FEBRUARY 25th.—The President has certainly conferred on Bragg the position once (1862) occupied by Lee, as the following official announcement, in all the papers to-day, demonstrates:
“WAR DEPARTMENT,
” ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERAL’S OFFICE,
” RICHMOND, February 24th, 1864.
“GENERAL ORDERS No. 23.
“Gen. Braxton Bragg is assigned to duty at the seat of government, and, under direction of the President, is charged with the conduct of military operations in the armies of the Confederacy.
“By order of the Secretary of War.
” S. COOPER,
“Adjutant and Inspector General.”
No doubt Bragg can give the President valuable counsel–nor can there be any doubt that he enjoys a secret satisfaction in triumphing thus over popular sentiment, which just at this time is much averse to Gen. Bragg. The President is naturally a little oppugnant.
He has just appointed a clerk, in the Department of War, a military judge, with rank and pay of colonel of cavalry–one whom he never saw; but the clerk once had a street fight with Mr. Pollard, who has published a pamphlet against the President. Mr. Pollard sees his enemy with three golden stars on each side of his collar.
The retreat of Sherman seems to be confirmed.
Gen. Beauregard sends the following dispatch:
“CHARLESTON, February 23d-2.15–P.M.
“TO GEN. S. COOPER.
” The latest reports from Gen. Finnegan give no particulars of the victory at Occum Pond, except that he has taken all of the enemy’s artillery, some 500 or 600 stand of small arms already collected, and that the roads for three miles are strewn with the enemy’s dead and wounded.
” (Signed) G. T. BEAUREGARD.”
The Examiner has the following remarks on the appointment of Bragg:
“The judicious and opportune appointment of Gen. Bragg to the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Confederate Armies, will be appreciated as an illustration of that strong common sense which forms the basis of the President’s character, that regard for the opinions and feelings of the country, that respect for the Senate, which are the keys to all that is mysterious in the conduct of our public affairs. The Confederate armies cannot fail to be well pleased. Every soldier’s heart feels that merit is the true title to promotion, and that glorious service should insure a splendid reward. From Lookout Mountain, a step to the highest military honor and power is natural and inevitable. Johnston, Lee, and Beauregard learn with grateful emotions that the conqueror of Kentucky and Tennessee has been elevated to a position which his superiority deserves. Finally this happy announcement should enliven the fires of confidence and enthusiasm, reviving among the people like a bucket of water on a newly kindled grate.”
The day before his appointment, the Enquirer had a long editorial article denouncing in advance his assignment to any prominent position, and severely criticised his conduct in the West. Today it hails his appointment as Commander-in-Chief with joy and enthusiasm! This reminds one of the Moniteur when Napoleon was returning from Elba. The Enquirer’s notion is to prevent discord—and hence it is patriotic.
The weather is still bright, pleasant, but dusty. We have had only one rain since the 18th of December, and one light snow. My garden is too dry for planting.
We have not only the negroes arrayed against us, but it appears that recruiting for the Federal army from Ireland has been carried on to a large extent.
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