The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1862-05-30
Important from McCieiian's Command.
RAtr,vcpr Nav o2 Tba hoat

BALTIMORE. Msy 23.-The boat
from Old Point has arrived.
The dmerican's special corres-
pondence states that the steamer
from Whitehousc, this p. m, brings
number Of passengers from the
head quarters OF General McClellan's
army, which was in proximity to
Button Bridge, over which a por-
iion OF the army has already pass
cd; the second division having
crossed the Chickahominy at New
Bridge, about seven miles further
up. and within eight miles Of Rich,
mond.
1t was rumored that q proposition
for an arlnistice for ten days had
been made by tho rebels, but of
course no such idea could be enter.
tanned.
The advance Of our army was un,
derstood to be within five miles Of
the city, TO which point the enemy
has fallen back, with but slight eff
forts to check our onward movement.
The advance by the way of New
Bridge enters the city on the North
side. The tug Dragon, from tho
James river this morning, brings
down two very intelligent citiz,ns
from Petersburg, who fed from that
city yesterday to avoid the press
gang under the conscription act.
In view Of the important informa-
tion which they bring, il would not
be proper to make their names pub.
lie. Having been brought to Com
modore Goldsborough. they wero
Immediately sent to Gen. Wool. and
will leave this morning for McClcl.
lan's headquarters, for whom they
have some information which they
have not made public.
They represent the condition of
affairs at Petersburg and the sur
rounding country, as OF a most de-
plorable character. The sutierings
OF the people seem almost beyond
endurance.
Tho scarcity Of provisions WAS 90
great, that everything was seizei
for the army, and even the soldier.
had heen on half ratiops for q week
past, with no prospect of even this
supply continuing for a great length
Of time.
Tho rebel army, or at least a great
portion OF it. they represent hs de-
mUralized to such an extent, that it
is only held together by the most
rigorous appliance OF military law.
Still the work of conscrip,ion was
progressing, and the roads to Rich.
mond were throDged with unarmed
mon. old and vnnnv hsina dr;vor
along under strong armed guards.
They represent that no people in
modern times have suffered moro
than the people of Virginia ara
now suffering, every household be.
ing in mourning, with tho prospect
OF an approaching famine.
aev also state that Gen. Bean.
regard arrived at Richmond on
Tuesday. Oa being questioned as
to their authority for this statement,
they stated that il was 80 announced
and understood at Petersburg on
Wednesday morning, no one doubt
ing the fact.
jeff. Davis and tho military AL.
thorities had declared their intention
to fight to the death before Rich.
mond; but strong suspicious wero
entertained that it was really their
purpose to abandon tho city after ~
short defense at the works suIrouni.
ing it.
Largo numbers OF women AMI
children from Richmond had arrived
at Petersburg. who represented the
distress prevailing in the city as be.
yond description.
Threats were made by tho sol,
'liers from the Gulf States, th.ti
they had to leave Richmond, thew
would lay it in ashes before doin :
90.
Grcat fears were entertained that
their threat would he carried into
effect. 1t would require tho great
est eiljrts on the part of the citiz n,
to prevent snch a catastrophe.
The number OF troops at Rich.
mond and in tho immediate viciai.
ty, was generally believed to be fuI
ly two hundred thousand. including
the nnarmed and poorly armed oi
the recent levies, who were having
pixies put into their hands Tor active
service.
Deserters from Fort Darling re-
port that the infantry force in the vi
clnlty OF the works ID nearly 3),00)
men.