Cool and cloudy;
symptoms of the equinoctial gale.
We have intelligence
of another brilliant feat of Gen. Wade Hampton. Day before yesterday he got in
the rear of the enemy, and drove off 2500 beeves and 400 prisoners. This will
furnish fresh meat rations for Lee's army during a portion of the fall
campaign. I shall get some shanks, perhaps; and the prisoners of war will have
meat rations.
Our people generally
regard McClellan's letter of acceptance as a war speech, and they are
indifferent which succeeds, he or Lincoln, at the coming election; but they incline
to the belief that McClellan will be beaten, because he did not announce
himself in favor of peace, unconditionally, and our independence. My own
opinion is that McClellan did what was best for him to do to secure his
election, and that he will be elected. Then, if we maintain a strong front in
the field, we shall have peace and independence. Yet his letter convinces me
the peace party in the United States is not so strong as we supposed. If it
shall appear that subjugation is not practicable, by future success on our
part, the peace party will grow to commanding proportions.
Our currency was,
yesterday, selling $25 for $1 in gold; and all of us who live on salaries live
very badly: for food and everything else is governed by the specie value. Our
$8000 per annum really is no more than $320 in gold. The rent of our house is
the only item of expense not proportionably enlarged. It is $500, or $20 in
gold. Gas is put up to $30 per 1000 feet.
Four P.M. We hear
the deep booming of cannon again down the river. I hope the enemy will not get
back the beeves we captured, and that my barrel of flour from North Carolina
will not be intercepted!
J. J. Pollard's
contract to bring supplies through the lines, on the Mississippi, receiving
cotton therefor, has been revoked, it being alleged by many in that region that
the benefits reaped are by no means mutual.
And Mr. De Bow's
office of Cotton Loan Agent has been taken away from him for alleged
irregularities, the nature of which is not clearly stated by the new Secretary
of the Treasury, who announces his removal to the Secretary of War.
The President has
had the porch of his house, from which his son fell, pulled down.
A “private” letter
from Vice-President Stephens was received by Mr. Secretary Seddon to-day.
The cannonading
ceased at sundown. The papers, to-morrow, will inform us what it was all about.
Sunday is not respected in
war, and I know not
what is. Such terrible wars as this will probably make those who survive
appreciate the blessings of peace.
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