Raining. No
well-authenticated news; but by many it is believed Staunton is in the hands of
the enemy, and Lynchburg menaced. Nevertheless, the government is sending a
portion of the archives and stores to Lynchburg!
The clergymen are at
work begging supplies for the soldiers; and they say the holding of Richmond
and the success of the cause depend upon the success of their efforts, the
government being null! A large per cent. of these preachers is of Northern birth
and some of them may possibly betray the cause if they deem it desperate. This
is the history of such men in the South so far. But the President trusts them,
and we must trust the President.
Hon. Wm. C. Rives
has resigned his seat in Congress. Alleged causes, ill health and great
age-over 70.
The Negro bill still
hangs fire in Congress.
Roger A. Pryor is to
be exchanged. He was the guest of Forney in Washington, and had interviews with
President Lincoln.
The government is
impressing horses in the streets, to collect the tobacco preparatory for its
destruction in the event of the city falling into the hands of the enemy. This
fact is already known in the North and published in the papers there. A pretty
passport and police system, truly!
I saw a paper to-day
from Mr. Benjamin, saying it had been determined, in the event of burning the
tobacco, to exempt that belonging to other governments—French and Austrian; but
that belonging to foreign subjects is not to be spared. This he says is with
the concurrence of the British Government. Tobacco is being moved from the city
with all possible expedition.
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 437-8
