f the resentment of his numerous friends, at the same time he is
reticent, from patriotic motives, fearing to injure the cause.

It is stigmatized as an act of perfidy, that the Federal Government have
brought here and caused to be slaughtered, some 1600 out of 1900
volunteers from the District of Columbia, who were to serve only 30 days
in defense of the Federal city. At the same time our government is
keeping in the service, at hard labor on the fortifications, Custis
Lee's brigade of clerks, who were assured, when volunteering, that they
never would be called out except to defend the fortifications of the
city, built by negroes!

JUNE 27TH.--Bright and hot--afterward light showers.

By the papers we learn that President Lincoln has been on a visit to
Grant's army. If Grant does not accomplish some great wonder in a few
days, his campaign will be noted a failure, even in the North.

We learn to-day that gold is now at $2.15 in the North.

The raiders are beginning to pay the penalty of their temerity; besides
Hampton's fight with them, on this side the James River, we learn that
W. H. F. Lee has struck them a blow on the south side.

JUNE 28TH.--Bright and cool--a little rain last night.

The Departmental Battalion is still kept out. They have built a line of
fortifications four miles long--to Deep Bottom from near Chaffin's Farm.
The Secretary of War intimates that these clerks are kept out by Gen. R.
B. Lee.

The superintendent of the Central Railroad informed the Secretary of War
to-day that the road would be reopened to Staunton on Thursday (day
after to-morrow), such is the slight damage done by the enemy. He asks
that the bridge near Hanover Junction be defended, that being the only
part of the road that can be much injured by a small raiding party. And
he don't want the papers to say anything about the reopening of the
road.

The news from the North, that Congress has refused to repeal the $300
clause in their military bill--allowing drafted men to buy out at $300
each--and the rise of gold to $2.30 for $1--together with the apparent
or real _inertia_ of Grant, seem to inspire great confidence in our
people to-day. They think the worst is really over, and so do I.

My little garden, during the month of June, has saved me $150. A single
cabbage head to-day in market was sold for $10. Although the joint
salaries of Custis and myself amount now to $8000 per annum, we have the
greatest difficulty to subs