Damp and cloudy.
There was no serious
battle. The wind was in a quarter which brought the sounds to us, even from the
skirmishers, ten miles distant. But our gun-boats shelled the enemy out of
their position on Signal Hill, and there was heavy cannonading along the line
on the south side of the river. And, as appears by the papers, there was
severe fighting at different points of the line.
We have now some
further details of the battle of Tuesday. Our loss was 1000; the enemy's, it is
said, 5000 to 8000.
It is now, 5 P.M.,
raining gently, thank Heaven!
To-day we had a
distribution of meats, etc. brought from North Carolina by our agent. Custis
and I invested $200: we have received 26 pounds bacon and 24 smoked
herrings—worth here about $200. Half the money remains in the agent's hands,
for which we expect to get 300 pounds of flour—if the enemy will let the
railroads alone.
It is believed
another raid has crossed the Weldon Road, and is sweeping in the direction of
the Lynchburg and Danville Road. The speculators are on the qui vive
already, and no flour can be had. I fear our flour will be
intercepted, delayed, and perhaps lost! The meat we got to-day will supply but
two ounces for each member of my family daily for two months.
This is war,
terrible war! But if Grant is not rapidly reinforced, at the present rate of
his losses his army will be consumed in two months. There is some consolation
in that prospect!
