a home in some land where his services were less
likely to be required in the tented field. Having settled up his
business affairs to his own satisfaction, he applied for and obtained a
passport from the Assistant Secretary of War, to enable him to pass our
lines. He first took the Southern route, hoping to run out from
Wilmington to Nassau; but delays occurring, he returned to Richmond.
From this point he went to Staunton, determined to make his exit from
the country by the Valley route. All went on smoothly enough until he
had passed Woodstock, in Shenandoah County. Between that point and
Strasburg he was attacked by a band of robbers and stripped of
everything he possessed of value, embracing a heavy amount of money and
a large and valuable assortment of jewelry. We have heard his loss
estimated at from $175,000 to $200,000. His passport was not taken from
him, and after the robbery he was allowed to proceed on his
journey--minus the essential means of traveling. It is stated that some
of the jewelry taken from him has already made its appearance in the
Richmond market.

"P.S.--Since writing the above, we have had an interview with Mr. Jacob
Ezekiel, who states that the party of Mr. Hyman consisted of Lewis
Hyman, wife and child, Madam Son and husband, and H. C. Ezekiel; and the
presumption is that if one was robbed, all shared the same fate. Mr. E.
thinks that the amount in possession of the whole party would not exceed
$100,000. On Friday last two men called upon Mr. Ezekiel, at his place
of business in this city, and exhibited a parchment, in Hebrew
characters, which they represented was captured on a train on the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. This story, Mr. Ezekiel thinks, is
incorrect, from the fact that he received a letter from his son, then at
Woodstock, dated subsequent to the capture of the train on that road;
and he is satisfied that the articles shown him belonged to some of the
parties above mentioned."

FEBRUARY 23D.--Bright and pleasant.

A letter from Gen. Maury indicates now that Mobile is surely to be
attacked. He says they may force a passage at Grant's Pass, which is
thirty miles distant; and the fleet may pass the forts and reach the
lower bay. Gen. M. has 10,000 effective men, and subsistence for 20,000
for six months. He asks 6000 or 7000 more men. He has also food for 4000
horses for six months. But he has only 200 rounds for his cannon, and
250 for his siege guns, and 200 for each musket.