A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital Part 110

A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital Part 110

The Medical Boards have been instructed to put in all men that come before them, capable of bearing arms _ten days_. One died in the trenches, on the eleventh day, of consumption!

There is a rumor of a fight on our extreme left. It is said Field's division (C. S.) repulsed three a.s.saults of the enemy. If the battle be still continued (4 P.M.--the wind from the west prevents us from hearing guns), no doubt it is the beginning of a general engagement--decisive, perhaps, of the fate of Richmond.

We have many accounts of evasions of military service, occasioned by the alleged bad faith of the government, and the despotic orders from the Adjutant-General's office.

And yet Gov. Smith's certificates for exemption of rich young Justices of the Peace, Commissioners of the (county) Revenue, Deputy Sheriffs, clerks, constables, officers and clerks of banks, still come in daily; and they are "allowed" by the a.s.sistant Secretary of War. Will the poor and friendless fight their battles, and win their independence for them?

It may be so; but let not rulers in future wars follow the example!

Nothing but the conviction that they are fighting for their families, their sacred altars, and their little property induces thousands of brave Southerners to remain in arms against such fearful odds as are now arrayed against them.

Mr. Kean, the young Chief of the Bureau of War, has come in from "the front," with a boil on his thigh. He missed the sport of the battle to-day.

Mr. Peck, the agent to purchase supplies for his starving fellow-clerks, confesses that he bought 10 barrels of flour and 400 pounds of bacon for himself; 4 barrels of flour for Judge Campbell, a.s.sistant Secretary of War; 4 barrels for Mr. Kean, 1 for Mr. Cohen, and 1 for Mr. Shepherd.

This has produced great indignation among the 200 clerks who sent him, and who got but 73-1/2 pounds each, and they got 13 pounds of bacon each; while Mr. P. bought for himself 400 pounds.

OCTOBER 14TH.--The following dispatch from Gen. Lee cheered the city this morning. None of the particulars of the battle have yet transpired, and all are looking hourly for a renewal of the contest.

"HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,

"October 13th, 1864.

"HON. JAMES A. SEDDON, SECRETARY OF WAR.

"At seven o'clock this morning the enemy endeavored to advance between the Darbytown and Charles City Roads, but was repulsed in every attempt. The most strenuous effort was made about four P.M., after which he withdrew, leaving many dead. Our loss very slight.

"Gen. Breckinridge reports that a force of the enemy came to Greenville on the 12th, and was defeated by Gen. Vaughan. Some prisoners, two stands of colors, many horses and arms were captured. The enemy lost many killed and wounded. Our loss slight.

"R. E. LEE, _General_."

It is now 2 P.M., and yet we hear no cannon. If Grant does not renew the strife immediately, it will be natural to suppose he failed in his purpose yesterday, or that some unforeseen occurrence within his lines has happened. Be it either, it is a grateful respite to us.

On the 8th inst., Judge Campbell, a.s.sistant Secretary of War, wrote the President a letter in vindication of P. Hamilton's loyalty. Mr. H. is commissioner under suspension of the writ of _habeas corpus_ to look into the loyalty of others, and was appointed on Judge C.'s recommendation. Some private individual in Mobile wrote the President, impeaching the patriotism of Mr. H., and also hinted something in relation to the loyalty of Judge C. This matter was shown to Mr. Seddon by the President, and Mr. S. spoke to Judge C. about it in his own manner, which produced the letter of Judge C. to the President. The President sends back the letter to-day, to the "Secretary of War,"

indorsed in substance as follows: "He was surprised to receive such a letter, when he had intimated no purpose to have the matter investigated." Judge C. had procured indors.e.m.e.nts of Mr. H. from Alabama, which _let the matter out_; and it would have been _appropriate_--the President uses this word rather than _improper_, as he cannot dispense with either the Secretary or his a.s.sistant just now--to have consulted him before taking any steps whatever in the business. He seems vexed, even at Mr. S.

OCTOBER 15TH.--A bright and glorious day--above.

All was quiet yesterday below, indicating that the enemy suffered severely in the last a.s.sault on our lines.

But we have nothing from Georgia. From the Valley, our cavalry had the misfortune to lose eleven guns by indiscreetly venturing too far in pursuit.

And the news from the United States indicates that Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana have gone for the Republican candidates. This foreshadows Lincoln's re-election, and admonishes us to prepare for other campaigns, though languishing for peace.

The farmers are now pouring in to replenish the armies, under the recent order revoking the details of agriculturists; and these are fine-looking men, and there will soon be successes in the field. Lately the indulgence of details to an immoderate extent, and corruption in the business of conscription, had depleted the armies extensively of men of substance and standing, and this may account for our disasters. Men, to fight well, must have something to fight for.

Gen. Price, at the head of 20,000 men, is in Missouri. To expel him, many troops will be required; and this may relieve us a little in the East.

