Christmas eve! Clear
and cold.
A dispatch from Hon.
J. L. Orr and H. V. (on their way home) informs the Secretary that
from the delay in the transportation of troops over the Piedmont Railroad,
there must be either criminal neglect or treachery concerned in it.
Again it is rumored
that Savannah has been evacuated. There is something in the air that causes
agitation in official circles. Mr. Secretary Seddon's room was locked nearly
all day yesterday.
If troops cannot be
transported expeditiously over the Piedmont Road, fears may be entertained for
Wilmington, when, the gale subsiding, the enemy's fleet has reappeared.
There is a rumor on
the street that the government is to be removed to Lynchburg.
Gen. Lee has induced
the President and Secretary of War to call for the clerks (detailed ones) to
repair to the trenches again this weather. The emergency must be great, as
these soldiers get, as clerks, $4000 per annum, and rations, etc.
A dispatch from Gen.
Bragg.
WILMINGTON,
N. C., December 23d, 1864.-The fleet, which drew off in the rough weather, is
again assembled; seventy vessels now in sight on the coast. The advance of the
troops (C. S.) only reached here to-night.—B. B.
The clerks are
drawing lots; one-half being ordered to the trenches. Of two drawn in this
bureau (out of five) one is peremptorily ordered by the Secretary to remain,
being sickly, and the other has an order to go before a medical board "to
determine whether he is fit for service in the trenches for a few days."
Great commotion naturally prevails in the departments, and it is whispered that
Gen. Lee was governed in the matter by the family of the President, fearing a
Christmas visit from the negro troops on this side the river.
The following note
was received to-day from the Vice-President:
RICHMOND,
VA, December 23d, 1864.—Hon. Jas. A. Seddon, Secretary of War: Will you please
send me, through the post-office, a passport to leave the city? I wish to
depart in a few days. Yours respectfully,
ALEX. H. STEPHENS.
The President is
hard at work making majors, etc.
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 363-4
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