Bayard Taylor on the Rebel Works at Centerville and Gen. McClellan

(From Bayard Taylor’s Letter to the N. Y. Tribune.)

I am not a military man, you know.  I could be easily puzzled by a dexterous use of the technology of a staff officer.  I hear, on good authority, that several officers of high risk have declared to-day: “The fortifications at Centerville are perfectly impregnable.”  Impregnable?  Good God!  What contemptible ideas they must entertain of our gallant soldiery.  I have seen Cerro Gordo: the position at Centerville is not so strong – yet we took Cerro Gordo.  I have seen Chapultepec, it is five times as formidable – yet we took it.  I have seen Nava; the hill is twice as steep, and twice as high; yet 8,000 Swedes rushing up it drove 50,000 Russians, under Peter the Great, from their intrenchments.  This is supposing, of course, that we should be so obliging as to attack the Rebels just where they could most easily defend, omitting the opportunities of turning their position.  But it is useless to talk; I am a civilian.  We have escaped a terrible danger, and gained a great and “a bloodless victory.”

I do not wish to be understood as blaming any individual.  I was most favorably impressed last fall, with the bearing of Gen. McClellan and with his evident success in resolving order out of chaos.  I have deprecated the popular impatience with the action of the army of the Potomac during the winter, and insisted that the organizing power which had moulded a demoralized military mob into obedient capacity for action, should be allowed to develop its plan in its own good time, without interference.  It is for those in authority to judge where the blame lies.  But, using my eyes and my ears – employing (modestly speaking) average powers of deduction – I cannot escape the following conclusions:

First – That the topographical character of the position at Manassas has been wholly misunderstood.  Instead of a high pain, with ascending terraces, furnishing concentric lines of defence, it is a low plain, of which the only natural advantage is the stream of Bull Run, with a low bluff bank.

Second – That the Position at Centerville, though naturally formidable to an advance from Fairfax, has no flank or rear defences, is imperfectly fortified, and, from all indications never had any siege guns.

Third – That the three or four small forts near Manassas Junction, on an open plain, do not constitute a strategic position of any importance.

Fourth – That the strongest of the rebel works was inferior, both in construction and armament, to the weakest of our forts on the Virginia side of Washington.

Fifth – That the rebels never had, at any time, in all the camps between Centerville and Manassas, more than 75,000 men.

Sixth – That an advance of our whole army, made any time since the 1st of November last, would very likely have reached Manassas with as much expedition and as little loss as the advance at this time.  It is not likely that the rebels, who have been all along so well informed as to our strength and our contemplated movements, would have hazarded an engagement which must have resulted disastrously to them.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 2

The Wooden Guns Of Centerville

The flooring behind the embrasure of the rebel fortifications at Centerville, upon which the wooden guns rested, was made of inch hemlock boards, and of course could never have sustained real guns.  This statement made by the correspondent of the Philadelphia Inquirer confirms the fact no real guns were ever mounted there.  It is said that some of the embrasures were so constructed that the light field pieces of which the rebels had some twenty or thirty at Centerville, could have been used through them.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 2

Special to New York Papers

(Tribune’s Dispatch.)

WASHINGTON, March 10. – There was a fight at Sangster’s Station yesterday between General Kearney’s brigade and an equal number of rebel regiments.  The latter were driven back.  Several were killed on each side.  Lieut. Worden, of the Lincoln cavalry was killed.  Thirteen rebels were captured.

(Tribune’s Special.)

WASHINGTON, March 10. – The Senate War Committee to-day authorized their Chairman to report back from the House Bill authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase coin with Treasury notes or bonds, striking the latter clause which leaves the purchase optional with the Secretary.  And also the section on making the fifty million of Treasury notes of the old issue a legal tender.  Senator Fessenden will report the bill as amended to-morrow.

The Senate Judiciary Committee will, on Wednesday, come to a final conclusion on the case of Senator Powell.  There will be majority and minority reports.  The minority, as in the Bright case, being for expulsion.

Light cavalry have been sent in pursuit to harass and track the rebel retreat.  It is supposed to be their design to fall back first upon Fredericksburg and then upon Richmond.

Our Troops occupied Centreville and Fairfax Court House to-night.

Two companies under Maj. Hatfield were ordered yesterday morning to go to Fairfax Court House, by Far’s Cross road.  When within a mile of that place they met the enemy who retreated before them.  At 4 o’clock, last evening, they entered the Court House, followed by a full regiment.  The two companies under Major Hatfield were then ordered back to Far’s Cross roads, where they met the body of the regiment and bivouacked for the night.  At twelve o’clock, noon, to-day, Major Hatfield’s company were within sight of the village, and found that it had been evacuated in the night, the enemy leaving their tents and other property behind in great profusion.

Lieut. Alexander, of the Lincoln cavalry soon after arrived with a detachment of men and passed on as far as Cubs’ Run, three miles above Centreville, where he discovered a vast number of tents left standing.

(Post Special.)

WASHINGTON, March 11. – The President will probably sign the bill establishing the article of war to-day, prohibiting officers of the army and navy, returning fugitive slaves to their masters.

Lieut. Worden, the gallant commander of the Monitor, is here and rapidly recovering from his wound.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 4

Specials to the New York Papers

(Special to Times.)

WASHINGTON, March 12. – The statement published that account in council of war in Washington decided by 6 to 4 that the army of the Potomac could not be moved against the enemy at present, is entirely untrue.  The Generals were decisive that an advance was possible and probably the only difference was as to the plan of proposed attack.

