sed to be merely an artillery duel.

Heard from Custis, in pencil mark on the back of envelope; and he has
applied for and obtained a transfer from ordnance duty in the rear, back
to his company in the front.

It is rumored that Sheridan has cut the road between Gordonsville and
Charlottesville, and between that place and Lynchburg. If this be true,
he will probably strike south for the Danville Road. Then we shall have
_confusion here, and the famine intensified_. There seems to be no
concert among the military commanders, and no unity of purpose among
civil functionaries. They mistrust one another, and the people begin to
mistrust them all. Meantime the President remains inflexible.

All has been quiet to-day. I suppose the enemy is fortifying, with an
intention to move half his army to the south side of the
river--distracting us by menacing the city and threatening our
communications at the same time.

It is believed here by the croakers that Gen. Lee has lost much of his
influence, from the moment Mr. Foote named him as Dictator in the event
of one being declared.

Now, it would seem, if the plan of Beauregard, rejected by Bragg, had
been adopted, our condition would have been better. It is the curse of
Republics to be torn by the dissensions of rival chieftains in moments
of public danger!

JUNE 13TH.--Clear and cool.

Gen. Bragg sent to the Secretary of War to-day a copy of a letter from
him to the President, yesterday, proposing to send 6000 more troops to
Western Virginia, as Breckinridge has only 9000 and the enemy 18,000.

Lieut.-Gen Holmes sends from Raleigh, N. C., a letter from Hon. T.
Bragg, revealing the existence of a secret organization in communication
with the enemy, styled the "H. O. A.;" and asking authority to arrest
certain men supposed to be implicated.

A letter was received from G. W. Lay, his son-in-law, by the Assistant
Secretary of War, Judge Campbell, dated near Petersburg, stating that
the Southern Express Company would bring articles from Charleston for
him. That company seems to be more potential than ever.

Cannonading was heard far down the Chickahominy this morning. And yet
Lieut.-Gen. Ewell marched his corps to-day out the Brooke Road, just in
the opposite direction! It is rumored that he is marching away for
Washington! If he had transportation, and could march in that direction,
no doubt it would be the speediest way of relieving Richmond. Gen. Lee,
however, knows best.