, I hope, what Gen. Lee will have to say on the subject,
and I am mistaken if he does not oppose it. If these men had been put
to death in the heat of passion, on the field, it would have been
justified, but it is too late now. Besides, _Gen. Lee's son_ is a
captive in the hands of the enemy, designated for retaliation whenever
we shall execute any of their prisoners in our hands. It is cruelty to
Gen. Lee!

It is already rumored that Gen. Butler has been removed, and a flag of
truce boat is certainly at City Point, laden with prisoners sent up for
exchange.

The Commissary-General has sent in a paper saying that unless the
passenger cars on the Southern Road be discontinued, he cannot supply
half enough meal for Lee's army. He has abundance in Georgia and South
Carolina, but cannot get transportation. He says the last barrel of
flour from Lynchburg has gone to the army.

We have news from the West that Morgan and his men will be in the saddle
in a few days.

After all, Mr. Lyon's house was not touched by any of the enemy's
shells. But one shell struck within 300 yards of one house in Clay
Street, and not even the women and children were alarmed.

The price of a turkey to-day is $60.

MARCH 6TH.--My birthday--55. Bright and frosty; subsequently warm and
pleasant. No news. But some indignation in the streets at the
Adjutant-General's (Cooper) order, removing the clerks and putting them
in the army, just when they had, by their valor, saved the capital from
flames and the throats of the President and his cabinet from the knives
of the enemy. If the order be executed, the heads of the government will
receive and merit execration. It won't be done.

MARCH 7TH.--Bright and frosty morning; cloudy and warm in the evening.
Cannon and musketry were heard this morning some miles northwest of the
city. Probably Gen. Hampton fell in with one of the lost detachments of
the raiders, seeking a way of escape. This attempt to surprise Richmond
was a disgraceful failure.

The Secretary of War has gone up to his farm for a few days to see the
extent of injury done him by the enemy.

Mr. Benjamin and Assistant Secretary Campbell are _already_ "allowing"
men to pass to the United States, and even directly to _Washington_.
Surely the injury done us by information thus conveyed to the enemy
hitherto, ought to be a sufficient warning.

Gen. Bragg has resolved to keep a body of 1500 cavalry permanently
within the city and its vicin