rnment will soon remove thither entirely. This is ill-timed, as the
enemy will accept it as an indication of an abandonment of the capital;
and many of our people will regard it as a preliminary to the evacuation
of Richmond. It is more the effect of extortion and high prices, than
apprehension of the city being taken by the enemy.

APRIL 20TH.--A clear morning, but a cold, cloudy day.

The following dispatch from Gen. Forrest shows that the bloody work has
commenced in earnest:

"DEMOPOLIS, ALA., April 19th.

"TO GEN. S. COOPER.

"The following dispatch has just been received from Gen. Forrest,
dated Jackson, Tenn., April 15th.

"L. POLK, _Lieut.-General_.

"I attacked Fort Pillow on the morning of the 12th inst., with a
part of Bell's and McCulloch's brigades, numbering ----, under
Brig.-Gen. J. R. Chalmers. After a short fight we drove the enemy,
seven hundred strong, into the fort, under cover of their
gun-boats, and demanded a surrender, which was declined by Major L.
W. Booth, commanding United States forces. I stormed the fort, and
after a contest of thirty minutes captured the entire garrison,
killing 500 and taking 100 prisoners, and a large amount of
quartermaster stores. The officers in the fort were killed,
including Major Booth. I sustained a loss of 20 killed and 60
wounded. The Confederate flag now floats over the fort.

"(Signed) N. B. FORREST, _Major-General_."

There is a rumor that Grant's army is falling back toward Centreville.

It is supposed by many that all the departments will follow the Auditor
to Montgomery soon.

APRIL 21ST.--Bright sunshine all day, but cool.

Gen. Bragg received a dispatch to-day from Gen. Hoke, of Plymouth, N. C.,
stating that he had (yesterday) _stormed_ Plymouth, taking 1600
prisoners, 25 cannon, stores, etc. etc. This put the city in as good
spirits as possible.

But the excitement from Hoke's victory was supplanted by an excitement
of another kind. A report was circulated and believed that the President
resolved yesterday to remove the government to South Carolina or
Alabama; and the commotion was very great. The President's salary is
insufficient to meet his housekeeping expenditures; and Mrs. D. has
become, very naturally, somewhat indignant at the conduct of the
extortioners, and, of course, the President himself partook of the
indignation.

At 2 P.M. to-day the Pr