The Department Guard (my son with them) were marched last
night back to the city, and out to Meadow Bridge, on the Chickahominy, some
sixteen miles! The clerks, I understand, complain of bad meat (two or three
ounces each) and mouldy bread; and some of them curse the authorities for
fraudulent deception, as it was understood they would never be marched beyond
the city defenses. But they had no alternative — the Secretaries would report
the names of all who did not volunteer. Most of the poor fellows have
families dependent on their salaries for bread — being refugees from their
comfortable homes, for the cause of independence. If removed, their
wives and little children, or brothers and sisters, must perish. They would be
conscribed, and receive only $12 per month.
My friend Jacques did not return to the company yesterday,
after all, although I saw him get into an ambulance with a basket of food. He
got out again, sending the basket to Mr. K., the young chief of the bureau, and
Judge Campbell allowed him to remain.
Mr. Myers the lawyer is much with Judge Campbell, working
for his Jew clients, who sometimes, I am told, pay $1000 each to be got out of the
army, and as high as $500 for a two months' detail, when battles are to be
fought. Mr. M. thinks he has law for all he does.
A letter from Gen. D. H. Hill shows that it was his
intention to bring on a battle on the 2d inst., but the enemy fled. It was only
a feint below; but we may soon hear news from Hanover County.
Col. Gorgas (ordnance) writes that as his men are marched
out to defend the city, he can't send much ammunition to Gen. Lee!
A letter from Lient.-Gen. E. Kirby Smith, dated June 15th,
shows he was at Shreveport, La., at that date.
The poor militia were allowed to return to their homes
to-day; but an hour after the tocsin sounded, and they were compelled to
assemble and march again. This is the work of the Governor, and the Secretary of
War says there was no necessity for it, as Confederate troops here now can
defend the city, if attacked.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 369
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