Townsend's Diary January-May, 1865. 101
extended five days and I have sent it to him by today's mail. This is not a very pleasant prospect to me, as the loneliness of the place is decidedly disagreeable.
gth. All very quiet. Weather quite cold. Blair not having arrived as yet, I suppose that he has received his extension of leave.
loth. All quiet.
nth, The papers of today have an order from Adjutant General's office announcing the appointment of General Robert E. Lee as General-in-Chief of the Confederate armies. This gives universal satisfaction, and will silence the voice of croakers and dispel, in a great measure, the gloom which has filled the hearts of the people for sometime. Papers of today contain also, notice of the grand indignation meeting held in Richmond to send back a fit answer to Mr. Lincoln's insulting propositions. The lion is at length aroused; let them beware, who have awakened him.
1 2th, Sunday. All quiet; went to Carlton's church and heard Mr. Oliver preach in the morning; and in the afternoon heard Mr. Gardner at our company church a bitter cold day.
1 3th. Wrote to father and also to mother. Nothing of interest transpiring.
I4th. Blair returned today, much to my satisfaction, and I was enabled to return to camp.
i.5-i6th. All quiet. A rumor prevalent in camp, imported from Richmond, to the effect that Thomas is marching with his army by way of Fredericksburg. This story bears an air of probability.
i yth. All quiet during the day. At about 1 1 130 o'clock at night the Yankee gunboat in the river threw a shell into our camp, dis- turbing our slumbers somewhat and causing us to rise and go out to the breastworks, remaining there a short while. As it was not repeated we went to bed again.
i9th-2ist. All quiet; T. E. and S. B. A. went home on the 2oth. Commenced a newspaper arrangement on the same day. Wrote to Examiner on 2ist.
22d. The Yankee celebrated this day with a great many salutes, as usual; very pleasant weather. General Pendleton was here to-day, and says that furloughs have been stopped, and that we may expect a fight very soon. Captain P. says that it is supposed that Grant will attempt to open communication with Sherman. Wrote to the Examiner.
