1862 March 3 Staunton, Va.

[from the diary of Joseph A. Waddell, Staunton, Va.]

Monday night, March 3, 1862.



Martial law declared in Richmond, and a
number of persons arrested there on the charge
of hostility to our government — among them J. M.
Botts. I cannot believe that Botts has been
engaged in any dishonorable enterprise. The steamer
Nashville has arrived at Beaufort, N. C. When
last heard of she was in an English port, blocka
ded by one or more U. S. vessels. I received a
letter from Tate to-day, saying that Ruffin offer-
ed me a situation in the Commissary Depart-
ment at Richmond; with a prospect of promo-
tion. I wrote to him on the subject. Yesterday +
to-day miserable weather.

MSS 38-258