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

Leesburg Taken

LEESBURG, Va., March 8.

Col. Geary has taken Leesburg and driven Gen. Hills away from the town and surrounding forts.  The American flag floats over all the rebel entrenchments to-night.  This is one of their greatest strongholds.

We took many prisoners, stores, the bank, post office and other public buildings.

This brilliant achievement is of the utmost importance.  A detachment of the 1^st Michigan Cavalry did good service.

CHARLESTOWN, Va., March 9.

The occupation of Leesburg by our forces is officially confirmed.  The enemy evacuated the town on Friday morning, taking all the supplies and baggage to Middleburg.  It is not known that the rebels have gone to Winchester.

CHARLESTOWN, Va., March 9.

Hundreds of contrabands are arriving from the country.  The course adopted in regard to them, if they have been employed by secession authorities, is to turn them over to the division quartermaster, to be employed by the Federal government; but if proven otherwise, they are returned to their owners.

On Friday Capt. Cols, Co. F, Maryland cavalry, 40 in number, came upon about 140 of the rebel cavalry, between Bunker Hill and Winchester.  A skirmish ensued, lasting one hour, resulting in the killing of six of Ashley’s men and wounding five.  Capt. Cole had three men wounded.  A section of Mathews’ battery came up to Capt. Cole’s support, when Adj. Wilkins, of Gen. Williams’ staff had his horse shot under him.  It is believed at Bunker Hill that the force at Winchester has been greatly reduced, leaving not over 3,000 to 6,000 men there.  Others say that Gen. Jackson’s force has been strengthened by the regiments from Leesburg.

Capt. Cole’s scouts last night reached a point only four miles from Winchester, but encountered no resistance, except form a small cavalry picket.

It is stated that but 400 of the 19^th Miss. Regiment remained at Leesburg at the time of the evacuation.  These retreated in the direction of Manassas Gap.

This morning secession scouts attacked Gen. Hamilton’s pickets, near Smith’s Mills, killing one and wounding another of the 27^th Ind.  They were pursued by the 3d Wisconsin, who had not returned at last account.

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

The 2d Iowa at St. Louis

The following is the reply of Gen. Halleck to Gov. Kirkwood’s letter in respect to certain members of the gallant Iowa Second Regiment injuring McDowell’s Museum.  It makes the offence a little more grievous than it appeared at first blush, but still not of a character to call for the punishment of an entire regiment:–

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 22d, 1862.

His Excellency S. J. Kirkwood, Governor of Iowa, Des Moines:

GOVERNOR: – Your letter of the 17^th inst., in relation to Brig. Gen. Hamilton’s order censuring the Second Iowa Regiment of Infantry, is just received.  It frequently becomes necessary to punish a regiment for the acts of its individual members, where the regiment itself does not expose and give up the guilty parties.  Such a measure bears hard upon the innocent, but is necessary to preserve order and discipline.  The destruction of the splendid anatomical and mineralogical museum at McDowell’s College, was certainly effected by members of the Second Iowa.  They had been specially charged with its preservation, and sentinels of that regiment were continually on guard at the entrances, (which had been securely closed,) and the officers had been directed to take particular care of it as public property.  The regiment itself was, therefore, chargeable with the act of its members until it exposed the guilty parties.  It was not an ordinary act of pillage, but, coupled with the barbarous destruction of models, was the robbery of most valuable specimens of gold and silver ores.  Gen. Hamilton’s order, (not the particular words used, but its general character,) was issued by my instructions.  I assume the responsibility of it.  It is my intention to punish crime, as well as to reward merit.  I censured the Second Iowa at McDowell College, and I took the earliest opportunity to acknowledge its bravery at Fort Donelson.  As soon as I can discover the guilty parties for punishment, I will revoke the order of censure.  It behooves the authorities of the State, as well as the officers of this noble regiment, to purge it of the men who committed the outrage referred to.

I am certain, Governor, that on a full knowledge of all the circumstances, you will approve the course I have pursued.

Very respectfully, your ob’t serv’t,

(Signed)

H. W. HALLECK,

Major General Commanding.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 6, 1862, p. 2

Trouble Among the 2d Iowa Regiment

ST. LOUIS, February 10.

There is an excitement this evening among the 2d Iowa Regiment, Occasioned by the issuance of the following extraordinary order:


“The General commanding the District had occasion, yesterday, to commend the conduct of the 2d Iowa Regiment. To-day, he is under the painful necessity of saying that some miscreants in the regiment have been guilty of an act of wanton vandalism in the robbery and destruction of the museum attached to the McDowell College. As this was carefully guarded, and strict orders given to sentinels that no one should be admitted; the disgrace is attached to the whole regiment. they will march to the place of embarkation with colors furled, and a copy of this order shall be sent to the Governor of Iowa.

