*tnti-nteehig (3,tobc.
WM. LEWIS, Editor and Proprietor
A. TYIIURST, Assoni4tc; Editor.
TEftEtt3.—" Tne OLoth" is published twice a week st
$1.50 It veer—Ts cents for six months-50 cehtd for
three months—in advance.
HUNTINGDON, PA,
Thursday afternoon, March 13, 1802
Our Flag Forever
140?.111 , Fcg473{? ,
NOTICE.
We have not the time nor the incli
nation, to dun personally, a large num
ber of persons who have unsettled ac
counts upon our books of several years
standing. We shall, therefore, from
iay to day, without respect to persons,
place into the hands of a Justice for
collection, all accounts of over two
years standing. All those who wish
to save expense, will do well to give
.us a call immediately.
k§
THE LATEST NEWS.
—The Rebel batteries at Acquia
Creek Were evacuated on Tuesday.
- -Col. Fremont has been assigned
the command of " The Mountain De
partment," including the country west
of the Potomac and east of the depart
ment of the Mississippi.
—All was quiet at Fortress ;►ionroe
yesterday morning.
—All the papers of the Cumberland
having gone down with her, it is im
possible to give the names of all the
killed and missing. The loss will reach
about 100.
—Satisfactory information has been
received at Fortress Monroe, to the
effect that the Merrimac was very
pooh disabled in the contest with the
-11rOgitco, it is also declared that the
31onitor-is more than the equal of the
Merrimac.
—Seventeen men were killed on the
Merrimac by a'shell from the Cumber
!land, including her Caritain, Thomas
Buchanan, a Marylander, who was
in command of the Washington Navy
Yard when the rebellion broke out,
which position ho resigned, but after
wards asked to be reinstated, but was
"clued.
—Tennessee adviees say that the
r eitizens of Shelbyville, Bedford coun
ty, burned, on Sunday night, a large
quantity of Confederate stores to pre
vent their falling into the hands of the
rebel troops; under .1.: Sidney Johnston,
who was in full retreat frog} Xurfrees
bore.
— Ca 1N 3', acting brigadier gen
eral in command of the troops at Lees
burg, made a personal reconnoissance
on Tuesday as far as Carter's Mills.—
The trail of the retreating rebel army
was blackened with the ruins of grana
ries, ashes of hay and grain stacks,
fences; dm He found that the bridge
over Goose Creek had been burned
after our occupation on Saturday.—
The enemy bad completely Men
back. The loyal feeling is growing,
and many come forward to take the
path of allegiance.
Geary, with some of his °di
(cers, and a detachinent of the First
Michigan Cavalry, rode to Ball's Bluff
i ou Tuesday, and buried the arbitening
bones of the brave American soldiers,
who fell upon that field in October last.
impressive remarks preceded this hu
mane aet,anda - .mentten t
_gross rebel
neglect was hid from human sight.
from the rebel Governor of
irirginia.on the militia of the State for
ten thinisand men was proclaimed in
tho Streets of Oecmivan on the 9th
inst., by an official, who immediately
departed.' Nearly all the able-bodied
men of the village left with the rebel
r Amy. A few refused to go.
• --The soldiers' of Gen. Banks' divi
sion have pushed their way rapidly
toward Winchester. All the - strategic
positions which lie between larper's
Ferry and Winchester have been occu
pied, and the latter town, if not now
actually,' is Virtually in our possession.
;Huntingdon Academy.
We are gratified to learn that this
institution is again in operation, with
Avery -promise or complete success.—
The gentleman'having it in charge, Mr.
MeCANnEzs, is a finished teacher, and
is very highly spoken of by all who
have made his acquaintance as a citi
zen, and as instructor of their chil
dren. And, now that the Huntingdon
Academy is in proper hands, we hope
pc-Keuts in the town, and in the coun
ty, will give it that patronage it de
serves. no schoo.7 I,vta been in opera
tion
but for some four or,ivo weeks,
.and the number of scholars-is consid
erably larger than was expected an so
Akort time and with so little effort.
-This fact of itself is a strong evidence
+3:lst the Academy is now a popular
institution whit parents and pupils.
act. An assortment of Card Photo
graphs at LQ.Wit;' Book Store.
Union Sentiment at the South.
