November 5, 1863, The New York Herald

            The Richmond papers furnish us with two days still later news from Charleston. The firing on Sumter was continued on Saturday and Sunday, and on the latter evening was still going on, both from Forts Gregg and Wagner and the Monitors. The bombardment is described by the Richmond Examiner as furious and incessant. The flagstaff on Sumter was shot away several times and replaced, but the old flag was so cut to pieces that the battle flag of the Twelfth Georgia regiment was raised instead. On Saturday morning, at four o’clock, a portion of the sea wall fell in, burying in the ruins thirteen of the garrison. Over one thousand two hundred shots, many of them from rifled guns, were fired at the fort on Saturday.

            The news from the Army of the Potomac describes the men in fine spirits, the sick removed to Washington, the sutlers all fallen back, and the army unencumbered and ready for any movement. The guerillas continue very bold in many quarters. The weather is glorious.

            General Butler left Lowell yesterday to take command of the Eighteenth army corps and the departments of Virginia and North Carolina, to which he has just been appointed, as we before stated.

            Despatches from Cincinnati yesterday state that there has probably been a severe fight in the vicinity of Tuscumbia, Ala., between the forces of General Sherman and the enemy, who were there in great force. It is certain, however, that our troops are in possession of the place, General Osterhaus having captured it on the 27th ult.

            The rebel guerillas captured two trains near Mayfield, Ky., on Monday, and were tearing up the railroad in that neighborhood.

            In Tennessee, however, the guerillas are not quite so successful. A portion of Gen. Granger’s cavalry from Nashville pursued and defeated the rebel Hawkins, near Pinney Factory, and drove him to Centreville, where they again beat and completely dispersed them.

            The Southern news to day is very full and interesting. Symptoms of starvation are becoming stronger in Richmond. Meat has nearly disappeared from the markets, and the papers complain that beef is impressed for the support of the “Yankee prisoners,”and insist that those who are hoarding provisions should be compelled to bring them into market. The currency question is the subject of earnest discussion, and the remedy for the present miserable condition thereof is variously argued by the different journals. President Davis refuses to remove General Bragg.

November 5th.–For a week we have had such a tranquil, happy time here. Both my husband and Johnny are here still. James Chesnut spent his time sauntering around with his father, or stretched on the rug before my fire reading Vanity Fair and Pendennis. By good luck he had not read them before. We have kept Esmond for the last. He owns that he is having a good time. Johnny is happy, too. He does not care for books. He will read a novel now and then, if the girls continue to talk of it before him. Nothing else whatever in the way of literature does he touch. He comes pulling his long blond mustache irresolutely as if he hoped to be advised not to read it–”Aunt Mary, shall I like this thing?” I do not think he has an idea what we are fighting about, and he does not want to know. He says, “My company,” “My men,” with a pride, a faith, and an affection which are sublime. He came into his inheritance at twenty-one (just as the war began), and it was a goodly one, fine old houses and an estate to match.

Yesterday, Johnny went to his plantation for the first time since the war began. John Witherspoon went with him, and reports in this way: ”How do you do, Marster! How you come on?”–thus from every side rang the noisiest welcome from the darkies. Johnny was silently shaking black hands right and left as he rode into the crowd.

As the noise subsided, to the overseer he said: “Send down more corn and fodder for my horses.” And to the driver, “Have you any peas?” “Plenty, sir.” “Send a wagon-load down for the cows at Bloomsbury while I stay there. They have not milk and butter enough there for me. Any eggs? Send down all you can collect. How about my turkeys and ducks? Send them down two at a time. How about the mutton? Fat? That’s good; send down two a week.”

As they rode home, John Witherspoon remarked, “I was surprised that you did not go into the fields to see your crops.” “What was the use?” “And the negroes; you had so little talk with them.”

”No use to talk to them before the overseer. They are coming down to Bloomsbury, day and night, by platoons and they talk me dead. Besides, William and Parish go up there every night, and God knows they tell me enough plantation scandal–overseer feathering his nest; negroes ditto at my expense. Between the two fires I mean to get something to eat while I am here.”

