untain (in Georgia, Sherman's
rear), dated yesterday, says Sherman is marching out of Atlanta to
attack him. He says Gen. Stewart's corps struck the railroad at Big
Shanty, capturing 350 prisoner and destroying ten miles of the road.
Gen. Forrest is marching against Altoona. We shall soon have stirring
news.

All is quiet near Petersburg and Richmond to-day. Eight of the local
companies (clerks) have been ordered to guard the prisoners to
Salisbury, N. C.

I saw a New York _Tribune_ to-day, of the 17th inst., and find the
Peterson's are advertising new editions of several of my books.

OCTOBER 7TH.--Bright and beautiful.

The government, after giving the news from Georgia, position of Hood, to
the press, suppressed it. It is well, perhaps, not to permit Grant, who
sees our papers daily, to know what we are doing there.

There are rumors of fighting to-day near Chaffin's Bluff, but we hear no
cannon, except an occasional shell at long intervals.

Gen. Bragg is now in hot water with the Quartermaster-General, for
ordering the trial of Lieut.-Col. Cone and Major Maynard,
Quartermasters, in the city, for alleged violation of law and orders.

Gen. Preston is away again or sick, and Col. August and Lieut.-Col. Lay
are again signing papers at "the Bureau," as "acting superintendents."
Bragg may aim another bomb at the refractory concern.

OCTOBER 8TH.--Cloudy, windy, and cold.

The fighting yesterday was more serious than I supposed. It was supposed
the conflict would be resumed to-day, but we have no information of any
fighting up to this hour--5 P.M.

From Gen. Hood we have a dispatch, saying Major-Gen. French attacked
Altoona day before yesterday. He carried all the outworks, but failed at
the inner one, and learning a body of the enemy were approaching his
rear, Gen. F. withdrew to the main body of the army. He says nothing of
the loss, etc. on either side.

At the Tredegar Works, and in the government workshops, the detailed
soldier, if a _mechanic_, is paid in money and in rations (at the
current prices) about $16 per day, or nearly $6000 per annum. A member
of Congress receives $5500, a clerk $4000.

OCTOBER 9TH, SUNDAY.--Cloudy, windy, and very cold.

I hear of no operations yesterday, although, as usual, some cannonnading
was audible yesterday evening.

It is said Gen. Pemberton was in great perturbation during the several
advances of the enemy last week. Like Boabdil, the Unlucky of Grenada,
he lost