May 6, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

The guns of this famous iron clad now line on South Commercial wharf. They consist of two long 11 inch Columbiads, and will soon be mounted for our defence – valuable acquisitions, no less than handsome trophies of the Battle of Charleston Harbor. By order of General RIPLEY, Colonel ALFRED RHETT, on the […]th, after the departure of the iron clad fleet, examined the wreck, and reported the obtainment of the guns practicable. Mr. LACOSTE, assisted by Adjutant BOYLESTON, and detachments of men from Fort Sumter, under different lieutenants, have effected the saving of these fine pieces of ordnance with much trouble. Latterly the Keokuk has been entirely submerged, and in rough water. The turrets had to be unbolted, or unscrewed, and taken off before the guns could be slung for removal. This was an unpleasant job of some difficulty, the labor being performed under water, when the sea was smooth, and in the night time only. Those engaged in the undertaking, going in the small boat of the Fort, were sometimes protected from the enemy by the presence of our gunboats; at other times not. One gun was raised last week, being removed by the old Light Boat. General RIPLEY himself, night before last, went down to superintend the removal of the second gun. Enterprise, even with scant means, can accomplish much.

May 6, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

(From the Columbus, Miss., Republic.)

The past week has been an eventful one. The boldest, and we may say one of the most successful, raids of cavalry that has been known since the war, has been made (we say it with shame) through the very centre of Mississippi, and, at the time of this writing, we fear have escaped without the loss of a man. We are almost inclined to believe the words of a correspondent (the article which was declined publication), that the manhood of Mississippi had gone to the wars; women only were left, although some of them wore the garb of men. We do not know where the responsibility rests, but, wherever it is, if it is not a fit and proper subject for court martial, we are afraid there is none. This raid was known to the authorities, or at headquarters, some two weeks ago. The Mississippian sounded the alarm, and the Appeal also gave the note of warning, and the result was, we had a regiment of cavalry added to our small force, half of them without arms. We do not know what more the Commanding General could do in this department with the small force at his command. We have always doubted the ability of Gen. Pemberton to command this department. That he may be a capable and efficient officer, as far as his mind may comprehend, may be true. We find no fault as far as he is concerned, for matters directly under his eye, but he cannot see beyond. When the enemy were coming through Yazoo Pass, he was notified of the fact, and when asked if he would send a force there, he curtly replied, that he had but two points to defend, and that was Vicksburg and Port Hudson. It seems he still believes it, and has shown his belief.

It is reported that between four and five thousand Federal cavalry started on this raid. They divided; some fifteen hundred, or perhaps a few more, stopped and gave Colonel Barteau battle, while the remainder, three thousand strong, marched directly south, scouring the country, from eight to ten miles wide, leaving the railroad, south of West Point, on their left. They encamped one night within twenty-five miles of this place. They destroyed the hospital at Okolona, and a few other buildings, passing south through Houston, Siloam and Starkville, to within one mile of Mason, and thence south to Newton Station, on the Southern Road, which we learn they destroyed. We can learn of no serious damage done, or [continue reading…]

May 6, 1863, Arkansas True Democrat (Little Rock)

            Curtis, the cotton card man, has been arrested again; this time in western Arkansas.  A man named Cox, who was concerned in the swindle, and another, named Mitchell, were arrested with him.  Cox escaped, but Curtis and Mitchell are on their way here, and may be expected as the paroling officer seems to be about Batesville at present.

May 6, 1863, Arkansas True Democrat (Little Rock)

            At Richmond, lately, a number of women, headed by a market woman, went through the streets accompanied by a number of rowdies, and went into several stores, presenting pistols and knives and helping themselves to goods.  They pretended to want food, but stole calico, cloth and everything but breadstuffs.  Several such scenes have occurred in other southern cities, and there is good reason to believe it is part of a system organized at the North, and carried into effect through Lincoln emissaries in Dixie.  The northern papers make a great bluster over this, and point to it as an evidence of our desperate condition.

