Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-08-13

orrespOndence of the New York Tribune
FORTRESS MONROE, Aug. 10.-The retir-
ing of our forces from Malvern Hill, which
they had held scarcely long enough to justify
the tone of the dispatch from headquarters
announcing its capture, is not the most inter-
esting intelligence we have from the James
river. For the present its character, in my
estimation, is cOntraband 1t would seem.
however, to give shade of truth to rumors
that have for some time prevailed here. and
even in New York also, l conclude, and to
indicate the real policy Of Gen. Mcclellan
more certainly than the flourish that ''the
army of the Potomac had again assumed the
offensive" During the last few days there
has been an addition to the already large
number Of transports here and in the James
river. Indeed, the principal demand appears
to be for transports and negroes and the de-
mand would seem to be answered to a very
large extent, and very promptly.
The ram fever, which was quite violent, in
our James River tlotilla ten days since, and
which appears to rage with violence else
where, has almost wholly subsidized. This is
gratifying. All last winter, spring, and up to
the taking of Norfolk, by her giving herself up,
''Merrimac on the brain" was the prevalent
disease, which we began to be fearful was to
be succeeded by ;:Ram on the brain, or ''No.
. on the liver" Luckily, however the indi-
cation subsidized, and we hear but little of
either, though in truth there is danger of
their temperance any day.
We continue to have reports, through rebel
sources, of disease and distress in Richmond.
If one-haf be true, the condition of that city
is little less than that OF the plague, which
the present almost unprecedented hot weather
cannot fail to aggrayate. That many have
fled is absolutely certain, for considerable
numbers have reached Norfolk, where, among
the rebels, the reports referred to are scarce
ly denied Intelligent officers from Rich
mond direct, confirm the opinion expressed
by those coming before them, that everything
that came under their observation indicated
that the city was ripe for a pestience. Among
other things it is represented that in the bury
ing places in and around the city large num-
bers of dead bodies lie unburicd in a state of
putrefaction; while in the jailS, hospitals and
other places where men are confined, dead
bodies were suffered to remain in a decayed
state. There Is also great scarcity, not on
ly of medicines, but Of disinfecting material,
as well as the disposition to make use of what
they have.
The blockading squadron off Charleston at
the present time consists of seventeen vessels,
and the greatest vigilance in regard to that
port has been instituted. Gen. VIM. +. Smith
has returned to the army of the Potomac.
During his absence he has been advanced to
INDEPENDENTLY, and he returns with the
commission, bearing date with those of Gems.
Porter, Franklin, and others. The army has
few more really able officers than Gen Smith.
The steamers Atlantic Baltic, and Vanderbilt
have been lying here for the last ten days. 1t
will be remembered that they were hurried
away from New York on few hours notice,
for important service, as we supposed.