he enters Pennsylvania.
May 9th. — The papers contain the following order from Gen.
Lee : "Headqcaktkrs Abmt Noetheen Virginia,
"May 7th, 1863.
"General Orders No. 59.
"With heartfelt gratification, the General Commanding ex
presses to the army his sense of the heroic conduct displayed by
officers and men, during the arduous operations in which they have
just been engaged.
"Under trying vicissitudes of heat and storm, you attacked the
eneray, strongly intrenched in the depths of a tangled wUderness,
and again on the hills of Fredericksburg, fifteen miles distant, and
by the valor that has triumphed on so many fields, forced him once
more to seek safety beyond the Rappahannock. While this glori
ous victory entitles you to the praise and gratitude of the nation,
we are especially called upon to return our grateful thanks to the
only Giver of victory for the signal deliverance He has wrought
"It is, therefore, earnestly recommended that the troops unite
on Sunday next in ascribing to the Lord of hosts the glory due
unto His name.

AT THE CONFEDERATE ST.VTES CAPITAL. 317
"Let US not forget in our rejoicing the brave soldiers who have
fallen in defense of their country; and while we mouru their loss,
let us resolve to emulate their noble example.
"The army and the country alike lament the absence for a time
of one to whose bravery, energy, aud skill they are so much in
debted for success.
"The following letter from the President of the Confederate
States is communicated to the army as an expression of his appre
ciation of its success :
"'I have received your dispatch, and reverently unite with you
in giving praise to God for the success with which He has crowned
onr arms.
'"In the name of the people, I offer ray cordial thanks to your
self and the troops under your coraraaud for this addition to the
unprecedented series of great victories which your army has
achieved. "'The universal rejoicing produced by this happy result will
be mingled with a general regret for the good and the brave who
are numbered among the killed and wounded.' "R. E. Lee, General."
The losses on either side are not yet rela-tively ascertained.
Ours, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, will probably reach 10,000.
We have taken about 10,000 prisoners; the enemy's killed and
wounded is thought to be 15,000 to 20,000. We have taken about
fifty guns — and it is said 40,000 small arms, in good order. They
did not have leisure to destroy them as on former occasions. It
was a complete and stunning defeat.
Gen. Jackson remains near Fredericksburg, and is doing well
since the amputation of his (left) arm. The wound was received,
during the battle by moonlight, from his own men, who did not rec
ognize their beloved general.
A letter was received to-day from Gen. Whiting at Wilming
ton, who refuses to permit the "Lizzie" to leave the port, unless
ordered to do so. He intimates that she trades with the enemy.
And yet Mr. Benjamin urges the Secretary to allow her to depart 1
Commodore Lynch also writes that the detention of the "Lizzie"
is a prudential measure, as it is the only steamer in port that could
27*

318 A rebel war clerk's DIARY
conduct our unfinished gun-boat to a place of safety, should the
eneray's fleet make a sudden attack on the city.
The President (who still absents himself from the Executive
Office, his health being precarious) writes the Secretary to consult
Gen. Lee before detaching Gen. Jenkins's cavalry brigade from the
West It would have been better if Gen. Lee's advice had been
taken in regard to Gen. Longstreet
The men from the garrison at Drewry's Bluff, and the crew from
the steamer Richmond, were taken away to man the batteries around
the city. The President requests the Secretary to order them back
at the earliest raoraent practicable. It would be an ugly picture if
our defenses at Drewry's Bluff were surprised and taken by a sud
den dash of the enemy up James River.
The raid of the eneray's cavalry, after all, did little or no per
manent injnry to the roads or canal. They are all in operation
again. It is said Lincoln has called for 500,000 more men. Numbers
have now no terror for the Southern people. They are willing to
wage the war against quadruple their number.
May 10th. — Detachments of Federal troops are now marching
into the city every few hours, guarded by (mostly) South Caro
linians, dressed in home-spun, died yeUow with the bark of the
butternut-tree. Yesterday evening, at 7 o'clock, a body of 2000
arrived, being marched in by way of the Brooke Pike, near to my
residence. Only 200 Butternuts had them in charge, and a less
number would have sufficed, for they were extremely weary. Some
of them, however, attempted to be humorous.
A young officer asked one of the spectators if the "Libby" (the
prison) was the best house in the city to put up at. He was an
swered that it was the best he would find.
.Another passed some compliment on a mulatto wench, who re
plied : "Go long, you nasty Abolition Yankee."
One of our soldiers taken at Arkansas Post, just exchanged,
walked along with the column, and kept repeating these words:
"Now you know how we felt when you marched us through your
cities." But generally a deep silence was maintained, and neither insult
nor indignity offered the fallen foe. Other columns are on the way
— and how they are to be subsisted is a vexatious question.

d ^

AT THE C0NPEDER.-VTE ST.iTES CAPITAL. 319
The Washington papers of the day preceding the first battle
contain Hooker's address to his army — how different from Lee's !
It is short, though : " Headquartebs .Vbmy or the Potomac,
'•Camp near Falmouth, April SOth.
"General Orders No 47.
"It is with heartfelt satisfaction that the Commanding General
announces to the army that the operations of the last three days
have determined that our enemy must either ingloriously fly or
come out from behind his defenses and give us battle on our own
ground, where certain destruction awaits him. The operations of
the 15th, 11th, and 12th corps have been a succession of splendid
achievements. "By command of Maj. -Gen. Hooker.
"S. Williams, Ass't. Adj't.-Oen."
Another column of between twelve and fifteen hundred prisoners
marched in this afternoon. It is said a copy of the New York Herald
is in town, which acknowledges Hooker's loss to be fully 40,000.
There are rumors, also, that our army in Tennessee has gained a
great victory. Rumors from the West have hitherto been so very
unreliable, that I shall wait patiently for the confirmation of any
reports from that quarter.
May IIth. — Lieut.-Gen. J. T. Jackson died at 3 p.m. yester
day. His remains will alrive in the city at 5 p.m. this afternoon.
The flags are at half-mast, and all the government offices and even
places of business are closed. A multitude of people, mostly
women and children, are standing silently in the streets, awaiting
the arrival of the hero, destined never again to defend their homes
and honor.
A letter from Gen. Lee says, emphatically, that if cavalry be
not brought from North CaroUna and the South, the enemy's
cavalry wUl be enabled to make raids almost anywhere without
molestation. I recollect distinctly how he urged the Secretary of
War (Randolph), months ago, to send to Texas for horses, but it
was not attended to — and now we see the consequences.
The exchanged prisoners here, taken at Arkansas Post, are or
dered to the Mississippi. Gen. Longstreet urged the Secretary
to send them off, if that were their destination, without a moment's

320 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
delay, several days ago — else they would be too late to participate
in the campaign.
Northern papers set down Hooker's loss at 20,000, a modest
figure, subject to revision.
The Federal Secretary of War has issued a statement to mollify
the panic. He is bound to acknowledge that, whereas Hooker ad
vanced upon Lee across the river, he is now, after the battle, back
again, where he started from. But he says not more than a third
of the army was engaged ; and as 30,000 reinforcements have been
sent from Washington, and as many from Suffolk, the army will
soon be as strong as ever, and in condition for another advance —
and defeat.
But what credit can we attach to such statements, since McClel
lan, under oath, said that he had ninety odd thousand men at the
battle of Sharpsburg, 75,000 of whom only were actually engaged,
whUe Lee had 100,000? We know that he did not have 40,000
engaged !
Gen. Van Dorn is dead — being killed by a man whose peace he
had ruined.
More applications for passports to leave the country are coming
in — and they are "allowed" by the Assistant Secretary of War.
How could he refuse, since his own family (at least a portion of
it) have enjoyed the benefits of sojourning in the North since the
war began ?
A letter was received to-day from Mr.'Ranney, president of the
N. C, Jackson, and Great Northern Railroad Co,, asking the
protection of government from harm for violations of the Act of
Congress of April 19th, 1862, prohibiting the transportation of
cotton within the eneray's lines. He incloses a nuraber of per
emptory orders frora Lieut.-Gen. Pemberton, dated January 19th,
February 16th and 19th, to take large amounts of cotton into the
enemy's lines for S. J. Josephs (Jew?), and for Messrs. Clarke,
Ford, and Hust, etc. etc. He says Gen. P. threatened to seize
the road if he did not comply, and asserted that he had authority
frora the Secretary of War to issue the orders. One of these
orders was frora Gov. Pettus, for a small lot not more than fifty
bales, to be exchanged for salt. This was authorized by the
President, who most positively forbid the others. The letter from
Gen. Johnston the other day said this traffic was subjugating the

AT THE CONFEDERATE ST.iTES CAPITAL. 321
people. Was that "allowed" to reach the Secretary and the
President? I know not; it has not yet passed through my hands
from the President back to the department.
May 12th. — The departments and all places of business are
still closed in honor of Gen. Jackson, whose funeral will take place
to-day. The remains wiU be placed in state at the Capitol, where
the people will be permitted to see him. The grief is universal,
and the victory involving such a loss is regarded as a calamity.
The day is bright and excessively hot ; and so was yesterday.
Many letters are coming in from the counties in which the
enemy's cavalry replenished their horses. It appears that the
government has sent out agents to collect the worn-down horses
left by the enemy; and this is bitterly objected to by the farmers.
It is the corn-planting season, and without horses, they say, they
can raise no crops. Some of these writers are almost menacing
in their remarks, and intimate that they are about as harshly used,
in this war, by one side as the other.
To-day I observed the clerks coming out of the departments
with chagrin and mortification. Seventy-five per cent, of them
ought to be in the army, for they are young able-bodied men.
This applies also to the chiefs of bureaus.
The funeral was very solemn and imposing, because the mourn
ing was sincere and heartfelt. There was no vain ostentation. The
paU bearers were generals. The President followed near the
hearse in a carriage, looking thin and frail in health. The heads
of departments, two and two, followed on foot — Benjamin and
Seddon first — at the head of the column of young clerks (who
ought to be in the field), the State authorities, municipal authori
ties, and thousands of soldiers and citizens. The war-horse was
led by the general's servant, and flags and black feathers
abounded. Arrived at the Capitol, the whole multitude passed the bier, and
gazed upon the hero's face, seen through a glass in the coffin.
Just previous to the melancholy ceremony, a very large body of
prisoners (I think 3500) arrived, and were marched through Main
Street, to the grated buildings allotted them. But these attracted
slight attention, — Jackson, the great hero, was the absorbing
thought Yet there are other Jacksons in the army, who will win
victories, — no one doubts it.

322 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
The following is Gen. Lee's order to the army after the inteUi-
gence of Gen. Jackson's death :
" Headquaetees Army Xoetheei! Va.,
"May 11th, 1803.
"General Orders No. 61.
"With deep grief the Commanding General announces to the
army the death of .Lieut.-Gen. T. J. Jackson, who expired on the
10th inst., at 3 J p.m. The daring, skill, and energy of this great
and good soldier, by the decree of an all-wise Providence, are
now lost to us. But while we mourn his death, we feel that his
spirit still lives, and will inspire the whole array with his indomit
able courage and unshaken confidence in God as our hope and
our strength. Let his name be a watchword to his corps, who
have followed him to victory on so many fields. Let officers and
soldiers emulate his invincible deterraination to do everything in
the defense of our beloved country. "R. E. Lee, General."
The Letter of Gen. Lee to Gen. Jackson.
The letter written by Gen. Lee to Gen. Jackson before the death
of the latter is as follows : " Chaxcelloeville, May 4lh.
" General : —
"I have just received your note informing me that you were
wounded. I cannot express my regret at the occurrence. Could
I have dictated events, I should have chosen for the good of the
country to have been disabled in your stead.
" I congratulate you upon the victory which is due to your skiU
and energy. "Most truly yours, " R. E. Lee.
"To Gen. T. J. Jackson."
" The nation's agony," as it is termed in a Washington paper,
in an appeal for 500,000 more men, now demands a prompt re
sponse frora the people. And yet that paper, under the eye and
in the interest of the Federal Government, would make it appear
that "the Array of the Potomac" has sustained no considerable
disaster. What, then, constitutes the "nation's agony"? Is it

AT THE CONFEDEiLATE STATES C.VPITAL. 32,)
the imminency of war with England ? It may be, judging from
the debates in Parliament, relating to the liberties the United
States have been taking with British commerce. But what do
they mean by the "naiionf" They have nothing resembling a
homogeneous race in the North, and nearly a moiety of the people
are Germans and Irish. How ridiculous it would have been even
for a Galba to caU his people the Roman nation! An idiot may
produce a conflagration, but he can never rise to the dignity of a
high-minded man. Yet that word " Nation" may raise a million
Yankee troops. It is a " new thing."
The Northern papers say Charleston is to be assailed again im
mediately ; that large reinforcements are going to Hooker, and
that they captured st'j or eight thousand prisoners in their flight
on the Rappahannock. All these fictions are understood and ap
preciated here ; bnt they may answer a purpose in the North, by
deceiving the people again into the belief that Richmond will cer
tainly faU the next time an advance is made. And really, where
we see such extravagant statements in the Federal journals, after
a great battle, we are much rejoiced, because we know them to be
unfounded, and we are led to believe our victory was even greater
than we supposed it to be.
May 13th. — Col. Gorgas, Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance,
sent in to-day a report of the arms captured in the recent battle.
It appears from his statement that, so far, only eight guns have
been found, taken from the enemy, while we lost ten. Thus, it
would appear, our papers have been "lying," in regard to that
item, as well as the Northern papers about the number of prisoners
lost and taken. But, so far, we have collected 12,000 of the
enemy's small arms left upon the field, and 8000 of our own, in
dicating the number of our killed and wounded. But the New"
York joornals say we captured only 1700 prisoners; whereas, up
to this time, more than 6000 have arrived in Richmond ; 5000 of
whom leave to-day, paroled untU exchanged. I doubt whether
we lost 2000 prisoners in the battle.
The Philadelphia Press, just received, charges the government
at Washington with circulating false reports, and is now convinced
Hooker met with a most crushing defeat.
It is ruraored the enemy are disembarking troops at the White
House, York River. If this be so, it is to prevent reinforcements
being sent to Lee.

324 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
The Governor of Alabaraa declares that MobUe is neglected,
and says he wiU continue to protest against the failure of the gov
ernment to make adequate preparations for the defense of the city.
I saw Gen. Wise to-day. He seems weather-beaten, but hardy.
May 14Tn.-^— We have been beaten in an engagement near
Jackson, Miss., 4000 retiring before 10,000. This is a dark cloud
over the hopes of patriots, for Vicksburg is seriously endangered.
Its fall would be the worst blow we have yet received.
Papers from New York and Philadelphia assert most positively,
and with circumstantiality, that Hooker recrossed the Rappahan
nock since the battle, and is driving Lee toward Richmond, with
which his communications have been interrupted. But this is not
aU : they say Gen. Keyes marched a column up the Peninsula,
and took Richmond itself, over the Capitol of which the Union
flag "is now flying." These groundless statements wUl go out to
Europe, and may possibly delay our recognition. If so, what may
be the consequences when the falsehood is exposed ? I doubt the
policy of any species of dishonesty.
Gov. Shorter, of Alabama, demands the officers of Forrest's cap
tives for State trial, as they incited the slaves to insurrection.
Mr. S. D. Allen writes from Alexandria, La., that the people
despair of defending the Mississippi Valley with snch men as Pem
berton and other hybrid Yankees in command. He denounces
the action also of quartermasters and commissaries in the South
west A letter from Hon. W. Porcher Miles to the Secretary of War
gives an extract from a communication written him by Gen. Beau
regard, to the effect that Charleston must at last fall into the
hands of the enemy, if an order which has been sent there, for
nearly all his troops to proceed to Vicksburg, be not revoked.
There are to be left for the defense of Charleston only 1500 ex
clusive of the garrisons !
May 15th. — The Tredegar Iron Works and Crenshou's woolen
factory were mostly destroyed by fire last night! This is a
calamity. We have also inteUigence of the occupation of Jackson, Miss.,
by the enemy. Thus they cut off communication with Vicksburg,
and that city may be dooraed to fall at last The President is at
work again at the Executive Office, but is not fully himself yet.

at the CONFEDERATE ST.VTES C-VPIT.VL, 325
The Secretary of War dispatched Gen. Lee a day or two ago, de
siring that a portion of his army, Pickett's division, might be sent
to Mississippi. Gen. Lee responds that it is a dangerous and
doubtful expedient; it is a question between Virginia and j\[is-
sissippi; he will send the division off without delay, if still
deemed necessary. The President, in sending this response to
the Secretary, says it is just such an answer as he expected from
Lee, and he approves it. Virginia will not be abandoned.
Gens. Lee, Stuart, and French were all at the War Department
to-day. Lee looked thinner, and a Uttle pale. Subsequently he
and the Secretary of War were long closeted with the President.
Gen. Schenck (Federal) has notified Gen. W. E, Jones, that
onr men taken dressed in Federal uniform will not be treated as
prisoners of war, but will be tried and punished as spies, etc. The
President directed the Secretary of War to-day to require Gen.
Lee to send an order to the commander of the Federal array, that
aceonterments and clothing will be deemed subjects of capture,
and if our men are treated differently than prisoners of war, when
taken, we will retaliate on the prisoners in our possession.
Gen. Longstreet censured Gen. French for his conduct before
Suffolk, and the Secretary of War proposed that French be re
lieved, and sent before a court of inquiry. The President vetoed
this, saying snch courts were nuisances, and would not have him
molested at this critical moment.
Gen, D. H. Hill writes that desertions in North Carolina are
alarmingly frequent ; that deserters will soon be in arms ; that
papers and factions exist there in favor of reconstruction, laboring
to convince the people that the State has been neglected by the
Confederate States Government, and he suggests summary pun
ishments. The President directs the Secretary to correspond with
Gov. Vance on the subject.
Mr. Benjamin has had some pretty passports printed. He
sends one to Assistant Secretary Campbell for a Mr. Bloodgood
and son to leave the Confederate States. I hope there is no bad
blood in this incessant intercourse with persons in the enemy's
country. Just at this crisis, if so disposed, any one going thither
might inflict incalculable injury on the cause of Southern inde
pendence. May 16th. — It appears, after the consultation of the generals
28

