January 12th.—Bright and frosty. Gold at $66 for one yesterday, at auction.
Major R. J. Echols, Quartermaster, Charlotte, N. C., says the fire there destroyed 70,000 bushels of grain, a large amount of sugar, molasses, clothing, blankets, etc. He knows not whether it was the result of design or accident. All his papers were consumed. A part of Conner’s brigade on the way to South Carolina, 500 men, under Lieut.-Col. Wallace, refused to aid in saving property, but plundered it! This proves that the soldiers were all poor men, the rich having bought exemptions or details!
Gen. Lee writes on the 8th instant, that the troops sailing out of James River are, he thinks, destined for another attack on Wilmington. But none have left the lines in front of him, etc.
Gen. Lee also writes on the 9th instant, that the commissary agents have established “a large traffic through our lines, in North Carolina, for supplies;” and he desires the press to say nothing on the subject.
Mr. Ould, to whom it appears the Secretary has written for his opinion (he was editor once, and fought a duel with Jennings Wise, Mr. Seddon being his second), gives a very bad one on the condition of affairs. He says the people have confidence in Mr. Seddon, but not in President Davis, and a strong reconstruction party will spring up in Virginia rather than adopt the President’s ideas about the slaves, etc.
The Chief of the Treasury Note Bureau, at Columbia, S. C., asks where be shall fly to if the enemy approaches. It is understood one of our generals, when appealed to by the Secretary, exclaimed: “To the devil!”
Mr. Miles introduced a resolution yesterday (in Congress) affirming that for any State to negotiate peace is revolutionary. Ill timed, because self-evident.
Gen. Bradley T. Johnson writes from Salisbury, N. C, that because the travel hither has been suspended by the government, the Central Railroad Company of that State refuse to send the full amount of trains for the transportation of soldiers. It must be impressed too.
I am assured by one of the President’s special detectives that Francis P. Blair, Sr. is truly in this city. What for? A rumor spreads that Richmond is to be evacuated.
Gen. Lee writes for the Secretary’s sanction to send officers everywhere in Virginia and North Carolina, to collect provisions and to control railroads, etc. The Secretary is sending orders to different commanders, and says he would rather have the odium than that it should fall on Lee! The Commissary-General approves Lee’s measure.
Gen. Lee’s dispatch was dated last night. He says he has not two days’ rations for his army!
Commissary-General Northrop writes to the Secretary that the hour of emergency is upon us, and that Gen. Lee’s name may “save the cause,” if he proclaims the necessity of indiscriminate impressment, etc.
