."

NOVEMBER 16TH.--Governor Brown, Georgia, writes the Secretary that he is
opposed to impressments, and that the government should pay the market
price--whatever that is. And the Rhett politicians of South Carolina are
opposed to raising funds to pay with, by taxing land and negroes. So
indicates the _Mercury_.

We have news to-day of the crossing of the Rapidan River by Meade's
army. A battle, immediately, seems inevitable.

NOVEMBER 17TH.--A cold, dark day. No news. It was a mistake about the
enemy crossing the Rapidan--only one brigade (cavalry) came over, and it
was beaten back without delay.

Vice-President Stephens writes a long letter to the Secretary, opposing
the routine policy of furloughs, and extension of furloughs; suggesting
that in each district some one should have authority to grant them. He
says many thousands have died by being hastened back to the army
uncured of their wounds, etc.--preferring death to being advertised as
deserters.

Captain Warner sent me a bag of sweet potatoes to-day, received from
North Carolina. We had an excellent dinner.

NOVEMBER 18TH.--We have no news whatever, except some damage reported at
Charleston, done to two monitors yesterday. The bombardment has assumed
no new phase.

A letter from Gen. J. E. Johnston, Meridian, Miss., indicates that the
Secretary has been writing him and saying that he was responsible for
the outrages of the impressing agents in his department. Gen. J.
disclaims the responsibility, inasmuch as the agents referred to act
under orders from the Commissary-General or Secretary of War.

NOVEMBER 19TH.--Miss Harriet H. Fort, of Baltimore, has arrived via
Accomac and Northampton Counties, with a complete drawing of all the
defenses of Baltimore.

The Medical Purveyor's Guards have petitioned the Secretary for higher
pay. They get now $1500 per annum, and say the city watchmen get $2300.

Gens. Banks and Taylor in the West are corresponding and wrangling about
the exchange of prisoners--and the cartel is to be abrogated, probably.

The Governor of Mississippi (Clark) telegraphs the President that the
Legislature (in session) is indignant at the military authorities for
impressing slaves. The President telegraphs back that the order was to
prevent them falling into the lines of the enemy, and none others were
to be disturbed.

NOVEMBER 20TH.--We have reports of some successes to-day. Gen. Hampton,
it appears, surprised and captured several