Clear and warm.
Apricots in blossom. At last we have reliable information that Johnston has
checked one of Sherman's columns, at Bentonville, capturing three guns. This
success is a great relief—more as an indication of what is to follow, than for
what is accomplished. So Bragg and Johnston have both shown successful fight
lately. Beauregard next. Sherman has three full generals in his front, with
accumulating forces. A few days more will decide his fate—for immortality or
destruction.
There are many red
flags displayed this morning in Clay Street, for sales of furniture and renting
of houses to the highest bidders. They have postponed it until the last moment
to realize the highest possible prices—and they will get them, in consequence
of Johnston's success, which revives the conviction that Richmond will not be
evacuated. But they have overreached themselves in demanding extortionate
prices—such prices depreciating the currency—$1500 being equivalent to one
barrel of flour! If it be determined to abandon the city, what will houses rent
for then?
Lord Russell's
letter, forwarded from Washington some days ago, after much consultation here,
was sent back to Gen. Lee by the Secretary of State, declining to receive a
communication from a neutral power through a hostile one, and expressing doubts
of its authenticity. Gen. Lee returns the papers to-day, suggesting that the
expression of doubts of the authenticity be omitted—but will, at all events,
when returned to him again, have it delivered to Gen. Grant. Mr. Benjamin
thinks there is some occult diplomatic danger in the papers—at least he is
idle, and wants some diplomatic work on his hands, in the regular way. How to
avoid doing anything whatever, diplomatically, with this matter before him, is
the very quintessence of diplomacy! He can look at it, read it, handle it, and
return it to Lord John, and then diplomatically prove that this government
never had any knowledge of its existence!
The following
official dispatch, from Gen. Lee, was received yesterday:
HEADQUARTERS ARMIES CONFEDERATE STATES,
March 20th, 1865.
HON.
JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE, SECRETARY OF WAR.
Gen.
J. E. Johnston reports that about 5 P.M. on the 19th inst. he attacked the
enemy near Bentonsville, routed him, capturing three guns. A mile in rear, the
enemy rallied upon fresh troops, but was forced back slowly until 6 o'clock
P.M., when, receiving more troops, he apparently assumed the offensive, which
movement was resisted without difficulty until dark. This morning he is
intrenched.
Our
loss is small. The troops behaved admirably well.
Dense
thickets prevented rapid operations.
R. E. LEE.
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 455-6
No comments:
Post a Comment