326 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
and the President yesterday, it was resolved not to send Pickett's
division to Mississippi, and this morning early the long column
march through the city northward. Gen. Lee is now stronger
than he was before the battle. Gen. Pickett himself, with his long,
black ringlets, accompanied his division, his troops looking like
fighting veterans, as they are. And two fine regiments of cavalry,
the 2d and 59th North Carolina Regiments, passed through the
city this morning likewise.
A letter was received from Gen. Beauregard to-day, again pro
testing against the movement of so many of his troops to Missis
sippi ; 5000 on the 5th, and more than 5000 on the IOth instant.
He makes an exhibit of the forces remaining in South Carolina
and Georgia — about 4000 infantry, 5000 cavalry, and 6000 artil
lery, some 15,000 in all. He says the enemy is still on the coast, in
the rivers, and on the islands, and may easily cut his communica
tions with Savannah ; and they have sufficient numbers to take
Charleston, in all probability, without passing the forts. He says
information of his weakness is sure to be communicated to the
enemy — and I think so too, judging from the number of pass
ports "allowed" by Judge Campbell and Mr. Benjamin !
There is some purpose on the part of Gen. Lee to have a raid
in the enemy's country, surpassing all other raids. If he ean
organize two columns of cavalry, 5000 each, to move in parallel
lines, they may penetrate to the Hudson River; and then the
North will discover that it has more to lose by such expeditions
than the South. Philadelphia, even, may be taken.
To-day, the regular train on the Fredericksburg road came
back to the city, the conductor being in a terrible fright and
reporting that the enemy were again at Ashland. But it turned
out that the troops there were our men! It is not probable the
enemy's cavalry will soon approach Richmond again.
May 17th. — The last few days have been cool and dry; fine
weather for campaigning. And yet we hear of no demonstrations
apparently, though I believe Lee's army is moving.
Mr. Lamar, of Savannah (formerly president of the Bank of the
Republic, New York), writes that he and others are organizing
an Exporting and Importing Company, and desires the govern
ment to take an interest in it So far the heads of bureaus de
cline, and of course the Secretary will do nothing. But the

at the confederjVte st.-vtks capital. 327
Secretary has already engaged with .Air. Crenshaw in a siraUar
enterprise, and so informed Mr. Mason, at London.
About 10 a.m., some 2500 men of all arms arrived at "double
quick," having left Ashland, eighteen miles distant, at 5 o'clock
this morning. That was brisk marching. The guns were sent
down on the railroad. The governraent has information that Gen.
Keyes, with a full division of infantry and a brigade of cavalry, had
marched up to West Point, to threaten Richmond. The troops,
however, which arrived from Ashland, had been taken from the
batteries here, and did not belong to Gen. Lee's army.
Messrs. Davenport & Co., Mobile, charge Gen. Buckner with
permitting 1000 bales of cotton to be shipped to New Orleans.
The president of the Fredericksburg Road states, in a letter to
the Secretary, that, after the battle, by military authority, the cars
were appropriated by the Federal officers (prisoners), while our
wounded soldiers had to remain and await the return of the
trains. Hon. Mr. Dargin, of Alabama, writes to the Secretary, to pro
cure from the President a disavowal of the " organship " of the
Enquirer, as that paper, under the belief that it speaks for the
government, is likely to inflict much mischief on the country. He
alhided to the bitter articles against the Democrats and peace men
of the North, who would soon have been able to embarrass, if not
to check the operations of the Republican war party. He says
now, that they will write against us, and deal destruction wherever
they penetrate the land.
May 19rH. — A dispatch from Gen. Johnston says a''battle has
been fought between Pemberton and Grant between Jackson and
Vicksburg, Mississippi, which lasted nine hours. Pemberton was
forced back. This is all we know yet.
Another letter, from Hon. W. Porcher Miles, remonstrating
against the withdrawal of Beauregard's troops, was received to
day. He apprehends the wor.st consequences.
The government is buying 5000 bales of cotton for the Cren
shaw scheme. Jas. R. Crenshaw, of this city, is at Charleston on
this business. Why not arrange with Lamar?
Gov. Shorter forwards another strongly written memorial from
Mobile, against the traffic of cotton with the enemy, and, indeed,
against all blockade-running.

328 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
Gov. Jno. MUton, of Florida, also writes a powerful denuncia
tion of the Ulicit traffic, which it seems the policy of the govern-
ment has been to encourage. They all say this traffic is doing
the work of subjugation more effectually than the arms of the
enemy. The President is too ill again to come to the Executive Office.
His messenger, who brought me some papers this morning, says
he is in a " decline." I think he has been ill every day for several
years, but this has been his most serious attack. No doubt he is
also worried at the dark aspects in his own State — Mississippi.
If Vicksburg falls, and the Valley be held by the enemy, then
the Confederacy will be curtailed of half its dimensions. Texas,
Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, Arizona, New Mexico,
all the Indian country, Kentucky, half of Tennessee, one-third of
Virginia, Eastern North Carolina, and sundry islands, etc. of
South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, will be wrested from ns.
What will remain of the Confederacy ? Two-thirds of Virginia,
half of Tennessee, the greater part of North CaroUna, South Car
olina, Georgia, and the whole of Alabama, — ^less than six States !
But still the war will go on, as long as we have brave armies and
great generals, whether the President lives or dies.
May 20th. — Reports frora the West say we lost 3000 and the
enemy 6000 men in the battle of the 15th inst., when Pemberton
feU back over the Black River. Our forces numbered only 12,000,
Grant's three times that number. Something decisive must occur
before Vicksburg in a few days.
Mr. J. W. Henry writes from News Ferry, that parties of cav
alry, going about the country, professing to belong to our Gen.
Stuart's corps, are probably Yankee spies making observations
preparatory for another raid. The city councils are organizing
the citizens for local defense, thinking it probable another dash may
be made.
Gen. Dix threatens to hang the citizens of WUliamsburg if they
co-operate with Gen. Wise in his frequent attacks on the Federals.
Gen. AA^ise repUes, threatening, to hang Gen. Dix if he carries his
threat into execution, aud should fall into his hands, in a more
summary manner than John Brown was hung for making his raid
in Virginia.
Butter is worth $4 per pound. A sheep is worth $50. A cow

AT THE CONFEDER.VTK STATES (UPir.VL. ;!29
May 21st. — There was a rumor ou the street last night that Gen.
Johnston had telegraphed the President that it would bo necessary
to evacuate Vicksburg. This has not been confirmed to-day, and
I do not believe it It would be irremediably disastrous.
Mr. N. S. Walker writes from Bermuda, May 11th, 1863, that
seventeen additional British regiments have been ordered to Canada.
A large amount of ordnance aud ordnance stores, as well as sev
eral war steamers, have likewise been sent thither. He states,
moreover, that United States vessels are having their registers
changed. Does this really mean war?
Strawberries were selling in market this morning at $4 for less
than a pint Coal $25 per load, and wood $30 per cord.
May 22d. — A letter from Gen. Howell Cobb, declining the
offer of the Secretary of War, of the position of Quartermaster-
General, was received to-day. His wife is ill, and he prefers to
remain with her ; besides, he doubts his qualifications — he, who was
Secretary of the Treasury of the United States ! He says, more
over, referring to the imperfect ordnance stores of his brigade,
that there can be no remedy for this so long as Col. G. is the Chief
of the Bureau of Ordnance. So Col. Myers is to be disposed of
at last and Col. G. has but an uncertain tenure.
We have sad rumors from Vicksburg. Pemberton, it is said,
was flanked by Grant, and lost 30 guns, which he abandoned in his
retreat. Where Johnston is, is not stated. But, it is said, Vicks
burg is closely invested, and that the invaders are closing in on all
sides. There is much gloom and despondency in the city among
those who credit these unofficial reports. It would be a terrible
blow, but not necessarily a fatal one, for the war could be pro
longed indefinitely.
I met with Robt. Tyler to-day, who offers to wager something
that Gen. Stuart will be in Philadelphia in a fortnight, and he
said there was a proposition to stop the publication of newspapers,
if the President would agree to it, as they gave information to
the enemy, and at such a time as this did no good whatever. He
thinks they are on the eve of revolution in the North, and referred
to Gov. Seymour's letter, read at a public meeting in New York.
May 23d. — The reports from Mississippi have not been con
firmed by official dispatches, and it is understood that the Presi
dent remarked yesterday, at dinner, that he was satisfied with the
28*

330 A REBEL WAR CLERK's DIARY
condition of affairs in that State. If this be so, Vicksburg must
not only be still in our possession, but likely to be held by us at
the end of this campaign. The President, I know, feels a peculiar
interest in that State, and I learn by a letter frora Tennessee, that
on the 9th inst troops left McMinnvUle for the rescue of Vicks
burg — a Texas brigade.
Cavalry continue to pass through this city from the south, while
infantry are passing to the south. These movements wUl puzzle
the spies, who are daily, and without difficulty, obtaining passports
to leave the Confederate States.
We have Northern papers to-day, containing Gen. Hooker's
grandiloquent address to his army, a few days after his flight I
preserve it here for the inspection of the future generation, and to
deter other generals from the bad policy of publishing false state
ments. "[Copy.] "Headquaetees Aemt of the Potomac,
" May 6th, 1863.
" General Orders No 49.
"The Major-General commanding tenders to this army his con
gratulations on its achievements of the last seven days. If it has
not accorapUshed all that was expected, the reasons are well known
to the army. It is sufficient to say they were of a character not
to be foreseen or prevented by human sagacity or resources. In
withdrawing from the south bank of the Rappahannock, before
delivering a general battle to our adversaries, the army has given
renewed evidence of its confidence in itself, and its fidelity to the
principles it represents.
"In fighting at a disadvantage we would have been recreant to
our trust to ourselves, our cause, and our country. Profoundly
loyal and conscious of its strength, the Army of the Potomac will
give or decline battle whenever its interest or honor may demand.
,It will also be the guardian of its own history and its own honor.
By our celerity and secrecy of movement our advance and passage
of the rivers were undisputed, and on our withdrawal not a rebel
returned to follow. The events of the last week may sweU with
pride the hearts of every officer and soldier of this army. We
have added new laurels to its former renown. We have made long
marches, crossed rivers, surprised the enemy in his intrenchments,

AT THE CONFEDER.VTE STATK.S (WPITVL. IV.M
and whenever we have fought we have inflicted heavier blows than
we have received,
"We have taken frora the eneray five thousand prisoners and
fifteen colors, captured and brought off seven pieces of artillery,
and placed hors du combat eighteen thousand of his chosen troops.
We have destroyed his depots fiUed with vast amounts of stores,
damaged his communications, captured prisoners within the forti
fications of his capital, and filled his country with fear and conster
nation. We have no other regret thau that caused by the death
of our brave companions ; and in this we are consoled by the con
viction that they have fallen in the holiest cause ever submitted to
the arbitrament of battle. "By command of
" (Signed) Major-General Hooker.
"S. Williams, A.A.G."
To-day we have another official report from the Chief of Ord
nance of the fruits of -our victory, as far as they have been gath
ered, though the whole field has not been carefully gleaned, which
I append as a commentary on the statements of Hooker.
Five twelve-pounder Napoleons; 7 three-inch rifled guns; 1
Parrott gun, ten-pounder; 9 caissons; 4 rear parts of caissons;
3 battery wagons ; 2 forges; 1500 rounds artiUery ammunition;
large lot of artUlery harness ; large lot of wheels, axles, ammu
nition chests, etc.; 16,500 muskets and rifles; 4000 cap pouches ;
11,500 haversacks, and 300,000 rounds infantry ammunition. The
report says thousand of our soldiers helped themselves on the
field to better arms, etc., which cannot be computed.
Now for the prisoners. To-day the last lot taken by Hooker
arrived by flag of truce boat, making in aU just 2700. We have
already sent off 7000 prisoners taken from him, and 1000 are yet
to go. Our killed, wounded, and missing amount to but little
over 8000. Hooker's killed and wounded are admitted by the
Northern papers to be 20,000, and some say his entire loss was
fully 40,000. So much for his march over the Rappahannock and
his flight back again. If he is not satisfied, Lee wUl try him
again. May 24th, Sunday. — We have had a fortnight of calm, dry,
and warm weather. There is a hazy atmosphere, and the sun rises

332 A rebel war olerk's diary
and sets wearing a blood-red aspect At night the moon, dimly
and indistinctly seen (now a crescent), has a somber and baleful
appearance. This is strange at this season of the year ; it is like
Indian summer in May, The ground is dry and crusted, and ap
prehensions are felt for the crops, unless we have rain in a few
days. My poor little garden has suffered for moisture, but the
area is so small I am enabled to throw water over it in the even
ing. My beets, tomatoes, early potatoes, and lettuce look pretty
well, though not so far advanced, in consequence of the late spring,
as I have seen them in Burlington. But they are a great comfort
to me. I work them, water them, and look at them, and this is
what the French would call a distraction. I have abundance of
roses, — this is the city of roses. And my cherries are coming on
finely, — I know not yet what kind they are ; but it relieves the eye
to gaze on them. And then my neighbor has a pigeon-house, and
the birds come into my yard and are fed by ray daughters, being
pretty and tame. I sit for hours watching them.
Alas i this cruel war ! But independence will be ample compen
sation. Our posterity will thank us for our sacrifices and suffer
ings. Yet all do not suffer. The Gil Biases, by their serviUty and
cringing to their patrons, the great men in power, and only great
because they have patronage to bestow, which is power, are getting
rich. Even adroit clerks are becoming wealthy. They procure
exemptions, discharges, and contracts for the speculators for heavy
bribes, and invest the raoney immediately in real estate, having
some doubts as to its ultimate redemption, and possibly indifferent
as to the fate of the country, so that their own prosperity he
secure. After the war the rascals and traitors wUl be rich, and
ought to be marked and exposed.
May 25th. — Dispatches from the West inform us that three at
tempts to carry the city of Vicksburg by assault have been re
pulsed with heavy loss. Johnston is on the enemy's flank and
rear, engendering a new army with rapidity, and if the garrison
can hold out a little while, the city may be safe.
Gens. Ewell and A. P. Hill have been made lieutenant-generals,
and will command Jackson's corps. It appears that the Senate
has not yet confirmed Hardee, Holmes, and Pemberton.
The Washington correspondent of the New York Commercial
Advertiser says Hooker's loss in killed aud wounded amounted to

AT THE CONFEDERATE ST.VTES CAPIT.VL. 333
"over 23,000 men, and he left 24 guns on the other side of the
Rappahannock." We got 8000 prisoners, which will make the loss
31,000 men, and it is said the stragglers, not yet collected, amount
to 10,000 men ! Only 13 guns fell into our hands, the rest fell —
into the river 1
May 26th. — ReUable information of hard fighting at Vicks
burg; bnt StiU, so far as we know, the garrison of the invested
city has repulsed every assault made upon it The enemy's losses
are said to be very heavy. Something decisive must occur there
soon, and I hope something calamitous to the eneray.
The President and the cabinet have been in council nearly all
day. Can they have intelligence from the West, not yet commu
nicated to the public ?
We learn from Newbern, N. C, that gray-haired old men,
women, and children, who refused to take the oath of allegiance,
have been driven from their homes, on foot, despoiled of their
property. Among these I see the names of the Misses Custis,
cousins of my wife. Gen. Daniels, commanding onr forces at
Kinston, sent out wagons and ambulances to convey them within
onr lines. They were on foot
May 27th. — Gen. Beauregard's statement of the number of his
troops, after 10,000 had been ordered to Mississippi, with urgent
appeals for the order to be countermanded, came back from the
President to-day, to whom it had been referred by Mr. Secretary
Seddon. The President indorsed, characteristically, that the
statement did not agree in numbers with a previous one, and
asked the Secretary to note the discrepancy ! This was all.
The president of the Seaboard Railroad requests the Secretary
to forbid the common use of the bridge over the Roanoke at
Weldon, the tracks being planked, to be used in case of a hasty
retreat; the loss might be great, if it were rendered useless. It
is i760 feet long, and 60 feet high.
Mr. John Minor Botts is here in difficulty, a negro being de
tected bearing a letter from him to the enemy's camp. The letter
asked if no order had come from Washington, concerning the res
toration of his slaves taken away (he lives on the Rappahannock)
by Hooker's men; and stating that it was hard for him to be in
sulted and imprisoned by the Confederate States — and deprived of
his property by the United States — he a neutral. Gen. F. Lee

334 A rebel war clerk's diary
thought he ought not to be permitted to remain in proximity to
the enemy, and so sent him on to Richmond. He was to see the
Secretary to-day.
Hon. D. M. Lewis, Sparta, Ga., writes that he wiU cut his
wheat on the 28th (to-morrow), and both for quality and quantity
he never saw it equaled. They have new flour in Alabama; and
everywhere South the crops are unprecedented in amount
To-morrow is election day. For Congress, Col. Wickham, who
voted against secession, opposes Mr. Lyons. But he has foughi
since !
We have a letter frora Gen. Jos. E. Johnston, dated at Calhoun,
Miss., 16th inst. He says the eneray on the railroad at CHnton
nurabered 25,000. We got our baggage out of Jackson before it
was abandoned. Pemberton marched to Edward's Station with
17,000 men. Gen. Johnston himself had 7500, and some 15,000
more were on the way to hira. We had 3000 at Port Hudson —
being over 40,000 which he meant to concentrate immediately. I
think Vicksburg ought to be safe.
Our government has been notified that, if we execute the two
officers (selected by lot) in retaliation for the execution of two of
our officers in Kentucky, two men will be shot or hung by the
enemy. Thus the war will be still raore terrible !
Vallandighara has been sent to ShellbyviUe, within our lines.
I think our people ought to give him a friendly greeting.
May 28th. — There is some animation at the polls, this being
election day. It is said Mr. Wickham, who for a long time, in the
Convention, voted against the secession of Virginia, is leading Mr.
Lyons, an original secessionist, and wUl probably beat him. And
Flournoy, an old Whig politician, wiU probably be elected governor.
A dispatch from Gen. Johnston, dated yesterday, says in every
fight so far, around Vicksburg, our forces have been successful,
and that our soldiers are in fine spirits.
Papers frora the North have, in great headings, the word vic
tory, and announce that the Stars and Stripes are floating over
the City of A'icksburg 1 They likewise said their flag was floating
over the Capitol in this city. If A^icksburg falls, it wiU be a sad
day for us; if it does not fall, it wiU be a sad day for the war
party of the United States. It may be decisive, one way or the
other. If we beat thera, we may have peace. If they beat us —

AT THE CONFEDER^VTE STATES C.VPITAL. 3:>5
although the war wiU not and cannot terminate — ^it may degener
ate into a gnerriUa warfare, relentless and terrible !
May 29th. — A dispatch from Gen. Johnston, dated 27th inst ,
says fighting at A'icksburg had been in progress ever since the
19th instant, and that onr troops have been invariably successful
in repulsing the assults. Other dispatches say the unburied dead
of the enemy, lying in heaps near our fortifications, have produced
such an intolerable stench that our men are burning barrels of tar
without their works.
But StiU all is indefinite. Yet, frora the persistent assaults of the
enemy it may be inferred that Grant is inspired with the conviction
that it is necessary for him to capture Vicksburg immediately, and
before Johnston collects an army in his rear. A few days may
produce a decisive result.
Hon. E. S. Dargan, Mobile, Ala., writes that it is indispensable
for our government to stipulate for aid from Europe at the earliest
moment practicable, even if we mnst agree to the gradual emanci
pation of the slaves. He says the enemy will soon overrun the
Southwestern States and prevent communication with the East,
and then these States (Eastern) cannot long resist the superior
numbers of the invaders. Better (he thinks, I suppose) yield
slavery, and even be under the protection of a foreign government, i
than succumb to the United States. '
The enemy, wherever they have possession in the South, have
adopted the policy of sending away (into the Confederate States)
aU the inhabitants who refuse to take the oath of allegiance. This
enables them to appropriate their property, and, being destitute,
the wanderers wiU aid in the consumption of the stores of the
Confederates. A Mr. W. E. Benthuisen, merchant sent from New
Orieans, telegraphs the President for passports for himself and
family to proceed to Richmond. The President intimates to the
Secretary of War that many similar cases may be looked for, and
he thinks it would be better for the famUies to be dispersed in the
country than congregated in the city.
The foUowing are the wholesale prices to-day :
"Produce, Provisions, etc. — The quotations given are whole
sale. Wheat — nothing doing — we quote it nominal at $6.50 to
$7 ; corn, very scarce, may be quoted at $9 to $10 ; oats, $6 to $6.50
per bushel; flour— superfine, $32, extra, $34, family, $37 per barrel ;