For him we got up a charming picnic at Mulberry. Everything was propitious–the most perfect of days and the old place in great beauty. Those large rooms were delightful for dancing; we had as good a dinner as mortal appetite could crave; the best fish, fowl, and game; wine from a cellar that can not be excelled. In spite of blockade Mulberry does the honors nobly yet. Mrs. Edward Stockton drove down with me. She helped me with her taste and tact in arranging things. We had no trouble, however. All of the old servants who have not been moved to Bloomsbury scented the prey from afar, and they literally flocked in and made themselves useful.

4th. Aroused before daylight. Struck tents and loaded wagons. About 8 A. M. again pitched tents and sent out forage detail. Voted on re-enlistment question. Co. C, 21. Well done for it. Felt proud, better than most companies. Had good visit with many of the boys. Finished “Lillian.” Thede got some apples. Pleasant day.

Wednesday, 4th–It is still quite warm. I was on fatigue at the fortifications. The men are pulling down some fine residences and using the material in building the forts. It is pretty harsh and severe business to order a family, brave enough to stay all through the siege, out of their home and tear down their house before their eyes, to build into fortifications, but this is war. We are fortifying the place so that ten thousand men can hold it against any force that has a mind to come.

NOVEMBER 4th.—Mr. M_______, Major Ruffin’s commissary agent, denies selling government beef to the butchers; of course it was his own. But he has been ordered not to sell any more, while buying for the government.

Mr. Rouss, of Winchester, merchant, has succeeded in getting some brown cotton from the manufacturer, in Georgia, at cost, which he sells for cost and carriage to refugees. My wife got 20 yards to-day for $20. It is brown seven-eighth cotton, and brings in other stores $3 per yard. This is a saving of $40. And I bought 24 pounds of bacon of Capt. Warner, Commissary, at $1 per pound. The retail price is $2.50–and this is a saving of $36. Without such “short cuts” as these, occasionally, it would be impossible to maintain my family on the salaries my son Custis and myself get from the government, $3000.

How often have I and thousands in our youth expressed the wish to have lived during the first Revolution, or rather to have partaken of the excitements of war! Such is the romance or “enchantment” which “distance lends” “to the view.” Now we see and feel the horrors of war, and we are unanimous in the wish, if we survive to behold again the balmy sunshine of peace, that neither we nor our posterity may ever more be spectators of or participants in another war. And yet we know not how soon we might plunge into it, if an adequate necessity should arise. Henceforth, in all probability, we shall be a military people. But I shall seek the peaceful haunts of quiet seclusion, for which I sigh with great earnestness. O for a garden, a vine and fig-tree, and my library!

Among the strange events of this war, not the least is the position on slavery (approving it) maintained by the Bishop of Vermont.

November 4, 1863, The New York Herald

The news from Washington indicates approaching active operations in General Meade’s army. All the able bodied troops under the command of General Martindale, the Military Governor of the capital, are to be relieved from duty and sent to the field. Their place will be supplied by the Invalid corps. The One Hundred and Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania has already been relieved, and was to leave yesterday.

It appears that recent information concerning the movements and strength of the enemy will enable General Meade to take some decisive measures at once.

The arrival of the steamer DeMolay from Hilton Head yesterday — which point she left on the 30th ult. and Folly Island on the morning of the 31st — puts us in possession of our correspondents’accounts of the late bombardment of Fort Sumter. The object of the attack was the prevention of the design of the rebels to construct new batteries and covered ways in the fort at the channel side, by demolishing, if possible, the gorge wall and leveling the foundations to the water’s edge. Three shells from a rifled gun between forts Gregg and Wagner, during the fire on Tuesday last, exploded in the city, but with what effect was not known.

We have some interesting news from the Southern journals today. Jeff. Davis had quite an ovation at different points on his return from the battle field of Chicamauga. In his speech at Mobile he commented upon that fight, saying that Rosecrans’ unwieldy legions would be destroyed or driven for refuge to the Ohio. That the same spirit animated his armies elsewhere, and all they needed was to be properly seconded by the people at home, to send the hordes of Yankees back to their beloved Boston, or any other place from which their return might be more difficult.

The rebel despatches from various points relative to the movements around Chattanooga are particularly interesting.

