The President has rebuked the Secretary of War in round
terms for ordering Gen. Holmes to assume the command 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
President'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 “Immediate.”
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 Burnside! He says,
moreover, that this change has given umbrage to the army. This may be our
deliverance; for if McClellan had been let alone two weeks longer (provided he
ascertained onr 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,
hereafter, 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!
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 188-9
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