“Orders should be given for the immediate re-establishment of fisheries at Plymouth and Washington, also to get large supplies of pork in Hyde County and vicinity.
“G. T. Beauregard, General.”
On this the Commissary-General indorsed that the matter had been attended to—had, indeed, been anticipated.
The best indication of the day (to me) was the smiling face of Mr. Hunter as he came from the Secretary’s office. He said to me, “The ball is opening well.”
The President and his aids rode over the river to-day: what direction they took I know not; but this I know, he has no idea of being taken by the enemy. And he cannot think the city will be taken, for in that event it would be difficult for him to escape.
May 7th.—Bright and warm. The following is Gen. Lee’s dispatch, received yesterday morning—the italics not his.
“Headquarters Army Northern Virginia,
“May 5th, 1864.
“Hon. Secretary of War.
“The enemy crossed the Rapidan at Ely’s and Germania fords. Two corps of this army moved to oppose him—Ewell by the old turnpike, and Hill by the plank-road.
“They arrived this morning in close proximity to the enemy’s line of march.