shotten since he voted against Lee's plan
of organizing negro troops. He also voted against displacing the brood
of quartermasters and commissioners.

The papers are requested to say nothing relative to military operations
in South and North Carolina, for they are read by Gen. Grant every
morning of their publication. The garrisons of Charleston and Wilmington
may add 20,000 men to our force opposing Sherman, and may beat him yet.

FEBRUARY 26TH.--Cloudy and cool; rained all night. No news from the
South, this morning. But there is an ugly rumor that Beauregard's men
have deserted to a frightful extent, and that the general himself is
afflicted with disease of mind, etc.

Mr. Hunter is now reproached by the slaveowners, whom he thought to
please, for defeating the Negro bill. They say his vote will make
Virginia a free State, inasmuch as Gen. Lee must evacuate it for the
want of negro troops.

There is much alarm on the streets. Orders have been given to prepare
all the tobacco and cotton, which cannot be removed immediately, for
destruction by fire. And it is generally believed that Lieut.-Gen. A. P.
Hill's corps has marched away to North Carolina. This would leave some
25,000 men to defend Richmond and Petersburg, against, probably, 60,000.

If Richmond be evacuated, most of the population will remain, not
knowing whither to go.

The new Secretary of War was at work quite early this morning.

The "Bureau of Conscription" and the Provost Marshal's office are still
"operating," notwithstanding Congress has abolished them both.

FEBRUARY 27TH.--Bright and windy. The Virginia Assembly has passed
resolutions _instructing_ the Senators to vote for the negro troops
bill--so Mr. Hunter must obey or resign.

It is authoritatively announced in the papers that Gen. J. E. Johnston
has taken command of the army in front of Sherman (a perilous
undertaking), superseding Beauregard.

Grant is said to be massing his troops on our right, to precipitate
them upon the South Side Railroad. Has Hill marched his corps away to
North Carolina? If so, Richmond is in very great danger.

The _Examiner_ to-day labors to show that the evacuation of Richmond
would be fatal to the cause. The _Sentinel_ says it has authority for
saying that Richmond will _not_ be given up. "Man proposes--God
disposes." It is rumored that Fayetteville, N. C., has fallen into the
hands of the enemy.

I saw Col. Northrop, late Commissary-General, to-day. H