The New YorkJouPnal of Commerce
concludes an article on the Union sen
timent at the South with the following
interesting information:
We have learned some interesting
facts about the general condition of
the public mind in the Southwest,
through a gentleman who has just ar
rived in New York from New Orleans.
lle was in the latter city when the
news of the intended evacuation of
Columbus was received, It came in
a telegram from a General In the Con
federate army to his brother in New
Orleans, stating that Columbus was to
be abandoned, and begging that all
the militia of New Orleans might at
once be sent to Memphis, as it was '
proposed to make a stand there. A
meeting vas called in New Orleans,
great excitement and great depression
marking the public mind. The mili
tia formally resolved that they would
not go, and a universal sentiment was
expressed that their departure to Mem
phis would ho useless. The probabili
ty is, that New Orleans is nearly ready
to welcome a Union army. Such are
the opinions formed from observation
of the state of mind in the city. At
the same time, it is to be always re
marked that men's opinions in such
matters depend more on the immedi
ate circles surrounding them, than on
the public at large, with whom they
may not associate. The same gentle
man stopped in Memphis on his way
to the North, and found great anxiety
and terror prevailing there. He at
tended a meeting at that city, at which
a Brigadier General presided. The
object was, to arouse the people to a
defence of the South. The General
made a speech, calling on the audience
with some eloquence to "rush to arms,
every man seize his gun, and come for
ward to the defence of the country."
lie was interrupted by a voice in the
audience saying, "that's all very nice
talk General, but you know wo hain't
got nary a gun among us!" The effect
on the audience was by no means en
livening.
From these circumstances, it may be
seen that the Southern mind is at work,
rapidly and fiercely. The future is in
the hands of God and the patriotism
of the people. We look now, as we
have always looked, to the Union men
of the South for the grand movement
which will end the war, if it is soon to
be ended, by the .restoration of the
Union. The conservative course of
the President, has been throughout the
war, directed towards a similar view.
His recent message, and suggestions
of a joint resolution on the subject of
slavery, have produced a momentary
(let us Lope it will be a lasting) cessa
tion of the war against the Union,
which has been carried on at the North,
and the tendency of which has been
to alienate the Union men of the South.
While, therefore, the war goes forward
with unabating vigor, .and the armies
of the Union march liiitto the Xtatoes
that have been occupied ,by rebellion,
the hour rapidly approaches when ,the
Union men of the South may take up
tho old American weapons of persua
sion and conciliation, and then let us
look for the revolt against the rebel
lion, that will justify all our hopes for
the Union.
LIT. questions now asked by every
one " Where is Jeff Davis? is he
in Richmond, or has he gone to Eu
rope for his health?" If he still so
journs in Richmond, we opine that his
quarters must 66 becoming decidedly
warm, and ere he issues another innu
gttral, he will be compelled to " flee the
wrath to come," or quietly submit to
subjugation, and take quarters in Fort
Lafayette, until we get time to hang
him. It would be a pity to hang him,
too, for Barnum could make a fortune
by exhibiting him through , the coun
try as the greatest natural curiosity
ever heard of, on this or any other
continent. We think ho should ho
christened the Prince of Demons, and
then give Barnum a chance. No
doubt, Barnum is sighting around for
a novelty of the, above stamp. •
TILE GRADUAL ABOLITION OF• SLAVE
RY.-13y the proceedings of Congress
on Tuesday, we notice that the propo.
sition of the President on the subject
of emancipation, was sustained in the
House by a vote of 88 yeas to 31 nays.
The following is the resolution :
Resolved, That the United StateS
aught to co-operate with any State
which may adopt gradual abolition of
slavery, giving to such State pecuniary
aid to be used by such State in its dis
cretion, to compensate for the incon
veniences, public and private,produzed
by such change of system.
FIRST IN MANASSAS.—CoIoueI David
Gregg's Penna. Cavalry Regiment was
the first in Manassas. Colonel G. is a
nephew of Maj. D. NeMurtrie.
MARRIED,
On Tuesday evening, March 11,
1802, by Rev. G. W. Zahniser, Dr. En
3rwsin SNARE and Miss ADIGE ZEIGLER,
all of this borough.
CAKE again—and a whole one, and
splendiferous at that, but not »nes
peeted,—as we know the Doctor and
Miss Acidic have great faith in the
prayers of the printer. May their
honey-moon never cease,—and. may
they be blessed to a good old age with
heailth and prosperity, and when they
are paned to depart from this world,
may the do,ors of everlasting happiness
be thrown wide open to receive them.
WAR NEWS.
IMPORTANT FROM FORTRESS
MONROE,
Further Details of the Battle
The Loss of Life Probably Heavy.
ntecial Despatch to The PrePe.l
FORTRESS MONROE, lEarch 10.—Tho
Minnesota was got safely off this morn
ing, and now lies in the same position
which she occupied previous to the ad
vent of the Merrimac. She does not
appear to have been very materially
damaged; but I understand that she
will leave as soon as possible for one
of the Northern stations forrepairs.