336 A REBEL WAR OLERK'S DIARY
corn-meal, $11 per bushel; bacon, hoground, $1.45 to $1.50— a
strictly prime article a shade higher; butter, $2.50 to $3 per
pound; lard, $1.50 to $1.60; candles, $2.75 to $3 for taUow, $5
for adamantine ; dried fruit— apples, $10 to $12, peaches, $15 to
$18 per bushel; eggs, $1.40 to $1.50 per dozen; beans, $18 to
$20; peas, $15 to $18 per bushel; potatoes, $8 to $10 per bushel;
hay and sheaf-oats, $10 to $12 per cwt; rice, 18 to 20 cents per
pound ; salt, 45 to 50 cents per pound ; soap, 50 to 60 cents per
pound for hard country.
" Leather. — Market unsettled. We quote as follows : Sole,
$3.50 to $4 per pound; harness, $4 to $4.25; russett and wax
upper, $5 to $5.50 ; wax kip skins, $6 per pound ; calf skins, $:^00
to $325 per dozen.
"Liquors. — We continue to quote apple brandy at $23 to $25;
whisky, $28 to $32 ; French brandy — common, $45, genuine, $80
per gallon.
"Groceries. — Brown sugar, $1.40 to $1.55 per pound — no
clarified or crushed offering; molasses, $10.50 to $11 per gallon;
coffee, $3.75 to $4 per pound ; tea, $8.50 to $10 per pound."
May 30th. — The newspapers have a dispatch, to-day, from
Jackson, Miss., which says the enemy have fallen back from the
position lately occupied by them in front of Vicksburg, It adds,
that they wOl be forced to retire to the Big Black River, for want of
water. Gen. G. A. Smith, who is here, and who resigned because
he was not made lieutenant-general instead of Pemberton, says he
"don't know how to read this dispatch." Nevertheless, it is gen
erally believed, and affords much relief to those who appreciate the
importance of Vicksburg.
Mr. Botts was offered $500 in Confederate States notes, the other
day, for a horse. He said he would sell him for $250 in gold, bat
would not receive Confederate notes, as the South would certainly
be conquered, and it was merely a question of time. This inform
ation was communicated to the Secretary of War to-day, but he
will attach no importance to it.
Among the papers sent in by the President, to-day, was a com
munication from Gov. Vance, of North CaroUna, inclosing a letter
frora Augustus S. Montgomery, of AA'ashington City, to Major-
Gen. Poster, Newbern, N. C, found in a sfeamer, captured the
other day by our forces, in Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal. It

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 337
informed Gen. F. that a plan of servile insurrection had been
adopted, and urged his co-operation. All the Yankee generals in
the Sonth would co-operate : they were to send smart negroes from
the camps among the slaves, with instructions to rise simultane
ously at night on the 1st August They were to seize and destroy
aU railroad bridges, cut the telegraph wires, etc., and then retire
into the swamps, concealing themselves until relieved by Federal
troops. It is said they were to be ordered to shed no blood, ex
cept in self-defense, and they were not to destroy more private
property than should be unavoidable. The writer said the corn
would be in the roasting-ear, and the hogs would be running at
large, so that the slaves could easily find subsistence.
¦The President thanked Gov. Vance for this information, and said
onr generals would be made acquainted with this scheme ; and he
commended the matter to the special attention of the Secretary of
¦War, who sent it to Gen. Lee.
May 31st. — The commissioners, appointed for the purpose,
have agreed upon the following schedule of prices for the State of
Virginia, under the recent impressment act of Congress ; and if a
large amount of supplies be furnished at these prices — which ai>e
fifty, sometimes one hundred per cent lower than the rates private
individuals are paying — it will be good proof that all patriotism
is not yet extinct :
"Wheat white, per bushel of 60 pounds, $4 50 ; flour, superfine,
per barrel of 196 pounds, $22.50; corn, white, per bushel of 56*
pounds, $4; nnshelled corn, white, per bushel of 56 pounds, $3.95 ;
corn-meal, per bushel of 50 pounds, $4.20 ; rye, per bushel of 56
pounds, $3.20 ; cleaned oats, per bushel of 32 pounds, $2 ; wheat-
bran, per bushel of 17 pounds, 50 cents; shorts, per bushel of 22
pounds, 70 cents; brown stuff, per bushel of 28 pounds, 90 cents;
ship stuff, per bushel of 37 pounds, $1.40; bacon, hoground, per
pound, $1 ; salt pork, per pound, $1 ; lard, per pound, $1 ; horsesi,
first class, artiUery, etc., average price per head, $350; wool, per
pound, $3 ; peas, per bushel of 60 pounds, $4 ; beans, per bushel of
69 pounds, $4 ; potatoes, Irish, per bushel of 69 pounds, $4; pota
toes, sweet, per bushel of 69 pounds, $5 ; onions, per bushel of
60 pounds, $5 ; dried peaches, peeled, per bushel of 38 pounds,
$8; dried peaches, unpeeled, per bushel of 38 pounds, $4,50;
dried apples, peeled, per bushel of 28 pounds, $3."
21)

338 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY

CHAPTER XXVIL
'Vicksburg refuses to surrender to Grant. — Spiritualism at the White House.
 Lee is pushing a little northward. — It is said Grant has lost 40,000
men, — He is still pounding Vicksburg. — Petty military organizations.—
Mr. Randolph busy. — Foolish passport rules. — Great battle imminent,
but speculation may defeat both sides. — Early's victory. — We have only
supplies of corn from day to day. — Chambersburg struck. — Col. Whiting
complains of blockade running at Wilmington. — False alarm. — Grant still
before Ticksburg.
June 1st. — Nothing decisive from Vicksburg. It is said North
ern papers have been received, of the 29th May, stating that their
Gen. Grant had been killed, and Vicksburg (though at first pre
maturely announced) captured. We are not ready to believe the
latter announcement.
Mr. Lyons has been beaten for Congress by Mr. Wickham.
It is said the brigade commanded by Gen. Barton, in the battle
near Vicksburg, broke and ran twice. If that be so, and their
conduct be imitated by other brigades, good- by to the Mississippi
VaUey !
Our people everywhere are alive to the expected raid of the
enemy's cavalry, and are organizing the men of non-conscript age
for defense.
One of our pickets whistled a horse, drinking in the Rappahan
nock, and belonging to Hooker's army, over to our side of the
river. It was a very fine horse, and the Federal Gen. Patrick
sent a flag demanding him, as he was not captured in battle. Our
officer sent back word he would do so with pleasure, if the Yan
kees would send back the slaves and other property of the South
not taken in battle. There it ended — but we shaU probably soon
have stirring news from that quarter.
The Baltimore American contains the proceedings of the City
Council, justifying the arrest of Vallandighara.
June 2d. — We have a dispatch from Mississippi, stating that
on Thursday last Grant demanded the surrender of Vicksburg in

AT THE CONFEDER.-VTE STATES CAPITAL. .i;!'.!
three days. He was answered that fifteen minutes were not nski'd ;
that the men were ready to die — but would never yirrender. This
was foUowed by another assault, in which the enemy lost great
numbers, and were repulsed — as they have been in every subse
quent attempt to take the town.
A letter from onr agent in London says H. 0. Brewer, of Mo
bile, advanced .£10,000 in March last, to buy a steamer for the
use of the Confederate States. »
Gen. Whiting writes from Wilmington, that a captured mail
furnishes the inteUigence that the enemy have thirty-one regiments
at Newbern, and he apprehends they will cut the railroad at
Goldsborough, as we have but two small brigades to resist them.
Then they may march against Wilmington, where he has not now
sufficient forces to man his batteries. The general says he is quite
sure that individual blockade-runners inform the enemy of our
defenseless points, and inflict incalculable injnry. He desires the
Secretary to lay his letter before the President.
A circular from the Bureau of Conscription to the commandants
of conscripts says, the Assistant Secretary of War (Judge Camp
beU) suggests that overseers and managers on farms be disturbed
as httle as possible just at this time, for the benefit of the crops.
Bnt what good will the crops do, if we be subjugated in the mean
time? I thought every man was needed, just at this time, on the
field of battle.
The President rides out (on horse) every afternoon, and sits as
straight as an English king could do four centuries ago,
June 3d. — Gen.. Lee communicates to the department to-day
his views of the Montgomery letter to Gen. Forrest, a copy of
which was sent him by Governor A'ance. He terms it " diaboli
cal." It seems to have been an official letter, superscribe? by
" C. Marshall, Major and A. A. G." Gen. Lee suggests that it be
not published, but that copies be sent to all our generals,
Hon. R. M. T. Hunter urges the Secretary, in a lengthy letter,
to send a cavalry brigade into Essex and the adjacent counties, to
protect the inhabitants from the incursions of the " Yankees." He
says a government agent has established a commissary depart
ment within six miles of his house, and it will be sure to be de
stroyed if no force be sent there adequate to its defense. He says,
moreover, if our troops are to operate only in the great armies

340 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
facing the enemy, a few hostUe regiments of horse may easily
devastate the csuntry without molestation.
Gov. Vance writes a most indignant reply to a letter which, it
seems, had been addressed to him by the Assistant Secretary of
War, Judge CampbeU, in which there was an intimation that the
judicial department of the State government " lent itself" to the
work of protecting deserters, etc. This the Governor repels as
untrue^ and says the judges shall have his protection. That North
Carolina has been wronged by calumnious imputations, and many
in the array and elsewhere made to believe she was not putting
forth all her energies in the work of independence. He declares
that North Carolina furnished more than half the kiUed and
wounded in the two great battles on the Rappahannock, in Decem
ber and May last.
By the Northern papers we see the President of the United
States, his wife, and his cabinet are amusing themselves at the
White House with Spiritualism.
June 4th. — To-day we have characteristic uninteUigible dis
patches from Mississippi. They say, up to third instant, yester
day, everything is encouraging; but the Memphis papers say
Grant's losses have not been so large as was supposed. Then it
is reported that Grant has retired to Grand Gulf Yet it is ex
pected the town will be stormed in twenty-four hours 1
When Grant leaves A'icksburg, our generals will pursue, and
assume the aggressive in more directions than one. Lee has
some occult object in view, which must soon be manifest
Major-Gen. D. H. Hill writes that if the enemy penetrates to the
railroad, a great many raen in North Carolina will welcome them,
an^return to their allegiance to the United States. The general
wants Ranseur's brigade sent him. He says Mr. Warren, one of
the governor's council, in a recent speech remarked, if the enemy
got the railroad, it would be a question whether they should ad
here to the Confederate States or to the United States. Does
the general mean to alarm the authorities here ?
After a month of dry weather, we have just had a fine rain,
most refreshing to the poor kitchen vegetables in my little garden,
which I am cultivating with careful assiduity in hopes of saving
some dollars in the items of potatoes, tomatoes, beets, etc.

-VT TIIE CONFEDERATE STATES CVPIT.VL. 341
The crops of wheat, etc. south of A'irginia, mature and maturing,
are perfect in quality and unprecedented in quantity.
June 5th. — More unofficial dispatches from the IMississippi.
It is said Kirby Smith has defeated the enemy at Port Hudson ;
but how could his army get over the river? It is also stated that
Grant's losses have been 40,000, and ours dOOO. Who could
have computed them ? But they go on to say nothing has been
heard from Vicksburg since Sunday, four days previously; and
that heavy firing was heard still on Thursday.
Lee's army is in motion- — that means something; and it is
generally believed that Stuart is out on a raid into the enemy's
country. Mr. M. A. Malsby, a Georgian, disabled by a wound in the first
battle of Manassas, has published one-half of my new " Wild
Western Scenes;" the balance to appear when he can get paper.
He pubUshes 5000 copies of abont 130 pages. The paper costs
nearly one dollar per pound, over $40 per ream. The printing
costs $2 per 1000 ems. But then he retails the pamphlet at $1.25,
and pays me 12h cents copyright on each number sold.
June 6rH. — We have not even a rumor to-day from Mississippi.
The Examiner has made a pretty severe attack on Judge Camp
bell, Assistant Secretary of War, for the great nuraber of persons
he has "allowed" to pass into the eneray's country. It does not
attribute the best raotives to the Judge, who was late coming over
to the Confederacy,
The British consul here, it seems, has been meddling with mat
ters in Mississippi, the President states, and has had his exequa
tur revoked.
Gen. D. H. Hill recommends the abandonment of the line of
the Blackwater, for Gen. Martin informs him that the enemy are
preparing their expeditions to cut our raUroads in North Caro
lina. Gen. HUl fears if the present line be held we are in danger
of a great disaster, frora the inabUity to transport troops from so
remote a point, in the event of a sudden emergency. Gen. Lee
refuses to let him have Ranseur's brigade.
There are rumors of picket fighting near Fredericksburg, and
Davis's (the President's nephew) brigade, just from North Caro
lina, proceeded through the city to-day in that direction. Shall
29=^

342 A REBEL WAR OLERK'S DIARY
we have another great battle on the Rappahannock ? I think it
a ruse. June 7th. — I saw yesterday a specimen of the President's
.elaborate attention to the matter of appointments. Lieut-Gen.
A. P. HUl having asked for a military court to his corps, and
having recommentJed the officers, the President, with his own
hand, laid down the rule of selection for the guidance of the Secre
tary, viz. : the State which had the greatest number of regiments
would be entitled to the choice of positions, to be taken from the
candidates of its citizens according to qualifications, recommenda
tions, etc. It appeared that North Carolina stood first on the list,
Virginia next, Georgia next, and so on.
Oh that we could get something decisive from Vicksburg ! If
Grant's and Banks's armies should be destroyed, I think there
would be some prospect of peace at an early day. For, if Lincoln
should persist in a prolongation of the war, the probabUities would
be the expulsion of the enemy from the Mississippi Valley and the
recovery of New Orleans. After the fifteenth of this month, opera
tions must cease on the Carolina and Georgia coasts — Charleston
and Wilmington being still in our possession. But we should not
be idle. Lee, in disdaining the sheltered army of the invaders,
would be likely to invade in turn ; and the public demand of re
taliation for the cruelties and destruction of private property per
petrated by the enemy could not be resisted. His men would
probably apply the torch to the towns and cities of the Yankees,
destroying their crops, farming utensils, etc., as the invaders have
done in Virginia and elsewhere.
To avoid these calamities, it is possible Lincoln would make
peace. Therefore we are so anxious to hear from Vicksburg, the
turning-point of the war.
Besides, we shall not please England by our treatment of her
consuls ; and this may stimulate the United States to concentrate
its wrath upon its ancient foe.
June 8th. — AA^ell, the enemy have thrown another column over
the Rappahannock, below Fredericksburg. This is probably a
manoeuvre to arrest Lee's advance in Culpepper County. But it
won't do — Lee's plans cannot be changed — and this demonstra
tion was in his calculations. If they think Richmond can be taken
now, without Lee's army to defend it, they may find their mistake.

AT THE CONFEDER-VTE STATES CAPIT.VL. 343
The clerks and employees in the departments'are organizing to
man the fortifications, should their aid be needed.
Hon. M, R. H. Garnett writes from Essex County that the
enemy have had Lawrence Washington, arrested iu AVestraoreland
County, confined in a prison-ship in the Potomac, until his
health gave way. He is now in AA'ashington, on parole not to
escape. About 140,000 bushels of corn have been sent to Lee's army in
May, which, allowing ten pounds per day to each horse, shows
that there are over 20,000 horses in this army. But the report
says not more than 120,000 bushels can be forwarded this
month. The press everywhere is opening its batteries on the blockade-
runners, who bring in nothing essential to the people, and nothing
necessary for the war.
The arrivals and departures of steamers amount to one per day,
and most of the goods imported are of Yankee manufacture.
Many cargoes (unsold) are now held in Charleston — and yet the
prices do not give way.
June 9th. — There is rumor that the President has received
bad news from the West. This may be without foundation ; but
it is a little strange that we are not in receipt of authentic ac
counts of transactions there. Time, however, will reveal all
things. Lee is " marching on," Northward, utterly regardless of the
demonstrations of Hooker on the Lower Rappahannock. This is
a good, omen ; for no doubt the demonstrations are designed
merely to arrest his advance. Lee has, perhaps, 70,000 fighting
men with him — ^leaving some 15,000 behind to defend Rich
mond. The people in the " Northern Neck " have been much harassed
by the incursions of the invaders. I clip the following account
from the Whig of this date :
"Nearly every house was visited, and by deceptive artifices,
snch as disguising themselves in Confederate gray clothes, stolen,
or otherwise surreptitiously obtained, they imposed themselves
upon our credulous and unsuspecting people ; excited their sym
pathies by pretending to be wounded Confederate soldiers — won
their confidence, and offered to hide their horses and take care of

344 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
them for them, to prevent the Yankees from taking them, who,
they said, were coming on. They thus succeeded in making many
of our people an easy prey to their rapacity and cunning. In this
foray, they abducted about 1000 negroes, captured from 500 to
700 horses and mules, a large number of oxen, carriages, buggies
and wagons — stole meat, destroyed grain, and robbed gentlemen,
in the public road, of gold watches and other property. There
are some instances related of personal indignity and violence.
They returned with their spoUs to camp, after a week devoted by
them in the Northern Neck, among our unhappy people, to the
highly civOized, brave, and chivalrous exploits of theft, robbery,
and almost every species of felony coramitted upon a defenseless,
unarmed, and helpless population — chiefly consisting of women
and children ! It was an easy achievement — a proud conquest —
the more glorious to the noble and heroic Yankee, because
stained with crime and won without danger to his beastly car
cass." This is but a fair specimen of their conduct whenever they have
been permitted to devastate the country with impunity.
A few days ago I addressed a letter to the Secretary of War,
suggesting that the department encourage voluntary organiza
tions of non-conscripts for local defense, and that they be armed
with every superfluous musket that the government may possess.
If this be done, the army will not be so much embarrassed by
vehement calls to protect the people from raids everywhere; and
in the event of serious disaster, the people would still make resist
ance. But an unarmed people would have no alternative but
submission. This plan would also effectually prevent servUe in
surrections, etc.
To-day I received the reply, saying it would be done. But wiU
the arms be distributed among them ?
June IOth. — We have news of a fight on the Rappahannock
yesterday, above Fredericksburg, the enemy having crossed again.
They were driven back.
There are also reports from Alcksburg, which still holds out
Accounts say that Grant has lost 40,000 men so far. Where
Johnston is, we have no knowledge ; but in one of his recent let
ters he intimated that the fall of Vicksburg was a matter of
time.

