Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-08-09
nirrct Nern rom Richmnrd.


We said the other day that we believed
the rumors as to the rebel strength at Rich
mond TO be great exRggerations. Our
opinion was founded upon the statistics Of
the fighting population Of the states in re-
bellion. But since that article was writ
ten, we have received information from a
source which we are not permitted to dis
close, but which we know to be authentic
and worthy Of trust, confirming these spec
ulative conclusions Of our own. The rebel
army has at no time, since the beginning
of the war, exceeded the number Of three
hundred and fifty thousand effective men,
all told, and including every force between
the Potomac and the Rio Grande. This
statement, we have reason to believe, was
originally derived from the documents of
the Confederate War Department.
AS for the forces in and about Richmond,
We learn from the same authority that they
reach at the highest point about one hun
dred and twenty thousand men. Of these
there were but ninety thousand on the Pc
ninsula, who were disposed for the repulse
Of MeClellan's army during the fierce con-
hicts Of the ever-memorable seven days.
They we're not all employed at once, nor
upon the main body of our army, but about
sixty thousand of them were precipitated,
from time TO time, upon the TANKS and ex-
posed points. In this way they were ena-
bled to do immense damage, and to drive
back our poor fellows with apparently
Overwhelming numbers. II was admira-
BILE generalship on the part of their lead
ers, and won them corresponding advAnta-
ges.
But they did not assail US with impunity;
their own loss was enormous, and the au-
thority on which we rely states their killed
and wounded at no less a figure than twen-
ty-eight thousand. Richmond, ever since
the conflict has been one vast hospital.
Churches, hotels, private houses and stores
are all used for the accommodation Of the
sick, and there are neither doctors, nurses,
nor medicines enough for their use. The
illumination which followed the victories
were themselves speedily followed by con-
sternation and sorrow. Many of the regi-
ments were SO completely cut up, losing
all their officers in some cases, that they
could not be reorganized There was at
the same time great deficiency of food,
and the army was not at all in a condition
to take advantage of its successes.
Another authority, no less direct and
credible than the one we have thus far
used, informs us that the one great fear of
the rebel leaders is that the threats of the
Northern people to interfere with the slaves
will be carried into effect. The very
thought fills them with apprehension, and
they do not conceal from themselves the
truth, that in the event of such q resort
the rebellion will be easily crushed Some
few speak with a reckless bravado and air
Of indifference, but the more considerate
know what the result would be, and they
would sooner hear Of our raising an army
Of half million Of men than of our de-
claring the slaves emancipated. As a pre-
ventive of the possible influence of this
upon the slaves they are filing their heads
with the most preposterous stories of YAM
kee cruelty and hatred, and even invent
tales of the soldiers rising upon the con-
trsbands to bayonet them in cold blood
~ 7. Evening Post.