3rd. In the morning went up and saw Provost Marshal about Hayes, also saw him. Fear he will be caused some trouble before getting away. Inspection at 1 P. M. Horses, men and arms. Co. C did itself up in array. Col. P. loaned me “Lillian.” Finished up Quartermaster and clothing, camp and garrison equipage.

Tuesday, 3d–Though the weather has been warm for two days, we are fixing up our tent for any cold snap that may come later on, for the report now is that we will remain here at Vicksburg all winter. I finished building the fireplace in my tent. The quartermaster has a detail of men with teams cutting and hauling wood from the timber for the winter.

NOVEMBER 3d.—Gen. Lee writes that he will endeavor to protect the workmen while removing the iron at Aquia Creek, but he fears the work has been too long delayed. The government has been too slow.

Gen. Sam Jones writes from Abingdon that his cavalry was at Jonesborough on the 30th ult., although the enemy’s raiding parties were on this side. He says if he had a little more infantry, he could soon clear East Tennessee of the foe; and asks that an order from Gen. Cooper (A. and I. G.), calling for two of his best regiments of cavalry, be revoked.

In Gen. Lee’s recent campaign beyond the Rappahannock, our losses in killed, wounded, and missing amounted to 1740; the enemy’s losses must have been three times that number.

The President made a speech in Charleston on the 1st instant. We have copies from him to-day of his correspondence with Gen. Bragg since he left Chickamauga field. Gen. B. says he will immediately call for Hardee’s brigades, promised him, and without delay commence operations on the enemy’s left (it is too wet on the right), and drive Burnside out of East Tennessee. But he complains of Gen. Buckner, who assumes to have an independent command in East Tennessee and West Virginia. The President replies that neither Bragg nor Buckner has jurisdiction over Gen. Jones in West Virginia, but that he gets his orders from Richmond. He does not promise to remove Buckner, whom he deems only impatient, but says he must be subject to Bragg’s orders, etc.

Gen. Bragg has applied for Gen. Forrest (who went some time since to Mobile and tendered his resignation, in a pet with Gen. Bragg) to command a cavalry force in North Mississippi and West Tennessee. In short, the President is resolved to sustain Gen. Bragg at the head of the army in Tennessee in spite of the tremendous prejudice against him in and out of the army. And unless Gen. Bragg does something more for the cause before Congress meets a month hence, we shall have more clamor against the government than ever. But he has quashed the charges (of Bragg) against Gen. Polk, and assigned him, without an investigation, to an important command.

November 3, 1863, The New York Herald

            Sumter has been undergoing a terrible bombardment from the Union batteries. The latest news we have from Charleston is taken from the Richmond Whig of the 31st ult. — three days later than we have had before. It states that the bombardment of Fort Sumter on the previous day was the heaviest that has yet taken place. From sundown on Wednesday until sundown on Thursday one thousand two hundred shots from fifteen-inch mortars and three hundred pounder Parrotts have been thrown against the fort. The rebel loss is seven wounded.

            On the evening of the 30th General Gillmore’s forces opened fire from the mortar battery at Cummings’Point upon the northeast angle of the fort. The batteries engaged were those at Gregg and Wagner, the centre battery and Cummings’ Point battery, with the addition of three Monitors. “The bombardment of Fort Sumter,” says the Whig, “goes on; but the fire is much slacker. Our batteries fire slowly and deliberately. The enemy at present pays no attention to them.”

            All is quiet in the Army of the Potomac. The damaged railroads are completed. The weather is fine. Mosby’s guerillas are still dashing around everywhere. The capture of our two correspondents — Messrs. Hendrick and Hart — took place at a house in Auburn, where they were passing Saturday night. Their horses and valuables were all seized by Mosby’s men, who made a sudden descent upon the house.

            General Thomas, in his official report of General Joe Hooker’s recent affair with the rebels, says that General Hooker took many prisoners, among whom were four officers and one hundred and three men. He also captured nearly a thousand Enfield rifles. His loss was three hundred and fifty officers and men, killed and wounded.

            The enemy had made no demonstration since the 28th ult. A despatch from Louisville yesterday states that the rebel Generals Lee, Rhoddy, Wheeler and Forrest were then in the neighborhood of Decatur, Courtland and Tuscumbia, south of the Tennessee river, with a combined force of fifteen thousand cavalry, prepared to operate on the line of General Grant’s communications.

