One report says the enemy
assaulted our lines, the operations on this side of the river having
been more a feint to draw our forces away; another that Gen. Beauregard
attacked the enemy, finding their troops in large force had crossed over
to this side, and this in the absence of Gen. Lee, he taking the
responsibility. Be this as it may, some stir was in the cabinet: and the
Secretary of War was with the President from 11 A.M. till 3 P.M. This
might be on "appointments and promotions," and it might be on
Beauregard.

About 5 P.M. brisk artillery firing was heard in a southeast direction,
which increased in rapidity, and apparently became nearer the city,
until musketry could be distinctly heard from all parts of the city. My
daughter Anne and her younger brother, Thomas, had walked out to
Hollywood Cemetery, where they could not only hear the firing, but could
see the lines of smoke below the city, on the left or north bank.
Between 6 and 7 P.M. the sound seemed to recede, indicating that the
assault had been repulsed; and finally all was silent again. It is
probable the battle raged likewise on the south side of the river, and
it may be hoped the assault on Petersburg was similarly repulsed. We
shall know to-morrow.

AUGUST 19TH.--Damp and cloudy.

There was no serious battle. The wind was in a quarter which brought the
sounds to us, even from the skirmishers, ten miles distant. But our
gun-boats shelled the enemy out of their position on Signal Hill, and
there was heavy cannonading along the line on the south side of the
river. And, as appears by the papers, there was severe fighting at
different points of the line.

We have now some further details of the battle of Tuesday. Our loss was
1000; the enemy's, it is said, 5000 to 8000.

It is now, 5 P.M., raining gently, thank Heaven!

To-day we had a distribution of meats, etc. brought from North Carolina
by our agent. Custis and I invested $200: we have received 26 pounds
bacon and 24 smoked herrings--worth here about $200. Half the money
remains in the agent's hands, for which we expect to get 300 pounds of
flour--if the enemy will let the railroads alone.

It is believed another raid has crossed the Weldon Road, and is sweeping
in the direction of the Lynchburg and Danville Road. The speculators are
on the _qui vive_ already, and no flour can be had. I fear _our_ flour
will be intercepted, delayed, and perhaps lost! The meat we got to-day
will supply but two