New-York daily tribune., 1861-07-18

first TO hoist the Stars and Stripes was Sergeant
John Dufie, Of Company c Cd Rhode Island Regi-
ment, who waved it from the top of barn. The
Court. House was soon crowned with the National
Gag
Before the second Brigade began to file up the
street, the Cavalry were ordered to the front,
and gaIlOped at the top Of their speed, carbines
in hand forward. They pursued the rebels three
miles on the CeDtrsville Road, and then gave up
the chase, because there were no signs Of the
foe, and their horses were wearied.
TT was ascertained that the rebels had left at
about O'Clock this morning; that they were under
the command Of Gen. Bonham, late member OF
Congress from South Carolina, and were about
5000 strong consisting Of South Carolina, Alabann.
aud Georgia regiments. They had occupied SIX
camps near the town, some in tents, others IN
hastily constructed shanties.
The few persons who were to be found in
town said that they had expected them to make
stand. having always asserted that thsre would
be battle, and that all who wished safety had
better leave. But they formed on the hill be-
hind the town only to turn tail the instant our
columns came in sight, those Of Gen. Tyler and
Col. HeiIt,elman asnking them as the center
approached.
In the camps, as in their headquarters 10
town, wers fresh evidences Of hasty departure.
In one were FIVE quarters of fresh beef, elsvon
muskets; in all were spades, shovels, camp.
kettles, kpapsacks, aud pistols 10 abundance.
number Of tents were left entire. snd the ropes
which held others had been cut without pulling
up the stakes. In one was table set for the
officers breakfast
Sick soldiers were left in hospital with nothing
to eat; in the Quartermasters rooms medicine
chest, the Quartermaster's mess chest, aud plenty
Of excellent whisky were left; the latter was
most striking proof of rapid fight. in the KNAPP
sacks we're very precious things, suoh as letter
from e wife to husband inclosiDg q lock Of
hair from sister to brother, asking him to
" kill Yankee for me-" There were also maps
of various parts of Virginia. In some were let
tsrs even incosins money.
The Confederate mail bag stolen from the United
States was made prize of by Col. Burnside As
for the town, it looked like deserted village; hard
ly any persons but women and negroes were to be
seen the houses, come Of them looking as if the
6lLhSc uhu stcu DClNci uhgp NNAo bP ooN
scarcely ANYTHING was to be had for love or money
Tea and coffee have, we were informed by a female
resident been unknown for along time, and of other
things there appeared to be no superfuity.
The Court House itself, which was where
Gen. Washfngton's business was transacted, looks
like a Yankee academy on the exterior. Within
it is not 80 capacous nor convenient many
police justice North would regard ths room, az
il now appears as beneath him. One Of the
Rhode Island regiments camped on the grounds
of DR.. Gunell, and made themselves soon &C.
quainted with his iee-hOuse, bee hives, garden
beds, and running chickens.
We regret to say that several deserted build
ings were broken into and pilsged, and that sir,
mostly barns, on the outskirts Of the town, were
burned, some by Secessionists aud some by our
troops, on the rumor that Union man had been
shot from one them; the officers tried to prevent
these excesses BY setting guards at the house,
but in q number Of cases they were too late
the arrangements should have been made before
hand, aud Gen. Mcdowell should see 10 it that
these things are not repeated.
There /. this TO be said, however, that so far
as our observation extended, only deserted houses
were touched aud the soldiers might well infer
from the fact Of leaving that the owners we're
rebels. Many of them were touched less for love
of plunder than from q desire for trophies, A
cannon was fred at q party of rebels who wero
scouting, from Gen. Tyler's column, between 8
and 9 o'clock. This is supposed to have been
the frat alarm given, and was soon followed by
the retreat. Three Of our men were slightly
wounded.
We understand that carefully drawn topo-
graphical map prepared by clerk now en-
poyed in the War Department, was found in
one Of the buildings. Among the civilians who
entered Fairfax with the army was daughter
of Thurlow Weed, who bore away Secession
flag and other trophies Among the members OF
Congress who were there were Senator Lane Of
Indiana, and Collar, Verree, Nixon, Frank,
Porter aud Washburne Of Illinois, of the House.
Mr.. verres brought home 40 empty sand-bag,
with the words "The Confederate States"
printed upon II, which he presented to Gen.
Mansfield, to be given, by him, to Gen. Scott
as one Of the many trophies Of this bloodess
victory.
Most of the column Of the center rested for
ths night at Fairfax. A portion Of that and of
Gen. Tylers pushed on three miles toward Cen.
trsvile, where it Is thought they viii make
stand as the position is strong one.
II is doubtful whether the army viii at present
move beyond Manassas Junction. The force Of
Gen. Mcdowell 10 the advance is believed, on
excellent authority, to be $1,000 menj 5000