has occurred. I presume it
was only distant shelling, as no wounded men have been brought in.

It is reported that the enemy captured Mr. Seddon's family twenty-five
miles distant,--also Gen. Wise's. To-morrow we shall know more; but no
_uneasiness_ is felt as to the result. In a few hours we can muster men
enough to defend the city against 25,000.

A letter from Gen. Whiting suggests that martial law be proclaimed in
North Carolina, as a Judge Pearson--a traitor, he thinks--is discharging
men who have in conscripts as substitutes, on the ground that the act of
Congress is unconstitutional. The President suggest a General Order,
etc., complying with Gen. W.'s request.

Col. A. C. Myers, late Quartermaster-General, writes again, indignantly
resenting the President's indorsement, etc. as unfounded and injurious,
etc.

The President indorses this letter as follows: "Unless this letter is
designed to ask whether Col. M. is still in the army, or discharged by
the appointment of a successor, I find nothing which changes the case
since my indorsement referred to, as causing resentment and calling for
vindication. Your orders were certainly official communications. Not
having seen them, I can express no opinion upon their terms.--JEFFERSON
DAVIS."

MARCH 2D.--A slight snow on the ground this morning--but bright and
cool. Last night, after I had retired to bed, we heard a brisk
cannonading, and volleys of musketry, a few miles distant.

This morning an excitement, but no alarm, pervaded the city. It was
certainly a formidable attempt to take the city by surprise. From the
number of disgraceful failures heretofore, the last very recently, the
enemy must have come to the desperate resolution to storm the city this
time at all hazards. And indeed the coming upon it was sudden, and if
there had been a column of 15,000 bold men in the assault, they might
have penetrated it. But now, twenty-four hours subsequently, 30,000
would fail in the attempt.

The Department Clerks were in action in the evening in five minutes
after they were formed in line. Capt. Ellery, Chief Clerk of 2d Auditor,
was killed, and several were wounded. It rained fast all the time, and
it was very dark. The enemy's cavalry charged upon them, firing as they
came; they were ordered to lie flat on the ground. This they did, until
the enemy came within fifteen yards of them, when they rose and fired,
sending the assailants to the right and left, helter-skelt