The Commissary-General is in hot water on account of some of his
contracts, and a board of inquiry is to sit on him.
The President has delayed the appointment of Gen. E. Johnson, and Gen.
Echols writes that several hundred of his men have deserted; that the enemy,
10,000 or 15,000 strong, is pressing him, and he must fall back, losing
Charleston, Virginia, the salt works, and possibly the railroad. He has less than
4000 men!
But 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.
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 incompetence.” 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.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the
Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 177-8
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