Gen. Early is still falling back; on Saturday he was at Port Republic, but he will soon be reinforced, and may turn the tide on Sheridan.
A long letter was received at the department to-day from Gov. Brown, absolutely refusing to respond to the President’s call for the militia of that State. He says he will not encourage the President’s ambitious projects by placing in his hands, and under his unconditional control, all that remains to preserve the reserved rights of his State. He bitterly and offensively criticises the President’s management of military affairs—sending Morgan into Kentucky, Wheeler into East, and Forrest into West Tennessee, instead of combining all upon Sherman’s rear and cutting his communications. He says Georgia has fifty regiments in Virginia, and if the President won’t send reinforcements, then he demands the return of Georgia troops, and he will endeavor to defend the State without his aid, etc.
September 27th.—Bright and pleasant.
We have rumors of heavy fighting yesterday near Staunton, but no authentic accounts.
A dispatch from Gen. R. Taylor says Gen. Forrest had gained a victory at Athens, Ala., capturing some 1500 prisoners, 500 horses, etc. etc.
We still hear the thunder of artillery down the river—the two armies shelling each other, I suppose, as yet at a safe distance. A few more days and the curtain will rise again—Lee and Grant the principal actors in the tragedy!
The President is making patriotic speeches in Alabama and Georgia.
Mr. Hudson, of Alabama, proposes to deliver to the government 5,000,000 pounds of bacon for the same number of pounds cotton, delivered at the same place.
Our cotton agent in Mississippi is authorized by the government here to sell cotton in exposed situations to the enemy’s agents for specie, and to buy for Confederate notes.
The funeral expenses of Gen. Morgan the other day amounted to $1500; the Quartermaster-General objects to paying it, and sends the bill to the Secretary for instructions.