The steamer Whitehall was struck
by a shell from the Yorktown, which
killed her assistant engineer, Andrew
Nesbitt, and two seamen, named Rob
ert Waugh and Charles O'Connor.—
During the night she took fire. A
shell from one of her guns fell in the
yard attached to the hotel here, and
exploded, the fragments flying into the
fort. She finally blew up with a ter
rible explosion.
The steam tug Dragon received a
shot through her boiler. Three of her
men were slightly scalded.
The brig Rescue came into collision
with the tug America, and sustained
some damage to her machinery. The
Rescue was in the action, but strangely
enough, escaped without other damage
than that referred to, and it is said
was not once hit.
I have just learned that six men
were killed and seventeen wounded on
board the Minnesota.
A rebel tug (name unknown) steam
ed out from behind Sewell's Point this
morning, but put back in the most
precipitate way.
The Monitor yesterday fired sixty
two balls at the Merrimac, all of which
took effect, although the effect was not
immediately apparent. lied the Mer
rimac been twice as strongly construc
ted, she could not have stood the ter
rific broadsides of the Monitor for three
hours with impunity. The injuries
she has sustained will begin to tell
most effectually should she ever again
en ;age one of our vessels. I should
not be greatly surprised, however, to
hear that she had sunk before reach
ing Norfolk.
One of the Monitor's balls entered
the Yorktown's boiler, which was
blown up. As the rebel steamer was
crowded with troops, the loss of life
must have been fearful.
°Metal Despatch from Captain Marston.
WASIHNOToN, March 10.—The fol
lowing despatch from Capt. Marston
has been received :
UNITED STATES STEAMER ROANOKE, 1
11.tmPros Rom*, March 0, 1862. j
To lion. GIDEON WEr.r.bs, Seeretary
of the Navy:
I have the the honor to inform you
that yesterday, at 1 o'clock, one of the
look-out vessels reported, by signal,
that the enemy was coming out. I
immediately ordered the Minnesota to
get under way, and, as soon as the two
tugs appointed to tow this ship along
side, I slipped our cable.
The Merrimac was sooon discovered
passing out by Sewell's Point, standing
up toward NewportNews,accompanied
by several small gunboats. Every ex
ertion was made by us to get all the
speed on the Roanoke that the two tugs
were capable i bf giving her, but in con
sequence of our bad steerage we did
not get ahead as rapidly as we desired
to do.
The Merrimac went up and immedi
ately attacked the Congress and Cum
berland, but particularly the latter ship,
which was hid from us by the land.
When about seven or eight miles from
Fortress Monroe,the Minnesota ground
ed. We continued to stand on, and
when we came in sight of the Cum
berland we saw that she had careened
over, apparently full of water. The
enemy, who had been joined by two
or three steamers front James river,
now devoted themselves exclusively
to the Congress, but she being aground,
could bring but five guns to bear on
them, and, at ten minutes before four
o'clock, wo had the mortification of
seeing her haul down her flag.
I continued to stand on till we found
ourselves in a?: fatliorrks of water and
Were on the ground astern. Finding
that we could go no Farther, I ordered
one of our tugs to tow us round, and
as soon as Roanoke'e head was pointed
down the bay and I found she was afloat
again, I directed the tugs to go to the
assistance of the Minnesota, under the
hope that with the two others which
had accompanied her, they would be
able to get her off. But up to the time
I now write they have not succeeded
in doing so. '
A t 5 o'clock the friga to St. La wrenee,
in tow of' the Cambridge, passed us,
and not long after she also grounded ;
but by the aid of, the Cambridge she
has got afloat again, and, being unable
to render any assistance to the Min
nesota, came down the harbor.
In passing the batteries at Sewell's
Point, both going and returning, the
rebels opened their fire on us, which
was returned from our pivot guns; but
the range was too great for these, while
the enemy's shot fell far beyond us.—
One shot went through our foresail,
cutting away two of our shrouds, and
several shells burst over and near the
ship, scattering their fragments on the
deck.
Between 7 and 8 o'clock we discov
ered the rebels had set fire to the Con
grail, and she continued to burn until
one o'clock, when she blew up. This
was a melancholy satisfaction to me,
for as she had fallen into the hands of
the enemy, it was far better to have
her destroyed than that she should be
employed against us at some future day.
It was the impression of some of my
officers that the rebels hoisted the
French flag. I heard that the Monitor
had arrived, and soon after Lieutenant
Commanding Worden came on board
and I immediately ordered hhn to go
up to the Minnesota, hoping that she
would be able to keep oil an attack on
the Minnesota till we had got her afloat
again.
