agnitude when it does occur.

Gen. Bragg did a good thing yesterday, even while Senator Orr was
denouncing him. He relieved Gen. Winder from duty here, and assigned him
to Goldsborough, N. C. Now if the rogues and cut-throats he persisted in
having about him be likewise dismissed, the Republic is safe! Gen.
Ransom has now full charge of this department.

Mr. Secretary Seddon is sick, and Mr. Assistant Secretary Campbell is
crabbed--Congress not having passed his Supreme Court bill. And if it
were passed, the President would hardly appoint him judge.

It is said one of our iron-clads is out--the rest to follow immediately.
Let Butler beware!

MAY 27TH.--Clouds and sunshine; cooler.

Nothing additional from the West. Several thousand Georgia mounted
troops have arrived during the last 24 hours, in readiness to march to
Lee. One Georgia regiment has 1200, and a South Carolina regiment that
went up this morning 1000 men.

Lee's army is at Ashland--17 miles distant. The enemy are marching down
the Pamunky, north side. They will doubtless cross it, and march through
New Kent and Charles City Counties to the James River, opposite Butler's
army. Grant probably intends crossing his army to the south side, which,
if effected, might lose us Richmond, for the city cannot subsist a week
with its southern communications cut. We should starve.

But Beauregard means to make another effort to dislodge Butler,
immediately. It will probably be a combined movement, the iron clads
co-operating. It is a necessity, and it must be done without delay, no
matter what the cost may be. If Butler remains, the railroads will be
cut. If the city be taken, not only will the iron-clads be lost, but a
large proportion of the army may be cut off from escape. Immense
munitions would certainly fall into the hands of the enemy.

The _Whig_ and _Enquirer_ both denounced Gen. Bragg to-day.

Senator Orr's assault in the Senate on Gen. Bragg was followed by
another from Wigfall, who declared there was a want of confidence in the
President. Mr. Orr said his appointment was discourtesy to the Secretary
of War, whereupon the Secretary fell ill yesterday, but to-day he is
well again. Nevertheless, the Senate voted Gen. B. the salary, etc.
allowed a general in the field.

And Gen. Winder has been treated as cavalierly as he treated me.
Retribution is sure.

The city is excited with rumors. One is that Beauregard, when about to
engage the enemy last week