Public meetings and the public press continue to denounce in unmeasured terms the high schedule of prices recently sanctioned by the Commissary and Quartermaster’s bureaus. And, although the schedule has been modified, much odium will attach to all concerned in it. A large farmer, at the rates fixed for his products, would realize, perhaps, $200,000 per annum.
August 5th.—Hot and dry. I hope there will be a rain-cloud this evening.
No war news, except a letter from Gen. Lee, indicating that Gen. Morgan is probably on a raid in Northwest Virginia and in Pennsylvania. Morgan proposed going into Georgia (rear of Sherman), but the Secretary indorsed that perhaps the matter had as well be left to Gen. Lee. The President quietly indorsed that he “concurred in the conclusion that all the movements of troops in Virginia had best be left to the discretion of Gen Lee.”
Gen. Hood telegraphs that no important change has occurred in front of Atlanta. There was some skirmishing yesterday, and shell thrown into Atlanta.
My daughter Anne, after ten months’ residence in the country, returned to-day (with Miss Randolph, of Loudon Co.) in perfect health. She brought apples, eggs, a watermelon, cucumbers, etc.
Mr. Davies sold my reel (German silver) to-day for $75, or about $3.20 in gold—enough to buy a cord of wood. I parted with it reluctantly, as I hope to catch fish yet.
August 6th.—Hot and dry.
The booming of cannon heard yesterday evening was from one of our batteries below Drewry’s Bluff. The enemy answered from their batteries, the existence of which we had no knowledge of before. No one was hurt.
About the same time Gen. Beauregard sprung a mine under the enemy’s mine, and blew it up, no doubt destroying many lives. This was succeeded by heavy, but, perhaps, harmless shelling along the lines.
Another raiding party has been defeated and dispersed at Madison, Ga.