The national Republican., 1861-07-19
The Much Talked Of Masked Batteries
Discovered to be mere Infantry
Breastworks.
70 DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED ON
THE WAY.
HEAVY CANNON WHICH WAS SEIZED
RETARDs THEIR PROGRESS.
STATE Of AFFAIRS At FAIRFAX.
GEN. PATTERSON GOES TO c CHARLESTOWN
GEN. JOHNSON AT WINCHESTER.

GEN. JOHNSON AT WINCHESTER.
A gentleman from the seat Of war who
reached here last night reports that Our troops
arrived before Centreville about 10 o'clock yes.
terday morning, when they halted and formed
in line Of battle, anticipating resistance. But
in short while they were informed that the
enemy had fed, which intelligence was few
minutes afterwards confirmed by the cheering
spectacle of the stars and stripes gloriously
floating from the Notifications CT the rebels.
These Notifications are represented as being
Of the most effective, advantageous, and sub
stantial character which fact renders the sud.
den retreat Of the enemy altogether unaccount.
able.
The troops then prepared to enter the town.
As they marched boldly and proudly forward,
the bands playing the StarSpangled Banner
and other national airs, and with flags flying,
the scene Is described as most enthusiastic and
grand beyond description,
Notwithstanding the sudden and apparently
prsciptats retreat Of the enemy, they succeeded
in carrying away with them ali their arms and
ammunition and stores,
Their number has been variously estimated,
but it Is generally supposed to have been about
700.
Our army, after passing through the village
proceeded some miles aheed. 1t is said, when
they had gone as far as a place called Bull
Run, they came in contact with masked bat
terry, which instantly opened FIRE upon them.
Burnsids's artillery, at the last accounts, had
got into position, and were returning the FIRE.
An officer (said to be a chaplain) and private
Of Gen. Tyler's brigade, are reported as being
killed.
This statement seems to don6rm the report
(so current all Of yesterday of fight near
Csntreville. We are therefore inclined to credit
what is here said.
Our informant also says that Germantown
WAS no, destroyed, as reported but house OF
two was burned.
Our troops having been iupsded in their
march toward Manassas junction, by firing
from the masked battery, 1t is likely that theiI
march was resumed as soon as the battery was
taken, and that they last night reached the
Junction, no further serious opposition was
encountered.
A gentleman who accompanied Col. Hslnt
: zleman's division, telegraphs as follows We
have had the pleasure of seeing the enemy fly
. ing before US, but in consequence Of slownes'
Of the march, owing to the heavy guns which
; we carried along, they have succeeded in max
ing their escape without fight.
We have now full possession of the railrost
as far as this station.
The enemy commenced their retreat during
. to-day, and barely escaped.
6 The old Fairfax road is occupied as tar @
: Fairfax Station, which is occupied b. Colone
Wilcox, who took eleven prisoners
SECOND DISPATCH.
On Tuesday afternoon the line Of march va
taken up by the third division of the corp
ddrmce u-der command of Colonel Heintzle
man, the seventeenth infantry, comprising tn
brigades of Colonels Franklin, Wilcox, AM
= Howard,
4 The troops proceeded without any difficult
o whatever over the old Fairfax and Pohic
:, roads, distance Of ten miles from Alexandra
e when they bivoua ked at Pohick Creek owe
night. The scene was most romantic one
the camp Gres burning on either hill that sui
a rounds the creek. At three o'clock the mex
N morning, the troops were stirring, and as earl
as dawn the line was reformed