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

by John Beauchamp Jones

            JULY 28TH.—Cloudy, but no rain.

            Nothing new from Georgia or Petersburg. But a dispatch from Gen. Ewell, received to-day at half past two P.M., orders the local troops (they did not march yesterday) or other disposable forces to occupy the Darby Town, New Bridge, and Williamsburg roads, for the enemy’s cavalry were working round to our left. This was dated “27” when, no doubt, it should be 28th. The Secretary was over at the President’s office, whither I sent the dispatch. I suppose the troops were ordered out, provided there was a mistake in the date. All dispatches should have the day written out in full as well as the day of the mouth, for the salvation of a city might depend on it.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            JULY 27TH.—Cloudy and warm; light shower at 3. P.M.

            Gen. Lee’s dispatch, giving an account of a victory last Sunday, nearWinchester, has diffused hope and satisfaction anew in the city.

            The following dispatch was received from Gen. Bragg:

“ATLANTA, July 26th, 1864.

            “Leave to-morrow to confer with Major-Gen. Maury atMontgomery, and urge matters beyond. Lieut.-Gen. Lee arrived. Tone of the army fine, and strength increasing daily, etc. All is quiet to-day.

“B. BRAGG, General.

“CoL. J. B. SALE, Mil. Sec.”

            Nevertheless, the clerks are ordered out this afternoon at five, to march to Chaffin’s Farm.

            I met Mr. Benjamin as I was passing to the office of the Secretary of War with Gen. Bragg’s dispatch, and showed it him. After reading it carefully, he said, “That’s .very good.”

            Gen. Lee may be on the eve of attacking Grant, or Grant him, or we may be reinforcing Early, as the solution of the marching of the clerks. No doubt one of Grant’s corps is on this side of the river, but I think that is to guard the river against our batteries.

            During my conversation with Mr. Benjamin, I hoped that in two months the Federal armies would be called toWashington for the defense of the capital. He did not express any such belief. He was at the department procuring passports from Judge Campbell, for a young Jew to pass the lines into theUnited States.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            JULY 26TH.—Clear and pleasant; later cloudy.

            Yesterday, Mr. Peck, our agent, started South to buy provisions for the civil officers of the department. He had $100 from each, and it is to be hoped he will be back soon with supplies at comparatively low prices. He obtained transportation from the Quartermaster-General, with the sanction of the Secretary, although that ____ ____had refused to order it himself.

            Gen. Lee advises that all government stores be taken from Wilmington, as a London newspaper correspondent has given a glowing account (republished in the New York Herald) of the commerce of that place, and the vast amount of government property there. Gen. Lee advises that the stores be deposited along the line of railroad betweenColumbia andDanville, and be in readiness to move either way, as the roads are “liable to be cut at any moment.” Will the government act in time to save them?

            Gen. Cooper went to the President to-day in high dudgeon, because papers were referred to him from the Quartermaster-General’s and Ordnance offices signed by subordinates, instead of the heads of the bureaus. The President wrote an elaborate decision in favor of the general, and ordered the Secretary to “make a note of it.” Thus, important affairs wait upon “red tape.”

            I saw Secretaries Benjamin and Mallory, and some lesser lights, riding down the river in an ambulance-wagon, supposed to be going a fishing. They were both excessively fat and red.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            JULY 25TH.—It rained all night! Cloudy and windy to-day.

            Gen. Hood corrects his dispatch of Saturday; we captured only 13 guns; but we captured some 18 stand of colors.

“HEADQUARTERS, ATLANTA,
“July 23d, 1864.                     

“HON. JAMES A. SEDDON, SECRETARY OE WAR.
            “The enemy shifted his position on Peach Tree Creek last night, and Gen. Stewart’s and Cheatham’s corps formed line of battle around the city.
            “Gen. Hardee’s corps made a night march, and attacked the enemy’s extreme left to-day. About 1 o’clock he drove him from his works, capturing artillery and colors. Gen. Cheatham attacked the enemy, capturing six pieces of artillery.
            “During the engagement we captured about 2000 prisoners.
            “Gen. Wheeler’s cavalry routed the enemy in the neighborhood of Decatur, to-day, capturing his camp.
            “Our loss is not yet fully ascertained.
            “Major-Gen. Walker was killed. Brig.-Gens. Smith, Gist, and Mercer were wounded.
            “Prisoners report that Gen. McPherson was killed.
            “Our troops fought with great gallantry.

“J. B. HOOD, General.”                    

            It is certain that a considerable force of the enemy has crossed to the north side ofJames River; for what purpose is not yet clear.

            A detachment of our forces has been defeated nearWinchester, by superior numbers, losing 4 guns.

