The spirits of the people here are buoyant with the Western news, as
well as with the result of Lee's campaign.

The death of Gen. Polk, however, is lamented by a good many.

The operations of Forrest and Morgan are inspiring.

JUNE 16TH.--Clear and pleasant weather, but dusty.

The Departmental Battalion marched away, last night, from the
Chickahominy (guarding a ford when no enemy was on the other side!) for
Chaffin's Farm, on the James River. They were halted after marching an
hour or so, and permitted to rest (sleep) while the rest of the brigade
passed on. When Custis awoke he was alone, the battalion having left
him; and he was ill, and knew not the road. So he set out for the city,
with the intention of going down the river road this morning. But he
grew worse after reaching home. Still, he resolved to go; and at 8 A.M.,
having marched all night nearly, he set out again, and met his
sergeant--who had likewise diverged as far as the city--who said if he
was really too ill to march, he would deliver the captain a surgeon's
certificate to that effect, which would be a sufficient explanation of
his absence. So, Surgeon C. Bell Gibson, upon an examination, pronounced
him _sick_, and certified to the captain that he could not be fit for
service for a week or ten days. At 3 P.M. he is in bed with a raging
fever.

There was a fight at Malvern Hill yesterday, the enemy being repulsed.

There was also another assault on Petersburg, repulsed three times; but
the fourth time our forces, _two regiments_, were forced back by
overwhelming numbers from the outer line of defenses.

To-day it is reported that they are fighting again at Petersburg, and
great masses of troops are in motion. The war will be determined,
perhaps, by the operations of a day or two; and much anxiety is felt by
all.

A letter from Hon. G. A. Henry, on the Danville Railroad, saying only
1000 men were there to defend it, with but two cannon without
appropriate ammunition!

Soon after a dispatch came from Col. Withers, at Danville, stating it
was reported 10,000 of the enemy were approaching the road, and only
thirty-two miles distant. He called for reinforcements, but stated his
belief that the number of the enemy was exaggerated.

I delivered these to the Secretary myself, finding him engaged writing a
long letter to Gen. Kirby Smith, beyond the Mississippi!

In this moment of _doubt_ and _apprehension_, I saw Mr. Randolph,
formerly Secretary