We have an
unintelligible dispatch from Gen. Bragg, saying he had, yesterday, a prolonged
contest with the enemy for the possession of Lookout Mountain, during which one
of his divisions suffered severely, and that the manoeuvring of the hostile
army was for position. This was the purport, and the language, as well as I
remember. There is no indication of the probable result—no intimation whether
the position was gained. But the belief is general that Bragg will retreat, and
that the enemy may, if he will, penetrate the heart of the South! To us it seems
as if Bragg has been in a fog ever since the battle of the 20th of
September. He refused to permit ——— to move on the enemy's left for nearly two
months, and finally consented to it when the enemy had been reinforced by 20,000
from Meade, and by Sherman's army from Memphis, of 20,000, just when he could
not spare a large detachment! In other words, lying inert before a defeated
army, when concentrated; and dispersing his forces when the enemy was
reinforced and concentrated! If disaster ensues, the government will suffer the
terrible consequences, for it assumed the responsibility of retaining him in
command when the whole country (as the press says) demanded his removal.
From letters
received the last few days at the department, I perceive that the agents of the
government are impressing everywhere—horses, wagons, hogs, cattle, grain,
potatoes, etc. etc.—leaving the farmers only enough for their own subsistence.
This will insure subsistence for the army, and I hope it will be a death-blow
to speculation, as government pays less than one-fourth the prices demanded in
market. Let the government next sell to non-producers, and every man of
fighting age will repair to the field, and perhaps the invader may be driven
back.
We have the speech
of the French Emperor, which gives us no encouragement, but foreshadows
war with Russia, and perhaps a general war in Europe.
We have rain again.
This may drive the armies in Virginia into winter quarters, as the roads will
be impracticable for artillery.
The next battle will
be terrific; not many men on either side will be easily taken prisoners, as
exchanges have ceased.
Dr. Powell brought
us a bushel of meal to-day, and some persimmons.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p.
104-5
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