            It was reported and generally believed in Washington yesterday that the new command allotted to General B.F. Butler is to comprise the districts of Generals Foster and Schenck, both of whom are relieved from duty. Preparations were made in Washington for the reception of General Foster and his staff.

            Further details of the conspiracy in Ohio and the arrest of the alleged ringleaders are given in another column. Quite a number of individuals appear to be involved in the mischief, ranking from the state school Commissioner of Ohio down to the washer woman of the United States barracks at Newport, across the river from Cincinnati. Axes and chloroform — a curious combination of hostile weapons — seem to have been the destructive elements designed by the conspirators for the release of the prisoners at Camp Chase and the demolition of the penitentiary. It is said that the plan was to have been carried out a week ago, but miscarried, which no doubt gave the sagacious detectives who discovered the conspiracy an opportunity to complete their plans.

2nd. Wrote a letter home. Helped make our ordnance returns –about square in everything. Was kept busy till quite late. Ordered to be ready to march tomorrow at daylight. Plenty of rumors. Col. Kautz came to inspect the cavalry–all wished he would come to stay.

Monday, 2d–It was my turn on the picket line today. Our picket post is three miles below Vicksburg on the main road to Warrington, and I was stationed right on the bank of the Mississippi. Our reserve post has one lieutenant, one sergeant, two corporals and thirty privates. Six men under a sergeant go out on the public highway from four to six miles, twice a day, to see that there are no rebels advancing.

NOVEMBER 2d.—A refugee from Portsmouth reports the arrival of 6000 Federal troops at Newport News, and that Richmond is to be menaced again.

Brig.-Gen. H. W. Allen, Alexandria, La., reports 8000 deserters and skulking conscripts in that vicinity, and a bad state of things generally.

Gen. Lee has written three letters to the department, dated 30th and 31st October. 1st, complaining of the tardiness of the Bureau of Examination, and the want of efficient officers; 2d, complaining of the furloughs given Georgia officers as members of the legislature, causing a brigade to be commanded by a lieutenant-colonel, etc.; 3d, relating to an order from the Secretary to respite certain deserters, condemned to execution. He says executions are necessary to keep the army together, but he feels the painfulness of the sad necessity.

Mr. H. D. Whitcomb, Superintendent Central Railroad, applied for and obtained passports for his mother and sister to return to the United States. He is a Northern man.

Brig.-Gen. S. A. Meredith (United States) writes from Fortress Monroe, proposing that prisoners west of the Mississippi be exchanged at Galveston. Mr. Ould, our agent of exchange, indorses on it that there is no necessity for immediate action, for the United States are not exchanging any prisoners at all at this time.

Mr. Memminger writes for troops to be sent to Ashville, West North Carolina, which is menaced by the traitors, tories, and Federals. His family is there, having fled from South Carolina. Hon. Jas. Farron also writes that a bad state of things exists in that section, and communication is kept open with the enemy in East Tennessee.

From St. Helena Parish, Ark., we have letters stating that all restraint is thrown off, and everybody almost is trading with the enemy. Some 1500 bales of cotton per week is taken to the Yankees from that region. They say most of the parties have permits from the government or from commanding generals to trade with the enemy.

Gen. Whiting writes that his men are suffering for shoes, and as 15,000 pairs are in that town, asks if he shall not impress them. The Secretary is reluctant to do this, and asks the Quartermaster-General what he shall do. The Quartermaster-General advises that the shoes be bought at a fair price, and paid for in cotton. He says blankets may be had in the same way.

November 2nd, 1863.—Now, while Cousin Julia is with us, I am trying to make things as pleasant as possible for her. All the boys are away in the army, so we have what Aunt Dinah calls “hen parties.” We have been the rounds of the family to dinings; we have had picnics, to which we have taken the children from the various families in the neighborhood, rides on horseback, walks to look for chinquepins and hickory nuts and now we want some evening parties. As Cousin Julia is a minister’s daughter and does not dance or play cards, the question of amusement is a little difficult, but we will play games and next week we will set the ball rolling with a musicale. We have several fine musicians in the neighborhood and mother never fails to have plenty of good things to eat.