            The Dispatch of this morning says:

            “All accounts received of the engagement at Snicker’s represent that the Yankees were badly whipped on that occasion. It is stated that some fifteen hundred of the enemy fell to rise no more, and only six were made prisoners. It is probable that a considerable number were drowned in their attempt to recross the Shenandoah.”

            Gen. Beauregard wrote to the department a few days ago that the country in the rear of the enemy was filled with their deserters, and suggested that by proclamation or otherwise, desertion should be encouraged. They ought to be welcomed and subsisted, and transported to any point near their own country designated by them. On this the Secretary of War indorsed rather a cold negative. But he went too far—the country must be saved—and the President, while agreeing that no proclamation should be issued, indorsed an emphatic approval of any other means to encourage desertion from the enemy.

            My cabbages and turnips (fall) are coming up already.

            We had but 13,500 men and 44 pieces artillery in the recent march intoMaryland. The enemy say we had 40,000!

            Letters are pouring in, denouncing the new schedule of prices, sanctioned by the Secretary, and demanding a prompt modification. The President wrote the Secretary to-day that immediate action is necessary.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            JULY 24TH.—Cloudy and cool, but dry.

            Yesterday and last night both Grant and Lee, or Beauregard, were moving pretty heavy forces from the south side to the north side of the river. I am not advised which initiated this manœuvre, but it indicates renewed activity of the armies in this vicinity.

I hope the roads will not be cut again, or we shall starve!

by John Beauchamp Jones

            JULY 23D.—Clear, but a smoky atmosphere, like Indian summer. A dispatch was received to-day at M. from Gen. Hood, dated last night at 10 o’clock, stating that Gen. Hardee had made a night march, driving the enemy from his works, and capturing 16 guns and several colors, while Gen. Cheatham captured 6 guns. We took 2000 prisoners. Also that Gen. Wheeler had routed the enemy’s cavalry atDecatur, capturing his camp. Our Major-Gen. Walker was killed and three brigadiers were wounded. Whether the battle was resumed to-day is not yet ascertained. All are now anxious to get further news fromAtlanta.

            And the local forces here are ordered to be in readiness; perhaps Lee meditates, likewise, a night march, and an attack on Grant.

            TheDanville and the Weldon Railroads are now in active operation, and I hope supplies will soon come in abundance.

            Our government blundered in sanctioning the schedule of prices fixed by the commissioners on impressments for the next two months. The prices are five times those hitherto paid. The whole country cries shame, and a revision is demanded, else the country will be ruined.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            JULY 22D.—Bright and dry again. Gen. Johnston has been relieved. It would seem that Gen. Hood has made a successful debut as a fighting general in command of the army, since Gen. Johnston’s removal.

            A dispatch from Gen. Bragg, dated yesterday, states that the enemy is withdrawing fromArkansas, either to operate inMississippi, or to reinforceSherman.

            Gen. Lee is opposed to retaliating on innocent prisoners the cruelties committed by the guilty in executing our men falling into their bands.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            JULY 21ST.—Clear and warm. Bought fifty cabbage-plants and set them out before breakfast.

            Gen. Early met Gen. Hunter at Snicker’s Gap, and whipped him.

All quiet atPetersburg. Grant must be dead, sure enough. Gen. Bragg left the city some days ago. The following is a verbatim dispatch received from him yesterday:

“MONTGOMERY,ALA., July 19th, 1864.

            “COL. J. B. SALE :—The enemy still hold West Point Railroad Forces are moving forward to dislodge them. Gen. S. D. Lee in forms me 5000 (13th Army Corps) passed Vicksburg on the 16th, supposed to be going to White River. Reported Memphis, 19th Army Corps, Franklin left New Orleans on the 4th for Fort Monroe, 13,000 strong. Ought not Taylor’s forces to cross the Mississippi?
“I hear nothing from Johnston.
“Telegraph me toColumbus,Ga.

“B. BRAGG, General.”                     

by John Beauchamp Jones

            JULY 20TH.—Cloudy and warm, but no rain up to 5 P.M. There is no news of importance; but a battle is momentarily expected in Georgia. The Examiner says the President bears malice againstJohnston, and embraces an occasion to ruin him at the risk of destroying the country. That he was not allowed the aid of detachments necessary to success, and hence he could not fight; but all aids will he give his successor, Hood, who will be successful. And that this game was played onJohnston in 1862 inVirginia, and when Lee took command, every facility was afforded by the government. In short, Gen. Johnston cannot be vindicated unless our army be destroyed; and if Hood wins a victory, he is ruined. This is an unpleasant predicament for a general.

            Planted some cabbage-seeds given me; no plants are for sale.