Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-05-24
FROM FORTRESS MONROE.
Late fFsm Gen. McClsIlan-Ref usess from
Petersburs-The James River Fleet-Af-
faira nj Horfelk.

Late fFsm Gen. McClsllan-R efusess fYsm
Petersburs-The James River Fleet-Af-
fairs at Norfolk.
Correspondence Of the Baltimore Americana
FoRrREss MONROE. Msy92.-The steamer from
White House this afternoon, brings a number
Of passengers from the headquarters Of Gen.
Mcclellan, which are In close proximity with
Bottoms Bridge, over which the great body Of
the army has already passed, second division
having crossed the Chicahominy at New Bridge,
about seven miles further up, and within eight
miles Of Richmond.
II was rumored that proposition for anlarmis-
but Of course no such idea could be enter
tained. The advance was understood to be
within i've miles Of the city, to which point the
enemy has fallen back with but sllght effort TO
check the onward movement. The advance by
way OF New Bridge enters the city on the north
The tug Dragon, Captain Watson, from the
James river this morning, brings down two very
Intelligent citizens Of Petersburg, who ned from,
that city Yesterday to avoid the press gang under
the CONSUMPTION act. In view Of important In
formation they bring 1t would not be proper at
present to make their names public. Having
been broughtdown to Commodore Goldsborough,
they were Immediately sent TO Gen. Wool, and
will leave this morning for Gen. McCleilan's
n neadqa..ter,, for whom they have some informs
They represent the condition Of affairs at Peters.
burg and the surrounding country to be Of the
most deplorable character, and the suiferinps of
Of provisions was SO great that everything was
seized for the army, and even the soldiers have
been on half rations for q week past with no pros.
pect OF this supply continuing for any great length
The Rebel army, or at least a great portion Of
it, they represent as demoral,zed and dispirited
to such an extent that ii 10 only held together by
the most figo Gus appliance Of military law stiff
the reads to Richmond were thronged with mn.
armed men, old and young, being driven along
under strong armed guards They represent that
no people on the face OF the earth, In modern
times, have suffered more than the people Of Viz.
ginia are now suffering, every household being
famine.
They also state that Beaurepard arrived st
Richmond on Tuesday On being Questioned
as TO their authority for this statement they saw
that II was 30 announced and understood at Pc
tersburg on Wednesday morning, no one doubt
Ing the fact. JEFF. Davis and the military autbor-
tiles declared their intention to ght To the death
before Richmond, but strong suspicious were en-.
tertained that Il was really the purpose to aban.
don the city after short defence Of the works
Large numbers Of women and children from
Richmond had arrived az Petersburg, who rep
resented the distress prevailing In the city to De
beyond description. Threats were made by the
soldiers from the Gulf States that thew will only
leave Richmond in ashes, and great fears were
entertained that the threat would be carried into
effect. 1t would require the greatest efforts on
toe part OF the citizens to prevent such catas.
The number Of troops at Richmond and yicir.
ny was generally believed to be fully two hu. !.
e cd thousana, including the unarmed and poor
ly armed OF the recent levies, who were having
p kes put In their hands for active service
Inc Meet up the James river is preparing for a
.econd attack on Fort Darling, which will prob
DIV commence before this letter reaches YOU
Inc delay has been caused by preparations to
protect the men from rife pits, which is easily
accomplished by the free use Of sheets Of boiler
iron.
Several deserters from Fort Darling had reached
tne nee who report that the infantry force In the
vicinity OF the work is nearly 80, O00,men Four
deserters, who were picked up in a skiR on the
river, reported that more than one alf of General
huger's force which left Richmond had deserted
before reaching Petersburg. The company TO
which these deserters belonged when thew started
mustered 80 me1 when they left Norfolk and on
the morning they deserted but IS answered to roll
cell. Sixteen others besides themselves had o.
caped the same morning, and II they were sue
cessfui put twenty-odd would be LETT for evenirc
folk. '''"' Nv
The Naugatuci, Zouave and Dragon all On u,
for the Galena
The state of feeling a, Norfolk is said to have
somewhat sO Improved, and Gen. Wool has gone up
for the purpofs Of receiving the decision of the
Mayor and City Councils as to their return to al.
legiance, and abandonment of ali Aid and en-
couragement to the rebellion. II they consent
tney Will be permitted to retain their civil au-
thority and the citizens will be allowed 10 resume
all the advantages Of trade and commerce with
the loyal States. IL they should still refuse thew
Will be at once deposed, probably sent to the RID
Raps, and no one allowed any privileges under
the Constitution who 10 unwilling to take the
oath OF allegianc and to prove that he Intends
10 strictly observe the oath In short the work of
making the place loyal by another process will
then commence under martial law that OF allow.
Ing none but loyal citizens Of the United states
10 provide commerce or business for the place. or
receive employment at tie Navy Yard. which ia
Immediately to be rebuilt and put in working
order. commandant for the Yard has already
been appointed, and directions given to remove
al tne ordnance from the Rebel works to the
Yard. Yours, &c, Co.