March 31st.—Raining; rained all night. My health improving, but prudence requires me to still keep within the house.
The reports of terrific fighting near Peterburg on Wednesday evening have not been confirmed. Although Gen. Lee’s dispatch shows they were not quite without foundation, I have no doubt there was a false alarm on both sides, and a large amount of ammunition vainly expended.
“Headquarters, March 30th, 1865.
“Gen. J. C. Breckinridge, Secretary Of War.
“Gen. Gordon reports that the enemy, at 11 a.m. yesterday, advanced against a part of his lines, defended by Brig.-Gen. Lewis, but was repulsed.
“The fire of artillery and mortars continued for several hours with considerable activity.
“No damage on our lines reported.
“R. E. Lee.”
We are sinking our gun-boats at Chaffin’s Bluff, to obstruct the passage of the enemy’s fleet, expected soon to advance.
Congress passed two acts, and proper ones, to which the Executive has yet paid no attention whatever, viz.: the abolition of the Bureau of Conscription, and of all Provost Marshals, their guards, etc. not attached to armies in the field. If the new Secretary has consented to be burdened with the responsibility of this contumacy and violation of the Constitution, it will break his back, and ruin our already desperate cause.
Four P.M.—Since writing the above, I learn that an order has been published abolishing the “Bureau of Conscription.”
Gov. Vance has written to know why the government wants the track of the North Carolina Railroad altered to the width of those in Virginia, and has been answered: 1st, to facilitate the transportation of supplies to Gen. Lee’s army from North Carolina; and 2d, in the event of disaster, to enable the government to run all the locomotives, cars, etc. of the Virginia roads into North Carolina.