A correspondent of the Times who accompanied the advance upon Centreville and Manassas, has just come in.  It was only recently that the retreat of the rebels from Centreville commenced.  General Johnson left Friday morning, General Smith left Saturday afternoon, and Colonel Stewart last Monday, the day our army left camp on the Potomac.  The retreat was conducted very orderly at first.  Nothing was left at Centreville that could be useful to us. – The forts were well planned and very formidable.  They commanded the roads and the fire of not less than a hundred guns could be converged upon any approach to the defences.  The guns were never brought from Manassas to mount the Centreville works.  A railroad track is extended from Manassas to Centreville, and a telegraph line.  The rebel Generals had their headquarters at Centreville.  Although a more convenient and complete military armament could not be found in Washington than they had at Manassas.  The enemy carried off all their heavy guns from Manassas, forty to fifty in number, part of their army marching by turnpike to Warrenton and part to Gordonville, where it is said they would make a stand.  It was announced that the first sign of panic was noticed at Manassas.  A part of Stewart’s rear column was preparing a train to move southward by railroad, when they learned that some excited rebels had set fire to the bridges.  Then they immediately began to burn and destroy and run away in general confusion.  500 barrels of flour were stove in.  Barrels of molasses suffered the same way.  160 barrels or kegs of powder were left, which they did not know how to destroy in safety to themselves.

It seems to be confirmed that the enemy had two weeks since, between 50,000 and 60,000 troops at Centreville and Manassas, and that they had began their retreat last Friday.  Why they went is a mystery, as that number of our men in their fortifications would have been equal to three times their forces assembling there.  They must have feared to trust their men whose enlistments were expiring, or their powder, which many accounts agree, is of very inferior quality.

The strangest news brought by the Times correspondent is, that Gen. Jackson and one half his army, whom Gen. Banks yesterday supposed he was closely watching in Winchester, went down the Railroad to Manassas one week ago, and quietly marched off southward.  The other half are said to be moving southward in the valley of the Shenandoah.

(Special to Tribune.)

The Naval Committee of the Senate agreed today to recommend an appropriation of $25,000 for the construction of furnaces for the manufacture of 20 inch Dahlgreen guns.

The ––– of this evening says we have positive information that the rebels have retreated to as far as Gordonville.  Our scouts have probably penetrated the country as far as Culpepper C. H., 35 miles in the rear of Manassas.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 3

Chicago Specials

CHICAGO, March 13            . – The Times Washington special of the 12th says our scouts have arrested seven rebel bridge burners caught in the very act near Manassas.

Refugees say the rebels had no very heavy guns mounted in earthworks at Centreville.  The forts all commanded the approaches from Washington.  There were more to prevent our forces coming on either flank.  Ten days ago the rebels had sixty thousand troops there.  The rear guard did not leave until Monday.  Five caissons, five hundred barrels of flour, several hundred barrels molasses were found to-day, all damaged.

The Tribune specials says that it is now estimated that the rebel army has gone to Gordonsville Junction, ninety-three miles from the Potomac and fifty-nine from Manassas.

Our scouts have penetrated as far as Culpepper Court House.  The country around Gordonsville is represented to be well adapted for defences and the railroad connection being vastly more important than those at Manassas.

Evidence before the Committee on the Conduct of the War to-day, shows that the whole rebel army army [sic] opposite less than thirty thousand – fifteen thousand at Centreville and ten thousand and Manassas.

The Committee of investigation at St. Louis has finished sitting the aggregate of claims passed on was upward of ten millions.  The amount was much reduced.

The Naval Committee of the Senate to-day agreed to appropriate twenty five thousand dollars for the manufacture of twenty inch Dalghgreen [sic] guns.  The committee was brought to this conclusion by a telegraph from Assistant Secretary Fox now at Fortress Monroe, urging that orders for their manufacture should be given at once.  He adds that the Monitor can sink the Merrimac but that it will be a terrible struggle.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 3

Special to New York Papers

WASHINGTON, March 11. – Six Southern members voted “aye,” and nine “nay,” in the House to-day on the Presidents emancipation resolution.  The others from the border States were not in their seats.

(Herald’s dispatch.)

WASHINGTON, March 12. -  Before dark last night Col. Averill with a large body of cavalry entered the far famed rebel forts at Manassas and bivouacked for the night amid the ruins of the rebel strongholds.

The intelligence gathered at Manassas and in the night tends to show that the whole rebel army has retired southward.  It is not credited that they will attempt to make a stand near, as the country is open, level, and unpromising for defensive warfare.

The Opinion is gaining ground that Gordonsville was simply the rendezvous for what was lately the rebel army of the Potomac.  It is the junction of the Orange and Alexandria with the Virginia Central Railroad.  The only point at which they can with any sort of confidence attempt to make a stand is near the junction of the Frederick and Potomac with the Central Virginia Railroad, in which neighborhood the North Anna and South Anna river unite and form the Pamunkey river, about 20 miles directly north of Richmond.  At this point the country is much broken and admirably fitted for defense.

It is reported that in their retreat the rebels have destroyed the Railroad bridge across the north fork of the Rappahannock.  In their haste they have left behind straggling parties of soldiers, who seem to be very glad to be made prisoners.

Wherever they have gone it is evident that their army is completely disordered and utterly unfit for service.  The moral effect of the retreat from Manassas to Richmond will be the same throughout the South, as it is in this part of Virginia, and the impression prevails that the Southern Confederacy has collapsed, and many of the people thank God for it.