May 6, 1863, Southern Watchman (Athens, Georgia)

            The paper on which the Watchman is printed this week cost us $15.00 per ream; Paper of the same size and far superior in quality, cost us, before the war, $3.50 per ream!  We could then buy corn at from 50 cents to $1.00 per bushel–wheat at $1.00–bacon at 10@12 1/2–sugar at 10@12 1/2–butter at 12 1/2@15–eggs, 5 cents, and every thing else in proportion.  Corn is now worth $3–wheat $11–bacon $1–sugar $1–butter $1.25–eggs 60 cents!  A hat which then cost $3 now costs $40!  Shirting which then cost 15 cents is now worth $2!  Calico was then 15@20–it is now $3@$4!  All other articles are in like proportion.  We then charged $2 for our paper–we now get only $3.  Every thing we use has advanced from 500 to 1000 per cent.–our paper has advanced only 50 per cent!!  Every body knows we cannot live at this rate.  To bring our business upon a level with that of others, we ought to have $12 per year for our paper, and yet some people are grumbling because, in common with the other weeklies we propose to advance our price to $4 per year–just one third of what it ought to be–after the 1st of June next!

    All we have to say to such persons is, to repeat the proposition we made when the price advanced to $3–which was this:  Pay us in any kind of farm products at former prices, and you can have the Watchman at $2, as heretofore.  If not satisfied with this proposition, have your paper discontinued when the time paid for expires.  We are not anxious to furnish it at *four dollars* when we know we ought to have *twelve.*

May 6, 1863, Southern Watchman (Athens, Georgia)

            The paper on which the Watchman is printed this week cost us $15.00 per ream; Paper of the same size and far superior in quality, cost us, before the war, $3.50 per ream!  We could then buy corn at from 50 cents to $1.00 per bushel–wheat at $1.00–bacon at 10@12 1/2–sugar at 10@12 1/2–butter at 12 1/2@15–eggs, 5 cents, and every thing else in proportion.  Corn is now worth $3–wheat $11–bacon $1–sugar $1–butter $1.25–eggs 60 cents!  A hat which then cost $3 now costs $40!  Shirting which then cost 15 cents is now worth $2!  Calico was then 15@20–it is now $3@$4!  All other articles are in like proportion.  We then charged $2 for our paper–we now get only $3.  Every thing we use has advanced from 500 to 1000 per cent.–our paper has advanced only 50 per cent!!  Every body knows we cannot live at this rate.  To bring our business upon a level with that of others, we ought to have $12 per year for our paper, and yet some people are grumbling because, in common with the other weeklies we propose to advance our price to $4 per year–just one third of what it ought to be–after the 1st of June next!

    All we have to say to such persons is, to repeat the proposition we made when the price advanced to $3–which was this:  Pay us in any kind of farm products at former prices, and you can have the Watchman at $2, as heretofore.  If not satisfied with this proposition, have your paper discontinued when the time paid for expires.  We are not anxious to furnish it at *four dollars* when we know we ought to have *twelve.*

May 6, 1863, The New York Herald

THE GENERAL ENGAGEMENT.

THE CORRESPONDENCE OF MR. L.A. HENDRICKS.

CHANCELLORSVILLE, May 3, 1863.

A REVIEW OF TWO DAYS OPERATIONS.

Day before yesterday, about eleven o’clock, the fifth corps advanced from Chancellorsville down the old turnpike towards Fredericksburg. Six miles from the city the enemy had intrenched himself, and showed an inclination to dispute our further progress. The artillery opened in a few moments and a severe fight was maintained for some time, General Sykes’ division of regulars being hotly engaged. Our advance was gradually driven back to Chancellorsville, where the Hampton Pennsylvania battery of ten-pounder Parrott guns was planted, supported by the Seventh Ohio and Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania regiments. Skirmishing was kept up throughout the afternoon, but results were insignificant. Yesterday morning the attack began simultaneously on the right and on the left below Fredericksburg.

The rebels advanced against our front, cheering and fighting like demons, but were repulsed. After a lull of considerable time, during which their troops could be seen moving hastily around further to the right, an attack was made by the enemy on the plank road. Geary’s division fought handsomely, and after a fierce struggle drove them back. Towards night a demonstration was made on our right flank from the direction of Gordonsville. The cannonading was very heavy and the roar of musketry deafening. The Eleventh corps fell into the disorder, and came back upon the main body of the troops badly broken up, but the Twelfth corps moved rapidly out and checked the enemy’s operations. [continue reading…]

May 6, 1863, Arkansas True Democrat (Little Rock)

            Can’t help it, gentlemen.  Mr. Yerkes has gone for a supply of paper.  As the feds are below Vicksburg and crossing may be delayed for weeks, we are bound to reduce our sheet so as to have enough to issue a paper, however small, until he returns with a supply.  “Half a loaf,” you know.  It is mortifying, but it cannot be helped.

