igned to positions in the field, although _men_ are alone
wanted to achieve independence. They were discussing a resolution of
Congress, calling for the names, ages, etc. of the civil and military
officers employed by the Secretary in Richmond, or it might have been
the subject of the removal of the government, or the chances of success,
etc., or the President's appointment of Gen. Bragg to command the army
in Georgia, or Mr. Hunter's prospects for the Presidency. No matter
what.

It is a dismal day, and a settled vexation is on the faces of many of
the officials. But if the time should come for flight, etc., I predict
many will have abundance of funds in Europe. The quartermasters,
commissaries, etc. will take care of themselves by submission. The
railroad companies have already taken care of themselves by their
partnership with the speculators. The express company bribes all
branches of the government, and I fear it has _obliged_ some of the
members of the President's military or domestic family.

By a report from the Niter and Mining Bureau, it appears that thirteen
furnaces of the thirty odd in Virginia have ceased operations. Several
have been destroyed by the enemy; the ore and fuel of others have become
exhausted; and those in blast threaten to cease work for want of hands,
the men being put in the army.

NOVEMBER 28TH.--Calm and warm; clouds and sunshine, without wind.

All quiet below. It is reported that one of our picket boats in the
James River deserted last night. It is said the crew overpowered the
officers and put them ashore, and then the boat rowed down to the enemy.

I am informed by Capt. Warner that there are 12,000 graves of Federal
prisoners at Andersonville, Ga. That climate is fatal to them; but the
government cannot feed them here, and the enemy won't exchange.

A dispatch from Gen. Bragg:

"AUGUSTA, November 27th, 1864.--We have lost communication with the
front. A small cavalry raid cut the Savannah Railroad and telegraph,
this morning, at Brier Creek, twenty-six miles from here. Gen. Wheeler
was, yesterday, confronting the enemy's infantry at Sandersville. An
officer, who left Macon on the 23d, states that one corps of the enemy
was still confronting us there; our force not exceeding 5000, nearly all
militia. The force here, including all available reserves, does not
exceed 6000 effectives: only one battery. I am not yet advised from
Charleston and Savannah, but know the means are smal