The forts are all abandoned, but log huts, hundreds in number, and ample to accommodate fully thirty thousand troops still remain – also a great number of tents; heaps of dead horses cover the fields in the vicinity.  The log huts are strewn all along between Centerville and Manassas.  The Railroad track is undisturbed, excepting the stone bridge across Bull Run on the Warren turnpike, is blown up, as also the bridge across Cabin Run, between Centerville and Manassas.

Everything at Manassas indicated the precipitate flight of the rebels.  Some caissons were found, but no guns; piles of bullets were left and an immense quantity of quarter master’s stores.  In one place were discovered about 30,000 bushels of corn, which had been set on fire, and was still smouldering.  Among the trophies are pack saddles, army orders, muskets, revolvers, bowie knives, letters, &c.  Over one thousand back saddles were found, all new and marked C. S. A.

People in the vicinity state that prior to the evacuation there were one hundred thousand troops at Manassas and Centerville.  Mounted on the works there were what appeared to be cannon, but, on examination, they proved to be wooden affairs got up for effect.

Two Pennsylvania cavalry regiments were the first of our troops entering.

At Brentsville, four miles south of Manassas, guards have been organized to protect themselves from the secessionists.

Gen. McClellan has taken up his quarters at Fairfax C. G.

A dispatch has been received here contradicting the announcement that Winchester was occupied by our troops, and stating that it is held by a rebel force.

It is believed here by the best informed critics on military affairs, that the rebels there are simply a portion of the force left there to cover the retreat of the main body of the rebels.  It is not probable any considerable force would be maintained in that part of Virginia, after the evacuation of Manassas, which commands the only Railroad avenue thence to Richmond.

(Post’s Dispatch.)

The Naval Committee of the Senate this morning agreed to report a bill at once for the appropriation of $15,000,000 for iron clad vessels of war.

Senator Grimes had just received a dispatch from Assistant Secretary of War, Fox, at Fortress Monroe, declaring his confident belief that the Monitor in her recent engagement with the Merrimac was entirely uninjured in the fight.  He expresses the opinion that another combat between the two vessels is certain and that the conflict will be terrific.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 3

Washington Items

WASHINGTON, March 11. – Dispatches from Fortress Monroe report all quite at that point.

No further intelligence obtained about the Merrimac’s injuries.  She reached Norfolk Sunday evening.

There is evidence that the enemy left Manassas two weeks ago.

Reports from Winchester state that the forces under Gen. Williams had returned from the reconnoissance, and had reached there that evening without serious opposition.

WASHINGTON, March 11. – Large numbers of contrabands have entered our lines which now extend beyond Manassas Junction and are still coming in by dozens.

The earth-works at Centerveille were greatly misrepresented.  They were not of the formidable character supposed.  The enemy previous to evacuating injured them by blowing up the embrasures and casemates.

On our troops arriving at Fairfax Court House the soldiers rushed in to the court house and brought away some of the records, but these being discovered the officers directed them to be returned.

When our troops learned that Manassas had been evacuated their spirits suddenly became depressed as they had anticipated a spirited conflict with the enemy.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 3

From Washington

WASHINGTON, March 15.

Herald’s Dispatch

A Cavalry reconnoisance, under General Stoneman, made a thorough examination of the country for a distance of 25 miles, in a straight line.  No armed rebels were seen.  It has proved that the rebel retreat was a perfect rout.

Our troops are engaged in securing valuable property left by the rebels at Dumfries.  It is said to be immense, consisting of ammunition, stores, tents, blankets, &c.

Times’ Dispatch

McClellan’s proclamation excites enthusiasm in the army, and is applauded by the people as important and conclusive.

Information has been received here of the late rebel strength at Manassas and Centerville.  It comes from four men lately employed on the railroad from Manassas, who deserted and came over to our lines.  They assert that up to Friday week the rebel force at and near Manassas was about 90,000, 25,000 between Manassas and Aquia Creek, 12,000 at Winchester, Leesburg, &c.  All could have been concentrated at Manassas at a day’s notice.  The rebels never talked of evacuating until the fall of Fort Donelson, when it was freely said that they would have to retreat when McClellan advanced.

The roads for sixty days past have been horrible.

The grave of Col. Cameron is said to have been found at Bull Run.  His body has been sent to Harrisburg.

At a station 12 miles from Manassas, we found 52 freight cars loaded with commissary stores, worth $20,000.  The enemy had kindled a fire under them, which fiald to burn.

The rebels burned Warrington Station, 14 miles from Manassas; also the hotels and several dwellings.

Yesterday parties started from Quantico Creek, and occupied Dumfries, which had been occupied by troops from Texas, Alabama, and South Carolina, under Wigfall.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 18, 1862, p. 2

From Washington

Special to the Chicago Tribune.

WASHINGTON, March 13.

Leonard F. Ross, Col. of the 17^th Illinois, and Capt. Ricketts, of the 1^st U. S. artillery, (the latter of whom was imprisoned some time at Richmond,) have been nominated Brigadier Generals.

A sub-committee of the conduct of the war committee visit Manassas to-day, to investigate the actual condition of that place, with a view to discover the enemy’s strength and defenses at the time when our Generals were still hesitating.

It is ascertained that a citizen of Massachusetts made the first advance on the rebel strongholds on Sunday morning.  Roving beyond our lines, he gradually neared Centerville, and seeing no enemy, he boldly marched within the entrenchments and contemplated with surprise the wooden guns with black mouths mounted there.  He pushed on to Manassas, and “occupied” both places until Monday, when he turned them over to the four corps d’armee.  His testimony has been taken by the conduct of the war committee.

