aign? Or if
Lincoln should succeed in getting into the field the 500,000 men now
called for?

The next two months will be the most interesting period of the war;
everything depends upon the result of the Presidential election in the
United States. We rely some little upon the success of the peace party.

The order from the Adjutant-General's office was first suggested by Gen.
Beauregard, discountenanced by Mr. Secretary Seddon, approved by the
President, and slightly modified by Gen. Lee. It remains to be seen what
will be its effect. Deserters are certainly coming over in large
numbers; so much so, that it is proposed to establish a depot for them
in Georgia. Gen. Winder writes that it is not his province to be charged
with them as well as with the prisoners. He is miserable; his rogues and
cut-throats have mostly remained behind, preferring a city residence;
and the Bureau of Conscription _will not_, it seems, conscribe
Marylanders, most of whom have grown rich here. Will the President and
the Secretary of War yield to Assistant Secretary Campbell, and the
"Bureau," and Judge Halliburton,--or will they execute the act of
Congress, enrolling all "residents" for the common defense! _Nous
verrons._

One meets no beggars yet, although we have been suffering a famine for
more than a year.

The State Government is now selling a little rice--one and a half pounds
per month to each member of a family--at 50 cents per pound, the
ordinary price being about $2. And the City Council has employed a
butcher to sell fresh meat at about $3.50 per pound. The State will also
distribute cotton cloth and yarn, at something less than the usual
prices. There would be quite enough of everything necessary, if it were
equally distributed.

AUGUST 22D.--Sunshine and clouds, cool and pleasant.

There was heavy fighting on the Weldon Road yesterday evening, still
held by the enemy; but no official account of the result--if it has yet
reached a result--has been received. The city is full of extravagant
rumors, and I incline to the belief that we gained no advantage
yesterday. We took some 300 prisoners, certainly; but I fear Haygood's
Brigade of South Carolinians ventured too far, when they were enveloped
by greatly superior numbers--and--we shall know all to-morrow.

The news from Hood, Wheeler, Forrest, etc. in the Southwest promises
well.

AUGUST 23D.--Clear and pleasant.

The enemy still occupy the Weldon Road, beyond Petersburg,