Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-08-15
NEWS FROM RICHMOND.

The returned Union prisoners who have
lately arrived at Fortress Monroe from Rich
mond, give interesting and probably truthful
accounts of the condition OF affairs at the
rebel capital. All repeat the assertions be-
fore made as to the disgusting 6lthincss of
the pest houses in which they were thrust at
Richmond, and the wretched treatment that
our men receive who are unfortunate enough
to get into the power Of the rebels. They
were ultimately confined in prison at place
called Belle lsland--about a mile from Rich
mond-and state that we have yet over three
thousand prisoners in the same locality, and
some five or six hundred yet remaining in
the tobaccO-house prisons. Col. Corcoran is
at Salisbury, N. c. In regard to pestilence
having ctually broken out at Richmond. they
say
Although nothing was more probable, they had heard
nothing Of Il when they LEFT They, however represent
the city as being In terrible slate Of misery sickness
and anarchy and that there symptoms II lis yet
ing the tate Of another Sodom and Commandment di-
tevty with hrc from avengng Heaven but from spon.
aneous combustion among the vile elements which
pose the rebel capital The prisoners, however, scout
the idea Of Richmond having been evacuated They say
that Tor evacuation We should rather read reinforced
or troops were constantly coming in, up 20 the hour Of
thrir departure.
One very significant fac, brought TO notice and that
is that even in this hobcd and headquarters Of traitors
even $50 " confederate paper gecdily offered for
$40 u our paper money, II any one be found
green enough 10 barter it away for confederate trash -
Many mentioned II As very remarkable that they could
never hear one word about BeauregArd Where be is,
what he is doing, whether dead alive nobody seemed
90 know We ccrtainy must give the rebels credit for
keeping their admirably Imagine the out.
side world being unable determine even as TO the ex
istence Of Mcclellan, Burnside or Pope Our men
with the chiyalry which belongs 10 Oh true soldiers
speak in high of 'soncwslr Jackson rebel as he
is They not only admire his dash and bravery, but
those who have come in contact with him, personally,
speak Of him highly They say that secret
Of the Spit de corps be found among the rebel foIees
Ia the kindly intercourse between their officers and the
men under them. To the expression " of them
- heir officers are not AS stuck up generally
are D."
civilian captured a, Front Royal, reached Washing.
ton ON Thursday lie has been about Richmond for
or three weeks and although not able 10 tell much
accoun, " his parole, declares that Richmond has not
been evacuated, nor there any signs If pestence
he rebel army lies Of the CITY and he Is confident
that It's effective numbers have been greatly exaggerated
Sonewai Jackson, he says, Is at GUrdonsve with l5
Ol0 OF 20 00o men"
Two northern men, deseTters from the reb-
ell army, came into the lines of Gen. McCel-
lan's army few days ago, and bring the fol-
lowing report -
There were rumors in the city that General Joe
Johnston was dead The his house are block
AIDED, and no vehicle Of any kind is allowed pass IT,
Inc negro boy who attends at the generals house told
Mr. Osgpod that he had that dguary fof near
y hNc weeks and that when he last him hc
founded by doctors, who commanded perfect silence to
be Kept IN the house ard vicinity. Another ruuur which
gained credance the city that Bcauregatd had bee
come insane and sent South 10 order iccupcrae
his health. The number 0f rebel troops nov in the VIZ
2250)O
There great disappointment and dissatisfaction in
~ hmond, Al the failure to capture the whole u Gen
McCltans army, and It's immense quantity OF stores
ammunition and ordinance which Wa confidently coun
Ted upon the second day battle which was the great
re- HN naa in all oil H..I.fs