December 1st.–Bright and warm.
It is said there is a movement of the enemy menacing our works on the north side of the river. There was shelling down the river yesterday and day before, officially announced by Gen. Lee–two of the enemy’s monitors retired.
Gen. Longstreet says “over 100 of Gen. Pickett’s men are in the guard-house for desertion, and that the cause of it may be attributed to the numerous reprieves, no one being executed for two months.” Gen. Lee indorses on the paper: “Desertion is increasing in the army, notwithstanding all my efforts to stop it. I think a rigid execution of the law is mercy in the end. The great want in our army is firm discipline.” The Secretary of War sent it to the President “for his information.” The President sent it back with the following biting indorsement: “When deserters are arrested they should be tried, and if the sentences are reviewed and remitted, that is not a proper subject for the criticism of a military commander.–Jeff. Davis. November 29th, 1864.”
Another dispatch from Gen. Bragg:
“Augusta, November 30th, 1864.–Following just received from Major-Gen. Wheeler: ‘Four Miles West Buckhead Church, November 29th, 9 P.M.–We fought Gen. Kilpatrick all night and all day, charging him at every opportunity. Enemy fought stubbornly, and left a considerable number of their killed. He stampeded, and came near capturing Kilpatrick twice; but having a fleet horse, he escaped, bareheaded, leaving his hat in our hands. Our own loss about 70, including the gallant Gen. Robertson, severely wounded. Our troops all acted handsomely.’
“Gen. Robertson has arrived here. His left arm is badly broken at the elbow, but he is doing well.–B. B.”
Another dispatch of the same date: “To establish our communications west, I have ordered the immediate repair of the Georgia Railroad to Atlanta. With the exception of bridges, the damage is reported as slight. We should also have a line of telegraph on that route.–B. B.”
I succeeded to-day in buying of Government Quartermaster (Major Ferguson) four yards of dark-gray cloth, at $12 per yard, for a full suit. The merchants ask $125 per yard–a saving of $450. I hope to have it cut and made by one of the government tailors, for about $50, trimmings included. A citizen tailor asks $350!
The Senate passed a bill, yesterday, increasing my salary and Custis’s $500, which we don’t thank them for unless we can buy rations, etc. at schedule prices. The money is worthless when we go into the open market.
My landlord, Mr. King, has gone into the grocery business; and, although he did not raise the rent for the present year, still asked more upon my offer to pay the amount of the first quarter to-day–$500, six months ago, were really worth more than $1000 to-day. At that time I acknowledged the house would bring more than $500. To-day it would rent for more than $1000. He left it to me to do what was right. I think it right to pay $800 or $1000, and will do so.
This evening our servant stepped into the yard just in time to save some clothes drying on the line. A thief was in the act of stealing them, and made his escape, springing over the fence into the alley.