This morning the Merrimac, renewed
the attack on the Minnesota, but she
found, no doubt greatly to her surprise,
a new oppiiitent in the Motfitor. The
contest has been going on dining the
most of the day between these two ar
mored vessels, and most, beautifully
has the little Monitor sustained herself,
' showing herself capable of great endu
raneo
I diave not received any official ac
counts of the loss of the Congress and
Cumberland, but, no doubt, 411311 have
them soon, when they will be trans
mitted to you.
I should do injustice to the Military
Department, did I not inform you that
every assistance was freely tendered
to its. They sent five of then• tugs to
the relief of the Minnesota, and offered
all the aid at their power. I would
also beg leave to say that Capt. Poor,
of the Ordnance Department, kindly
volunteered to do duty temporarily
aboard this ship, and from whom I have
received much assistance.
Your obedient servant,
JOHN MmtsToN,
Captain and Senior Otiieet
Occupation of Fernandina and
° Amelia Islands
Town of St. Mary's in Our Possession,
THE OFFICIAL REPORT
WAsursoToN, March 10.—Captain
Davis, late fleet captain of the South
Atlqutie squadron, arrived here to
night, bringing an official despatch
from Commodore Dupont, of which
the following is a copy:
FLAG Snip MonicAN l
llAttuon or FERNANDINA, Afar. 4,1862.
SIR : I had the honor to inform you
in my last despatch that the expedi
tion for Fernandina was equipped and
waiting only for suitable weather to
sail from Port Royal. I have now the
pleasure to inform you that I am in
full possession of Cumberland Sound,
and the Island of Fernandina and
Amelia Island, and of the river and
town of St. Mary's.
I sailed from Port Royal on the last
day of February, in the Wabash, and
on the 2d ingt., entered Cumberland
Sound by St. Andrew's Inlet, in the
Mohican, Commander S. W. Godon,,on
board of' which ship I have hoisted my
The fleet comprised the following,
, :ssels, sailing in the order in which
ley are named:
The Ottowa, Mohican, (accompanied
by the Eller.,) Seminole, Pawnee, Po
cahontas, Flag, Florida, James Adger,
Bienville, Alabama, Keystone State,
Seneca, Huron, Pembina, Isaac Smith,
Penguin, Potomska, the armed cutter
Henriettn. , the armed transport Mc-
Clellan, (the latter having on board
the battalion of marines under the
command of Major Reynolds,) and the
transports Empire City, Marion, Star
of the South,Belvidere,Boston,Georges'
Creek, containing a brigade under the
command of Ihig. Gen. Wright.
We came to anchor in Cumberland
Sound at half past ten on the morning
of the 2d, to make an examination of
the channel and wait for the tide.—
Here I learned from a contraband,
who had been picked up at sea by
Commander 'Lanier, and from the
neighboring residents on Cumberland
Island, that the rebels had abandoned
in haste the whole of the defences of
Fernandina, and were even at that
moment retreating from Amelia Island,
carrying with them rush of their mu
nitions as their precipitate flight would
The object of carryings the whole
fleet through Cumberland Sound was
to turn the heavy works on the south
end of Cumberland and the north end
of Amelia Islands, but on receiving
this intelligence I detached the gun- ,
boats and armed steamers, of light
draught, from the mainland, and, pla
cing them under the command of Com
mander P. Drayton, of the steam-sloop
Pawnee, ordered him to push through
the sound with the ntmost speed, to
save the public and private property
from threatened destruction, to pre
vent the poisoning of the wells, and
to put a stop to all those outrages, by
the perpetration of which the leaders
of' this nefarious war hope to deceive
and exasperate the Southern people.
In the meantime, I wont out of the
Sound, and came by sea to the main
entrance of this harbor. In conse
quence of the bad weather, I was un
able to cross the bar till this morning.
Commander Drayton accompanied
by Commander C. R. P. Rodgers, with
the armed launches and cutters, and
the small armed companies from the
Wabash, had arrived several hours be
fore me. Immediately on his entering
the harbor, Commander Drayton sent
Lient. White, of the Ottawa, to hoist
the flag on Fort Clinch, the first of the
National forts on which the ensign of
ale Union has resumed its proper place
since the first proc-lamation of the Pres
ident of the United States was issued.
A'few scattering musket shots were
fired from the town by the flying ene
my, when it was discovered that a
railroad train was about to start:—
Commander Drayton, on board the
Ottawa, Lieut. Commanding Stevens,
chased this train for two miles, and
fired several shells a.t it, aiming at the
locomotive, some of which took offact.
It was reported that the Hon. David
Yulee, late a Senator of the United
States, from the State of Florida, es
caped from this train and took to , the
bush.
