A dispatch from Gen. Johnston says a battle has been fought
between Pemberton and Grant, between Jackson and Vicksburg, Mississippi, which
lasted nine hours. Pemberton was forced back. This is all we know yet.
Another letter, from Hon. W. Porcher Miles, remonstrating
against the withdrawal of Beauregard's troops, was received today. He
apprehends the worst consequences.
The government is buying 5000 bales of cotton for the
Crenshaw scheme. Jas. R. Crenshaw, of this city, is at Charleston on this
business. Why not arrange with Lamar?
Gov. Shorter forwards another strongly written memorial from
Mobile, against the traffic of cotton with the enemy, and, indeed, against all
blockade-running.
Gov. Jno. Milton, of Florida, also writes a powerful
denunciation of the illicit traffic, which it seems the policy of the
government has been to encourage. They all say this traffic is doing the work of
subjugation more effectually than the arms of the enemy.
The President is too ill again to come to the Executive
Office. His messenger, who brought me some papers this morning, says he is in a
“decline.” I think he has been ill every day for several years, but this has
been his most serious attack. No doubt he is also worried at the dark aspects
in his own State — Mississippi.
If Vicksburg falls, and the Valley be held by the enemy,
then the Confederacy will be curtailed of half its dimensions Texas, Louisiana,
Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, Arizona, New Mexico, all the Indian country,
Kentucky, half of Tennessee, one-third of Virginia, Eastern North Carolina, and
sundry islands, etc. of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, will be wrested
from us. What will remain of the Confederacy? Two-thirds of Virginia, half of Tennessee,
the greater part of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and the whole of Alabama,
— less than six States! But still the war will go on, as long as we have brave
armies and great generals, whether the President lives or dies.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 327-8
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