Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-08-29
AFFAIRS IN RICHMOND.
The following interesting account of the
condition of affairs at the rebel capital we
find in our New York exchanges

The following interesting account Of the
condition Of affairs at the rebel capital, we
find in our New York exchanges
We have been able to obtain from person who leh
Richmond on Friday last some interesting information
lie has been in the rebel capital for time past and
appears 10 be c0nycsant with tho general " affairs
IN and around the city Hc estimates the force Of the
rebels At Richmond at the commencement Of the
days fighting TO have be- between hundred thou
sand aud two hundred and nifty thousand men. 1t is
conceded all sides that their loss during that time
amounted To at least thirty thousand Since that
time conscrpts have been pouring IA at the rate Of at
fully equal IN point Of numbers. what II prior
the fights Their loss was among the best troops Of the
rebel army and il will take long time to bring the raw
couscrps up the standard of the troops that have
hecn killed aud wounded the late battles before Rich
mond and on the peninsula. lie reports that McClcl-
ian movements have been known in Rictnond as
az commenced, and hatas his evacuation Of HaT
rison Landing was well u progress they at once moved
large bodies of their best troops towards Gordonsve.
in support Of Gen. Stunewall jackson.
The tbels 10 Richmond. he says, confident u be-
ing abc 10 crush Pope by overwhelming force and
then anticipate difficulty in the occupation of Wash
ington aud the rescue, they term it, Of Mary land.
All the force that be used viii be brought bear for
this purpose, and they hope that by rapid ytmcns
and crushing blows. to overwhelm the Union forces be-
fore they can be reinforced TO sufficient OPP
pose them man TO man. He reports Richmond to be
encifced by ordinations nt the most extensive char
actcr. Those north Of the city are fully armed and
manned by experienced arlerists Those the south
aide comparatively neglected for the that they
anticipate no danger in That direction
Fort Darling At DuTys Bluff is now completed, and
mounts twenty-five guns OF the heaviest ca0rc, prinoi
pally rifles and the face Of he work is constructed in
Sueh manner as !" resist me passage 81 any proeee
IL is constructed first II eigheenInch square timber
over which plating OF fournch iron. the whole placed
at such an angie that any shot striking lt must glance
and fly or without the possibility of dung damage
Obstrcons Of the most substantial character have been
placed IN the river opposite and above Fort Darling aud
the most rAod Of the rebels Of Richmond advocate the
entfe filling up o. the river Drury's Bluff and
Rockets and the construction Of railroad for arnv
II IHH Tho rHNa
find new channel In regard 10 the ir1nclad Mer-
rimae No 2 he says that she is about hundred and
fry feet loug, and constructed very much the
principle as Metrmae the 6rsL She cannot lie com-
peted for at least four weeks yet The Information he
gives regarding the ram was derived from who had
worked upon her No information was obtained re
garding her armament. The 1redegar works are run
ming nigh, and day on ordnance shot, she'll &c. SC
The health u The citizens Of Richmond is reported as
mortality among the sick and wounded soldiers is how
ever. very great None Of the hotels have any time
been used for hospitals but many private residences and
public buildings have been taken for that purpose. A
large number n the women and children left Richmond
when they considered the city ia danger and they have
not returned believing residence ia the rebel capital
very uncertain no matter how distant the Union army
NAV be-
Tho rebels are confident Of ultimate success but do
not hesitate to say, should Richmond be VT, sted from
them U would virtually end the for the rebel army
although determined to dght are heartily sick Of the
war and il defeated at Richmond would disbaud. and
could not again he brought together 1he number Of
Uniousts in Richmond Is estimated over three
l""'iNANN' anu N'N'lat pfuNpalY 90 halufduNcu
foreigners
The condition Of the poorer classes in Richmond is
very bad Mechanics obtain work but IL takes all
their wages TO clothe them. lie gives the following
the price II groceries, &c Flour thirteen dollars per
barrel butter, one dollar per pound eggs dcllar
per dozcu common country soap, dollar per pOun
tomatoes, dollar per dozen cabbage one dollar ~
head green tea, from sixteen to twenty dollars per
pound.
The rebels expect TO receive from Maryland from ten
10 twenty thousand men men account of President
Liucolns order for drafting Many reaching Rich
mond, and large numbers expected arrive. They
constantly from all pats Of lower Maryland below
lower Cedar Point on the Potomac but principally by
way Of Leonardstown and Buttons Bay.
The rebels have the highest opinion Of McCellan's
genealship They consider his movements the pen
nsula mastery and breathe freely think he il
removed from their doors. They fear Mcclellan and
gloat over the operations of the abotonst and political
schemtrs Of the North who have been hAmperng his
movements for they know all operations to defeat the
plans Of Mcclellan is but placing victory within their
grasp.
Our informant concludes his remarks about Richmond
by saying that Beauregard has fallen from his high
estate, his being seldom mentioned except in defi-
SION He has retired from active duty, nOminaly on ae
count Of sickness but in reality for the reason that his
services are no longer wanted. Lee and Jackson are
now the men, and will remain until defeated, when
they will in turn be laid the shelf and be compelled
make room for the fayOrite