publication for the present, as the enemy would derive the first
intelligence of their disaster from our newspapers.

Well, Gen. Gardner reports, officially, that of the number of exempts,
and of the mixed class of citizens arrested in the streets, and
summarily marched to the "front," "a majority have deserted!" Men, with
exemptions in their pockets, going to or returning from market, have
been seized by the Adjutant-General's orders, and despotically hurried
off without being permitted even to send a message to their families.
Thousands were entrapped, by being directed to call at Gen. Barton's
headquarters, an immense warehouse, and receive passes; but no Gen.
Barton was there--or if there, not visible; and all the anxious seekers
found themselves in prison, only to be liberated as they were
incorporated into companies, and marched "to the front." From the age of
fifteen to fifty-five, all were seized by that order--no matter what
papers they bore, or what the condition of their families--and hurried
to the field, where there was no battle. No wonder there are many
deserters--no wonder men become indifferent as to which side shall
prevail, nor that the administration is falling into disrepute at the
capital.

OCTOBER 12TH.--Bright and beautiful. All quiet below, save an occasional
booming from the fleet.

Nothing from Georgia in the papers, save the conjectures of the Northern
press. No doubt we have gained advantages there, which it is good policy
to conceal as long as possible from the enemy.

Squads of able-bodied _detailed_ men are arriving _at last_, from the
interior. Lee's army, in this way, will get efficient reinforcements.

The Secretary of the Treasury sends a note over to the Secretary of War
to-day, saying the Commissary-General, in his estimates, allows but
$31,000,000 for tax in kind--whereas the tax collectors show an actual
amount, credited to farmers and planters, of $145,000,000. He says this
will no doubt attract the notice of Congress.

Mr. Peck, our agent to purchase supplies in North Carolina, has
delivered no wheat yet. He bought supplies for his family; 400 bushels
of wheat for 200 clerks, and 100 for Assistant Secretary of War, Judge
Campbell, and Mr. Kean, the young Chief of the Bureau. This he says he
bought with private funds; but he brought it at the government's
expense. The clerks are resolved not to submit to his action.

I hear of more desertions. Mr. Seddon and Mr. Stanton a