Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-09-01

pared to say. Something, however. needs to be
done; and perhaps, there is nothing better to
prevent invasion from the border States than
fleet of the kind suggested by the gentlemen now
here. If they fail to secure the aid of the Gov
ernment an effort will be made to have the thing
done by the States bordering on the Ohio River
the very ones that are ntDst closely interested
in the enterprise. Let our Western armored
boats be disposed of as archaeological curiosities,
and then let us have some more effective. There
are efforts being made for change in respect TO
the style of iron-clads for Western service, but
with what success cannot yet be told.
Statement of a Gentleman irect from
Richmond.
We have been able to obtain from a person
who LETT Richmond on Friday last, some interest
ing information. He has been in the rebel capital
for some time past, and appear, to be cOnversant
with the general state of affairs in and around the
city. He estimates the force of the rebels at
Richmond at the commencement of the seven
days' lighting to have been between two hundred
thousand and two hundred and fifty thousand
men. 1t is conceded all sides that their loss
during that time amounted to at least thirty
thousand men. Since that time ronscripts have
been pouring in at the rate of at least one thou
sand per day; so that now the force is nearly
equal in point of numbers to what il was prior to
the fights. Their loss among the best troops
of the rebel army, and it will take long time TO
bring the conscrpts up to the standard of the
troops that have been killed and wounded in the
late battles before Richmond and on the penin-
sula. He reports that McClellan's movements
have been known in Richmond as soon as com
menced, and as soon as his evacuation of Harri-
sons Landing was well in progress, they at once
moved large bodies OF their best troops towards
Gordonsvile, in support of General sStOEewall
jackson.
The rebels in Richmond, he says, are confident
of being able to crush Pope by an overwhelming
force, and then anticipate no difficulty in the oc
cupation of Washington, and the rescue, as they
term it, of Maryland. All the force that can be
used will be brought to bear for this purpose and
they hope. by rapid movements and crushing
blows, to overwhem the Union forces before they
can be reinforced to Il sufficient extent to oppose
them man to man.
He reports Richmond to be encrced by forti-
ficatiOnS OF the most extensive character. Those
north of the city are fully armed and manned by
experienced artillerists. Those the south
side are comparatively neglected, for the reason
that they anticipate no danger in that direction
Fort Darling, at Drury's Bluff, Is now com
pleted and mounts twenty two guns of the heav
lest calibre, principally rifles and the face of the
work is constructed in such manner to resist
the passage OF any projecte. 1t is constructed,
first OF eighteen inch square timber, over which
is "a plating of four-inch iron, the whole placed
at such an angle that any shot striking it must
glance and fly off, without the possibility of do
ing damage
DISTINCTIONS of the most substantial character
have been placed in the river opposite and above
Fort Darling, and the most rabid of the rebels of
Richmond advocate the entire filling up OF the
river between Drury's Bluff and Rockets, and
the construction of a railroad for army purposes
between the two points, leaving the river to find
new channel.
In regard to the iron-clad ram, Merrimac No.
2, he says that she is about $50 feet long, and
constructed very much the same principle
Merrimac the first. She cannot be completed for
at least four weeks yet. The information he
gives regarding the ram was derived from men
who had worked upon her No information
obtained regarding her armament. The Trede-
gar works are running night and day on ordnance,
shot, shell, &c
The health of the citizens of Richmond is re-
ported as good, not worse than the average in
time of peace. The mortality among the sick
and wounded soldiers is, however, very great.
None of the hotels have, at any time, been used
for hospitals, but many private residences and
public buildings have been taken for that pur-
pose. A large number of the women and chill
dren left Richmond when they considered the
city in danger, and they have not returned, be-
lievlng residence in the rebel capital as very
uncertain, no matter how distant the Union army
may be.
The rebels are confident of ultimate success,
but do not hesitate to Say, should Richmond be
wrested from them, it would virtually end the
war; for the rebel army, although determined
to fight, are heartily sick of the war, and, if de.
feated at Richmond. would dsband, and could
not again be brought together. The number of
UniOnists in Richmond is estimated at not over
three thousand, and they consist principally of
naturazed foreigners.
The condition of the poorer classes in Rich
mond is very bad,s Mechanics can obtain work,
but it takes all then wages to clothe them. He
gives the following the price of groceries, &c:
Flour, thirteen dollars barrel butter, one dol
lar per pound (; eggs. one dollar per dozen COM
mon country soap, one dollar per pound toma-
toes, one dollar per dozen cabbage, one dollar
per lead green tea, from sixteen To twenty dol
lars per pound.
The rebels expect to receive from MARYLAND
from ten to twenty thousand men, on account of
President Lincolns order for drafting. Many
reaching Richmond, and large numbers are
all parts of lower Maryland, below lower Cedar
Point, the Potomac ; but principally by way of
LeonardstOwn and Britton's Bay.
The rebels have the highest opinion of Nc
Clellan's generalship. They consider his move
ments on the Peninsula mastery, and now
breathe freely to think he is removed from their
doors. They fear Mcclellan and gloat over the
work of the abolitionists and political schemers
of the North, who have been hampering his
movements. for they know all operations to
defeat the plans of Mcclellan is but placing vic
tory within their grasp.
Our informant crossed the Potomac river from
a point directly opposite Blackstone Island, and
he reports that shortly after leaving the Virginia
shore they picked up the body of female, evil
IDENTIFY lady, which they buried on the Virginia
shore. close to the spot from which they started.
They found on her p,rsOn gold watch and
cross, and a small amount of money in change
These articles were LETT in charge of farmer who
lived close at hand. The body was so disfgured
that it would be impossible to recognize it. The
only marks by which it may be known are by the
articles fonnd, and that she had brown hair and
an ordinary summer fat, which had fallen to the
back of her head the ribbons being still tied un-
der the chin. This was no doubt one of the
ladies lost in the late collision on the Potomac
river, and could be recovered without difficulty
Our informant concludes his remarks about
Richmond by saying that Beauregard has fallen
from his high estate. his being seldom
mentioned except in derisiOn. He has retired
from active duty, nomnally on account of sick
ness but in reality for the that his services
are no longer wanted. Lee and jackson are now
the men, and will remain so until defeated, when
they will in turn be laid on the shelf. and be CON-
pelled to make room for the next favorlte.-N
Y Herald.
Governors Tod and Morton on the
Clergy, and the conscientious.
Governor Tod has decided that, in the draft
for troops about to take place, clergymen are not
exempt. In this respect. we do not feel inclined
TO call in question the wisdom of our State Ex-
ecutive. We fail to see any reason for excusng