Sep

7

Gen. Grant’s Army. - The Rebel Pickets Incredulous About the Fall of Atlanta. - A Salute from Our Batteries.

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            HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
                        Sunday, Sept. 4, 1864.

            The rebel pickets refuse to believe that Atlanta has fallen. They have become very friendly, and approach close to our lines, with passes from their officers, for the purpose of trading apparently, but all having their pockets filled with the proclamation of Jeff. Davis, offering protection and safe conduct to deserters.

            The rebels hope to largely reduce our ranks by this new dodge of theirs.

            They purchase all the eatables they can get from our men, giving greenbacks or tobacco in exchange, large supplies of which they seem to have on hand.

            Gen. Gibbons has been temporarily assigned to the command of the Eighteenth Corps.

            Col. Smyth, of the First Delaware, a brave and capable officer, is in command of the Division. of Gibbone, of the Second Corps.

Monday, Sept. 5, 1864.

            Last eight, about 11 o’clock, our batteries along the entire line opened and saluted the enemy with a terrific lire for an hour, in honor of the fall of Atlanta.

            The rebel guns replied sharply, and the air was filled with bursting shells.

            This morning not a shot is heard.

WM. D. McGREGOR.

Sep

6

Diary of a Rebel War Clerk—September 6, 1864

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by John Beauchamp Jones

            SEPTEMBER 6TH.—Raining moderately, and cool.

            Gen. Bragg has taken the Bureau of Conscription in hand, since Col. August, “acting superintendent,” wrote him a “disrespectful and insubordinate” note. He required a report of the officers in the bureau, from Lieut.-Col. Lay, “Acting Superintendent,”—there have been three “acting superintendents” during the last three days, —and Col. Lay furnished it. On this Gen. B. remarks that one young and able-bodied colonel (August) was here while his regiment was in the field, and recommended that he be permitted to have an opportunity to see some “service” before the war is ended, and military experience, which will teach him to be more respectful to seniors, etc.; and that the able-bodied lieutenant-colonel (Lay), from whom he can get no report of inspections, and who remains here idle most of his time, could render more efficient service in the field.

            And he thought Lieut. Goldthwait, relative of the Assistant Secretary of War, in the bureau, was performing functions that would better pertain to an older and more experienced man. In short, the whole organization required modification.

            These papers, with this indorsement, being sent to the President, that functionary sends them to the Secretary of War, with an indorsement intimating that such remarks from Gen. Bragg required action. Here’s a row! Perhaps the Secretary himself may flare up, and charge Gen. B. with interference, etc.;—but no, he must see that Gen. B. is acting with the concurrence of the President.

            But the Assistant Secretary, Col. August, Lieut.-Col. Lay, etc. will be like so many hornets stirred up with a pole, and no doubt they are rich enough to defy the emoluments of office.

Sep

5

Diary of a Rebel War Clerk—September 5, 1864

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by John Beauchamp Jones

            SEPTEMBER 5TH.—Clear and warm.

            Gen. Lee has called for 2000 negroes (to be impressed) to work on the Petersburg fortifications. Gen. Lee has been here two days, giving his advice, which I hope may be taken. He addresses Gen. Bragg as “commanding armies C. S.” This ought to be an example for others to follow.

            The loss of Atlanta is a stunning blow.

            I am sick to-day—having been swollen by beans, or rather cow-peas.

Sep

4

Diary of a Rebel War Clerk—September 4, 1864

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by John Beauchamp Jones

            SEPTEMBER 4TH.—Showery.

            Atlanta has fallen, and our army has retreated some thirty miles; such is Hood’s dispatch, received last night.

            The cheering in Grant’s camp yesterday was over that event. We have not had sufficient generalship and enterprise to destroy Sherman’s communications.

            Some 40,000 landowners, and the owners of slaves, are at their comfortable homes, or in comfortable offices, while the poor and ignorant are relied upon to achieve independence and these, very naturally, disappoint the President’s expectations on momentous occasions.

Sep

3

Diary of a Rebel War Clerk—September 3, 1864

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by John Beauchamp Jones

            SEPTEMBER 3D.—Slight rain in the morning.

            There is an ugly rumor on the streets to-day—disaster to Gen. Hood, and the fall of Atlanta. I cannot trace it to an authentic source; and, if true, the telegraph operatives must have divulged it.

            A dispatch from Petersburg states that there is much cheering in Grant’s army for McClellan, the nominee of the Chicago Convention for the Presidency.

            I think the resolutions of the convention amount to a defiance of President Lincoln, and that their ratification meetings will inaugurate civil war.

            The President has called upon the Governor of Alabama for the entire militia of the State, to be mustered into the service for the defense of the States. It is dated September 1st, and will include all exempted by the Conscription Bureau as farmers. Every farm has its exempted or detailed man under bonds to supply meat, etc.

            I incline to the belief that Hood has met with disaster at Atlanta. If so, every able-bodied man in that State will be hunted up for its defense, unless, indeed, the Union party should be revived there.

            There will be a new clamor against the President, for removing Johnston, and for not putting Beauregard in his place.

            But we may get aid from the North, from their civil dissensions. If Lincoln could precipitate 500,000 additional men upon us now, we should be compelled to give back at all points. But this he cannot do. And the convention at Chicago did not adjourn sine die, and may be called again at any time to exercise other functions than the mere nomination of candidates, etc.

Sep

2

Diary of a Rebel War Clerk—September 2, 1864

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by John Beauchamp Jones

            SEPTEMBER 2D.—Bright, and cool, and dry.

            It is reported that a battle has occurred at Atlanta; but I have seen no official confirmation of it.

            It is rumored that Gen. McClellan has been nominated by the Chicago Convention for President, and Fernando Wood for Vice-President. There is some interest felt by our people in the proceedings of this convention, and there is a hope that peace candidates may be nominated and elected.

            Senator Johnson (Missouri) told me to-day that he had seen Mrs. Vaughan (wife of our Gen. V.), just from the United States, where she had been two months; and she declares it as her belief that Gen. McClellan will be elected, if nominated, and that he is decidedly for peace. She says the peace party would take up arms to put an end to Lincoln’s sanguinary career, but that it is thought peace can be soonest restored by the ballot-box.

            The President to-day arrested the rush of staff appointments.

            To-day an old gentleman, after an interview with Mr. Secretary ____, said he might be a good man, an honest man; but he certainly had a “most villainous face.”

Sep

1

Diary of a Rebel War Clerk—September 1, 1864

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by John Beauchamp Jones

            SEPTEMBER 1ST—Clear, bright, and cool.

            The intelligence from the North indicates that Gen. McClellan will be nominated for the Presidency. Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary of War, shakes his head, and says he is not the right man. Our people take a lively interest in the proceedings of the Chicago Convention, hoping for a speedy termination of the war.

            Senator Johnson, of Missouri, has a project of taxation for the extinguishment of the public debt—a sweeping taxation, amounting to one-half the value of the real and personal estate of the Confederate States. He got me to commit his ideas to writing, which I did, and they will be published.

            Gen. Kemper told me to-day that there were 40,000 able-bodied men in Virginia now detailed.

            There is a project on the tapis of introducing lady clerks into this bureau—all of them otherwise able to subsist themselves—while the poor refugees, who have suffered most, are denied places. Even the President named one to-day, Mrs. Ford, who, of course, will be appointed.

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