Brother Amos and sister Mag are with us and they are splendid help in entertaining. He is still on crutches but is as jolly as a cricket and she is so sweet everybody loves her.

Susan Bradford is 17 years old when this entry was made.

November 2, 1863, The New York Herald

            Affairs in the Army of the Potomac do not present many new features. Beyond some guerilla movements in the rear of General Meade’s army, and some manÅ“uvering for favorable positions for an anticipated coming fight on the part of both armies, there is nothing of any importance going on.

            The HERALD correspondents who follow the fortunes of the Union armies have suffered somewhat severely by their enterprise and daring in the effort to obtain early and accurate news by personal exposure and indifference to danger. four of our special correspondents are now prisoners in the hands of the enemy: — Mr. S.G. Bulkeley, who is in Castle Thunder, Richmond, Virginia; Mr. Finley Anderson, who is held in durance on the miserable pretext of being a spy in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Messrs. L.A. Hendricks and G. H. Hart, who are captives in the hands of the rebel guerilla chief Mosby, having been taken at Auburn Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, the night before last.

            The story of General Hooker’s late resistance to the attack of the rebels near Chattanooga and the repulse of the enemy is recounted in a despatch to the War Department from General Thomas. The forces under Generals Howard and Geary behaved splendidly, driving the enemy from the breastworks and across the creek at the point of the bayonet. The Eleventh Army corps, under Howard in this gallant fight, recovered the laurels it lost at Chancellorsville.

            The sale of government bonds proves how high the national credit stands, and presents a marked contrast to the financial condition of the rebel government. The subscription agent at Philadelphia reports the sale of $16,500,000 five-twenties on Saturday, making over $36,000,000 for the past week. One hundred and fifty millions of these bonds still remain open for the enterprise of capitalists. Foreign competition is said to be very heavy, and may probably absorb a very large portion of the bonds, together with what will be taken by banks and trust companies for investment. The agent, under these circumstances, desires to avoid any favoritism, by giving timely notice of the contingencies of the loan being consumed, and summarily placed beyond the reach of the people except at a premium.

            A despatch from Cincinnati tells of a wonderful conspiracy, said to have been just discovered in Ohio, the objects of which are to release the rebel prisoners in Camp Chase, to seize the arsenal at Columbus, smash up the penitentiary, let John Morgan loose on the world, and do considerable damage generally, including overthrow of the State government “and the commencement of its rebel campaign in Ohio.” The developments of this extraordinary conspiracy will no doubt be intensely interesting if they should ever come to light.

Florence, Ala., November 1, 1863.

We struck tents on the 27th ult. at Iuka, Miss., and marched to Eastport, eight miles, that night. We had in our division some 200 wagons, all of which with 1,200 horses and mules were to be crossed in a barge over the Tennessee river. I received a complimentary detail to superintend the crossing of the wagons belonging to one brigade. I think I never worked harder than I did from 7 o’clock that night until 6:30 o’clock the next day, a.m. It occupied two days and nights crossing the whole train, but we marched at 3 p.m., the 28th, and camped that night at Gravelly springs, 15 miles from Eastport. The road ran for some ten miles along the foot of the river bluff, and the numerous springs sparkling their beautifully clear and fresh jets of limestone water on the road, from which they rippled in almost countless little streamlets to the river, although adding much to the wild beauty of the country, made such a disagreable splashy walking for we footmen that (I speak more particularly for myself) we failed to appreciate it. We bivouacked for the night at about 9 p.m. The morn of the 29th we started at 8 o’clock, and after ascending the bluff, marched through a magnificent country to this place, 15 miles. Some three miles from here at the crossing of Cypress creek, something like 50 or 60 girls, some of them rather good looking, had congregated and they seemed much pleased to see us. All avowed themselves Unionists.

