by John Beauchamp Jones
APRIL 19TH.—Cloudy and cold.
We have no authentic war news, but are on the tip-toe of expectation. The city is in some commotion on a rumor that the non-combating population will be required to leave, to avoid transportation of food to the city. Corn is selling at $1.25 per bushel in Georgia and Alabama; here, at $40—such is the deplorable condition of the railroads, or rather of the management of them. Col. Northrop, Commissary-General, said to-day that Gen. Lee and the Secretary of War were responsible for the precarious state of affairs, in not taking all the means of transportation for the use of the army ; and that our fate was suspended by a hair.
The President returned the paper to day, relating to the matter of etiquette between Col. Northrop and Gen. Bragg’s military secretary. The President says that Gen. B. certainly has the right to give orders—being assigned to, duty here, and, I presume, representing the President himself; but that any one of his staff, unless directing those of inferior rank, ought to give commands “by order” of Gen. Bragg. Col. N. says that don’t satisfy him; and that no general has a right to issue orders to him!
The famine is becoming more terrible daily; and soon no salary will suffice to support one’s family.
The 1st and 2d Auditors and their clerks (several hundred, male and female) have been ordered to proceed to Montgomery, Ala. Perhaps the government will soon remove thither entirely. This is ill-timed, as the enemy will accept it as an indication of an abandonment of the capital; and many of our people will regard it as a preliminary to the evacuation of Richmond. It is more the effect of extortion and high prices, than apprehension of the city being taken by the enemy.
by John Beauchamp Jones
APRIL 18TH.—Cleared away in the night—frost. To-day it clouded up again!
We have an account from the West, to the effect that Forrest stormed Fort Pillow, putting all the garrison, but one hundred, to the sword; there being 700 in the fort—400 negroes.
by John Beauchamp Jones
APRIL 17TH.—Rained until bedtime—then cleared off quite cold. This morning it is cold, with occasional sunshine.
Gen. Beauregard’s instructions to Major-Gen. Anderson in Florida, who has but 8000 men, opposed by 15,000, were referred by the Secretary of War to Gen. Bragg, who returned them with the following snappish indorsement: “The enemy’s strength seems greatly exaggerated, and the instructions too much on the defensive.”
by John Beauchamp Jones
APRIL 16TH. —Rained all night, and in fitful showers all day.
We have more accounts (unofficial) of a victory near Shreveport, La. One of the enemy’s gun-boats has been blown up and sunk in Florida.
By late Northern arrivals we see that a Mr. Long, member of Congress, has spoken in favor of our recognition. A resolution of expulsion was soon after introduced.
Gen. Lee has suggested, and the Secretary of War has approved, a project for removing a portion of the population from Richmond into the country. Its object is to accumulate supplies for the army. If some 20,000 could be moved away, it would relieve the rest to some extent.
Troops are passing northward every night. The carnage and carnival of death will soon begin!
by John Beauchamp Jones
APRIL 15TH.—Cloudy—slight showers. I published an article yesterday in the Enquirer, addressed to the President, on the subject of supplies for the army and the people (the government to take all the supplies in the country), the annihilation of speculation, and the necessary suppression of the Southern (Yankee) Express Company. This elicited the approval of Col. Northrop, the Commissary-General, who spoke to me on the subject. He told me the Express Company had attempted to bribe him, by offering to bring his family supplies gratis, etc. He said he had carried his point, in causing Gen. Bragg to address him according to military etiquette. He showed me another order from Bragg (through the Adjutant-General), to take possession of the toll meal at Crenshaw’s mills. This he says is contrary to contract, and he was going to the Secretary to have it withdrawn. “Besides,” said he, “and truly, it would do no good. The people must eat, whether they get meal from Crenshaw or not. If not, they will get it elsewhere, and what they do get will be so much diverted from the commissariat.”
There are rumors of the enemy accumulating a heavy force at Suffolk.
The guard at CampLee are going in the morning to Lee’s army ; their places here to be filled by the reserve forces of boys and old men. This indicates a battle on the Rapidan.
by John Beauchamp Jones
APRIL 14TH.— Bright morning—cloudy and cold the rest of the day.
No reliable war news to-day; but we are on the tip-toe of expectation of exciting news from the Rapidan. Longstreet is certainly in communication with Lee; and if the enemy be not present with overwhelming numbers, which there is no reason to anticipate, a great battle may be imminent.
