The President
learns, by a dispatch from Gen. Hardee, of Mississippi, that information has
reached him, which he considers authentic, that Gen. Taylor has beaten Banks in
Louisiana, taking 6000 prisoners; but then it is said that Taylor has fallen
back.
I see by Mr.
Memminger's correspondence that he has been sending $1,000,000 in sterling
exchange, with the concurrence of the President and the Secretary of War, to
Gen. Johnston and Gov. Pettus. What can this mean? Perhaps he is buying stores,
etc.
Gen. Pemberton, it
is said, has proclaimed a thirty days' furlough to all his paroled army — a virtue
of necessity, as they had all gone to their homes without leave.
Gen. Lee writes
that fifty men deserted from Scale's Regiment, North Carolina (a small
regiment), night before last, being incited thereto by the newspapers. He wants
pickets placed at certain places to catch them, so that some examples may be
made.
Gov. Vance urges
the War Department to interdict speculation on the part of officers of the
government and army, as it tempts them to embezzle the public funds, enhances
prices, and enrages the community.
Peter V. Daniel,
Jr., President of the Central Railroad, is anxious for the defense of the four
bridges near Hanover Junction, which, if destroyed by the enemy, could not be
replaced for months, and Lee would have to fall back to Richmond, if not
farther, as all his supplies must be transported by the road. He indicates the
places where troops should be stationed, and says from those places, if needed
in battle, 10,000 men could be transported in twenty-four hours to either
Fredericksburg or Richmond.
Gen. Bragg is hurt,
because one of his captains has been given an independent command, without
consulting him, to defend Atlanta, in his department. He says the captain has
no merit, and Atlanta and Augusta are in great danger — the newspapers having
informed the enemy of the practicability of taking them. He intimates an
inclination to be relieved.
Mr. Plant,
President of the Southern Express Company, was “allowed” to leave the
Confederate States to-day by the Assistant Secretary of War, subject to the
discretion of Gen. Whiting at Wilmington. I suppose his fortune is made.
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital,
Volume 2, p. 3-4
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