May 6, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

As we see various descriptions of the new Flag adopted by Congress, it might be instructive to our readers to give the description in correct heraldic terms, which would be as follows: ‘Argent: on a canton gules, a saltire azure, fimbriated of the field; charged with thirteen etoiles of the last,’ which is rendered thus: ‘White: on a canton red, a St. Andrew’s cross blue, edged with white, bearing thereon thirteen white stars.’ We are not sure that the blue cross on the red canton is edged with white; but if it is not it ought to be, in order to relieve it from the charge of false heraldry, which forbids color to be placed upon color; and this edging, or fimbriation, was expressly invented by the English heralds to avoid false heraldry in the Union Jack of England.

It will be seen by the following despatch to the Hon. Mr. VILLERE, of Louisiana, that the design that has been adopted is a favorite design with one of the greatest leaders of the Confederate army:

CHARLESTON, S.C., April 24.

To Hon. C.J. Vallere:

Why change our battle flag, consecrated by the best blood of our country on so many battle fields? A good design for the national flag would be the present battle flag as Union Jack, and the rest all white or all blue.

G.T. BEAUREGARD.

June 6, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

VICTORY AT PORT HUDSON.

The refugees from New Orleans, who arrived at Mobile a day or two ago, bring accounts of glorious Confederate victory at Port Hudson on the 27th ult.:

The Yankee troops had made two desperate assaults, which were repulsed with immense slaughter. When ordered to make the third assault, they refused, and swore they would be led into a […..] slaughter pen.’ Four of the Abolition Generals were seriously wounded, whose names we were unable to ascertain, with the exception of Gen. Stafford, who was shot through both legs. General Grove, it is also stated, was killed. Some parts of these rumors are hardly credible; such as that, of all the men taken by Banks into the fight, only 3000 escaped. General Banks’ entire staff was captured. Of one negro regiment which made the assault, 600 were killed. We further learned that General Gardner had given orders to take no negro soldiers prisoners.

Later and Confirmatory. The following is a copy of a hasty note written at New Orleans just before the boat containing the prisoners left the wharf. It is from a gentleman of high character:

NEW ORLEANS, May 26. Tremendous fight at Port Hudson on the 27th. Yankees driven back with a loss of 3000 killed and wounded. Generals Sherman (since reported dead), Neal, Dow, Chapin and Nickerson, wounded. General Payne killed. Negros, to use the language of the aid of General Sherman to H. Evans, […..]. They held our outworks for two hours, but the 15th Connecticut and 26th New Hampshire caught the infection and the whole concern broke and fled. They report the United States sloop of war Richmond sunk; some say it was another vessel. This is their own version. Banks not in the fight. All under the direction of Sherman. He was brought here last night. Registered enemies will apparently be left alone for a while.

May 6, 1863, The New York Herald

Our Cape Girardeau Correspondence.

CAPE GIRARDEAU Mo., April 28, 1863.

The gallant fight sustained by the garrison of this place two days ago has already been announced through the country by telegraph. Though the battle was not of long duration nor the losses heavy as compared with most of the actions in which our troops have been engaged, it was in reality an affair of considerable importance.

THE INVASION PRECONCERTED.

It seems that the invasion of Missouri has been for some time past in contemplation by the rebel leaders. In February General Price arrived at Little Rock, and commenced preparations for an advance toward the North. Hitherto all the invasions of Missouri, or the attempts at invasion, have been into the Southwest, striking at Springfield, as the key point of the region. The occupation of that portion of the country both by the rebel troops and our own have completely stripped it of supplies and forage. It was but recently that a portion of the army of the frontier was obliged to fall back to Rolla, in order to receive its supplies of forage from St. Louis. This exceeding scarcity of food and forage induced Gen. Price to change the usual routine and make an attack upon the Southeast. Cape Girardeau was the point to be aimed at.

COMPOSITION OF THE REBEL FORCE.

