The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-10-03
Late from Richmond - Interesting
Particulars by a Refugee,
-Er.m the wa.hIngtOn RepubIl-ap.

FROM the washington heluu'l an.
From gentleman who has lately ar
rived from Petersburg, we are enabled to
gather many interesting facts and incl
dents in regard 10 the situation of affairs
in Richmond aud Petersburg. This gen
tlemaR's name is Moses w. Corey, and he
is personally known as a perfectly relia-
BILE man, and his statements, as far as his
personal knowledge goes, may be de-
pended on.
He is n native of Boston, Massachus-
etts, but having business and family con-
ncctions in Petersburg, though a Union
man, be determined to stay and brave the
storm. Being of quite feeble health, he
hoped 10 evade the army. When the
militia draft was made he succeeded in
obtaining exemption papers, which had
TO be certified to by two well-known
physicians. But the Couscript act was
more stringent; and though the eNamin-
ing pl ysician pronounced his liver af-
fected, and perhaps his lungs, yet he said
he must take him, as the Confederacy
was sorely pressed for men, and already
had many in worse condition in their
ranks.
By unusual exertions and favorable in
fiuences Mr. Corey succeeded in getting
furlough for one month. lie deter
mined not to serve the COnlederacy, and
began TO look about for an opportunity
to escape. Leaving a lucrative business
and property behind him, taking his wife
who was in ill-health, and under pre-
tense of taking her to the country, he
took the cars towards Suffolk, going
about eighteen mi es. Here private
conveyance had TO be obtained to go a
a few miles farther, then another and
another, going from plantation, TO plan
taiion, under various pretexts, until the
party arrived at one Of our pickets, about
two miles out Of Suffolk. They were es-
cOrted to the office of the Provost Mar
shat Of Suffolk, where they promptly
took the oath of allegiance, aud Were
sent to Norfolk thence by the way OF
Fortress Monroe and baltimore, arriving
in this city on Friday afternoon.
Mr.. Corey says that he is satisfied that
the rebels had an army of two hundred
and fifty thousand before Richmond, a
large number of whom were new con-
scripts. Yet he is satisfied the city could
have been taken il our army had moved
on promptly from Williamsburg. Peters,
bug Hegcr has BEEN fortified. The city would
have fallen an easy prey 10 our army al
any time. I he Union men were fully
confident of the ability Of our army To
take either city, and the rebels them
selves had but little doubt Of the capture
of the city. All the tobacco in Peters
burg was removed from the warehouses,
and either placed in sheds beside the
river ready 10 be rolled in, or arranged
with Combustiblo material So that il
could be promptly burned on the APP
prOach of the yankee army"
The OniOnists were astOuished that
the capture of Norfolk was not followed
up 20 as TO cut the Petersburg road, and
thus prevent the concentration Of the
thousands of cOnscripts who were daily
pouring through Petersburg into Rich
mond about that time. Five thousand
troops per day was no unusual number
10 be seen day after day for many weeks
II was said that North Carolina alone
sent forty thousand conscripts into lhc
field.
The Disappointment of the Union people
Oh the issue Of the battles before Rich
mOnd can be imagined, From feeling ct
citation and confidence, with a hope OF
speedy deliverance, they were Frustrated
10 the very depths Of disappointment aud
uhagrip Sadness and gloom settled
down on many a household, and many
20 the manor born participated in the
gloom,
Mr. O. says that al the present time
everything in the shape Of a soldier 81
for duty is sent forward 10 "StoneWsll %