Cold and cloudy;
surface of the ground frozen. Cannon heard below. More of Gen. Early's corps
arriving. The papers contradict the report that Howlett's Battery has been
taken. The opinion prevails that a battle will occur to-day.
It appears that but
few of the enemy's forces were engaged in the demonstration on the south side,
below Drewry's Bluff, and no uneasiness is felt on account of it.
We have nothing so
far to-day from the enemy's column marching toward Weldon.
Gov. Smith, in his
message to the Legislature now in session, recommends the employment of negro
troops, even if it results in their emancipation. He also suggests an act,
putting into the army civil officers of the State under forty-five years of
age. At the same time he is exempting officers (State) under forty-five, and
there is no compulsion on him.
A dispatch from Gen.
Lee last night states that from the great number of wagons taken by the enemy
on the Weldon Road, the movement is formidable, and indicates a purpose of
prolonged operations.
At night and
snowing-a terrible night for the poor soldiers in the field!
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 350
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