“R. E. Lee.”
It is reported also that Gen. Early has gained some advantage in a battle; not authentic.
Gen. Bragg is going away, probably to Wilmington. The combination against him was too strong.
But “the Bureau of Conscription” is pretty nearly demolished under his blows. Order 81 directs the generals of Reserves to appoint inspecting officers for all the Congressional Districts, to revise all exemptions, details, etc., with plenary powers, without reference to “the Bureau.”
The passport checks on travel Northward are now the merest farce, and valuable information is daily conveyed to the enemy.
October 19th.—Bright and beautiful.
Still all quiet below, the occasional bombarding near Petersburg being beyond our hearing.
Yesterday, Gen. Preston, a millionaire, who can stalk stiffly anywhere, had an interview with the President, who admitted that he had dictated the General Orders—“76,” “77,” “78,”—rushing almost everybody into the army, but that it was not his meaning to take the whole business of conscription from “the Bureau.” Yet Gen. P., the superintendent, thinks the reading of the orders will admit of that construction, and he has written to the President asking another order, defining his position, etc., else his occupation is gone. The President cannot afford to lose Gen. P.
From Gen. Early’s army we learn that the detailed men and reserves are joining in great numbers, and the general asks 1000 muskets. Col. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance, says he has but 300 available, his shops being closed, the workmen in the trenches, etc.
All the ordnance, quartermaster, and commissary stores of Hood’s army were ordered to Columbus, Ga. We expect stirring news from Georgia daily, and the opinion prevails that Sherman will “come to grief.”