for him. What will he do next? No matter what,
Lee is the master of the situation.

My daughter's large pet cat died last night under the cherry-tree, and
was buried this morning under a rose-bush. I sympathize with Fannie in
the grief natural on such an occasion; but really, the death of the cat
in such times as these is a great relief to me, as he was maintained at
the cost of not less than $200 per annum. His death was probably
occasioned by a surfeit of meat which his mistress obtained
unexpectedly, seeing it fall in the street, and sending a servant for
it.

This morning a large fat chicken was found in my yard, picked and
prepared for cooking, brought hither by a cat which had stolen it from
some kitchen. A portion of the breast only had been eaten, and our cook
seized upon the remains for her own benefit. To such straits are we
reduced by this cruel war!

CHAPTER XLI.

From the Northern papers.--Letter from J. Thompson, Canada.--From Mr.
McRae, our foreign agent.--Dispatch from Major-Gen. Maury.--"General
Order No. 65."--Battle of Reams's Station.

AUGUST 1ST.--Hot and clear; but it rained yesterday three-quarters of an
hour in the afternoon.

Our loss in the affair at Petersburg is about 800, the enemy's 3500. We
captured 2000 small arms.

We have nothing yet from Atlanta, but no doubt there has been another
battle. I hope no disaster has befallen us there. No doubt the wires
have been cut by the raiders, and roads also. It is a critical time in
Georgia. But if Virginia triumphs over the assaults of Grant, all will
go well.

AUGUST 2D.--Bright and hot. At 4 P.M. a cloud rising. Fear my wife, and
daughter Fannie, and Custis (who has a days' furlough), who went this
morning per Fredericksburg Railroad into Hanover County to gather
blackberries, will be caught in a rain. Nevertheless, the rain is
wanted.

Assistant Secretary Campbell is again "allowing" doubtful characters to
pass out of the Confederate States to the United States; among these is
Dr. McClure, "the embalmer," who, too, carried others out for bribes.

The Signal Bureau gives information to-day of Grant's purpose to spring
the mine already sprung, also of a raid, that was abandoned, north and
west of Richmond. They say Grant has now but 70,000 men, there being
only a few men left at Washington. Can the agents paid by the Signal
Bureau be relied on?

Gen. Bragg telegraphs from Columbus, Ga., that Gen. Roddy has been
or