Mr. Van Valkenburgh to Mr. Seward.
Sir: Since the date of my last dispatches no events of importance have transpired; the war still continues north of Yedo. The people of that capital were under some apprehension from the movement of southern troops, who were constantly seen proceeding to the north, and others, it was believed, landing in Yedo. The movement was traced, and it was then found that bodies of those men whom it was probably desired to keep from dissipation in Yedo and at the same time in active exercise, were marching in a circuit, halting in Yedo only at conspicuous places, thus leading the people to greatly overestimate their numbers, and by this means probably intending to prevent their rising or assembling in inconvenient numbers in the vicinity,
From the seat of war the reports of small northern successes appear to be confirmed; the southerners partly in pursuance of their plan of operations, and partly, also, from the tactics of their opponents keeping their troops on the march. They appear to have been driven from an advanced position to which they attached great importance; the only thing known with certainty is that wounded daily arrive in Yedo from the north, thus showing that the war is being continued in the same desultory manner as from the beginning.
The people living near the scene of the millitary operations are reported to furnish provisions only under compulsion and in insufficient quantity, thus necessitating the transportation of rice from Yedo, where it has to be purchased with hard coin. Owing to continued rain the roads are in very bad condition, and it has often happened lately that the southern army has been on short rations. It is evidently part of their policy to treat the common people as leniently as possible, as their active hostility would undoubtedly soon cause the defeat of this so-called Mikado’s army. It is even doubtful whether in such a case many of the men composing it could escape with their lives. The absence of unanimity among the Tokugawa Daimios, many of whom persistently favor the Mikado’s cause, and the avowed policy of the “northern confederation to act strictly on the defensive, will no doubt render such a contingency highly improbable.
[Page 820]The Miya Sama or northern Mikado of whose advent I informed you in preceding dispatches, while exercising the supreme spiritual authority, still forbears to assume any high title for himself. Nor does he in the least meddle with political matters or the direction of military affairs.
The only really interesting event has been the sudden departure of the late Tycoon from the castle of Mito, some forty miles to the eastward of Yedo, for the castle of Futshii in Suruga, also very near to a good harbor. This castle, situated at about sixty miles to the westward of this place, was alloted to the Tokugawa clan, by the Mikado, as the official residence in lieu of Yedo, and shortly Tokugawa Kamenoske, the nominal head of the clan, though only six years of age, will, it is reported, join his reputed predecessor and father by adoption, also, in one of their war steamers.
There is good reason to suspect, though reports are assiduously circulated by his adherents that the late Tycoon sincerely submits to the Mikado and has no connection whatever with the war now going on, that his presence in Mito powerfully contributed to the formation of the northern confederation; and it may further be suspected, therefore, that he will endeavor to influence other powerful Daimios in the vicinity of his present residence and induce them to adopt similar measures.
In company with Rear-Admiral Rowan, I recently visited Yedo in his flag-ship Piseataqua, remaining there four days. The city, once so populous, looks entirely deserted, and but very few two-sworded men are met in the street.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.