AT THE confederate STATES C.VPITAL. 345
June 11th, — It appears that the enemy design to attack us.
The following is Lee's dispatch : "CuLPEPPEU, June Uth, 1863.
" To General S. Cooper.
" The enemy crossed the Rappahannock this morning at five
o'clock A.M., at the various fords from Beverly to Kelly's, with a
large force of cavalry, accompanied by infantry and artillery.
After a severe contest till five p.m.. Gen. Stuart drove them across
the river. R. E. Lee."
We have not received the details of this combat, further than
that it was a surprise, not creditable to our officers in command, by
which a portion of ten regiments and 600 horses were taken by
the enemy. We lost, kUled, also a number of cavalry colonels.
We, too, captured several hundred prisoners, which have arrived
in the city. Of the killed and wounded, I have yet obtained no
information — but it is supposed several hundred fell op both
sides. Still I do not think it probable this affair, coupled with the fact
that the enemy have effected a lodgment on this side of the Rap
pahannock below Fredericksburg, and are still crossing, will frus
trate any plan conceived by Lee to invade their country. If,
however, Lincoln concentrates all his forces in the East for an
other attempt to capture Richmond, and should bring 300,000
men against us — we shall have near 200,000 to oppose them.
The Northern Democratic papers are filled with the proceed
ings of indignation meetings, denouncing the Republican Admin
istration and advocating peace.
June 12th. — A beautiful, bright warm summer day — and yet
a little somber.
The surprise of Stuart, on the Rappahannock, has chiUed every
heart, notwithstanding it does not appear that we lost more than
the enemy in the encounter. The question is on every tongue —
have our generals relaxed in vigilance ? If so, sad is the pros
pect !
But Vicksburg is the point of intensest interest and anxieties.
Gen. Johnston writes from Canton, Mississippi, on the 5th inst.,
in reply to the Secretary, that he regrets such confidence is reposed
in his ability to save Vicksburg, and fears that such expectations

346 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
wiU be disappointed. Grant is receiving reinforcements daily —
whUe he (Johnston) is not to have more troops. He does not
state the number he has, but he says it seeras to him that the
relief of Vicksburg is impossible. Pemberton will hold out as long
as he can ; but if Grant's line be not broken, the fall of Vicksburg
is only a question of time. Grant's force (he continues) is more
than treble his ; and Grant has constructed lines of circumvalla-
tion, and blocked up all the roads leading to his position. To
force his lines would be difficult with an army twice as numerous
as the one he (Johnston) commands. He wiU try to do something
in aid of the besieged — but it seems a desperate case. He has not
wagons and provisions enough to leave the railroads more than
four days. The track to Vicksburg is destroyed. It was his in
tention at first to unite all the troops in his comraand^— but it was
impracticable. So much for these lugubrious tidings. Nothing
but a miracle can save Vicksburg !
The Governors of Alabama and Mississippi unite in urging the
government to suppress both the foreign and border traffic. I fear
it is too late !
There is a street rumor that the enemy have appeared on the
Chickahominy, and on the James River. If this be so, it may be
to embarrass Lee ; . or it may be a determined and desperate as
sault on this city. We shall know very soon. But never before
were we in such doubt as to the designs of the enemy ; and never
before have they evinced such apparent vigor and intrepidity.
Yet they know not what Lee is doing to call them /io??ie.
June 13th. — Col. Baylor, of Arizona, has been heard from
again. He confesses that he issued the order to slaughter the
Apaches in cold blood, and says it is the only mode of dealing
with such savages. The President indorses on it that it is " a con
fession of an Infamous crime."
Yesterday the enemy appeared on the Peninsula, in what num
bers we know not yet ; but just when Gen. Wise was about to
attack, with every prospect of success, an order was received from
Gen. Arnold Elzey to fall back toward the city, pickets and all.
A letter from Gen. Holmes, containing an account frond one of
his scouts, shows that the enemy's militia in Arkansas and Mis
souri are putting to death all the men, young or old, having
favored the Confederate cause, who fall into their hands. These

AT thj; confederate states capital. 347
acts are perpetrated by order of Gen. Prentiss. The President
suggests that they be published, both at home and abroad.
Mr. L. Heyliger, our agent at Nassau, sends an account of the
firing into and disabling the British stearaer ^Margaret and Jessee
by the United States stearaer Rhode Island, within a half mile of
shore. Several British subjects were wounded. This may make
trouble. Mr. J. S. Lemmon applied by letter to-day for permission to
leave a Confederate port for Europe. Major-Gen. Arnold Elzey
indorsed on it: " This young man, being a native of Maryland, is
not liable to military service in the Confederate States." AVell,
Arnold Elzey is also a native of Maryland.
June 14th. — W  11, one of the Winder detectives that fled to
Washington last year, is back again. But the Mayor has arrested
him as a spy, and it is said a lady in the city can prove his guilt.
Gen. Winder wanted to bail him ; but the Mayor was inexorable,
and so W  ^11 is in the jail, awaiting his trial. Two others, of
Winder's police, have likewise been arrested by the city authorities
for some harsh treatment of a citizen supposed to have a barrel of
whisky in his house. The justification offered is the jurisdiction
of martial law, which Gen. Winder still thinks exists, although
annulled by Congress.
The company (of 104) organized in the War Department as in
dependent volunteers for local defense, being objected to by Gen.
Elzey, because they would not be subject to his command, was
rejected by the President, who insisted that the officers of the de
partments (civil) should be mustered into the service under the
act of August 21.it, 186 i, and are subject to his control, and liable
to be attached to battalions, regiments, etc., he appointing the
field and staff officers. This was communicated to the lieutenant
of the company by the Secretary of AA'ar, who stated also that the
President required the names of all refusing to reorganize on that
basis to be reported to him.
There is an indefinable dread of conspiracy, and the President
is right, perhaps, to frown upon all military organizations not
subject to his orders. Mr. Randolph, late Secretary of War, has
been very busy organizing the second class militia of the city for
"local defense," under the supposition that he would command
them ; but the President has made a requisition for 8000 of this

348 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
class of men, for the same purpose, which will put them under
Confederate orders, perhaps. A jealousy, I fear, is growing np
between Confederate and State authority. This when the com
mon eneray is thundering at all our gates !
June 15th. — The enemy have abandoned the vicinity of Fred
ericksburg, falling back across the river, and probably retiring
toward Alexandria, or else they have taken to their transports,
and intend making another effort to capture Richmond. It is
rumored that Gen . Ewell has taken Winchester ; but this, I think,
is at least premature.
Certainly the government is taking steps to guard against a
blow at Richmond. All the civil officers (subordinates, only, of
course) are being mustered into the service for "local defense or
special duty;" but Gen. Elzey, the Marylander, it is reported, has
said the "d  d clerks have given me so much trouble, that I
intend to keep them on duty in such a way that they cannot per
form their functions in the departments, and so others must he
appointed in their places.'' This would be in violation both of the
Constitution and several acts of Congress. Yet they are to be
mustered in this evening " for three years, or the war." And the
Secretary of the Treasury has announced that all who refuse to
volunteer are to be reported, by the President's command, and wiU
be removed. The President has intimated no such thing. Of
course they will volunteer. There is much censure of the Presi
dent for " bad faith " — most of the clerks being refugees, with
families to support.
Mayor Mayo has refused to. admit Gen. Winder's three police
men (all imported) to bail, and they remain in prison ; and Judge
Meredith has refused to discharge them on a writ of habeas corpus
— resolving first to test the validity of the martial law set up for
them in their defense.
I believe the government is acting on my suggestion to Col.
Johnston, A. D, C, in regard to searching blockade-runners,
caught in the lines, bearing sealed letters to the North. To-day
the Attorney-General sent to the department, for Mr. Seddon's
approval, instructions to Confederate Attorneys and Marshals to
aid and co-operate with M. Greenwood, a detective agent of the
government. I think about the first men he detects in treason
able practices will be Gen. Elzey and Gen. Winder's detectives.

AT THE CONFEDER.VTE STATES CAPIT.VL. 349
Mr. Vallandigbam has been nominated for Governor of Ohio.
The foUowing are the conditions upon which women and chil
dren (jan come to the Sonth, or go to the North, published in
Washington and Baltimore :
"First. — All applieatirfns for passes to go South must be made
in writing and verified by oath, addressed to Major L. C. Turner,
Judge Advocate, Washington, D. C, as follows :
"I, A  B  , applicant for a pass to go to City Point,
Virginia, and now residing at  , do solemnly swear that, if said
pass be granted, I will not take any property excepting my wear
ing apparel, and that all the articles to be taken with me are con
tained in the trunk or package delivered or to be delivered to the
quartermaster on the transport steamer on which I am to go to
City Point. That I have not been in any insurgent State, nor
beyond the military lines of the United States, within thirty days
last past. That I ¦will not return within the military lines of the
United States during the present war, and that I have not in my
trunk nor on my person any papers or writings whatsoever, nor
any contraband articles.
" No person will be allowed to take more than one trunk or
package of female wearing apparel, weighing not over one hun
dred pounds, and subject to inspection ; and if anything contra
band be found in the trunk or on the person, the property will be
forfeited and the pass revoked.
" Second.— A passenger boat will leave Annapolis, Md., on the
first day of July next, to deliver those permitted to go South at
City Point, and the baggage of each applicant must be delivered
to the quartermaster on said boat, at least twenty-four hours pre
vious to the day of departure for inspection.
" Third. — Children will be allowed to accompany their mothers
and relatives, and take their usual wearing apparel ; but the name
and age of each child must be given in the application.
"Fourth. — Ladies and children desiring to come North will be
received on the boat at City Point and taken to AnnapoUs, and
every adult person coming North will be required to take and sub
scribe to the oath of aUegiance to the Government of the United
States before the boat leaves Fortress Monroe.
"L. C. Turner, Judge Advocate."
30

350 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
June 16th. — We have nothing from the West to-day. But it
is believed that Hooker is retiring toward Manassas — that fatal
field — where another (and the third) battle may be fought Lee's
army is certainly on the march, and a collision of arms cannot be
averted many days. It is believed Gen. Ewell, successor of Jack
son, has beaten MUroy at Winchester.
But, whUe terrible events are daily anticipated in the field, all
the civUians seem to have gone wUd with speculation, and official
corruption runs riot throughout the land. J. M. Seixas, agent
of the War Department, writes from Wilmington that while the
government steamers can get no cotton to exchange abroad for
ordnance stores, the steamers of individuals are laden, and depart
almost daily. This is said to be partly the work of the " Southern
Express Company," beUeved to be Yankees (a portion of them),
which contracts to deliver freight, and bribes the railroads and
monopolizes transportation. This is the company on whose ap-
plica'tion Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary of War, granted
so many exemptions and details ! It takes a great number of
able-bodied men from the army, and then, by a peculiar process,
absolutely embarrasses, as Gen. Whiting says, the conduct of the
war. Judge Dargan, of Alabama, writes that private blockade-run
ners are ruining the country — supplying the enemy with cotton,
and bringing in liquors and useless gew-gaws.
June 17th, — The city has been gladdened by the reception of
this dispatch from Gen. Lee : "June 15th, 1863.
" His Excellency, Jefferson Davis.
" God has again crowned the valor of our troops with success.
Early's division stormed the enemy's intrenchments at Winchester,
capturing their artillery, etc.
" (Signed) R. E. Lee, General."
Subsequent reports to the press state that we captured some
6000 prisoners. Gen. Milroy among them, 50 guns, aud a large
araount of stores. If we caught Milroy, the impression prevails
that he was hung iramediately, in accordance with the President's
order sorae time since, as a just punishment for the outrages in
flicted by him on our helpless old men, women, and children.

AT the CONFEDEILVTE STATES CAPIT.\L. 351
A sealed envelope came in to-day, addressed by the President
to the Secretary of War, marked "Highly important and confi
dential," which, of course, I sent to the Secretary ininiediately
without breaking the seal, as it is my duty to do to aU letters not
private or confidential. I can as yet only conjecture what it re
ferred to. It may be of good, and it may be of bad import It
may relate to affairs in the West ; or it may be a communication
from abroad, several steamers having just arrived. Can it be from
the Government at Washington ? I care not what it is, if we hold
Vicksburg. The Commissary-General reports that he has some 8,000,000
pounds of bacon, and quite as much salt and fresh beef at the various
depots, besides, some 11,000 head of cattle. This is not a large
amount for snch armies as we have in the field ; but in the fall we
shall have 10 per cent, of all the products in the Confederate
States as tax"in kind. The Commissary-General, however, recom
mends the following reduction of rations : for men in garrison or
batteries, a quarter pound of bacon per day ; in camp, one-third of
a pound ; and marching, half a pound.
Mr. James Spence, our financial agent in England, gives a
somewhat cheering account of money matters. He recommends
the shipping of $1,000,000 worth of cotton per week, which ap
pears to be practicable. He also advises the shipment of the few
millions of gold the government holds in this country to England ;
and Mr. Memminger approves it — in boxes weekly, containing
$75,000. If this were known, it could hardly be accomplished, for
such is the distrust of several members of the cabinet that the
people would revolt. They would believe the cabinet meant soon
to follow the gold. And some of our military commanders have
no better opinion of them than the people. Bejjiregard once
stopped some bullion ordered away by Mr. Memminger.
There is a rumor that Gen. Wise had a combat yesterday on the
Peninsula. But the operations beyond the Rappahannock, and
approaching the capital of the United States, must relieve Rich-
mond,of all immediate danger.
Mr. Lincoln says he is "making history;" forgetful of the ex
ecrable figure he is likely to be in it. Our papers to-day contain
the following :
"Yankee Cruelly; Forty-three Negroes Drowned. — One of

352 A REBEL WAR OLERK'S DIARY
the most atrocious incidents of the whole war was yesterday re
lated to us by a gentleraan of this city, who obtained the facts from
Capt Jas. G. White, of King WUliam County, who vouches for
the accuracy of the statement. Some days ago, when the Yankees
made their raid to Aylett's, they visited the place of Dr. Gregg,
living in the neighborhood, and took from their comfortable homes
forty-three negroes, who were hurried off to York River and placed
on board a vessel bound Northward. Along with these negroes,
as a prisoner, was a gentleman named Lee, a resident and highly
respectable citizen of King William, who has since been released
and allowed to return to his home. He states that when the ves
sel arrived in Chesapeake Bay, the small-pox made its appearance
among the negroes, that disease having existed to some extent
among the same family before they were dragged from their homes
in King WUliam. The captain of the Yankee vessel and his crew
were greatly alarmed at the appearance of the disease on board,
and very soon determined to rid the vessel of the presence of the
negroes. Without attempting to make the shore, and not con
sidering for an instant the inhumanity of the cruel deed, the whole
negro cargo was thrown into the bay, and every one left to perish
by drowning. Not one, perhaps, escaped the cruel fate visited
upon them by those who profess to be their earnest friends and
warmest sympathizers."
June 18th. — From Winchester we have many accounts, in the
absence of official reports (Gen. Lee being too busy in the saddle
to write), which have exalted our spirits most wonderfully. The
nuraber of prisoners taken, by the lowest estimate is 5000, — the
others say 9000, — besides 50 guns, and an immense amount of
stores. Our own loss in storming the fortifications was only 100
killed and wounded ! Milroy, they say, escaped by flight — but
may not have gotten off very far, as it seems certain that our one-
legged Lieut.-Gen. Ewell (fit successor of Jackson) pushed on to
the Potomac and surrounded, if he has not taken, Harper's Ferry,
where there is another large depot of supplies. The whole vaUey
is doubtless in our possession — the Baltimore and Ohio Raikoad —
and the way is open into Maryland and Pennsylvania. It is be
lieved Hooker's array is utterly demoralized, and that Lee is going
on. This time, perhaps, no Sharpsburg will embarrass his pro
gress, and the long longed-for day of retributive invasion may
come at last

at the confedeu.vte states capital. 353
Col. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance (Northern born), recommends
that the habit of issuing tweuty cartridges extra to each of our
men be discontinued, aud suggests that they be given three ctirtridges
per month, and all over that to be issued upon requisition of the
commanding general, on the eve of battle. But might they not,
if this were adopted, be liable to be caught sometimes without
enough ammunition ? He says there is a deficiency of lead.
There is a rumor that the Secretary of the Navy sent an iron
clad out yesterday, at Savannah, to fight two of the enemy's
blockading squadron, and that after an engagement of thirty
minutes, our ship struck her colors. If this be so, the people will
wish that the Secretary had been on the boat that surrendered.
A man by the name of Jackson a short time since obtained a
passport through our lines from Judge Campbell, and when a
negro was rowing him across the Potomac, drew a pistol and
made him take him to a Federal gun-boat in sight He was
heartily received, and gave such information to the enemy as in
duced them to engage in a raid on the Northern Neck, resulting
in the devastation of several counties. These facts I got from the
President's special detective, Craddock. Craddock also informs
me that my communication to Col. Johnston was laid before the
President, who called in the Secretary of State and the Secretary
of War, to consult on some means of regulating the passport busi
ness, etc. He says prompt measures will be adopted immediately,
Craddock also informs me that a Jew named Cohen, in this city,
has been co-operating with his brother living in the North, ob
taining passports both ways for bribes — and bribing the officials
that granted them, much to our detriment This, perhaps, has
'alarined the President; but if the business of selling passports be
lucrative, I despair of his being able to put an end to it.
I see the enemy have destroyed the President's house, furniture,
etc., in Mississippi.
I have good reason to suppose that the package marked " im
portant," etc., sent from the President's office yesterday to the
Secretary of War, was the substance of a conversation which took
place between Mr. Ould and Mr. Vallandighara. What Mr. V.
revealed to Mr. 0., perhaps supposing the latter, although em
ployed here, friendly to ultimate reconstruction, there is no means
of conjecturing. But it was deemed " highly important"
30=^