There had been a large cotton mill at this crossing, Comyn burned it last summer, which had furnished employment for these women and some 200 more. This is a very pretty little town. Has at present some very pretty women. Two of the sirens came very near charming me this a.m. Bought two dozen biscuits of them. Have been out of bread for two days before, but had plenty of sweet potatoes and apples. During the march on the 29th we heard Blair pounding away with his artillery nearly all day across the river, I should think about a dozen miles west of Tuscumbia. I was down to the bank the morning of the 30th ult. and the Rebels across shot at our boys, watering mules, but without effecting any damage. I saw a white flag come down to the bank and heard that Ewing sent over to see what was wanted, nothing more. There was some musketry fighting yesterday near Tuscumbia, but don’t know who it was. We are four and one-half miles from there. Two companies of the 4th Regular Cavalry reached here on the 30th from Chattanooga, bearing dispatches to Sherman. He is at Iuka. All of these movements beat me completely. Can’t see the point and doubt if there is one. We have commenced fortifying here. Have seen much better places to fight. We are “fixed up” most too nicely to hope to live here long. I have a stove, a good floor covered with Brussels carpet, plenty of chairs and a china table set under my tent. Eatables are plenty and would offer no objection if ordered to stay here a couple of weeks. Understand that not a farthing’s worth of the above was “jayhawked.” Got it all on the square. I wish I could send you the mate to a biscuit I just ate. Twould disgust the oldest man in the world with the Sunny South. By hemp, but it is cold these nights. Last night there was an inch of white frost. I was nearly frozen. Dorrance swears that Mattison and I were within an ace of killing him in our endeavors to “close up” and keep warm.

Sunday, Nov. 1st. Took a bath before breakfast. A beautiful Sabbath day. Wish I could spend it quietly at home. May the time soon come when we may all be at home in peace, but contentment we should ask for. I find myself uneasy nowadays. Mr. Brown preached at 2 from Ecclesiastes 12, 1. Very good. Read some in Burns and several chapters in the Bible. Good visit with several boys.

Sunday, 1st–We moved our camp about a half mile onto higher ground this morning. The quartermaster had our lumber and wood hauled from the old camp and we worked all day pitching our tents and rebuilding the bunks, fireplaces and chimneys. It has been a busy day with us, although it is the Lord’s Day, but a true soldier cannot halt when duty calls. I was very thankful that I did not have to be on the picket line, so that I could have a hand in fixing up our tent.

November 1.–The 4th New York Heavy Artillery is stationed at Fort Hamilton, N. Y. harbour. Uncle Edward has invited me down to New York to spend a month! Very opportune! Grandfather says that I can go and Miss Rosewarne is beginning a new dress for me to-day.

NOVEMBER 1st.—No news from any of the armies this morning. But Gen. Whiting writes that he is deficient in ordnance to protect our steamers and to defend the port. If Wilmington should fall by the neglect of the government, it will be another stunning blow.

However, our armies are augmenting, from conscription, and if we had honest officers to conduct this important business, some four or five hundred thousand men could be kept in the field, and subjugation would be an impossibility. But exemptions and details afford a tempting opportunity to make money, as substitutes are selling for $6000 each; and the rage for speculation is universal.

The President is looked for to-morrow, and it is to be hoped that he has learned something of importance during his tour. He will at once set about his message, which will no doubt be an interesting one this year.

How we sigh for peace, on this beautiful Sabbath day! But the suffering we have endured for nearly three years is no more than was experienced by our forefathers of the Revolution. We must bear it to the end, for it is the price of liberty. Yet we sigh for peace—God knows I do—while at the same time we will endure the ordeal for years to come, rather than succumb to the rule of an oppressor. We must be free, be the cost what it may. Oh, if the spirit of fanaticism had been kept down by the good sense of the people of the United States, the Union would have been preserved, and we should have taken the highest position among the great powers of the earth. It is too late now. Neither government may, for a long series of years, aspire to lead the civilized nations of the earth. Ambition, hatred, caprice and folly have combined to snap the silken cord, and break the golden bowl. These are the consequences of a persistency in sectional strife and domination, foreseen and foretold by me in the “Southern Monitor,” published in Philadelphia; no one regarded the warning. Now hundreds of thousands are weeping in sackcloth and ashes over the untimely end of hundreds of thousands slain in battle! And thousands yet must fall, before the strife be ended.

November 1, 1863, The New York Herald

            There are no new movements in the Army of the Potomac. The weather is intensely cold, and the troops are preparing to habituate themselves to the comforts of winter quarters.