{Signed,}

SCHUYLER HAMILTON
J. T. PRICE
Assistant Adjutant Generals.


The facts appear to be that a cabinet, containing stuffed birds and specimens, was lately robbed by some unknown persons. A hole large enough for a man’s head was made through the partition back of the cabinet, and it could be removed by boys attached to a school in the same block, as easily as by any of the soldiers. The order was carried out, and the men went to the levee without music and with furled colors.

The men are very indignant that the whole regiment should be disgraced by a few black sheep. An effort is to be made to have General Halleck take notice of the matter, and order an investigation to be made. The regiment is expected to leave for Cairo momentarily. It has been generally praised and this unfortunate affair will take the public of St. Louis by surprise.

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

From The 2d Iowa Cavalry

ABOARD STEAMER CITY OF ALTON
ABOVE FORT WRIGHT (OR PILLOW.)
Wednesday April 16, 1862

FRIEND SANDERS:– The army under Gen. Pope, yet remains aboard the fleet at this place, some reconnoitering is being done. Some of our mortar boats have taken a position on the upper side of the bend and throw shell into the fort. Yesterday the rebels replied, their shell reaching over the point and striking in the river in the vicinity of the gunboats. The weather is very warm, too much so for pure comfort. Yesterday on of the little tugs having been left alone a few minutes took fire and was soon burned to the water’s edge. This evening clouds began to gather and as night closed in the wind, lightning, and roar of heaven’s artillery, betoken an approaching storm, about dark signs were made throughout the fleet for a move. Steamers brightened up their fires, and all preparations were made for casting loose, but as yet, 9 p.m., no move has been made. The night is very dark, and the rain comes down in torrents. This boat is so crowded that every space, including hurricane deck and texas, is crowded with sleepers, but to-night on account of the storm all are crowded below leaving scarcely standing room.

Gen. Schuyler is aboard this boat. He is a strait well built man, about five feet ten inches, spare features, black hair, and whiskers, dark complexion, and from all appearances, one entirely fitted for a commanding officer. Pleasant, affable, industrious energetic, attentive to the various trusts committed to his care, he is constantly found personally superintending the execution of business and seeing that the interests of those under his command are properly cared for.

April 17th, P. M. – It stormed all last night and to-day until noon, now clearing off,. Amid the storm all the command of Gen. Pope, except one division cast loose from the landing and at daylight this morning headed up stream. We are perhaps bound for a trip up another river and to be in at Corinth. More anon.

April 18th, P. M. – We landed at New Madrid last evening. It rained hard all last night and most of the day. The river had fallen some the first of the week, but it is now rising fast, being three feet higher than when we left New Madrid.

We were detained at New Madrid until near evening, awaiting the arrival of the Choteau, having on board a portion of Gen. Hamilton’s division. She is an old boat and becoming disabled. The Alton, as good a boat as floats, now has her in tow.

This river is fast making history, and places heretofore unnoticed and unknown have suddenly assumed a prominent place on the page of history, and acquired a significance that will invite the traveler’s attention for generations to come. Among them is Island No. 10. As we neared the Island the thousands of troops flocked to the hurricane deck, texas and every available position to get a fair sight of the famed spot. It has most truly a formidable position. The Island is high and well fortified. Approaching from above, a continuous line of fire from at least a mile of batteries on the Island, and for two miles on the main land, could be concentrated at any given object on the river. To Commodore Foote and Gen. Pope is due the credit of jointly wresting from the rebels their strongest foothold, and capturing an army without the loss of a single life. They were not caught napping and surprised.

We will take on at Cairo ten days forage and provisions. I will mail this at Cairo and the next from – well, I’ll let you know in time.

Yours, &c..
DIFF.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport Iowa, Friday Morning, April 25, 1862, p. 2

From The Second Iowa Cavalry

Camp Near New Madrid, Mo.,
Saturday, April 12, 2 P.M.

ED. GAZETTE. – We shall be off before you receive this – I hope in Memphis. General Pope’s army here is divided into six divisions – first under command of Gen. Paine; 2nd Gen. Stanley; 3rd, Gen. Hamilton; 4th, Gen. Palmer; 5th Gen. Plummer; 6th, Gen Granger. Col. Elliott is in command of the 2nd Brigade of the 6th Division, composed of the 2d Iowa Cavalry, 2d Michigan Cavalry, and two squadrons of the 1st Ill. Cavalry; Lt. Col. Is in command of the regiment.

The second Battalion of the 2d Cavalry is now leaving for the boats. The river is lined with transports; all are to be aboard to-night, and the fleet moves down the river early in the morning. It will be a grand army afloat; and our landing place, MEMPHIS.

