of War, and Mr. G. A. Myers, his law colleague, at
the telegraph office eagerly in quest of news.

To-day the President decided that Marylanders here are "residents," or
"alien enemies;" if the former, they must fight--if the latter, be
expelled. A righteous judgment.

Last night, as Custis staggered (with debility) upon the pickets at the
fortifications of the city, not having a passport, he was refused
permission to proceed. He then lay down to rest, when one of the pickets
remarked to him that he was not "smart, or he would flank them." Custis
sprang up and thanked him for the _hint_, and proceeded to put it in
practice.

The _Examiner_ to-day says that Col. Dahlgren, a month before his death,
was in Richmond, under an assumed name, with a passport signed by Gen.
Winder, to go whithersoever he would. I think this probable.

At 3 P.M. the wires cease to work between here and Petersburg, and there
are many rumors. But from the direction of the wind, we cannot hear any
firing.

JUNE 17TH.--Clear and pleasant.

A dispatch from Beauregard states that two assaults of the enemy
yesterday, at Petersburg, were repulsed with loss; and it is reported
that he recovered all lost ground to-day. Yet Beauregard has an enemy in
his rear as well as in his front.

When the battles were fought on the south side of the river in May, it
appears that one of Gen. B.'s brigadiers (Colston) stopped some
battalions on the way to Richmond, in an emergency, and this has
certainly given umbrage to the President, as the following indorsement,
which I found on a paper to-day, will show:

"No officer has a right to stop troops moving under the orders of
superior authority. If he assumes such power, he does it at his hazard,
and must be justified by subsequent events rather than by good
intentions.

"Gen. Beauregard has, in this case, by approving and continuing the
order (Gen. Colston's) assumed the responsibility of the act.--J. D.
June 16th, 1864."

JUNE 18TH.--Clear and cool.

To-day, heavy firing is heard on the south side of the river. It is
believed a general engagement is in progress. It is the anniversary of
the battle of WATERLOO. If we gain the day, it will end the war.

It is now said Gen. Early (with Ewell's corps) has reached Lynchburg,
where a battle must occur.

Gen. Ewell has been assigned to the command of this department, Gen.
Ransom going West.

We have advices (4 P.M.) of a terrific battle at Petersburg last