e sooner the better, perhaps.

FEBRUARY 12TH.--Bright, windy, cold, and disagreeable.

There was nothing new at the department this morning. Nothing from
below; nothing from South Carolina. Perhaps communications are cut
between this and Charleston. All are anxious to hear the result of the
anticipated battle with Sherman, for somehow all know that the order to
fight him was sent from Richmond more than a week ago.

People's thoughts very naturally now dwell upon the proximate future,
and the alternatives likely to be presented in the event of the
abandonment of Richmond, and consequently Virginia, by Lee's army. Most
of the _male_ population would probably (if permitted) elect to remain
at their homes, braving the fate that might await them. But the women
are more patriotic, and would brave all in following the fortunes of the
Confederate States Government. Is this because they do not participate
in the hardships and dangers of the field? But many of our men are weary
and worn, and languish for repose. These would probably remain quiescent
on parole, submitting to the rule of the conqueror; but hoping still for
foreign intervention or Confederate victories, and ultimate
independence.

Doubtless Lee could protract the war, and, by concentrating farther
South, embarrass the enemy by compelling him to maintain a longer line
of communication by land and by sea, and at the same time be enabled to
fall upon him, as occasion might offer, in heavier force. No doubt many
would fall out of the ranks, if Virginia were abandoned; but Lee could
have an army of 100,000 effective men for years.

Still, these dire necessities may not come. The slaveowners,
speculators, etc., hitherto contriving to evade the service, may take
the alarm at the present aspect of affairs, and both recruit and subsist
the army sufficiently for victory over both Grant and Sherman; and then
Richmond will be held by us, and Virginia and the Cotton States remain
in our possession; and we shall have peace, for exhaustion will manifest
itself in the United States.

We have dangerous discussions among our leaders, it is true; and there
may be convulsions, and possibly expulsion of the men at the head of
civil affairs: but the war will not be affected. Such things occurred in
France at a time when the armies achieved their greatest triumphs.

One of the greatest blunders of the war was the abandonment of Norfolk;
and the then Secretary of War (Randolph) is