My wife lost her purse in market this morning, before making any purchases; it contained $22 and her eye-gla.s.ses. I don't think there are any pickpockets except the extortioners.

OCTOBER 16TH, SUNDAY.--A pleasant sunny Sabbath morn.

The quiet below continues. Not a gun has been heard for three days; the longest intermission we have had for many months. What can it mean?

Sheridan has spread desolation in the Shenandoah Valley, perhaps to prevent Early from penetrating Pennsylvania, etc., intending to come with all expedition to Grant.

Troops, or rather detailed men, and late exempts, are beginning to arrive from North Carolina. I saw 250 this morning. Some of them were farmers who had complied with the terms prescribed, and a week ago thought themselves safe from the toils and dangers of war. They murmur, but there is no escape. They say the Governor has called out the militia officers, and magistrates also.

Desertion is the order of the day, on both sides. Would that the _men_ would take matters in their own hands, and end the war, establishing our independence. Let every man in both armies desert and go home!

Some one has sent a "Circular" of the "Bureau of Conscription" to the President, dated some few weeks ago, and authorizing enrolling officers everywhere to furlough farmers and others for sixty days, to make out their claims for exemption. This the President says in his indors.e.m.e.nt defeats his efforts to put the whole able-bodied male population in the field; and no doubt has been the source of the many abuses charged against the "bureau." The Secretary sends the paper to the "bureau" for report, stating that he felt great surprise at the terms of the "Circular," and had no recollection of having seen or sanctioned such a doc.u.ment. The Superintendent reports that it was issued by the authority of the Secretary of War, and was warranted by law--looking to the interests of agriculture, etc. The truth is that the Circular was prepared by a subordinate in the Bureau of Conscription, and signed by Col. August, "Acting Superintendent." It was approved by Judge Campbell, a.s.sistant Secretary of War, "by order of the Secretary of War" who never saw it. Mr. Seddon has left all the business of conscription in the hands of Judge Campbell; and poor Gen. Preston--indolent and ill--has been compelled to sign, sanction, and defend doc.u.ments he knew nothing about; and Mr. Seddon is in a similar predicament.

The Secretary of War has written a long letter to Gen. Lee, suggesting that he a.s.semble a council of officers to decide what measure shall be adopted in regard to the treatment of prisoners in the hands of the enemy. It appears that Gen. Butler has notified Gen. Lee that he is now retaliating fearfully--making them work in his ca.n.a.l--on certain Confederates for some alleged harsh treatment of _negro_ prisoners in our hands--sending slaves back to their masters. Mr. Seddon, without a.s.suming any responsibility himself, yet intimates the idea that this government is prepared to sanction the most sanguinary remedy; and I understand several members of the cabinet to have always been in favor of fighting--that is, having others fight--under the black flag. If the government had only listened to Gen. Lee's suggestions, we should have had abundance of men in the field to beat the enemy out of Virginia. I hope the present recruiting excitement comes not too late. And I trust he will interpose so far in behalf of the country as to wrest the railroads from the hands of the speculators and the dishonest quartermasters.

Not a gun has been heard by me to-day, and the mysterious silence defies my powers of penetration. I only hope it may continue _sine die_.

OCTOBER 17TH.--Bright and beautiful.

Still all quiet below, and reinforcements (details revoked) are now arriving--1000 per day.

The Northern news makes some doubt as to the result of the election in Pennsylvania.

From the Valley we have rumors of victory, etc.

A thrill of horror has been produced by a report that Gen. Butler has, for some time past, kept a number of his prisoners (Confederates) at work in his ca.n.a.l down the river, and supposing they were Federals, our batteries and gun-boats have been sh.e.l.ling our own men!

OCTOBER 18TH.--Cloudy and cool.

Quiet below, but it is rumored that the enemy has erected one or two sand batteries, mounted with 400-pounders, bearing on our fleet of gun-boats.

The following dispatch was received from Gen. Hood to-day:

"9 MILES SOUTH OF LAFAYETTE, GA.,

"Oct. 15th, via SELMA, Oct. 17th, 1864.

"GEN. BRAGG.

"This army struck the communications of the enemy about a mile above Resaca on the 12th inst, completely destroying the railroad, including block-houses, from that point to within a short distance of Tunnel Hill, and about four miles of the Cleaveland Railroad, capturing Dalton and all intermediate garrisons, with their stores, arms, and equipments, and about 1000 prisoners.

"The main body of Sherman's army seems to be moving toward Dalton. J. B. HOOD, _General_."

The following was received from Gen. Lee yesterday:

"HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA,

"Oct. 16th, 1864.

"HON. JAMES A. SEDDON, SECRETARY OF WAR.

"On the 14th instant, Col. Moseby struck the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at Duffield, and destroyed a United States mail train, consisting of a locomotive and ten cars, and securing twenty prisoners and fifteen horses.

"Among the prisoners are two paymasters, with one hundred and sixty-eight thousand dollars in government funds.