North as awful, and ours is
decidedly the winning side. These gentry somehow succeed in getting
appointments.

Our army _does not advance_. It is said both Beauregard and Johnston are
anxious to cross the Potomac; but what is _said_ is not always true. The
capabilities of our army to cross the Potomac are not known; and the
policy of doing so if it were practicable, is to be determined by the
responsible authority. Of one thing I am convinced: the North, so far
from desisting from the execution of its settled purpose, even under
this disagreeable reverse, will be stimulated to renewed preparations on
a scale of greater magnitude than ever.

JULY 28TH.--We have taken two prisoners in civilian's dress, Harris and
----, on the field, who came over from Washington in quest of the
remains of Col. Cameron, brother of the Yankee Secretary of War. They
claim a release on the ground that they are non-combatants, but admit
they were sent to the field by the Yankee Secretary. Mr. Benjamin came
to the department last night with a message for Secretary Walker, on the
subject. The Secretary being absent, he left it with me to deliver. It
was that the prisoners were not to be liberated without the concurrence
of the President. There was no danger of Secretary Walker releasing
them; for I had heard him say the authorities might have obtained the
remains, if they had sent a flag of truce. Disdaining to condescend thus
far toward a recognition of us as belligerents, they abandoned their
dead and wounded; and he, Walker, would see the prisoners, thus
surreptitiously sent on the field, in a very hot place before he would
sign an order for their release. I was gratified to see Mr. Benjamin so
zealous in the matter.

JULY 29TH.--To-day quite a number of our wounded men on crutches, and
with arms in splints, made their appearance in the streets, and created
a sensation. A year hence, and we shall be accustomed to such
spectacles.

JULY 30TH.--Nothing of importance to-day.

JULY 31ST.--Nothing worthy of note.

CHAPTER V.

My son Custis appointed clerk in the War Department.--N. Y. Herald
contains a pretty correct army list of the C. S.--Appearance of "Plug
Uglies."--President's rupture with Beauregard.--President sick.--
Alien enemies ordered away.--Brief interview with the President.--
"Immediate."--Large numbers of cavalry offering.--Great preparations
in the North.

AUGUST 1ST.--Col. Bledsoe again