Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1861-10-02
WASHINGTON. Sept. q.

the rebel army is believed to be very near
ly true
WASHINGTON, Sept. %.
From developments made to-day, am
satisfied chat the statement forwarded last
night, purporting to come from a man just
from Manassas, concerning the strength
and condition Of the rebels, was garbled
coming through,a third party. To-day
have seen him, and his statement is very
clear and confirmed by numerous other
statements made by reliable parties.
His position of late at Richmond, Ma
nassas, Winchester, Harper's Ferry. Nun
sons Hill and Fairfax, at various periods,
and his extensive acquaintance with men
and things, have enabled him to judge well
of the condition and movements ofthe reb-
els. He says the number of troops from
Richmond to the Potomac at Leesburg, in
one direction, and Aoquai and Matthias
Point in another might safely be put down
at $4,000 men $4,000 of these were at
Richmond three days ago $4,000 at Ma
nassas. and the remaining $4,000 are scat
tered along from that point to Munson's
Hill, and from the vicinity of Noland's
Ferry to Harper's Ferry, and on the Poto-
mac, south Of Alexandria, from the vcini-
ty Of Acquia Greek to Matthias Point.
The troops at Leesburg are infantry,and
number about $4,000. There are also
about 5000 in the vicinity Of Noland's
Ferry. The force at Fairfax Court House
is quite small. Generals Beauregard and
Johnston make this place their head quar-
tiers.
The main battery, on Munson's Hill
consists ofthree 42-pounders. A little in
the rear of this is another battery, more
secure, containing three guns.
The men are generally well clad, but
not with WOODEN clothing, and are begin
ming to suffer for the want Of them, espec-
tally those from the extreme Southern
States. B ankets are very much needed
at night, and it is considered impossible to
supply their want. The troops have no
shoes but those that they brought from
home, and most Of them are about usedup
and there is no possible means for supply
ing the article. They cannotbe manufac-
tured. as leather is scarce, and there being
no meats foot oil to be had, hides cannot be
cured for the manufacture of leather.
The cotton crop which has been pledged
for the Confederate loan,is not to be remoy-
ed to the seaboard cities until ready for ship
ment for fear of seizure. There have been
pressed into the Confederate service nearly
all the teams and horses in the valley OF
Virginia the farmers are thus deprived Ct
the usual advantages for tilling the ground
prepatory to sowing their next wheat and
corn crops.
Forage for horses is being rapidly
bought up, showing that speedy move Is
about to take place between Acquia Greek
and Alexandria. Two new batteries, one
five and the other ten miles above, have
been erected. The work upon these has
been done in dark nights. The intention
seems to be the further erection Of similar
defences along the Potomac, up to point
as near to Alexandria as practicable.
He says the rebels feel safe in regard tc
the protection of the Potomac between
Acouia Greek and Matthias Point, and that
this feeling Of security hes probably arisen
from the fact that contraband goods have
been carried across from the counties o.
Charles and St. Mary into Virginia. On
the Maryland side, in these two counties
signal lights have been noticed, giving the
rebels timely warning Of the passage, al
night, of any Of our sailing vessels.
NV informant learned before leaving Ma
nassas, that the anticipated advance will
be made simultaneously Noland's Ferry,
Alexandria, and at point between Acquia
Greek and Matthias Point. The movements
at Alexandria will probably be a feint.-
They have made every attempt to induce
Gen. Mcclellan to attack their masked bat
teries. but are now satisfied that be will not
Nv informant was asked if he eyer heard
ola plan TO assassinate Gen. Mcclellan
He said he never did, but he had heard
something about assassinating President
Lincoln, whom they assert to be the heat
and leader Of all their present trouble.
He SAYS they regret that Gen. Mcclellan
is in command, aud express the hope that
Gen. Scott, will again assume command
He says jeff Davis, although not dead, was
quite feeble, whea his death was announ
ced, and that his health was declining fast
The gentleman from whom the above
information is obtained, had a high posi-
ton ia the rebel army and had the conf.
dsnce Of Bsauregard. He is native q
Virginia,