eir abode in
the United States rather than fight for the Confederate States, where
they leave in the ranks the substitutes hired by them.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Hospitalities of the city to Gen. Morgan.--Call for a Dictator.--Letter
from Gen. Lee.--Letters from Gov. Vance.--Accusation against Gen.
Winder.--Treatment of Confederate prisoners (from the _Chicago
Times_).--Change of Federal policy.--Efforts to remove Col.
Northrop.--Breach between the President and Congress.--Destitution
of our prisoners.--Appeal of Gen. Lee to the army.--New Conscription
Act.--Letter from Gen. Cobb.

JANUARY 1ST, 1864.--A bright windy day, and not cold. The President has
a reception to-day, and the City Councils have voted the hospitalities
of the city to Brig.-Gen. J. H. Morgan, whose arrival is expected. If he
comes, he will be the hero, and will have a larger crowd of admirers
around him than the President. The Councils have also voted a _sword_ to
ex-Gov. Letcher, whose term of service ended yesterday. Gov. Wm.
Smith--nicknamed Extra-Billy--is to be inaugurated to-day.

Flour is now held at $150 per barrel. Capt. Warner has just sold me two
bushels of meal at $5 per bushel; the price in market is $16 per bushel.

I did not go to any of the receptions to-day; but remained at home,
transplanting lettuce-plants, which have so far withstood the frost, and
a couple of fig-bushes I bought yesterday. I am also breaking up some
warm beds, for early vegetables, and spreading manure over my little
garden: preparing for the siege and famine looked for in May and June,
when the enemy encompasses the city. I bought some tripe and liver in
the market at the low price of $1 per pound. Engaged to pay $250 hire
for our servant this year.

JANUARY 2D.--Gen. Longstreet writes that it will be well to winter in
East Tennessee (Rogersville), unless there should be a pressing
necessity for him elsewhere. But his corps ought to be at least 20,000.
He says provisions may be got in that section; and if they be collected,
the enemy may be forced to leave.

The Secretary of the Navy has requested the Secretary of War to open the
obstructions at Drewry's Bluff, so that the iron-clads, Richmond and
Fredericksburg, may pass out. This he deems necessary for the defense of
Richmond, as our iron-clads may prevent the enemy from coming up the
river and landing near the city.

The _Lynchburg Virginian_ has come out for a dictator,