he
war between France and the United States--a certain event, the editor
thinks.

"HEADQUARTERS ARMY CONFEDERATE STATES,

"March 25th, 1865--11.20 P.M.

"HON. J. C. BRECKINRIDGE, SECRETARY OF WAR.

"At daylight this morning, Gen. Gordon assaulted and carried the
enemy's works at Hare's Hill, capturing 9 pieces of artillery, 8
mortars, and between 500 and 600 prisoners, among them one
brigadier-general and a number of officers of lower grade.

"The lines were swept for a distance of four or five hundred yards
to the right and left, and two efforts made to recover the captured
works were handsomely repulsed. But it was found that the inclosed
works in rear, commanding the enemy's main line, could only be
taken at a great sacrifice, and our troops were withdrawn to their
original position.

"It being impracticable to bring off the captured guns, owing to
the nature of the ground, they were disabled and left.

"Our loss, as reported, is not heavy. Among the wounded are Brig.
Gen. Terry, flesh wound, and Brig.-Gen. Phil. Cooke, in the arm.

"All the troops engaged, including two brigades under Brig.-Gen.
Ransom, behaved most handsomely. The conduct of the sharpshooters
of Gordon's corps, who led the assault, deserves the highest
commendation.

"This afternoon there was skirmishing on the right, between the
picket lines, with varied success. At dark the enemy held a
considerable portion of the line farthest in advance of our main
work.

"[Signed] R. E. LEE."

MARCH 28TH.--Cloudy and sunshine; but little wind. Too ill to go to the
department, and I get nothing new except what I read in the papers. Some
of the editorials are very equivocal, and have a squint toward
reconstruction.

The President, and one of his Aids, Col. Lubbock, ex-Governor of Texas,
rode by my house, going toward Camp Lee. If driven from this side the
Mississippi, no doubt the President would retire into Texas.

And Lee must gain a victory soon, or his communications will be likely
to be interrupted. Richmond and Virginia are probably in extreme peril
at this moment.

MARCH 29TH.--Slightly overcast, but calm and pleasant.

I am better, after the worst attack for twenty years. The only medicine
I took was blue mass--ten grains. My wife had a little tea and
loaf-sugar, and a solitary smoked herring--and this I re