Nothing new from the Rappahannock, but a battle is looked
for soon. Rosecrans, who had advanced into Georgia, has fallen back on
Chattanooga, which he is fortifying. If he be not driven from thence, we shall
lose our mines, and the best country for commissary supplies. But Bragg had
from 60,000 to 70,000 men on the 5th inst., when he had not fallen back far
from Chattanooga; since then he has received more reinforcements from
Mississippi, and Longstreet's corps, arrived by this time, will swell his army
to 90,000 men, perhaps. Johnston will probably take command, for Bragg is
becoming unpopular. But Bragg will fight!
The equinoctial storm has commenced, and the monitors are
not in view of Charleston, having sought quiet waters.
The Enquirer has again assailed Mr. Benjamin,
particularly on account of the retention of Mr. Spence, financial agent in
England (appointed by Mr. Memminger), an anti-slavery author, whose books
advocate Southern independence. To-day a letter was sent to the Secretary of
War, from Mr. Benjamin, stating the fact that the President had changed the
whole financial programme for Europe. Frazer, Trenholm, & Co., Liverpool,
are to be the custodians of the treasure in England, and Mr. McRae, in France,
etc., and they would keep all the accounts of disbursements by the agents of departments,
thus superseding Mr. Spence. I think this arrangement will somewhat affect the
operations of Major Huse (who is a little censured in the letter, purporting to
be dictated by the President, but really written by the President) and Col.
Gorgas.
If Wilmington continues in our possession, the transactions
in Europe will be large, and the government will derive more of its supplies
from thence.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p.
46-7
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