some of his cannon, and every one anticipated disaster under his
command. This will furnish fresh material for assaults in Congress on
the President, if that body should meet again next month, for placing
this officer in so responsible a command, whatever may be his skill,
when the soldiers and the people have no faith in him. It is
characteristic of the President to adhere to what he deems just and
proper, regardless of anticipated consequences. This was the habit of
Caesar--but he fell.

An effort is again being made to replenish Lee's army with able-bodied
details employed in the various departments, but I fear it will only
result, as heretofore, in sending to the ranks the weak and diseased who
are poor and friendless.

OCTOBER 10TH.--_A white frost_; first frost of the season. All quiet
below.

Gen. W. M. Gardner (in Gen. Winder's place) reports that of the exempts
and citizens taken from the streets to the front, last week, _a majority
have deserted_. This proves that even a despotic military act cannot be
committed with impunity.

Gen. Beauregard telegraphs from Opelika, Ala., that he has arranged
matters satisfactorily between Gov. Brown of Georgia and Gen. Cobb,
regarding exempts and State militia.

The President directs the Secretary to ascertain if this has been done
in accordance with law and the interests of the service.

Gen. R. Taylor telegraphs that Gen. E. K. Smith has proclaimed pardon to
deserters, from trans-Mississippi Department, after he had arrested most
of them and sent them to their regiments, and now he recommends that no
more troops be brought over the river or they will be sure to desert.
The President directs the Secretary to correspond with Gen. Smith on the
subject. Gen. Taylor is the President's kinsman--by his first marriage.

Gen. Beauregard left Opelika on the 7th inst. for Hood's army, so in a
few days we may expect a battle.

OCTOBER 11TH.--Bright and pleasant. All is quiet below.

From Georgia we have many rumors. It is reported that a battle has been
fought (second time) at Altoona, which we captured, with 4000 prisoners;
that Rome has been taken, with 3000 negro prisoners; and, finally, that
we have Atlanta again. I have seen no such dispatches. But the gentleman
who assured me it was all true, has a son a clerk at the President's
office, and a relative in the telegraph office. Dispatches may have come
to the President; and, if so, it may be our policy to forbid their