The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-10-05
Aspect of Affairs in Eastern
Virginia.
REMARKS OLA REBEL OFFICER
CONDITION OF LEES ARMY
Richmond No Longer the
Rehel Capital.
LEES PLANS AND DESIGNS.
HIS REPORTED RETREAT.
Special TO The Evening Telegraph.

/ =
! WASHINGTON, October oil have had A con-
Yersation to-day with very intelligent Rebel
sergeant-major, who has beeniseving in Colone.
| Colston's Brigade Of General Heth's Division.
He left the Rebel lines on Wednesday last, and
says that although General Lee aud his captains
have made everything bend to their imperative
wills to send everything to the commsariat. vet
great difficulty is experienced in giving the troops
enough food, even Of the well-knowu corn meal
ration.
The supplies at Richmond have given out, and
resort is had to the country south aud southwest.
The crops have been seized everywhere as fast as
gathered, and hurried to the army depo.s.
The people Of Richmond and Petersburg, such
as were able, have left those cities and gone south
Those remaining arc surrounded by sick and
wounded soldiers, and suffer terribly for the
want OF the commOncSt necessaries.
Lee has acknowledged his position as critical
not through any great genius exhibited by Grant,
but through the Judicious handling By the latter
ol his immense armies. Like great general,
Lee has not forgotten his line of retreat. He has
iornned Canyille at all points very recently, and
Nc prepared temporary defenses on the route
thither. lie has taken number Of his heavy
guns from Richmond and Lynchburg to Dan
vile, and has modified his army for the series of
desperate conflicts which he anticipates in the
vicinity OF his present position. RIsi
He has been made military dictator, but has
signed a compact with the Rebel autholiti to
pursue, as far as possible, certain polite o-mili-
tary policy suggested by them. Mr. Davis and
Cabinet have left Richmond, aud will pi obably
settle in Columbia, South Carolina, or Raleigh.
North Carolina. 1t is known that the Gov, rnment
archives, arms, ammunition, &c, have bC en- sent
to Danyille, which is Lees base of SUI plies.
All the newspapers except the Wing are n owing
south from Richmond.
The Rebels have more respect for Gran s MILL
tary ability than the Copperheals Of the North
have. This Rebel says that General Grants
plans of operations will certainly succeed in the
end-perhaps very soon. This has been the con-
yiction of the solid thinkers of the South ever
since Grant landed his army on the south bunk
of the James river. 1t is southwest of that river
that the greatest battles of modern times must
soon be fought and in all probability the decisive
one of the war.
Grants plan is said to be as follows :-shorI
dan will take Charlottesville and move toward
Richmond from the west. large force is said
W nave tdhCu holnBdOnj an important town In
Southwestern Virginia, the depot of the products
of the vast salt mines of that region. This force
is expected to move upon Lynchburg.
General Lee, with au lnidequle army, is en-
deayoring TO keep back all Of these column:
but herein Is Grants advantage, as IL
Lee weakens his line by taxing away a
single division, Grant will mt once move
on him and use him up. This Rebel tells us that
II Is thought Grant will take both Richmond aud
Petersburg without an assault in force II, will
soon entirely outtlank General Lee and force
him 10 retreat.