rday's operations.

All is quiet to-day, up to 9 A.M.

Received a letter from Custis. I have not heard whether he received the
food and blanket sent him yesterday; the latter, he says, was wanted
badly the night before. He charges Fanny, as usual, to be regular in
feeding and watering Polly, his parrot; and never to leave the door of
his cage open, for fear he may fly away.

JUNE 6TH.--Clear and hot, but with a fine breeze--southwest.

All is quiet around the city. Saturday night the enemy _again_
penetrated Gen. Breckinridge's line, and _again_ were repulsed by the
Floridians. Some of his regiments (as Mr. Mallory, Secretary of the
Navy, who stopped in front of my house yesterday, told me) did not
behave well.

Yesterday, I learn, both sides buried the dead, with the exception of
some Federals piled up in front of Lee's breastworks. A deserter says
Grant intends _to stink_ Lee out of his position, if nothing else will
suffice. What a war, and for what? The _Presidency_ (United States),
perhaps!

I learn that the Departmental Battalion, near Bottom's Bridge, has been
moved back a mile, out of range of the enemy's shells and sharpshooters.

We have met with a defeat in the Valley, near Staunton, which place has
probably fallen. A letter from Gen. Bragg, this morning, in reply to Mr.
Secretary Seddon's inquiries, says it is too true, and he indorses
copies of dispatches from Gen. Vaughn and Col. Lee to Gen. R. E. Lee,
who sent them to the President, and the President to Gen. B., who sends
them now to the Secretary. Gen. V. calls loudly for reinforcements to
save Staunton, and says Gen. W. E. Jones, who commanded, was killed.
Col. Lee says, "We have been pretty badly whipped." Gen. Bragg knows of
no reinforcements that can be sent, and says Gen. R. E. Lee has command
there as well as here, and was never interfered with. Gen. B. says he
had tendered Gen. Lee his services, but they had not been accepted.

Small heads of early York cabbage sold in market to-day at $3, or $5 for
two. At that rate, I got about $10 worth out of my garden. Mine are
excellent, and so far abundant, as well as the lettuce, which we have
every day. My snap beans and beets will soon come on. The little garden
is a little treasure.

JUNE 7TH.--Rained in the night, clear and cool in the morning.

Gen. Breckinridge's division started toward the Valley early this
morning.

All is quiet near the city; but firing has been heard in the direction