h has decreed his exemption as a member
of the Common Council! Oh, patriotism, where are thy votaries? Some go
so far as to say Gov. Smith is too free with exemptions!

MARCH 27TH.--Bright morning, but windy; subsequently warmer, and wind
lulled. Collards coming up. Potatoes all rotted in the ground during the
recent cold weather. I shall rely on other vegetables, which I am now
beginning to sow freely.

We have no war news to-day.

MARCH 28TH.--April-like day, but no rain; clouds, and sunshine, and
warm.

About 2 P.M. the Secretary received a dispatch stating that the enemy
had appeared in force opposite Fredericksburg, and attempted, without
success, to cross. A copy of this was immediately sent to Gen. Lee.

It is said that Gen. Longstreet is marching with expedition down the
Valley of the Shenandoah, to flank Meade or Grant. I doubt it. But the
campaign will commence as soon as the weather will permit.

A letter from G. B. Lamar, Savannah, Ga., informs the Secretary that he
(L.) has command of five steamers, and that he can easily make
arrangements with the (Federal) commandant of Fort Pulaski to permit
them to pass and repass. His proposition to the government is to bring
in munitions of war, etc., and take out cotton, charging one-half for
freight. Mr. Memminger having seen this, advises the Secretary to
require the delivery of a cargo before supplying any cotton. Mr. M. has
a sort of _jealousy_ of Mr. Lamar.

MARCH 29TH.--A furious gale, eastern, and rain.

No news, except the appearance of a few gun-boats down the river; which
no one regards as an important matter.

Great crowds are funding their Treasury notes to-day; but prices of
provisions are not diminished. White beans, such as I paid $60 a bushel
for early in this month, are now held at $75. What _shall_ we do to
subsist until the next harvest?

MARCH 30TH.--It rained all night, the wind blowing a gale from the east.
This morning the wind was from the west, blowing moderately; and
although cloudy, no rain.

The enemy's gun-boats down the river shelled the shore where it was
suspected we had troops in ambush; and when some of their barges
approached the shore, it was ascertained they were not mistaken, for a
volley from our men (signal corps) killed and wounded half the crew. The
remainder put back to the gun-boats.

There is great tribulation among the departmental clerks, who are to be
enrolled as conscripts, and probably sent to the army.