to the President on the 7th of May.

To-day the President sent it back indorsed as follows: "Maps of the
country, with such additions as may from time to time be made, should be
kept on hand in the Engineer Bureau, and furnished to officers in the
field. Preparations of material for bridges, etc. will continue to be
made as heretofore, and with such additional effort as circumstances
require.

"I did not doubt the readiness of Gen. Beauregard to serve under any
general who ranks him. The right of Gen. Lee to command would be derived
from his superior rank.

"JEFFERSON DAVIS.

"9th May, 1864."

MAY 11TH.--Bright and pleasant--breezy. This has been a day of
excitement.

At midnight the Departmental Battalion were marched from the south side
of the river back to the city, and rested the remainder of the night at
Camp Lee. But at 9 A.M. they were marched hurriedly to Meadow Bridge.
They came past our house. Custis and his brother Thomas ran
in--remaining but a moment. Custis exclaimed: "Let me have some money,
mother (I had to go to the office), or we will starve. The government
don't feed us, and we are almost famished. Cook something, and get
Captain Warner to bring it in his buggy--do, if possible." He got $20.
They looked worn, and were black with dust, etc. My daughter said "they
looked like negroes."

The Secretary issued this morning a new edition of his handbills,
calling the people "to arms."

Mr. Mallory's usual red face turned purple. He has not yet got out the
iron-clad Richmond, etc., which might have sunk Gen. Butler's
transports.

Lieut.-Col. Lay was exhibiting a map of our defenses, and predicting
something,--whether good or evil, I did not stay to learn. But I thought
such maps ought not to be shown in the public hall of the department.

The armory was open to-day, and all who desired them were furnished with
arms.

The Governor, I hear, issued a notification that the enemy would be here
to-day, etc. I did not see it.

All classes not in the army were gathered up and marched to the
defenses.

2 P.M. Respectable men just from the vicinity report a great victory for
Lee, yesterday, though we have nothing from him. The Secretary believes
these concurring reports, which state that the battle, beginning near
Spottsylvania Court House, ended at Fredericksburg, indicating a
WATERLOO.

And a dispatch from Gen. Ransom from the south side of the river, states
that Butler's army is _retre