of his lines, defended by Brig.-Gen. Lewis, but was
repulsed.

"The fire of artillery and mortars continued for several hours with
considerable activity.

"No damage on our lines reported. R. E. LEE."

We are sinking our gun-boats at Chaffin's Bluff, to obstruct the passage
of the enemy's fleet, expected soon to advance.

Congress passed two acts, and proper ones, to which the Executive has
yet paid no attention whatever, viz.: the abolition of the Bureau of
Conscription, and of all Provost Marshals, their guards, etc. not
attached to armies in the field. If the new Secretary has consented to
be burdened with the responsibility of this contumacy and violation of
the Constitution, it will break his back, and ruin our already desperate
cause.

Four P.M.--Since writing the above, I learn that an order has been
published abolishing the "Bureau of Conscription."

Gov. Vance has written to know why the government wants the track of the
North Carolina Railroad altered to the width of those in Virginia, and
has been answered: 1st, to facilitate the transportation of supplies to
Gen. Lee's army from North Carolina; and 2d, in the event of disaster,
to enable the government to run all the locomotives, cars, etc. of the
Virginia roads into North Carolina.

CHAPTER XLIX.

Rumors of battles.--Excitement in the churches.--The South Side Road
captured by the enemy.--Evacuation of Richmond.--Surrender of Gen.
Lee.--Occupation of Richmond by Federal forces.--Address to the
people of Virginia by J. A. Campbell and others.--Assassination of
President Lincoln.

APRIL 1ST.--Clear and pleasant. Walked to the department.

We have vague and incoherent accounts from excited couriers of fighting,
without result, in Dinwiddie County, near the South Side Railroad.

It is rumored that a battle will probably occur in that vicinity to-day.

I have leave of absence, to improve my health; and propose accompanying
my daughter Anne, next week, to Mr. Hobson's mansion in Goochland
County. The Hobsons are opulent, and she will have an excellent asylum
there, if the vicissitudes of the war do not spoil her calculations. I
shall look for angling streams: and if successful, hope for both sport
and better health.

The books at the conscript office show a frightful list of deserters or
absentees without leave--60,000--all Virginians. Speculation!

Jno. M. Daniel, editor of th