Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-05-11
The Reports from RlehmOnd.

Tit Reports from Richmond.
The city was electrified on Saturday
evening by the reports Of the capture of
Richmond. The news came by way of
Philadelphia and was at first received with
natural caution, IS being toe good TO be
true. Early in the evening, it became ru-
mored around, however, that q dispatch
had been received from Secretary Chase
confirming the reports. This gave a new
impulse to the patriotic rejoicing which
remained in anxious suspense. Still later
it was reported that General Wadsworth
telegraphed from Fortress Monroe that
General Peck, with many thousand men,
was in possession Of Richmond. Then the
wild excitement broke forth and the night
was spent in exultant celebration of the
great event. But yesterday morning,
when the dispatches of the night before
we're given to the public on the bulletin
boards, they were more closely criticised
and the belief generally expressed that
they were not as reliable as we would have
wished. This was our own opinion. In
the first place, there was not q word from
Washington regarding it. Had Richmond
really been captured, the authorities there
would have been aware Of it. by the mill
tary telegraph from Fortress Monroe, and
it is unreasonable to suppose that they
would suppress any information of such
vital interest and Importance. Then, it
was noticed that no circumstances what
ever were given. 1t was briefly stated
that the federal flag foated over the rebel
capital. General Reyes having taken the
city. When was it done2 How was the
city captured Who was captured with
it? Again, General Stoneman was re-
E~-arUUE moving upon Richmond from
White House, when only the day before
he had been reported upon Hookers right,
on the R%oppahannock. And in regard to
Hooker himself we consider it impossible
that he again crossed the river with his
whole force. He had only reached the
camp the day bsforo-and could not be
speedily organized for 8 further de-
monstratiOn. Inshort the Philadelphia re-
ports were too vague to be relied upon and
hence it was wise to wait for further dis
patches before repOsing full faith in the
reports.
One good indication was the fall of gold
in Philadelphia. Gold is a good barome-
ter, and its rise or fall is watched with as
much interest as the kilograms from head
quarters. Still, this was only indicative
Of the belief Of the capitalists. Another
favorable indication was that this report
explained many matters which we're before
mysterious. The positive announcement,
some days ago, that Heintzelman with a
large body Of troops, had gone to rein
force Hooker, snd the assurance Of a day
or two later that Hooker had RECEIVED no
rein orcements, was mysterious to the pub
lie. If these men had not gone to Hooker,
where had they gone? Whynot to Fortress
Monroe, or to White House, thence to
move on Richmond, with stOneman or
Reyes?
The public were thus left in the dark as
to the facts and every one was left to argue
the case to a conclusion satisfactory
to himself. Certainly every loyal heart
most urgently prayed that the reports
might be rue and that the heart of the re-
bellion had been struck at last.