Garrett Davis made almost a disunion speech in the Senate yesterday, on the bill for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, saying that Kentucky should be a “La Vendee” before she would submit to see slavery touched even in the cotton States by unconstitutional legislation or any other.  Mr. Hale, of N. H., continued the debate.

Mr. Wilson, of Iowa, from the House judiciary committee, reported a bill reorganizing the Supreme Court, as an amendment to the Senate bill.  The eighth circuit consists of Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin; the ninth of Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas.

Negroes are flocking in from Virginia by the hundreds.  It is estimated that at least one-tenth of the servile population of this section are freed by the retreat of the rebels.  All entertain the notion that their freedom follows the advance of our armies.  One gang of twenty-five arrived this morning.

All who were at Centreville agree that there was only a shadow of an army there.  No heavy guns were ever mounted except wooden ones.  The entrenchments on their flank and rear were feeble.  The railroad to Manassas is of poor construction.  Trees are cut down so as to disclose the plains of Manassas.  Part of the huts were burned; part were standing.  Among the spoils remaining were thousands of hides.  A deserter says that a regular mail from Washington via Alexandria, came twice or thrice weekly.

The House to-day discussed the first and second sections of the tax bill, the question whether any mode of collection through State machinery was practicable.  No vote was taken, but the inclination of the House seemed to favor collection by the United States.

Senator Grimes, of Iowa, made a vigorous and eloquent speech on the resolution giving thanks to Flag Officer Foote.  He was listened to with marked attention, and enforced congratulations from Senators of all shades of opinion.  He gave the Western navy its due – showed by documentary evidence that the credit of the plan of attack on Forts Henry and Donelson belonged to Capt. Foote, and that he would have taken Nashville the week before Buell did; and thus saved valuable stores, if he had been permitted by Gen. Halleck.  Mr. Grimes, enlarged upon the value of a navy to a free people, and incidentally alluded to the Monitor and the Merrimac fight as showing the value of iron-clad vessels, whose construction he (Grimes) had urged since he took his seat in the Senate.  He had also paid a handsome tribute to Lieut. Worden and Capt. Ericson.

The bill organizing the Territory of Arizona attaches the Wilmot Proviso to that and to all other Territories hereafter organized.  Ashley’s Territorial bill was defeated yesterday by the absence of Republicans.  Wilkinson will introduce the same bill from the Senate Territorial Committee, and it will probably come down to the House.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 15, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, March 12.

Nothing new at Manassas.  The Rebels have retired towards Gordonsville.  They rest with their advance at the Cape Daine river, their camps extending back to Gordonsville, 12 miles.

Telegraphs from Fort Monroe, report all quiet.

Parties who accompanied a rebel flag of truce, admit that the Monitor severely wounded the Merrimac.

Information from Winchester to-night, indicates that our forces are in possession there.  Nothing valuable to our army was found at Manassas

Special to Tribune.

The Naval Committee of the Senate agreed to-day to recommend an appropriation of $250,000 for the construction of furnaces for the manufacture of 20 inch Dahlgren guns.

The Washington Star of this evening says: “He have positive information that the rebels have retreated as far as Gordonsville.  Our scouts have probably penetrated as far as Culpepper Courthouse, 34 miles in the rear of Manassas.

Times’ Dispatch.

The statement published that a council of war in Washington decided 6 to 4 that the army of the Potomac could not be moved against the enemy at present, is entirely untrue.  The Generals were unanimous that an advance would be possible and proper.  The difference was as to the plan of the proposed attack.  A correspondent of the Times, who accompanied the advance upon Centreville and Manassas has just come in.  It was only last Friday that the retreat of the rebels from Centreville commenced.  Gen. Johnston left Friday morning; Gen. Smith left Saturday P. M., and Col. Stewart last Monday – the day our army left camp on the Potomac.

The retreat was conducted very orderly at first.  Nothing was left at Centreville that could be useful to us.

The forts were planked and very formidable.  The commanded the roads, and the fire of not less than a hundred guns could be converged upon any approach to the defenses, but the guns were never brought from Manassas to mount the Centreville forts.  The railroad track extended from Manassas to Centreville, and a telegraph line.

The rebel generals had their headquarters at Centreville altogether, and a more convenient and complete military establishment could not be found in Washington than they had through Manassas.

The enemy continued their retreat as quietly as it began.  They carried off all their heavy guns from Manassas, forty or fifty in number – part of their army marching by turnpike to Warrenton, and part to Gordonsville, where, it is said, they would make a stand.

It was On Monday evening that the first sign of panic was noticed at Manassas.  A part of Stuart’s rear column was preparing a train to move southward by railroad when they learned that some excited rebels had set fire to the bridges ahead of them.  They immediately began to burn and destroy, and run away in general confusion.  Five hundred barrels of flour, piled in ranks, had their heads stove in; barrels of molasses suffered the same way.  Fourteen or fifteen kegs of powder were left, which they did not know how to destroy in safety to themselves.

It seems to be confirmed that the enemy had, for weeks, between 50,000 and 60,000 troops at Centreville and Manassas, and that they only began their retreat last Friday.  What they mean is a mystery, as that number of men in their fortifications would have been equal to three times the force assailing them.

They must have feared to trust those whose enlistment was expiring, or their powder, which many accounts agree is of very inferior quality.

The strongest news brought by the Times’ correspondent is that Gen. Jackson and one half of his army, whom Gen. Banks yesterday supposed he was closely watching in Winchester, wend down the railroad to Manassas one week ago, and quietly marched off southward in the valley of the Shenandoah.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 14, 1862, p. 2 

From Washington

CHICAGO, March 12.

