The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-24
IMPORTANT FROM THE PENINSULA.
-~~~~~~~~~~~-~~~~e~~~~~~
The Union Vanguard Within
Five Miles of the
Rebel Capital.
Prcparat ions for an Attack
on the Enemy.
Reported Proposition for an
Armistice for Ten Days.
Declaration Of the Rebel Leaders to
"Fight to the DEATH"
General Bsauregafd Reported to b
in Richmond.
.Frightful State Of Affairs in Richmond
and Petersburg,
&C.. &C.. &c.

FORTRESS MONROE, May 20, 1862
The steamer from White House this afternoon brings
number OF passengers from the headquarters Of Como
sl McClellan's army which were in proximity to Bot
toms Bridge, over which portion Of the army has al
ready passed. the Second division having crossed the
Chckahomny New Bridge about seven miles further
up, and within eight miles Of Richmond.
It rumored that proposition for armstce for
ton days boon made by tho rebels but OF
such idea could be entertained.
The advance OF army understood to be within
ave miles Of the city, TO which point the enomy has fall
back. with but slight movement to check our
ward movement. The advance by tho way Of New
Bridge enters the city on the north side.
Tho tug Dragon from tho James river this morning,
brings down very intelligent citizens from Peters
burg who fed from that city yesterday to avoid tho
pressgang under tho CONSUMPTION act In Of the
important information which they bring would not be
proper to make their public Having been
brought - Commodore Goldsborough, they we're imme
diatsly sent to General Wool, and will leave this
morning for General McClellans headquarters, for
whom they have information which they have not
yet made public They represent tho condition of affairs
At Petersburg and the surrounding country Of
dsplorabc character The sunsrngs Of the people are
almost beyond endurance. The scarcity Of provisions
was great that everything was seized for the army,
and even the soldiers have been half ratons for
tnung for any great length Of time The rebel army
at least great portion Of it, they represent demo.
ralized and dspred to such extent that II Is only
hold together by tho most rigorous appliance Of military
law. Still the work OF conscrpton progressing,
and tho roads to Richmond thronged with unarmed
man. old and young being driven along under strongly
armed guards They represent that people in modern
times have suffered than tho people Of Virginia
are suffering, every household being in mourning
with the prospect Of approaching famine. They also
state that General Bcauregard arrived at Richmond
Tuesday. On being questioned TO their authority for
ahis statement they say that IL announced and
understood at Petersburg on Wednesday morning, no
one doubling the fact.
JeG Davis and the military authorities had declared
their intention to 6gh TO the death before RicAmond but
strong suspicious entertained that Il was really
choir purpose to abandon tho city after short defence
at tho works surrounding IL.
Large numbers OF women and children from Richmond
had arrived at Petersburg who represented the distress
prevailing in the city beyond description. Threats
made by the soldiers from the Gulf States that
they had to leave Richmond, they would lay In ashes
bsors doing Great foars entertained that their
threat would be carried into eac It would require tho
greatest efforts tho part Of the citizens to prevent
such catastrophe.
The number OF troops at Richmond and in the vicinity
was generally believed to DO fully hundred thousand
including the unarmed and poorly armed OF the recent
dsvics who wore having pixies put into their hands for
active service.
Dessrtors from Fort Darling report that the infantry
force the vicinity Of the nearly thirty thousand
mon.
WASHINGTON, May %, 1862.
Tho latest adviccs from the Army OF tho Potomac state
that General Mcclellan had crossed the Chckahonny AZ
Bottoms Bridge and that hs headquarters New
Bridge. Preparations for attack arc being made.