At 7½ a.m. cannon and musketry heard northeast of the city, which either ceased or receded out of hearing at 12 m.; or else the hum of the city drowned the sounds of battle. Up to 3 p.m. we have no particulars. Beauregard is on the right of our line; Lee’s headquarters was at Yellow Tavern. He is sufficiently recovered to direct the battle.
Butler has mostly if not entirely evacuated Bermuda Hundred; doubtless gone to Grant. The President rode out this morning toward the battle-field. Every one is confident of success, since Beauregard and Lee command.
The Secretary of War granted a passport to Mr. Pollard, who wrote a castigating history of the first years of the war, to visit Europe. Pollard, however, was taken, and is now in the hands of the enemy, at New York.
Another row with the Bureau of Conscription. Brig.-Gen. Chilton, Inspector-General, has been investigating operations in Mississippi, at the instance of Gen. Polk; and Col. Preston, Superintendent of the Bureau, disdains to answer their communications.
My landlord, Mr. King, has not raised my rent!
June 2d.—Very warm and cloudy.
There was no general engagement yesterday, but heavy skirmishing, and several assaults at different points; and a dispatch from Gen. Lee says they resulted favorably to our arms.
A dispatch from Gen. Johnston says his men are in good plight, after combats enough to make a battle, in all of which the enemy suffered most.
The local troops (Custis’s battalion, etc.) were ordered out to-day. I have not understood to what point they were ordered; but it indicates the imminency of a battle. Lee has not less than 80,000 men—veterans.
I saw, to-day, Gen. Beauregard’s plan, dated May 14th. It was addressed to Gen. Bragg, “Commanding Confederate States Armies.” He suggested the falling back on the defenses of Richmond, and detaching 15,000 to the south side to crush or drive away Butler. He would then not only return the 15,000 to the north side, but bring over 25,000 additional to crush Grant.