New-York daily tribune., 1862-05-06
REVELATIONS OF REBEL PLANs.
A Coa,rabnnd's story-Why Johnston Left
Man.ssas-Mr. and Mrs. JEFF. Daris's
TrunIs. Packed-Warm Cnionists in
Richmond,

W..HlysroN Monday, May s. 1863.
The following statement, dated yesterday on the
Rappalannock, has reached Washington; coiored
man came in TODAY from the other side OF ne
river. ard represented himself as Jeh Davss co Ach
man. From an examination of him, thla Is proba-
bly the truth. lie repeats scraps OF conversations
overheard while driving Mr.. and Mrs. Davis in the
carriage and between Mr.. Davis and THOSE who came
10 see him.
Mr.. Davis and Gen. j. L. Johnston had some heated
discussions about the latters retreat from Manassas.
Davis disapproved of it, and ordered Johnston to
make stand at Gordonsville. Johnston declined to
do this and offered to resign, and was even ndisposed
to 90 to Yorktown. Mrs. Davis ssid she thought
this very bad in him Johuston to he unwilling to 60
and help Gen. Magruder.
The coachman overheard conversation between
Johnston and the wife Of Davis, the former saying
if he lad not left Manassas Mcclellan would have
come out against him and cut him all TO pieces.
Mrs Davis read an article in TIE RieAmoAd Er-
aminer 10 her husband, saying that il was part OF
the Yankees plans that Gems. Banks and Mcdowell
were TO form junction IN Louisa or Caroline
County and move down on Richmond. DAVIS re-
marked he thought that was so, but his Generals
would take care Of them.
The coachrnan overheard conversation between
Davis and Dr. Gwin, formerly United States Senator
from California. Davis said that lie had rent Gen.
]. X. Anderson from North Carolina 10 resist The
march Of the Un0niss from Fredericksburg and 70
DELAY them long enough for him to see the prob
able result of the contest before Yorktown,
20 that if that was likely to be unsuccessful,
he would have time TO extricate his army from the
Peninsula, and get them into Richmond and out Of
Virgins; that otherwise they would al be caught
The coschman Represents that Mrs. Davis said the
CoDjederacy was about played out" and " that II
NeI.Orleans was really taken she had no longer
anv interest in the matter, as all she had was there
that it was great pity they had ever attempted to
hold Virginia and the other non-growing Cotton
States" and that she said to Mn. DR.. Il. Jones,
daughter Of Col. James Taylor, u. 5. Comnissary
General OF Subsistence, who was very anxious 10 get
to Washington, where she has one O.. her children.
mot 10 give herself any trouble but only to stay
where she was, and when the Yapkee5 came to
Richmond -4e could CO." i..salls.4A4s AS ".
The eoachman says that Mr.. and Mrs. Davis have
all their books, clothing, aud pictures packed up,
ready 10 move off; that there is much outspokeh
Union feeling in Richmond; that having been n
waiter in hotel there, he knows all the Union men
of the place, and that the Yankees are looked for
with much pleasure, more by the white. than even
the colored people. Confederate money is not taken
when it can be avoided.
Mrs. Davis herself was refused when she offered
$40 Confederate note, which she did in payment
for something purchased for Mrs. Brown.
Many Of the Richmond people wish the Union
troops to come, as they are half starved out.
The Bank and Government property are all packed
up for removal to Danvie, near the North Carolina
line.
Gen. Johnston did not think they would succeed
at Yorktown.
The coschman overheard the Rebel officers say If
they failed at Yorktown and New.OrleaDs they
would leave Virginia.