his servant
to bring 'that middling.' The man hesitated, scratched his head, and
finally owned up: 'De fac is, Masse Robert, dat ar middlin' was borrid
middlin'; we all did'n had nar spec; and I done paid it back to de man
whar I got it from.' Gen. Lee heaved a sigh of deepest disappointment,
and pitched into his cabbage."

By a correspondence between the Secretaries of the Treasury and War, I
saw that Mr. Memminger has about _a million and a quarter in coin_ at
Macon, Ga., seized as the property of the New Orleans banks--perhaps
belonging to Northern men. I believe it was taken when there was an
attempt made to smuggle it North. What it is proposed to do with it _I
know not_, but I think neither the President nor the Secretaries will
hesitate to use it--if there be a "military necessity." Who knows but
that one or more members of Mr. Lincoln's cabinet, or his generals,
might be purchased with gold? Fortress Monroe would be cheap at that
price!

APRIL 29TH.--A letter from Major-Gen. Hoke, dated Plymouth, April 25th,
and asking the appointment of Lieut.-Col. Dearing to a brigadiership,
says his promotion is desired to lead a brigade in the expedition
against Newbern. The President directs the Secretary to appoint him
temporarily "for the expedition." Soon we shall know the result.

By flag of truce boat, it is understood Northern papers admit a Federal
defeat on the Red River, the storming of Plymouth, etc., and charge the
Federal authorities at Washington with having published falsehoods to
deceive the people. Gold was $1.83.

Troops are passing through Richmond now, day and night, concentrating
under Lee. The _great_ battle cannot be much longer postponed.

Last night was clear and cold, and we have fire to-day.

The President has decided not to call into service the reserve class
unless on extraordinary occasions, but to let them remain at home and
cultivate the soil.

It is now probable the Piedmont Railroad will be completed by the 1st
June, as extreme necessity drives the government to some degree of
energy. If it had taken up, or allowed to be taken up, the rails on the
Aquia Creek Road a year ago, the Piedmont connection would have been
made ere this; and then this famine would not have been upon us, and
there would have been abundance of grain in the army depots of Virginia.

APRIL 30TH.--Federal papers now admit that Gen. Banks has been
disastrously beaten in Louisiana. They also admit their calamity