retary, asking the
release of her apple-brandy (in Virginia) from the clutches of the
impressing officer. She and her daughters had distilled 500 gallons,
upon which they depended to procure other supplies, etc. Brandy is
selling at $75 per gallon--$37,500. Pretty well for the old woman and
her three daughters! Apples are worth $100 per barrel; but the currency
(Confederate) is nearly worthless.

NOVEMBER 22D.--Rained in torrents last night; cold this morning and
cloudy.

All quiet below. But there was an alarm, night before last, growing out
of a stampede of some 50 of the enemy's beeves. They charged upon our
line, regardless of the fire of cannon and musketry, and were all
captured after penetrating our works. Brave cattle!

Gov. Vance writes that if Wilmington be attacked by a large force in the
rear of Fort Fisher, its fall is inevitable, unless two brigades of
veteran troops be sent from Gen. Lee's army. He says the defense of
Wilmington is as important as that of Richmond. The President directs
the Secretary of War to communicate with Gen. Lee on the subject.

We learn that Gen. Grant is on a visit to his family at Burlington, N. J.;
and yet the departmental troops (clerks) are still kept in the
trenches. It is said the _President's family_ keep them there by the
most imploring appeals to Gen. Lee, and that the President himself does
not feel altogether safe while the Federal army is so near him. His
house is on the side of the city most exposed, if a sudden attack were
made, of which, however, there seems to be no danger at present. Several
brigades of Gen. Early's troops have arrived from the Valley.

Gold sells to-day at $42 for $1. And it rises in the United States. This
produces trepidation in the cabinet.

Snowed a few minutes to-day, 4 P.M. The clouds are breaking--cold.

What appetites we have! Shin-soup and bean-soup alternately are relished
with shark-like appetites.

NOVEMBER 23D.--Snowed last night three inches. Clear and cold this
morning; ground frozen.

Had a dream last night--that meeting a few men in my _wood and
coal-house_, I nominated R. Tyler for the Presidency, and it was well
received. I must tell this to Mr. T.

I narrated my dream to Mr. T. Before I left, he said a clerkship _was at
the disposal of my son Thomas_; but Thomas is clerk in the conscription
service, getting rations, etc. etc., better than the $4000 per annum.
But still that dream may be realized. He is the son of