A special Washington dispatch to the Tribune says, it is believed that rebels have been evacuating Manassas for months back.

McClellan will to-morrow cease to be General-in-Chief.  Stanton will issue a general order, announcing the change.

Flag officer Dupont writes in a private letter that the rifled 120 pounder, captured at Fernandina, was a finer cannon than any we have.

A special to the Times, dated Centreville, 11^th, says this stronghold presents scenes of gloom and desolation rarely witnessed.  The rebels commenced evacuating on Saturday last, and continued until Sunday night.  They then blew up all the bridges and tore up railroad tracks, but during the latter part of the evacuation a terrible panic seems to have seized the rebels, they leaving in greatest haste, burning the remaining tents, forage, transportation and provisions.  In fact they destroyed everything they could not remove.

Most of their cannon have been carried away.  Those remaining are of inferior quality, but all spiked.  The fortifications are most formidable, stretching over a chain of hills in the rear of Centreville for several miles, one behind the other, at proper distances; so if we took one we would be at the mercy of the next.  They are all constructed with great skill, and command the surrounding country.

The fortifications at Manassas are not so formidable, appearing to be the same that were there when the Bull Run battle was fought.  Bomb-proof casemates were in those at Centerville.  Our cavalry entered the latter place during the night, and soon after reached Manassas Junction, hoisting the stars and stripes on the flag-staff.  It is evident the greater part of the rebels retreated to Culpepper Court House.  During Sunday night, the rebels on the lower Potomac fled in a panic by the Fredericksburg railroad to Richmond.  The country back of here for thirty miles is almost a perfect picture of desolation and destruction.  It is the prevailing impression that the rebels will not stop this side of Richmond.

A special dispatch from Cairo, 11^th to the Tribune, says: A brigade of our troops went around new Madrid Saturday last and arrived on Sunday at a small settlement on the Mississippi, called Point Pleasant, about ten miles below the former place, and took possession of it.

The occupation of this place by our troops cuts off communication of the rebels at New Madrid.

The bridges upon the Cairo and Fulton Railroad are repaired, and trains run regularly from Bird’s Point to Sykeston.

Authentic news received at Headquarters say the rebels are strongly fortifying Island No. 10.  Gunboats are thoroughly prepared for the emergency.  Mortars are also in readiness.

The transport Hiawatha arrived this p.m. laden down with Iowa troops; destination up the Tennessee.

The Times’ Cairo special dispatch says an arrival from below says the rebels will make a desperate stand at Fort Pillow.  They have the river fortified for three quarters of a mile.

Large numbers of sick from the 51^st Ill. regiment arrived last night.  The regiment is now with Gen. Pope.  Waterhouse’s Chicago battery is now encamped just north of the city.  28 are on the sick list.

Brig. Gen. Cullum, Chief of Gen. Halleck’s staff and Chief Engineer of the department of Missouri, returns to St. Louis immediately, his heath rendering a change necessary.  Gen. Strong relieves him.

WASHINGTON, March 11.

Dispatches from Fort Monroe this evening state that all was quiet.  No information has been obtained about the Merrimac’s injuries.  She reached Norfolk Sunday evening.

There is evidence that the main body of the rebel army left Manassas nearly two weeks ago.

The roads in Virginia are improving.

It is believed that a portion of the rebels who evacuated Centreville were ordered to reinforce Winchester.

The forces under Gens. Hamilton and Williams, constituting a reconnoisance, arrived at Stephenson’s depot, five miles from Winchester, this evening, without serious opposition.

WASHINGTON, March 11.

Six Southern men voted aye, and nine nay, in the House to-day, on the President’s emancipation resolution.  The others from the border States were not in their seats.

Herald’s Dispatch

Before dark, last night, Col. Averill, with a large body of cavalry, entered the far-famed rebel works at Manassas, and bivouacked for the night under the ruins of the rebel stronghold.

The intelligence gathered at Manassas and in the neighborhood tends to show that the whole rebel army has retired southward. – It is not credited that they will attempt to make a stand near, as the country is open, level, and unpromising for defensive warfare.

The opinion is gaining ground that Gordonsville was simply the rendezvous for what was lately the rebel army of the Potomac, as it is the junction of the Orange and Alexandria with the Virginia Central R. R.  The only point at which they can, with any sort of confidence, attempt to make a stand is near the junction of the Frederick and Potomac with the Central Virginia railroad, in which neighborhood the North Anna and South Anna rivers united and form the Pamunkey river about twenty miles north of Richmond.  At this point the country is much broken and admirably adapted for defense.

It is reported that in their retreat the rebels have destroyed the railroad bridge across the north fork of the Rappahannock.  In their haste they have left behind straggling parties of soldiers, who seem to be very glad to be made prisoners.  Wherever they have gone, it is evident that their army is completely demoralized and totally unfit for service.  The moral effect of the retreat from Manassas to Richmond will be the same throughout the South as it is in this part of Virginia, and the impression prevails that the Southern Confederacy has collapsed, and many of the people thank God for it.

The forts are all abandoned, but log houses, hundreds in number and ample to accommodate fully 30,000 troops, still remain.  Also immense numbers of tents and heaps of dead horses cover the fields in the vicinity.  The log huts are strewn all along between Centreville and Manassas.  The railroad track is undisturbed, except the bridge across Bull Run, on the Warrenton turnpike, is blown up; as also the bridge across Cab river between Centreville and Manassas indicated to the precipitate fight of the rebels.  Some caissons were found, but no guns.  Piles of bullets and cartridges were left, and an immense quantity of Quartermaster’s stores.  In one place were discovered about 30,000 bushels of corn, which had been set fire and was still smouldering.  Among the trophies are pack saddles, army orders, muskets, revolvers, bowie knives, letters, &c.  Over 1,000 pack saddles were found, all new and marked C. S. A.

