The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-02-29
IMPORTANT FROM REBELpoM.


1aournfui Condition OF Affairs I'm the
South - Character Of the Defences
Around Richmond-North Carolina fn
Arms Against .BeR. Davfs-Proposed
Concentration or the Rebel Armies
Against General Grant, de-, &c.
The annexed intercepted Southern lady in
Richmond 10 her sister in Kentucky, gives unusually
Interesting picture OF affairs they now exist in rebel
dom. Tho communication evidently emanates from an
Intelligent and reliable source, and should be perused
with care
Rtcumo nd, Feb. 10. 1854.
my DEAR SISTER
As our mutual friend Mr. BIS, is about to under
stake perous journey Kentucky, avail myself Of
the opportunity to write you good long letter. We
have heard nothing from you in nearly two years. and
can well appreciate your anxiety concerning US. Our
tbravo boy ia dead-klled at Gettysburg Oh! how we
miss him. but the thought that he fell in noble
cakes away much OF bitterness though il
,the sacrifice had been made for nothing II s impossible
go describe the gloom pervades all society and with
all the Affections and doubts that Cypress u.s. there not
one comforting glea the hope Of speedy end OF
tho war; must confess that have lost much Of that
assurance OF success which buoyed up and pic
cured such bright visions tho future our deteri-
nation To hold out to the last undated and comfort
ourselves with the faith Providence will eventually
reward sacrifices and bring safely out Of the fur
'naCo tuht IL consuming Inc rest OF inc Intniy
'ull we'll william is the War Department; but fear
that tho CONSUMPTION viii take him. too. He might get
commission, suppose; but trust the necessity for
doing will not come upon Cousin John has left
Charleston and gone Savannah, though he writes
chat tho military authorities expect attack upon the
city, and that most OF the people have removed nearly
all OF their effects to the Interior Henry has taken his
camiy to North Carolina Cousin Mary has been unior
<unate. She became attached to officer OF General
1ees staff, who cruelty deceived her, and at time
thought she wouldn't live. The poor little thing died
and think 1t blessing it, well its mother
that 1t 80.
Society hore is utterly broken up. All fondness for
Fashion and pleasure have been lost, day
after day with nothing relieve the prevailing
duness We see nothing but soldiers and the parapher
MALTA of war. The whole city converted into hospitals
prisons and barracks and eyes have grown weary
with the signs Of strife President Davis discour
aged and, foar, is failing rpdly The responsibilities
disappontments and fau!tlndngs OF his friends have
broken him down, aud it hardly probable that he will
live TO SEQ the end OF the We had great scare
hcre when Butler attempted capture Richmond and
am surprised that few precautions taken against
caid upon the city. We have very small force here,
and much OF that unreliable. Two companies Of heavy
artillery Eve light batteries, companies cavalry
and about four thousand citizen soldiers all have
20 defend U.s. There is part OF North Carolina regi
ement guarding the ChicSahomny, and seven hundred
and atty men in Fort Darling but these could be Of
snuoh scrvce and should not be surprised the Yam
ee cavalry got into the city, released the prisoners
destroyed the Capitol The Qualifications towards the
peninsula are very strong but towards Hanover Court
House and west of the city have guns fortified.
eous o( any consequence The citizen soldiers not
DO relied on 10 emergency and believed that the
appearance OF considerable force OF Yankees would
N uNa n Mo nr;h
una beN0m Bridge roads. which you have heard 80
ndch, are entirely exposed and sometimes think
Ehe gunboats here, which much
expected amount nothing Only Is completed and
but their gums have Charleston and dom
believe they intend finish them. The city Is full
nnate frieads What could do ii the Yankees should
suddenly come down upon us2 l trembe when think
North Carolina. Gen pcSetts division which had been
bere 90 long, hurried OF, said for the purpose
bf capturing Newbern but the real object TO pre-
vent disturbance among the psople. We never had
knuch confidence in North Carolina, and believe hall
She State would welcome the Yankees to-day William
says our authorities dare be too rigid with them bu,
( think a few examples made of the dsoyal
eaders we should have mach less trouble and apprehen
bion Charleston still stands the bragga.
hocia OF the Yankees The city is almost deserted,
ehough and the grass is actually growing in all the
Dtreets wonder sometimes why they don't take some
o. Beauregards troops Lee. Nineteen
eh0uBand men, l should thing were more than Is
INJURED 70 hold that place though il is Thought that the
from another direction Uncle James writes from Mobile
fear Yankee raid IN that direction aud that
pvery is ready So 1t almost everywhere.
Ono does know where for safety, and the whole
country seems in constant fear Of invasion
We hear very little from the west; from beyond the
mississippi nothing All that country fear lost to
DO not believe the Yankee stories about the smaness Of
our Western army Longsreet has twenty thousand and
Johnston thirty five thousand men, besides the smaller
commands scattered through the country that might be
eeems to DO che only the Yankees have had since
Mcclellan, and they will only give him the Army OF the
Potomac. or put him in Washington, US we hear is pro
posed, should have very little fear OF results in the
West All hopes centred General Lee HIS army has
pscn much reduced him only about forty five
Thousand troops Ills cavalry has been scattered through
the counties below Goronsve for the purpose Of getting
Forage and have idea ~ the accounts OF suffering
receive from the phabifants where they quar-
kered. Tho whole cavalry to have been democrat
lzed into band OF thieves robbng alike both friend and
roe great portion OF the cavalry has been disbanded
90 return the middle Of March with fresh horses and
hew OUTFITS fear great many will not back, but
will either desert to the Yankees hide In the
Gains. There organized gangs for oppos
tng the conscrption, AMI number OF conscrptng
officers have been killed The reports Of restitution
700 true Our soldiers 40 not get iull ratons half the
Sme aud once they have been without meat ten days
These hardshps are daily worse, and what shall
be done TO relieve canro imagine. Our supply Of
provisions s almost exhausted. and where
Enore is to como from II have enough among
almost unobtainable
william says the goyernmen, does not intend to
Cor the Yankees u advance, but will concentrate
rmies aud strike where expected overwhelming
numbers. This seems tho only hope OF success. III
0hould be defeated this spring know not what will be-
come or U.s. So many have become discouraged that
believe another disaster would almost break up. All
we do to aid the noble army by example and
contributions and hope tor better things.
wish you could send us few things, such as sta
Aionery and those little ndspcDsables OF the toilet
90 hard TO procure. We sometimes get them here,
hut ut fabulous prices, aud are compelled to dress
with almost the simplicity OF our servants Our paper
money 10 good for nothing II takes q handful to buy
air Of Shoes aud armful 10 get dress. hundred
dollars of Yankee greenbncks would be small fortune
The poorer classes suffering terribly and there have
Been several cases OF actual starvation. Now have
written you long letter. much longer than expected
do not show this TO any but your family and burn i'm
mediately after. would have II fall into the hands
ut the Yankees for the world Remember TO all who
over think OF US, and write All Join In much love
Cant you send Your photograph
Your adectionate sister, MARY.
Arrivals and Departures.