s, etc. what would cost $10.

JUNE 10TH.--Clear and cool.

All quiet round the city; but Petersburg was assaulted yesterday and
successfully defended.

The battalion of clerks still remains at Bottom's Bridge, on the
Chickahominy. The pickets hold familiar conversation every day with the
pickets of the enemy, the stream being narrow, and crossed by a log. For
tobacco and the city papers our boys get sugar, coffee, etc. This
intercourse is wrong. Some of the clerks were _compelled_ to volunteer
to retain their offices, and may desert, giving important information to
the enemy.

I had snap beans to-day from my garden. I have seen none in market.

JUNE 11TH.--Sunshine and cloudy--warmer.

There is a calm in military matters, but a storm is gathering in the
Valley of Virginia. Both sides are concentrating for a battle. If we
should be defeated (not likely), then our communications may be cut, and
Grant be under no necessity of fighting again to get possession of
Richmond. Meantime it is possible Grant will retire, and come again on
the south side of the James River.

Congress is debating a measure increasing the President's
compensation--he cannot subsist on his present salary. Nor can any of
us. Mr. Seddon has a large private income, and could well afford to set
the patriotic example of working "for nothing."

We have heard to-day that Lincoln was nominated for re-election at
Baltimore on the 7th inst., and gold rose to $1 96. Fremont is now
pledged to run also, thus dividing the Republican party, and giving an
opportunity for the Democrats to elect a President. If we can only
_subsist_ till then, we may have peace, and must have independence at
all events.

But there is discontent, in the Army of the West, with Gen. Johnston,
and in the East with Bragg, and among the croakers with the President.

New potatoes sold to-day for $5 per quart, $160 per bushel!

Mr. Rhodes, Commissioner of Patents, told me to-day that Gen. Forrest,
at last accounts, was at Tupelo, Miss., doing nothing,--Gen. Wheeler,
his junior in years, superior in rank, to whom he is again subordinated
by the potency of Gen. Cooper's red tape, having most of his men.

Robert Tyler has been with the Departmental Battalion at Bottom's
Bridge, doing service as a private, though the head of a bureau.

This evening at 7 o'clock we heard artillery in the direction of Lee's
army.

JUNE 12TH.--Cold and cloudy.

Some firing again this morning, suppo