354 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
June IOth, — Gen, Lee telegraphs from Culpepper Court House
yesterday, that Gen, Rhodes captured Martinsburg, Sunday, Uth
inst, taking several guns, over 200 prisoners, and a supply of am
munition and grain. Our loss was only one killed and two
wounded. The Secretary of the Navy is in bad odor for ordering out the
Atlanta at Savannah to fight two Federal steamers, to whom she
surrendered. There is nothing more definite or authentic from Winchester,
except that we certainly captured Milroy's army of not less than
5000 men.
To-day the government issued musket and ball-cartridges (forty
to each) to the volunteer companies raised in the departments for
home defense. If this does not signify apprehension of an imme
diate attack, it proves at all events that Lee's army is not to be
around the city as it was a year ago — and that signifies his pur
pose to advance.
June 20th. — It has got out that the President intends to dis
pense with the services of Mr. Myers, the Jew Quartermaster- Gen
eral, and Mr. Miles, member of Congress from South Carolina, who
happens to be his friend, is characteristically doing the part of a
friend for his retention. But he gives the President some severe
raps for alleged contempt of the wishes of Congress, that body
yhaving passed a bill (vetoed by the President) conferring on Col
»M. the rank and pay of brigadier-general.
The operations of Gen. Lee have relieved the depot here, which
was nearly empty. Since the capture of Winchester and Martins
burg, only about 1500 bushels of corn are sent to the army daily,
whereas 5000 were sent before, and there were rarely more ffian a •
day's supply on hand.
To-day, about one o'clock, the city was thrown into a state of joy
ful excitement, by the reception of news from the North. From this
source it was ascertained, what had hitherto been only a matter of
conjecture, that a portion of our forces, the same that captured
Winchester and Martinsburg, were in* Pennsylvania ! Gen. Jen
kins, with his cavalry, had taken Chambersburg on the 16th inst
— and the North, from the line of Pennsylvania to the lakes, and
from the seaboard to the western prairies, was stricken with con
sternation. These are some of the dispatches, as copied from
Northern papers :

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 355
"The Governor of Ohio calls for 30,000 troops. The Governor
of Pennsylvania calls for 50,000, to prevent the invasion of each
State. " Washington, June 15th. — Lincoln has issued a proclamation
for 100,000 men, to repel the invasion of Alaryland, Northern
Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
" Harrisburg, June 15th. — Dispatches from Chambersburg and
Hagerstown state that the rebel cavalry are at Berryville and
Martinsburg. A dispatch dated 14th, says that hard fighting is
going on. The rebels had driven Reynolds from BerryviUe, and
were advancing on the capital. The towns and cities throughout
Pennsylvania are in danger.
"Later. — Private dispatches state that on the 16th the rebels
were at Chambersburg in force. The Federals were removing
the rtnlroad machinery, stock, and stores. Great excitement and
alarm pervaded the entire country."
In the "hard fighting,"' Gen. Lee reports our loss as "one killed
and two wounded." Here's the second- dispatch :
" Shelbytille, Tenn., June 18th. — NashviUe papers of the
17th inst. have been received here. They contain Lincoln's proc
lamation, calling for 100,000 militia, for six months' service, and
the foUowing highly interesting telegrams :
"LocDON, Pa., June 16th. — The rebels are in heavy force in the
Cumberland Valley.
"Bedford, Pa., June 16th. — Scouts report 6000 rebels at Cum
berland, Maryland. The inhabitants are flying for safety from
Harper's Ferry.
"Harrisburg, June 16th. — ^Business is suspended here. All the
important documents have been removed from the capital.
" Milroy telegraphs officially his repulse from the fortifications at
Winchester by 15,000 rebels, with the loss of 2900 men.
"Governor Cnrtin caUs upon the people of Pennsylvania to de
fend the State, saying that Philadelphia has not responded, while
the enemy are in Chambersburg. He reproaches Pennsylvania
for sniffling about the length of service when the exigency exists.
"Dispatches state that everything looks gloomy, and there is no
saving the country south of the Susquehanna.
"Baltimore, June 16th. — Governor Bradford calls on the people
to rally to the defense of Maryland.

356 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
"Providence, R. I., June 16th. — Governor Smith convenes the
Legislature on Thursday for the purpose of raising troops.
"Philadelphia, June 16th. — The Mayor has issued a procla
mation closing the stores in order that the occupants may join mili
tary organizations to defend the city.
"New York, June 16th. — All the regiments are getting ready
under arms. The Brooklyn bells were rung at midnight sum
moning the men to the regiments, which were to leave immediately
for Philadelphia.
"Governor Andrews, of Massachusetts, tenders Lincoln all the
available force of mUitia from that State."
Milroy's statement in relation to the number of prisoners taken
by us is pretty fair, when compared with Hooker's official state
ments on similar occasions. Sorae of the prisoners wUl probably
arrive in Richraond to-day — and the Agent of Exchange has been
notified that 7000 would be sent on. So Gen. Milroy told nearly
half the truth.
Again : third dispatch.
" Shelbyville, June 19th. — Other dispatches in^the Nashville
papers say that the rebels advanced six miles beyond Chambers
burg. On the 16th Gen. Taylor telegraphs officiaUy his retreat,
and the capture of the Federal forces at Winchester."
Later in the day the New York Herald of the 17th inst was
received by the flag of truce boat. I now quote from it :
" Fortifications are being rapidly erected all along the north
bank of the Susquehanna, and Gen. McClellan or Gen. Franklin
has been called for to head the State troops.
reports from harrisburg.
"Harrisburg, Pa., June 16th. — Midnight — Rebel cavalry to
day occupied Littletown, eleven mUes from Gettysburg, but at last
accounts had not advanced beyond that point.
"The rebel officers at Chambersburg stated that they were only
waiting for infantry to move forward. The authorities are inclined
to believe, however, that they will not move farther North.
" The farmers in the valley are sending their horses and cattle
into the mountains.

at the confederate ST.VTES CAPITAL. 357
"The rebels are gathering up all the negroes that can be
found. " Private property has been respected.
"They burned the railroad bridge across Scotland Creek, six
miles this side of Chambersburg. harper's ferry INVESTED.
" B--VLTIMORE, June 16th. — Fugitives from Hagerstown report
the rebels picketing all the roads and not permitting any one to

"The force that passed through were all cavalry, under Jenkins
and Iraboden, and did not exceed 2500.
"All was quiet at Frederick up to five o'clock this evening,
though the people were greatly excited and huntfreds were
leaving. "Harrisburg, June 17th. — The aspect of affairs, so far as can
be judged by the reports from the border, seems to be this :
"The rebel force occupy Hagerstown and such other points
as leave them free to operate either against Harrisburg or Bal
timore. "Apprehensions are entertained by the people of Altoona and
other points on the line of the Pennsylvania Railroad, that the
rebels will strike for the West, and then go back to their own soil
by way of Pittsburg and Wheeling.
" The fortifications constructed on the hills opposite Harrisburg*
are considered sufficient protection for the city, and an offensive
movement on our part is not unlikely."
June 21st. — To-day we have an account of the burning of
Darien, Ga. The temptation is strong for our army to retaliate
on the soil of Pennsylvania.
June 22d. — To-day I saw the memorandum of Mr. Ould, of
the conversation held with Mr. Vallandighara, for file in the ar
chives. He says if we can only hold out this year that the peace
party of the North would sweep the Lincoln dynasty out of polit
ical existence. He seems to have thought that our cause was sink
ing, and feared we would submit, which would, of course, be ruin
ous to his party I But he advises strongly against any invasion
of Pennsylvania, for that would unite all parties at the North, and
so strengthen Lincoln's hands that he would be able to crush all

358 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
opposition, and trample upon the constitutional rights of the
people. Mr. V. said nothing to indicate that either he or the party had
any other idea than that the Union would be reconstructed under
Democratic rule. The President indorsed, with his own pen, on
this document, that, in regard to invasion of the North, experience
proved the contrary of what Mr. V. asserted. But Mr. V. is for
restoring the Union, amicably, of course, and if it cannot be so
done, then possibly he is in favor of recognizing our independence.
He says any reconstruction which is not voluntary on our part,
would soon be followed by another separation, and a worse war
than the present one.
The President received a dispatch to-day from Gen. Johnston,
stating that Lt-Gen. Kirby Smith had taken MiUiken's Bend.
This is important, for it interferes with Grant's communications.
Gov. Shorter writes that a company near Montgomery, Ala.,
have invented a mode of manufacturing cotton and woolen hand-
cards, themselves making the steel and wire, and in a few weeks
wiU be turning out from 800 to 1000 pairs of cards per week.
This will be a great convenience to the people.
Gen. Whiting writes that the river at Wilmington is so filled
with the ships of private blockade-runners that the defense of the
harbor is interfered with. These steamers are mostly filled with
Yankee goods, for which they take them cotton, in the teeth of the
"law. He pronounces this business most execrable, as well as in
jurious to the cause. He desires the President to see his letter,
and hopes he may be instructed to seize the steamers and cargoes
arriving belonging to Yankees and freighted with Yankee goods.
It is a difficult matter to subsist in this city now. Beef is $1
and bacon $1. 65 per pound, and just at this time there are but few
vegetables. Old potatoes are gone, and the new have not yet
corae. A single cabbage, merely the leaves, no head, sells for a
doUar, and this suffices not for a dinner for my family.
My little garden has produced nothing yet, in consequence of
the protracted dry weather. But we have, at last, abundant
rains. To-day I found several long pieces of rusty wire, and these
I have affixed horizontally to the wood- house and to the fence, in
tending to lead the Uma beans up to thera by strings, which I will
fasten to switches stuck between the plants. My beets wiU soon

AT THE CONFEDER.VTE ST.VTES CAPITAL. 359
be fit to eat, and so wUl the squashes. But the potatoes do not
yet afford a cheering prospect. The tomatoes, however, are coming
on finely, and the cherries are nearly ripe. A lady has sent me
50 cabbage plants to set out, and two dozen red peppers. Every
foot of my ground is occupied, and there is enough to afford me
some exercise every afternoon.
June 23d. — From the army on the Potomac we have a dispatch
from Lee, saying there have been several cavalry engagements
during the last week, wherein our arms were successful. Lee will
soon electrify us with another movement of his grand army, — such
is the general belief.
From the West we learn that on Saturday last. Grant, no douW
driven to desperation by our occupation of MiUiken's Bend cut
ting off his supplies and reinforcements, made a more furious at
tempt than ever to take Vicksburg by assault, and was repulsed
disastrously. His loss is estimated at between 7000 and 10,000
men. Pemberton is now greatly praised by many people, while
some of our officers shake their heads and say he is fighting with
the halter around his neck, and that if be were not to fight and
hold out to the last, his own men would hang him.
Notwithstanding the immense amount of goods brought in daily,
the prices keep high.
June 24th. — We have nothing additional from Vicksburg or
from the Potomac, but there is a rumor of fighting near Lees
burg. The first installment of Winchester prisoners reached the city
yesterday, 1600 in number, and there are over 4000 more on the
way. So much for Milroy's 2000 or 3000 !
To-day the President desired the Secretary of War to send him
all the correspondence with Gen. .lohnston, as he intends to write
him a confidential letter touching reinforcements, and he wishes to
inform him of the military situation of affairs everywhere.
This afternoon some excitement prevails in the city, caused by a
notification of the Governor placarded at the corner of the streets,
calHng on the citizens to assemble at the Capitol Square at 7 o'clock
P.M., and announcing that reliable information has been received
of the landing of the enemy (how many is not stated) at Bran
don, on the James River, and at the White House, on the York,
some thirty-five miles below. There was also a meeting of the

360 A rebel war clerk's diary
clerks of the departments, and it was agreed' that at the sounding
of the tocsin they should, assemble (day or night) with arms at
their respective offices.
This may be another Pawnee alarm of the government, and it
may be the wolf. If some 30,000 of the enemy's troops make a
dash at Richmond now, they may take it. But it will, of course,
be defended with what means we have, to the last extremity.
StiU, I think it nothing more than a strategical movement to
save Washington or to embarrass Lee's operations, and it wiU fail
to retard his movement. We shall soon see what it is
June 25th. — The excitement has subsided. No doubt smaU
detachments of the enemy were seen at the places indicated, and
Gen, Elzey (who some say had been drinking) alarmed the Gov
ernor with a tale of horror. The reports came through Gen. Win
der's detectives, one-half of whom would rather see the enemy
here than not, and will serve the side that pays most. Yet, we
should be prepared.
I saw an indorsement by the President to-day, that foreigners
should give guarantees of neutrality or be sent out of the city.
Nothing from Lee.
June 27th. — An officer of the Signal Corps reported, yesterday,
the force of Gen. Keyes, on the Peninsula, at 6000. To-day we
learn that the enemy is in possession of Hanover Junction, cutting
off communication with both Fredericksburg and GordonsviUe.
A train was coming down the Central Road with another instaU-
ment of the Winchester peisoners (some 4000 having already
arrived, now confined on Belle Island, opposite the city), but was
stopped^in time, and sent back.
Gen. Elzey had just ordered away a brigade from Hanover
Junction to Gordonsville, upon which it was alleged another raid
was projected. What admirable manoeuvring for, the benefit of
the enemy !
Gen. D. H. Hill wrote, yesterday, that we had no troops on the
Blackwater except cavalry. I hope he will come here and take
command. Gen, Whiting has arrested the Yankee crew of the Arabian, at
Wilmington. It appears that she is owned by New Yorkers,
sailed from New York, and has a Yankee cargo !
Capt Maury writes from London that R. J. Walker, once a

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPIT.VL. 361
fire-and-fury Mississippi Senator (but Yankee-born), is in Europe
trying to borrow £50,000,000 for the United States, Capt. Maury
says the British Government will not wUlingly let us have another
"Alabama;" but that it is also offended at the United States for
the atrocities of Wilkes, and this may lead to war. The war,
however, would not be intended as a diversion in our behalf.
Nothing is heard to-day from Lee, except what appears in
Northern papers several days old, when our troops were occupy
ing Hagerstown, Cumberland, etc., iu Maryland, and foraging
pretty extensively in Pennsylvania.
Nothing from Vicksburg.
Just as I apprehended I The brigade ordered away from Han
over to Gordonsville, apon a wild-goose chase, had not been gone
many hours before some 1200 of the enemy's cavalry appeared
there, and burnt the bridges which the brigade had been guard
ing! This is sottishness, rather than generalship, in our local
commanders. A regiment was sent up when firing was heard (the annihila
tion of our weak guard left at the bridges) and arrived just two
hours too late. The enemy rode back, with a hundred mules they
had captured, getting under cover of their gun-boats.
To-day, it is said. Gen. Elzey is reUeved, and Gen. Ransom, of
North Carolina, put in command; also, th*t Custis Lee (son of
Gen. R. E. Lee) has superseded Gen. Winder. I hope this has
been done. Young Lee has certainly been commissioned a briga
dier-general. His brother, Brig.-Gen. W. H. F. Lee, wounded in
a late cavalry fight, was taken yesterday by the enemy at Hanover
Court House.
Gen. Whiting's letter about the "Arabian" came back from the
President, to-day, indorsed that, as Congress did not prohibit
private blockade-ranning, he wouldn't interfere. So, this is to be
the settled policy of the government.
This morning the President sent a letter to the Secretary of
War, requesting him to direct all mounted officers — some fifty A.
A. G.'s and A. D.'s — to report to him for duty around the city.
Good I These gentlemen ought to be in the saddle instead of be
ing sheltered from danger in the bureaus.
3 o'clock P.M. — Three proclamations have just been issued !
One (a joint one) from the President and the Governor, caUing
31

362 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
upon everybody to organize themselves into companies, battalions,
and regiments, when they wOl be armed. They say "no time is to
be lost, the danger is great." The Mayor, in his document, warns
the people in tirae to avoid the fate of New Orleans. He says
the eneray is advancing on the city, and may assail it before Mon
day morning. This is Saturday. The third proclamation is by
E. B. Robinson, one of my printers, twenty years ago, at Wash
ington. He calls upon all natives of Maryland and the District
of Columbia to report to him, and he wiU lead them against the
enemy, and redeem them from the imputation of skulking or dis
loyalty cast upon poor refugees by the flint-hearted Shylocks of
Richmond, who have extorted all their money from them.
Besides these inflammatory documents, the militia colonels have
out notices for all men under forty-flve years of age to meet in
Broad Street to-raorrow, Sunday.
I learn, however, that there are some 25,000 or 30,000 of the
eneray at Yorktown; but if we can get together 12,000 fighting
men, in the next twenty-four hours, to man the fortifications, there
wiU not be much use for the militia and the clerks of the depart
ments, raore than as an internal police force. But I am not quite
sure we can get that number.
June 28th. — By order of Brig.-Gen. G. W. Custis Lee, the
department companies, were paraded to-day, armed and equipped.
These, with the militia in the streets (armed by the government to
day), amounted to several thousand efficient men for the batteries
and for guard duty. They are to rendezvous, with blankets, pro
visions, etc., upon the sounding of the tocsin. I learn that 8000
men in the hospitals within convenient reach of the city, including
those in the city, can be available for defense in an emergency.
They cannot march, but they can fight. These, with HUl's divi
sion, will make over 20,000 men; an ample force to cope with the
enemy on the Peninsula. It has been a cool, cloudy day (we have
had copious rains recently), else the civilians could not have stood
several hours exercise so well. A little practice will habituate
them by degees to the harness of war. No one doubts that they
will fight when the time for blows arrives. Gen. Jenkins has just
arrived, with his brigade, from the south side of the James River.
I was in the arsenal to-day, and found an almost unlimited
amount of arms.