Batesville, on the White river, was made the base line for the movement, and here the rebel forces were assembled. They were gathered from various parts of Arkansas, but chiefly from Little Rock, and consisted of forces from Missouri, Texas and Arkansas. The command of the army of invasion was given to Brigadier General Marmaduke, and consisted of four brigades of about two thousand men each. The brigade commanders were Colonels Carter, Burbridge, Shelby and Green. Carter’s brigade consisted of the Nineteenth and Twenty-first Texas, Platt’s battery of artillery and two battalions of mounted men. Shelby’s brigade was composed of Missouri troops, and Burbridge’s chiefly of Arkansas men, while [continue reading…]

May 6, 1863, The New York Herald

Our latest intelligence from the battle field on the Rappahannock is up to Sunday afternoon at six o’clock, at which time things looked favorable for General Hooker. Three sanguinary battles had been fought up to that time; the heights of Fredericksburg, with all the lines of the enemy, had been taken; the attempt of General Lee to turn our right wing had been defeated; we had captured from four to six thousand prisoners, three thousand of whom had already arrived in Washington; and though no positive of official reports of any later proceedings reach us, the result cannot be looked upon with much misgivings, while intense anxiety necessarily still prevails. We have accounts from the vicinity of the battle ground as late as Monday night, from which it would appear that the fight was renewed that day near Chancellorsville. It was thought that General Lee had been reinforced from Richmond, which would throw doubt upon the cutting off of communication by General Stoneman, about whose movements nothing very positive is known, except that he had got into the rear of Fredericksburg, and was attempting to cut the railroad connection.

We refer our readers to the thrilling descriptions of the battles of Saturday and Sunday, given by our special correspondents on the field. They paint the scenes they witnessed with a vividness and force which leaves nothing to the imagination to supply. A map accompanies their accounts, showing the theatre of operations. The list of killed and wounded proves our loss to be heavy in the three engagements, particularly in general officers.

The reconnoissance in large force made by the army of General Peck on Sunday from Suffolk, under Generals Getty and Harlan and Colonels Stevens and Dutton, for the purpose of ascertaining the position of the enemy on the north side of the Nansemond, and learning whether General Longstreet had withdrawn to aid General Lee, resulted in a very serious and sharp encounter with the rebels, in which our troops did valiant service. The gallantry of the officers is described as magnificent. The enemy were driven into the woods in disorder, and on the following morning there were none of them to be found within twelve miles of Suffolk, except the wounded left behind. It would appear that they had commenced a retreat for the purpose of joining Gen. Lee before the reconnoissance was made. They fled along the South Key road, and [continue reading…]

May 6, 1863, The New York Herald

THE GENERAL ENGAGEMENT.

THE CORRESPONDENCE OF MR. L.A. HENDRICKS.

FIFTH ARMY CORPS HEADQUARTERS, IN THE WOODS BACK OF CHANCELLORSVILLE, Va., May 3, 1863.

We have had some of the heaviest fighting of the war since sending my despatch yesterday afternoon. Happily the Fifth corps has been blessed with the good fortune of being only slight sufferers.

GENERAL TYLER’S BRIGADE, of General Humphrey’s division, is a painful exception, however, as will be seen by the account below, in the terribly sanguinary conflicts of the past twenty-four hours. What may be yet in store for us – through what new scenes and changes we must pass, and how we may come out of the series of contests so fiercely begun and presented, and with no show of speedy termination – involved in deepest darkness and doubt.

GENERAL SKIRMISHES.

Hardly had the messengers left with my last despatch when a general skirmishing began nearly the whole length of our line. It was kept up rather desultorily, cannonading and musketry intermingling until about five o’clock, when it waxed into a pretty
GENERAL ENGAGEMENT.

The attack was mainly on the right, where the work was warmest. For one or two hours the roar of artillery and musketry was incessant. The disastrous and disgraceful giving way of General Schurz’s division of Gen. Howard’s corps [continue reading…]

May 6, 1863, Galveston Weekly News

            It is becoming a matter of grave consideration says the Augusta Chronicle, how our railroads shall be kept up.  The building of locomotives does not appear to be as difficult as the making of rails–nor does the procurement of other rolling stock.  To an inexperienced mind either the building of a locomotive or the founding of a cannon appears a much more difficult task.  Yet we believe that the first iron rail has yet to be made in the South.  Cannot some of our ingenious mechanics, assisted by our millionaire capitalists relieve us from the dangerous dilemma, without compelling a resort to the temporary make shift of taking up the iron from some roads to repair others?

