seed, which was immediately sown in a bed
already prepared. And a friend sent us some fresh pork spare ribs and
chine, and four heads of cabbage--so that we shall have subsistence for
several days. My income, including Custis's, is not less, now, than $600
per month, or $7200 per annum; but we are still poor, with flour at $300
per barrel; meal, $50 per bushel; and even fresh fish at $5 per pound. A
market-woman asked $5 to-day for a half pint of snap beans, to plant!

MARCH 13TH.--A lovely spring day--bright, warm, and calm.

There is nothing new, only the burning of houses, mills, etc. on the
York River by the Yankees, and that is nothing new.

Subsequently the day became very windy, but not cold. The roads will be
dry again, and military operations will be resumed. The campaign will be
an early one in Virginia, probably. Our people are impatient to meet the
foe, for they are weary of the war. Blood will flow in torrents, unless
the invaders avoid great battles; and in that event our armies may
assume the offensive.

It is now thought that the Department Battalion will be kept here for
the defense of the city; the clerks, or most of them, retaining their
offices. Those having families may possibly live on their salaries; but
those who live at boarding-houses cannot, for board is now from $200 to
$300 per month. Relief _must_ soon come from some quarter, else many in
this community will famish. But they prefer death to submission to the
terms offered by the Abolitionists at Washington. The government must
provide for the destitute, and array every one capable of bearing arms
in the field.

MARCH 14TH.--Bright, pleasant day. The city is full of generals--Lee and
his son (the one just returned from captivity), Longstreet, Whiting,
Wise, Hoke, Morgan (he was ordered by Gen. Cooper to desist from his
enterprise in the West), Evans, and many others. Some fourteen attended
St. Paul's (Episcopal) Church yesterday, where the President worships.
Doubtless they are in consultation on the pressing needs of the country.

About noon to-day a dispatch came from Lieut. Col. Cole, Gen. Lee's
principal commissary, at Orange Court House, dated 12th inst., saying
_the army was out of meat, and had but one day's rations of bread_. This
I placed in the hands of the Secretary myself, and he seemed roused by
it. Half an hour after, I saw Col. Northrop coming out of the department
with a pale face, and triumphant, compressed lips. He had