Commander.C. R. P. Rodgers, push
ing ahead with the launches, captured
the rebel steamer Darlington, contain
ing artillery stores, army wagons, for
age, mules, &c., and fortunately se
cured the drawbridge, which was held
during the night by the second launch
of the, Wabash. There were passen
gers, including women and children,
Tibeard the Darlington, and yet the
brutal captain suffered lies to be fired
upon, and refused to hoist the white
flag, notwithstanding the entreaties of
the women. No one was injured. "I
send the captain of the steamer home
a prisoner. Ills name is Jacob Brock.
lie is a native of Vermont, but has
been a resident of Florida for twenty
three years.
The same night Commander C. P.
Rodgers ascended the St. Mary's with
the Ottawa and tooke possession of the
town, driving out a picket of the ene
my's cavalry. Early iu the morning,
the town of Fernandina was also occu
pied by a party of seamen and marines
from Coin man d er Drayton's command.
In both plaices most of the inhabitants
had tied; .by order, it is said, of the reb
el aiuthoi'itio
A company of seamen anal marines
under TANA . Miller, waswas sent from the
lliettri to hold Yoltt:
It is reported to me by Lieut. Com
manding Downes, of the Huron, that
the whole stgueture of the railroad on
the Fernandina side, including the
swini4ing drawbridge, is quite unin
jured. The ,:kebels have done 0t12,e,
damage, by fire, to the tressel work on
the other side of the river, but I am
not yet informed of its extent. Seve
ral locomotives, Ivggage, tenders,
freight cars, and some other property,
besides that found in the steamer Dar
lington, have been recovered. The
whole number of galls discovered, up
to this tine, is 13, embracing heavy
82-pounders, S inch guns, and one 80
and one 120-pounder rifled guns.
The towns of St. Mary's and Fer
nandina are uninjured. I visited the
town, Fort Clinch, and the earthworks
on the sea face of the island. It is im
possible to look at these preparations
for a vigorous defence without being
surprised that they should have been
voluntarily deserted. The batteries on
the north and northeast shores are as
complete as art could make them. Six
are well concealed and protected by
ranges of sand hills in front of them,
and contain perfect shelter for the men,
and are small and thoroughly covered
by the natural growth and the varied
contours of the land that to strike them
from the water would be the mere re
sult of chance.
A battery of six guns, though larger,
and affording, therefore, a hotter mark,
is equally well sheltered mid masked.
These batteries, and the heavy guns
mounted on Fort Clinch, command all
the turnings of the main ship channel,
and rake an approaching enemy. Be
side them there was another battery
of four guns on the south end of Cum
berland Island, the fire of which would
cross the channel inside of the bar.
The difficulties arising from the in
directness of the channel and from the
shoalness of the bar would have added
to the defences by keeping the ap
proaching vessels a long time exposed
to fire under great disadvantage. And
when the ships of an enemy had pass
ed all these defences, they would have
had to encounter a well-constructed
and naturally-masked battery at the
town which commands the access to
the inner anchorage.
We are told that General Leo pro
nounced the place perfectly defensible.
We are not surprised at this, if true.
We captured Port Royal, but Fernan
dina and Fort Clinch have been given
to us.
We had in the expedition Mr. W. 11.
Dennis, an assistant in the coast sur
vey, who possessed an accurate knowl,
edge of a part of the ground we pass
ed over, of which indeed, he had made
the topographical map, under the di
rection of the iitt perin tendon t. He was
zealous and active, and it gives me
pleasure to mention him. •
The Empire City, on board of which
was General Wright, grounded on the
bar. As soon as he arrived in another
steamer immediate steps were taken
to transfer to lii the forts and all au
thority- and possession on the land. I
desire hero to speak of the harmonious
counsels and cordial co-operation which
marked throughout my intercourse
with .ois able officer. Our plans of
action have been matured by mutual
consultation, and have been carried
into execution by , mutual help.
I take great pleasure in reminding
the Department that the principal awl
ultimate effect of the naval expedition
I have the honor to command was, in
its first concession, to take and keep
under control time whole line of the sea
coast of Georgia, "knowing," to use
the language of the original paper,
" that the naval power that controls
the sea coast of Georgia, controls the
State of Georgia."
The report that the fortifications at
St. Simons, armed with-heavy Colum
biads had been abandoned, which first
reached me at Port Royal. is confirmed.
This being the case, the entire sea
coast of Gorgia is now either actually
in my possession or under, my control
and thus the views of the Government
have been accomplished.
very respectfully, your obedient ser
vant, S. F. DUPONT,
Commanding South Atlantic Block
ading Squadron.
To Ron. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of
the Navy, Washington.