May 6, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

THE VICTORY ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK.

RICHMOND, May 5. No official despatches were received last night, or this morning from General LEE’S headquarters, but a private telegram represents our victory to have been complete.

General (Stonewall) JACKSON’S left arm was skilfully amputated below the shoulder, by Dr. McGUYER, of Winchester. The General was removed to a country house, about 15 miles distant from the battlefield, and is doing well.

Direct railroad communication with our army has not been re-established. The guide of the Yankee foragers was captured yesterday, at Tunstall’s Station, on the York River Railroad, where a skirmish occurred between the Yankees and a few Confederate Infantry.

IMPORTANT FROM THE WEST.

JACKSON, May 4. General BOWEN, being attacked by overwhelming numbers of the enemy, and his position being outflanked, has fallen back from Grand Gulf. The 31st Louisiana Regiment was captured, fighting desperately. The loss was very heavy on both sides. Gen. BOWEN now occupies a position east of Grand Gulf and south of Bayou Pierce, with Port Gibson between him and the enemy.

The enemy is reported to be at Pontotoc, 7000 strong, intending to march on Meridian, via Columbus.

Governor PETTUS, says that no serious disaster has occurred near Grand Gulf. He wishes the people to have confidence in the result. He has come to the rational and deliberate conclusion that the whole State will be held, though a few towns [continue reading…]

May 6, 1863, Memphis Daily Appeal (Jackson, Mississippi)

            The Montgomery Mail says:

            After diligent inquiry we are able to present the following list of paper mills now in operation within the limits of the Southern Confederacy:

            Alabama 1–At Spring Hill in Mobile county.

            Georgia 3–At Columbus, Marietta and Athens.

            South Carolina 5–One at Greenville and four others

            North Carolina 8–Lincolnton, Shelby, Fayetteville, Salem, Concord and three others at Raleigh, viz:  Neuse river, Forrestville and Mantua.

            Virginia 2–Both at Richmond.

            Tennessee 1–At Knoxville.

            It will be seen that there are twenty paper mills now in operation in the South, and there can be no doubt that they would be able to supply the newspaper demand if the materials for manufacturing paper could be obtained at reasonable rates.

May 6, 1863, The New York Herald

THE GENERAL ENGAGEMENT.

THE LATEST REPORTS FROM THE BATTLE FIELD.

NEAR THE BATTLE FIELD, MONDAY NIGHT, May 4, 1863.

Heavy firing in the direction of Chancellorsville began at an early hour today, and has continued ever since. There has been a great battle in that immediate vicinity. Large reinforcements had come up for the enemy, apparently from Richmond, which seems to render it probable that the railroad had not been cut. In regard to what has been done in this expedition to cut the railroad, and as to the whereabouts of General Stoneman, all in doubt and uncertainty. No positive advises of the success of the expedition have been received. We have only rumors and hopes. Had General Stoneman’s force met with disaster we would have heard of it from the enemy men. But, had it not, we ought to have heard of it in another way, and very practically before this.

Doubtless this failure in respect to time was severe on the plans of General Hooker. Another delay was perhaps not less so. General Hooker expected assistance from the Sixth corps in the fight on Sunday. He expected that that corps would carry the heights of Fredericksburg by coup de main at or before daylight, march immediately down the plank road and fall upon the enemy’s rear. Had this been done the Sixth corps would have assaulted the rebel rear at the very time that the rebels were temporarily successful against Hooker’s right. A corps on their rear at such a time would have changed the face of affairs immensely. But the heights were found to be a greater obstacle than they had been thought – and it seems very strange that they should have been under estimated when the measure of their strength was so completely taken in December last. [continue reading…]

