From the West we have only unreliable reports of movements,
etc.; but something definite and decisive must occur shortly.
Gen. Lee's army crossed the Rapidan yesterday, and a battle
may be looked for in that direction any day. It is said Meade has only 40,000
or 50,000 men; and, if this be so, Lee is strong enough to assume the
offensive.
To-morrow the departments will be closed for a review of the
clerks, etc., a piece of nonsense, as civil officers are under no obligation to
march except to fight, when the city is menaced.
The mechanics and non-producers have made a unanimous call
(in placards) for a mass meeting at the City Hall to-morrow evening. The
ostensible object is to instruct Mr. Randolph and other members of the
Legislature (now in session) to vote for the bill, fixing maximum prices of
commodities essential to life, or else to resign. Mr. Randolph has said he
would not vote for it, unless so instructed to do. It is apprehended that these
men, or the authors of the movement, have ulterior objects in view; and as some
ten or twelve hundred of them belong to the militia, and have muskets in their
possession, mischief may grow out of it. Mr. Secretary Seddon ought to act at
once on the plan suggested for the sale of the perishable tithes, since the government
is blamed very much, and perhaps very justly, for preventing transportation of
meat and bread to the city, or for impressing it in transitu.
Capt. Warner, who feeds the prisoners of war, and who is my
good "friend in need," sent me yesterday 20 odd pounds of bacon sides
at the government price. This is not exactly according to law and order, but
the government loses nothing, and my family have a substitute for butter.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p.
66-7
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