Clear, but rained
last night.
From the South we
learn that Sherman is marching on Branchville, and that Beauregard is at
Augusta.
The great struggle
will be in Virginia, south of Richmond, and both sides will gather up their
forces for that event.
We can probably get
men enough, if we can feed them.
The City Council is
having green "old field pine" wood brought in on the Fredericksburg
railroad, to sell to citizens at $80 per cord a speculation.
The Quartermaster's
Department is also bringing in large quantities of wood, costing the government
about $40 per cord. Prior to the 1st inst., the Quartermaster's Department
commuted officer's (themselves) allowance of wood at $130 per cord!
The President still
suffers, but is said to be "better."
Yesterday much of
the day was consumed by Congress in displaying a new flag for the Confederacy—before
the old one is worn out! Idiots!
I have just seen on
file a characteristic letter from Major-Gen. Butler, of which this is a literal
copy:
HEADQUARTERS DEPT. VA. and N. C.,
ARMY OF THE JAMES IN THE FIELD,
FORTRESS MONROE, Oct. 9th, 1864.
HON.
ROBT. OULD-SIR:
An
attempt was made this morning by private Roucher, Co. B, 5th Penna. cavalry, to
commit a rape upon the persons of Mrs. Minzer and Mrs. Anderson, living on the
Darbytown Road.
On
the outrage being discovered, he broke through the picket line, and filed for
your lines. Our soldiers chased him, but were unable to overtake him.
I
have therefore the honor to request that you will return him, that I may
inflict the punishment which his dastardly offense merits. I cannot be
responsible for the good conduct of my soldiers, if they are to find protection
from punishment by entering your lines.
I have the honor to be, your obt. servt.,
(Signed)
B. F. BUTLER,
Major-Gen.
Comd'g and Com. for Exchange.
The ladies were
Virginians.
I got my barrel (2
bags) flour to-day; 1 bushel meal, ½ bushel peas, ½ bushel potatoes ($50 per
bushel); and feel pretty well. Major Maynard, Quartermaster, has promised a
load of wood... Will these last until ——? I believe I would make a good
commissary.
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 408-9