FROM CENTREVILLE,
MORE CHEERING NEWS.
OUR TROOPS OCCUPY MAN-:
ASSAS. -
The Rebels in Full Retreat on
Richmond.
OUR TROOPS IN CLOSE PURSUIT
The News of the Eiracuatton of Manassas
lEvrclal Desp.ttchem to tip Prepi.]
WAsttiscrroN, March Il.—The news
of the occupation of the famed Manas
sas Junction reached the city at an
early hour this morning, by an official
telegram, which set at rest the idle ru
mors of a fight, retreat, etc. The in
telligence which has been coming ln,
ever since Saturday, from contrabands
and refugees, has all centered to the
fact that the rebels were falling bael:
from Centreville, with the intention of
not only abandoning their works there,
but at Manassas, a few miles in the
rear. The evacuation of the batteries
on the lower Potomac, and tho with
drawal- from Leesburg, all' tended to
the confirmation Of these stories, which
were fully realized at a late .hour last
night, by the advance of' our forces
from Centreville, towards Manassas,
which they entered early this morn
ing. The forlorn hope of the rebels
was seen straggling over the hills, but
a short distance beyond the road to
Strasburg, as our cavalry entered the
deserted entrenchments. It was evi
dent that no inconsiderable panic had
seized the rebels,for their works seemed
to be as hastily abandoned as on the
lower Potomac. The rebel flag was
flying at Fairfax Court House f;nd
Centreville, and was allowed to remain
up, but with the glorious flag of the
Union waving pr , oudly over it in the
clear 'light of this balmy morning.—
, tiorne of the rebel pickets that were
not quick enough to follow their panic
stricken companions, were captured,
am). ached the city to-day, a must
dejected, Worn-oat looking sat. They
were dressed in a white woolen uni
form, made from negTo cloth, but the
hardships of .he service had rendered
it of many colors. In other respects,
the soldiers seemed far inferior to ours,
and displu:etran ignorance and stupid
ity' rarely seen in the human face.—
Thdy wel'e - pliiced in confinement. On
their march up Pennsylvania avenue,
they wew ale objects of great curiosi
ty, hundreds rushing on the streets to
,
get 'a sight 'of them.
OENTREVILLC, Va., March 11
I arrived this forenoon in the former
stronghold of the *rebel troops, but, as
I anticipated, found the place complete=
ly evacuated, and presenting a scene
of gloom and desolation rarely wit
nessed. Though it is evident that the
rebels have been sending regiments
away within the last week, the general
evacuation did not commence until
Saturday last, and continued until Sun
day night.
On Sunday, daring the latter part of
the movement, it seems that a terrible
panic seized the rebels, they leaving in
great haste, burning everything that
they could not move away, besides de
stroying locomotives, and immense
quantities of provisions, tents, ammu
nition, &e. Most of their cannon were
removed, though a few inferior ones
were spiked and left in the fortifica
tions here, which were formidable, the
rebels placing batteries over the bills,
in the rear of Centreville, for a long:
distance, while others followed them in
regular lines, so that, if our force drove
them out of one entrenchment, the
rebels could easily fall back within an
other. The fortifications at Manassas,
some four miles from this place, are
reported to be the same as those con
structed prior to the battle of Bull
Run, but likewisegreatly strengthened.
Numbers of refugees and contra
bands came into this place, and during
yesterday seine rebel pickets that were
not quick enough in getting off were
captured. Their statements differ as
to the number of rebel troops that wore
here, but from the best information I
could gather - I think they 'numbered
one hundred thousand men, including
those on the upper and lower Poto
mac. These latter evacuated their
posts on Saturday, leaving their guns,
etc., in our possession, and immediate
ly started for Richmond via Fredericks
burg. It is evident that the main por
tion of the rebel army managed to
leave in cars, the rear !Idling back on
Culpepper Court 'rouse or Gordonsville
on foot.
- A[ANASSAS, 7 P. M.—There is little
or nothing of interest hero, the grand
and formidable position of the vebel
p, "11 iy to r,
army having, been :It Centreville. Our
cavalry passed over the Bull Run bat
tle-ground during last night, and ere
dawn this morning raised the stars and
stripes over the fainine looking place.
The same picture of a hasty retreat
and destruction of property is exhibi
ted hero. The country from Washing
ton for thirty miles back is one vast
scene of desolation and wooond it will
take a long time to repair tile damage
done to tlie'snrrounding ei!mntry by
the ruthless hands of the rebels. A.
The Scene at Manassas—Deetruction of
Prop;rty
[E.l'rosponfenc, of th.• Pre.,
CENTREVILLE, .Nrarell. 11.--17pon
closocexamination, it ivai discovered
that-tit° rehels,berore ' evacuating Ouch'
inuch4inastol stmughold, End i.etiire
to such of their commissary stores. as
they could not conveniently carry off.
