signed by
Col. August, "Acting Superintendent." It was approved by Judge Campbell,
Assistant Secretary of War, "by order of the Secretary of War" who never
saw it. Mr. Seddon has left all the business of conscription in the
hands of Judge Campbell; and poor Gen. Preston--indolent and ill--has
been compelled to sign, sanction, and defend documents he knew nothing
about; and Mr. Seddon is in a similar predicament.

The Secretary of War has written a long letter to Gen. Lee, suggesting
that he assemble a council of officers to decide what measure shall be
adopted in regard to the treatment of prisoners in the hands of the
enemy. It appears that Gen. Butler has notified Gen. Lee that he is now
retaliating fearfully--making them work in his canal--on certain
Confederates for some alleged harsh treatment of _negro_ prisoners in
our hands--sending slaves back to their masters. Mr. Seddon, without
assuming any responsibility himself, yet intimates the idea that this
government is prepared to sanction the most sanguinary remedy; and I
understand several members of the cabinet to have always been in favor
of fighting--that is, having others fight--under the black flag. If the
government had only listened to Gen. Lee's suggestions, we should have
had abundance of men in the field to beat the enemy out of Virginia. I
hope the present recruiting excitement comes not too late. And I trust
he will interpose so far in behalf of the country as to wrest the
railroads from the hands of the speculators and the dishonest
quartermasters.

Not a gun has been heard by me to-day, and the mysterious silence defies
my powers of penetration. I only hope it may continue _sine die_.

OCTOBER 17TH.--Bright and beautiful.

Still all quiet below, and reinforcements (details revoked) are now
arriving--1000 per day.

The Northern news makes some doubt as to the result of the election in
Pennsylvania.

From the Valley we have rumors of victory, etc.

A thrill of horror has been produced by a report that Gen. Butler has,
for some time past, kept a number of his prisoners (Confederates) at
work in his canal down the river, and supposing they were Federals, our
batteries and gun-boats have been shelling our own men!

OCTOBER 18TH.--Cloudy and cool.

Quiet below, but it is rumored that the enemy has erected one or two
sand batteries, mounted with 400-pounders, bearing on our fleet of
gun-boats.

The following dispatch was received from Gen. Hood