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPIT.VL. 3C>:]
We get not a word from Gen. Lee. This, I think, augnrs well,
for bad news flies fast No doubt we shall soon hear something
from the Northern papers. They are already beginning to magnify
the ravages of our army on their soil : but our men are incapable
of retaliating, to the full extent, such atrocities as the foUowing,
on the Blackwater, near Suffolk, which I find in the Petersburg
Express :
"Mr. Smith resided about one mile from the town, a well-to-do
farmer, having around him an interesting family, the eldest one a
gaUant young man in the 16th Virginia Regiment. When Gen.
Longstreet invested Suffolk a sharp artiUery and infantry skirmish
took place near Mr. Smith's residence, and many balls passed
through his house. The Yankees finally advanced and fired the
houses, forcing the family to leave. Mrs. Smith, with her seven
children, the youngest only ten months old, attempted to escape
to the woods and into the Confederate lines, when she was fired
upon by the Yankee soldiers, and a Minie-ball entering her Umb
jnst below the hip, she died in thirty minutes from the loss of
blood. The children, frightened, hid themselves in the bushes,
whUe Mr. Smith sat down upon the ground by his wife, to see her
breathe her last. After she had been dead for some tirae, the
Yankee commander permitted hira to take a cart, and, with no
assistance except one of his children, he pirt the dead bod% in the
cart and carried it into the town. On his arrival in town, he was
not permitted to take the remains of his wife to her brother's resi
dence until he had first gone through the town to the Provost
Marshal's office and obtained permission. On his arrival at the
Provost Marshal's office, he was gruffly told to take his wife to the
graveyard and bury her. He carried her to her brother's, John
R. Kilby, Esq., and a few friends prepared her for burial; Mr.
Kilby not being allowed to leave the house, or to attend the re
mains of his sister to the graveyard.
"Nor did the cruelty of the fiends stop here. Mr. Smith was
denied the privilege of going in search of his little children, and
for four days, and nights they wandered in the woods and among
the soldiers without anything to eat or any place to sleep. The
baby was taken up by a colored woman and nursed until some pri
vate in the Yankee army, with a little better heart than his associ
ates, took it on his horse and carried it to town. Mr. Smith is

364 A REBEL WAR OLERK'S DIARY
still in the lines of the enemy, his house and everything else he had
destroyed, and his little children cared for by his friends.
" WiU not the Confederate soldiers now in Pennsylvania remem
ber such acts of cruelty and barbarism ? WUl not the Nansemond
companies remember it ? And will not that gallant boy in the
16th Regiment remember his mother's fate, and take vengeance on
the enemy ? Will not such a cruel race of people eventually reap
the fruit of their doings ? God grant that they may."
Sunday afternoon. — There are two reports of important
events current in the streets: first, that Lee's army has taken
and destroyed Harrisburg, Pennsylvania ; and second, that Vicks
burg has fallen. I am not prepared to credit either, although the
first is said to be true by no less a person than Gov. Letcher. And
yet one or both may be confirmed to-morrow ; and if so, that is, if
Vicksburg has faUen, and Lee should retire, as he must sooner or
later, there wUl be a dark and desponding season in the Confed
eracy. But the war wUl go on.
June 29th. — There is no confirmation of the report of the faU
of Vicksburg, but it may be so ; nor is it certain that we have
advanced to Harrisburg, but it is probable.
Gen. D. H. Hill writes (on Saturday) /rom Petersburg that
40,000 of the enemy could not take Richmond; but this may he
fishing for the comraand. He says if Gen. Dix comes this way,
he would make him a subject of the cartel of exchange which he
(Dix) had a hand in negotiating.
J. M. Botts writes, from his farm in Culpepper, that our men
are quartered on his premises, and do as much injury as a hostile
army could. He is neutral. They pay him ten cents per day for
the grazing of each horse.
The Commissary- General is again recommending the procuring
of bacon from within the enemy's lines, in exchange for cotton.
Why not get meat from the enemy's country for nothing?
Hon. R. M. T. Hunter writes to the Secretary of War to let
the Quartermaster-General alone, that he is popular with Con
gress, and that his friends are active. It might be dangerous to
remove him ; the President had better commission him a brigadier-
general. He says Judge Campbell wants the President to go to
Mississippi ; this, Mr. H. is opposed to. Mr. H. is wiUing to
trust Johnston, has not lost confidence in him, etc. And he tells

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPIT.-VL. 365
the Secretary to inform the President how much he (H.) esteems
him (the President).
The New York Times publishes an account of one of their raids
on the Peninsula, below this city, as follows:
"Within the past three days a most daring raid has been made
into one of the richest portions of the eneray's country, and the
success was equal to the boldness of the undertaking.
"The expedition, which was condncted by both land and water,
was commanded by Col. KUpatrick. It started from the head
quarters of Gen. Keyes on Wendesday, and returned yesterday.
In the interim the Counties of Matthews and Gloucester were
scoured. All the warehouses containing grain were sacked, the
mills burned, and everything that could in any way aid the rebels
were destroyed or captured. Three hundred horses, two hundred
and fifty head of cattle, two hundred sheep, and one hundred
mules, together with a large number of contrabands, were brought
back by the raiders.
"The rebel farmers were all taken by surprise. They had not
expected a demonstration of the kind. Not only were they made
to surrender everything that could be of the least use to us, but
they were compelled to be silent spectators to the destruction of
their agricultural implements."
No doubt we shall soon have some account in the Northern
papers of our operations in this line, in their country.
Ju.VE 30th. — Dispatches from the West show that we still
held Vicksburg at the last dates ; and, moreover. Gen. Taylor
(son of Zachary Taylor) had stormed and taken the enemy's fortifi
cations at Berwick's Bay, with the bayonet We took 1000 pris
oners, 10 large cannon, and many stores. Also that we had taken
Thibbodanxville, and have thus cut off Banks from New Orleans.
5 o'clock p.m. — The city is now in good humor, bnt not wild
with exultation. We have what seems pretty authentic intelli
gence of the taking of Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania,
the City of York, etc. etc. This comes on the flag of truce boat,
and is derived from the enemy themselves. Lee will not descend
to the retaliation instigated by petty maUce ; but proclaim to the
inhabitants that all we desire is peace, not conquest.
From Vicksburg we have further information that, in springing
his mine. Grant destroyed hundreds of his own men, and did us
31*

366 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
no injury. Also that a battery we have above Vicksburg had fired
into some passing transports, doing great damage to life and boats.
The troops landed, and failed to take the battery by assault, losing
hundreds in addition.

CHAPTER XXVIIL
Enemy threatening Richmond. — The city is safe. — Battle of Gettysburg. —
Great excitement. — Yankees in great trouble. — Alas ! Vicksburg has
fallen. — President is sick. — Grant marching against Johnston at Jack
son. — Fighting at that place. — Yankees repulsed at Charleston. — Lee and
Meade facing each other. — Pemberton surrenders his whole army. — Fall
of Port Hudson. — Second class conscripts called for. — Lee has got back
across the Potomac— Lincoln getting fresh troops. — Lee writes that he
cannot be responsible if the soldiers fail for want of food. — Humors of
Grant coming East. — Pemberton in bad odor. — Hon. W. L. Yancey is dead.
July 1st. — The intelligence of the capture of Harrisburg and
York, Pa., is so far confirmed as to be admitted by the officers of
the Federal flag of truce boat that came up to City Point yes
terday. Of the movements of Hooker's army, we have the following in
formation : " Headquaetees, Cavalbt DmsiOH,
"June 27th, 1863.
"General: — I took possession of Fairfax C. H. this morning
at nine o'clock, together with a large quantity of stores. The main
body of Hooker's army has gone toward Leesburg, except the
garrison of Alexandria and Washington, which has retreated
within the fortifications.
" Very respectfully,
" Your obedient servant,
"J. E. B. Stuart, Major-General."
The Northern papers say that our cruiser Tacony, taken from
them, has destroyed twenty-two of their vessels since the 12th inst;
but that our men burnt her at last Her "crew then entered Port-

AT THE CONFEDER-VTE STATES CAPITAL. .')67
land, Maine, and cut out the steam cutter Caleb Cushing, which
they subsequently blew up, and then were themselves taken pris-
oner. The President has decided that the obstructions below the city
shall not be opened for the steam iron-clad Richmond to go out,
until another iron-clad be in readiness to accompany her.
Capt Maury, at Mobile, writes that the two iron-clads, Trent
and Nashville, now ready for sea, might take New Orleans and
keep it. The President directs the Secretary of War to consult
the Secretary of the Navy, and if they agreed, the attempt should
be made without loss of time. So, probably, we shall have news
from that quarter soon.
The militia and Department Guard (soon to be called the Na
tional Guard, probably) were notified to-day to be in readiness at
a minute's warning. It is said positively that Dix is advancing
toward the city. WeU, let him come.
July 2d. — The President is nnweU again ; to what extent I
have not learned. Bnt the Vice-President is ready, no doubt, to
take his place in the event of a fatal result ; and some would re
joice at it. Such is the mutability of political affairs !
The Attorney- General Watts, being referred to, sends in a writ
ten opinion that foreigners sojourning here, under the protection
of the Confederate States, are liable to military duty, in defense
of their homes, against any government but the one to which they
claim to owe allegiance. This I sent in to the Secretary of War,
and I hope he will act on it; but the Assistant Secretary and Mr.
Benjamin were busy to-day — perhaps combating the Attorney-
General's opinion. Will Mr. Seddon have the nerve to act ? It
is a trying time, and every man is needed for defense.
The enemy were drawn up in line of battle this morning below
the fortifications. The Department Guard (my son Custis among
them) were ordered out, and marched away ; and so with the
second class militia. A battle is looked for to-morrow ; and there
has been skirmishing to-day. A dispatch from Hanover Court
House says the enemy is approaching likewise from the north in
large force — and 15 guns. This is his great blunder. He cannot
take Richmond, nor draw back Lee, and the detachment of so
many of his men may endanger Baltimore and Washington, and
perhaps Philadelphia.

368 A REBEL WA» clerk's DIARY
July 3d.— My son Custis stayed out all night, sleeping on his
arms in the farthest intrenchments. A little beyond, there was
a skirmish with the enemy. We lost eight in killed and wounded.
What the enemy suffered is not known, but he fell back, and ran
toward the White House.
This morning, Mr. Ould, agent for exchange of prisoners, re
ported that "not a Yankee could be found on the face of the
earth." And this induced a general belief that the enemy had
retired, finally, being perhaps ordered to Washington, where they
may be much needed.
The Secretary of War, believing the same thing, intimated to
Gen. Elzey (who for some cause is unable to ride, and therefore
remains in the city) a desire to send several regiments away to
some menaced point at a distance. In response, Elzey writes that
none can be spared with safety; that the enemy had apparently
divided his force into two bodies, one for Hanover, and the other
for the Chickahominy, and both strong ; and he advised against
weakening the forces here. He said he had not yet completed the
manning of the batteries, the delay being in arming the men — and
he hoped "Hill could hold out."
We have 3400 convalescents at Camp Lee, and as many more
may be relied on for the defense of the city ; so we shall have not
less than 22,000 men for the defense of Richraond. The enemy
have perhaps 35,000; but it would require 75,000 to storm our
batteries. Let this be reraerabered hereafter, if the 35,000 sent here
on a fool's errand raight have saved Washington or Baltimore, or
have served to protect Pennsylvania — and then let the press of the
North bag the administration at Washington ! Gen. Lee's course
is "right onward," and cannot be affected by events here.
My friend Jacques (clerk) marched out yesterday with the De
partment Guard ; but he had the diarrhoea, and was excused from
marching as far as the company. He also got permission to come
to town this morning, having slept pretty well, he said, apart
from the company. No doubt he did good service in the city to
day, having his rifle fixed (the ball, I believe, had got down before
the powder), and procuring a basket of edibles and a canteen of
strong tea, which he promised to share with the mess. He said
he saw Custis this morning, looking well, after sleeping on the
ground the first time in his life, and without a blanket

AT THE CONFEDEILVTE STATES CAPITAL. 309
We have nothing further from the North or the West
July 4th. — The Department Guard (ray son with them) were
marched last night back to the city, and out to Meadow Bridge,
on the Chickahominy, some sixteen miles ! The clerks, I under
stand, complain of bad meat (two or three ounces each) and
mouldy bread ; and some of them curse the authorities for fraudu
lent deception, as it was understood they would never be marched
beyond the city defenses. Bnt they had no alternative — the Sec
retaries would report the names of all who did not volunteer.
Most of the poor fellows have families dependent on their salaries
for bread — being refugees from their comfortable homes, for the
cause of independence. If removed, their wives and little chil
dren, or brothers and sisters, mnst perish. They would be con-
scribed, and receive only $1 2 per month.
My friend Jacques did not return to the company yesterday, after
all, although I saw him get into an ambulance with a basket of
food. He got out again, sending the basket to Mr. K., the young
chief of the bureau, and Judge Campbell allowed him to remain.
Mr. Myers the lawyer is much with Judge Campbell, working
for his Jew clients, who sometimes, I am told, pay $1000 each to
be got out of the army, and as high as $500 for a two months' de-
taU, when battles are to be fought. Mr. M. thinks he has law for
aU he does.
A letter from Gen. D. H. Hill shows that it was his intention
to bring on a battle on the 2d inst., but the enemy fled. It was
only a feint below ; but we may soon hear news from Hanover
County. Col. Gorgas (ordnance) writes that as his men are marched out
to defend the city, he can't send much ammunition to Gen. Lee !
A letter from. Lieut.-Gen. E. Kirby Smith, dated June 15th,
shows he was at Shreveport, La., at that date.
The poor militia were allowed to return to their homes to-day ;
bnt an hour after the tocsin sounded, and they were compelled to
assemble and march again. This is the work of the Governor,
and the Secretary of War says there was no necessity for it, as
Confederate troops here now can defend the city, if attacked.
July 5th. — This morning the wires refused to work, being cut,
no doubt, in Hanover County.
The presence of the enemy in this vicinity, I think, since they

370 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
refuse to fight, is designed to prevent us from sending more troops
into Pennsylvania. I trust the President will think of this mat
ter, if he is well enough ; some of his generals here are incapable
of thinking at all.
We have just received intelligence of a great battle at Gettys
burg, Pennsylvania. I have not heard the day ; but the news
was brought by flag of truce boat to City Point last night The
Yankee papers, I am told, claim a victory, but acknowledge a loss
of five or six generals, among them Meade, commander-in-chief
(vice Hooker), mortally wounded. But we still held the town,
and "actions speak louder than words."
More troops are marching up into Hanover County.
July 6th. — Yesterday evening we received Baltimore and
New York papers with accounts (and loose ones) of the battle of
Gettysburg. The Governor of Pennsylvania says it was "inde
cisive," which means, as we read it, that Meade's army was de
feated. The forces (Federal) are withdrawing from the neighborhood
of this city, another indication that Lee has gained a victory.
Dix has done but little damage. In retreating from Hanover
County, he burnt the bridges to retard pursuit.
The " War Department Guard" have returned, my son among
them, sun-burnt and covered with dust. They were out five days
and four nights, sleeping on the ground, without tents or blankets,
and with little or nothing to eat, although the Commissary-Gen
eral had abundance. The President, however, is better to-day,
and able to get out of bed ; but his health is apparently gone, and
it may be doubtful whether he will ever be quite well again.
The Vice-President went down to the flag of truce boat on
Saturday, some say to Fortress Monroe, and others to Washing
ton. It is surmised that he is authorized by the President to have
a definitive understanding with the Federal authorities, whether
or not private property is to be respected hereafter in the future
progress of the war. If not. Gen. Lee will have orders to desolate
the Northern States, where he has the power. Some, however,
think he goes to Washington, to propose terms of peace, etc.
There is a rumor in the city, generally credited, that another
battle was fought in Pennsylvania on Friday, and that the enemy
was annihilated ; these rumors sometimes assume form and sub-

AT THE CONFEDERATE ST.VTES CAPITAL. 371
stance, and this one, as if by some sort of magnetism, is credited
by many. It is certain that Mr. Morris, superintendent of the
telegraph office, has called upon his friends for the largest Con
federate fiag in the city to hang out of his window. He says
nothing more ; but he may have sent dispatches to the President,
which he is not at liberty to divulge. There may be later news
from Lee ; or Vicksburg may be relieved ; or New Orleans taken ;
or an armistice ; or nothing.
I am glad my son's company were ordered in to-day ; for, after
a week of fine fair weather, it is now raining furiously. This would
have prostrated the tender boys with illness.
July 7th. — It appears that the fighting near Gettysburg began
on Wednesday, July 1st, continued until Sunday, the 5th, and
perhaps longer. ' Up to Friday the Northern papers claim the
advantage. This morning at 1 p.m. another dispatch was received from the
same (unofficial) source, stating that on Sunday the enemy made
a stand, and A. P. Hill's corps fell back, followed by the enemy,
when Longstreet's and Ewell's corps closed in their rear and cap
tured 40,000 prisoners — who are now guarded by Pickett's divi
sion. It states that the prisoners refused to be paroled. This
might possibly be true.
This account is credited. Col. Custis Lee, from the President's
office, was in my office at half-past two p.m. to-day, and said nothing
had been received from his father yet — but he did not deny that
such accounts might be substantially tme.
The President still keeps his eye on Gen. Beauregard. A paper
from the general to Gen. Cooper, and, of course, referred to the
President in relation to the means of defense in his department,
and a call for more guns, was sent back to-day, indorsed by the
President, that by an examination of the report of Gen. Huger,
he thought some discrepancies would appear in the statements of
Gen. B. Thus, it would seem, from a repetition of siraUar impu
tations, the President has strong doubts of Gen. B.'s accuracy of
statements. He is quick to detect discrepancies.
Gen. D. H. Hill sends in a characteristic letter. He says the
rivers are all swollen, and he can make no movement to-day in
pursuit of Dix's army of the Pamunky — or rather " the monkey
army." He says, that the Brooke Pike outer deffenses are so de-

374 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
Another officer said Lee was retiring, which is simply impossible,
now, for the flood.
But, alas ! we have sad tidings from the West Gen. Johnston
telegraphs from Jackson, Miss., that Vicksburg capitulated on the
4th inst. This is a terrible blow, and has produced much de
spondency. The President, sick as he is, has directed the Secretary of War
to send him copies of all the correspondence with Johnston and
Bragg, etc., on the subject of the relief of Pemberton.
The Secretary of War has caught the prevailing alarm at the
sUence of Lee, and posted off to the President for a solution — but
got none. If Lee falls back again, it will be the darkest day for
the Confederacy we have yet seen.
July 9th. — The sad tidings from Vicksburg have been con
firmed by subsequent accounts. The number of raen fit for duty
on the day of capitulation was only a little upwards of 7000.
Flour was selling at $400 per barrel ! This betrays the extreraity
to which they had been reduced.
A dispatch to-day states that Grant, with 100,000 men (sup
posed), is marching on Jackson, to give Johnston battle. But John
ston will retire — he has not men enough to withstand him, until he
leads him farther into the interior. If beaten. Mobile might fall.
We have no particulars yet — no comments of the Southern
generals under Pemberton. But the fall of the place has cast a
gloom over everything.
The fall of Vicksburg, alone, does not make this the darkest day
of the war, as it is undoubtedly. The news from Lee's army is
appalling. After the battle of Friday, the accounts frora Martins
burg now state, he fell back toward Hagerstown, followed by the
enemy, fighting but little on the way. Instead of 40,000 we have
only 4000 prisoners. How many we have lost, we know not
The Potomac is, perhaps, too high for him to pass it — and there
are probably 15,000 of the enemy immediately iu his rear ! Such
are the gloomy accounts from Martinsburg.
Our telegraph operators are great liars, or else they have been
made the dupes of spies and traitors. That the cause has suffered
much, and may be ruined by the toleration of disloyal persons
within our lines, who have kept the enemy informed of all our
movements, there can be no doubt.

at the confederate ST-VTES CAPIT.VL. 375
The foUowing is Gen. Johnston's dispatch announcing the fall
of Vicksburg : "Jackson, July 7th, ISO'!.
"Hon. J. A, Seddon, Secretary of W.vr.
"Vicksburg capitulated on the 4th inst. The garrison was
paroled, and are to be returned to our lines, the officers retaining
their side-arms and personal baggage.
"This intelligence was brought by an officer who left the place
on Sunday, the 5th. "J. E. Johnston, General."
We get nothing from Lee himself. Gen. Cooper, the Secretary
of War, and Gen. Hill went to the President's office about one
o'clock. They seemed in haste, and excited. The President, too,
is sick, and ought not to attend to business. It will kill him, per
haps. There is serious anxiety now for the fate of Richmond. Will
Meade be here in a few weeks ? Perhaps so — but, then, Lee may
not have quite completed his raid beyond the Potomac.
The Baltimore American, no doubt in some trepidation for
the quiescence of that city, gets up a most glowing account of
"Meade's victory" — if it should, indeed, in the sequel, prove to
have been one. That Lee fell back, is true ; but how many men
were lost on each side in killed, wounded, and prisoners — how
many guns were taken, and what may be the result of the opera
tions in Pennsylvania and Maryland — of which we have as yet
snch imperfect accounts — will soon be known.
July 10th. — This is the day of fate — and, without a cloud
in the sky, the red sun, dimly seen through the mist (at noonday),
casts a baleful light on the earth. It has been so for several
days. Early this morning a dispatch was received from Gen. Beaure
gard that the enemy attacked the forts in Charleston harbor, and,
subsequently, that they were landing troops on Morris Island.
Up to 3 o'clock we have no tidings of the result. But if Charieston
falls, the government will be blamed for it — since, notwithstanding
the remonstrances of Gen. B., the government members of Con
gress, and prominent citizens, some 10,000 of his troops were
away to save Vicksburg.

