There is a rumor that Gen. Lee (who is still here) is to
take the most of his army out of Virginia, to recapture the Southern territory
lost by Loring, Pemberton, and Bragg. I doubt this; for it might involve the
loss of Richmond, and indeed of the whole State of Virginia. It would be a sad
blow to the extortionate farmers, it is true; but we cannot afford to lose the
whole country, and sacrifice the cause, to punish the speculators. It may be,
however, that this is a ruse, and if so, Lee is preparing for another
northern campaign.
The project of the Hon. Mr. Boteler to place Rains's
subterra shells under the Orange and Alexandria Railroad used by the enemy, was
referred by the Secretary to Col. J. Gorgas, the Northern Chief of Ordnance,
who says he can furnish the shells, but advises against the use of them, as
they will “only irritate the enemy, and not intimidate them.” For this
presumptuous advice, which was entirely gratuitous, I do not learn that the
Secretary has rebuked him.
Letters from Western North Carolina show that the defection
is spreading. In Wilkes County, Gideon Smoot is the commander of the
insurgents, and has raised the United States flag. I have not learned, yet,
whether Lieut.-Col. Lay, of the Bureau of Conscription, reached that far; and I
was amazed when the good nature of Col. Preston yielded to his solicitations to
go thither. What possible good could he, a Virginian, and formerly an aid of
Gen. Scott, effect in that quarter?
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p.
32-3
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