Read Vice-President Stephens’s speech against the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus to-day. He said independence without liberty was of no value to him, and if he must have a master, he cared not whether he was Northern or Southern. If we gain our independence, this speech will ruin Mr. S.; if we do not, it may save him and his friends.
by John Beauchamp Jones
APRIL 13TH.—A clear, but cool day. Again planted corn, the other having rotted.
There is an unofficial report that one of our torpedo boats struck the Federal war steamer Minnesota yesterday, near Newport News, and damaged her badly.
I learn (from an official source) to-day that Gen. Longstreet’s corps is at Charlottesville, to co-operate with Lee’s army, which will soon move, no doubt.
Gen. Bragg received a dispatch yesterday, requesting that commissary stores for Longstreet be sent to Charlottesville, and he ordered his military secretary to direct the Commissary-General accordingly. To this Col. Northrop, C. G. S., took exceptions, and returned the paper, calling the attention of Gen. B.’s secretary to the Rules and Regulations, involving a matter of red tape etiquette. The C. G. S. can only be ordered or directed by The Secretary of War. Gen. B. sent the paper to the Secretary, with the remark that if he is to be restricted, etc., his usefulness must be necessarily diminished. The Secretary sent for Col. N., and I suppose pacified him.
by John Beauchamp Jones
APRIL 12TH.—Cloudy—rained in the afternoon.
This is the anniversary of the first gun of the war, fired at FortSumter.
It is still said and believed that Gen. Lee will take the initiative, and attack Grant. The following shows that we have had another success :
“MOBILE, April 11th, 1864.
“To GEN. S. COOPER, A. & I. GENERAL.
“The following report was received at Baton Rouge, on the 3d inst., from the Surgeon-General of Banks’s army: We met the enemy near Shreveport. Union force repulsed with great loss. How many can you accommodate in hospitals at Baton Rouge? Steamer Essex, or Benton, destroyed by torpedoes in Red River, and a transport captured by Confederates.
“Farragut reported preparing to attack Mobile. Six monitors coming to him. The garrisons of New Orleans and Baton Rouge were very much reduced for the purpose of increasing Banks’s forces.
“D. H. MAURY, Major-General Commanding.”
by John Beauchamp Jones
APRIL 11TH.—Rained all night, but clear most of the day.
There are rumors of Burnside landing troops on the Peninsula; also of preparations for movements on the Rappahannock—by which side is uncertain. It is said troops are coming from Mississippi, Lieut.-Gen. (Bishop) Polk’s command.
The FAMINE is still advancing, and his gaunt proportions loom up daily, as he approaches with gigantic strides. The rich speculators, however, and the officers of influence stationed here, who have secured the favor of the Express Company, get enough to eat. Potatoes sell at $1 per quart; chickens, $35 per pair; turnip greens, $1 per peck! An ounce of meat, daily, is the allowance to each member of my family, the cat and parrot included. The pigeons of my neighbor have disappeared. Every day we have accounts of robberies, the preceding night, of cows, pigs, bacon, flour—and even the setting hens are taken from their nests!
by John Beauchamp Jones
APRIL 10TH.—Rained all night. Cloudy to-day; wind south-west.
The Secretary of War must feel his subordination to Gen. Bragg. Gen. Fitz Lee recommended strongly a Prussian officer for appointment in the cavalry, and Mr. Seddon referred it to Gen. B., suggesting that he might be appointed in the cavalry corps to be stationed near this city. Gen. B. returns the paper, saying the President intends to have an organized brigade of cavalry from the Army of Northern Virginia on duty here, and there will be no vacancy in it. From this it seems that the Secretary is not only not to be gratified by the appointment, but is really kept in ignorance of army movements in contemplation!
Major Griswold has resigned, at last. He did not find his position a bed of roses. I believe he abandons the Confederate States service altogether, and will attend to the collection of claims, and the defense of prisoners, probably arrested by Major Carrington, his successor in office.
To-day I saw two conscripts from Western Virginia conducted to the cars (going to Lee’s army), in chains. It made a chill shoot through my breast. I doubt its policy, though they may be peculiar offenders.
The benevolent Capt. Warner, being persecuted by the Commissary-General for telling the truth in regard to the rations, etc., is settling his accounts as rapidly as possible, and will resign his office. He says he will resume his old business, publishing books, etc.
