October 18th.–Cloudy and cool.
Quiet below, but it is rumored that the enemy has erected one or two sand batteries, mounted with 400-pounders, bearing on our fleet of gun-boats.
The following dispatch was received from Gen. Hood to-day:
“9 Miles South of Lafayette, Ga.,
“Oct. 15th, via Selma, Oct. 17th, 1864.
“Gen. Bragg.
“This army struck the communications of the enemy about a mile above Resaca on the 12th inst., completely destroying the railroad, including block-houses, from that point to within a short distance of Tunnel Hill, and about four miles of the Cleaveland Railroad, capturing Dalton and all intermediate garrisons, with their stores, arms, and equipments, and about 1000 prisoners.
“The main body of Sherman’s army seems to be moving toward Dalton.
J. B. Hood, General.”
The following was received from Gen. Lee yesterday:
“Headquarters Army Northern Virginia,
“Oct. 16th, 1864.
“Hon James A. Seddon, Secretary of War.
“On the 14th instant, Col. Moseby struck the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at Duffield, and destroyed a United States mail train, consisting of a locomotive and ten cars, and securing twenty prisoners and fifteen horses.
“Among the prisoners are two paymasters, with one hundred and sixty-eight thousand dollars in government funds.
“R. E. Lee.”
It is reported also that Gen. Early has gained some advantage in a battle; not authentic.
Gen. Bragg is going away, probably to Wilmington. The combination against him was too strong.
But “the Bureau of Conscription” is pretty nearly demolished under his blows. Order 81 directs the generals of Reserves to appoint inspecting officers for all the Congressional Districts, to revise all exemptions, details, etc., with plenary powers, without reference to “the Bureau.”
The passport checks on travel Northward are now the merest farce, and valuable information is daily conveyed to the enemy.