Gen. Van Dorn, it is reported, has captured or destroyed
another gun-boat in the West.
Night before last another riot was looked for in this city
by the mayor, and two battalions of Gen. Elzey's troops were ordered into the
city. If the President could only see the necessity of placing this city under
the command of a native Southern general, he might avoid much obloquy. The
Smiths, Winders, and Elzeys, who are really foreigners, since the men from
their States are not liable to conscription (vide Judge Campbell's decision),
are very obnoxious to the people. Virginians can never be reconciled to the
presence of a mercenary Swiss guard, and will not submit to imported masters.
Notwithstanding the Enquirer urges it, and Mr.
Barksdale, of Mississippi, persistently advocates it, Congress still refuses to
confer additional powers on the President. Twice, within the last week,
Congress has voted down the proposition to clothe the President with power to
suspend the writ of habeas corpus. Congress has likewise refused to
reconsider the vote postponing the consideration of the bill to create a Court of
Claims Judge S— was here, working for it; but was doomed to disappointment.
A few nights since a full Federal band came within a hundred
yards of our men, the Rappahannock only separating them, and played “Dixie.”
Our men cheered them lustily. Then they played “Yankee Doodle,” when the
Yankees cheered. After this they played “Home, sweet Home!” and all parties
cheered them. There may be something significant in this. The pickets have
orders not to fire on each other, when no demonstration is in progress.
Our members of Congress get salaries of $2750. A cobbler
(free negro), who mends shoes for my family, told me yesterday that he earned
$10 per day, or $3000 per annum.
A pair of pantaloons now costs $40; boots, $60; and so on.
We have warm weather at last, and dry. Armies will soon be
in motion.
Our government and people seem now to despair of European
intervention. But the President says our armies are more numerous, and better
armed and disciplined than at any period during the war. Hence the contest will
be maintained indefinitely for independence. With these feelings the third year
of the war opens. May God have mercy on the guilty men who determine more blood
shall be shed. The South would willingly cease the sanguinary strife, if the
invader would retire from our territory; but just as willingly will she fight
hereafter as heretofore, so long as a foeman sets foot upon her soil. It must
soon be seen with what alacrity our people will rush to the battle-field!
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 290-1
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