The New York herald., 1862-08-24

WAsmSGroS, August 2s, 1862.

WASHINGTON, August %, 1852.
STRENGTH OF THE REBEL ARMIES.
The Washington Star says:-From the South we have
the following relation the strength of the Con-
federate retreat from Manassas Our informant states
that General Johnston left Manassas with 900 effective
men. General Magruder held Yorktown with 500 snec
tive when the Union army landed The COnfsderates
acting under the advice Of General Lee, left Yorktown
with 81 900 men. on Juno !. Eighty.fve thousand
rations issued TO the Confederate army
before Edmond. Detailed reports by regiments,
brigadss and battalons Of all but seventeen captains
showed that 657 soldiers placed hos de combat In
the battle Of Seven Pines On June Il. 12s 900 rations
issued 10 the rebel army before Richmond. BY July
90 80, 900 troops had reached Richmond from the
South, most OF whom eves and not regarded
thoroughly sas On the 18th August there six
regiments of infantry At Savannah aud orco Of "a 900
near Charleston.
THE DIFFICULTIES IN REFERENCE TO SOUTHERN COT
TON.
number OF complaints have been made in reference
to the regulations about the purchase Of cotton in the
neghborhood Of Memphis and Helena 1t is represented
that large amount OF cotton in tina: vicinity has been
sscresd by the negroes whose masters have gone to
the wars, and whose mstresscs were NOT averse TO
hiding the cotton from the rebel burners Parties de-
srous procure this cotton aud forward it to market
represent that they greatly embarrassed in their
operations by army officers and their particular psts TO
whom has been granted monopoly Of this important
and lucrative trade.
THE PRESIDENTS LETTER TO GREELEY.
II is suggested that the reply of the President 10 Gree
ley will call out host Of negro worshppers In let
ters 10 the former, aud they will expect ret
plies. This class OF fanatics shonld know tina
the President jus, this period ofur Affairs desired to
get few words the country and method Of 50 doing,
except seizng upon the letter of Greeley and replying
to 1t, was apparent The Cabinet not consulted
corning the letter. and is beliered that not above
Of them knew that in existence prior to it's appear
in print The views expressed in the letter are pre-
csey what were stated to opinion OF the President
in this correspondence few weeks ago.
II appears that Immediately after Horace Greeley wrote
his letter TO the President he despatched Mr. George w.
Wright Of Fremont notorety 10 visit the President per-
sonally and persuade him that hs had boer keep tho
peace towards . concern that welded such awful
power. The mission was performed; Mr.. Wright came:
he the President; ho used all his persuasive pow
ers TO induce him TO overlook aud forgive
the puerie ebultion Of Greeey passion He portrayed
in glowing terms the vast circulation OF the Tibuas, and
urged the President be cautious how he took with
such Juggernaut The President failed TO appreciate the
arguments thus presented and took the bull the horns
in his manly, straightforward letter published to-day
Mr. Grceeys messenger unable stay tho Executive
lightning aud the ihunderbolt fell Greesy Knocked
down, and hts emissary is nonplussed.
OLD CAPITOL PRISONERS.
Captain Garnctt, Of the rebel army, brother OF Dr.
Garnett formerly of this city, who prisoner the
Old Capitol prison. has been released upon his paroe lie
says that he will never take the oath of allegiance He
was parOied on account Of i'll health.
Ten rebel prisoners brought in this morning and
10 tie Old capitol Among them Is Captain Els, Of
the Fifth Virginia cavalry.
Marshal n. L. Phillips OF Illinois arrived here day,
having charge twelve state prisoners from that state,
who were taken before the Provost Marshal and to
the Old Capitol.
THE REVENUE LAW DEFINITION OF THE WORD
'pEpLER'
The Treasury Department construes the word "peder
used in the Excise law to be person who gains
livelihood By travelling from place TO place and selling
goods and wares whose occupation it is to sell
goods while travelling from place TO place. A farmer
who sells his products by travelling from house to
house is not "pedsr" in the sense Of the law.
PAYING THE SOLDIERS OF TIE ARMY OF THE Po-
ToMAc.
Paymasters are busy paying of tho soldiers Of the
Army of the Potomsc fas, they arrive At their
destination.
An EXPEDITION OF THE POTOMAC FLorILLA.
The gunbcat Resoute, Acting Master Tolc arrived
here this morning. bringing the body Of Michael Ryan who
killed the 2lst inst the mouth Of the Rappa-
hammock From Of the officers the following partal.
lars have been obtsned:-
Recently Master Tole, with boats from the
Rcsoutc, proceeded up Sturgeon creek about three miles,
10 cut out two vessels which the officers Of the esolue
had been informed up the creek and reaching the
place they cut out Of them, aud towing down
when egrolnd They set about getting of when
they were hrcd t1 by gang of gueras in ambush
| shore. The lre was Immediately returned and was
kept up for some time; but. finding y impos.
70 Ie Resote The following persous IN the boat we're
wounded .Ps or Nelson in the hand r. Kane in the
side .hfh and arm John Mcdonald in the left hand and
anATa 90 rna rItnv
l as pilot in the forehead.
On thursday last aue,hsr expedition was formed and
Master Joclyn Of the Reliance Master Tole and Masters
Mate Newton with boats from thc Two vessels,
won't up again and set fire - the schooner and, finding
the soop still aground they also fred her. AS they
pulling away the gucras red into them from an am
bush on shore the ncn immediately returned the ire
with rifles aud, working the boat in position, brought
I Lowitzsr 10 bear the enemy with grape and
racd shot and IL ~ probable with effect as the fring
from the shore soon ceased In our boat Michael Ryan,
o the ResouIe, killed. Thos. Newton, Masters Nate,
wounded in the foot Andrew Spicenger OF the Reliance,
in the thigh, and Frank Miller OF the Reliance, Ia tho
right arm The boat then returned rng into every sus
pcious locality the way in order to guard against
surprisc and returned TO the ships AS the boat was
lalns aGa oH WIG scene Of action tho rebels Were
With them number Of women and children, using thcm
expressly scrceus to prevent our men from hiring upon
| RELEASE or ruE HARRISBURG EDITORS.
Last evening uroinel Barrett Thomas Mcdowell, John
Foster aud Urah r. Jobos editors and propr ictors Of
be Harrisburg Patriot and UHioa, had nearing peiye
Erissder ,encral wadsworth aud Judge Advocate L. O.
Turner They were ARRESTED "a tho 9Th inst on tho
charge of Publishing hlndel calculated TO discourage
enlis,meus and tho examination they severay made
oath With tho exception Of Mr. Ioncs, o havnsoo know
edsc az the publication or intended Publication thereof,
having been printed by two apprentice boys In the
once Mr. yoees the local editor, made oath that he
drafted tho handful gcr the boys simply a. joke, ans