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

by John Beauchamp Jones

            APRIL 28TH.—After a slight shower last night, a cool, clear morning.

            The ominous silence or pause between the armies continues. Lieut.-Gen. Longstreet, it is said, is “hidden.” I suppose he is working his way around the enemy’s right flank. If so, we shall soon hear thunder.

            It is also supposed that Lee meditates an incursion into Pennsylvania, and that Gen. Beauregard will protect his rear and cover this city. All is merely conjecture.

We are amused at the enemy’s accounts of the storming of Plymouth. Their papers pretend to have not heard the result, and would lead their readers to believe that Gen. Hoke was repulsed, and that the place is “impregnable.”

            The following appears in the morning papers:

            “GEN. LEE’S BILL OF FARE.—The Richmond correspondent of the Mobile Advertiser gives the following about Gen. Lee’s mode of living :

            “In Gen. Lee’s tent meat is eaten but twice a week, the general not allowing it oftener, because he believes indulgence in meat to be criminal in the present straitened condition of the country. His ordinary dinner consists of a head of cabbage, boiled in salt water, and a pone of corn bread. In this connection rather a comic story is told. Having invited a number of gentlemen to dine with him, Gen. Lee, in a fit of extravagance, ordered a sumptuous repast of cabbage and middling. The dinner was served: and, behold, a great pile of cabbage and a bit of middling about four inches long and two inches across! The guests, with commendable politeness, unanimously declined middling, and it remained in the dish untouched. Next day Gen. Lee, remembering the delicate tit-bit which had been so providentially preserved, ordered his servant to bring ‘that middling.’ The man hesitated, scratched his head, and finally owned up : `De fac is, Masse Robert, dat ar middlin’ was borrid middlin’; we all did’n had nar spec; and I done paid it back to de man whar I got it from.’ Gen. Lee heaved a sigh of deepest disappointment, and pitched into his cabbage.”

            By a correspondence between the Secretaries of the Treasury and War, I saw that Mr. Memminger has about a million and a quarter in coin at Macon, Ga., seized as the property of the New Orleans banks—perhaps belonging to Northern men. I believe it was taken when there was an attempt made to smuggle it North. What it is proposed to do with it I know not, but I think neither the President nor the Secretaries will hesitate to use it—if there be a “military necessity.” Who knows but that one or more members of Mr. Lincoln’s cabinet, or his generals, might be purchased with gold? Fortress Monroe would be cheap at that price!

by John Beauchamp Jones

            APRIL 27TH.—Another bright and beautiful day; and vegetation is springing with great rapidity. But nearly all my potatoes, corn, egg-plants, and tomatoes seem to have been killed by the frosts of March. I am replanting corn, lima beans, etc. The other vegetables are growing well. One of my fig-bushes was killed—that is, nearly all the branches. The roots live.

            It is rumored that the armies on the Rapidan were drawn up in line.

            The enemy have again evacuated Suffolk.

            Gen. Beauregard is at Weldon. Perhaps Burnside may hurl his blows against North Carolina.

            Food is still advancing in price; and unless relief comes from some quarter soon, this city will be in a deplorable condition. A good many fish, however, are coming in, and shad have fallen in price to $12 per pair.

            The government ordered the toll of meal here (which the miller, Crenshaw, sold to the people) to be taken for the army; but Col. Northrop, Commissary-General, opposes this; and it is to be hoped, as usual, he may have his way, in spite of even the President. These papers pass through the hands of the Secretary of War.

            The French ships have gone down the river, without taking much tobacco; said to have been ordered away by the United States Government.

            Col. W. M. Browne (the President’s English A.D.C.), it is said, goes to Georgia as commandant of conscripts for that State. It is probable he offended some one of the President’s family, domestic or military. The people had long been offended by his presence and arrogance.

            The Enquirer, to-day, has a communication assaulting Messrs. Toombs and Stephens, and impeaching their loyalty. The writer denounced the Vice-President severely for his opposition to the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. During the day the article was sent to Mr. Secretary Seddon, with the compliments of Mr. Parker—the author, I suppose.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            APRIL 26TH.—Another truly fine spring day.

            The ominous silence on the Rapidan and Rappahannock continues still. The two armies seem to be measuring each other’s strength before the awful conflict begins.

            It is said the enemy are landing large bodies of troops at Yorktown.

            Major-Gen. Ransom has been assigned to the command of this department; and Gen. Winder’s expectations of promotion are blasted. Will he resign? I think not.

            The enemy’s accounts of the battle on the Red River do not agree with the reports we have.

            Neither do the Federal accounts of the storming of FortPillow agree with ours.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            APRIL 25TH. —A bright and beautiful day; southern breezes.

            No reliable war news; but there are rumors that our victory at Shreveport was a great one. Nothing additional from North Carolina, though something further must soon occur there. It is said the enemy’s killed and wounded at Plymouth amounted to only 100: ours 300; but we got 2500 prisoners.

            President Lincoln has made a speech at Baltimore, threatening retaliation for the slaughter at Fort Pillow—which was stormed.

            Lieut.-Gen. Polk telegraphs that our forces have captured and burnt one of the enemy’s gun-boats at YazooCity—first taking out her guns, eight rifled 24-pounders.

            To-day Mr. Memminger, in behalf of the ladies in his department, presented a battle-flag to the Department Battalion for its gallant conduct in the repulse of Dahlgren’s raid. But the ladies leave early in the morning for South Carolina.

            The President still says that many of the government officers and employees must be sent away, if transportation cannot be had to feed them here as well as the armies.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            APRIL 24TH —Cloudy and windy, but warm.

