Cold, and
indications of snow.
Offered the owner of
our servant $400 per annum. He wants $150 and clothing for her. Clothing would
cost perhaps $1000. It remains in abeyance.
Saw Gen. Wise
dancing attendance in the Secretary's room. He looks seasoned and well, and may
be destined to play a leading part "in human affairs" yet,
notwithstanding his hands have been so long bound by those who contrive
"to get possession." It is this very thing of keeping our great men
in the "background" which is often the cause of calamities, and if
persisted in, may bring irretrievable ruin upon the cause.
The government has
forbidden the transportation of freight, etc. (private) from Georgia to
Virginia, and perhaps from the intermediate States.
On Saturday the
government entered the market to sell gold, and brought down the price some 33
per cent. A spasmodic effort, the currency is gone beyond redemption.
It is said Gen. Hood
has collected a large amount of supplies of meat, etc. He is in North Alabama,
and probably Gen. Thomas will march toward Virginia.
The Secretary had
his head between his knees before the fire when I first went in this morning.
Affairs are gloomy enough and the question is how Richmond and Virginia shall
be saved. Gen. Lee is despondent.
From the Northern
papers we learn that Gen. Butler's expedition against Wilmington, N. C., was a
failure. Gen. Bragg is applauded here for this successful defense.
The salaries of the
clergymen have been raised by their congregations to $10,000 and $12,000. I
hear that Dr. Woodbridge received a Christmas gift from his people of upwards
of $4000, besides seven barrels of flour, etc. He owns his own house, his own
servants, stocks, etc. Most of these fortunate ministers are natives of the
North, but true to the Southern cause, so far as we know. God knows I am glad
to hear of any one, and especially a minister, being made comfortable.
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 372-3
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