AUGUST 31ST.—Fighting every day at Manassas.
A Rebel War Clerk’s Diary at the Confederate States Capital, By John Beauchamp Jones
AUGUST 30TH.—Banks, by the order of Pope, has burnt 400 Yankee cars loaded with quartermaster’s and commissary stores. But our soldiers have fared sumptuously on the enemy’s provisions, and captured clothing enough for half the army.
AUGUST 29TH.—Bloody fighting is going on at Manassas. All the news is good for us. It appears that Pope, in his consummate egotism, refused to believe that he had been outwitted, and “pitched into” our corps and divisions, believing them to be merely brigades and regiments. He has been terribly cut up.
AUGUST 28TH.—Pope’s coat was captured, and all his papers. The braggart is near his end.
AUGUST 27TH.—Huzza for Gen. Stuart! He has made another circumvention of the enemy, getting completely in Pope’s rear, and destroying many millions worth of stores, etc.
AUGUST 26TH.—Mr. Russell’s bill will not pass. The machinery of legislation works too slowly.
Fredericksburg has been evacuated by the enemy! It is said the Jews rushed in and bought boots for $7.00, which they now demand $25.00 for, and so with various other articles of merchandise. They are now investing money in real estate for the first time, which is evidence that they have no faith in the ultimate redemption of Confederate money.
August 25TH.—Mr. Russell has reported a bill which would give us martial law in such a modified form as to extract its venom.
AUGUST 24TH.—In both Houses of Congress they are thundering away at Gen. Winder’s Provost Marshal and his Plug Ugly alien policemen. Senator Brown has been very bitter against them.
AUGUST 23D.—Members of Congress are coming to my office every day, getting passports for their constituents. Those I have seen (Senator Brown, of Mississippi, among the rest) express a purpose not to renew the act, to expire on the 18th September, authorizing martial law.
AUGUST 22D.—Saw Vice-President Stephens to-day, as cordial and enthusiastic as ever.
