Bright, frosty,
beautiful, after a cold night. We have nothing more specific from the fight of
Tuesday, when we learn another general was killed. It seems that most of
Grant's army was in the movement, and they have a lodgment several miles nearer
the South Side Railroad—the objective point. Their superior numbers must
ultimately prevail in maintaining the longest line.
There is to be
public speaking in the African Church to-day, or in the Square, to reanimate
the people for another carnival of blood. Mr. Hunter, it is said, has been
chosen to preside, and no man living has a greater abhorrence of blood! But,
perhaps, he cannot decline.
Papers from the
United States indicate that the peace epidemic prevails in that country also to
an alarming extent: for the day (15th instant) of drafting is near at hand; and
even the Republican papers hope and pray for peace, and reconstruction without
slavery.
Senator Brown's
resolution to put 200,000 slaves in the army was voted down in secret session.
Now the slaveowners must go in themselves, or all is lost.
One of the
President's pages says the President will make a speech at the meeting to-day.
He is a good political speaker, and will leave no stone unturned to disconcert
his political enemies in Congress and elsewhere-and their name is legion.
The President has
ordered the nomination of ex-Gov. Bonham as brigadier-general of a brigade of
South Carolina cavalry, in opposition to Gen. Cooper's opinion: a rare
occurrence, showing that Mr. Davis can be flexible when necessity urges. Gen.
Hampton recommended Bonham.
The day is bright,
but the snow is not quite all gone else the meeting would be very large, and in
the Capitol Square. There will be much cheering; but the rich men will be still
resolved to keep out of the army themselves.
We have nothing from
Charleston for several days. No doubt preparations are being made for its
evacuation. The stores will be brought here for Lee's army. What will be the
price of gold then?
Mr. Seddon has
published a correspondence with the President, showing why he resigned: which
was a declaration on the part of Congress of a want of confidence in the
cabinet. The President says such a declaration on the part of Congress is
extra-official, and subversive of the constitutional jurisdiction of the
Executive; and, in short, he would not accept the resignation, if Mr. S. would
agree to withdraw it. So, I suppose the other members will hold on, in spite of
Congress.
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 414-5
No comments:
Post a Comment