Bright and frosty.
As I supposed, the peace commissioners have returned from their fruitless
errand. President Lincoln and Mr. Seward, it appears, had nothing to propose,
and would listen to nothing but unconditional submission. The Congress of the
United States has just passed, by a two-thirds vote, an amendment to the
Constitution abolishing slavery.
Now the South will
soon be fired up again, perhaps with a new impulse and WAR will rage with
greater fury than ever. Mr. Stephens will go into Georgia, and reanimate his
people. Gen. Wise spoke at length for independence at the Capitol on Saturday
night amidst applauding listeners, and Governor Smith speaks to-night.
Gen. Breckinridge is
here and will take his seat to-morrow. Every effort will be made to popularize
the cause again.
Hon. Mr. Foote is at
Washington, in prison.
Gen. Wise's brigade
has sent up resolutions consenting to gradual emancipation—but never to reunion
with the North.
There is a more
cheerful aspect on the countenances of the people in the streets. All hope of
peace with independence is extinct and valor alone is relied upon now for our
salvation. Every one thinks the Confederacy will at once gather up its military
strength and strike such blows as will astonish the world. There will be
desperate conflicts!
Vice-President
Stephens is in his seat to-day, and seems determined.
Mr. Hunter is
rolling about industriously.
Gen. Lee writes that
desertions are caused by the bad management of the Commissary Department, and
that there are supplies enough in the country, if the proper means were used to
procure them.
Gen. Taylor sends a
telegram from Meridian, Miss., stating that he had ordered Stewart's corps to
Augusta, Ga., as Sherman's movement rendered a victory necessary at once. The
dispatch was to the President, and seems to be in response to one from him. So
we may expect a battle immediately near Augusta, Ga. Beauregard should have
some 20,000 men, besides Hardee's 15,000—which ought to be enough for victory;
and then good-by to Sherman!
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 410-1
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