The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-05-24
Frem McClsllan,s Array.
Baltimore. Nav Q3.

Baltimore, may 20.
The boat from Old Point has arrived.
The Americans correspondence states
that the steamer from White House. this
afternoon, brings a number Of passengers
from the headquarters Of Gen. McClel-
lan's army, which was in proximity to
Bottom Bridge, over which portion Of
the army has already passed, the second
division having crossed the Chickahominy
ut New Bridge, about seven miles further
up, and within eight miles Of Richmond.
1t was rumorcd that proposition for an
srmistice for ten days had been made by
rebels, but of course no such idea could
bSentertained. The advance Of our army
was understood to be within Eve miles of
the city. to which point the enemy has
fallen back. with but slight effort to
check our onward movements. The ad-
vance by the way of New Bridge enters
the city on the north side. The tug
Dragon, from the James River this morn.
ing. brings down two very intelligent citi-
xens from Petersburg, who fed from that
city yesterday, to avoid the press gang,
under the conscript act. In view Of the
important information which they bring,
it would not be proper to make their names
public. Having been brought 70 Com
modore Goldsboro, they were Immediately
sent to Gen Wool, and will leave this
morning for Me- lellan's headquarters, for
whom they have some information which
they have not made public. They rep
resent the condition Of affairs at Peters
burg and surrounding country as of
most deplorable character. The sufferings
of the people seem almost beyond endur-
ance. The scarcity Of provisions was SO
great that everything was seized for the
army, and even the soldiers have been on
half rations for week past, with no pros
pect d even this supply continuing for
great length Of time. The rebel army, or
at least great portion Of it, they repre-
sent a. dsmoralized and dispirited to such
an extent that it is only held together BY
the most vigorous appliance Of military
law. Still the work of CONSUMPTION Was
progressing, and the roads to Richmond
were thronged with unarmcd men, old and
young. being driven along under strong
armed guards They represent that no
people in modern iimes= hare =aHfEered
more than the people Of Virginia are now
suffering, every household being in
mourning, with the prospect Of IN ap-
preaching famine. They also state that
Gen. Bexuregard arrived At Richmond On
Tuesday. On being questioned q to
their authority for this statement, they say
that was 20 snnounced and understood at
Petersburg on Wednesday morning, no
one doubling the fact. JEFF. Davis and
the military authorities had declared their
intention 70 fight to the death before
Richmond, but strong suspicious were en-
teltaised that il was xsslly their purpose
TO abandon the city. after short defence
at the works surrounding it. Large num-
bers Of women and children from Rich
mond had arrived at Petersburg, who rep
resented the distress prevailing in the
city. beyond description. Threats were
made soldiers from the Gulf States that if
they had 70 leave Richmond they would
leave It 10 ashes. Great fears we're enter
tanned that their threat would be carried
into effect. II would require the greatest
efforts on the part Of the citizens 10 pre-
| vent such : catastrophe. The number Of
troops 1t Richmond and in the vicinity,
was generally believed TO be fully zoo, !
600, including the unsrmed and poorly
armed of the recent leyies. who were
having pixies put into their hands for
active service
Deserters from Fort Darling report that
the infantry force in tho vicinity of the
works 10 nearly 5000 men.
Washington, May %.
The news from Europe is healthful.--
It is ascsrtained that the rumors Of inter-
vention have bsen the creation Of the de-