            We have none of the details yet of the storming of Plymouth, except the brief dispatches in the newspapers; nor any reliable accounts of subsequent movements. But a letter from Gen. Whiting indicates that all his troops had been taken northward, and we may expect something further of interest.

            It is still believed that Lee’s and Grant’s armies are in motion on the Rappahannock; but whether going North or coming South, no one seems to know. Our people unanimously look for a victory.

            I bought a black coat at auction yesterday (short swallow-tailed) for $12. It is fine cloth, not much worn—its owner going into the army, probably—but out of fashion. If it had been a frock-coat, it would have brought $100. It is no time for fashion now.

            Gen. Johnston’s Chief Commissary offers to send some bacon to Lee’s army. A short time since, it was said, Johnston was prevented from advancing for want of rations.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            APRIL 23D.—A bright day, with southern breezes.

            It is rumored and believed that Gen. Lee’s army is in motion. If this be so, we shall soon hear of a “fight, or a foot race.” And how can Grant run away, when Mr. Chase, the Federal Secretary of the Treasury, openly proclaims ruin to the finances unless they speedily achieve success in the field? I think he must fight; and I am sure he will be beaten, for Lee’s strength is probably underestimated.

            We are also looking to hear more news from North Carolina; and Newbern will probably be stormed next, since storming is now the order of the day.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            APRIL 22D —A bright day and warmer. Cherry-trees in blossom. We have the following war news:

“PLYMOUTH, N. C., April 20th.

“To GEN. BRAGG.
            “I have stormed and captured this place, capturing 1 brigadier, 1600 men, stores, and 25 pieces of artillery.
                        “R. F. HOKE, Brig.-General.”

            The President has changed his mind since the reception of the news from North Carolina, and has determined that all the government shall not leave Richmond until further orders. All that can be spared will go, however, at once. The War and Navy Departments will remain for the present. The news is said to have had a wonderful effect on the President’s mind; and he hopes we may derive considerable supplies from Eastern North Carolina. So do I.

            Gov. Watts writes to the Secretary that commissary agents, who ought to be in the ranks, are making unnecessary impressments, leaving to each negro only four ounces of bacon per day. He says the government has already some 10,000,000 pounds of bacon in Alabama; and that if the other States, east of the Mississippi, furnish a proportional amount, there will be 60,000,000 pounds—enough to feed our armies twelve months.

            The Commissary-General’s estimates for the next six months are for 400,000 men.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            APRIL 21ST. —Bright sunshine all day, but cool.

            Gen. Bragg received a dispatch to day from Gen. Hoke, of Plymouth, N. C., stating that he had (yesterday) stormedPlymouth, taking 1600 prisoners, 25 cannon, stores, etc. etc. This put the city in as good spirits as possible.

            But the excitement from Hoke’s victory was supplanted by an excitement of another kind. A report was circulated and believed that the President resolved yesterday to remove the government to South Carolina or Alabama ; and the commotion was very great. The President’s salary is insufficient to meet his housekeeping expenditures ; and Mrs. D. has become, very naturally, somewhat indignant at the conduct of the extortioners, and, of course, the President himself partook of the indignation.

            At 2 P.M. to-day the President’s papers came in. Among them was one from the Commissary-General, stating that the present management of railroad transportation would not suffice to subsist the army. This had been referred to Gen. Bragg yesterday (who seems to rank the Secretary of War), and he made an elaborate indorsement thereon. He recommended that all passenger trains be discontinued, except one daily, and on this that government agents, soldiers, etc. have preference ; that arrangements be made at once to hasten on the freight trains (taking military possession of the roads) without breaking bulk ; and finally to reduce consumers here as much as possible by a reduction of civil officers, etc. etc. in the departments—that is, sending to other places such as can perform their duties at distant points. On this the President indorsed a reference to the Secretary of War, requiring his opinion in writing, etc. Since then, the President and cabinet have been in consultation, and we shall probably know the result to-morrow.

            If the departments are sent South, it will cause a prodigious outburst from the press here, and may have a bad, blundering effect on the army in Virginia, composed mostly of Virginians; and Gen. Bragg will have to bear the brunt of it, although the government will be solely responsible.

            Gov. Vance recommended the suspension of conscription in the eastern counties of North Carolina the other day. This paper was referred by the Secretary to the President, by the President to Gen. B. (who is a native of North Carolina), and, seeing what was desired, Gen. B. recommended that the conscription be proceeded with. This may cause Gov. V. to be defeated at the election, and Gen. B. will be roundly abused. He will be unpopular still.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            APRIL 20TH.—A clear morning, but a cold, cloudy day.

            The following dispatch from Gen. Forrest shows that the bloody work has commenced in earnest :

“DEMOPOLIS, ALA., April 19th.

“To GEN. S. COOPER.
            “The following dispatch has just been received from Gen. Forrest, dated Jackson, Tenn., April 15th.
                        “L. POLK, Lieut.-General.

            “I attacked Fort Pillow on the morning of the 12th inst., with a part of Bell’s and McCulloch’s brigades, numbering _____, under Brig.-Gen. J. R. Chalmers. After a short fight we drove the enemy, seven hundred strong, into the fort, under cover of their gun-boats, and demanded a surrender, which was declined by Major L. W. Booth, commanding United States forces. I stormed the fort, and after a contest of thirty minutes captured the entire garrison, killing 500 and taking 100 prisoners, and a large amount of quartermaster stores. The officers in the fort were killed, including Major Booth. I sustained a loss of 20 killed and 60 wounded. The Confederate flag now floats over the fort.
            “(Signed)         N. B. FORREST, Major-General.”

            There is a rumor that Grant’s army is falling back toward Centreville.

            It is supposed by many that all the departments will follow the Auditor to Montgomery soon.