At night—mended broken china and glassware again with white lead, very successfully. Such ware can hardly be bought at all—except by the rich.
December 6th.—Bright and beautiful. Indian summer apparently.
All quiet below—but it is anticipated by some that a battle will occur to-day, or in a day or so.
The enemy’s negro troops have been brought to this side of the river, and are in full view on picket duty.
The Signal Bureau reports a large number of transports descending the Potomac a few days ago; probably Sheridan’s army, to reinforce Grant.
And yet our conscription superintendents, under orders, are busily engaged furloughing and detailing the rich slaveowners! It is developing a rapidly growing Emancipation party, for it is the establishment of a privileged class, and may speedily prove fatal to our cause. Our leaders are mad, and will be destroyed, if they persist in this policy.
December 7th.—Raining, and warm.
It is said several hundred of the prisoners taken by Rosser in the Valley escaped, on the way to Richmond. A relaxation of vigilance always follows success. How long can this war last?
Hon. Mr. Staples procured four and two months’ details yesterday for two rich farmers, Messrs. McGehee and Heard, both rosy-faced, robust men, and yet found for “light duty” by a medical board. Thus we go. The poor and weakly are kept in the trenches, to desert the first opportunity.
It is said a dispatch came from Bragg yesterday (I saw it not) stating that Wheeler and some infantry had a sharp battle with Sherman’s advance, near Millen, in which the latter suffered greatly. But reinforcements coming up, our forces fell back in order, disputing the way.