her_ functions than the mere nomination
of candidates, etc.

SEPTEMBER 4TH.--Showery.

Atlanta has fallen, and our army has retreated some thirty miles; such
is Hood's dispatch, received last night.

The cheering in Grant's camp yesterday was over that event. We have not
had sufficient generalship and enterprise to destroy Sherman's
communications.

Some 40,000 landowners, and the owners of slaves, are at their
comfortable homes, or in comfortable offices, while the poor and
ignorant are relied upon to achieve independence! and these, very
naturally, disappoint the President's expectations on momentous
occasions.

SEPTEMBER 5TH.--Clear and warm.

Gen. Lee has called for 2000 negroes (to be impressed) to work on the
Petersburg fortifications. Gen. Lee has been here two days, giving his
advice, which I hope may be taken. He addresses Gen. Bragg as
"commanding armies C. S." This _ought_ to be an example for others to
follow.

The loss of Atlanta is a stunning blow.

I am sick to-day--having been swollen by beans, or rather cow-peas.

SEPTEMBER 6TH.--Raining moderately, and cool.

Gen. Bragg has taken the Bureau of Conscription in hand, since Col.
August, "acting superintendent," wrote him a "disrespectful and
insubordinate" note. He required a report of the officers in the bureau,
from Lieut.-Col. Lay, "Acting Superintendent,"--there have been three
"acting superintendents" during the last three days,--and Col. Lay
furnished it. On this Gen. B. remarks that one young and able-bodied
colonel (August) was here while his regiment was in the field, and
recommended that he be permitted to have an opportunity to see some
"service" before the war is ended, and military experience, which will
teach him to be more respectful to seniors, etc.; and that the
able-bodied lieutenant-colonel (Lay), from whom he can get no report of
inspections, and who remains here idle most of his time, could render
more efficient service in the field.

And he thought Lieut. Goldthwait, relative of the Assistant Secretary of
War, in the bureau, was performing functions that would better pertain
to an older and more experienced man. In short, the whole organization
required modification.

These papers, with this indorsement, being sent to the President, that
functionary sends them to the Secretary of War, with an indorsement
intimating that such remarks from Gen. Bragg required _action_. Here's a
row! Perhaps the Secretary himself may _f