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
shelling and infantry firing, Gen. P. retired 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
sells at $1.75. Cotton at 96 cents per pound!
They are getting up a fine rumpus in the North over the
imprisonment of an editor.
To-day, when conversing with Judge Perkins in relation to
having a passport system established by law, he admitted the necessity, 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, having swallowed up the functions of the other co-ordinate
branches. I cannot understand this, for the Executive has but little appointing
patronage, the army being completely organized, having supplementary generals,
and all officers, under the grade of brigadiers, being promoted as vacancies
occur.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 254
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