May 6, 1863, Galveston Weekly News

Camp near Franklin, Murey [sic] Co., Tenn.    }
March 3, 1863       }

            Dear News:–Some time have now elapsed since I have written to you; the inclination was good, but such has been the hurry and bustle attending our march from Oakland, Miss., to this place, that I have scarcely had time to eat a breakfast, when blessed with such a luxury.  Not long after writing my last, we were ordered to Columbia, Tennessee, a distance of near three hundred miles.  The weather being very disagreeable (rain snow or sleet falling nearly every day) and being entirely without tents, we suffered not a little for several days, I assure you.  Very often the ground was frozen so hard, where it was previously cut up from constant rains, that our horses could hardly travel at all.  But we were ordered and must go.  After getting to Okolona, we rested a little while, waiting for the remainder of the cavalry to get ready, during which time we refreshed ourselves with a “good scrubbing,” and enjoyed the luxury of a “clean shirt.”  Ah!  you may laugh at this, but it is indeed quite a treat to us even to get leave to scrub up and change clothes, such is often the rapidity of our movements.  The portion of Mississippi and north Alabama over which we passed after leaving Okolona, is very broken and poor, and seems adapted to nothing, save the seemingly spontaneous growth of white headed children and manufacture of a species of ardent spirits called “sing lings.”

            In the neighborhood of Florence and Titus counties, the face of the country changes materially, and forcibly reminded me of some of our fine Texas lands.  That portion of Alabama has been overrun and almost ruined by the foul depredations of the accursed Yankees.  Nearly all of the negroes were stolen before the corps were gathered, the horses, cattle and hogs stolen, and houses pillaged.  The base villains would even strip the ladies’ wardrobes of their contents, and search their persons for hidden coin or jewelry.  Oh!  now Southern blood boils at the indignities heaped upon the fair daughters of our land, by the foul hands of the base demons who invade our soil.  But the day of retribution is coming, [continue reading…]

May 5th. Commences with a sky overcast and cloudy, and thunder and lightning, precursors of a storm; finished repairing Albatross’s wheel broken in action of 4th inst.; at three A. M., at daylight, sent a party on shore to dig a grave; at five fifteen sent the body of Mr. Hamilton, pilot, on shore, in charge of Lieut. Watson, for interment; the grave was dug on the left bank of the river, a short distance below Col. Ackelon’s house; at eight A. M., got under way, and steamed down the river, Albatross and Sachem in company with us; at eleven o’clock saw a flat boat ahead crossing the river opposite Bayou Sara, having two hogsheads of sugar on board; called one gun’s crew to quarters, and fired the Sawyer rifle on forecastle ahead of same to bring it to, and sent the second cutter in charge of an officer and an armed crew to take it in tow; took her in tow, and brought her alongside of us and made her fast: received a white man and boy, and several negroes, prisoners from off the scow, on board; at eleven forty-five called all hands to bring ship to anchor; at twelve, noon, came to anchor five miles above Port Hudson; at one P. M., the Albatross and Sachem engaged shelling the woods on the point opposite Port Hudson, and in burning two frame buildings used by rebel pickets. Making signals from masthead to U. S. sloop-of-war Richmond, and receiving answers from her to same; paroled the two white prisoners; received no mail this time from lower fleet.

Tuesday, 5th.—Reported great victory in Virginia; also that General Forrest had captured 1,600 prisoners near Rome, Ga. Moved one and one-half miles.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Tuesday, 5th–The Fourth Iowa Cavalry passed here this morning. It is a fine regiment of horse. Four hundred and forty-four rebel prisoners captured at Grand Gulf were taken by here this morning to be sent to our prisons in the North; they are a hard-looking set of men. News came today that our men have taken Grand Gulf with two thousand prisoners. If this is true it gives us a road to Vicksburg over high ground, which means the fall of Vicksburg.

5th. Rode into camp bright and early. Made a tent again and got some coffee. Cloudy and dark. Got dinner at a wealthy planter’s. We were all disgusted, so much superficiality. So little soul or mind. Marched towards the river. Ordered back to Somerset. Various reasons given. Many speculations. Got rations after stopping for night. Went two and a half miles and dealt with drunken Lt. Was angry and threatened him.

On the Old Camp Ground.

May 5. This morning we pitched our tents once more on Camp Oliver. This seems like home again. We shall now have little else than guard duty to perform, keep ourselves slicked up and do the town. This is what we call being on waiting orders, but as the colonel has not had a hack at us lately, I presume he will want to practice some new evolutions he has been studying up out of the tactics. At any rate, we shall not long remain idle.