People in the vicinity state that prior to the evacuation there were 100,000 troops at Manassas and Centerville.  Covering the breastworks were what appeared to be cannon, but on examination they proved to be wooden affairs, got up for effect.

Two Pennsylvania cavalry regiments were the first Union troops entering Centerville at Brentsville, four miles from Manassas.

A home guard had been organized to protect themselves against the secessionists.

Gen. McClellan has taken up his quarters at Fairfax Court House.

A Dispatch has been received here contradicting the announcement that Winchester was occupied yesterday by our troops and stating that it is held by a rebel force.

It is believed here by the best informed critics on military affairs that the rebels there are simply a portion of the Virginia militia, left there to cover the retreat of the main body of the rebels.  It is not probably that nay considerable force would be maintained in that part of Virginia after the evacuation of Manassas, which commands the only railroad avenue thence to Richmond.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 13, 1862, p. 2

WASHINGTON, March 11 [1862]

Large numbers of contrabands have reached our lines, which now extend beyond Manassas Junction, and are still coming by droves.  The earthworks and Centreville were greatly misrepresented.  They were not of the formidable character supposed.  The enemy, before evacuating, had somewhat injured them breaking the embrasures and casements.  On our troops arriving at Fairfax C. H., they found no more than a dozen families.  The soldiers rushed into the Court House and brought away some of the records; the officers directed their return.

When our troops learned that Manassas had been evacuated, their spirits suddenly became depressed, as they had anticipated a spirited conflict with the enemy.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 13, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, March 10.

A Dispatch from Ft. Monroe says that the Merrimac did not make her appearance to-day.

Samuel. L. Casey took a seat in the House to-day, from the 1^st Kentucky district.

Tribune’s Dispatch.

WASHINGTON, March 10.

The Senate Finance Committee to-day authorized the chairman to report back the House bill authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase coin with Treasury notes or bonds, striking out the latter clause, which leaves the purchase optional with the Secretary; and also the section making the fifty million of Treasury notes of the old issue, a legal tender.  Senator Fessenden will report the bill as amended to-morrow.

The Senate judiciary committee will on Wednesday come to a final conclusion on the case of Senator Powell.  There will be majority and minority reports – the minority, as in the Bright case, being for expression.

Light cavalry have been sent in pursuit to harass and track the rebel retreat.  It is supposed to be their design to fall back first upon Fredericksburg and then upon Richmond.

Our troops occupied Centerville and Fairfax Court House to-night.  Two companies under Major Hatfield were ordered, yesterday morning, to go to Fairfax Court House by the Braddock road.  When within a mile of the place they met the enemy, who retreated before them.  At 5 o’clock last evening they entered the Court House, followed by a full regiment.  The two companies under Major Hatfield were then ordered back to Fairfax Cross Roads, where they met the body of the regiment and bivouacked for the night.  At 12 m. to-day Hatfield’s company were within sight of the village and found that it had been evacuated in the night, leaving tents and other property behind in large quantity.

Lieut. Alexander, of the Lincoln cavalry, arrived soon after with a detachment of men, and passed on as far as Cub’s Run, three miles above Centreville, where he discovered a vast number of tents left standing.

PORTLAND, March 11.

The North American arrived this morning.  News soon.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, March 12, 1862, p. 2

From Washington

WASHINGTON, March 11.

The National Intelligencer of this morning asserts, in positive terms, that we occupy Centerville, and that the rebels have evacuated Manassas.  The Intelligencer adds – This News was confirmed by intelligence received at headquarters last night.

A dispatch from Fort Monroe this morning announces that everything is quite there and at Newport News.

Manassas has been evacuated by the rebels, and our forces have taken peaceable possession.  There has been no other news of public interest this morning.

The Supreme Court will not hear the argument of any case after Thursday, the 20^th inst., or any motion after the 21^st, the Court intending to adjourn on the 25^th of March.

WASHINGTON, March 11.

The whole fortifications of Manassas were abandoned, and everything burned.  Full particulars will be sent as soon as received.

WASHINGTON, March 11.

The President will probably sign the new article of war to-day.  It forbids officers of the army and navy from returning fugitive slaves to their masters.

Lieut. Warden, the gallant commander of the Monitor, is here, and is rapidly recovering from his wounds.

Official information to-day reports that the enemy formerly encamped back of and below Occoquan, have retreated, destroying everything they could not carry on their back.  They left on Saturday.  Our troops took peaceable possession this morning, and were welcomed by a part of the inhabitants with great goy.  Every boat in the vicinity and everything that would float had been destroyed.  The rebels told the villagers they were going to fall back on the Rappahannock.

A call from the Governor of Virginia on the militia of the State for one thousand men, was proclaimed on the streets of Occoquan on the 9^th inst., by an officer, who immediately departed.  Nearly all the able-bodied men of the village left with the rebel army; a few refused to go.

The rebel force which has thus retreated was composed of three Texas, one Georgia and one Miss. regiment, and the Hampton legion.

Com. Vanderbilt gave notice to-day to the Postmaster General that he would carry the Central American and the South Pacific mails on his line of steamers, provided he could be protected against parties who were smuggling the California mails over his lines, for which he received no payment.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, March 12, 1862, p. 1

The War News

Naval Engagement near Fortress Monroe.

FULL PARTICULARS.

The Merrimac Repulsed.

