There has always been corruption—if not treason—among those having charge of transportation.
Yesterday the President vetoed another bill—to pay certain arrears to the army and navy; but the House resented this by passing it over his head by more than a two-thirds vote. The Senate will probably do the same. We have a spectacle of war among the politicians as well as in the field!
Gen. Whiting, captured at Wilmington, died of his wounds. The government would never listen to his plans for saving Wilmington, and rebuked him for his pertinacity.
It is now said Sheridan has crossed the Pamunky, and is returning toward the Rappahannock, instead of forming a junction with Grant. Senator Hunter’s place in Essex will probably be visited, and all that region of country ravaged.
It is rumored that Raleigh has fallen!
By consulting the map, I perceive that after the battle of Thursday (day before yesterday), Hardee fell back and Sherman advanced, and was within less than thirty miles of Raleigh.
The President, it is understood, favors a great and decisive battle.
Judge Campbell said to-day that Mr. Wigfall had sent him Mr. Dejarnette’s speech (advocating the Monroe doctrine and alliance with the United States), with a message that he (Mr. W.) intended to read it between his sentence and execution, thinking it would tend to reconcile him to death. The judge said, for his own part, he would postpone reading it until after execution.
March 19th.—As beautiful a spring morning as ever dawned since the sun spread its glorious light over the Garden of Eden.
Cannon is heard at intervals down the river; and as we have had a few days of wind and sunshine, the surface of the earth is becoming practicable for military operations.