            No operations in the vicinity of Chattanooga are reported.

            From Charleston we hear nothing today of the result of the recent bombardment.

            General Hayes, who is to replace Colonel Nugent as Assistant Provost Marshal General in this city, is to have authority as general superintendent of the volunteer recruiting service, and chief mustering and disbursing officer for the first ten districts of New York, including the city.

            The United States mail steamship George Washington, which arrived at this port yesterday from New Orleans, brings dates to the 24th, and copious communications from our correspondents there, showing the operations of the army in the field, and the preparations for a new secret expedition, the objects of which of course are not revealed.

            The Richmond Enquirer of the 27th ultimo, on the question of the Confederate currency says: — “The condition of the currency has become so alarming that its importance has risen even above the excitement of military movements. From every quarter of the confederacy, essays, schemes, expedients and remedies are daily scattered broadcast over the country, and suggestions of every character and description are urged. One thing is certain and indisputable, that the present financial management is an utter and absolute failure, rendered so not by Mr. Memminger, but by the people themselves. The funding scheme of Mr. M. could succeed only by the prompt and persisting cooperation of the people, by coming forward and continuing to convert the currency into bonds. It is not necessary to inquire into the reasons why the people have failed. The fact that they have not and will not voluntarily fund the currency is an important matter for legislative consideration.”

31st. Immediately after breakfast commenced muster. Co. “C” was first on hand. Teams and 9th Mich. went for forage. Considerable trouble drawing enough. At 2:30 P. M. companies went out and fired revolvers and rifles. I made several good shots with the carbine. Good many boys under the influence of liquor. Helped some about ordnance papers.

Saturday, 31st–The water has left our camp in a frightful condition, and we got orders to move the camp to higher ground tomorrow. This was general muster day.1 I went on fatigue today. William Green of our company, not having recovered from his sickness, left for home this morning on a thirty-day furlough. I sent $50.00 to father by him.

October 16—Rain a. m. Bury Ruffin. Send sick and wounded to Rappahannock Station by Dr. W. Leave and follow Regiment, and sleep in vacant house at Greenwich. Visit Mr. Green, a British subject. Supper and breakfast with W. T. Hall, of the oldest M. E. Church in Prince William County.

October 17—Ride on with Bro. Hall. Dine with Mr. Peters. His wife presents me an overcoat and $4.00. Wife’s letter tells me that Dr. J. F. Foard sent her a barrel of flour. Camp near W. Junction.

Sunday, Oct. 18—Pass up R. R. My pony mires and wets my feet. Preach to Dole’s Brigade in p. m. Bro. Marshall preaches to my Regiment in p. m. Cross river on Pontoon bridge at night.

Oct. 19—Brigade crosses in rain.

Oct. 20—Dine with Rev. Brannin, of Baltimore Conference. Prayer at night.

Oct. 21—Move camp at night.

Oct. 22—Fix desk and have fever, as yesterday.

Oct. 23—Rain. Build chapel. My colonel or other officers commanding my Regiment, always seemed glad to give me any needed help to prepare for preaching—giving me a wagon, a detail of men.

Oct. 24—Finish chapel.

Oct. 25—Preach a. m. Prayer meeting p. m. Prayer with Co. “H” at night.

Oct. 26—Cold. Prayer with Co. “F” at night.

Oct. 27—Ride to Cook’s Brigade. See Revs. Fairly and Plyler. Prayer in Co. “K” at night.

Oct. 28—Prayer in Co. “E.” Write sundry letters.

Oct. 29—Election for Congress. N. C. soldiers vote. Build my log cabin—5 feet wide and 6 feet long—nice stick chimney—oil cloth roof. Nice place to read and write and talk to one friend at a time. Sat on my bed (canvas on two poles) and put my feet to the fire, and wrote on a little box desk. Prayer in Co. “C.”

Oct. 30—Finish cabin. Prayer meeting in Regiment.

Oct. 31—Rain in a. m. Dine with Rev. Brannin. Call on Rev. Wilson, of Chapel Hill, and Rev. Emerson, of Chatham, in Johnson’s Brigade. Prayer in Co. “A” at night.