r salaries for subsistence. Such is the
unvarying history of public functionaries.

Gen. Pickett, finding Newbern impregnable, has fallen back, getting off
his prisoners, etc. But more troops are going to North Carolina.

FEBRUARY 7TH, SUNDAY.-- _The tocsin is sounding at_ 9 A.M. It appears
that Gen. Butler is marching up the Peninsula (I have not heard the
estimated number of his army) toward Richmond. But, being in the
Secretary's room for a moment, I heard him say to Gen. Elzey that the
"local defense men" must be relied on to defend Richmond. These men are
mainly clerks and employees of the departments, who have just been
_insulted_ by the government, being informed that no increased
compensation will be allowed them because they are able to bear arms. In
other words, they must famish for subsistence, and their families with
them, because they happen to be of fighting age, and have been patriotic
enough to volunteer for the defense of the government, and have drilled,
and paraded, and marched, until they are pronounced good soldiers.
Under these circumstances, the Secretary of War says they must be relied
upon to defend the government. In my opinion, many of them are _not_
reliable. Why were they appointed contrary to law? Who is to blame but
the Secretaries themselves? Ah! but the Secretaries had pets and
relatives of fighting age they must provide for; and _these_, although
not dependent on their salaries, will get the increased compensation,
and will also be exempted from aiding in the defense of the city--at
least such has been the practice heretofore. These things being known to
the proscribed local troops (clerks, etc.), I repeat my doubts of their
reliability at any critical moment.

We have good news from the Rappahannock. It is said Gen. Rosser
yesterday captured several hundred prisoners, 1200 beeves, 350 mules,
wagons of stores, etc. etc.

Nevertheless, there is some uneasiness felt in the city, there being
nearly 12,000 prisoners here, and all the veteran troops of Gen. Elzey's
division are being sent to North Carolina.

FEBRUARY 8TH.--The air is filled with rumors--none reliable.

It is said Gen. Lee is much provoked at the alarm and excitement in the
city, which thwarted a plan of his to capture the enemy on the
Peninsula; and the militia and the Department Battalions were kept
yesterday and to-day under arms standing in the cold, the officers
blowing their nails, and "waiting orders," which came