Main
Street toward the Williamsburg road. It is doubtless a flank movement
of Beauregard, and an attack on Grant may be expected any hour; and must
occur, I think, to-morrow at furthest.

I have not learned that Butler has retired from his position--and if
not, our communications must be in peril. But no matter, so Grant be
beaten.

All the local troops are ordered to be in readiness to march at a
moment's warning, this evening or night.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

Beauregard's plan.--The battle.--Defeat near Staunton.--Fight at
Petersburg.--Decision about Marylanders--Beauregard in disgrace.--
Dispatch from Gen. J. E. Johnston.

JUNE 1ST.--Bright and warm.

At 7-1/2 A.M. cannon and musketry heard northeast of the city, which
either ceased or receded out of hearing at 12 M.; or else the hum of the
city drowned the sounds of battle. Up to 3 P.M. we have no particulars.
Beauregard is on the right of our line; Lee's headquarters was at Yellow
Tavern. He is sufficiently recovered to direct the battle.

Butler has mostly if not entirely evacuated Bermuda Hundred; doubtless
gone to Grant. The President rode out this morning toward the
battle-field. Every one is confident of success, since Beauregard and
Lee command.

The Secretary of War granted a passport to Mr. Pollard, who wrote a
castigating history of the first years of the war, to visit Europe.
Pollard, however, was taken, and is now in the hands of the enemy, at
New York.

Another row with the Bureau of Conscription. Brig.-Gen. Chilton,
Inspector-General, has been investigating operations in Mississippi, at
the instance of Gen. Polk; and Col. Preston, Superintendent of the
Bureau, disdains to answer their communications.

My landlord, Mr. King, _has not_ raised my rent!

JUNE 2D.--Very warm and cloudy.

There was no general engagement yesterday, but heavy skirmishing, and
several assaults at different points; and a dispatch from Gen. Lee says
they resulted favorably to our arms.

A dispatch from Gen. Johnston says his men are in good plight, after
combats enough to make a battle, in all of which the enemy suffered
most.

The local troops (Custis's battalion, etc.) were ordered out to-day. I
have not understood to what point they were ordered; but it indicates
the imminency of a battle. Lee has not less than 80,000 men--veterans.

I saw, to-day, Gen. Beauregard's plan, dated May 14th. It was addressed
to Gen. Bragg, "Commanding Confederate S