Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 28.djvu/296

 290 Southern Historical Society Papers.

January 14. By appointment I spent two hours with the Presi- dent to-day. He was very cordial. We did not speak of his West Point appointments, especially Harry Wayne. It made my blood boil when I heard that fellow had been made a Brigadier-General.

January 17. Wayne wrote the President a most insulting letter, refusing contemptuously his commission as Brigadier-General and berating him for not appointing him Major-General. I hear this confidentially and don't want you to speak of it out of the family.

January 18. The sudden death of Ex- President Tyler has caused an adjournment of Congress. He was a remarkable man and had filled every State and national office. The impression is gaining ground that the Burnside fleet is intended for Savannah. If it proves successful I do hope there will be found patriotic hands enough to set fire to the city and let the enemy be received in a heap of smoul- dering ruins.

January 22. I met and was introduced to Governor Wise to-day. I confess I was disappointed in him. He wants stability and solidity in his appearance, while he is almost brilliant in common conversa- tion.

January 24. We are all depressed this morning over the disaster at Somerset last Sunday. It is attributable entirely to a drunken, Godless general, who in a spree on Sunday morning led our troops to their destruction. Zolicoffer was a noble man and a fine officer. In the effort to redeem the day, I doubt not, he lost his life. Will the President learn wisdom from this ? I doubt it. He is as obsti- nate as a mule. Mr. Davis has lost his power in Congress, but Howell, Toombs and I have agreed that we will boldly condemn his errors but generously uphold him when he is right. Stephens on the contrary, a poor selfish demagogue, is trying to ride on the wave of popular clamor and create factious opposition to everything.

January 26. A grander rascal than this Jew Benjamin does not exist in the Confederacy and I am not particular in concealing my opinion of him.

January 27. Scarlet fever is prevalent here. General Long- street's family reached here ten days ago. Two of his children are to be buried to-day and another is at the point of death.

January 28. Among the guests at Toombs' I met Prince Polignac who holds a commission as lieutenant-colonel in our army. He seems to be a clever little fellow, but lowers ones opinion consider- ably of a Prince of one of the noblest houses of France.