The New York herald., 1862-01-05

reg lrd, whose headquarters at Centre, nlc The
main body OF the army amounting to 900 non
in9cd around that place. short time after the battle
cf Hull run General Beauregard caused minute military
survey he made Of oil the country lying between Ma
nassas Junction and Springfield station on the
east; Baiicy's Cross Roads, Balls Cross Roads
and Falls Church the northeast, and Vienna
and Goose creek ON the north. Tho result of this
survey convinced him that the nature of the country
within radius OF seven miles around Ccntreyille was
such that with proper forcations could be rendered
almost mpregnable As OF the very first Importance
present barrier to the advance OF the federal troops
that direction he resolved TO take advantage Of the natu
raj deenccs Afforded by the ranges OF hills between the
occoquan river and Fairfax and between Fairfax and
Gum Spring, for the purpose Of erecting such barrier
IN order to divert the attention Of the Union troops from
this design he pushed forward considerable portion Of his
troops towards Washington, until his pickcs extended
Springfield station, Bailcy's Cross Roads, Balls Cross
Rcads, Vienna Hunters Mills and the right bank ofDi
cult creek. Then knowing wo the real importance andcx
act value the occupation Of Munsons Hill on the 25h
Of August hc threw forward strong detachment
aud took possession OF that HILL at that tc only nomi
ny but really in the possession Of the Union troops
AT that indeed in possession OF Balls Cross
Roads and Bailey's Cross Roads; but these, well
Munson's Hill ITSELF wcrc only picket stations General
Mcclellan had only been in command Of the army for
about four weeks. Hc had only commenced tho great
work of the reconstruction and Of the army
The numerical weakness Of the Union army had become
painfully evident aud only six days before Beauregard
thus took possession OF Munsons Hill the Secretary Of
war had issued the celebrated order of the 10th Of August
sunmoning 10 the instant defence Of the capital all reg
mcnts and parts Of regiments whether armed and uni
formed or unarncd and without uniforms. Tho Union
army of the Potomac therefore, in condition at
that time to dispute with General Beauregard the POS
session Of Munson's Hill. That general retained II ac
cordinrly and made show Of fortfying IT, Different reg
mens were drawn upon day after day. and put through
all the cvolutlons OF the line. Gangs OF negroes were
taken there and made TO cut down the sopng sides OF the
hill in the samo way that the sides Of Federal HILL in Bal
tmorc have been cut down, as to present the appear
ance Of inrenchmcnts. Batteries Of field artillery were
drawn up in these ntrcnchmcnts and the guns fred
pcatedly as II for practice. Munsons Hill being in full
view from the dome Of the Capitol, from the seminary
near Alexandria, from Hunters chapel and from Fort
Richardson all these movements were plainly seen by
the Union army which was just what Beauregard wanted
wood into the shape and size Of PARROT guns had them
painted black and mounted on tho sham works. While
thus occupying the attention Of the Union troops General
Beairegard was engaged in tho far moro serious
business OF fortiiying Centrcvlle Tho dilgsnt labor
,b0 nr thousands Of blacks brought this work 70 such
degree Of orwardness that the 2sth OF September,
Munsons Hill, Bailey Cross Roads and Balls Cross
Roads woro evacuated by the Confederate troops who
retired 20 the lines of inrenchments around Ccntreve
During the succeeding two months Beauregards army
continued work a these ntrcnchmcnts and they were
completed about the LIST OF December II was 10 cee-
brac tho completion of these works that the great review
OF seventy thousand took place there three four
weeks ago. brief Of which was published In tho
HERALD al the time. The statement that anything like a
stampede or any confusion whatever took placc on this
occasion Is entirely without foundation. There was q
sxmish at the outposs that day, in which few rebel
soldiers we're Killed but the review took place without
interruption. All the troops undcr review were warmly
and comfortably clothed, and their arms were FOUND
Go be- on inspection by brigadcs two days previously IN
excellent order JEFF. Davis and General Joseph ~ John-
ston were both present at the review and both compl'
mcnted Gen. Beauregard highly on account Of the cred