Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-08-15
Union Sentiments Mt the south.
From the BOSTON TrravaIIer

We have some information, brought. by
returned prisoners who have just reached
this city from Richmond, of an important
character. The news of terrible reverses
to the rebel commanders which had reach
ed that capital during the month of July,
and whichof course could not be kept from
the army, then on ITS retreat from the fatal
field of Gettysburg, has had a startling
effect. OF this our readers cansjudge by
reversing the case, surprising that our New
| England soldiers in the Army of the Poto-
mac had received Intelligence that many
! important cities at home had been captured
! by the enemy, who were oVerrunning the
length and breadth of the land with the
tintention OF taking possession thereof.
The southern soldier has fought bravely
and undergone untold privatioDs, but he
begins at last TO perceive that all his eff
forts are vain, the. federal government be-
ing too powerful to be .resistsd. We are
informed thar the Decentralization of the
rebel army, which began at Gettysburg,
has steadily continued up to the present
time; that the mountains are full of de-
serters. while thousands are attempting to
make their way South, until at hast the
almysof General Lee has been so greatly
/ reduced as to make the leaders fearful of a
4 general breakup. The reinforcements
i sent to Charleston are made mp OF brigades
the least likely to desert, and yet it is
stated that many succeed in escaping
1t is also reported in Richmond that a
\ council of the leaders of the rebellion was
to be held there at once 60 consult upon
the course to be pursued in!the present
crisis of affairs, as it IS evident that such
a stroke as the capture of Charleston would
: be attended with the most deplorable re-
suits. The story that the slayeholders, as
a last resort, would arm their slaves, is
. altogether false! The planters had much
: rather submit than to put themselves into
q power of their black servants, who, once
armed, might exact q fearful reparation iol
= ), theiwroag and injuries which they have
u received. 1t is the opinion of returned
i prisoners from the rebel capital, from con.
u versations had with rebel officers and sol.
" diers, TINT a very large majority of thu
: / confederate army in Virginia is in favor o
1t closing up the war by submission to tn,
!. federal governm ent. Our officers and men
3 though kindly treated, suffer from prope
i, food while in the hands of the rebels
7 though perhaps in not much greater de.
= gree than do The rebels themselves. Tht
g scarcity of medical supplies is the hardes
: misfortune, and in consequence larg
proportion of their wounded perish mis-
erably. 5 tiia
: 1t is the belief of our Informant that tn
Il new rebel iton-c lads built in that city ar
IS not in any way formidable. The machin
Ia cry is of the rudest character, and is likel
~ to give way at any moment Richmond i
IF strongly defended by < earthworks ant
is heavy guns, but probably would no
re- be able to Withstand regular seig
by force ,of 100000 men, with prope
y appliances TO reduce the place. The ar
es my of General Rosecrans will soon Gu
err off its connection with the Southwest b
:. taking possession of the great railway lice
leading to that region. In fact, if Rich
mond should be able to hold out, it viii
mot be long before it will be completed
he Isolated from the other sections of the rebe
:. confederaCy.
= The following incidents, related tous b,
ed IN eye witness, give nnmistakable eYi
is dence of the feeling in the rebel army:
he wounded soldier belonging to a federal brig
] AIDE at Gettysburg, which was retreatinJ
before superior rebel force, as he passed
ID to the rear saw a rebel detachment of tw,
r. hundred men suddenly separate themselve
he from the pursuing force, rush in aud ioir
:, the federal army. Confederate soldier,
- for several days attes the battleeWere con
IN tinnally coming in, Bringing with them a,
n peace offerings wounded federal soldiers
:. others made stretchers : and brought i,
wounded federal officers, and remained
e with our army. Men who had passed owe
lg the field report conversations with woun,
Il. ded rebels, nearly all ofawhOm asserted tina
= they atdently desired the return of peace