bate. Nearly every movement in this (I think final) effort
to capture Richmond has failed. Sheridan failed to destroy the Central,
Hunter the South Side, and Wilson the Danville Railroad--each losing
about half his men and horses. Grant himself, so far, has but "swung
round" a wall of steel, losing 100,000 men, and only gaining a position
on the James River which he might have occupied without any loss. On the
other hand, Lee wields a larger army than he began with, and better
armed, clothed, and fed.

This _ought_ to end the vain attempt at subjugation. But if not, the
Confederate States, under the new policy (defensive), might maintain the
contest against a half million of invaders. Our crop of wheat is
abundant, and the harvest _over_; our communications will be all
re-established in a few days, and the people being armed and drilled
everywhere, the enemy's raiders will soon be checked in _any_ locality
they may select as the scene of operations. All the bridges will be
defended with fortifications. Besides, Lee is gathering rapidly an army
on the Potomac, and may not only menace the enemy's capital, but _take_
it. Early and Breckinridge, Imboden and Morgan, may be at this moment
inflicting more serious injury on the enemy's railroads and canals than
we have sustained in Virginia. And it is certain the stores of the
Federal army in Georgia have been captured or destroyed to a very
serious extent.

Still, in this hour of destitution and suffering among certain classes
of the people, we see _no beggars_ in the streets.

Likewise, notwithstanding the raiding parties penetrate far in the rear
of our armies, there has been no instance of an attempt on the part of
the slaves to rise in insurrection.

JULY 4TH.--Cloudy, but still hot and dry.

From the clouds of dust seen rising between Petersburg and the James
River, it is conjectured that Grant's army is in motion.

The Federal Congress has authorized the drafting of 200,000 more men,
after 60 days' fruitless attempt to raise volunteers. So it will be
September before the draft, and January before the men will be soldiers.

JULY 5TH.--Cool and dry, everything suffering for rain.

All quiet about Petersburg, but later in the day a rumor sprung up that
fighting had recommenced there. I doubt it, because by _Northern_
accounts I see Gen. Early is destroying railroads beyond the Potomac,
and will undoubtedly threaten Washington itself. If Grant fails to send
troops t