“We captured 3 pieces of artillery and 1500 prisoners.
“The number of the enemy’s dead and wounded left on the field is large. Ours comparatively small.
“The troops behaved most handsomely, and Major-Gens. Hill and Hoke exhibited their usual zeal and energy. R. E. Lee.”
March 11th.—Bright and frosty. From a published correspondence between Gens. Hampton and Sherman, on the subject of retaliatory executions, it is mentioned by the former that the City of Columbia, S. C. was burned by the latter.
Dispatches this morning inform us of some little successes—Hampton over Kilpatrick in the South, and Rosser over a body of the enemy at Harrisonburg, in the North.
Some 1500 prisoners, paroled, arrived this morning—making some 10,000 in the last fortnight. I fear there will soon be a great scarcity of arms, when the negroes are drilled, etc.
Mrs. Hobson, of Goochland County, a relative of my wife, has offered a home to my eldest daughter Anne. Mr. H. is wealthy, and his mansion is magnificent. It is lighted with gas, made on the plantation.
I am often called upon to lend a copy of the “Wild Western Scenes.” My copy is lost. I learn that new editions of my works are published in the United States, where the stereotype plates were deposited. Here, as in old times in the North, the publishers prefer to issue publications upon which they pay no copyright—and, I believe, most of our publishers are not Southern men by birth, and hence have no care but for the profits of the business.
Congress was to adjourn to-day. But it is said the President has requested them to remain a short time longer, as further legislation will be required growing out of a treaty with France, about to be consummated. It is said an alliance has been agreed upon, offensive and defensive, etc. etc. If this should be true! It is but rumor yet—but was first mentioned, gravely, by Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary of War.
March 12th.—Bright and frosty. About one o’clock last night, there was an alarm, supposed to be the approach of the enemy from the West—Sheridan’s cavalry—and the tocsin sounded until daylight. It was a calm moonlight night, without a cloud in the sky. Couriers reported that the enemy were at the outer fortifications, and had burned Ben Green’s house. Corse’s brigade and one or two batteries passed through the city in the direction of the menaced point; and all the local organizations were ordered to march early in the morning. Mr. Secretary Mallory and Postmaster-General Reagan were in the saddle; and rumor says the President and the remainder of the cabinet had their horses saddled in readiness for flight. About a year ago we had Dahlgren’s raid, and it was then announced that the purpose was to burn the city and put to death the President, the cabinet, and other prominent leaders of the “rebellion.” Perhaps our leaders had some apprehension of the fate prepared for them on that occasion, and may have concerted a plan of escape.