apers contain a dispatch from Lee, giving an account of a
successful battle in North Carolina. I append it, as the first success
chronicled for a great length of time.

"HEADQUARTERS, ETC., March 9th, 1865.

"HON. J. C. BRECKINRIDGE, SECRETARY OF WAR.

"Gen. Bragg reports that he attacked the enemy, yesterday, four
miles in front of Kinston, and drove him from his position. He
disputed the ground obstinately, and took up a new line three miles
from his first.

"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 Se