The place pre-,ented a scene or the
ut
most desolation =a mass or blackened
DAMS.
The rebels also hires up the bridges
along - the line'of the Orange and Alex
andria Railroml for some miles below.
Manassas. Such of the locomotives
which were out ten:Tait.' Wore` also
destroyed, it is supposed by blowing
up, awl the vicinity of the depot is
covered with fragments of machinery
belonging to destroyed foeomo
dyes.
It is said that the rebels left Centre
ville on Sunday morning.
Large numbers of contrabands have
reached one lines (which now extend
beyond Manassas J ttnetiolt), amb are
still coining in by droves:
On our way from Centreville. yes
terday morning. we passed at least one
hundred who wore making their arty
to Washington.
Some of the refu , rees elAin to have
come a distanc,e of twenty' miles west
of Manassas. They all agree in say
ing that the rebels loft the latter place
in great precipitation, and thitt the
destruction of their Commiss:try stores
was commenced at an early hour on
Sunday.
The contrabands slate that a portion
of the force which left Manassas passed
northwardly. This is considered im
probable; but if they 'did, it was foi:
the purpose of reinforcing Jackson' ai
Winchester.
They also state that all the bridges
along the route by which they came
had been blown up by the i..ebolaln
their retreat, and that the greater por
tion of the tra:ck islalso torn' np.
The earthworks at Centreville had
been greatly misrepresented. They
were not of the formidable character
supposed. The enemy, befbm evacu
ating, had somewhat injured them by
breaking the embrasures and case-
ments.
The same is probably the case.at
Manassas, the `)rtifications of which, '
hoWever, have not 3 -et been fully eti
amincd.
Our troops, on arriving aL Fairfax
Court House, found not more, than a:
dozen families remaining there. Tho .
soldiers rushed into the court 'hams°
and brought away some oftherecords,
but, on this being .discovered, the ofti,
cers directed their return,
When,our troops lem:ned,t,hat Moons
sas had :Eiden •erdeifilted, :their spirits
suddenly became depressed, a , Limy
had anticipated a spirited,coricliet with
the enemy.
Most of the contrabands abotio , al
luded to were cheerful and happy in
their liberty, and remarkably copunu
nicative to the ptitent of their limited
knowledge.
About a Milo and a half before reach
ing Centreville, a number of graves
were discovered, principally of the Al
abama troops; the graves were mark
ed with head and foot boards, on which
the names of the deceased were in
scribed. A guard was placed near
them, as if to shield them from muti
lation, although it was not to be sup
posed such an act could he committed.
panuassas Evacuated Two Weeks Ago,
WASHINOTON,, March 11.--When,
some time since, it was stated in this
(the Associated Press) cOrre4)onden&e,
that the rebels were fidling back from'
Manassas, the assertion was industri
ously contradicted; 'but there is now
satisfactory evidence that the main
body of the reb,els left their lines at
that place nearly two Week,k. ago.
The roads 4n Virginia, in sonic pla
ces, are tolOahly good and improving.
The whereabouts of the rebels, who
retreated Vom 'Manassas, is a suljec,f,
of earit, speculation.
FROM ARKANSAS.
THE BATTLE OF PEA RIDGE,
Clirtis' Brilliant' Victory Over the Com
bined Rebel Forces of Price,
loch and Van Dorn.—Full Details
_of
the Battle.--Fall of the Babel General
Conilticrof Gen
eral AS7gel.—The Bekf Army Entirely
Routed.—The Union . Losg • ireavy.-•---
The Main Body of the _Rebels _Retire
to Boston allountain.—General Siyel
in Pursuit.'
THE OFFICIAL REPORT.
ST. Lours, _larch 11.—Tho, following
is the official report from Gen. Curtis,
of the battle of Pea Ridge, in the mounl
tains of Arkansas,;_" ,
or SOUTHWEST, 1
PEA RIDOE, ,, ,Ark., March 0.
GENIMAL r-011 - Thursday the 6th
inst., the enemy commenced an attack
on my right, assailing and following
the rear guard of detachments under
Gen. Sigel to My main lines on Sugar
Creek Hollow, but ceased firing when
he inet my reinforcements about four
o'cloCk, I'. M. During the night I be
came convinced that ho had moved on
SO' as •to attack my right or rear.—
' Therefore early on the 9th I ordered
I a Change of the front on my right,
whirl thus becoming, my left still rest
ed on Sugar Creek Hollow; this
brought my line. neross. Pea Ridge with
my newiright resting on tile head of
Gross Timber Hollow, which is the
head of Big Sugar-Creek.