Terrible Battle in Southwest Missouri.

THE VICTORY OURS.

Loss Very Severe on both Sides.

OUR FORCES TAKE LEESBURG

Centerville and Winchester Evacuated.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 11, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHIGNTON, March 9.

The telegraph lines to Fortress Monroe were built by order of the Secretary of War, under the direction of the general manager of military telegraph lines.  The extension of the government line from Harrington, Del., to Cape Charles, was constructed in three days.  Thirty miles of the submerged cable was manufactured from the channel crossing in twenty days from the date of the order, by S. C. Bishop, of New York City.  The sixteen miles laid before the recent gale was recovered in good condition.

The cable to replace the portion lost off Cape Henry was furnished by Mr. Bishop in five days.  The shore end was landed at Cape Charles at 4 o’clock this (Sunday) p.m., by Mr. W. Harris, assistant manager of government telegraphs, who has had the immediate charge of the work.  Its completion at this opportune moment bringing as the news of the splendid victory of the Moniteur, and the drubbing of the Merrimac has saved the country from great anxiety and expense.  The delay in completing the cable connection has been owning entirely to the continuous boisterous weather.

WASHINGTON, March 10.

Lieut. Wise, commanding the Potomac flotilla, in his official report to the Navy Department, confirms the rumor of the abandonment of the rebel batteries at Cockpit, Shipping and other points along the Potomac, and also the burning of the steamer Page and other rebel craft.

Lieut. Wise arrived this afternoon, bringing dispatches from Fortress Monroe.  But few particulars have yet transpired, as his interview is not yet closed.

The following items are reliable: Capt. Radford was engaged in a court martial, and not on the Cumberland.  Lieut. Smith, son of Com. Smith, was on board the congress, and is killed.

The loss in killed, drowned, wounded and missing, is supposed to be 100.

Lieut. Warder, who handled the Monitor so skillfully, is here in the hands of a surgeon.  He was in the pilot house of the Monitor, when the Merrimac directed a whole broadside at it, and received his injuries from the minute fragments of shells and powder, which were driven through the lookout holes.  He was stunned by the concussion and was carried away.  On recovering he asked, “Have I saved the Minnesota?”  The reply was, “Yes, and whipping the Merrimac.”  To which he answered, “Then I don’t care what becomes of me.”  His injuries are not supposed to be dangerous.  The Minnesota was eventually got off and towed under the guns of Fort Monroe.

The loss of 100 killed given was on board the Cumberland.  The crew of the Congress is scattered, at there are no means of ascertaining her loss at present.

The naval authorities and experts here are confident that the Merrimac is disabled, and that the Monitor is adequate to her in every respect.

There is no longer any doubt that the rebels have evacuated Centerville, Winchester and other important points, indicating a general falling back of their forces.

The telegraph to Fortress Monroe has been fully occupied on government business all day, which has prevented the Associated Press dispatch from coming.  There has been no change in the state of affairs at that point.

Every effort will be made [to] give the names of the killed and wounded at the earliest moment.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 11, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

WASHINGTON, March 6.

The President’s message excited deep interest in the House to-day.  Evidently it was not generally anticipated.  A message of a similar character, transmitted to the Senate, was not read.

The President has Nominated Brig. Gen. Thomas as Major General.

Newspapers are especially excluded from the list of manufactures taxed in the tax bill.  It repeals so much of the last session’s bill as relates to incomes, but leaves the land tax unchanged.

Mr. Blair, from the military committee, has reported a bill authorizing the Secretary of War to allow loyal citizens their claims for damage to property heretofore and hereafter destroyed by order of army or navy officers of the United States, to prevent it from falling into the hands of the enemy.

A reconnoitering party of the 63d Penn., Gen. Heintzelman’s division, was ambushed yesterday morning beyond the Occoquan, two or three miles in advance of our pickets, and received the fire, as was reckoned, of 40 concealed rebels.  They instantly fled through the woods.  Capt. Chapman and Lieut. Lyle were killed, and two privates wounded, one mortally.

Commander J. T. Armstrong, of the Steamer State of Georgia, reports how the Nashville ran into Beaufort, N. C.  He saw her at daylight and gave chase, but she ran under the guns of Fort Macon and escaped.

The Lieutenant Colonel in command of the 40^th Pennsylvania regiment, who was ambushed yesterday, will probably be cashiered.  The enemy are supposed to be Texan Rangers.

Gen. Lander’s funeral was very imposing.  It was attended by infantry, cavalry, artillery, lancers, and civilians, and the procession was two miles long.

Lieut. Conway, of the bark Peerless, blockading at Bull’s Bay near Charleston, S. C., sunk three vessels loaded with rice, and burned one inside of the Shoals, the last under the nose of a rebel battery of three guns.  They were all bound to Charleston, and manned by foreigners and negroes, who were put ashore, the boats being unable to take them off.

One hundred and fifty rebel soldiers recently deserted from Savannah to General Sherman.  Their reason was they said that they were tired of fighting in this inhuman war.

Clark, of the Boston Courier, nominated as commissary of subsistence, was rejected by the Senate to-day.  A large number of minor civil and military nominations were confirmed.

It is estimated by the committee of ways and means, that the internal taxes, with the taxes on imports, will probably produce a revenue of $150,000,000, and the tax may be increased if necessary.  The propriety of levying a tax on cotton is under discussion.

The Kentucky and pro-slavery Congressmen regard the President’s message with suspicion.

The question of branch mints in Denver City and New York, has been referred, by the ways and means committee, to the Secretary of the Treasury for his opinion.

