asting more than an hour.

JULY 12TH.--Clear and warm--the earth refreshed.

Gen. Johnston telegraphs to Gen. Bragg to have the United States
prisoners at Andersonville "distributed immediately." He does not allege
a reason for the necessity. It may be danger of an outbreak--or that the
yellow fever has broken out among them.

I think Grant is about to have a race with Lee for Washington. The news
from the Northern frontier is interesting.

A slight shower in the evening--heavy a few miles distant.

JULY 13TH.--Bright and pleasant.

The city is in great excitement and joy. Gen. Early has gained a victory
in Maryland, near Frederick, defeating Gen. Wallace, capturing Gen.
Tyler and Col. Seward (son of the Secretary), besides many prisoners.
The slaughter was great, and the pursuit of the routed army was toward
BALTIMORE.

Grant is certainly sending away troops.

Gen. Lee writes a particular letter to the Secretary (dated 9th inst.),
desiring most specially that the papers be requested to say nothing of
his movements for some time to come, and that the department will not
publish any communication from him, which might indicate from its date
his _distance_ from Richmond. This is mysterious. He may be going to
Maryland.

Gen. Johnston telegraphs from near Atlanta that the enemy holds several
fords above, and a portion of his forces have crossed, and are
intrenched. Some cannonading is going on--ineffective--aimed at the
railroad depot. Some think Lee is going thither. Others that he is going
to flank what remains of the Federal army in front of Petersburg.

JULY 14TH.--The drought continues here; but at some other places there
has fallen heavy rain.

The excitement on the news of our successes in Maryland is intense, and
a belief prevails that great results will grow out of this invasion of
the country held by the enemy. Twice before but little if any benefit
resulted from crossing the Potomac.

It is rumored to-day that Longstreet's corps has marched to Maryland,
and that Lee is with it.

JULY 15TH.--Clear and cool; subsequently cloudy.

The _Washington Chronicle_ of the 12th, received yesterday, indicates
that Washington or Baltimore, or both, were in danger of falling into
our possession.

Lieut-Col. G. W. Lay said, this morning, in my office, that Grant would
not leave--that he held a most important position--that he would not
fail in his campaign; that our operations beyond the Potomac were not of