The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-06-19
An Inside View OF Richmond, or the Re.
bcili0m and the Rebel Army.

An Inside View OF Richmond, or the Re-
beilion and the Rebel Army.
We submit to our readers this morning, from
an intelligent Union refugee just arrived from
Richmond, very interesting statement of his
observations and opinions Of the rebel govern
ment and the rebel army in that quarter, Of
their movements and calculations, and OF the
ruling spirits and elements Of the rebellion.
We are thus informed that, while the rebels
themselves estimate their army of Richmond at
one hundred and eighty thousand men, it can
not amount to less than one hundred and fifty
thousand that this army, though largely made
up Of conscripts, is well disciplined
and effective army, and has apparent
ly unbounded confidence in the mill
tary skill and promises of General 10.
Johnston; that the rebel soldiers still believe
that the tide will be turned against General
Mcclellan, and that then the war on the part
OF the victorious South will be carried across
the Potomac into Maryland and the North. 1t
appears, too, that the army of Johnston is con-
stantly receiving reinforcements, and that he
at least expects to hold our army in cheek
until the Impotence of England and France in
reference 10 Southern cotton and tobacco shall
result in bringing those nations to the rescue.
We have no doubt OF the substantial truth Of
these statements. and we think they ere en-
titled to the special attention of the govern
ment
The disclosures OF our informant in reference
to the evacuation of Manassas are also very
suggestive. II thus appears that the abandon
ment Of that celebrated stronghold by Johnston
was considered very serious disaster TO the re-
bel cause until the New York Tribune and other
Northern abolition organs made it manifest that
Johnston had achieved in that evacuation great
substantial triumph, completely outwittng
Mcclellan, and frustrating his dila.ory move
ments. With these Northern representations.
and the reduction Of General Mcclellan to the
level of General Mcdowell and General Banks. |
the original disgust and encouragement Of the
rebels gave way 10 renewed confidence and
hope, and the evacuation Of Manassas was ac-
cepted as q splendid military operation, not
withstandnp the loss which it involved to the
rebels, OF military stores. &C., TO the value OF
two millions OF dollars, from the blocking up
Of the railroads beyond their capacities Of
transportation.
But the most suggestive OF all the facts
touched upon in the communication before us
are those in relation to the Egyptian darkness
and ignorance which still prevail through
out the South, and the astonishing infatuation
and credulity of the adherents Of JEFF. Davis, in
regard to the actual events Of the war. Thus
it appears that beyond the lines Of our army
the Southern public mind, through the syste-
matte perversions, Misrepresentation and I'M
blushing falsehoods OF tho active chiefs and
leading newspaper organs Of this rebellion, has
become SO distorted, poisoned and deranged
that nothing but great overwhelming Union
victory. admissible Of no sort Of " Confederate
disguise or excuse, will satisfy the rebel masses
Of the South that their Southern confederacy
is will-o the.wisp. They will cling to the
delusion that their rebel armies have only
temporarily abandoned such places as New Or
leans, Norfolk, Nashville and Memphis. until
the veil is lifted from their eyes with our
occupation of Richmond
Tie rebel leaders are fully aware, however,
that ell their receptions of military strategy
will be exposed with the loss of Richmond,
ard hence thor desperate efforts and labors to
bold IT, They can neither explain their retreat
from or q crushing defca! at Richmond to the
satisfaction Of their deludcd followers. With
the advance Of I" The old flag iato the rebel
COME lerate capital, the light Of tsQtA will