The proof sheets of the tax bill are ready, and will be in circulation to-morrow.

A sub-committee of ways and means will immediately take up the tariff bill.

It is thought that Gen. Fremont has damaged rather than helped his case by the publication of his defense.

Gen. Fremont was at the Capitol yesterday receiving the congratulations of his friends.

Montgomery Blair was there to-day, very nervous about his private letter among the Fremont documents criticizing Chase and Lincoln.

Senator Collamer, from the committee on Post office Post Roads has reported adversely to the House a bill establishing a postal money order system and authorizing the carriage of additional mail matter.

Alex. Cummings is out with a defense, in a letter to Congressman Wm. Kelly.  He denies that he had anything to do with the chartering of the Cataline, and avers that her freight, including all linen trousers and straw hats, was bona fide for the soldiers.  He claims that the hundred and forty thousand dollars spoken of in Washburne’s report, were retained under orders from the Navy Department, to meet requisitions of the War Department, and pleads illness as his excuse or delay in making his reply.

C B. Matteson is said to be a silent partner in the Pennyslvania Avenue scheme, driven through the House, but encountering a serious obstacle in the Senate, in the person of Mr. Grimes, chairman of the district committee, whom the speculators call impracticable.  Ten thousand dollars worth of stocks are said to have been promised one valuable lobby assistant, in case of success.

Tribune’s Dispatch.

WASHINGTON, March 6.

The following statement of the disposition and strength of rebel forces opposed to the Union army of the Potomac was perfectly accurate, for days ago.  Changes have probably occurred since, but the main facts must still correspond with the figures.  At Centreville, which is now the strong point of the rebels, there are 50,000 infantry, 11,000 cavalry and 120 pieces of cannon, light and heavy.  Behind the batteries along the Potomac there are from 12,000 to 15,000 men.  At Gum Spring, between Leesburg and Centerville, there are three regiments of infantry, with a squadron of cavalry.  At Leesburg there are three regiments of infantry, one battery and 460 cavalry.  At a point five miles south of Brentsville, that is to say some ten miles south of Manassas, there is one brigade of infantry of 35,000 men.  These reports do not include any part of Jackson’s army, forming the rebel left wing, against which Gen. Banks is operating.

At Manassas there is not a single full regiment, whole companies and regiments having gone home on furlough for ten, twenty and thirty days.  All of the troops from South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Louisiana have gone home within the past two or three weeks.  Very few of the men whose term of service has expired are re-enlisting.

Herald’s Dispatch.

The gunboats Satellite and Island Belle discovered on Wednesday a number of rebel cavalry near Aquia Creek, and fired a [bow] shot, when the rebels ran away and the steamers returned.

A brisk fire was opened this morning by the lower flotilla, causing great alarm among the rebels.  The long roll was beaten, commencing at Aquia Creek and extending along the river as far as Evansport.  The call of the roll extended throughout a greater number of camps than at any time before.

The camp fires, within a few days past, have materially increased, showing a considerable augmentation of the rebel forces in this vicinity.

The rebels opened fire upon the Hubbs Ferry battery this morning.  About 20 or 30 shots were fired, without doing any damage.

The steamer Yankee to-day went within a half mile of the Virginia shore, and shelled a new battery, in process of erection in the rear of the position of their old battery at Freestone Point.  The rebels were forced to evacuate.

Special to the World.

Mrs. Wm. Norris and Mrs. Rogers, occupying a high social position, ladies of Baltimore, were brought here to-day and placed in prison, on a charge of supplying the enemy with aid, and giving them important information.  Both have sons in the rebel army, and were prominently connected with an association in Baltimore for the manufacture of clothing for the rebel soldiers.

The city has been excited recently with rumors respecting the movements of the troops at Manassas.  It is said they have concentrated a much larger army at that point than has generally been supposed. – As it is impossible to save anything at the West, what troops were there have been hurried into Va.  It is even said Beauregard is back again at his old post.

WASHINGTON, March 6.

The President has nominated Col. Harvey Brown, of Fort Pickens, as Brig. Gen. by brevet.

Capts. Bell, McKean, Dupont, Goldsboro and Farragut, were today Confirmed by the Senate as flag officers of the Navy.

The following were confirmed surveyors of customs:

W. Thornburry, Paducah, Ky.; J. R. Meeker, Nesqually, Washington Territory.

The following were also confirmed:

C. W. Chatterton, Indian Agent, Cherokee agency; C. H. Hale, superintendent of Indian affairs, Washington Territory; Thos. Nelson recorder of land titles in Missouri; S. K. Janeson, receiver of public monies for Nebraska; H. Stout, attorney and G. L. Gibbs, Marshal of Utah; E. D. Shatterch, attorney for Oregon; W. Wasson, Marshal for Nevada.

In addition to the above, a large number of army nominations were confirmed, but none of field officers.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 8, 1862, p. 1

The War News

Murfreesboro Abandoned.

THE REBELS RETREATING TOWARDS ALABAMA.

Expected Attack at Centerville.

News from Southern Sources.

THE NEW TAX BILL.

TERRIBLE EXPLOSION IN DETROIT.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 4, 1862, p. 1

Secesh Expecting an Attack at Centreville

NEW YORK, March 3.

The Lynchburg Virginian publishes the following:  A private letter received form Centreville last night, states that our forces had received orders to send their sick to the rear, and put themselves in marching order.  By passengers who arrived in last night’s train the above report is confirmed, and they also state that the women and children were ordered to leave yesterday morning.  We understand that the Yankees have succeeded in cutting another road through the woods to Fairfax.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 4, 1862, p. 1