New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-05-24

the army has already passed, the Second Dlvision
having cross d the CbickahonIiny al New Bi1dge,
about seveu miles further up AID within eight miies
of Richmond.
." IL was rumored that n proposition for An armis'
tice for ten days had be-n made by the Rebels, but
of course no .uch idea could be entertained. lie
advance of our army was understood TO be |ittin
five miles OF the ivy, TO which point the enemy nae
fallen back with but iii hi movement to checA
onr onward progress. Inc ndvanGe pi s ss why
- The ting Dragon from the james River, ms
morning brings down two very Intelligent chiAehs
from Petersburg, who fled from that city YESTERDAY
10 avoid the press-gang uhd'r the Conserp.ioh act
Ia view Of the important information wiich ,n'y
bring, Il woald 10. DC proper TO make their names
pu lie. ga
Having been brought 10 Commodore Colds
borough they were Immediately sent 10 Gen. WOOL,
and viii leave tits morning Tor Gen. McCleiians
headq quarters for whom they have some information
which they have not yet made public.
"They represeu, the condition Of affairs at Pc
tersbuIg and tho surrounding country as OF most
derlorable character. Tie suieiiDgs Of the people
seem almost beyond endurance. The scarcity OF
proyisions Was 10 great that everything was seized
for the army, and even the soldiers have been on
half raions for week past, with no prospect oi
even this supply continuing for any great length OF
time
1.-THE Rebel amy, OF at least great portion OF
t. they represent AZ demoIa allied AID Disputed TO
such an extent that IT Is only held together ny the
most vigorous appliance of military law. S,ill the
work o. CONSUMPTION was progressing, aud The roads
to Richmond were throDged with unarmed men, old
and young, being driven along under strong armed
guards.
They represent that no people in modern times
lave suffered more than the people OF Virginia nre
now suffering every household being In mourning,
with the prospect Of an approaching famine. 1bey
alec state that Gen. Beauregard arrived at Richmond
on Tuesday.
"On being questioned TO their authority for
this statement they Say that 1t was go announced
and understood at Petersburg on Wednesday NOM
ing, DO one doubling the tact. jeff. Davis and the
military authorities bad declared their intention 10
6ght to the death 6core Richmond, but strong aus
nj, ions were entertained that it really their pT-
pose TO abandon the city after short defense at the
works surrounding it.
Large numbers of women and children from Ricb.
mond had arrived at Petersburg, who represented
the distress prevailing in the city as beyond de
scrption. Threats were made by the SOLDIERS from
the Gulf States that If they had leave Rich
m ond they would lay it in ashes before Going so.
Great fears entertained that their threat would
lie carried into effect.
1t would require the greatest efforts on the part
Of the citizens to prevent such a catastrophe. The
number Of troops al Richmond and in The vicinity
was generally believed 10 be fully 200 600, GLIDING
the unaryned and poorly armed OF the recent levies
who were having pixies put into their hands for act
i've service De,erters from Fort Darling report
that the infantry force in the vicinity OF the work s
nearly 80 coo men,