A scout, from Washington, has reported to Major
Norris, signal corps, that 10,000 New York troops have recently left Meade's
army, their tern of service having expired; and that 30,000 men have been sent
from his army against Charleston. This accounts for the falling back of Meade —
and the detachment never would have been made without.
This intelligence has been in the possession of the
government four days; and if Charleston should fall now for want of men or
material, there will be great culpability somewhere.
All the non-combatants have been requested to leave
Charleston — and none are allowed to enter the city.
We have just got information from Charleston of a furious
assault. So far the casualties are not very great, nor the Island batteries
materially injured; but Sumter, it is feared, is badly shattered, yet is in no
great danger. Much apprehension for the result is felt and manifested here. Six
or eight large columbiads have been lying idle at the Petersburg depot for a
month, although the prayers of the people of Charleston for heavy guns have
been incessant!
Col. Preston, Chief of the Bureau of Conscription, sent in a
long communication to-day, asking for enlarged powers and exclusive
jurisdiction in the conscription business, and then, he says, he will have all
the conscripts (not exempted) in the army in six months. But more are exempted
than conscribed!
Robert Tyler publishes a long and hopeful letter on our
finances.
If Mr. Memminger read and approved the manuscript, it is
well; but if not, good-by, my friend! It is well done, however, even
though aspiring. But it is incredible there should be no more Treasury
notes in circulation — and no more indebtedness.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p.
18-19
No comments:
Post a Comment