, 1862-03-21


Here is one Of the numerous articles Y11c1,
hasc appeared in the Chicago Times magnily-
ing the strength Of the rebel Notifications at
C1ntre7ille- They were inserted as Il part Of
the game of deception practiced upon the
country to prevent the huge Potomac army
from falling upon the rebels and crushing
them. Compare this account OF the unassai1-
able strength Of the rebel works with their
actual weakness mounted with wooden can
Ion The Times has played well its part to
save its rebel friends from destruction. The
article appeared few wceks since, and WAS
furnished by its special Washington corres-
pendent.
The TS,acs sars:
The headquarters of General Beauregard are
established At Centrev1lle, around which the
main body Of the army is cntrenclied. The
whole country, between the Potomac and the
0ccoqnan rivers, is extremely billy; and,
willie this renders difficult the operations OF
large bodies Of troops, it renders the country
easy Of dcf:nse- Gen. Beaurcgard, being 4
scientific officer, took advantage Of this fact,
and employed the months Of the summer aud
autumn, from August to November, in erect
ing around Cen1revtile twenty-si forts, which.
10 extent and strength, rival those southwest
How could lie do this without its being
known: Tile answer is contained in q single
word: Mnnson's Hill. B5 throwing forward
few regiments, be took possession Of Muu-
sons Hill about the end Of August, which
Gen- Mcclellan at that time was unable to
bold, lie having but just commenced the task
Of suaking soldiers ont Of the disorganIzed
fragments of the Bull Run rout. By mixing
show Of fortifying that hill, he dfTerted at
| tent;on from what he was really doing. But
there was one man in Washington, and prob2-
| bly, only oDc, who penetrated his desirns.
| Gen. Mcclellan knew that he was fortifyinn
t at CentreTi1lc. But to what extent, cyen be
was i.norat until apprised by deserter long
after the evacuation Of Munson's Hill.
! Why has Beauregsrd thus fortified Centre
! yi1le? When the Union ARMY Of the POTOMAC
moves, the reason will become manifest. Cen
| trev]ne is the key Of Manassas Junction, aui
Manassas junction is the door to Richmond
and, indeed, it may be said, to the whole O
country; trace the roads, the streams, ths
ranges of hills, and it will be seen that Unio1
11my entering by any other door will be sur,
to be surrounded, cut off from their base o
operations, and destroyed If the strong
lines OF Manassas can be forced, aud the com
T,'nication , be kept open with this city,
Union army can advance southwark, conquer
ing cs il advances, and laying the whole coun
try under contribution. Hence the impor
lance OF fortifying Ccntregil1c.
lncse t"enty-sA forts arc SO situated as t,
command every possible approach to Center
vile, from Arcola, on the Gun Spriug Rad
on the left, to the Ocoquau river, two mile
below Union Mills, on the right. On th
morning Of the battle Of Bull Run, the Con
1ederate army vas posted on the right bank q
that stream, from the Stone Bridge to Unio
Mills. The rcconnoissauecs made by Gau
Mcdowell on the day. previous enable
him to GROSS large portion Of his fore
(Gen. Hunters column) at Sudley's Ford,
mile and a quarter above the Stone Bridge
This disarranged Beauregard's whole plan q
battle, and came near defeating him. Til
hardest fighting Of the day, aud till o'c1ocl
IN the afternoon, took place west Of Sud1ey'
Ford, and between it add the Warrentoa turn
, pike. The two forts, then, between Arcol
and sudleg's Ford, are designed to p1ever
the ford from being used by the Union troop
The largest and strongest forts are called Fo
f Beauregard, Fort Davis, and Fort slide1
They ali command roads that must be taken
order to approach Centreyille. AL Of ii
twenty siI forts are mounted with suitable a
ti1ery. 1t EaE to celebrate the completion
these works that the great review Of 4, O
5 Confederate troops took place carly in D
cembcr, at which jeff. Davis was present, II
at which the s. tsle-Aags'' were presented
. each regiment.