The enemy bombarded Fort McAlister again yesterday, several
gun-boats opening fire on it. It lasted all day; during winch one of the
iron-clads retired, perhaps injured. We had only two men wounded and one gun (8
in. columbiad) dismounted. The fort was but little injured.
Recent Northern papers assert that their gun-boats have all
passed through the canal opposite Vicksburg. This is not true yet.
Lincoln is now Dictator, his Congress having given him power
to call out all the male population between the ages of twenty and thirty-five
years, and authority to declare martial law whenever he pleases. The Herald shouts
for Lincoln — of course. We must fight and pray, and hope for revolution and
civil war in the North, which may occur any day.
Our cavalry, under Gen. Jones, has done some brilliant
skirmishing recently in the vicinity of Winchester; and as soon as the March
winds dry the earth a little, I suppose Hooker will recommence the “On to
Richmond.” We shall be weaker the next campaign, but our men are brave.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 267
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