I also ordered an advance of caval
ry and light artillery under Col. Oster
bans, with orders to attack and break
whatever he supposed would be the re
inforced line of the enemy. This
movement was in progress when tho
enemy, at 11. A..AL, commenced the at
tack on my riglit: - ' •
The fight continued warmly at these
points during the day,Alie enemy hav
ing gained the, point held in command
by Col. Carr, at Cross Timber hollow,
but was entirely repulsed with the fall
of the rebel commander McCulloch in
'the centre, by the forces under Colonel
•Jeff. C. Davis, of Missouri.
The plan of the attack on the centre
was gallantly parried forward by, Col.
Osterhans, who was immediately sus
tained and superseded by Col. 'Davis'
entire division, supported also by Geri.
Sigel's command, which had remained
till near the close of the day on the
left. Colonel Cares division held the
right under a galling and continuous
tire all day.
In the evening, the firing having
entirely ceased in Om centre and the
right, being now on the left, I now
reinforced the right by a portion of
dad division, under Gen. Asboth. Be
fore the day closed L was convinced
that the enemy had concentrated his
main three , on. the right, therefore,- le:
commenced another change of front
forward, so :IS to 14C( the enemy
where he had deployed on my right
Hanle in strong position. The change
had been partially e,ifeeted, hot was
fully in progress when, at sunrise, on
the Bth, my right and centre renewed
the firing, which was immediately an
swered by the enemy with renewed
energy along the whole extent of his
My left, tinder Gen. Sigel, moved
close to the hills occupied by the ene
my, driving him ft:oun taw heights, and
advancing steadily towards the hol
low,. .1 Immediately ordered the cen
tre and right wings forward. The
right wing turning the left of' the ene
my and cross-firing in his centre. The
fi na l position placed the enemy in the
arc of a circle. A charge of infantry,
extending throughout the whole line,
completely rout ted the cru ti re rebel fore e,
which retired in complete confusion,
but, rather safely, through the deep;
impassable defiles, of cross •timbers:
Our loss is heuvvy, 'and thatAuf the ene
my can never be ascertained, for the
dead are scattered over a ltirge
field.
Their wounded, too, may many of
them perish.
The foe is scattered iu all (Erections,
but I think his main force has return
ed to Boston mountains. , Gen. Sigel
follows the enemy tb Keitsvillo, while
my cavalry is pursuing him toward the
mountains, scouring the country, ()Hy
ing in prisoners, and trying to find the
rebel Maj. Geri. Van Dorn, who had
command of the entire force of the
enemy at the battle of Pea Ridge. I
have not as yet statements of the dead,
and wounded, so as to justify a report,
but will refer you to a despatch which
I will forward very soon.
The officers and soldiers under
command have displayed stieh'unusual
gallantry that I hardly dare to make a
distinction. must; :however, name
the commanders of the divisions, Gen.
;Sigel, who gallantly led the right and
drove back the left wing of the enemy
and Gen. Ashboth; ;who was; wounded
in the arm in his gallant effort to rein=
force the right; Colonel and acting
Brig. Gen. Davis, who commanded the
centre when McCulloch u fell 'on the .
seventh, and passed forward theVeritra
on the eighth; Colonel and acting Brig
adier General. Carr, who is also wound
ed in the arm and , waS'under the con
tinuous fire of the enemy during the
two hardest days of the struggle:'
nois,-Indiana, lowa, Ohio and Missouri
may proudly shafe' the honor of the
victory whirl} their gallant heroes won
over the *Oilibineil forces of Van Dorn,
Price and McCulloch at Pea Ridge, in
the mountains of Arkansas.
I have the honor to be, General, your
servant, , , ,
- ,
(Sig63(l) SAMUEL CURTIS,
Brigadier General
Rebel Account of the Great Naval
Fight. -
urmonE,March 2.—The Old Point,
boat has arrived. I learn from Limit.
Hayward, who was 'a 'passenger, that
a copy of the Norfolk Way Roo/ had
been received, giving a highly colored
account of the fight on Saturday. It
pays a great compliment to the bra
very of the crow of the Cumberland,
and admits that some of the shot from
that vessel entered the M.errinme, 1414
one shell killed seventeen men, and
wounded Captain Buchanan, who sub
sequently died. 9
The Monitor is admitted to be for
: -
The paper says he a . ppeaKe(irk - -
big black Yankee ebeese.box on a raft.
Te Me.Kili gine ou Sunday was 'older
the eon - kin:lnd of the traitor
A. Catesly Jobs.
account`the given is .mainly con-