A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary at the Confederate States Capital, By John Beauchamp Jones

by John Beauchamp Jones

            AUGUST 17TH.—Cloudy, and slight showers. In the afternoon dark clouds going round.

            We have nothing from below but vague rumors, except that we repulsed the enemy yesterday, slaughtering the negro troops thrust in front.

            FromAtlanta, it is said the enemy have measurably ceased artillery firing, and it is inferred that their ammunition is low, and perhaps their communications cut.

            The President and Secretary of War were in council all the morning, it is said, on appointments and promotions in the army.

            The President rode out toward the battle-field at 2½ P.M. There have been no guns heard to-day.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            AUGUST 16TH.—Warm and cloudy.

            There are movements of interest of the armies below, from the fact that we have as yet no authentic account of the fighting during the last few days. I fear we have not been so successful as usual.

            The enemy is reported to be in force on this side (north) of the river, and marching toward this city. The local (clerks) troops have been called out to man the fortifications. But the blow (if one really be meditated) may fall on the other (south) side of the river.

            Col. Moseby has taken 200 of the enemy near Berryville, burning 75 wagons, and capturing 600 horses and mules. His loss trifling.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            AUGUST 15TH.—Cloudy, damp, and pleasant. A rain fell last night, wetting the earth to a considerable depth; and the wind being southeast, we look for copious showers—a fine season for turnips, etc.

            Cannon was distinctly heard from my garden yesterday evening, and considerable fighting has been going on down the river for several days; the result (if the end is yet) has not been officially stated. It is rumored that Pemberton lost more batteries; but it is only rumor, so far. Nor have we anything definite from Early or Hood.

            Bacon has fallen to $5 and $6 per pound, flour to $175 per barrel. I hope we shall get some provisions from the South this week.

            Sowed turnip-seed in every available spot of my garden to-day. My tomatoes are beginning to mature—better late than never. The following official dispatch was received on Saturday:

            “MOBILE, August 11th.—Nothing later from Fort Morgan. The wires are broken. Gen. Forrest drove the enemy’s advance out of Oxford last night.
            “All the particulars of the Fort Gaines surrender known, are that the commanding officer communicated with the enemy, and made terms, without authority. His fort was in good condition, the garrison having suffered little.
“He made no reply to repeated orders and signals from Gen. Page to hold his fort, and surrendered upon conditions not known here.                      D. H. MAURY, Major-General.”

            Gen. Taylor will cross theMississippi with 4000 on the 18th of this month.Sherman must getAtlanta quickly, or not at all.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            AUGUST 14TH.—Hot and dry.

            Rumors of a fight down the river yesterday, driving the enemy from Deep Bottom, and grounding of theRichmond. Guns were heard, and I suppose we made a demonstration both by land and water.

            Cavalry (Hampton’s) still pass northward. They ride as if they grew to the horses. As they trot past, they can be seen cutting and dividing large round watermelons, and none are permitted to fall. Occasionally a staring negro in the street is astonished by the crushing of a rind on his head.

            I never saw melons and other fruit so abundant; but they are held so high I cannot indulge.

            Mr. Seddon draws 75 pounds rice per month, his family being fifty; and gets 12 pads cotton yarn from the State distribution. I shall get 10½ pounds rice, at 50 cents—retail price, $2; and perhaps 1 pad—5 pounds—yarn for $45; my family being seven.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            AUGUST 13TH —Hot and dry. Large green worms have attacked my tomatoes, and from the leaves are proceeding to the fruit. But not many of them will escape! I am warring on them.

            No war news, except the continuation of the movement of troops northward.Hampton’s division of cavalry, at least three brigades, passed this morning.

            FromMobile andAtlanta we have nothing of interest.

            Flour is falling: it is now $200 per barrel—$500 a few weeks ago; and bacon is falling in price also, from $11 to $6 per pound. A commission merchant said to me, yesterday, that there was at least eighteen months’ supply (for the people) of breadstuffs and meats in the city; and pointing to the upper windows at the corner of Thirteenth and Cary Streets, he revealed the ends of many barrels piled above the windows. He said that flour had been there two years, held for “still higher prices.” Such is the avarice of man. Such is war. And such the greed of extortioners, even in the midst of famine—and famine in the midst of plenty!

by John Beauchamp Jones

            AUGUST 12TH.—Hot and dry. At 3 P.M. rained about three minutes. We are burning up.

            There is no war news. A rumor in the street saysAtlanta has fallen. I don’t believe it. Yesterday Gen. Hood said no important change had occurred, etc.

            I saw a soldier to-day from Gen. Early’s army near Martinsburg, and the indications were that it was on the eve of crossing thePotomac. He left it day before yesterday, 10th inst. He says Kershaw’s division was at Culpepper C. H., 50 miles from Early.

            Detachments of troops are daily passing through the city, northward. All is quiet below on theJames River. Grant’s campaign againstRichmond is confessedly a failure.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            AUGUST 11TH.—Hot and dry.

            Dispatches from secret agents atWashington state that Grant and his staff have arrived, that half his army preceded him, and the remainder will soon follow. The campaign is considered a disastrous failure, and it is anticipated that henceforth the scene of operations is to be transferred fromRichmond toWashington. They say President Lincoln’s face expresses “great terror,” and affairs there are in a critical condition.

            A dispatch from Gen. Lee states that Gen. Bradley Johnson’s brigade of cavalry was surprised and routed on the 7th inst. by Averill. He has directed that Gen. J. be relieved.

            A dispatch from Gen. Hood (Atlanta,Ga.) says no important change in affair has occurred since yesterday, except that Major-Gen. Bates is wounded. There are 5000 militia in the trenches.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            AUGUST 10TH.—Hot and dry until 4 P.M. Gust, and 15 minutes’ rain. Good for turnips.

            Forts Gaines and Powell are lost—the latter blown up. Gen. Maury telegraphs for infantry, has some 4000 men for the defense ofMobile, etc.

            Our raiders, under McCausland and Bradley Johnson, it is said were surprised and defeated last Sunday, with loss of 400 men, 500 horses, and 4 pieces of artillery. A rumor prevails that Early has gained another victory nearWinchester.

            No news yet from our agent sent to North Carolina to purchase supplies, but we learn flour and bacon are not held one-quarter as high there as here. I do sincerely hope Grant’s raiders will keep quiet until I can get something to eat!

by John Beauchamp Jones

            AUGUST 9TH.—Very hot; very dry; very dusty.

            The President has directed the late Gen. (now Lieut. -Col.) Pemberton to organize a mortar and cavalry force to dislodge the enemy from Deep Bottom, on this side of the river, and to select three or four batteries to render the navigation of theJames River difficult and dangerous. Col. P. says he must have some 1500 cavalry, etc.

            Letters from Mr. McRae, our agent abroad, show that our finances and credit are improving wonderfully, and that the government will soon have a great many fine steamers running the blockade. Mr. McR. has contracted for eight steel-clad steamers with a single firm, Frazer, Trenholm & Co.—the latter now our Secretary of the Treasury.

            The President indorsed a cutting rebuke to both the Secretary of War and a Mr. (now Lieut.-Col.) Melton, A. A. General’s office, to-day. It was on an order for a quartermaster atAtlanta to report here and settle his accounts. Mr. M. had written on the order that it was issued “by order of the President.” The President said he was responsible for all orders issued by the War Department, but it was a great presumption of any officer in that department to assume to indorse on any paper that it was by his special order, and that, too, “by command of the Secretary of War,” the usual form.