eatening."

Brig.-Gen. Chilton, Inspector-General, has ordered investigations of the
fortunes of bonded officers, who have become rich during the war.

A strong effort has been made to have Gen. Ripley removed from
Charleston. He is a Northern man, and said to be dissipated. Senator Orr
opposes the change; the Secretary recommends his retention, and the
President indorses: "I prefer that Gen. Ripley should remain.--J. D."

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4TH.--Bright, clear, and warm.

A dispatch from Gen. Bragg. "AUGUSTA, December 3d, 6 P.M.--A strong
force of the enemy's cavalry and infantry advanced from Louisville and
encamped last night six miles from Waynesborough. They turned off this
morning toward Savannah. Our cavalry is pressing in the rear, and all
available means is being thrown to their front by rail. There is time
yet for any assistance which can be spared, to be sent by way of
Charleston.--B. B."

The Northern papers say our army under Hood in Tennessee has met with a
great disaster. We are still incredulous--although it may be true. If
so, the President will suffer, and Johnston and Beauregard will escape
censure--both being supplanted in the command by a subordinate.

Brig.-Gen. Preston is still directing orders to Col. Shields, who is
under the command of Major-Gen. Kemper, and the conflict of conscription
authorities goes on, while the country perishes. Preston is a South
Carolina politician--Kemper a Virginian. Mr. Secretary Seddon leans to
the former.

The law allowing exemptions to owners of a certain number of slaves is
creating an antislavery party. The non-slaveholders will not long fight
for the benefit of such a "privileged class." There is madness in our
counsels!

We are still favored by Providence in our family. We have, at the market
prices, some $800 worth of provisions, fuel, etc., at the beginning of
winter, and my son Thomas is well clad and has his order for a month's
rations of beef, etc., which we get as we want it at the government shop
near at hand in Broad Street. His pay and allowances are worth some
$4500 per annum.

Major Ferguson having got permission of the Quartermaster-General to
sell me a suit of cloth--there being a piece too dark for the army, I
got four yards, enough for coat, pants, and vest, at $12 per yard--the
price in the stores is $125; and I have the promise of the government
tailor to make it up for some $30 or $40, the ordinary price being $350;
the trimmings my