misrepresenting the
conduct of the enemy; there being policy in keeping alive the
animosities of the army and the people.

The poor clerks in the trenches are in a demoralized condition. It is
announced that the Secretary of War has resolved to send them all to
Camp Lee, for medical examination: those that have proved their ability
to bear arms (in defense of the city) _are to be removed from office_,
and put in the army. One-half of them will desert to the enemy, and
injure the cause. About one hundred of them were appointed before the
enactment of the act of Conscription, under the express guarantee of the
Constitution that they should not be molested during life. If the
President removes these, mostly refugees with families dependent upon
their salaries, it will be a plain violation of the Constitution; and
the victims cannot be relied on for their loyalty to the government. If
the government wastes precious time in such small matters, while events
of magnitude demand attention, the cause is fast reaching a hopeless
condition. The able-bodied money-changer, speculator, and extortioner is
still seen in the street; and their number is legion.

The generals in the field are sending back the poor, sickly recruits
ordered out by the Medical Board: the able-bodied rich men escape by
bribery and corruption; and the hearty _officers_--acting
adjutant-generals, quartermasters, and commissaries--ride their sleek
horses through the city every afternoon. This, while the cause is
perishing for want of men and horses!

OCTOBER 24TH.--Clouds and sunshine. Nothing new of importance from the
army.

Gov. Smith has been writing letters to Gen. Lee, asking that Gen. Early
be superseded in the Valley. Pity it had not been done! Gen. Lee
replied, expressing confidence in Early; and the President (since the
disaster!) coincides with Lee.

The President administers a sharp rebuke to Gen. Whiting, for
irregularly corresponding with Generals Lee and Beauregard on the
subject of Lieut. Taylor Wood's naval expedition, fitting out at
Wilmington.

The President and cabinet are still at work on the one hundred clerks in
the departments whom they wish to displace.

I append the result of my gardening this year. The dry weather in May
and June injured the crop, or the amount would have been much larger.
Total valuation, at market prices, $347.

OCTOBER 25TH.--Bright and beautiful morning.

All quiet below. Mr. McRae has been permitted b