emy, and I think would greatly diminish the prospects of
successful defense." He suggests that more men and small boats be put in
the river to prevent the enemy from placing torpedoes in the rear of the
iron-clads, when on duty down the river at night.

J. H. Reagan, Postmaster-General, has written a furious letter to the
Secretary, complaining of incivility on the part of Mr. Wilson,
Commissary Agent to issue beef in Richmond. Judge R. went there to draw
the beef ration for Col. Lubbock, one of the President's aid-de-camps
(late Governor of Texas). He says he is able-bodied and ought to be in
the army. Mr. Wilson sends in certificates of two men who were present,
contradicting the judge's statement of the language used by Mr. W. The
Secretary has not yet acted in the case.

Beverly Tucker is in Canada, and has made a contract for the Confederate
States Government with ------ & Co., of New York, to deliver bacon for
cotton, pound for pound. It was made by authority of the Secretary of
War, certified to by Hon. C. C. Clay and J. Thompson, both in Canada.
The Secretary of the Treasury don't like it.

It is reported that after the success reported by Gen. Lee, Early was
_again_ defeated.

CHAPTER XLIV.

Proclamation for a day of public worship.--Gov. Allen, of Louisiana.--
Letter from Gen. Beauregard.--Departure for Europe.--Congress
assembles.--Quarrel between Gens. Kemper and Preston.--Gen. Forrest
doing wonders.--Tennessee.--Gen. Johnston on his Georgia campaign.--
John Mitchel and Senator Foote.--Progress of Sherman.--From Gov.
Brown, of Georgia.--Capture of Gen. Pryor.

NOVEMBER 1ST.--Bright and frosty morning.

All quiet. No confirmation of Early's defeat; and the night-feat of
Mahone puts the people in better hope.

One-third of all our lead comes from the mines near Wytheville,
Virginia.

I got 128 pounds of flour from the investment in supplies in North
Carolina, and one-fourth of that amount is still behind. We got 26
pounds of bacon, worth $260; the flour received, and to be received, 160
pounds, $320; and we expect to get 6 gallons molasses, $30 per gallon,
$180: total, $760; and only $200 invested. This shows the profits of the
speculators!

Gov. Yates, of Illinois, has declared Richmond will be in the hands of
the Federals before the 8th of November. This is the 1st. It may be so;
but I doubt it. It cannot be so without the effusion of an ocean of
blood!

I lear