372 a rebel war clerk's diary
fective in design, that a force there could be driven off in five
minutes by the eneray's sharpshooters. He wants them amended,
and a certain grove cut down — and recommends that engineers be
put to work, with orders to leave their "kid gloves behind." He
thinks raore is to be apprehended from an attack on Petersburg
than Richmond; and requests that Gen. Wise be ordered to march
thither from Chaffin's Bluff, on the first alarm. He had not heard
of the reported victory of Lee.
July 8th. — I am glad to copy the following order of Gen.
Lee: " Headquaetees Abmt Noetheek Vieginia,
" Chambeeseueg, Pa., June 27th, 1863.
"General Orders No. 73.
" The coraraanding general has observed with marked satisfac
tion the conduct of the troops on the march, and confidently an
ticipates results commensurate with the high spirit they have
manifested. No troops could have displayed greater fortitude, or
better performed the arduous marches of the past ten days. Their
conduct in other respects has, with few exceptions, been in keeping
with their character as soldiers, and entitles them to approbation
and praise.
" There have, however, been instances of forgetfulness on the
part of sorae, that they have in keeping the yet unsullied reputa
tion of the array, and that the duties exacted of us by civilization
and Christianity are not less obligatory in the country of the enemy
than in our own.
"The commanding general considers that no greater disgrace
could befall the army, and through it, our whole people, "than the
perpetration of the barbarous outrages upon the innocent and de
fenseless, and the wanton destruction of private property, that have
marked the course of the enemy in our own country. Such pro
ceedings not only disgrace the perpetrators and all connected with
thera, but are subversive of the discipline and efficiency of the
army and destructive of the ends of our present movements. It
must be remembered that we make war only upon armed men, and
that we cannot take vengeance for the wrongs our people have
suffered without lowering ourselves in the eyes of all whose abhor
rence has been e!xcited by the atrocities of our enemy, and offend-

AT THE CONFEDERATE ST .-V.TES CAPITAL 373
ing against Him to whom vengeance belongcth, without whgse
favor and support our efforts must all prove in vain.
"The commanding general, therefore, earnestly exhorts the
troops to abstain with most scrupulous care from unnecessary or
wanton injury to private property ; and he enjoins upon all officers
to arrest and bring to summary punishment all who shall in any
way offend against the orders on this subject " R. E. Lee, General."
We have no additional news from the battle-field, except the fol
lowing dispatch from Winchester :
" Onr loss is estimated at 10,000. Between 3000 and 4000 of our
wounded are arriving here to-night. Every preparation is being
made to receive them.
"Gens. Scales and Pender have arrived here wounded, this
evening. Gens. Armistead, Barksdale, Garnett, and Kemper are
reported kiUed. Gens. Jones, Heth, Anderson, Pettigrew, Jen
kins, Hampton, and Hood are reported wounded.
"The Yankees say they had only two corps in the fight on
Wednesday, which was open field fighting. The whole of the
Yankee force was engaged in the last three days' fighting. The
number is estimated at 175,000.
" The hills around Gettysburg are said to be covered with the
dead and wounded of the Yankee Army of the Potomac.
" The fighting of these four days is regarded as the severest of
the war, and the slaughter unprecedented ; especially is this so of
the enemy.
" The New York and Pennsylvania papers are reported to have
declared for peace."
But the absence of dispatches from Gen, Lee himself is begin
ning to create distrust, and doubts of decisive success at Gettys
burg. His couriers may have been captured, or he may be delay
ing to announce something else he has in contemplation.
The enemy's flag of trace boat of yesterday refused to let us
have a single paper in exchange for ours. This signifies some
thing — I know not what One of our exchanged officers says he
heard a Northern officer say, at Fortress Monroe, that Meade's loss
was, altogether, 60,000 men; but this is not, of course, reliable.
32

376 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
About one o'clock to-day the President sent over to the Secre
tary of War a dispatch from an officer at :Martin8burg, stating
that Gen. Lee was stUl at Hagerstown awaiting his amraunition
—(has not Col. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance, been sufficiently vigi
lant ?)  which, however, had arrived at the Potomac. That aU the
prisoners (number not stated), except those paroled, were at the
river. That nothing was known of tlie enemy — but that cavalry
fighting occurred every day. He concluded by saying he did not
know whether Lee would advance or recross the river. If he
does the latter, in my opinion there will be a great revulsion of
feeling in the Confederate States and in the United States.
Another dispatch, from Gen. J. E. Johnston, dated yesterday,
at Jackson, Miss. , stated that Grant's army was then within four
mOes of hira, with numbers double his own. But that he would
hold the city as long as possible, for its fall would be the loss of
the State. I learn a subsequent dispatch announced that fighting
had begun. I believe Johnston is intrenched.
To-day Mr. Secretary Seddon requested Attorney-General
Watts, if he could do so consistent with duty, to order a nolle
prosequi in the District Court of Alabama in the case of Ford,
Hurd & Co. for trading with the enemy. Gen. Pemberton had
made a contract with them, allowing them to ship cotton to New
Orleans, and to bring back certain supplies for the army. Bnt
Mr. Attorney-General Watts replied that it was not consistent
with his duty to comply, and therefore he demurred to it, as the
act they were charged with was in violation of the act of Congress
of AprU 19th, 1862.
We lost twelve general officers in the fall of Vicksburg — one
lieutenant-general, four major-generals, and seven brigadiers.
Dispatches frora Jackson, Miss., say the battle began yesterday,
but up to the time of the latest accounts it had not become gen
eral. Johnston had destroyed the wells and cisterns, and as there
are no running streams in the vicinity, no doubt Grant's army wiU
suffer for water, if the defense be protracted.
From Charleston we learn that we lost in yesterday's combat
some 300 men, killed and wounded — the enemy quite as many.
This morning the Yankees assaulted the battery on Morris Island,
and were repulsed in two minutes, with a loss of 95 kiUed and 130
wounded, besides prisoners. Our loss was five, killed and wounded.
Nothing further was heard up to 7 o'clock p.m.

AT THE CONFEDER.VTE ST.VTKS CVPIT.VL, 377
From Lee we have no news whatever.
A letter from Governor Vance, of North Carolina, complains of
an insult offered by Col. Thorburn (of Virginia), and asking that
he be removed from the State, aud if retained in service, not to be
permitted to command North Carolinians, The Governor, by per
mission of Gen. Whiting, proceeded down the river to a steamer
which had just got in (and was aground) from Europe, laden with
supplies for the State ; but when attempting to return was stopped
by Col. T., who said it was against the rules for any one to pass
from the stearaer to the city until the expiration of the time pre
scribed for quarantine. The Governor informed him of his special
permission from Gen. Whiting and the Board of Navigation — and
yet the colonel said he should not pass for fifteen days, "if he was
Governor Vance or Governor Jesus Christ," The President in
dorsed on this letter, as one requiring the Secretary's attention,
"if the case be as stated."
Again the blockade-runners are at their dirty work, and Judge
Campbell is "allowing" them. To-day Col. J. Gorgas, who is
daUy in receipt of immense amounts of ordnance stores frora Eu
rope by government steamers, recommends that passports be given
N. H. Rogers and L. S. White to proceed North for supplies.
This is a small business. It is no time to apply for passports, and
no time to grant them.
We now know all abont the mission of Vice-President Stephens
under flag of truce. It was ill-timed for success. At Washington
news had been received of the defeat of Gen. Lee — which may yet
prove not to have been "all a defeat."
July 12Tn. — There is nothing additional this morning from
Charleston, Mississippi, or Maryland. Telegraphic communica
tion is still open to Jackson, where all was quiet again at the last
accounts ; but battle, then, must occur immediately. From Charles
ton we learn that Beauregard had repulsed every assault of the
enemy. It is rumored that Lee's account of the battle of Gettys
burg will be published to-morrow, showing that it was the "most
briUiant and successful battle of the war." I hope he may say so
— for then it will be so.
Our papers are pubUshing MUroy's papers captured at Win
chester. July 13th. — The Enquirer says the President has got a letter
82*

378 A REBEL WAR OLERK'S DIARY
from Gen. Lee (why not give it to the people ?) stating that his
operations in Pennsylvania and Maryland have been successful
and satisfactory,-and that we have now some 15,000 to 18,000
prisoners, besides the 4000 or 5000 paroled. Nonsense !
Lee and Meade have been facing each other two or three days,
drawn up in battle array, and a decisive battle may have occurred
ere this. The wires have been cut between Martinsburg and
Hagerstown. Not another word have we from either Charleston or Jackson;
but we learn that monitors, gun-boats, and transports are coming
up the Jaraes River.
Altogether, this is another dark day in our history. It has been
officially ascertained that Peraberton surrendered, with Vicksburg,
22,000 men ! He has lost, during the year, not less than 40,000 !
And LoveU (another Northern general) lost Fort Jackson and
New Orleans. When will the government put "none bnt South
erners on guard?" "'
Letters to-day from the Governors of South Carolina, Alabama,
and North Carolina show that all are offended *t the Confederate
government. Judge Campbell's judicial profundity (and hS'-isJihe
department's correspondent) is unfortunate at this crisis, when, ^9^ ¦
great principles, but quick and successful fighting, alone can serve.
It appears that President Lincoln has made a speech in Wash
ington in exultation over the fall of Vicksburg, and the defeat of
an army contending against the principle that all men were created
equal. He means the negro — we mean that white men were created
equal — that we are equal to Northern white people, and have a
right, which we do not deny to thera, of living under a government
of our own choice.
July 1 4th. — To day we have tidings of the fall of Port Hudson,
on the Mississippi River, our last stronghold there. I suppose
sorae 10,000 or 12,000 of our raen had to surrender, uncondi
tionally. Thus the army of Gen. Pemberton, first and last, some
50,000 strong, has been completely destroyed. There is sadness
and gloom throughout the land 1
The enemy are established on Morris Island, and the fate of
Charleston is in doubt.
We have nothing authentic from Gen. Lee ; but long trains of
the slightly wounded arrived yesterday and to-day.

AT THE CONFEDER-VTE ST.VTES C.VPITAL. 379
It has been raining, almost every day, for nearly two weeks.
The President is quite amiable now. The newspaper editors
can find easy access, and he welcomes them with smiles.
A letter was received to-day frora a Mivjor Jones, saying he was
authorized to state that the Messrs.  , engine-makers in Phila-
delphia,-were willing to remove their machinery to the South, being
Southern men. The President indorsed that authority might be
given for them to come, etc.
Gen, Beauregard writes for a certain person here skilled in the
management of torpedoes — bnt Secretary Mallory says the enemy's
gunboats are in the James River, and he cannot be sent away. I
hope both cities may not fall !
A heavy thunder-storm, accompanied with a deluging rain, pre-
vaUs this afternoon at 5|- o'clock p.m.
July 15th. — There was a rumor of another battle beyond the
Potomac, this morning, but it has not been confirmed.
From Charleston we have no news ; bnt from Jackson there has
been considerable fighting, without a general engagement.
The Enquirer and Sentinel to-day squint at a military dictator
ship ; bnt President Davis would hardly attempt snch a feat at
snch a time.
Gen, Samuel Jones, Western Virginia, has delayed 2000 men
ordered to Lee, assigning as an excuse the demonstrations of the
enemy in the Kanawha Valley. " Off with his head — so much for
Buckingham I"
There is some gloom in the community ; but the spirits of the
people will rebound.
A large crowd of Irish, Dutch, and Jews are daily seen at Gen.
Winder's door, asking permission to go North on the flag of truce
boat They fear being forced into the army ; they will be com-
peUed to aid in the defense of the city, or be imprisoned. They
intend to leave their families behind, to save the property they
have accumulated under the protection of the government.
Files of papers from Europe show that Mr. Roebuck and other
members of Parliament, as well as the papers, are again agitating
the question of recognition. We shall soon ascertain the real in
tentions of France and England. If they truly desire our success,
and apprehend danger from the United States in the event of a
reconstruction of the Union, they will manifest their purposes

3 so A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
when the news of our recent calamities shaU be transported across
the ocean. And if such a thing as reconstruction were possible,
and were accomplished (in such a manner and on such terms as
would not appear degrading to the Southern people), then, indeed,
well raight both France and England tremble. The United States
would have millions of soldiers, and the Southern people would
not owe either of thera a debt of gratitude.
July 16th — This is another blue day in the calendar. Nothing
from Lee, or Johnston, or Bragg ; and no news is generaUy bad
news. But from Charleston we learn that the eneray are estab
Ushed on Morris Island, having taken a dozen of our guns and
howitzers in the sand hills at the lower end ; and that the monitors
had passed the bar, and doubtless an engagement by land and by
water is imminent, if indeed it has not already taken place. Many
regard Charleston as lost. I do not.
Again the Enquirer, edited by Mitchel, the Irishman, is urging
the President to seize arbitrary power; but the Examiner combats
the project defiantly.
Mr. Secretary Seddon, who usually wears a sallow and cadaver
ous look, which, coupled with his eraaciation, makes him resemble
an exhumed corpse after a month's interraent, looks to-day like a
galvanized corpse which had been buried two months. The circles
round his eyes are absolutely black 1 And yet he was pacing
briskly backward and forward between the President's office and
the War Department. He seems much affected by disWers.
The United States agent of exchange has sent a notice to our
agent that the negroes we capture from them in battle must be
exchanged as other soldiers are, according to the cartel, which
said nothing about color ; and if the act of Congress in relation to
such soldiers be executed, the United States would retaliate to the.
utmost extremity.
Captains H. W. Sawyer and John Flinn, having been designated
by lot for execution in retaliation for two of our captains executed
by Gen. Burnside for recruiting in Kentucky, write somewhat lugu
briously, in bad grammar and execrable chirography, that, as they
never served under Burnside, they should not be made to suffer for
his deed. They say we have two of Burnside's captains at Atlanta
(and they give their names) who would be the proper victims.
I saw a paper to-day, sent to the department, with a list of the

AT THE CONFEDERATE ST.VTES CAPITAL. 3S1
United States officers at ^lemphis who are said to have taken
bribes; among them is Col. H  r, of Illinois, Provost Marshal
General (Grant's staff); Col. A  , Illinois, ex-Provost Mar
shal; Capt. W  , Illinois, Assistant Provost ^Marshal; Capt.
C  (Gen. Herbert's staff), and "Dan Ross," citizen of lUinois,
procurer. On the 9th instant Gen. D. H. HiU (now lieutenant-general, and
assigned to Mississippi) asks if troops are to be sent to cover Lee's
retreat; and fears, if the enemy establish themselves at Winchester,
they will starve Lee to death. Speaking of the raid of the enemy
to the North Carolina Railroad, he said they would do the State
infinite service by dashing into Raleigh and capturing all the mem
bers of the legislature. He also hits at the local newspapers here.
Their mention of his name, and the names of other officers in the
campaign round Richmond, informed the eneray that we had no
troops at Goldsborough and Weldon, and hence the raid. And,
after all, he says the enemy were not more nuraerous than our forces
in the recent dash at Richmond. He says it was no feint, but a
faint. To-day an order was issued for the local troops to deUver up
their ammunition. What does that mean ?
And to-day the President calls for the second class of conscripts,
all between eighteen and forty-five years of age. So our reserves
must take the field!
July 17th. — At last we have the authentic announcement that
Gen. Lee has recrossed the Potomac ! Thus the armies of the
Confederate States are recoiling at all points, and a settled gloom
is apparent on many weak faces The fall of Charleston is antici
pated. Subjugation is not apprehended by the government; for,
if driven to an interior line of defense, the war may be prolonged
indefinitely, or at least untU the United States becomes embroiled
with some European power.
Meantime we are in a half starving condition. I have lost
twenty pounds, and my wife and children are emaciated to some
extent Still, I hear no murmuring.
To-day, for the second time, ten dollars in Confederate notes
are given for one in g.old ; and no doubt under our recent disas
ters, the depreciation will increase. Had it not been for the stu
pidity of our Dutch Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Memminger,

382 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
there would have been no financial difficulties. If he had recon
mended (as he was urged to do) the purchase by the governmei
of all the cotton, it could have been bought at 7 cents per pound
and the profits alone would have defrayed the greater portion (
the expenses of the war, besides affording iraraense diplomat',
facilities and advantages. But red-tape etiquette, never violate
by the government, may prove our financial ruin beyond redemj
tion. It costs this government five times as much to support a
army as it does the United States ; and the call for conscripts is
farce, since the speculators (and who is not one now ?) will bn
exemptions frora the party who, strangely, have the authority 1
grant them.
The last accounts from Jackson state that Burnside is reinfort
ing Grant, and that heavy skirmishing is going on daily. But a
suppose that Johnston must retreat. And Bragg is in no conditio
to face Rosecrans.
Whether Lee will come hither or not, no one knows; but son
tremble for the fate of Richmond. Lee possibly may cross tl
Potomac again, however, if Meade detaches a heavy force to ca]
ture Richmond.
What our fate would be if we fall into the hands of the invade
may be surmised from the sufferings of the people in New Orlean
July 18th. — Lee has got over the Potoraac with a loss, i
crossing, of 1500 ; and Johnston has abandoned Jackson, Miss.
But we have awful good news frora New York : an insurre(
TION, the loss of raany lives, extensive pillage and burning, with
suspension of the conscription !
Gen. Morgan is in the enemy's country.
July 19th. — We have no news this morning. But a rumc
prevails, which cannot be traced to any authentic source, thi
Texas has put herself under the protection of Prance. It is sij
nificant, because public sentiment seems to acquiesce in such
measure ; and I have not met with any who do not express a wis
that it may be so. Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas are no
isolated, and no protection or aid can be given them by the go
ernment here; and it is natural, after the faU of New Orieai
and Vicksburg, for the people to hope that the invaders may 1
deprived of their prey just at the moment when they anticipated
realization of its enjoyment.

