Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-05-29

0En. DEAO hLOAhO nj h1OnAOND'
Great Scarcity Of Provisions and Suf.
fering of the People-Jeff. Davis
Declares he'll Fight to the Death
Threats to Burn Richmond.
BALTIMORE, May s3.-The boat from
Old Point has arrived.
The Americans special correspond
ent states that the steamer from White
house, this P. NJ, brings a number Of
passengers from the headquarters of
Gen. Nc Clellan's army, which was near
Bottom Bridge, over which a part of
the army has already passed; the Sec
ond Division having crossed the Chick
ahominy at New Bridge. about seven
miles further up, and within eight miles
of Richmond.
1t was rumored that 9 proposition
for an armistice, for ten days, had been
made by the rebels; but, of course, no
such idea could be entertained.
The advance of our army was un-
derstood to be within FIVE miles of the
city, to which point the enemy has fall
len back, with bat slight efforts to
check our onward movement.
The advance by the way of New
Bridge enters the city on the north
side.
The tug Dragon, from the James
River, this morning, brings down two
very intelligent citizens from Peters
burg, who had fed from that city yes
terday to avoid the press gang under
the Conscription act.
In view of the important informa-
tion which they bring, it would not be
proper to make their names public
Having been brought to Commodore
Goldsboro', they were Immediately sent
to Gen. Wool, and will leave this morn
ing for McClellan's headquarters, for
whom they have some information
which they have not yet made public.
They represent the condition of af-
fairs at Petersburg and the surrounding
country as of most deplorable char
acter. The sufferings of the people
seem almost beyond endurance.
The scarcity OF provisions was so
great that everything was seized for
the army, and even the soldiers have
been on half rations for a week past,
with no prospect of even this supply
continuing for a great length of time.
They also state that Gen. Beaure-
gard arrived at Richmond on Tuesday.
On being questioned as to their author
ity for this statement, they stated, that
it was so announced and understood at
Petersburg, on Wednesday morning,
no one doubling the fact.
The rebel army, or at least q great
portion of it, they represented as de-
moralized and dispirited to such an ex-
tent, that it is only held together by the
most rigorous appliance of the law.
Still the work of CONSUMPTION was
progressing, and the roads to Richmond
were thronged with unarmed men, old
and young. being driven along under
strong armed guards.
They represent that no people in
modern times have suffered more than
the people Of Virginia are new suffer-
ing, every household being in mourning,
with the prospect Of an approaching
famine. ~
Threats were made by the soldiers
from the, Gulf States that If they had
to leave Richmond, they would lay it in
ashes before doing so.
Ureat Iears were entertained that
their threat would be carried into effect.
1t would require the greatest efforts on
the part of the citizens to prevent such
catastrophe.
The number Of troops at Richmond
and in the immediate vicinity was gen.
orally believed to be 100000. including
the unarmed and poorly armed of the
recent leyies who were having pixies
put in their hands for active service.
Deserters from Fort Darling report
that the infantry force in the vicinity Of
the work is $4,000.