an
emancipationist. From all the signs slavery is doomed! But if 200,000
negro recruits can be made to fight, and can be enlisted, Gen. Lee may
maintain the war very easily and successfully; and the powers at
Washington may soon become disposed to abate the hard terms of peace now
exacted.

How our fancies paint the scenes of peace now which were never
appreciated before! Sitting by our cheerless fires, we summon up
countless blessings that we could enjoy, if this war were only over. We
plan and imagine many things that would be bliss to us in comparison
with the privations we suffer. Oh, what fine _eating_ and comfortable
_clothes_ we shall have when we enjoy another season of repose! We will
hunt, we will "go fishing," we will cultivate nice gardens, etc. Oh for
peace once more! Will this generation, with their eyes open, and their
memories fresh, ever, ever go to war again?

There is a _dark_ rumor that Columbia, S. C., has been taken possession
of by the enemy; but I hardly believe it, for Gen. Beauregard would
fight for it.

Gen. Beauregard telegraphs from Columbia, S. C., _yesterday_, that Gen.
Pillow proposes to gather troops west of that point, and Gen. B.
approves it. The President hesitates, and refers to _Gen. Cooper_, etc.

Eleven o'clock A.M. Raining again; wind east.

Mr. Hunter looks rather cadaverous to-day; he does not call on the new
Secretary often. Gen. B. is a formidable rival for the _succession_--if
there should be such a thing.

To-day my son Thomas drew his rations. I have also had another load of
coal from Lieut. Parker, C. S. N., out of his contract, at $30, a saving
of nearly $100! that will take us through the winter and spring. We also
bought another bushel of black beans at $65.

Alas! we have news now of the capture of Columbia, S. C., the capital of
the State. A dark day, truly! And only this morning--not three short
hours ago--the President hesitated to second Beauregard's desire that
Gen. Pillow--although not a "red tapist"--should rouse the people to the
rescue; but _Gen. Cooper_ must be consulted to throw obstacles in the
way! This will be a terrible blow; and its consequences maybe calamitous
beyond calculation. Poor South Carolina! her day of agony has come!

FEBRUARY 18TH.--Rained last night; but this is as lovely a morning as
ever dawned on earth. A gentle southern breeze, a cloudless sky, and a
glorious morning sun, whose genial warmth dispels the moisture of the
late