Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-08-09
pIrset Nem.rrom nIchmonh.



We said the other day that we believed
the rumors as to the rebel strength at
Richmond to be great exnggrrntioDs. Our
opinion was founded upon the statistics Of
the fighting population of the States of re-
bedom. but since that article was writ.
ten we have received information from II
source which we are not permitted to dis.
close, but which we know to be authentic
and worthy OF trust confirming these
speculative conclusions OF our own. The
rebel army has at no time, since the begin.
ming Of this war, exceeded the number Of
three hundred and f0y thousand effective
men, oil told, aud including every force be.
tween the Potomac and the Rio Gfande--
This statement, we have reason to believe,
was originally derived from the documents
Of the Confederate War Department.
As to the forces In aud about Richmond,
VIC learn from tue same authority that they
reach at the highest point about one hun.
dred and twenty thousand men. or these
there were but ninety thousand on the Pen.
insula, who were disposed for the rcpulse
Of McClellan's army during the fierce con.
mus VI AhG NNGl lllNhlbAhIlN bNNNu
They were not all employed at once, nor
upon the main body Of our army, but about
sixty thousand Of them were precipitaied
from time TO time upon the flanks aud eX-
posed points. 10 this way they were ena-
bled 10 do immense damage, and to drive
back our poor fellows with apparently
overwhelming numbers. II was admira.
bic generalship on the part Of their lead
ers, and won them corresponding ndvanta-
grs.
But they did not assal US with impuni-
nifty; their own losses were enormous. and
the authority on which we rely states their
killed and wounded atnO less a figure than
tweuly.eight thousand. Richmond, ever
since the conflict, has been one vast hospi.
tal Churches. hotels, private houses and
stores are all used for the accommodation
Of the sick, and there are neither doctors,
nurses nor medicines enough tor their use.
The illumiuationS which followed the vic
tories were themselves speedily followed by
CONSERVATION and sorrow. Many regi.
ments were found so completely cut up,
losing all their officers In gome cases, that
they could not be reorganizsi. There was,
at the same time, great deficiency Of food,
aud the army was not at all 10 condition
to take advantage OF It's successes.
Another authority, no less direct and
credible than the one we have thus far
used, informs u; that the one great fear Of
ihe rebel leaders is that the threats Of the
Northern people to interfere with the slaves
will be carried into effect. The very
thought Gil. them with npprehensions, and
they 10 not conceal from themselves the
truth, that 10 the even; Of such a resort the
rebellion will be easily crushed. Some few
speak with a reckless btavado or air Of 10 =.
difference but the more consdera,e know
what the result would be, and they
would sooner hear Of our raising an
army Of half million Of men than
OF our declaring the slaves emancippted.-
As preventive Of the possible influence
Of this upon the slaves, they are filling
their beads With the most prrposterous sto.
ries of Yankee cruelty and hatred, and
even invent tales Of the soldiers rising upon
the contrabands to baJonet then in cold
blood