A fortnight ago, Mr. Benjamin procured passports for one or two of his agents “to pass the lines at will.” They may have procured information, but it did not prevent the enemy from coming.
Attended a funeral (next door to us) ceremony this afternoon at 5 p.m. over the body of Abner Stanfield, a nephew of Mrs. Smith, our next door neighbor, who fell in battle day before yesterday, near Drewry’s Bluff. By the merest accident his relatives here learned of his fall (by the paper we loaned them), and Mr. S. had his body brought to his house, and decently prepared for the grave. His bloody garments were replaced by a fine suit of clothes he had kept with Mr. S.; his mother, etc. live in Northern Virginia, and his cousins, the Misses S., decorated the coffin beautifully with laurels, flowers, etc. He was a handsome young hero, six feet tall, and died bravely in his country’s defense. He was slain by a shell. The ceremony was impressive, and caused many tears to flow. But his glorious death and funeral honor will inspire others with greater resolution to do and to dare, and to die, if necessary, for their country. The minister did him justice, for the hallowed cause in which he fell.
May 19th.—Sunshine and showers, the former predominating.
Gen. Lee sends a dispatch saying the enemy’s attack yesterday was repulsed easily—our loss very light.
It is said, however, that the enemy have Guinea’s Station, 12 miles this side of Fredericksburg.
Gen. Beauregard intends shelling Butler in his fortifications to-morrow.
From the West, in Georgia, and beyond the Mississippi, all seem bright enough.
Congress has passed a resolution to adjourn on the 31st inst., in obedience to the wish of the President. He has a majority in both Houses, it seems; and even the bills they pass are generally dictated by the Executive, and written in the departments. Judge Campbell is much used for this purpose.
Gen. Bragg sent in a manuscript, derived from a deserter, stating that of Gen. Butler’s two corps, one, the 10th, is from the Southern coast, no negroes in it, leaving only negroes in the Southern garrisons. We learned Butler was in command, and dismissed all apprehensions—and one day we had but 5000 opposed to his 40,000!
May 20th.—Fog; then sunshine all day, but cool.