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 our
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 bureau has been acting, although Gen. Rains, the
Superintendent, permitted it with reluctance, upon the assurance of Col. L.
that such was the will 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 instructions 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 permitted 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, suggesting that the bureau act in conformity with
Judge Meredith's opinion, directly in the teeth of Mr. Assistant Secretary
Campbell'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 indorsenent 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 its action to Mr.
Seddon's suggestions; and he charged a clerk to preserve that paper.
Col. L. grumbled awfully at Mr. Seddon'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 Marylanders
would be embraced in the decision, as well as other foreigners.
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!
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, involving the loss of so many men, one is
naturally startled at Judge Campbell's conduct.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 275-6
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