muted_ officer's (themselves)
allowance of wood at $130 per cord!

The President still suffers, but is said to be "better."

Yesterday much of the day was consumed by Congress in displaying a _new
flag_ for the Confederacy--before the old one is worn out! Idiots!

I have just seen on file a characteristic letter from Major-Gen. Butler,
of which this is a literal copy:

"HEADQUARTERS DEPT. VA. AND N. C.,

"ARMY OF THE JAMES IN THE FIELD,

"FORTRESS MONROE, Oct. 9th, 1864.

"HON. ROBT. OULD--SIR:

"An attempt was made this morning by private Roucher, Co. B, 5th
Penna. cavalry, to commit a rape upon the persons of Mrs. Minzer
and Mrs. Anderson, living on the Darbytown Road.

"On the outrage being discovered, he broke through the picket line,
and fled for your lines. Our soldiers chased him, but were unable
to overtake him.

"I have therefore the honor to request that you will return him,
that I may inflict the punishment which his dastardly offense
merits. I cannot be responsible for the good conduct of my
soldiers, _if they are to find protection from punishment by
entering your lines_.

"I have the honor to be, your obt. servt.,

"(Signed) B. F. BUTLER,

"_Major-Gen. Comd'g and Com. for Exchange_."

The ladies were Virginians.

I got my barrel (2 bags) flour to-day; 1 bushel meal, 1/2 bushel peas,
1/2 bushel potatoes ($50 per bushel); and feel pretty well. Major
Maynard, Quartermaster, has promised a load of wood. _Will these last
until_----? I believe I would make a good commissary.

FEBRUARY 5TH.--Clear and cold. Our commissioners are back again! It is
said Lincoln and Seward met them at Fortress Monroe, and they proceeded
no further. No basis of negotiation but reconstruction could be listened
to by the Federal authorities. How could it be otherwise, when their
armies are marching without resistance from one triumph to
another--while the government "allows" as many emissaries as choose to
pass into the enemy's country, with the most solemn assurances that the
Union cause is spreading throughout the South with great
rapidity--while the President is incapacitated both mentally and
physically by disease, disaster, and an inflexible defiance of his
opponents--and while Congress wastes its time in discussions on the
adoption of a _flag_ for future generations!

This fruitless mission, I apprehend, will be fraught