by John Beauchamp Jones
FEBRUARY 11TH.—Night before last 109 Federal prisoners, all commissioned officers, made their escape from prison—and only three or four have been retaken!
The letter of Mr. Sloan, of North Carolina, only produced a reply from the Secretary that there was not the slightest suspicion against Gen. W., and that the people of North Carolina would not be satisfied with anybody.
Eight thousand men of Johnston’s army are without bayonets, and yet Col. Gorgas has abundance.
Governor Milton, of Florida, calls lustily for 5000 men—else he fears all is lost in his State.
To-day bacon is selling for $6 per pound, and all other things in proportion. A negro (for his master) asked me, to-day, $40 for an old, tough turkey gobbler. I passed on very briskly.
We shall soon have martial law, it is thought, which, judiciously administered, might remedy some of the grievous evils we labor under. I shall have no meat for dinner to-morrow.