Look out for more news from the West. – While the stereotyped phrase, ‘all quiet,’ ‘safe in our trenches,’ is echoed from the ‘Grand Army of the Potomac,’ the watchword in the West is ‘forward,’ and with each ‘forward’ a ‘victory.’

All is haste, and I close to write you from Memphis. In haste,

DIFF.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 16, 1862, p. 1

GEN. POPES REPORT

Operations at New Madrid and Island Number 10.

EXPEDITIONARY FORCES, New Madrid, Mo.
April 9, 1862.

Major General H W. HALLECK:

The canal across the peninsula opposite Island No. 10 – and for the idea of which I am indebted to Gen. Schuyler Hamilton – was completed by Col. Bissell’s engineer regiment, and four steamers were brought through on the night of the 6th. The heavy batteries I had thrown up below Tiptonville completely commanded the lowest point of the high ground on the Tennessee shore, entirely cutting off the enemy’s retreat by water; his retreat by land has never been possible through the swamps. On the night of the 4th Capt. Walke, of the navy, ran the enemies batteries at Island No. 10; with the gunboat Carondolet, and reported to me here. – On the night of the 6th the gunboat Pittsburg ran the blockade. Our transports were brought into the river from the bayou, where they had been kept concealed, at daylight on the seventh and Paine’s division loaded. The canal has been prodigiously laborious work. It was twelve miles long, six of which were through heavy timber which had to be sawed off by hand four feet under water.

The enemy has lined the opposite shore with batteries, extending from Island 10 to Tiptonville, Merriweather Landing, to prevent the passage of the river by this army.

I directed Capt. Walke to run down with the two gunboats at daylight on the 7th to the point selected for crossing, and silence the enemy’s batteries near it. He performed the service gallantly, and I hear bear testimony to the thorough and brilliant manner in which this officer discharged his difficult duties with me; and to the hearty and earnest zeal with which, at all hazards, he co-operated with me.

As soon as he signaled me, the boats containing Paine’s Division, moved out from the landing and began to cross the river. The passage of this wide, furious river, by our large force, was one of the most magnificent spectacles I ever witnessed. By twelve o’clock that night, the 7th, all the forces designed to cross the river were over, without delay or accident.

As soon as we began to cross, the enemy began to evacuate Island No. 10, and his batteries along the shore. The divisions were pushed forward to Tiptonville as fast as they landed, Paine’s leading. The enemy was driven before him, and although they made sever attempts to form in line of battle and make a stand, Paine did not once deploy his columns. The enemy was pushed all night vigorously, until at 4 o’clock A. M., he was driven back upon the swamps and forced to surrender. Three Generals, seven Colonels, seven regiments, several battalions of infantry, five companies of artillery, over one hundred heavy siege guns, twenty-four pieces of field artillery, an immense quantity of ammunition and supplies, several thousand stand of small arms, a great number of tents, horses, wagons, &c., &c., have fallen into our hands.

Before abandoning Island No. 10, the enemy sunk the gunboat Grampus, and six of his transports. These last I am raising, and expect to have ready for service in a few days. The famous floating battery was scuttled and turned afloat with all her guns aboard, she was captured and run aground in shoal water by our forces at Madrid.

Our success is complete and overwhelming. Our troops, as I expected, behaved gloriously. I will in my full report endeavor to do full justice to all. Brigadiers General Paine, Stanley and Hamilton, crossed the river and conducted their divisions with untiring activity and skill. I am especially indebted to them. Gen. Paine, fortunate in having the advance, exhibited unusual vigor and courage, and had the satisfaction to receive the surrender of the enemy. Of Col. Bissell of the Engineer regiment, I can hardly say too much. Full of resource, untiring and determined, he labored night and day, and completed a work which will be a monument of enterprise and skill.

We have crossed this great river with a large army, the banks of which were lined with batteries of the enemy to oppose our passage; have pursued and captured all his forces and material of war, and have not lost a man, nor met with an accident.

JOHN POPE, Major General

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862

Gen. Pope’s Canal – Gen. Halleck assumes command, &c.

St. Louis, April 9. – Gen. Pope’s official report says that the canal across the Peninsula at New Madrid, through which four steamers and several barges were taken, is twelve miles long, six miles of which were through heavy timber, which had to be sawed off by hand – feet under water. This great and laborious undertaking originated with Schuyler Hamilton, and the work was performed by Col. Bissell’s Engineer regiment.

Gen. Halleck and a portion of staff left for Tennessee river this afternoon, and will immediately assume command in the field.

{Democrat’s Special}

The rebels were pursued by eight thousand of our cavalry.

Rebel Prisoners state that Beauregard made a speech to his troops before entering the fight saying that he would water his horse in Tennessee river or in hell; that the fight before them was hell unless successful.

– Published in the Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Friday, April 11, 1862