Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-02-23
from washington.
Correspondence Of the N Y. Journal Of Commerce.
XAsuINcroy Fehruarv ID

Correspondents Of the " Y. Journal Of Commerce.l
wAsnINeroS. February u.
An intelligent man who formerly resided in this
city but who, for reasons not proper 10 mention
here. has resided in Richmond for he last ten
months, has recently arrived in Washington. He
was clerk in the Adiutant Generals office under
the Conlederacy, and resigned his position for the
double purpose OF avoiding the conscripiion and
making his escape to the North. He came North
on foot, creeping along stealthily and between
Culpepper Court House and the Potomac he did
not happen TO meet "A single Rebel or Federal
soldier. Tie information which he has commu-
nicated to the authorities here is considered au
thentc, and am enabled to give you few par
ticulars
The fact that he clerk in the office of
the Adiutant General gives Importance to his
statement concerning the Rebel army He says
that there only 4Sl regiments Ia the Southern
army, but that these are all kept full, and all
skeleton regiments have been abandoned; the
total number OF men at the present time being
525. 900, which will certainly be increased to
700, 900 by the first of June. The whole mum
Der of Rebel officers he estimates at 25, 900, or
about one-half those in the Federal army, and
he asserts most positively that droves Of that kid
ney do not crowd the hotels of Richmond as they
DO here. He says it is common occurrence for
men TO be shot down for attempting TO shirk their
records. least 2 500 have thus perished in diff
ferent parts Of the country.
When he eft Richmond there were five thou
sand negroes engaged in strengthening the de
lenses OF that city. and now il is surrounded by
three lines OF iort6catiops. He describes the
CONSERVATION that prevailed in the Rebel capital
when the Merrimac was blown up, and when
Gen. Mcclellan was at Harrison's Landing, as
truly friehtful, and there was at least one occa
sion when the city might have been captured with
ease. IL was common saying among the Con-
federates. that the only man they feared was
Mcclellan.
In the opinion OF our informant, the rebellion
can never be put down until the finances of the
Rebels are ruined or their army broken, for until
these events take place the leaders will have
their own way and the masses remain in state
of subjugation. Cripple the head devils, and
then things will come right.
An auction sale took place this morning on
Government account Of large amount OF sub
sistence stores, which are declared unit for use.
To whom we are indebted t0r this waste Of pub.
lie property is not stated. but among the articles
sold are the following: LIS. .644 pounds of bacon,
355 barrels of beef and pork, together with a mis-
celIaneous assortment of -four, molasses, coffee,
potatoes, &c.
The Republicans about this region ase rather
disgusted with the selishness OF the California
members of the House who we're candidates for
the Senatorshp, because, as is alleged, their
squabble secured the election Of a Democrat.
Nothing better could have happened for the
Golden State, in such a time as this, and those
who have not wholly forgotten their county are
hoping that similar results may come To light In
other Quarters