April 10, 1863

April 10, 1863

---Gen. Alfred Pleasanton, whose Federal cavalry has been probing the Confederate lines near Fredericksburg, gives a report of Confederate doings along the front in Virginia.  Among other items, he includes these observations:

The bread riots in Richmond were gotten up by Union men, of whom there are as many as ever. There is much suffering among the citizens in the South, but the soldiers are well supplied and are in good heart and spirits. Everybody has been conscripted. The troops have 22 ounces per day of flour, one-fourth pound of meat, with some sugar and rice occasionally. The rebel officers at Culpeper
appear to think it is not the intention to hold that country if pressed, but to fight on the Rapidan and at Fredericksburg.
Just what Pleasanton means by "Everyone has been conscripted" is not clear, in this context.


---There is a small but furious battle fought near Franklin, Tennessee, where Earl Van Dorn’s Confederates are beaten by Gen. Granger’s Union troops, who suffer only 100 casualties to Van Dorn’s 300.


---Gen. Joseph Wheeler’s Rebel cavalry raid key points along the railroad between Nashville and Louisville, attempting to threaten the Union supply lines.


—Having completed his inspection tour of the Army of the Potomac over the last four days, Pres. Lincoln and his party travel back to Aquia Creek, Virginia, and take a steamer back up to Washington.


—Gov. Bonham of South Carolina, alarmed at the food shortages in his own state, issues orders that grain not be used for the distillation of alcoholic beverages.