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 383
Hon. Wm. Porcher MUes writes that after consultation, the offi
cers have decided that it would be impracticable to hold .Morris
Island, even if the enemy were driven from it at the point of the
bayonet Therefore they call loudly for Brooke guns of long
range, and guns of large calibre for Sumter, so that the fort may
prevent the eneray from erecting batteries in breaching distance.
They say, in their appeal, that since the fall of Vicksburg there is
no other place (but one) to send them. They are now idle in
Richmond. I understand the Secretary of War, etc. are in con
sultation on the subject, and I hope the President will, at last,
yield to Gen. Beauregard's demands.
Gen. Maury also writes for guns and ordnance stores for the
defense of Mobile, which may be attacked next. He will get
them. If the insurrection in New York lives, and resistance to con
scription should be general in the North, our people will take fresh
hope, and make renewed efforts to beat back the mighty armies of
the foe— suffering, and more than decimated, as we are.
But if not — if Charleston and Richmond and Mobile should
fall, a peace (submission) party will spring up. Nevertheless, the
fighting population would still resist, retiring into the interior
and d^rrting out occasionally, from positions of concentration, at
the exposed camps of the enemy.
July 20th. — Nothing from Lee or from Johnston, except that
the latter has abandoned Jackson. From Bragg's array, I learn
that a certain number of regiments were moving from Chattanooga
toward Knoxville — and I suspect their destination is Lee's army.
But we have a dispatch frora Beauregard, stating that he has
again repulsed an attack of the eneray on the battery on Morris
Island with heavy loss — perhaps 1500 — while his is trifling.
A thousand of the enemy's forces were in Wytheville yesterday,
and were severely handled by 130 of the home guards. They did
hut little injnry to the railroad, and burned a few buildings.
An indignant letter has been received from the Hon. W. Porcher
Miles, who had applied for a sub-Ueutenancy for Charles Porcher,
who had served with merit in the 1st South Carolina Artillery,
and was his relative. It seems that the President directed the
Secretary to state that the appointment could not be given him
because he was not 21 years of age. To this Mr. M. replies that

384 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
several minors in the same regiment have been appointed. I
think not.
Governor Brown writes a long letter, protesting against th^de-
cision of the Confederate States Government that the President
shall appoint the colonel for the 51st Georgia Regiment, which the
Governor says is contrary to the Confederate States Constitution.
He will resist it
A Mrs. Allen, a lady of wealth here, has been arrested for
giving information to the enemy. Her letters were intercepted.
She is confined at the asylum St. Francis de Sales. The surgeon
who attends there reports to-day that her mental excitement wiU
probably drive her to madness. Her great fear seeras to be that
she wiU be soon sent to a coramon prison. There is much indig
nation that she should be assigned to such comfortable quarters —
and I believe the Bishop (McGUl) protests against having crimi
nals imprisoned in his religious edifices. It is said she has long
been sending treasonable letters to Baltiraore — but the authorities
do not have the names of her letter-carriers pubUshed. No doubt
they had passports.
A letter from Lee's army says we lost 10,000 in the recent bat
tle, kUled, wounded, and prisoners. We took 11,000 prisoners.
and 11 guns.
Thank Heaven ! we have fine weather after nearly a month's rain.
It may be that we shall have better fortune in the field now.
Some of the bankers had an interview with the government to
day. Unless we can achieve some brilliant success, they cannot
longer keep our governraent notes from depreciating, down to five
cents on the dollar. They are selling for only ten cents now, in
gold. In vain wUl be the sale of a mUlion of government gold in
the effort to keep it up.
Gen. Morgan, Uke a comet, has shot out of the beaten track of
the army, and after dashing deeply into Indiana, the last heard of
hira he was in Ohio, near Cincinnati. He was playing havoc
with steam-boats, and capturing fine horses. He has some 3000
men we cannot afford to lose — but I fear they will be lost
July 21st. — We have intelligence to-day, derived from a New
York paper of the 18th inst,, that the "insurrection" in New
York had subsided, under the menacing attitude of the military
authority, and that Lincoln had ordered the conscription law to
be enforced. This gives promise of a long war.

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 385
Mr. Mallory sent a note to the Secretary of War to-day (which
of course the Secretary did not see, and will never hear of) by a
young man named Juan Boyle, asking permission for B. to pass
into Maryland as an agent of the Navy Department Judge
CampbeU indorsed on the back of it (to Brig.-Gen. Winder) that.
permission was "allowed" by "order." But what is this "agent"
to procure in the United States which could not be had by our
steamers plying regularly between Wilmington and Europe ?
July 22d. — Col. Northrop, Commissary-General, sends in a
paper to-day saying that only a quarter of a pound of meat per day
can be given the soldiers, except when marchin'g, and then only
half a pound. He says no more can be derived from the trans-
Mississippi country, nor from the State of Mississippi, or Ten
nessee, and parts of Georgia and Alabama ; and if more than the
amount he receives be given the soldiers, the negroes wUl have to
go without any. He adds, however, that the peasants of Europe
rarely have any meat, and in Hindostan, never.
CoL Bradley T. Johnson, who commanded a brigade at Gettys
burg, writes that on the first day we carried everything before us,
capturing 8000 prisoners and losing but few men ; the error was
in not following up the attack with all our forces immediately, and
in not having sufficient ammunition on the field.
The newspapers to-day contain pretty accurate accounts of the
battle. July 23d. — We have the foUowing dispatch from Gen. Beaure
gard, which is really refreshing in this season of disasters :
" Chaeleston, July 22d, 1863.
"The enemy recommenced shelling again yesterday, with but
few casualties on our part. We had, in the battle of the 18th
inst, about 150 killed and wounded. The enemy's loss, including
prisoners, was about 2000. Nearly 800 were buried under a flag
of truce.
"Col. Putnam, acting brigadier-general, and Col. Shaw, com
manding the negro regiment, were killed.
"(Signed) G. T. Beauregard, General."
It is said the raiders that dashed into Wytheville have been
33

386 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
taken; but not so with the raiders that have been playing havoc
with the railroad in North Carolina.
Another letter from J. M. Botts, Culpepper County, com
plains of the pasturing of army horses in his fields before the Get-
. tysburg campaign, and asks if his fields are to be again subject
to the use of the commander of the army, now returning to his
vicinity. If he knows that Gen. Lee is fallen back thither, it is
more than any one here seeras to know. We shall see how accu
rate Mr. B. is in his conjecture.
A letter frora Mr. Goodman, president of Mobile and Charleston
Railroad, says railitary orders have been issued to destroy, by fire,
railroad equipraents to the value of $5,000,000; and one-third of
this amount of destruction would defeat the purpose of the enemy
for a long tirae. The President orders efforts to be made to bring
away the equipments by sending them down the .road.
Col. Preston, commandant of conscripts for Sonth Carolina, has
been appointed Chief of the Bureau of Conscription ; he has ac
cepted the appointment, and will be here August 1st. The law will
now be honestly executed — if he be not too indolent, sick, etc.
Archbishop Hughes has raade a speech in New York to keep
down the Irish.
July 24th. — Nothing from Lee, or Johnston, or Beauregard,
or Bragg — but ill luck is fated for them aU. Our ladies, at least,
would not despair. But a day may change the aspect; a brilliant
success would have a marvelous effect upon a people who have so
long suffered and bled for freedom.
They are getting on more comfortably, I learn, on the Eastern
Shore of Virginia. Only about 25 of the enemy's troops are said
to be there, merely to guard the wires. In the Revolutionary
war, and in the war of 18l2, that peninsula escaped the horrors
of war, being deemed then, as now, too insignificant to attract the
cupidity of the invaders.
The Secretary of the Treasury sent an agent a few weeks ago
with some $12,000,000 for disbursement in the trans-Mississippi
country, but he has returned to this city, being unable to get
through. He will now go to Havana, and thence to Texas ; and
hereafter money (if money it can be called) will be manufactured
at Houston, where a paper treasury will be established.
Gen. Jos. E, Johnston has recently drawn for $20,000 in gold.

AT THE CONFEDERATE ST.VTES CVPIT.VL. 387
A letter from the Commissary-General to Gen. Lee states that
we have but 1,800,000 pountls of bacon at .Atlanta, and 500,000
pounds in this city, which is less than 30 days' rations for Bragg's
and Lee's armies. Hesavs all attempts to get bacon from Europe
have failed, and he fears they will faU, and hence, if the ration be
not reduced to ^ pound we shall soon have no meat on hand.
Gen. Lee says he cannot be responsible if the soldiers fail for want
of food.
July 25th. — Gen. Beauregard telegraphs that preparations
should be made to withstand a bombardment at Savannah, aud au
thority is asked, at the instance of Gov. Brown, to impress a suffi
cient number of slaves for the purpose.
Gen. Jos. E. Johnston telegraphs the President that Grant has
fallen back to Vicksburg, and, from information in his possession,
will not stay there a day, bid will proceed up the river. Gen.
Johnston asks if this eccentric movement does not indicate a pur
pose to concentrate the eneray's forces for the reduction of Rich
mond. Grant's men, no doubt, objected to longer service at this season
in the Southwest ; perhaps Lincoln thinks Grant is the only gen
eral who can take Richmond, or it may be necessary for the pres
ence of the army in the North to enforce the draft, to overawe
conspirators against the administration, etc. We shall soon know
more abont it.
Misfortunes come in clusters. We have a report to-day that
Gen. Morgan's command has been mostly captured in Ohio. The
recent rains made the river nnfordable.
It appears that Gen. Pemberton had but 15 days' rations to last
48 days, that the people offered him a year's supply for nothing
if he would have it, and this he would not take, red tape requiring
it to be delivered and paid for, so it fell into the hands of the
enemy. He had a six months' supply of ammunition when he
surrendered, and often during the siege would not let his men reply
to the enemy's guns.
Advertisers in the papers offer $4000 for substitutes. One offers
a farm in Hanover County, on the Central Railroad, of 230 acres,
for a substitute. There is something significant in this. It was
so in France when Napoleon had greatly exhausted the male pop
ulation. •

388 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
July 26th. — Letters were received to-day from Gens. Beaure
gard, Mercer, Whitney, and S. Jones.
It appears that Beauregard has some 6000 men of all arms, and
that the eneray's force is estimated to be, or to have been (before
losing some 3000), about 10,000. It is true the enemy has the
benefit of his floating batteries, but we have our stationary ones.
I think Charleston safe.
Gen. Mercer squeaks for the fate of Savannah, unless the gov
ernment impresses slaves to work on the fortifications. All our
generals squeak when an attack is apprehended, for the purpose of
alarming the government, and procuring more men and material,
so as to make success doubly sure.
And Gen. Whiting is squeaking loudly for the impressment of
a thousand slaves, to complete his preparations for defense; and if
he does not get them, he thinks the fall of WUmington a pretty sure
thing. And Gen. Jones squeaks from the West, asking that the 3000
infantry he was at last compelled to send to Gen. Lee, near Win
chester, be returned to him to oppose the enemy's raids. But what
were they sent to Lee for, unless he meant to give battle ? Such
may be his intention, and a victory now is demanded of him to
place him rectus in curio.
Beauregard says Fort Wagner, which has made such a success
ful defense on Morris Island, was located by Gen. Pemberton, and
this is evidence of some military skill. But all the waters of
Lethe will not obliterate the conviction of the people that he gave
his army in the West to the enemy. If he had not been Northern
born, they would have deemed him merely incompetent. Hence
the impolicy of the government elevating Northern over Southern
generals. All generals are judged by the degree of success they
achieve, for success alone is considered the proof of merit, and one
disaster may obliterate the memory of a dozen victories. Even
Lee's great name is dimmed somewhat in the estimation of fools.
He must beat Meade before Grant comes up, or suffer in reputa
tion. Gov. Bonham has demanded the free negroes taken on Morris
Island, to be punished (death) according to the State law.
July 27tii. — Nothing but disasters to chronicle now. Natchez
and Yazoo City, all gone the way of Vicksburg, involving a heavy

AT THE CONFEDER-VTE STATES CAPIT-VL. 389
loss of boats, guns, and ordnance stores ; besides, the enemy have
got some twenty locomotives in ^lississippi.
Lee has retreated as far as Culpepper Court House.
The President publishes another proclamation, fixing a day for
the people to unite in prayer.
The weather is bad. With the exception of one or two bright
days, it has been raining nearly a month. Superadded to the ca
lamities crowding upon ns, we have a rumor to-day that Gen. Lee
has tendered his resignation. This is false. But it is said he is
opposed to the retaliatory executions ordered by the President,
which, if persisted in, must involve the life of his son, now in the
hands of the enemy. Our officers executed by Burnside were
certainly recruiting in Kentucky within the lines of the enemy, and
Gen. Lee may differ with the President in the equity of executing
officers taken by us in battle in retaliation.
July 28Tn. — The rumor that Gen. Lee had resigned was simply
a fabrication. His headquarters, a few days ago, were at Cul
pepper C. H., and may be soon this side of the Rappahannock. A
battle and a victory may take place there.
Col. J. Gorgas, I presume, is no friend of Pemberton ; it is not
often that Northem men in our service are exempt from jealousies
and envyings. He sends to the Secretary of War to-day a remark
able statement of Eugene HUl, an ordnance messenger, for whom
he vouches, in relation to the siege and surrender of Vicksburg. It
appears that Hill had been sent here by Lieut.-Gen. Holmes for
ammunition, and on his way back to the trans-Mississippi country,
was caught at Vicksburg, where he was detained until after the
capitulation. He declares that the enemy's mines did our works
no more injury than our mines did theirs ; that when the surrender
took place, there were an abundance of caps, and of all kinds of
ordnance stores ; that there were 90,000 pounds of bacon or salt
meat unconsumed, besides a number of cows, and 400 mules,
grazing within the fortifications ; and that but few of the men even
thought of such a contingency as a surrender, and did not know
it had taken place until the next day (5th of July), when they were
ordered to march out and lay down their arms. He adds that Gen.
Pemberton kept himself very close, and was rarely seen by the
troops, and was never known to go out to the works until he w6nt
out to surrender.

390 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY
Major-Gen. D. Maury writes from Mobile, to the President, that
he apprehends an attack from Banks, and asks instructions relative
to the removal of 15,000 non-combatants from the city. He says
Forts Gaines and Morgan are provisioned for six months, and that
the land fortifications are nuraerous and formidable. He asks for
20,000 men to garrison thera. The President instructs the Sec
retary, that when the purpose of the eneray is positively known, it
will be tirae enough to remove the women, children, etc.; but that
the defenses should be completed, and everything in readiness.
But where the 20,000 men are to come from is not stated — perhaps
from Johnston.
July 29th. — Still raining I The great fear is that the crops
will be ruined, and famine, which we have long been verging upon,
will be complete. Is Providence frowning upon us for our sins, or
upon our cause ?
Another battle between Lee and Meade is looked for on the
Upper Rappahannock.
Gov. Harris, in response to the President's call for 6000 men,
says Western and Middle Tennessee are in the hands of the enemy,
and that about half the people in East Tennessee sympathize 'with
the North !
Some two or three hundred of Morgan's men have reached
Lynchburg, and they beUeve Morgan himself wUl get off, with many
more of his men.
The New York Herald's correspondent writing from Wash
ington on the 24th inst., says the United States ministers in Eng
land and France have informed the government of the intention
of those powers to intervene immediately in our behalf; and that
they wiU send iron-clad fleets to this country without delay.
Whereupon the Herald says Mr. Seward is in favor of making
peace with us, and reconstructing the Union — pardoning us— bnt
keeping the slaves captured, etc. It is a cock-and-buU story, per
haps, without foundation.
July 30th.— Raining still 1 Lee's and Meade's armies are
manoeuvring and facing each other still ; but probably there wiU
be no battle until the weather becomes fair, and the gushing waters
in the vales of Culpepper subside.
From Charieston we learn that a furious bombardment is going
on, the enemy not having yet abandoned the purpose of reducing

AT THE CONFEDERATE STATES CAPITAL. 391
the forts and capturing the city. Mr. ]\Ules calls loudly for rein
forcements and heavy cannon, and says the enemy was reinforced
a few days since.
An indignant letter was received from Gov. Vance to-day, in
response to the refusal of the government and Gen. Lee to permit
him to send with the array a newspaper correspondent to see that
justice was done the North CaroUna troops. He withdraws the
application, and appeals to history for the justice which (he says)
wUl never be done North Carolina troops in Virginia by their as
sociates. He asserts also that Gen. Lee refused furloughs to the
wounded North Carolinians at the battle of ChancellorviUe (one-
half the dead and wounded being from North Carolina), for fear
they would not return to their colors when fit for duty !
Hon. Wm. L. Yancey is dead — of disease of the kidney. The
Examiner, to-day, in praising him, made a bitter assault on the
President, saying he was unfortunately and hastily inflicted on
the Confederacy at Montgomery, and when fixed in position, ban
ished frora his presence the heart and brain of the South — denying
all participation in the affairs of government to the great raen who
were the authors of secession, etc.
July 31st. — Hon. E. S. Dargan, raember of Congress, writes
from Mobile that Mississippi is nearly subdued, and Alabama is
almost exhausted. He says our recent disasters, and Lee's failure
in Pennsylvania, have nearly ruined us, and the destruction must
be complete unless France and England can be induced to inter
fere in our behalf. He never believed they would intervene unless
we agreed to abolish slavery ; and he would embrace even that
alternative to obtain their aid. He says the people are fast losing
all hope of achieving their independence ; and a slight change of
pohcy on the part of Lincoln (pretermitting confiscation, I sup
pose) would put an end to the revolution and the Confederate
States Government Mr. D. has an unhappy disposition.
Mr. L. Q. Washington recommends Gen. Winder to permit Mr.
Wm. Matthews, just from California, to leave the country. Gen.
W. sends the letter to the Assistant Secretary of War, Judge
Campbell, who "allows" it; and the passport is given, without
the knowledge of the President or the Secretary of War.
The news from Mexico (by the Northern papers) is refreshing
to our people. The " notables" of the new government, under the

392 A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY.
auspices of the French General, Forey, have proclaimed the States
an Empire, and offered the throne to Maximilian of Austria ; and
if he will not accept, they "implore" the Emperor of France to
designate the one who shall be their Emperor. Our people, very
many of them, just at this time, would not object to being included
in the same Empire.
The President is still scrutinizing Beauregard. The paper read
from the general a few days since giving a statement of his forces,
and the number of the enemy, being sent to the President by the
Secretary of War, was returned to-day with the indorsement, that
he hoped "a clearer comprehension of the cause," in the promised
further report of the general, would be given " why the enemy ap
proached Morris Island before being observed." So, omitting aU
notice of the defense (so far) of the batteries, etc., the attention
of the President seems fixed on what the general omitted to do ;
or what he might, could, or should have done.

END OF VOL. I.

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