t we have only newspaper reports, which may not be true.

OCTOBER 24TH.--To-day we have a cold northwest storm of wind and rain,
and we have our first fire in the parlor.

The elections in Ohio and Pennsylvania have gone for the Republican
(War) candidates. We rely on ourselves, under God, for independence. It
is said Gen. Lee learned that 15,000 Republican voters were sent from
Meade's army into Pennsylvania to vote, and hence he advanced and drove
back the Federal army. Yet he says that Meade's army is more numerous
than his. It is not known what our losses have been, but the following
dispatch from Lee gives an accurate account of the enemy's loss in
prisoners.

"HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA,

"October 23d, 1863.

"GEN. S. COOPER, A. and I. General.

"Gen. Imboden, on the 18th, attacked the garrison at Charlestown,
Shenandoah Valley, captured 434 prisoners, with their arms,
transportation, and stores. To these, add prisoners already
forwarded, makes 2462.

"(Signed) R. E. LEE.

"Official: JOHN WITHERS, A. A. General."

And Capt. Warner says he is now feeding them.

Gen. Lee writes on the 19th inst., that it is doubtful whether Gen.
Meade will remain where he is, behind his fortifications along Bull Run,
or make another movement on Richmond. A few days will decide this
matter. He says Meade has superior numbers. If he remains, Gen. Lee will
advance again, provided he can get quartermaster supplies for his army.
But at present, thousands of his men are barefooted, without overcoats,
blankets, etc. He says it was the sublimest spectacle of the war to see
men in such condition move forward with such cheerfulness and alacrity,
in the recent pursuit of the enemy. He deprecates sending any of his
regiments to West Virginia and East Tennessee, and thinks Gen. Sam Jones
has not evinced sufficient energy and judgment in that quarter. He says
it would be better to send reinforcements to Chattanooga, where it is
practicable to conduct a winter campaign. He could drive the enemy from
the Peninsula, Gloucester Point, Williamsburg, and Yorktown, but to keep
them away Lee would have to station an army there. If North Carolina be
menaced, he advises that the troops at Richmond and Petersburg be sent
thither, and he will replace them with troops from his army. He thinks
it the best policy not to disperse troops in Virginia.

From this letter it is easy to perceive that t