showers in smoky vapors.

But how dark and dismal the aspect of our military affairs! Columbia
fallen and Charleston (of course) evacuated. My wife wept, my daughter
prayed, upon hearing the news. South Carolina was superior to all the
States in the estimation of my wife, and she regarded it as the last
stronghold. Now she despairs, and seems reckless of whatever else may
happen in Sherman's career of conquest.

A dispatch to Gen. Bragg states that Thomas's army (the ubiquitous) is
landing at Newbern, N. C.! This is to cut Lee's communications and
strike at Raleigh perhaps.

The people are stunned and sullen; sometimes execrating the President
for retaining a cabinet in which the country has no confidence, etc.

One hundred for one is asked for gold.

The President was at work very early this morning making appointments in
the army. But that does no good to the cause, I fear. A sufficient
number of men must _be_ placed in the ranks, or there will be no
military success.

The Senate has passed a bill abolishing the "Bureau of Conscription,"
and it is now before the House. That is one step in the right
direction. Hon. J. Goode yesterday made a speech in favor of its
abolition, in which he said 150,000 men had been "handled" by the bureau
during the last twelve months, and only 13,000 had been sent to the
army! But it did not pass--no vote was taken; it is to be hoped it will
pass to-day.

It is rumored that the "money-printing machine" was lost at Columbia,
including a large amount of "treasure"--if Confederate Treasury notes be
worthy that appellation.

FEBRUARY 19TH.--Another bright and glorious morning. I hear of no news
whatever from the South--although I know that important events are
transpiring--and the reticence of the government is construed very
unfavorably. Hence if Beauregard has fought a battle, it is to be
apprehended that he did not gain the day; and if this be so, South
Carolina lies at the conqueror's feet.

I thought I heard brisk cannonading in the distance (down the river)
this morning, but am not certain. I saw Mr. Hunter going briskly toward
the Executive department. He does not come often now to the War Office.

The new Secretary has a large audience of members of Congress every
morning.

The President and three of his aids rode out this afternoon (past our
house), seemingly as cheerful as if each day did not have its calamity!
No one who beheld them would have seen anything to suppose