rt, about 1200
of the enemy, and taken more than 1600 horses and mules, 230 beef
cattle, and 85 wagons and ambulances, without counting many smaller
operations. The services rendered by Col. Moseby and his command in
watching and reporting the enemy's movements have also been of
great value. His operations have been highly creditable to himself
and his command.

"(Signed) R. E. LEE, _General_.

"Official: JOHN BLAIR HOGE,

"_Major and Assistant Adjutant-General._"

SEPTEMBER 28TH.--Bright; subsequently cloudy and warm rain.

Staunton was entered by the enemy's cavalry on Monday afternoon.

We have no news whatever to-day from any quarter. But the deep booming
of cannon is still heard down the river, foreboding an awful conflict
soon.

I saw three 10-inch Columbiads at the Petersburg depot to-day; they are
going to move them toward Petersburg, I believe.

Gold is thirty for one to-day, and still rising, Forrest's exploit
having done nothing to revive confidence in Treasury notes here.

SEPTEMBER 29TH.--Bright and beautiful.

As I walked down to the department, heavy and brisk cannonading below
assailed the ear. It was different from the ordinary daily shelling, and
to my familiar senses, it could only be a BATTLE. The sounds continued,
and even at my desk in the department the vibrations were very
perceptible.

About 10 o'clock, when walking down Main Street (the cannon still
heard), I met Robert Tyler and Mr. Foote, member of Congress, the latter
in some excitement, denouncing the management of affairs by the
Executive. He said if Richmond were lost, he should move that the people
take matters in their own hands, and proclaim a DICTATOR. Mr. Tyler,
commanding his temper, banteringly told him that he ran some risk of
being arrested, tried by drum-head court-martial, and shot--before
night. Mr. Foote whirled away, repeating his desperate purpose; and
Tyler repeating, more gravely, that he might be arrested for treasonable
language--and ought to be.

Mr. Tyler then invited me to join him at breakfast at a neighboring
restaurant, where we had each a loaf of bread, a cup of coffee with milk
(but brown sugar), and three eggs. The bill was sixteen dollars!

When I returned to the department, information came that the enemy had
captured Fort Harrison (Signal Hill), near Chaffin's Bluff, and were
advancing toward the city. From that moment much excitement sprung up
(t