May 5—Ride fifteen miles to Richmond. Telegraph to Mary. Seven days in the saddle, from Chapel Hill to Richmond. Had not heard a word from my family yet. I think those had been the happiest seven days of my life up to that time. “Praising my Savior all the day long.” When I knelt at sun-set in the woods and prayed for the Chaplains, the soldiers, my country and my family, my soul was so happy. That telegram must have gladdened the heart of the little wife, who could not know where the husband was. She expected me to cross James River above Richmond, and did not write to me there.

MAY 5th.—To-day the excitement was quite as great as ever, for bodies of the enemy are still in the vicinity. They are like frightened quails when the hawks are after them, skurrying about the country in battalions and regiments. Fitzhugh Lee defeated one of their parties, and reports that the entire calvary force of Hooker, in anticipation of certain victory, had been detached in the rear of Lee’s army. This force comprises twenty-eight regiments, or 15,000 mounted men! Now that Hooker is defeated—our operator at Guiney’s station dispatches to-day that it is reported there, and believed, that Hooker and his staff are prisoners—it may be reasonably doubted whether one-half of this wild cavalry will escape. It was the mad pranks of a desperate commander. Hooker cast all upon the hazard of the die—and lost.

Among the mad pranks of the enemy, they sent a message over the wires to-day from Louisa County, I believe, to this purport: “For Heaven’s sake, come and take us. We are broken down, and will surrender.”

They captured an engine sent out yesterday to repair the road. The white men escaped, leaving two free negroes. The Yankees made the negroes put on a full head of steam, and run the locomotive into the river.

One of the enemy was taken sleeping at one of our city batteries near the river.

My friend, Dr. Powell, on the Brooke Turnpike, sent his little son, mounted on his finest horse, on an errand to a neighbor. The lad fell in with, as he called them, “some Yankee Dutchmen,” who presented their pistols and made him dismount. They took his horse and allowed him to return.

At the hour we were dining yesterday, the enemy were within two and a half miles of us on the Brooke road, and might have thrown shell into this part of the city.

Col. D. J. Godwin writes a long letter to the Secretary of War, from King and Queen Counties, concerning the great number of suspicious persons continually passing our lines into those of the enemy, with passports from this city; and the great injury done by the information they give. Unquestionably they have not only given information, but have furnished guides to the many regiments of cavalry now skurrying through the country. But the Baltimore Plug Uglies, under the protection of Gen. Winder, are the masters, now Mr. Secretary Seddon has yielded again.

A letter was received from Gen. J. E. Johnston to-day. He is too unwell to take the field, and suggests, if it be desirable to be in regular communication with Gen. Bragg, that the President send out a confidential officer. He says the army is suffering for meat, and if it retires into East Tennessee, supplies must be obtained from its flanks instead of from its rear, which would be dangerous. The letter was dated a week ago, and gives no indications of a battle. The general says he is exchanging sugar for bacon; but condemns the practice of allowing our people to sell cotton to the enemy for supplies. In my opinion none but government cotton should be exchanged for subsistence. He says the people are subjugated by trade. He suggests that our men when paroled, and not exchanged, may do duty otherwise than in arms–as is practiced by the enemy.

H. D. Bird, general superintendent of the railroad, writes from Petersburg that the movements of cars with ammunition, etc. are thrown into confusion by the neglect of telegraph agents in giving timely notice. This is an unfortunate time for confusion. I sent the letter to the Secretary, and know that it was not “filed” on the way to him.

A communication came in to-day from the Committee of Safety at Mobile, Ala., charging that J. S. Clark, Wm. G. Ford, and _____ Hurt, have been shipping cotton to New Orleans, after pretending to clear it for Nassau. It says Mr. Clarke was an intimate crony of Gen. Butler’s speculating brother. It also intimates that the people believe the government here winks at these violations of the act of Congress of April, 1862.

Very curiously, a letter came from the Assistant Secretary’s room to-day for “file,” which was written April 22d, 1861, by R. H. Smith to Judge Campbell—a private letter—warning him not to come to Mobile, as nothing was thought of but secession, and it was believed Judge C. had used his influence with Mr. Seward to prevent secession. The writer deprecates civil war. And quite as curiously, the Examiner to-day contains what purports to be Admiral Buchanan’s correspondence with the Lincoln government, two letters, the first in April, 1861, tendering his resignation, and the last on May 4th, begging, if it had not been done already, that the government would not accept his resignation.