ably
by the United States. If this be so, it is reasonable to suppose they
will be restored us, and so far I do not learn that this government has
taken umbrage at the capture. It may be that they were taken to keep
them from falling into the possession of the United States cruisers.
There are one or two French war steamers now at Charleston,
interchanging courtesies with the Confederate States authorities there.
It also appears by Gen. Smith's letter that a large amount of arms for
the trans-Mississippi Department were deposited at Vicksburg, and fell
into the hands of the enemy. The President indorsed on the back of the
letter that this was a blunder, and asks by whose order the deposit was
made. Col. Gorgas must answer.

OCTOBER 20TH.--Nothing definite from Lee. I fear his little campaign
from the Rapidan to Bull Run was not a glorious one, although Meade did
run to the fortifications at Centreville. He may possibly have had a
counter-plot, which is not yet developed. Our papers are rejoicing over
thousands of prisoners "picked up;" but Captain Warner, who furnishes
the prisoners their rations, assures me that they have not yet arrived;
while our papers acknowledge we lost 1000 men, killed and wounded,
besides several guns.

The Secretary of War received a dispatch to-day from Gen. Barton,
Kinston, N. C., stating that a number of Federal regiments were
embarking for (he thinks) South Carolina. This, the Secretary, of
course, sends to Gen. Beauregard, but doubts, however, the destination
of the troops. He thinks they are to menace Richmond again, and says
there are indications of this purpose on the York River. Is Hooker
really there? The public knows nothing, as yet, of what is going on down
that river. What if Meade retreated to entice Lee away from Richmond,
having in preparation an expedition against this city? I should not
wonder at anything, since so many equivocal characters are obtaining
passports to the United States. Gen. Winder and Judge Campbell are busy
signing passports--one granted by the latter yesterday (recorded) also
allows the bearer to take with him 2000 pounds tobacco!

A letter was received to-day from the President, ordering certain
concessions to Governor Brown, relating to exemptions and details.

Letters have been received justifying the belief (notwithstanding the
forebodings of Lieut.-Gen. E. K. Smith) that we have taken Little Rock,
Ark., again. This is Price's work; also that Quantre